Chapter 16

Tony’s POV

I walked out of the shower expecting to see Dawn and I saw my mother.

“Mom? Are you okay?” She looked tired and she was leaning against my bed.

She stood straight when she realize I was in the room and she looked to me. “I’m fine. I’ve told you not to worry about me,” She walked up to me. “Anyway, do you remember. A few years ago . . . the pure blood Alpha that was found?”

“Yes,” I replied hesitantly.

“The Alpha . . . she’s the last of her kind. She is thousands of years old yet only looks to be maybe 20. She is very important to our people,” My mother explained.

“Yes, yes . . . I know,” I became impatient.

“She is coming to stay with us. She must feel welcome and comfortable . . . We will supply her with everything she wants and needs. You do understand that right?” She took a few steps toward me.

“Yes, of course, why wouldn’t I? She is the last pure blood werewolf. She’s should be treated like royalty,” I stated as if it was obvious.

“Tony, I’m not sure you quite understand what that means,” She breathed shaking her head.

“What? What do you mean?” I was seriously becoming annoyed. Why can’t she just get the damn point across?

“This Alpha . . . her goal is to find a suitable mate so as to carry on her pure blood . . .”

“But there are no pure bloods here. There are no pure bloods in the world,” I said confused studying my mother’s nervous face.

“Yes, but . . . you do know the story of how my true mother is Luna . . . right?” She asked.

“Yeah, mom, come on . . . what are you trying to tell me?” I growled.

She rubbed her temples and let out a shaky breath.

I instantly felt guilty. “Sorry, mom . . . I didn’t mean to . . .”

“No, it’s okay. I just don’t know how to say it . . .” She sighed and then met my eyes again. “The Alpha knows the story too. That makes me about as close to a pure blood as anything out there, especially because my father was a strong Beta that was descendant directly from a pure blood line. Tony, that also makes you the same amount pure blood as I am. Luna’s blood runs directly through my veins, therefore it runs directly through yours . . . Do you understand?” She looked up at me, pleading with her eyes for me to understand.

“No, no . . . I don’t get it . . .”

“The Alpha . . . she knows my story and she knows yours. She’s not just dropping in for a visit, Anthony . . .  she wants your blood to continue the line . . . she wants to mate you.” She sighed and looked away from me a tear falling down her cheek.

“What?” I growled threateningly.

My wolf stayed silent.

“Tony, I’m sorry. I went through hell to make sure you didn’t and now I see you are going through hell all over again. I don’t understand why Luna continues and continues to use this family. I wish I had an answer for you . . . I wish I could hide you from this, but I just can’t I can’t do anything,” She shook her head and walked out of my room looking ashamed.

“No!” I growled. “No, I am meant to be with Dawn!” I huffed under my breath.

As I said her name I heard her say “What’s that supposed to mean?” from down the hall. She sounded slightly nervous.

I nearly ripped my door off the hinges and I stepped out into the hall. I looked down to see Felix push off the wall and step towards Dawn who’s eyes slightly widened.

“It means this ain’t no normal house and it means that I don’t particularly care for you. It means you should watch your back or go find Tony,” He growled getting in Dawn’s face.

“Back off, Felix,” I growled stalking down the hallway to them. The last thing I needed was Felix getting on my already heightened nerves.

“Keep her on a leash, Tony,” Felix warned with a slight gleam in his eye.

What the hell is he up to?

“Don’t start this. Just get out of here. I don’t need trouble today,” I growled stepping up to him.

He back off with a glare.

“Yeah sure, whatever,” He snapped and then turned and headed down the stairs.

“Why’d you leave the room?” I turned on Dawn. My lovely, beautiful caring mate, Dawn, and I realized I couldn’t face her so I started back for my room.

She didn’t even know we were mates. Let alone that I was a wolf. Why should I feel guilty that an Alpha that is just randomly showing up might want to mate me . . . I didn’t know, but in my gut I just felt guilt. And I couldn’t look her in the eye when I felt like this.

“Because I wasn’t just going to wait around for you. I was going to see if Julie had and extra clothes,” She shrugged as if it was no big deal and then followed me to my room.

