Chapter 34

My eyes popped open. The sun wasn’t even up yet. It was probably about four thirty or so meaning I got maybe four hours of sleep, but it was the best four hours of sleep I had had in the last three months.

I smiled down at my beautiful peaceful mate. She was curled up by my side wrapped in the covers. She looked so comfortable. The moment was short lived obviously. I slid out of the bed being careful not to wake her up. I got dressed in jeans and a tshirt and walked out of the room closing the door quietly.

Travis was in the hallway kissing Julie.

“You’re not going to be fighting. I just want to be there with you . . .”

“Don’t even start, Julie, you know that’s not even an argument worth having,” He sighed placing a hand on her cheek.

“But . . .”

“Give it a rest, Julie,” Hannah stepped out of Felix’s room.

“Is everything all right?” I looked to her.

“Yes,” She smiled. “Thank you.”

“No problem, can I ask something of you girls?” I looked at both of them seriously.

“Yeah, is everything okay?” Julie asked walking over to me with Hannah.

“Everything is fine, but I need you to just watch over Dawn,” I sighed.

I saw it click in Hannah’s eyes, “She doesn’t know . . . the fight . . . that everything is finalized. Does she even know you are leaving?” She whispered looking at the door and back to me.

“She’s still asleep,” I replied knowing that would be a sufficient enough answer.

“Tony, you can’t do this,” Julie shook her head.

“I am not going to worry her. I am not going to have her feeling useless. She is already hurting enough as it is. I will be done with him and back before she even realizes what is going on,” I promised.

“And if you don’t come back?” Hannah shot out in anger.

“Hannah!” Julie gasped.

“I’m just saying,” She crossed her arms.

“I don’t plan on not coming back. Ian has his brother. And that’s all. I will have Travis and Felix. Nothing will happen. Don’t worry.” I put my hands on each of their shoulders.

“This is not fair for her,” Julie growled.

“I am just concerned with what will keep her safe and comfortable,” I shook my head and walked toward the stairs.

“When she becomes your Luna she will be your equal,” Hannah warned.

“I know, but I have not even been able to claim her yet so for now I call the shots. I know it’s not fair but life is not fair,” I shrugged once I reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Fine, but you better come back without a scratch,” Julie growled.

“That goes for you guys too,” Hannah glared as the guys stepped around them and joined me at the bottom of the stairs.

We all laughed.

“Listen, girls, Ian is an asshole, but he is not stupid. He won’t make a move that will get him killed. It’s just going to be him and his brother there and we are going to have the three of us. We will be fine.”

“We’ve got go,” Trevor said as he stepped up to Julie and pressed his lips to hers.

Felix stepped up to Hannah and I turned away, walking out the front door.

I walked to the truck in the front, but was stopped by my father grabbing my arm.

“You made an order that no men were to follow you,” He growled threateningly.

“Yeah, I knew I wouldn’t get away with that one,” I sighed not meeting his eyes.

“Anthony, this isn’t a joke!” He tightened his grip until it started to hurt. “What effects one of us effects all of us! As an Alpha, I expect you understand that fully,” He released my arm with a rough shove.

“I do,” I growled starting to get annoyed, “but as an Alpha I also understand that I should put my men in harm’s way for my own selfish reasons.” My anger gave me the courage to look up and glare into my father’s eyes.

“If Dawn is your mate as you say . . .” I went to correct him but he put his hand up to stop me. “If Dawn is your mate then she is also the future Luna of this pact and there for this is not a selfish cause. At least not for the men. They feel just as responsible for her as you do.”

“That may be, but I don’t want the pack there. If they are there Ian will feel too threatened, he will not make a stupid mistake and that means he will not face me. I don’t just want to finish this, Dad. I need to finish . . . for Dawn and for me. I need to know that she feels safe and that she is safe. That will only happen when Ian’s life ends. Period. I am done beating around the bush, therefore the pact is not coming.” I growled with finality and then turned away from him.

“Tony,” He called me back.

I stopped and clenched my fists, slowly turning back to face him.

“You’ll be a good Alpha,” He said it as a statement. His glare didn’t waver. I couldn’t tell if he was happy or disappointed by the fact he then walked away.

I let out a breath I had been holding and that was when Trevor and Felix walked out the front door.

“Is he letting us go without them?” Trevor immediately asked.

“Yes, it seems like it,” I sighed.

“Then let’s get going,” Felix moved for the truck.

“Wait, you guys . . .” I sighed.

“Cut it out, Tony, were going. Now get in the truck,” Trevor growled and got into the back of the truck as Felix got into the passenger seat.

I chuckled and shook my head as I got into the driver’s seat and headed to the opening on the edge of our lands.

The drive was silent. We didn’t talk we didn’t play music.

Felix and Trevor knew it was me or Ian. One of us was going to die and that was the only way this would end.

