Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
My pulse quickened under my skin. No wonder my wolf had gotten antsy. Both my animal and human sides knew that Dick wouldn’t just give up and walk away from all of this. He’d have to try something.
I’d expected him to try to frame Griffin again, or maybe cash in some favors with other council members.
Not murder.
Although, if he was, in fact, the man who wanted me for breeding, I shouldn’t be surprised. Still, even if he didn’t have a problem with ordering death, being the one to inflict it was a whole different story.
I knew it all too well. Every person I’d killed haunted my dreams, breaking my heart all over again. Yes, every single one of them had been trying to hurt me, and I’d killed in self-defense, but each life was precious. Taking someone’s life wasn’t something to relish or reminisce about. It festered inside you, and in some ways, I remembered those people better than even my own parents’ faces.
That was telling in itself.
Dick scanned the den. However, his attention never went behind the couch or to the walls. He was too busy looking in the corners to check places someone would actually hide.
Dick had no clue what the hell he was doing.
A desperate gleam filled his eyes, and he began to shake. The moonlight reflected off the edge of the knife, casting diamond-like patterns across the room.
Rashness was both a blessing and a curse. Dick was willing to do whatever it took to stay in the city, but his foolishness had clouded his judgment.
His breathing was short and shallow, which informed me that his mind was unfocused. Taking him down should be easy, but I knew that underestimating your opponent made you cocky and arrogant. I had to prepare for the worst-case scenario in which he would be a formidable enemy.
“This will be over soon,” he breathed. “Kill the girl, then Griffin, and it’ll all go away.”
If I were a normal wolf, I wouldn’t have been able to hear the words, but he’d confirmed my suspicions about his intent.
He wouldn’t be getting close to my mate.
“Are you sure about that?” I asked, staying crouched.
My voice faintly echoed around the room, making it so he couldn’t nail down my location.
“Sterlyn?” He startled and sniffed. “Is that you?” He took a step deeper into the room, where he should have been able to pick up my scent now that he was indoors.
“Nope.” I wanted to infuriate him. “It’s the boogeyman.”
He placed his knife back in its sheath as if he didn’t think I saw it. “I just had something I needed to get off my chest and knew Griffin wouldn’t answer my calls or open the door.”
At least this time, he was being careful with what he said. There was no stench of a lie. “Is that so? What do you need to get off your chest?” I wanted to see how far he’d go. What all he would be willing to say. “I’m all ears.”
“Funny.” He chuckled lightly as he took a few steps closer to me. He was sniffing me out but trying to pretend like he wasn’t. “You aren’t a man, so I find telling you hardly worthy of my time.”
Did he think I was stupid because I was a female? Like he thought that I would just believe whatever he had to say. Wanting to throw him off-kilter, I stood, revealing my exact location. “You’re right. I’m so glad you brought that to my attention. Now my boobs and vagina make so much more sense.”
“Do you think your smart mouth makes you appear strong?” He faced me and frowned. “I don’t understand why Griffin and Killian dote on you. You’re just a woman trying to live in a man's world. Pathetic.”
Pathetic .
That was what he had the gall to call me.
“Me? Pathetic?” Rage brushed against me, but I let it simmer. We weren’t fighting yet, and there was so much I had to say. It was about damn time I got some things off my chest. “You’re the one who tried to set up Griffin so you could steal his power instead of challenging him like a real alpha would do. You’re the one who lives in this city, afraid to go outside the walls for too long because God knows why. You’re the one who pushed his daughter to try to lock down a man who had no interest in being with her. And you’re the one who will let others fight but isn’t willing to risk your own neck in those battles. You’re a coward, and now no one respects you.”
He straightened his back as he marched closer to me, stopping in front of the couch I stood behind it. He sneered. “A true leader realizes that staying safe is the only thing that makes sense. Why should I be fighting the battles when I can pull the strings?”