“Well, they are a little busy right now, so you are just going to have to wait for a little while,” I grumbled know that Julie and Travis had a routine for fooling around in the morning. No matter how much it made me sick . . . it also made me incredibly jealous.

“What’s with the attitude?” She crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow at me.

Attitude? It was showing? I didn’t mean to take it out on her . . . I just. If she had stayed in the room my mom wouldn’t have come in here and told me that horrible news . . . Why didn’t she just stay?

“Felix,” I snapped giving an excuse. “Why couldn’t you just wait in here?”

“What’s the problem?” She complained.

“Nothing, I am just a little bit moody. The next door to the right is June’s. Go get clothes from her and get ready for school,” I turned to the bathroom and walked in closing the door. The more I stood around her the guiltier I felt. I waited for her to walk out and then I went to the closet and quickly changed into some jeans and a tee shirt.

I walked out of the room and down to Travis’s room.

“Hey, you ready?” I asked stepping in.

“Do you every knock?” Julie complained.

Thankfully they were both completely dressed.

“Sorry, still getting used to the fact that girls actually like Travis,” I teased with a smirk. Teasing Travis always got me in a better mood.

“Hey,” Julie fake glared at me and hit my chest. “Only one,” She smirked breaking her glare.

I couldn’t help but laugh as she continued out the door.

“When you guys team together you could make the king feel like a peasant with your damn snide comments,” Travis rolled his eyes.

I smirked, “I think it’s a gift.”

“Well, anyway, I think Dawn should ride with me and Julie. It won’t be good for her if she shows up in your car,” He stated.

“Yeah, that’s what I was coming to talk to you about,” I sighed. “I’ll go let her know.”

He nodded and then I walked out and back to my room.

As I walked in she was walking out of the bathroom and jumped.

“Oh God!” She gasped putting a hand to her chest. “You scared me.”

“Sorry,” I smiled. I loved how easily scared she was. She was amusing when nervous. “Anyway, you are riding with Julie and Travis so let’s go,” I nodded over my shoulder and then turned to walk out the door and down the stairs.

She followed right after me.

“Why is that?” She asked confused.

“Because it will look bad if you show up in my car,” I rolled his eyes as if it was obvious.

“Right,” She breathed as we walked out the front door.

She went to Travis’s car and got in with him and Julie.

As soon as he closed his door I punched Felix’s arm.

“Dude, what the hell?” He snapped.

I started the car and pulled out of the driveway behind Travis.

“I could say the same,” I growled.

“This is not about the hallway . . .” He rolled his eyes complaining.

“You bet your ass it is, brother,” I growled.

“What?” He snapped. “You expect me to sit back and watch you destroy yourself over this . . . this human girl!” He growled back.

“Oh, don’t you dare play the damn human card, brother. That one can quickly turn around and bite you in the ass . . . you know it!” I snapped.

“What the fuck are you . . .” Then it hit him and his eyes widened. “No, you can’t even . . .”

“Can’t even what? How would you feel if I went around terrorizing Hannah? You know damn well a human is no better for you than it is for me,” I demanded.

“It’s not the same. Hannah isn’t causing me to literally go insane! And it’s not like I have some big deal Alpha that wants my ass. I don’t very much like the vampire women in . . .”

“Wait, what?” I said more calm and confused. “How? How do you know?” I demanded swallowing the lump in my throat.

“I heard mom and Derek talking about it. I was on my way to tell you when I found Dawn in the hallway. The very presences of that pest . . .”

“Stop!” I growled threateningly.

“Stop what, brother?” He said completely calm. “I am only saving you . . .  I only want to save you from a life time of torment and pain. She will never be accepted in our world, and rightfully so. She doesn’t belong with a near pure blood Alpha werewolf. She belongs with the human jackass she is with now,” He shook his head.

“No! No decent human being deserves the abuse she receives from that human jackass. I cannot let that continue,” I shook my head.

“Damn it, Tony! We all have a part to play in this world! Me: King of Vampires . . . You: Alpha King of the Werewolves. This is our destiny . . . This is what is right. You being with that pure blood Alpha is what is right,” He demanded.

