With each stride, Hyde's claws dug into the dry soil kicking up the dirt and grass behind him. His muscles contracted and pushed him forward as fast as he could. His wolves ran behind him, his beta beside him. Up ahead they could hear the sound of snarling wolves already in battle. When the wolves came into sight, there was no hesitation as the alpha, and the rest of his pack ripped the rogues from their other pack members.
He pulled off one of three wolves from his largest warrior, who struggled to keep three attackers at bay. He finished one and went for the second wolf. The warrior managed the last one his own. Just as Hyde ripped the throat of the second wolf, he caught movement to his left. He turned and saw a human running towards him. The image took him by surprise. He wasn't human at all but a wolf in its human form. He braced himself for an attack, but the man stopped and threw the knife gripped in his hand towards the alpha.
The alpha almost laughed. Like such an attack would hit him. He flashed the werewolf a smirk as he dodged the knife. Once clear of the knife's path, he raced forward. Just before he lunged for the wolf, he stopped when a sharp pain shot through his chest. He looked down and saw the knife wedged to the hilt in his sternum. He looked around the field for his beta. He staggered away from the human into the sea of wolves, each step heavy, and careless.
"Cedric." He called both through the link and out loud, but it came out as no more than a whisper before he collapsed to the ground.
His wolves felt their alpha's pain and realized the extent of the situation.
Cedric ran past his leader's fallen body and sunk his teeth into the human's neck before he knew what was happening. As the human fell, his eyes met with a young man standing in the shadows. The gaze was brief, as he had several others attack him. With the help of a few warriors, they took Cedric's place in the fight. Cedric took the chance to howl out commands to the pack. A few lower-ranking wolves ran to the alpha to get him off the battlefield while Cedric fought alongside the warriors, and other wolves in the pack.
***
The wolves carried their alpha back to the packhouse where their Luna had the doctor waiting. She likely knew her mate was in trouble before anyone fighting alongside him. Her tears fell, but she stayed strong, barking commands ensuring everything was done according to the doctor's orders.
On the operating table, the doctor took a step back from his alpha and shook his head. Hyde reached for his mate, touching her swollen belly before she took his hand in hers.
"Tell Luca, I'm sorry."
The Luna shook her head as tears streamed down her face. She dropped to her knees and leaned forward, resting her forehead against his.
"I love you."
She kissed him and rested her head on his as she listened to his heart stop.
The doctor didn't move. No one did. The blade had pierced his heart. There was nothing they could do to save their alpha. The Luna's cries resonated through the pack, reaching the wolves who fought. They used the pain of their leaders, and their anger to fight on until they killed off most of the wolves. They killed all but four, which they kept for questioning.
***
Cedric couldn't hold back his pain and anger. He all but killed two of the captured wolves, and when his second interrogation victim passed out, he called in the third. Though, he did more beating than interrogating.
His third victim was the smallest of the ones captured. He had shaggy blonde hair and striking gold eyes. When the beta looked at him, he felt as though he wanted to submit to him. The prisoner wasn't an alpha. He was too small and didn't have the same strength an alpha would, but it didn't change the fact he had to fight the urge to show him his neck. Instead, his lip quivered as he released a snarl and raised his, hand. He hesitated. He looked into the golden eyes of the small wolf and everything told him not to hit him. Cedric yelled and brought it down across the man's face. His hand stung from the contact.
"Who are you?" the beta asked. It was the first time he'd asked any of his captures anything. The man looked him in the eyes, determination filled them. He didn't challenge Cedric, but he refused to submit.
"My name is Nova," he said. "I'm a seeker."
Cedric took a step back. His first instinct was to believe him. To drop to his knees, beg for forgiveness, and then care for him. Cater to his every beck and call. He pushed this feeling down and slapped him again.
"How dare you. Lying about being a seeker is the greatest offense."
"I'm not lying," he continued. "I'm a seeker. Harming one is a far greater offense, according to the Alpha King!"
The beta clenched his fists to keep from shaking. He lifted his head in an attempt to emit some kind of false confidence. If this guy was indeed a seeker, he saw through his façade.
"Prove it."
