" Is he a complete idiot ?! - screamed Lana, stomping from one corner to another in Daniel's office. A tall, broad-shouldered man with long, ink-black hair in a loose ponytail, and predatory features grinned sadly and shook his head. Lana focused her eyes on him, trying to calm herself. She was shocked, scared and so enraged.
As soon as she entered the police station where Ralph was being held, the room was filled with growls and wild crazy laughter.
" What? Crawling back, you s .. ? I knew you'd come, trash! You are just a spineless piece of meat! Thought you can do without me? Without me, you are nothing! Worthless garbage ..."
The flow of curses and mockery did not stop, even when Daniel tried to reason his cousin. Ralph looked really crazy, like absolutely psycho. Even in human form, his eyes were bestial and cast in red, and he couldn't focus at all.
Like a wild beast without ceasing, he was rushing around the camera, then started to walk in circles, then began to throw himself at the bars of the cell.
Lana tried to talk to him, but he did not listen. As soon as she opened her mouth, he began to scream, or turn around and whisper something in a hoarse voice, or even started to giggle like a hyena.
Only when Lana fell silent, he also calmed down a little. After another such explosion, he suddenly rushed to the bars and tried to reach the girl. Daniel was faster and beat off his hand, throwing the man into the depths of the cell.
Lana, who, at the time of the attack by habit, had covered her face with her hands, looked out over her palms. Ralph's body was sprawled on the floor and immobile as if he ... Instead of fright or anxiety, Lana for a second felt a semblance of relief and hope.
As soon as she realized this, a wave of cold swept over her entire body. What did all this hate and pain turn her into?
Not wanting to remain here even a second longer, Lana turned and ran out of the police station. Daniel caught up with her a little later and took her to his office in the municipality across the street. And now, having come to her senses a little, Lana began to boil again.
"It is absolutely impossible to talk with him! He is certifiable!" - Stopping for a second in the middle of the office blurted out Lana. Dan got up from his seat and approached the girl, put his arm around her shoulders he gently but firmly, led her to a chair and sat down before returning to his seat.
"He is in this condition for 2-3 days. Immediately after you left, he was still more or less adequate. As far as it is possible for him. That's why I'm worried. I didn't think that imprisonment would affect him so quickly. I hoped that, on the contrary, he would sober up, come to his senses, think about everything. But it's getting worse. To be honest, I'm confused."
Lana lowered her eyes to her hands, frantically pondering everything that was said. The werewolves did tolerate the restriction of freedom very badly. The beast inside began to rage and over time could drive his other half crazy. Therefore, such punishment has never been applied. It was more torture then confinement. Shifters were locked only for a time, as a last resort. Otherwise, they were either driven out of the pack or challenged by Alpha called to fight. The outcome of such a fight could be only one. On rare occasions, Alpha could show mercy if the wolf admits his guilt and asks for mercy. But in this case, Were became an Omega forever, covered with shame and avoided by everyone in the pack.
Meanwhile, Daniel continued:
"Lana, I want you to understand right now. I didn't call you here to solve this problem. But you should be aware. I checked out Ralph's friends. They really brewing something shady in the town. I'm like a bone in their throats, and you are just an excuse to finally cling to something. I have no choice. In the coming days, I will have to challenge Ralph. But with the state in which he is right now, anything can happen."
" Do you think you can lose?" - In horror, asked Lana. Daniel met her gaze, but Lana wasn't able to decipher what was swarming at the bottom of those dark eyes. He paused a little, apparently deciding how much to say, then exhaled, as if surrendering.
"Since childhood, Ralph was for me something of an idol. Older brother, who I looked up at. I admired him, tried to catch up with him, I was sure that he was perfect. And then he brought you into the pack. You were the ideal couple. Like from a fairy tale. I do not know why, but suddenly I began to look at everything differently. This whole picture was too beautiful, too cheesy, like a scene from a movie. The way he cared for you, how he drove you everywhere. Like walking a new dog to the envy of the neighbors. And he always didn't look at you but at what he looked like next to you. You were just a prop for his benefit. Once I realized this and his whole image crumbled like a card's house. His father apparently realized this even before. You know, neither he nor my mother, his sister, was lucky enough in love. My father died when I was still quite small, and Alpha took his place, raised me. But he never found his Mate, and some unknown dancer from a nearby city gave birth to Ralph for him. I do not know what he saw in me, but as soon as I grew up, he immediately took up my training. Although not openly, he had long wanted to make me a successor. But I realized it too late."
"You mean he never wanted to give his place to Ralph?" - Lana was surprised. Daniel shrugged.
" Once I asked him about it. After the announcement, I was terribly angry. I felt as if I was betrayed. I hate conflicts, and Alpha, knew about it, but still threw me into the thick of it. When I stormed to him and told everything, Ralph's father laughed in response. He said that only a person who is aware of Alpha's full responsibility can become angry because of the appointment. Ralph never took the role of leader seriously. He saw it only as a beautiful wrapper, power, respect, admiration. And even now he stirs up strife, behaves like crazy, not realizing how this will turn out for the pack. I have to stop him. But many in the pack will be against it."
"Do you think that someone can interfere in the fight? But it is against the law!"
"Right. But after seeing Ralph's state, many will begin to talk. Rumors have already spread that I deliberately put him behind bars to weaken him. There are even those who dare to say that I am pumping him up with drugs. Anything can happen. That is why I want you and your children to stay away from this and be ready. If I lose, you will be next."
Silent but firm words sounded like thunder, causing Lana's heart to miss a beat. That was the last straw. Anger took the place of fear.
"No!" - Lana growled. - "I'll be here. It all started with me, and I won't miss the end. I am the witness of his crimes, I am the accuser. I will stand next to you, and won't let anyone say that you are not in your right."
Daniel met Lana's firm gaze. Alpha's cold face warmed instantly. Although sadness was lurking in the corners of his eyes.
"Once Ralph made the right choice." - he said quietly. - "And even that he could not understand. I am curious about the one whom the moon has chosen for you. He must be an amazing man."
Lana's cheeks instantly covered a light blush. She did not expect these words, and the image of Greg appeared before her eyes, made Lana's head spin. She was pulled back by Alpha's quiet laugh.
"The moon has always been a prankster. And we still didn't learn to hear her silver whisper."