“You know nothing about her, Felix. She is only using my blood in order to carry on her line. She will use me to create a few heirs and then she with be nothing to me and I will be nothing to her. Would you rather me be used and tossed away like trash or would you rather me live a long happy life with my true mate?” I responded.

“But you won’t be happy . . . and you don’t know if she will use you,” He argued shaking his head and looking away from me and out the window.

“You don’t know if she won’t,” I stated simply. “Do you really hate Dawn enough that you are willing to risk it?” I asked.

He didn’t answer for a moment. I pulled into the parking lot and parked next to Travis.

“Honestly, brother, I don’t know anymore,” Felix growled and then stepped out.

I glared and shook my head, but instantly focused my attention on Dawn as I got out of the car and walked towards her.

She was staring nervously across the parking lot at Ian and his buddies. I stepped up to her and trapped her between Travis’s car and my body.

She gasped and looked up to me.

“Listen to me,” I mumbled quietly, but urgently. “I don’t ever want you alone with him. Get Julie, Travis, Hannah, me . . . even Felix, but for God’s sake, Dawn, don’t ever catch yourself alone with him.” I growled getting more and more angry as I spoke.

“He’s my boyfriend Tony. It’s Friday. He’ll want to come over tonight,” She looked towards Ian and she shivered from fear.

“Then I’ll stay with you all night,” I growled persistently. I would not leave her alone with him. And for some reason the more time I spent away from her the more I felt my family and the Alpha were winning me.

“Don’t be stupid, Tony,” Julie shoved me away from her. “It’s as easy as this . . . You and Hannah are spending the night tonight because we are going to help each other get ready for the dance tomorrow. He won’t fight that,” Julie spoke reasonably.

“Always the voice of reason,” I rolled my eyes at her speaking my thoughts.

“You love me for that,” She jumped and ruffled my hair teasingly.

As I expected Travis growled and stepped up, wrapping his arm protectively around Julie’s waist bringing her into his chest.

He growled “Mine.” And then passionately kissed her. There was no way not to be jealous of the public display of affection.

I turned to Dawn cautiously and watched as she seemed to be conflicted. She was amazed yet disgusted and drawn to the scene.

I looked back to them, and when they broke the kiss Julie was breathing hard and smiled. “And don’t I know it,” She smirked and nuzzled her face into his neck.

I admired there love only wishing that I could have it for my own.

You could with that Alpha.

I tensed up at my wolf’s first comment all morning.

So that is why you have been so damn quiet. I growled in my head.

I love Dawn . . . I will always want her safety and to kill Ian, but I am looking out for her safety when I say we should not be mated to her. He stated reasonably

But we are! She is our mate! My fists clenched along with my jaw.

I felt Dawn’s concerned eyes on me and I tried to calm myself down, but I just couldn’t. This wasn’t even my wolf. This was just stupid teenage hormones that were making me pissed because everyone was trying to tell me what to do. I want Dawn! Not some stupid pure blood Alpha bitch!

Just calm down, hot shot. My wolf threatened.

“Time to go to class, silly,” I heard Julie state happily and then she and Dawn headed for the school.

I was just about to go after them when Travis grabbed my arm.

“I heard,” He stated plainly.

“Goddamn it, does everyone know that I am about to become a pure blood’s play-thing,” I growled.

“Calm down, Tony,” He sighed. “I know your wolf must not be happy about the Alpha coming in between you and Dawn.”

I laughed without humor, “Really? You think so?” I said sarcastically. “Try, he is the most calm in this whole situation and it is pissing me off,” I snapped.

“What?” Felix and Travis said together.

“He doesn’t care about Dawn as much as I do. As soon as a hot new piece of tail came even remotely into our grasp he went for it,” I growled.

Suddenly there was a sharp pain in my head.

I went to the growled clutching my head. It felt like it was about to explode!

“Tony? Are you okay?” Travis asked.

When I stood back up I had the weirdest sensation. It was like when I am in my wolf form and I just kind of take the backseat. But this was different I had never felt this in my human form.

“Holy Shit!” Felix gasped and him and Travis jumped back against Travis’s car.

“He’s nearly full wolf, but he’s all human! I’ve never seen this before!” Travis gasped.

