The Possessive Alpha
Chapter 108

DAMON POV

Taking the two stairs at a time, I am through the door of the packhouse within seconds, not caring that I am completely naked as I walk into the foyer to see some pack members milling around. “OUT! NOW!” I holler as they scurry past me, trying not to look me in the eyes as they pass on their way out the door.

Running up the stairs, I can see other pack members making their way out of the house, doing their best to avoid me. My Alpha energy is running rampant, consuming the entire house, and putting pressure on everyone to get the f**k out.

I finally reach the hallway where my room is; racing to my door, I enter my room, hoping to find the faint cinnamon and vanilla scent, only to find it empty, fueling the rage stirring in my gut. Entering the closet, I grab the tactical gear I only wear in situations like this. Changing in record time, I kneel to blouse my boots; standing, I lock my heart in a cage, mentally preparing myself for the decisions I am about to make. That I have to make. Maybe, Elle had the right idea about taking her destiny into her own hands.

Slade’s stoic fury pushes me out the bedroom door; our combined energy has me zooming down the stairs at supernatural speed, finding myself at the cellar door within seconds. As I descend the stairs, my breathing slows, and the only sound filling my ears is my boots as they pound against the metal steps.

At the bottom are Matt, his father, and Beta Jake, all with tense shoulders, their nervous energy coating the air, making me want to gag. I can’t deal with their uncertainties. Not in a situation like this. “Did you bring everything I asked for?” I question Matt, my voice rough but my words dead.

“Yes, Alpha,” Matt says, handing me the thick leather gloves we use to deal with anything toxic to us, “your parents are in the same cell as Beta Simon.”

“Good,” I say, looking at the men while bringing Slade forward, pushing our energy unto them, “now leave. All of you.”

“Alpha-” Matt starts to protest, but a growl from me stops anything else that might have left his mouth.

“Go, Gamma, and prepare the warriors for war,” I growl, my anger spiking all over again as I think about the elite warriors surrounding my pack.

“Against who?” Gamma Toby asks, and I can’t tell if he is playing stupid or he really doesn’t know what I am talking about.

“The council,” I say, keeping my voice as cool as a cucumber, watching his reaction, which confirms my suspicions, “don’t pretend like you didn’t know they have our pack surrounded. Why? Why are they here, Toby? I am giving you and Jake one chance to tell me what the f**k you know.”

“Honestly,” Toby sighs, running a hand over his face as he glances at Jake, the two having a silent conversation amongst themselves like I had seen Matt and Andrew do a million times before. “We don’t know; we were told about their presence but not to engage. That was all.”

I don’t respond immediately as I study the men I consider uncles for the indication they’re lying and find nothing to suggest they are. “Very well, now go!” I command one last time, turning away from them before grabbing the case of supplies Matt assembled for me as their boots stomp up the metal steps.

Walking down the hallway, I stop at the third cell on the right; pulling on the gloves handed to me earlier and grabbing the keyring, I flip through the ones sitting there until I find the right one. Shoving the key into the hole, my skin tingling at the contact of the leather gloves on the silver door.

Simon is chained to the floor while my father sits on a bench, and my mother paces nervously, biting her nails. All three pairs of eyes find mine as I close the door behind me, hearing the lock click in place as I set the case on the ground beside me.

Meeting the gaze of each person trapped in this same room with me, I let my blue orbs sink in, and I want them to know it’s me calling the shots. A gasp leaves my mom’s mouth when my eyes land on her last, “Damon?”

“Don’t talk,” I growl, not wanting to hear any more of their excuses; too many lies and decisions have been made on my behalf. Too many choices put our pack in more danger than dealing with the enemy head-on when all this bullshit started. “Sit down, shut up; I’ll get to you two later. First, the Beta and I have things to talk about.”

As I make my way further into the room, the camera in the corner follows my movements reminding me it’s there. Looking around the tiny space, I can’t deny the serious need for an upgrade; crossing the small space with two long strides, my hand reaches up to rip the security camera from the wall as exposed wires spark momentarily. Throwing it at the wall, I watch as it shatters into a million pieces.

Without saying another word, I take myself back to the suitcase kneeling in front, unlatching the clasps, and opening the lid to reveal the blades I requested with vials of the poisons I requested on the other side; pulling them out, I examine them pleased to find that the blades can easily fit inside easily.

“I have a theory, Simon,” I say, my voice colder than ice, “can you guess what it is?”

“I can guess,” he replies dryly no fear in his words, his calm reconfirming what I already think.

Taking the silver knife in my hand, the heat from the weapon fueling the fire I already feel within, as I twirl the blade between my fingers, watching as the fluorescent lights bounce along the metal. My back warm from the terrified stares of my parents behind me, but I no longer care, my heart dying.

Closing myself off to my emotions as I was taught and excelled at in Alpha training I turn to stare at them before opening the vial of wolfsbane still in my hands. Kneeling in front of Simon, a sickening smile snaking it’s way across my face, surely distorting my once handsome face. Without thinking about it longer I drag the blade against his chest, watching as it cuts through is shirt and skin like butter.

