(Terrance's Section)
I was raised to be strong, told I was nothing without my pack. Akira had initially surprised me, she was strong and dependable and I admired her, but at the same time, I realized that she was going to surpass me. My mate always told me I was enough, she truly loved me. I couldn't shake the feelings of inferiority, Akira eventually surpassed me in strength, it was embarrassing. Another Alpha, a FEMALE alpha took the seat my pack had occupied for generations. My ancestors must have felt shame. Terrance Night Cowering, Cadence would've done better I suppose. I tried to make my pack stronger by throwing out the weak, and Akira responded by taking them in.
I tried to destroy Blood Rose and they simply allied with her. That Bitch made a mockery of everything I worked hard on…
My feelings of Admiration turned into Hatred
My feelings of Pride to Shame.
I will exterminate this Alpha.
In the name of those, I once knew.
———————
(Akira)
I finished my work with a sigh, usually, it took longer and I desperately needed something to occupy my mind. My mate, the one I loved but I knew she wouldn't love me back, wasn't talking to me. We had both agreed that this whole relationship was a power play, but making love to her a few days ago felt…
Right.
Mates are destined, not made, so why am I feeling this way towards her…
Why?
"Akira?" A voice said, I jerked my head up to see something which lifted the weight off my chest "Charlotte…" I whispered, Her blond hair was messy as always but also oily, and her clothes smelled. "AKIRA!" A voice shouted down the hall and I swore that I would kill whoever had interrupted.
"Alpha Akira!" My Beta, Emmett, shouted.
"What," I said, hoping he would sense my irritation. "You have a visitor-" Lukas was cut off as Terrance Night stomped into the room.
Charlotte Dived behind me and if Terrance wasn't in the room I probably would have taken the time to comfort her.
"Akira," Terrance said, forgetting Formalities.
"Alpha Night," I said, emphasizing the Alpha part, I remember when he used to treat me with an ounce of respect, but those days were gone. Now all I see when I look at him is the monster he's become, Hatred always fills his golden eyes and his brown hair was thinning from him constantly pulling on it.
"We need to have a measured Discussion…Just us…Alphas." He emphasized Alphas too much for my comfort, I nodded, and Charlotte and she quickly left the room, I decided to leave our conversation for later after all.
Terrance pulled out a chessboard and we began to play, he started chatting.
"You're about to lose your Queen," Terrance said, he moved a knight closer, and I looked at him. "All that effort putting her on the Board only to be taken out by my Knight…" Terrance said, He took the Black Queen and held it up
"Metaphors…Terrance what are you planning." I asked while nervously casting a glance to the door Charlotte had left through. "I'm saying, we are in a Game of Chess, Akira, and if you aren't careful…" Terrance got up and left. I looked at the board and noticed something, The black Queen Was missing.
Terrance never said things upfront, he was a master of chess and he loved metaphors.
My Queen could only mean one thing, Charlotte. What the hell is he planning?
"Charlotte?" I asked tenderly, I'd been careful around her ever since I'd hurt her.
She still flinched from my touch.
Charlotte was laying on the floor crying, I reached out to touch her and she flinched away. "Charlotte…" I said calmly, I rested a hand on her side gently, I could feel her pain.
"Charlotte please talk to me…" I said She lifted her head and I saw her bright green eyes were dull and filled with pain.
Charlotte stunk, it wasn't a simple bad smell, her usual cheery Christmas smell had changed into a Pungent smell of rotted berries. I lifted her carefully and she leaned into me, in other circumstances I would've relished the touch, but I needed to get her into a shower. I set her in the tub and lifted her shirt over her head, she flinched a little as I carefully removed her other clothes.
"Don't worry…I've seen it all," I said with a slight chuckle, She simply stared at me.
I washed her hair carefully and she watched me with glazed eyes, after she was finally clean she regained her senses
"I'm sorry…" she said, I dried her hair
"For what?"
"I'm a horrible Mate and Companion…"
I picked her up gently
"I wouldn't wish for any Companion in this world but you…" I whispered as I set her on the bed, I curled up with her
"My Queen."
Suffice to say we pretended that never happened, but now I get to share a bed with her. "It's all for the ruse," she said, I agreed while burying my face in her shoulder.
"Akira?"
"Yeah"
"You don't love me right?"
"Not at all"
"Good cause I don't love you back"
"I know"
"I despise you"
"I despise you too"
We both started laughing, and I enjoyed the feeling of her soft skin on mine.
"Hey, Charlotte…" I asked Quietly
"Yeah, Akira." She said I messed with her hair
"If this was all a game….I'm glad I played…"
Charlotte went silent and I held her tight to me. I was glad.
For a moment in this crazy world
I had someone
I was holding her in my hands…
I would be damned if I let this slip away.