And I knew if it came down to me dying that Felix and Trevor would rip Ian and his brother a part, but I didn’t want it to come to that. Obviously I wanted to get out of this alive, and if I did I didn’t want any harm to come to them or his brother, but I wasn’t sure if this guy was going to give us choice or not. When we pulled into the off road path that led to the opening I could only drive the truck so far so I parked it and sat back in the seat.

“Tony, you okay?” Trevor asked leaning into the front seat.

“You guys. This is my fight. I allowed you to come, but you stand back. If Ian somehow overcomes me . . . you do not attack until I am dead.” I demanded.

“Tony!” They growled together.

“I am sure his brother is not going to help him either and this is supposed to be a one on one fight. If things do go south I just need you guys to promise that Dawn will be taken care of.”

“Tony, it won’t go south,” Felix rolled his eyes.

“Don’t go into this negative.

“I’m not. I am just be sure. Dawn is the reason I am doing this and need to make sure my death is not in vain.

“Of course,” Felix nodded.

“After ripping out Ian’s throat. Dawn will be our first priority,” Trevor nodded.

“Don’t let Dad kick her out. She needs to stay in the house in order to be safe,” I looked at Felix.

“Mom will side with me. She won’t let dad get rid of her,” Felix sighed.

“Con we stop talking about this now? It doesn’t matter anyway. Let’s go kick his ass,” Trevor growled and got out of the truck.

“Felix raised an eyebrow at me and then slid out.

When I got out Trevor was in his wolf form.

“Trevor, I can’t let you . . .”

I am not going in my human form.

“You guys are just making this harder,” I sighed and started at a sprint towards the opening.

When we got there the opening was completely empty, the wind clean of new human scents, the air quiet.

He’s not going to show. Trevor’s nose was up trying to catch his scent also.

“Wait, I hear something,” Felix mumbled.

It was a few minutes before I could hear two distinct sets of footsteps in the woods across the opening.

I hear it too.

“Stay back, you guys. Don’t say anything,” I demanded.

I knew they would listen as I move towards the middle of the opening. They followed me, but always stayed a few steps back. Soon Ian and his brother were walking across the field too. I stop towards the middle and waited until he stopped about six feet away. His brother also stayed a few steps back.

“I see you broke back up,” He scoffed.

“And so did you,” I nodded to his brother. He looked to the ground and away from me. Ian grumbled getting my attention again.

“I won’t need his help. This isn’t between anyone but you and me . . . that is until I get through you. Then it is between my family and your pack,” He sneered the word like it was something dirty.

“We’ll see about that,” I smirked.

“Dawn will be mine. You are not going to get in the way of that anymore.” He stepped closer, closing the gap by a half foot.

That pushed me. “You won’t ever see her again,” I growled and stalked a few steps forward fully aware that I crossed the border line. I knew that those steps were what would start the fight, but I was ready. They idea of Dawn’s name on his tongue disgusted me let alone the thought of her in his arms again. She would never be put through that pain again. Not if it were up to me.

Ian moved fast as he pulled a knife from his boot. I knew from the new metallic tint to that air that it was most definitely silver. I didn’t expect anything less.

I felt Trevor flinch behind me.

“Stay!” I ordered allowing the Alpha tone to seep into my voice. He wimped and sat.

In that second of distraction Ian charged me. I dodged him by just an inch. I didn’t want to sift if I didn’t have to, but the silver changed things. I would heal better in my wolf form even with silver.

Before Ian could catch his balance and turn back on me I had sifted and was shaking out my fur. I stood eye to eye with him.

Instead of seeing fear as I expected, anger was all that was there. Dark, terrifying anger.

With this new sight before him, Ian whistled to his brother. I jumped for his throat but he dodge and I only caught his ankle.

With a quick swoop of his arm he landed a strike of the blade across my nose.

I instantly released the hold on his ankle and staggered back. My eyes went out of focus and I had to shake my head to regain in.

In my weak moment Ian struck again this time landing a hit above my shoulder and using the knife as leverage to get on my back.

I howled out in pain and the three spectators stepped back giving us more room.

Ian had gotten another knife from his brother and the was now poised at my neck. I had to think quickly.

With one fluid movement I dropped to one side crushing Ian’s arm and then continued to roll crushing his whole body. The only problem was this push his one blade further into my shoulder.

Ian cursed allowed in pain.

I stumbled a moment. The pain from my shoulder was radiating through my whole body. I knew the poisonous metal was working its magic on my body and I wouldn’t be able to keep up this fight with is in my shoulder.

As Ian gathered himself I twisted my head, bit the hilt of the knife and pulled quickly and then releasing it so it flung towards Ian.

