Fury.

I was in a frenzy, overcame with rage from the absence of my mate's presence.

Weak.

That's what I am.

If I can't even keep my mate safe, then how can I lead a pack?

I was angry at myself for being irresponsible and pathetic.

If I could, I would run straight ahead and have Alexandria back in my arms.

But I can't.

Not when I didn't know what or who I was facing.

Although, I was able to break it down into two possibilities: Alex's lame ass family or Silas.

I could either charge in, ransack their whole village, wipe out their whole population, and burn them alive to rot in ruins.

Or I could run into a dead end and kill myself like an idiot fighting one to a thousand rogues.

Silas. He rules by using others. He threatens, manipulates, and controls each and every one of them like they were pawns. He would send all the Rogue Packs against me.

But that was all.

Silas is a coward. He would sit in his throne, sipping on wine as he watches both mine and his people die.

A growl emits from my chest and again, anger surges through me. My wolf was prodding at me for release and my claws were itching to destroy. I was hanging on a thread and I wanted to release this anger on something—someone.

But I stop myself because I didn't want to ruin anything that reminded me of Alex, which was the only thing keeping me sane.

Her scent lingered in our room. The watches and jewelry she stole and stacked in the cabinet reminded me of her. The clothes she stole from my closet reminded me of her. The chair she would always sit on in the dining room reminded me of her. Hell, even the hallways reminded me of her.

I was going crazy without her. I was crazy for her.

So instead of tearing down the whole house, I imagine my hands on Gio's neck, squeezing as hard as I could.

A snarl unintentionally escapes my lips and a whimper soon follows after.

I snap my head to the doorway, annoyed by anyone that came near me. Maybe it was the intensity of my glare or the crazed look on my face, but either way, it made Cara flinch and cower back in fear.

Oh my, my sister who used to be so pure and carefree.

"If you're just gonna stand there without saying anything, then I suggest you leave," I growl at her.

I keep my expression blank when she winced, surprised by my harsh way of speaking.

I'm not gonna deny the shock that enters my mind when she didn't back away and kept her stand still.

Narrowing my eyes at her, I tap my fingers on the edge of the bed impatiently. She needed to say something soon or I was gonna drag her out of this room myself.

She parts her mouth and hesitantly says, "It was Silas."

"What?"

"Silas," she repeats, her eyes locked unto mine. "Silas took her."

I couldn't help but let out heaps of humorless laughter.

"I am so gonna kill that son of a bitch," I growl.

"What?!" Cara frantically approaches me with pleading eyes. "He's my mate, brother! Think about me, please. I can't ever live without hi—."

"How did you know?" I question her, exasperated. "It was that rogue wasn't it? The rogue who left you pregnant? You've been meeting with him since forever, haven't you?"

"What are you talking about?!" She screams at me.

I eye the necklace that has always been wrapped around her neck as if it was the most precious thing ever. I knew who it was from: that rogue.

I remember feeling hurt. I was jealous that no matter how hard I tried, she never cared about me. I would buy her jewelry, wishing she would one day wear them, but instead, she wore that very same necklace every single day.

To her, my gifts and actions were meaningless.

But I tolerated it, even though I so badly wanted to rip off that stupid necklace off her neck.

Too bad because right now, I've never felt more of an intense urge to destroy that pendant she always fidgeted with when she was nervous. I've always wanted to be that person—the one who she would come running to for a comforting hug or for consolation.

I guess I just wasn't enough for her.

"It's disgusting," I tell her with a resolute tone. Her brows furrow and a frown forms in her face. "It's disgusting how you're screaming at me to stop myself from killing your mate like you care about him and at the same time, you're thinking about another man, seeking for his comfort."

I stop myself from consoling my sister when her eyes start watering, holding back a sob.

"You're a jerk, brother!" She spits out.

Oh, so I'm the jerk?

"You know wanna know something even crazier?" I laugh out. I don't wait for a reply and continue. "That you're not even concerned about your own brother's safety."

She recoils as if I shot an arrow to her heart. "I'm sorr—."

"We all know the reason Silas took my mate is because he's not satisfied. Let him kill that rogue. Then, it'll all end. These men aren't your toys, Cara. You're playing with fire. Pick one or none," I snarl at her.

Silas was seeking for revenge and the only way he believes he could do it is by making my mind spin in turmoil through my mate. If he couldn't get his hands on that rogue, then he'd release his anger on the people closest to Cara.

Cara thinks for a long second before she looks straight into my eyes and lets out a resolute, "No."

I smirk at her and say, "If you can't choose, then I'll help you myself."

"What do you mean?!" She exasperates.

"I'll kill Silas with my own hands if Alex hasn't done the job herself."

"Fuck you!"

I growl at her, "Get out."

"You're a horrible brother!" She screams at me at the very top of her lungs.

I felt my heart sting very slightly, taking offense. But I brush it off aside, my anger consuming me.

"News flash, Cara. You're a horrible sister, too. Now, get the fuck out."

Our gazes locked for a second before she walks out of the room and ends our conversation.

I run a hand through my hair, frustrated. Too many emotions was consuming me and I didn't know if I can keep myself in check for any longer.

A knock disrupts me from the corruptive thoughts that filled my mind. I give Felix a quick glance before returning to glaring at a wall.

I feel the bed dip beside the spot I was sitting on.

"The hair clip," I begin. "It has a tracker—in case something happened. I know where she is, Felix. I know who I'm against. Now, all I need is an army."

"Then get an army."

"What?" I question him in disbelief. "You know I can't. They won't help me. They won't allow themselves to walk straight into a trap. I won't let hundreds of my own pack die like I did in the past."