“Relax. I am not going to harm you,” My voice was much deeper. It was my wolf’s voice. I could tell I was standing taller also.

“You seemed to have no problem harming Tony a moment ago,” Felix growled.

“Shut up,” Travis hit him.

“I didn’t mean to hurt Anthony. I just simply needed to get my two cents in,” He growled. “Anthony has it all wrong. I am not calm. I am not okay with this Alpha coming through and claiming me like I am a piece of property. I am an Alpha and I do not take kindly to that concept,” He explained easily.

“But how are you doing this?”Travis demanded.

“Didn’t you hear?” He growled annoyed. “I am an Alpha. The human is strong but the wolf is stronger. On a normal basis a werewolf walks around 60 percent human 40 percent wolf. Because I am an Alpha I am powerful enough to take control yet reasonable enough to not fully sift.”

“This . . . shouldn’t be possible,” Travis shook his head.

“Fact is that it is possible,” He growled annoyed.

“What? Why did you do this?” Felix asked.

“Because, like I said I needed to get my two cents in. I love Dawn . ..  she is my mate just as much she is Anthony’s. In a normal mating I would be mated to her wolf . . .” He turned and looked to the school and then back to the guys, “but because she does not have one I am in fact mated directly to her. I want her . . . but I would not be good for her.” He stated.

“And why is that? I am good for Julie . . .”

“A werewolf, like yourself . . . Like Anthony,” He stated as if it was obvious. “As a wolf, I see my mate . . . I take her. If it were up to me I would have taken her that day in school, because that is the way we do things. That is the way mating used to be done. It was public and honored and Alphas were revered. Humans and wolves alike. In this time it’s so different for an Alpha. Only being respected by your pack, and mostly packs are made up of ten or twenty wolves. Either way a mate is a mate. That’s how I see it. That’s how I’ll have it.” He stated.

“Okay, listen up, Mr. Alpha . . . Dawn is a good . . .” Travis stepped up to him.

“As for you, Beta,” My wolf spat as he stepped up to Travis standing taller. “I am sick an tired of you disrespecting Anthony! I don’t know how you think you are, but to me you are nothing but a replaceable follower. That’s all a beta will ever be!”

This put me over the edge.

The anger swarmed through me and I fought to the surface. I knew he was on edge and pretty much angry at the world because of me right now, but that had taken it too far.

Then we doubled over again.

Stop! He snarled inside my head fighting as much as possible. Don’t do this! Listen to me, Anthony!

Back the fuck down! I snarled right back. As long as I am in human form you stay in the back of myhead! I am just as much Alpha as you are!

No! He refused.

BACK DOWN! I yelled and I even came out of my mouth.

That’s when I knew I had won. I stood up straight and then leaned again my car breathing hard.

My wolf and snapping and snarling and growling in my head and my head was pounding.

“Holy shit,” I groaned squeezing my eyes shut and rubbing my temples.

“Tony?” I heard Felix asked cautiously.

“Yeah it’s me. He isn’t quite happy about the fact, but I fought through,” I breathed.

“How could he do that?” Felix asked relieved.

“I have been so caught up in intense emotions lately that 90 percent of the time it was more 50-50 ownership rather than 60-40. He just happened to get ahead for once,” I sighed trying to stand up straight.

“Well, I am glad you got a hold of yourself,” Travis breathed slightly ashamed.

“Travis,” I looked to him feeling guilty, “those things he said. He didn’t even mean them and you know I never would. I don’t think of you as just a replaceable Beta. You are my cousin, my brother. You are not replaceable at all to me,” I stepped up to him. He’s angry and confused and conflicted and when you stepped up to him like that. It played on his emotions a bit and he acted out. I have been under minding his authority for the last couple of weeks and when you stepped up to him trying to tell him he was wrong . . . well he freaked. He wasn’t going to take it anymore,” I explained.

“I get it. I do . . . it just took me off guard, that’s all,” He sighed.

“Good,” I smiled at him.

“Now, he never got to the point. What was he trying to tell us?” Travis asked.

“Well, he’s scared for Dawn. He’s not sure if he will be able to control himself during the mating,” I explained.

