The Alpha's Prize
Chapter 26: To the death

I looked between my sister and the vampires that stood at her side. I could hear the sounds of Cainand Calyx battling it out from behind me. An overwhelming feeling of dread came over me as Iknew we were screwed; we were outnumbered and unprepared for this. Especially the fact thatAdela was a part of this whole plan. I shook my head and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Adela, Iam your fucking sister; how can you say you are going to kill me? And most of all, why? What thefuck did I do?” I asked her in absolute disbelief. I needed to know what was going on and why.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Because I fucking hate you, it's always about you; everyone loves andadores you. Dad, mom, Gunnar, everyone in the pack, they talk about you like you are a god. Forexample, when you started training with dad and Gunnar, I asked to train too, but they said no, thatI was too weak, that I wouldn't be suitable. Yet, they allowed you to join, and that wasn't fair. Themoment Cain took you away was one of the greatest moments of my life. I thought to myself, I amfinally free of her, and it would be my time to shine, but I was so wrong. Everyone constantlyworried about you and your safety; they just wouldn't shut up about you, proving that things wouldnever change. I mean, Gunnar even risked his life by coming here to see you, for fuck sake. So, theonly way I can truly be rid of you is to kill you.” Adela stood there smiling now at her revelation.

I was utterly taken aback at her confession, standing there with my mouth agape, “I...I...." I couldn'treplace the right words to respond with at first; as shocks cold grip wrapped around me, “Adela, I amyour sister, I have been nothing but good to you all these years, taking care of you and being therefor you when you needed me most. Everything you just told me was out of my hands. I had neveronce asked anyone to treat you as if you were beneath me, and I would never have.” I paused andsucked in a deep breath before continuing. “Killing me won't solve anything; if you kill me andsomeone replaces out that it was you, dad will either banish you or will execute you, and you know I amright. Taking the life of another pack member, especially one who is family, is forbidden.” I tried toplead with Adela, even though I was angry with her. I didn't want her to do this; I didn’t want her tolive the rest of her life in isolation or die.

Her chest heaved, and she clenched her jaw before stomping her foot on the ground. “SHUT THEFUCK UP!” Adela bellowed out, “It doesn't matter what you say; I won't change my mind on this.”She looked to the vampires on either side of her and pointed towards me. “Hold her.” She saidcoldly, and my eyes flickered between the three bloodsuckers, two of which were now closing in onme. Lazarus stayed by Adela’s side while the other two reached out to grab my arms, but I duckedand slammed my fist into the first man’s stomach, causing him to keel over. The other man swipedat me with extended claws, and I swung my leg in the air, the heel of my shoe connecting with hisjaw. The vamp let out a pain-filled groan before collapsing to the ground. The first man got to hisfeet, and I faced him, ready to fight, but he stood there smiling, making me wrinkle my nose inconfusion, that was until I felt hands wrap around me, constricting me and holding me in place.

I kicked and thrashed in their hold, but whoever was holding me hit me on the head, and my visioninstantly blurred, making me vulnerable and disoriented now. I watched as Adela approached me, awicked grin on her face. “Poor, poor Freja, no one to save you or protect you.” She said whilesticking out her bottom lip. I couldn't hear Cain or Calyx anymore, causing me to wonder wherethey were and if Cain was alright. My eyes peeked over my shoulder as I tried to replace Cain, hopinghe was close by, that he could see or hear what was going on. However, Adela was right, there wasno one around to help me, and I was on my own now.

Adela followed my gaze, looking around the trees. “Sorry darling, but your dear mate is probablydead by now, and if not, he will be soon. Calyx is quite determined to kill that brother of his.” Shelaughed, “Just as determined as I am to kill you.” Adela then walked closer to me, and as sheapproached me, she held the knife in front of my face, waving it around. The handle was black andred, the blade an ashy grey colour. I reared back from it as an uneasy feeling stirred inside me fromthis weapon, and my wolf growled loudly within my head.