“Because you should never ask someone to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself.” Dad had taught me that, too. He’d taught me so much that I’d taken for granted. My heart ached since I would never be able to thank him, but now wasn’t the time for mourning. “A true alpha leads by example. If every one of the people who looked up to you followed your lead, nothing would get done. They’d be hiding out in their homes, waiting for someone else to do the very things they’re too scared to do themselves.”
“Don’t act like you know me.” His voice grew louder. “You don’t know shit. You’re just some alpha wannabe who landed Griffin for what he could get you. The only thing you’re good for is breeding, but the angels won’t let you live long enough for that to happen. You screwed yourself by coming out.”
Maybe.
I had a feeling that a war was coming, but right now, the imminent threat was Dick. “You’re just upset that they found out about me when you wanted to keep my existence hidden. Why exactly was that?” I wanted him to admit it. I needed to hear him say everything he’d done, not only to me, but to my former pack.
“Just like a woman, thinking I have to explain myself to you.” His hand went back to where his knife hid under his polo shirt. “I don’t owe you anything.”
He was getting ready to attack. At least we were away from Griffin. There would be no risk of my mate becoming injured. I tensed and inhaled deeply, clearing my mind.
Just as I expected, he pulled his knife and jumped at me. His wide eyes locked on my heart, telling me exactly where he was aiming.
He had no training whatsoever. He’d been sheltered his entire life and had never practiced battling another wolf because of his position. His cockiness would be the death of him because I refused to let him live after this.
He’d had my brother kidnapped, slaughtered my family and pack, had me hunted, and now wanted to kill me and my mate. He put everyone I loved at risk with each breath.
I bent and rolled out of the way, making him land awkwardly. Standing to face him, I found the front half of his body slumped over the back of the couch. He’d expected the knife to lodge into my chest, keeping him upright.
Struggling, he tried to straighten, but before he could get off the couch, I punched him in the face. As I pulled back, he sliced my arm with the knife, and my blood spattered onto the couch. The metallic scent almost made me gag, but I breathed through my mouth, lessening the impact.
“You stupid bitch,” he bellowed.
Sterlyn? Griffin’s voice popped into my mind. What the fuck is going on?
Shit, I’d hoped we wouldn’t wake him, but that had obviously been stupid. Dick wasn’t leaving without killing us, so it wasn’t like Griffin would sleep through it all. Dick is here and attacking us.
“I’ve been wanting to hurt you since the first day I laid eyes on you.” Dick rubbed his jaw as he got back on his feet and stalked around the couch toward me. “I should’ve had you killed that day. It’s one of the biggest regrets of my life.”
One. Wow, the fact that he admitted he had regrets kind of shocked me. He seemed like the kind of guy who thought his shit didn’t stink when everyone around him could smell it. “Well, you won’t be living much longer to dwell on it.”
“You think you’re going to win?” He laughed maniacally. “You have no idea who you’re up against.”
“Oh, but I do.” I knew exactly who he was. “A man desperate for power who’s willing to sacrifice everything to get to the top. Maybe even kill his best friend so the man’s son would spiral and he could swoop in and be the hero.”
He laughed darkly. “You think I killed Atticus? I would never have done that.”
I expected the stench of a lie, but it never came. I’d been so certain that he’d been involved, given that Ulva and Atticus had been at the Hardings’ house for dinner. Atticus's death had led Dick into a stronger position, but maybe I did have that part wrong, which didn’t sit well with me. “And yet, you set up his son? Doesn’t that kind of counter the argument?”
“You stupid bitch.” He held up the knife, making it clear what his next move would be. “I’m not telling you anything.”
He lunged at me, the knife aiming for my shoulder, and I ducked the blow. I kneed him in the stomach, causing him to stumble back several steps.
Griffin’s footsteps pounded down the hallway toward us, which made Dick’s nostrils flare.
“You ruin everything.” Hate filled each one of his words. “This was supposed to be easy, and yet, here we are again.”