"Do you seriously still blame yourself for that stupid bullshit?" Felix asks me sternly.

And that's when I let myself crumble in front of him. My shoulders sag and I keep my eyes down to the floor, ashamed.

"Of course I do. It's my fault," I respond, feeling defeated.

"Give me 2 minutes. Just two minutes to talk. Listen to me."

I keep my mouth shut and let silence become my reply.

"Cara," he begins. I could already taste the bitterness on the tip of my tongue. "5 years ago, she was filled with so much envy. She was envious of my mate and I. She thought that because her mate left her, why should I—or anyone, have one? So she emotionally abused my mate. Long story short, because he felt weak, he sent himself to war to prove Cara and everyone else that he could be a 'man' they claimed he couldn't be. And I wasn't there to save him because I had a pack to protect."

I grip the sheets, controlling the anger that keeps on consuming me. For the first time, I came into a realization that Cara wasn't the sister I loved anymore. She disappeared 5 years ago and the woman that still resides with me was only a stranger.

Noticing my curled fists and tense muscles, Felix wraps an arm over my shoulder. It was the closest thing to a hug I could ever get from Felix, so I let myself calm down and allow my defenses to fall.

With a sigh, he proceeds, "So what I'm saying is that you can't blame anyone for what happened 5 years ago. You can't blame yourself—not even Cara. Those people chose to die with pride. They walked through hell because they swore loyalty not only to you, but also to each other. A pack isn't a pack without teamwork. What's a pack without each other's protection?"

I blink slowly, both my wolf and I finally getting ourself together. I meet Felix's eyes, surprised to see a heartwarming smile on his face.

God, I sound like a pussy.

"That's the Theo I know," he chuckles as realizations finally dawns me.

"You don't know how much I love you, man," I smirk at him, wanting to see his reaction.

He drops the smile and returns to his usual angry-looking expression.

"I feel like you forget I'm gay sometimes," he grumbles.

___

Standing on top of the platform, I eye my people.

I admit it, I was scared.

I was scared that they'd refuse to help me. But I understood.

I watch parents hug their children, cooing and shushing them. I watch couples lean on each other, looking up at me patiently. I watch as others stand by themselves, their stature still and tall. I watch as my warriors look up to me, their chests up and filled with pride.

I appreciated and loved every single one of them.

Crossing my arms, I clear my throat before speaking. "My mate. Silas took her away from me—from us. Right now, your Luna is being held captive and she needs our help. I have her whereabouts and all I need is an army in order to have her back in our pack. I'm not gonna force you to help. So I'm gonna ask every one of you to aid me in this mission—anyone."

The silence and dead stares that comes after rips my heart apart and my wolf howls inside of me.

That was all it took to make me drop to the floor and kneel down, ignoring the prideful side of me, who refused to show a single sign of weakness—even to my own pack.

But right now, I needed them.

Without them, I'll lose a mate that I love with all my heart.

I keep my head low, not wanting to see their expressions. I feel my wolf stir inside me in disapproval, disliking this act of weakness.

To be frank, right now, I say fuck my pride.

As genuinely as I could, I say, "I understand we can lose a family member, a lover, and a friend. As the Alpha, I understand that you all want to keep each other away from harm and have sworn to protect each other, no matter who. But I also have a mate and a Luna to look after. So please, even though some of you have lost respect for me, you still have a Luna you have sworn loyalty to. Hell, she didn't even have an opportunity to lead the pack and share memories with each of you. Please, help me and give the both of us a chance to become the Alpha and Luna you all deserve. And I'm gonna beg and ask you all a favor one last time. Is there anyone who is willing to help me save the only woman I'll ever love that much?"

I keep my eyes trained unto the floor, painfully waiting for a response. With every noiseless second, my heart clenched and my hope began to trickle away.

And that's when I hear it.

The sound of knees dropping the floor, swearing loyalty to me. For the first time, I look up.

The painting I saw in front of me made my heart burst with spontaneous waves of happiness. I let a wide smile enter my face and I close my eyes to enjoy the moment as relief washes over me.

Each and every one of them kneeled down, bowing to me to show their allegiance.

"You could've waited another second, Alpha. But I guess this is fine, too," one of my warriors speaks up.

His mother smacks him on the head and laughter erupts from the room. Chatter buzzes afterwards, people showing off that they kneeled before another did.

I lift myself up and look at my leaders, who I trusted very much.

"I'm going. Whether you like it or not," Felix grumbles.

"No you're not," I tell him, my eyes narrowed. "Those who stay—children, single parents, and others—needs someone to protect and lead them in case."

"That's why Emilio and Scarlett is staying in my place," Felix informs me with a resolute tone. They nod beside him as confirmation. "I couldn't save my mate but right now, I have the ability to save another's mate and my friend."

"Alex and I might have bad blood and she probably stole half the items inside my room, but I swear to protect my Luna," Talia adds with a slight bow and an amused smile on her face.

"What?!" Mason exasperates. "If you're joining, them I am. I have to save you from danger."

"Idiot. If you join, then I have to worry and keep you away from danger," Talia retorts.

Mason only glares at her before he looks at me and bows. "The Bloodhound Pack wants me to inform you of their duty and loyalty to you, Alpha Theo. We have an army on their way."

I let relief overcome me for a momentary second.

But I knew I had to hurry up and begin a war that we've been holding back for too long as my skin burned every passing second, the pain gradually increasing.

And it wasn't my pain that I was feeling.

It was Alex's.

___

A/n 🤡🤡🤡🤡