I twisted in the vampire's hold, struggling to free myself, but he only held onto me tighter, nearlybreaking my ribs. Adela held the knife to my face, pressing the cold blade against my cheek. “Thisblade will make sure you die and stay dead. Don't worry, though; it will be quick but not painless.”She grinned.

I wanted to plead with her again not to do this, but deep down, I knew it would be pointless. Thelook that now loomed within my sister's eyes was one I had never seen before, a look of sheerhatred, a look of madness.

I sucked in a deep, shuddering breath. “Adela, you don’t want to do this; you're just angry andlashing out. I'm giving you this chance to walk away, and I'll forget everything.”

Her face softened. “Really? You would forget that all this happened and forgive me?” She asked mesoftly.

I nodded my head and gave her a caring smile. “Yes, I would,” I told her honestly.

Adela pursed her lips and appeared to be considering my offer, but then she started to roar outwith laughter. “Not going to happen, but nice try. I will not walk away from the opportunity to watchyour blood spill all over this forest floor.” She growled.

Thunder was now starting to boom around us, and lightning lit up the night sky, signs of animpending storm. Just like the one that we now faced, a storm between siblings.

She smiled broadly. “Goodbye Freja, I won't miss you.” I closed my eyes, readying myself for theplunge of the blade, but it never came, and suddenly, I was released, collapsing onto the ground.My eyes shot open, and I looked around me, wondering what was going on. Adela lay on theground, her hand to her head and all three of the vampires were battling it out with none otherthan my dear brother, Gunnar. I was surprised by his arrival and curious as to how he knew that Ineeded him but relieved that he was here, here to save my ass. Gunnar was relentless as he foughtwith the vampires, not faltering one bit, as he continued to land punches and kicks. For a briefmoment, I was afraid for his life, that he may be outnumbered, and I don't know why I was, as mybrother was fighting with the strength of a dozen men.

Gunnar's gaze landed on me. “Get the fuck out of here, Freja.” He yelled at me before shifting intohis large and stunning wolf. Gunnar's wolf was broad and tall, a ferocious black beast with whiteears, a unique trait. I had always admired his wolf for its beauty and strength.

Gunnar lunged forward and began to tear through the vampires, ripping them to pieces. I lookedover to Adela, who was glaring at me. “You fucking bitch, see what I mean.” She gestured to Gunnar,"He would give his life for you and even hurt me, just to save your ass!” Adela bellowed out whileshaking with fury.

Her chest was heaving, and her eyes darkened. I opened my mouth to say something but wasquickly cut off when Adela lunged for me, a look of insanity on her face. My eyes widened, and Irolled away from her, causing Adela to land on the ground face first, with a thud. I got up from theground and stood to my feet, standing in a defence position.

Adela stood to her feet and lunged for me again, but I didn't move fast enough this time, and shecollided with me. We tumbled around on the ground, sticks and leaves flying all around us. Wecame to an abrupt stop as we crashed into a large tree. My wolf was howling and growling inside ofme, itching to be freed, to take out the threat. Adela and I rustled on the ground, both of usstanding to our feet hastily.

My body tensed, and my lip twitched as rage started to boil within me. “Adela, that's enough! Stopthis shit now!”

Her eyes narrowed on me, and she didn’t say a word, just snarled, as she dove for me once again. Asshe closed the distance between us, I gripped her by the hair and slammed her face into the tree,disorienting her. Then, I grabbed the back of Adela’s shirt and brought my knee up, connecting itwith her nose. She groaned loudly in pain as she flopped onto the ground.

I took a step back from her, being cautious, and my wolf snarled, clawing at my insides now. “Adela,we can end this now; end it before one of us doesn't walk away," I told her in a dark and cold tone.My warning meant nothing to her, as she started laughing, “You are right, one of us won't walk awayfrom here, and that's going to be you!” Adela cried out before she shifted into her wolf, and Iquickly followed suit, allowing my beast to come out.