“You still have a chance to cut your losses and climb back over the railing to your own balcony.” Ugh, I knew I needed to kill him, but I had to give him one last chance. People could be redeemed if they wanted it themselves. Maybe this was his rock bottom, but I doubted it. Darkness circled him like a plague.
“I can’t.” He sighed, and his face lined with regret or worry. “This is all I have left.”
He attacked again, this time not using the weight of his body. Instead of aiming to kill, his intent was now to injure. He swung the knife around crazily, making it so I couldn’t get near him.
I ’ m coming in from the other side , Griffin linked. Just stay safe, I’ll handle him.
Well, that was easier said than done. Dick had completely lost his marbles. At this point, he wanted only to inflict pain, and he didn’t give a damn about himself, which made me sad. Was power that important to him that he’d rather die and leave his family behind than be disgraced? What kind of mate and father did that make him? If anything, it put him in an even poorer light. I almost felt bad for Luna. There was no telling the kind of hell she’d been raised in. No wonder she was a psycho, too.
He picked up his pace as he rushed me, his face contorting as if fighting his alpha’s call. With each step he advanced, I countered, looking for something to help me. My wolf surged forward, and fur sprouted along my body. Griffin was close, and I didn’t want him to get hurt, which was quite possible with the way Dick was acting.
My bones cracked as my body shifted into wolf form. Before I was on all fours, Dick grazed my wolf in the shoulder, struggling to continue the fight as Griffin growled. At least it wasn’t an injury that I couldn’t bounce back from. I bit into his wrist, and the knife clattered to the floor. Then I lowered my head and steamrolled Dick into the wall.
“No!” he yelled as his fingers dug into my fur. His nails bit into my skin, but his hand loosened of its own accord.
The alpha will was finally taking hold.
Griffin flashed past me, running to the spot where Dick and I had been moments ago, but I had to stay focused on Dick.
I took a step back, snarling and baring my teeth at the older man. Now that Griffin was here, there was no way he could win.
“You need to stop right now,” Griffin rasped from behind me. “Leave Sterlyn alone and get the fuck out of my house.”
“Do you think it’s that easy?” Dick snorted as he held his arms wide. “That you can cast me and my family out and we’ll just go all obediently? You aren’t meant to be the alpha here. I am.”
I wished I could talk sense into him, but you couldn’t rationalize with someone who’d lost their damn mind.
“Dick, please,” Griffin begged. “Don’t make it come to this. All you have to do is stand down. You can find another pack. It’s not like this is the end of the world.”
“But it is the end of the world.” He breathed raggedly. “And I have to do whatever it takes to right the wrong.” He reached for my neck, and I growled, ready to bite him.
“Damn it,” Griffin bellowed as he appeared beside me with Dick’s knife in hand. He plunged it into Dick’s heart, and the older man gasped. His hands dropped to his sides as his back fell against the wall and he slowly slid to his ass.
My heart hurt that my mate had been put in this position. He’d loved this man at one time, and I’d never wanted him to have to live through this guilt and pain.
Ulva’s footsteps came running down the hall, and they stopped when they came into the room.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Dick until he was dead, so I couldn’t check on her.
“You actually did it,” Dick sputtered and glanced at the knife protruding from his chest. “I…I didn’t think you had the balls.”
“When it comes to protecting those I love, I’ve learned that I’m willing to do whatever it takes.” Griffin ran his fingers through my fur as he kept his gaze on the man. “And you’ve made it clear that you have no problem hurting anyone as long as you get what you want.”
“Ahhh, if only you knew everything.” Dick chuckled as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth onto his shirt. “You think you have all the answers, but you have no fucking clue.”
My blood ran cold at the implications.
“What do you mean?” Griffin tensed as he squatted to be on eye level with the man. “What don’t I know?”
The question hung over us like a cloud as Dick coughed, splattering the blood now pouring from his mouth. His heartbeat was slowing, and he wouldn’t be alive too much longer.