I skimmed his arm but caused nothing fatal. At least I knew his one arm was broken from my roll and that left him with one arm to fight with. It was time to end this. I ran an Ian and he crouch bracing himself, but just before he could land a hit with the knife I jumped over him.

When my front paws landed I planted them firmly, allowing my hind legs to swing around so I was facing Ian’s back. I pounced quickly and the next moment happened to fast for me to comprehend everything happened at once.

“Ian!” His brother shouted.

My paws landed on his shoulder and my jaw at his neck. In one swift moment I ripped his head from his shoulders.

But seconds before he prepared himself for the attack and was able to stab the knife through my arm. The force of the blow threw me to the side, breaking my rib with his head now in my mouth.

I released it and watched it roll. When I landed pain shot up my shoulder and through my body.

“Tony!” Felix shouted and he and Trevor were at my side. “Tony, you’ve got to shift. We can’t get you back to the pack house like this!” He demanded.

I couldn’t shift. I could even move. Not with the knife in my arm, but Felix grabbed that quick and ripped it out of my arm and then his head snapped up.

“Back off!” He growled.

“I am no threat,” I heard a deep voice reply. “I am here because of a family oath. I believe my brother got what he deserved, but he is still my brother.” I was the brother.

“Whatever,” Felix grumbled. “Tony, shift now!” He demanded again. “NOW!” It was an order.

I tried taking slow breaths, but in every movement the pain shot through my body mercilessly. Finally I coaxed myself back into human form.

In that moment Felix had me up on Trevor’s back and I grabbed as tight as I could to his fur and then they ran.

The pain of my chest hitting Trevor’s back cause me to pass out before we even got to the truck.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When I came to again there was someone screaming. It was a deep scream of pain, almost a howl.

That was when I realized it was me.

“Get him to the infirmary!” I heard someone shout.

“Don’t let her see! Hold her back!” another shouted.

It was still black around the edges of my vision, but next I saw was the white cream ceiling of the basement infirmary.

“We are going to need an IV to get the pain meds in him. Felix, Trevor, hold him down!” Someone demanded. Then there was a stab in my arm. Another howl. Then thankfully things began to blacken again and the pain subsided and then I was out again.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next time I woke up I thought it was all a dream but I shift my weight and the pain in my shoulder was realer than ever so I stopped moving. I tried to do a mental evaluation without opening my eyes.

My rib was sore, but definitely close to healing. The two stab wounds were the real problem. My right shoulder was painful to move of sift. The pain radiated down my back every time I tried so I stopped. My left arm was completely numb. The knife had gone straight through and even cut my side a bit.

I knew that it was cleaned, but the only way to heal these would be to stay in my wolf form a few days. That was when I heard voices.

“She won’t stop fighting. She wants to be by him,” That was Felix.

“She’s his mate. She has a right. I don’t think Hannah and Julie can hold her much longer,” Trevor.

“That’s why there are men posted outside her door.” Dad.

“I don’t understand. Isn’t holding her away hurting her more? Tony would want her by his side,” Trevor growled.

“He got stabbed with silver. He will be stuck in his wolf form for a few days when he wakes up. That’s not healthy for her,” Dad growled back defensively.

“She knows he was badly wounded. She felt it. What she needs is to know that he is alright,” Felix argued.

She knows . . . she felt it! The bond isn’t supposed to be that strong yet! I haven’t claimed her . . . this was the whole reason! I have to see her! I opened my eyes and sat up slowly careful not to injure myself further. I stood and went for the door.

“He’s up,” Trevor mumbled before I burst through the door.

“Where is she?” I growled.

“Anthony, you need to shift. You need to heal!” Dad demanded.

“She wasn’t supposed to feel anything. That was why I waited to claim her. I didn’t want her to feel any more pain!” I growled annoyed with myself, the three of them and the universe.

“It wasn’t as bad as you think. It was just pangs. Not lasting. Your bond isn’t strong enough for that yet,” Trevor reasoned.

“I still need to see her,” I demanded.

“You need to heal. I can tell you fighting your wolf right as we speak. Is this really how you want her to see your wolf for the first time?” Dad asked.

“That doesn’t matter!” I pushed through them and up the stairs.

“Tony!” My mom gasped as I barged through the basement door.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled to her and then keep on straight up the stairs and to my room where two guards were posted outside and a commotion was ensuing inside.

The guards nodded to me and then stepped out of the way as I opened the doors and stepped inside.

“He’s fine, but he can’t see you yet, Dawn!” Hannah explained.

“I don’t believe you,” She was facing the window.

“I wolf healing can be an ugly thing. It’s not something you’re ready for. You haven’t even seen him in his wolf form yet!” Julie argued.

“I don’t care! I just . . .” She stopped and then turned quickly. “Tony?” She said hopefully.

“Yeah,” I smiled at her.

“Tony!” She nearly squealed and ran to me, throwing herself into me.