We were both in wolf form now. My wolf was almost twice the size of Adela’s petite, golden brownwolf, but she matched my wolf's intensity. We started to circle each other, both of us snarling,growling and exposing our teeth. Then, unexpectantly, a loud and vicious roar rang through thetrees, distracting us from each other.

The roar had sounded familiar, it sounded like Cain, and I swear, my heart stopped as panic soaredwithin me, fearing that he was injured or worse. Adela took this opportunity of me being distractedand barreled into me, sinking her teeth into my side. My wolf yelped in pain, but she quicklyrecovered, kicking Adela away from us and biting down on her hind leg. Adela let out a whimper ofpain, and my wolf continued to bite down, sinking our teeth further into her skin. Then, we swungher around, releasing Adela from our hold. Adela flew through the air and slammed into a tree,causing her to shriek out in agony upon impact. Her frail body now lied on the ground, and my wolfstalked over to her, hackles raised and snarling.

As we neared her, she appeared to be defenceless, writhing on the ground in pain, but just when Ithought this was over, she swiped out a paw and scratched my face. This was the moment that mywolf snapped, the dark side of her taking over, and I knew what was going to come next. My wolfgrowled before sinking her teeth into Adela’s neck and twisting, breaking her neck and ending herlife.

Cain POV:

Freja and I walked back to the bike when we realized it had been trashed, and my fears came tofruition. I knew Calyx was going to strike soon; I had just hoped it wouldn't be when she was aroundor when we were unprepared. But of course, my brother was a fucking snake, who loved to go forthose that were vulnerable, so he could better his chances of winning. However, my brother was nomatch for me, and I was ready for him

Freja gasped, grabbing my attention. “What the fuck?” She spoke.

My wolf was stirring within me, the urge to protect our mate growing. I looked down at her. “Weneed to leave, now!” I said in a deep tone, my wolf on edge.

We had been running for just a few minutes now, but we weren't fast enough in human form, and Iknew if we shifted, we could get back to the house more quickly, where she would be safe. So, Istopped and looked at her. “Do you think your wolf could keep up with mine if we were to shift?” Iasked her.

She didn't hesitate to answer me. “Yes, she can. I think it's best if we shift too, we will make it backto the packhouse faster.” I nodded in agreement with her, glad she wasn't arguing with me on this.We prepared ourselves for the shift but stopped before it could take effect as the sound of asnapping branch grabbed our attention.

I whipped my head in the direction of the sound, but there was nothing there but trees. My wolfand I were becoming anxious and tense at the idea of Freja being in danger because of us. Frejacame to my side, and I could sense the small amount of fear she was experiencing. I gazed down ather affectionately, hoping to reassure her that things would be alright, but something in thedistance caught my eye, a figure coming out from behind a tree, and that figure was my brother.Calyx smiled. “Hello, brother.” He said while taking another step towards us. Every muscle in mybody tensed up, and I moved Freja behind me so she was out of harm's way.

My upper lip twitched as a snarl sounded from me. “Calyx.” I said through painfully gritted teeth,"What are you doing here?” My tone was deep and growly.

Calyx grinned. “You know exactly what I'm doing here, don't you, brother?” His gaze focused onFreja. “So do you, Freja.” His attention turned to Freja now. I followed his line of sight and glancedover my shoulder, looking down at her. She remained silent and just looked away from me, tellingme that he was right and she had known about Calyx. Freja looked back into my eyes with ascolding expression, and I huffed, knowing I was just as much in the wrong here as she was. Neitherof us was innocent, and both of us had hidden things from each other.

I raised a brow. “You are right. I know why you are here and what you are here to do, but I must ask,why are you doing this, Calyx?” I questioned my brother as anger coursed through me, and my wolfsnarled.