I barely hear the gasp leaving my mother’s mouth, my attention too focused on Simon who doesn’t even flinch as the wound closes easily behind him, his eyes staring at me. “So, you figured out my secret, do you want a gold star?” Simon mocks, as my fathers curses behind me, watching my actions like a hawk.

I say nothing as I stand walking back, to the case, grabbing the titanium blade and grabbing the vial labeled as ‘poppy’ showing it to Simon who remains unphased. Following his lead I remain emotionless, as I undo to cap, and dip the blade into the toxin letting the blade soak in the light yellow liquid. I don’t acknowledge the tension in the room, or the silent tears running down my mothers face.

Once again getting eye level with Simon, I let the blade glide through the same spot as before, a strangled cry leaving his lips as he tries to ignore the pain. His bright red b***d running down his chest as the wound struggles to close, slightly festering as it mixes with the poppy. “Not so cocky anymore are we, Beta?”

“Why are you doing this?” he asks, through ragged breaths, as the poppy races through his bloodstream, making him weaker. His whimpers filling the small space, clouding my ear drums, and satisfying a dark place deep within that is easier to keep hidden with Elle around. With her gone and in possible danger I will cross any boundary I need to if it means having her beside me. Safe. Loved. Protected. I’ll become the nightmares moms tell their pups about so they behave.

“You know why, Simon,” I say as drag the suitcase closer to me, grabbing the nightshade to undo the cap like I had done for others, dipping the blade inside, a ritual starting to form, while my parents watch in horror. The terror rolling off them, wondering if they’re next, if their fate is to be tortured by their son.

Slade pacing in the forefront of my mind, waiting for his turn to takeover, but he wants to kill everyone and be done with them. ‘We shouldn’t kill them,’ he growls, but doesn’t push forward, leaving me in control of these decisions.

‘I don’t think you have any room to talk,’ I retort, a bite in my words, ‘you’re the reason for these stupid f*****g spells in the first place. You agreed to them. Getting swept away in whatever con Cynthia presented you all with. Things don’t add up.’

Reminding him of his own involvement shuts him up quick, turning my attention back to Simon, his gaze following my every move looking more like a trapped animal. Dragging the blade across his chest, I get a similar reaction as the poppy. His b***d sizzling when it comes in contact with the skin. “Why did you do it, Simon?”

“Do what?” Simon asks, through gritted teeth while he tries to breathe through the pain, but I can see the coy smile hidden in his honey brown eyes, and an image of Theo flashes through my mind. Pushing away the inner conflict, I shut it all off focusing on the task at hand.

“Interfere where you shouldn’t have,” I reply, his fear coating my tongue as he continues to put on a brave face, but I can see the cracks starting to form.

“Bullshit, Simon,” my father chimes in his Alpha energy, while weaker, combines with mine. “Was this Cynthia’s plan all along? What did that b***h drag us into?”

“I am sorry,” Simon says, deflecting once again resorting to the same line as if rehearsed, “but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The cool, collected, facade I put in place when walking into this small room remains intact as I stare at the cut up and bloodied Beta sitting beside me. “So, I guess what you said about your wife earlier was a lie?” I ask my words landing and hitting exactly as they should his body flinching, and jaw tensing.

“Don’t bring my mate into this,” he snarls, his anger swirling his eyes as he fights against the chains, coming within inches of my face. Using my reflexes the titanium blade still resting in my hand slices through his cheek with ease barely missing his eyelid. Recoiling from me, with a strangled scream.

“Why not?” I question ignoring the cries and tears of pain as b***d drips down his cheek, “you brought her into the conversation earlier when you tried to plead for your case.”

Simon snarls, his eyes darkened with fury an internal conflict raging within on whether he wants to reveal the information he has. “You should be thanking me you insolent pup. I am the only reason your entire pack wasn’t slaughtered in their sleep.”

His words weigh on me and I can’t help but see some of the truth in them, with the elite warriors waiting patiently to strike that doesn’t seem like a far stretch. “What do they want with me? Why haven’t they?” My questions forcing a derisive laugh from Simon.

“You really don’t know?” Simon asks, glancing to my father and mother, a judging expression plastered to his face at their ignorance. “No wonder the council, never thought much of you as an Alpha, Charles. But you,” his eyes snap to mine, “the council fears the Alpha you will be. They heard stories about your issues during training. Apparently, you nearly killed a son of one of the council Alpha’s. They have been looking for the perfect opportunity to take you out, and you gave it to them at the ball.”

“Garret,” I whisper, thinking about our sparring session the first week of Alpha training, when it took five wolves to hold me back. “If they have been waiting to take me out, why haven’t they made a move?”

“They have no leg to stand on,” Simon responds while closing his eyes and leaning his head against the wall. “Their evidence is tenuous at best. Their suspicions couldn’t be further than the truth.” He breathes out his breathing labored with the amount of poison coursing through his body.

“What do they think?” I question, forcing more of my aura onto him, hoping that in his weakened state it’ll have him spilling his beans.

