“Affirmative, sir,” Rocco replies with a sombre nod. I brought Jaxton and Korbin to converse with Jadi one final time before our departure, and as we neared his new pack, we encountered Jadi. Jaxton retrieved a firearm from his glove compartment and directed it at your son.
I am infuriated by Jaxton’s boldness to disregard my wishes and act according to his own desires.
“Was Jadi injured?” “I enquire, a conflict raging within my mind.” A portion of me wishes the boy was deceased to conclude this ordeal, while the other part fervently begs for his safety.
“He is satisfactory,” Rocco elucidates. “However, Jaxton persisted in firing, prompting Jadi to respond to the gunfire.” The two engaged in a confrontation over possession of the firearm, thus I cannot ascertain who shot whom; however, the weapon discharged, resulting in Jaxton being shot.
In an instant, the world halts, and my lungs cease momentarily.
“Where is Jaxton?” “I enquire, my expression impassive as I await his reply.
“He is deceased, Alpha,” Rocco states plainly, the familiar anguish of another lost son permeating my heart. This time, it is certainly not my fault.
“What?” A sudden gasp emanates from behind me.
At that moment, I hear footsteps coming, as Nellie emerges from the house, her lips trembling in distress.
“What did you articulate?” She emits a whimper accompanied by a sob.
“Nellie, enter the house,” I instruct, but Nellie disregards me entirely, fixating on her Gamma.
“What did you articulate?” She reiterates, her hand grasping her chest as several tears cascade down her face. “Where is my infant?” “
“I commanded, ‘GO INSIDE,’” I retorted, as Earl obstructed her path and propelled her backward by the shoulders.
“No…” she laments, her visage contorted with distress as she repels Earl’s hands. No. Negative… negative!She murmurs, her voice escalating in volume. No! Negative! This is not my child!She screams, while Earl embraces her as she weeps, “My baby!” My infant!She cries out, striking Earl’s chest with her hands in an attempt to escape.
Rocco ascends the steps to the house to console his Luna, although she rejects his solace. She desires his demise.
“You were supposed to protect him!She growls, striking Rocco across the face when he attempts to embrace her. “You cowardly, inconsequential, worthless individual!” She weeps furiously, falling to her knees.
As she cries out, I cautiously advance towards the truck, discovering a body swathed in linen securely positioned in the bed. My hands tremble as I loosen the bindings securing the body and retract the linen, immediately shutting my eyes upon witnessing Jaxton’s visage, marred by two gaping cavities on either side of his head.
I remind myself to show no weakness, swiftly concealing my feelings beneath a stoic facade as I cover Jaxton once more. An Alpha never exhibits vulnerability.
A different concept preoccupies my head, with anger and shame permeating my existence. In the absence of Jaxton, that stammering fool is now the exclusive heir to my pack. That coward will be accountable for this – for MY PACK.
How could this be my destiny? My heritage? In the possession of an individual who cannot articulate his own name without faltering ineptly? In what manner? How could this occur?
I direct my anger towards Rocco, the individual I entrusted with this exclusive responsibility.
“How could you permit this to occur?” I growl, seizing him by the collar of his shirt. You had one responsibility. Where were you located? Are you aware of the impact your actions have had on this pack?” I bellow, trepidation evident in his gaze.” “Onyx Stone was assured an heir, and you permitted his demise!” “
I informed you that Jaxton posed a problem. Rocco attempts to clarify that Jadi was merely acting in self-defence. I was unaware that the child possessed a firearm. I am uncertain how he acquired a silver revolver.
I am paralysed, comprehending that the sole individual capable of providing Jaxton with a silver revolver was his own mother. The grieving woman seemed to recognise this as well, as her breath catches at hearing the term ‘revolver,’ and her sobs diminish.
This despicable individual…
I disregard Rocco and advance towards my wife, who tries to flee, but is too sluggish to rise. Seizing one of her ankles, I pull her towards me, mount her, and restrain her against the ground. She attempts to resist me, although there is no evasion.
“Did you provide the child with the firearm?” “I enquire calmly, a menace evident in my tone as I scowl at the woman I wed.”
“N-no… no- I, no…” she stutters, urgently attempting to dislodge me from her.”
“Did you provide the firearm to the child?” “I bellow, while Nellie lies a quivering wreck beneath me.”
“H-he removed it from my drawers,” Nellie weeps, shaking her head vigorously. “I did not commit the act.” I am not responsible! I assure you!”
“Ought I to inspect the surveillance cameras in your office?” “I issued a threat, causing Nellie’s face to drain of colour in terror.”
“No, it is unnecessary to-”
“Who provided him with the firearm?” “I insist once again,” Nellie exclaimed with exasperation.
“Myself!” She emits a screech. “Myself!” I have done so! I was not going to allow an aberration to usurp my son’s position!”
I hush her with a slap to the face, Nellie gazing at me in astonishment for striking her in the presence of other pack members.
“The sole reason for your continued existence is my unwillingness to engage in conflict with your father and his factions,” I hiss through clenched teeth, grasping her jaw and drawing her face nearer to mine to ensure she comprehends every word I utter. “However, heed my words, Nellie.” “You will face consequences for this,” I hissed.
A fire ignites in Nellie’s eyes as she stares at me with defiance.
“If you touch me again,” Nellie retorts in hushed tones before transitioning to mindlink. “I will inform them of your actions towards Duncan.”
