STEFAN
Everything was out of my hands now. Her survival was on her own. I never gave a damn about these slave rituals. Mason handled that shit. I kept my distance, didn't want to get involved.
But damn, I was curious. Was she holding up? I knew from the second I took her offer that she'd need a damn miracle to survive tonight, and miracles? They didn't exist in Thornclaw.
Why the fuck did I care? She volunteered. No one forced her.
"You should come out tonight," Mason said, strolling into my office like he owned the place. "Pack members will lose their shit if you show up."
I growled. He knew I hated this social crap. I left that to him. Let him be the charming one while I played the brute. It helped my rep.
He dropped onto the sofa with a sigh. "What's your excuse this time? Drowning in paperwork?"
"Don't ask dumb shit," I snapped.
Mason grinned like a cocky bastard. "Yeah, yeah, Alpha. But seriously, instead of brooding over your world domination plans, come out. Delta's daughter's coming of age, big-ass party, and get this: everyone's gonna stay human for once."
I scowled. "The Elites are fucking up the pack. What happened to wolf-form parties?"
Mason rolled his eyes. "Face it, parties are way better in human form. But hey, there's been a casualty tonight. One of the servants was torn apart. You know who's behind it."
My heart skipped. Usually, I didn't give a shit about slaves or servants. They were the pack's trash, demoted wolves, criminals, rogues, or strays who sold themselves. Most rogues lost their wolves anyway, keeping them in check.
"They're getting out of control," Mason said, dead serious. "Three casualties today."
I didn't care about the numbers. I just needed to know if it was Alanna.
"We told them to hunt in the woods. They won't listen," Mason kept ranting. "I get staying primal, but killing your own clan? That's fucked."
This wasn't new. Thornclaw used to be a wild wolf pack years ago, before most clans fell apart after the big attack on our kind. We survived, and became the last pack standing.
My granddad hated anything to do with tamed wolves, but when he found the wolves who refused to ever shift to human form, he took them in. Called them Night Prowlers. He even made me live with them as a kid. They shaped me, good and bad.
They were supposed to only roam at night and never hurt pack members. But when they started attacking servants, I ignored it, servants weren't part of us. They were outcasts. But right now? I was fucking pissed.
"Victim and culprit identified?" I demanded.
Mason straightened, eyes wide. "Yeah. Nothing left of the victim. The attackers are locked up."
My gut twisted. Was it Alanna? I wanted to ask, but held back.
"How're you punishing them?" I growled.
Mason looked like I'd punched him. "We torture them. Threaten to kill them."
I hissed, "That's why it ain't working. Use today's captives as an example. Make them shift to humans, kill their wolves, brand them slaves. Send a message, no more hunting in my pack. The woods are open to them."
Mason's jaw dropped. "That's extreme."
I didn't give a fuck. I wanted to hunt those bastards down myself, make them suffer more than Alanna did. I didn't even notice I crushed my favorite mug until it shattered in my hands.
"Oh shit," Mason said, jumping up.
Inside, my wolf was howling in rage. I was pissed at losing control over that girl like this.
"Stefan?" Mason called. "You okay?"
Hell no, my wolf screamed. But I stayed silent.
"We won't go that far tonight," Mason said carefully. "But we'll force the culprits into human form, make them live that way. Repeat offenders get the full treatment."
My wolf wanted to tear his face off for changing my orders. I wanted them dead. All of them. But I shut my mouth tight. One wrong move, and I'd blow up.
"Come on, man," Mason said softly. "You've been on edge. Come blow off some steam at the party. Tomorrow, we will handle the captives."
I jumped up, maybe too eagerly. One reason only: I needed to fuck Alanna out of my system. Maybe that'd kill whatever the hell my wolf was obsessed with.
Mason gave me a hard look. "Dude, you're really fucking twisted tonight."
I tried to smile. Failed hard. Mason shook his head and bolted before I could scare him off.
We stepped into the party hall. Everything stopped. All eyes on me, then they quickly looked away.
Mason was right, this was a fancy-ass party. Mostly Deltas and Zetas. They bowed low, surprised I came. Didn't bother me, I was looking for someone to warm my bed.
The host rushed over. "Oh my! Honored to have you, Alpha and Beta." He led us to the head table.
I grunted. Mason started chatting like a damn politician. Then the host brought his daughter over.
"Welcome, Alpha," she bowed low. "So grateful you're here for my birthday."
I narrowed my eyes. She was the hottest female I'd seen. Fluttered her lashes at me, ignoring Mason. Clear as day that she had an agenda.
As she walked away, Mason groaned. "This is why I don't take you anywhere. You're a fucking magnet for females."
I laughed but kept watching her work the room.
"Life'd be easier if you picked a Luna," Mason said.
"Not gonna happen," I muttered, eyes locked on her.
She glanced back a few times, loving the attention.
My wolf wasn't having it. It wanted to wreck something. Keep flashing images of Alanna's bruised face.
I grabbed a drink and slammed it down. I didn't care about getting drunk. Tonight, I was fucking this tamed enchantress out of my system.
Drinks kept coming. Mason disappeared to work the crowd, sniffing for info.
My eyes stuck to the birthday girl and her tight dress. I told her we'd meet after the party. She was hyped, like every female in my pack wanting a piece of me. Maybe even tame me.
I was about to drink again when Alanna's scent hit me.
I froze. My wolf shut up for once.
She was alive? Fuck, why had I let myself to think that she was dead?
I swallowed her scent like air. She wasn't inside yet, but close. So close I wanted to hunt her down, claim her, satisfy my wolf's obsession.
She stepped in. Bruised, worn out. Hands all scratched.
My wolf growled low. Mason returned with a twisted grin.
"This is gonna get real," he said. "No clue how she made it here without getting torn apart, but these snobby Deltas and Zetas? They're pissed."
Just then, a wolf near her growled and yanked her hair, dragging her to the table.
"Who the fuck let this infidel near me?" a woman hissed.
In my mind, I ripped that bitch's throat out. But I just took a sip, watching them beat her down.
Maybe this was what I needed. To finally cure my wolf's madness.