Calyx's face held a furious expression now. “Because I am supposed to be Alpha, not you! I am theoldest, and the title of Alpha goes to the oldest.” He bellowed out, shaking with rage.

I puffed out my chest and stood to my full height. “You know damn well know the reason why I amthe Alpha, and you aren't,” I growled out, my beast on the brink of bursting forward and ripping histhroat out.

His posture tensed, and he stepped closer to us, grinning like a madman. “Yes, your right; I do knowthe reason why and it's because of you. From the day you were born, you have been in my way andtaking what was rightfully mine. After I had gotten rid of dear old mom and dad, the plan was to getrid of you next, but you grew with power after their death, and things proved to be morechallenging than I expected, then this bitch shows up.” He said, pointing to my mate and my handsballed into fists as a growl rumbled from the depths of my soul. Calyx then pulled a knife out frombehind him and gazed at it fondly. “This is the knife I used on mom and dad. Now, I'm going to killyou with it.”

I shoved Freja back and lunged for Calyx, tackling him into a tree. The bark on the tree crumbledaround our feet as his back collided with it. I threw punch after punch, my fists pounding into hisface, and the back of his head bounced off the tree with each hit. Finally, Calyx reached up andswiped at my face with the knife, cutting into my cheek.

All I could see was red now, and my beast took over, forcing the shift. Calyx shifted as well, and nowit was a battle between our wolves, a fight to the death, as neither would give up until the other wasdead. My wolf stood tall and fierce, radiating with his Alpha power. Calyx's wolf was a dark, greycolour and smaller than mine, making him no match compared to my wolf. His wolf snapped itsteeth at us in warning and pawed at the ground. My wolf just positioned himself for the attack,growling low and raising his hackles

Calyx sprung at me, but I dodged his attack by moving to the right. He slid across the damp groundbut quickly regained his footing and spun around, lunging for us once again. Before Calyx's wolfcould reach us, my wolf lunged, striking him in the side and knocking him down. My wolf stood overhim before placing a paw on Calyx wolf's chest, immobilizing him. Suddenly, I heard a yelp,distracting me from my task, allowing Calyx to get the upper hand on me, and he bit down on mypaw, causing me to release him. Calyx then came at me again, sinking his canines deep into myshoulder. My wolf was becoming annoyed and enraged now, wanting to end this, wanting to finishhim. Noticing a fallen tree to our left, we dashed toward the tree with Calyx still hanging onto myshoulder by his teeth. As we neared the tree, I noticed a sharp, broken branch sticking out, and webarreled towards it, plunging the branch into Calyx's chest, but also into my shoulder, and I roaredout in pain as it sunk into my flesh. The pain had knocked me out briefly and caused me to shiftback to human. Once I came too, I immediately looked to Calyx, wondering if he was still alive.However, I couldn't hear his heartbeat anymore, and his chest ceased to move, telling me he wasdead. I placed my hands on the tree and lifted myself off of the branch.

As the branch came out, I groaned in pain and stumbled backwards a bit before leaning againstanother tree to support myself. I looked over at my brother's body, making sure he was dead, andthe dullness in his eyes told me there was no sign of life left. I breathed deeply, thankful it was allover, and Freja was safe now, or so I thought. As I stood there, perched against the tree, I couldsuddenly hear growling coming from within the distance. The first thought that came to mind wasthat Calyx hadn't been alone and whoever was him, was now after Freja. I pushed myself off the treeand stood up straight, wobbling a little. I started making my way in the direction of the noises, myvision blurred slightly, and I looked down at my shoulder, noticing that it was healing but not fastenough, and I was losing blood. I picked up my discarded shirt and wrapped it around my shoulder,hoping that would help.

Things were silent now, and I couldn't tell which way to go. I stopped and listened to see if I couldhear something. After a moment had passed, I could hear voices coming from the east, and I rushedtowards them. As I got closer, the voices became louder, more apparent. I rounded a large tree andfinally found Freja, but she wasn't alone.