I stumbled and hissed at the pain.

“Oh sorry!” She pulled away.

“No, it’s fine,” I wrapped my arms around her ignoring my throbbing shoulder.

“Don’t. Ever. Do that. Again!” She hit my chest with every word.

“I am not making any promises,” I chuckled.

Oh god it felt good to have her in my arms.

“Tony,” Julie gasped as she looked me over.

I knew she knew the signs. She looked at the bandages.

“I know,” I looked her in the eyes and shook my head.

“You have to.” She mouthed.

“I will. Not now.” I lipped back and then nodded to the door over my shoulder.

She sighed and pushed Hannah out as I led Dawn to the bed and pulled her on to my lap.

“It’s all over,” I whispered into her ear. “Ian’s gone and you’re here: safe, in my arms. Everything is right for once.”

“Tony, won’t you get in trouble . . .”

“Hunters and Werewolves are above human law. When we murder one another it gets brushed under the rug in the laws eyes, but we have our own set of rules. In this case I was in the right. Ian attacked my mate and that is a law breaker against the Hunters and Werewolves. When they attack us we have full right to retaliate, and I did. So no. I won’t get in trouble.” I explained.

“So it really is over,” She smiled up at me.

“Yes, it’s just you and me now,” I kissed her forehead, resting my lips there for a moment.

“You, me and your pack,” She mumbled.

I pulled away and looked in her eyes. “Our pack. And now . . . not yet. My mom and dad are still leaders of the pack. For now it’s just us.”

“Just little old human me and my werewolf boyfriend,” Dawn sighed and then laughed shaking her head.

“Yeah, about that,” I sighed and reached over to my bedside table and pulled out the large felt jewelry box from the spot where I left it when my mother gave it to me.

“What about it?” She smiled up at me confused.

“I know you’ve been thrown into this world and everything is a little confusing for you . . .”

“But I couldn’t be happier,” She rubber her hand on my chest reassuringly.

“And I am glad, but I still want to hold as many human traditions as possible. In my world wolves mate and it kind of stands in for a formal marriage. Only Alpha’s really go through the official ceremony.” I said as I rubbed the felt box with my thumb

“Tony, what are you saying,” Dawn nearly gasped. I could hear her heart pounding in her chest.

“We don’t offer rings,” I explained as I opened the box. “We offer what is called a betrothal necklace. This follows my Alpha line for many generations. My father proposed to my mother with this and now,” I fully revealed the large oval pearly stone with a white gold casing around it and a long white gold chain. In the middle of the pearly stone was a white gold wolf in a howling stance.

“Oh my god!” She breathed.

“And now,” I slid her off my lap and on to the be and got down on one knee in front of her, “I am proposing to you with it.” I smiled up at her beautiful blue tearing eyes. “Dawn, will you marry me?” I finally said.

“Is this even a real question?” She laughed as a tear fell from her eye.

“Well, I wanted to stick to tradition,” I smirked.

“Yes, of course, Tony. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” She wrapped her arms around my neck and I wrapped mine around her waist standing.

“Good, because I couldn’t live the rest of mine without you,” I sighed.

“I know she breathed and press her lips to my cheek. I pulled back and pressed me lips to hers.

Again, for only the second time in our relationship this kiss wasn’t rushed, or panicked or physically passionate. It was emotional and slow and soft and wonderful. I loved the idea of know she loved me. I love the idea of know she was all mine. And most of all I loved her.

“Here, I’ll put it on,” I pulled away.

“Okay,” She turned around lifting her hair off her neck. I clasped the necklace and then kissed her neck gently.

She turned to me with her hand on the pendant. She giggled.

“What?” I smiled at her pulled her into me again.

“I never thought this life could be mine. I never thought I could be happy,” She sighed.

“Well, I am glad you are now. And your mother is welcome to stay with us. She will be a part of the family too,” I reassured her.

“How are we going to tell her about all of this?” Her smiled dropped.

“Don’t worry about that yet. Right now just focus on you and me and forever,” I laid on our bed pulling her with me.

“I think I can do that,” She smiled and curled into me.

This human girl had transformed me in a way only a mate could. I started as a punk ass teenager whose only claim to fame was that his mother and father were the greatest Luna and Alpha of all time, but now I had earned that great title. By taking Dawn as my mate and realizing that responsibility I had truly become the Alpha I was supposed to be. I learned not to be selfish, how to care, how to love, and how to fight. And I earned it all from a girl who in my world would be considered weak and fragile.

All I knew was that it would being this Human’s mate, not being Alpha, that would really be my claim to fame one day. I would be the first every Alpha to mate with a pure human and I was proud of that. Nothing about Dawn made me ashamed or embarrassed. Everything about her made me a better person and that would make me the best Alpha I could be.