I urged Griffin to find out what he knew before it was too late. I growled, wishing I were still in human form now that his mother was here.
“Dick, please.” Griffin sounded almost broken. “What do you mean? At least tell me that.”
“I want you to know that I loved your father,” Dick whispered as his black eyes lightened. The hate that was always present began to disappear. “When he died, I lost a part of myself, too.”
Sincerity dripped from his words, and some of the darkness that swirled inside him began to dissipate, which didn’t make sense to me.
“Okay, but what did you mean?” Griffin asked desperately. “Do you want to leave Luna and Saga behind with secrets hanging over their heads?”
Dick flinched and took a shallow breath as death settled over him. “You will never win.” Then his heart stopped beating.
“Damn it!” Griffin yelled as he pounded his hand against Dick’s chest. “Tell me what I need to know.”
But there was no point. Dick couldn’t answer him any longer.
I nuzzled Griffin’s side, trying to comfort him, but my mate wasn’t here with me. He continued beating on the dead man’s chest, screaming for an answer.
Ulva gasped, and I turned to find her in the hallway in a pale blue nightgown. Her mouth dropped in horror as she watched her son in his frenzied state.
This whole situation was a clusterfuck, and I couldn’t do a damn thing in wolf form. I hated leaving Griffin like this, but the thought of shifting back into human form in front of his mother didn’t sit well with me. I could shift and return within a minute.
I rushed back to Griffin’s room, passing his mother. She stood there, frozen, her hand on her throat, watching her son lose control. Her being unable to feel his devastation was a good thing. That was all on me, and it broke my heart. His feelings of hatred, love, and betrayal mixed together as he came to grips with the knowledge that even in death, Dick hadn’t tried to help him.
When I entered the bedroom, I shifted back into human form, then quickly grabbed one of Griffin’s long shirts and some boxers and threw them on.
Within seconds, I was back in the living room.
As I passed Ulva, she grabbed my arm and begged, “Please help him. You’re the only one who can get through to him right now.”
I nodded and patted her arm as I reassured her, “That’s the plan.”
“Of course it is.” She waved a hand in front of her face like she was trying to dry tears before they fell. “You already knew that.”
Giving her a sad smile, I walked past her and hurried to my mate. His face was the color of a tomato as his fingers, coated with Dick’s blood, tugged at the edges of his hair. “No.” Tears dripped down his face, causing sections of his gray shirt to darken. “He was supposed to leave in the morning. Not die.”
My heart broke for him, and I took some of his pain into myself. “Hey.” I placed a hand on his shoulder, hoping my touch and voice would at least pull him out of his current state. I continued, wanting him to know that I was here. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” Griffin repeated as he shook his head. He looked at me and inhaled sharply. “You’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. He forced our hand.”
“He did.” I wanted him to know that I agreed with that. Sometimes it was easy to doubt our decisions. “I just wished I had killed him, not you.”
“I won’t lie.” He reached out to cup my face but stopped when he saw his fingers coated with blood. He blew out a breath and dropped his hand back to his side. “He was determined to kill you. I would do it all over again because keeping you safe is my top priority.” His love bled through our bond, so much stronger than the pain of losing Dick. “Your life will always come before anyone else’s.”
My life wasn’t worth more than any other person’s, but I knew that he’d disagree. So I said the only thing that made sense: “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He kissed my lips. “And at least this is over.”
“But is it?” Dick’s last words haunted me. “He made it sound like he wasn’t working alone.”
“We know Azbogah is involved.” He frowned. “So that’s not shocking information. Dick was just trying to unnerve us.”
That could be it, but I wasn’t sure. Either way, we still had to deal with Dick’s death.
“You two go get cleaned up,” Ulva said as she appeared beside us. “I’ll call some guards to take care of the body. Maybe we can get some decent rest now that this asshole is gone.”
I wanted to argue, but my mate needed to get clean. The sooner he washed off the blood and got into fresh clothes, the better his mental state would become. For now, fortunately, the battle was over.