“So?” Felix pushed.

“So, he says let the Alpha use us. We’ll use her just the same. Just to get ride of all that pent up energy and hormones that  get whenever I am around Dawn. Maybe if I can let lose a few times . . . then we will be okay when we mate Dawn,” I explained.

“I am not one to go around suggesting you cheat on your mate, but he has a very good point, Tony,” Travis sighed.

“What?” I growled.

“All the pent up energy caused you to attack Julie, beat the shit out of me and almost shift in the middle of a crowded school parking lot . . . multiple times. You need to do something . . . Now that I have personally met your wolf I am scared for Dawn,” Travis sighed.

“You know I agree,” Felix shrugged.

“Well, I mean I guess because I am just such a liability I shouldn’t be in school. Maybe I’ll lose my temper and rip apart half the school . . . since I am just so much out of control,” I growled.

“Tony, I didn’t mean . . .” Travis sighed as I opened the door to my car.

“Will you at least listen to your wolf, Tony? He’s your instinct and usually instinct works out over thinking . . . you know that,” Felix growled annoyed.

“I am not going to fuck around with some random wolf just because Dawn isn’t ready to come to me. How shallow do you think I am?” I snapped slamming the door.

“No, the real question is how stupid to we think you are,” Travis snapped back.

“And the answer is extremely,” Felix rolled his eyes.

“And why is that?” I snapped crossing my arms.

“Dawn. Is. Not. A. Wolf.” Travis said slowly as though he was talking to a child. “You mate her . . . give over to your wolf like you are supposed to then you will tear her apart. Now, normally if you were mated to a wolf that would be perfectly fine! A female wolf’s body is meant to take that kind of love, but a female human’s body cannot take that kind of abuse . . .”

“I would not abuse her!” I growled angrily.

“Yes you would!” Felix yelled.

“You are going to bite her. Tear into her skin and take in every last bit of her that you can. A wolf would be healed the next morning. A human shouldn’t be healed for the next month. Do you see the difference, Tony?” Travis begged. “We are brought up to believe that the mating process is a beautiful thing. And it is . . . when it is between two wolfs.”

“But ask another species and the whole thing sounds absolutely terrifying . . . trust me,” Felix stated.

“What can I do?” I said shaking head finally really hearing them.

“You can go home and welcome that damn Alpha in every fucking way possible,” Felix said annoyed.

“But I . . .”

“You are not cheating on Dawn if you have not mated her yet,” Travis stated.

“It’s not like you have been exactly abstinent before this point,” Felix pointed out.

“But now that I’ve met her . . .”

“But you haven’t mated her,” Travis repeated.

“But I told her that I loved her . . .”

“But you have not mated her, Tony,” Travis stated again.

“I . . .”

“Stop fighting it,” Felix cut me off.

“I have no other choice do I?” I breathed.

“You will still be with Dawn in the end,” Travis reassured.

“If she’ll want my cheating ass,” I sighed.

“Of course she will,” Travis patted my shoulder.

“Well, I . . .” Then Felix’s phone started to ring.

“Hello?” He answered it.

“What is it about?” I asked.

“Yeah, they’ll be there in a few,” He answered.

I heard Why not you? Through the phone.

“I have three girls that will need a ride at the need a ride at the end of that day. I’ll stay,” He breathed and then hung up.

“What?” I asked.

“The Alpha just arrived. They want you home. I will stay to bring the girls home later today, but you two should go,” He explained.

“Okay, thanks,” I breathed nervously handing Felix the keys to my car.

“It’s not like she is going to eat you for breakfast. Relax, Tony. You’ve dealt with women before,” Felix nudged me.

“That’s not why I am nervous,” I rolled my eyes at him.

“He’s nervous because he’s never met a higher rank female before,” Travis explained.

“Mom is higher . . .”

“No, she’s an Alpha . . . I am an Alpha. We are the same rank,” I explained. “She’s a pure blood Alpha. She’s higher ranking than anyone. A female that is the same rank as you is treated with more respect than given to a male that is higher ranking than you. A higher ranking female is revered . . .” I sighed. “Doesn’t matter.”

“Good luck,” Felix said and then turned and headed for the school.