Cedric raced from the cells to the packhouse to his alpha's office, where his Luna sat in the late alpha's chair, crying while holding onto one of his shirts. He took a deep breath and composed himself before further entering. His Luna wiped her tears and looked at him.
"What is it, Cedric?"
"I have some news. About the prisoners."
She nodded, waiting for him to continue.
"One of them claims to be a seeker."
Her eyes went wide. She set the shirt down on the desk and stood.
"A seeker," she whispered in disbelief. "Is it true?"
"I...I think...Yes." Cedric couldn't deny what he saw. It was proof. The man was a seeker.
"Then, we need to let the king know right away." She walked around the desk. "Take me to him."
Cedric put a hand on her arm and shook his head.
"I'll bring him to you. You shouldn't go down there." He was sure the smell of blood would make her sick.
She agreed and went back to the desk while Cedric sent orders for wolves to bring the seeker.
They treated Nova differently, knowing he was a seeker. While they didn't trust him, they didn't handle him roughly. It was against the law to mistreat a seeker. Not only that, but it also went against their instincts to hurt seekers. Seekers were the only wolves that could control an alpha—even an Alpha King.
They brought Nova in and stood him in front of the Luna's desk. She looked him over and motioned for him to sit. He did and glanced at her belly. She put a hand on it as if to shield it from the seeker.
"Why would a seeker attack us?" she clenched her fist and glared at him through tears. "You're meant to protect us."
He lifted his eyes to look at her.
"I'm truly sorry. But it wasn't my choice," he said. "I was ordered."
"Ordered by who?"
"I'd rather you take me to your king."
Their hands were tied. The king has the first right to the seeker more than any other wolf, and now that the seeker asked to see the king specifically, they couldn't deny him of it.
She sighed and shifted in her seat.
"We will take you tomorr—"
"No. I need to go tonight."
The Luna frowned and scrunched her nose.
"Fine." She stood. "The sooner you're out of here, the better. Cedric, have Sid take him to the king. While he's there, tell him to notify Luca of what has happened. If he doesn't already know."
"Yes, Luna."
The Luna looked at the seeker.
"You'll get what you deserve, seeker. If that's what you really are."
She motioned for Cedric to take him out. He lifted Nova by the arm, and just as they reached the door heard a thud behind him. Everyone rushed to their Luna's side, leaving Nova unmanned. The Luna writhed in pain on the floor, clutching her belly.
"Get the doctor!"
An omega ran out of the room, while the Luna yelled out calling for her mate, and crying for help. Her wolves tried to soother her, but nothing helped.
"I can help," Nova said as he walked over. Cedric growled and pushed him back.
"So, you can kill her too? No. We'll take care of this ourselves."
Nova understood their anger and frustration, not only that but their distrust. He stood back, didn't try to run, didn't say or do anything while he watched the doctor check her over. He couldn't figure out what was wrong and determined she should be taken the king's castle where the best healers were.
Sid and two lower-ranking wolves carried their leader and escorted Nova to the kingdom. It was a far run, and more exhausting carrying a pregnant woman. She lost consciousness almost as soon as they left the pack grounds, and the trip would take half a day. They traveled through the night, stopping for nothing. Nova kept up with them and offered to carry the Luna for a while. Of course, they refused.
They arrived at the palace in the middle of the night. They were escorted into the inner walls by a few guards. The Luna was immediately taken to a private room, and a doctor sent for her. A servant was sent to inform Luca and the king of their arrival and the events that transpired.
As for Nova, he was taken to the cellar where he would stay until the king was awake and would decide where to go from there.
Once left alone in his cell, Nova relaxed onto the hard bed in the corner. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths before looking up at the ceiling. A smile crossed his face as he realized what he had accomplished. He managed his freedom. Ironic, considering he's sitting in a cell, but he was at the king's mercy. As a seeker, he was safe here.
His smile faded as the sobbing started. Despite the strength he had shown, he was terrified. He was angry at himself and all the harm he had caused and worried it was too late for even the Alpha King to show him mercy. He fell onto his side and curled into a ball as he cried. He could only hope. Hope his instincts were right. And hope someone would show him kindness in this cruel world. With his luck, kindness wasn't in his stars.