“That your parents orchestrated with Tiberius so that you could eventually help Elle back Silver Run” Simon wheezes, sweat rolling down his face, the salt burning his skin, but I don’t care about his pain. Only caring about the answers he can give me. I still don’t trust him, or his motives. “They think your parents did it to give you an upper hand, to give you a Luna Born and one of the largest packs in the territory. The only thing saving your a*s is that Elle isn’t here.”

Hearing the council’s crazy conspiracy theories a boisterous laugh errupts from my father, like it’s the funniest thing they had ever heard but he makes no moves to free Simon. “Well that’s the dumbest s**t I had ever heard,” he mutters, “as if I would ever do that s**t, if anyone is in cahoots with Tiberius it’d be Cynthia.”

My fathers words hang in the air while a look I don’t quit recognize passes over my mothers face, her body remaining rigid, her breathing so still you’d think she was dead. Hearing my fathers words, Simon includes his own theory no love lost between him and Cynthia.

“Cynthia was obsessed with Penelope being better than any male Alpha her age,” he says through heavy inhales, calling Elle by a name I don’t recognize, but a glance to my parents tells me the same person. “I don’t think I had ever met an Alpha so prepared to take over. The only time she took off from training or studying was when they would visit. Mainly at the Little Luna’s demands. Once she found you she was never letting you go.” His honey brown eyes find mine, my heart becoming restless the longer we talk about a past I can’t remember.

Slade whines, as he remembers things he can’t talk about, or doesn’t want to tell me. Simon’s eyes bore into mine, he face flushed red, as he begins to gasp for breath. ‘If you want to save him, do it now.’ Making a split decision, I reach into the case, opening the false bottom to reveal the hidden compartments filled with the antidotes grabbing the two I need. Cracking the tops I turn my body back to Simon pouring the contents his mouth without warning but he gulps greedily the sore throat begining to rage before the more intense symptoms appear.

“So you think Cynthia became partners with Tiberius?” I question but I cannot help but notice my mother’s continued silence during this conversation… as Cynthia’s supposed friend wouldn’t she have more to say? What’s she hiding? I am not the only one who notices, as my father throws puzzled looks at her whenever he thinks I am not looking.

“I don’t know if she partnered with him, or just benefitted from the situation,” Simon remarks while leaning against the wall, he wounds slowly healing, as his breathing returns to semi normal, the antitadote making quick work of closing his open wounds. “Either way I think Cynthia used Tiberius to her advantage.”

“What advantage is having her daughter’s memory wiped,” I ask, “and her mate’s pack destroyed becoming overrun by an imposter for half a decade?” Simon’s theory to farfetched to believe. I find it interesting that my mother shift uncomfortably in her seat at my questions.

“None of you knew Cynthia the way I did,” Simon says, his heartbeat steady as he tells his story. “She was brilliant, and became a powerful Luna. But for every good quality Cynthia had she had three others that were worse. But the worst of them all was her obsession with making Elle the best Luna Born in history.”

“How long had you been suspecting Cynthia would do something like that?” I ask, putting everything back into the slots of the case.

“I think I always had,” Simon explains, “but it got worse after Elle was born. Obsessive, secretive, paranoid. I tried warning Alaric but I don’t think he ever wanted to see it.”

“So why didnt you tell the council it was Cynthia who chose us?” I reply my eyes boring into his soul.

“Because they’re using that as an excuse to get what they really want,” Simon replies gruffly, as his cuts start reforming to closed skin.

“Elle,” I reply, standing on my legs, as I pace back and forth, “they’re using my f**k up as justification for taking her from me.”

“Yes,” Simon coughs, “and the second you step off this territory they will follow you right to her, and then kill you before you have the chance to know if you’re mates or not. They’ll use your death to have her become the chosen mate of some council Alpha. With a small team following you towards Elle the rest will stay by to slaughter every pack member within your borders.”

“You really expect me to stay here when Elle is out there fighting for her life?” I demand with a snarl, the audacity this man has to think I would ever stay here when ELle is somewhere out there is ridiculous. The pressure of someone trying to link with my mind tickles my mind but I ignore it, instead paying attention to the conversation at hand.

“You’ll be no help to her later if you’re dead,” My father says, gently, speaking up for the first time in a few minutes.

“Elle is capable of more than you think, Damon,” Simon reminds me, “you have no idea the s**t Cynthia made her endure to make sure she would be.”

Once more the demand for a mindlink comes through as Andrew’s voice shoves its way into my brain, ‘Alpha, you need to come to the security office. NOW!’ He cries, his voice sounding urgent.

‘Why?’ I respond, hoping whatever it is can wait.

‘A live stream just came across every screen in the office, and I think you’ll want to see what it is Alpha,’ Andrew replies once more remaining as vague and shifty as before.

‘Tell me who the f**k it’s from, Beta,’ I growl, not caring that our little spat is interrupting a very important discussion, ‘I don’t have time for your bullshit right now.

‘Silver Run,’ Andrew replies giddily, and before I know it, I am throwing whatever is in my hand into the suitcase as I fumble for keys in belt praying to the goddess I can make a quick escape.