The Mark of an Alpha
Chapter 65

The ring sparkles under the fluorescent lights as I stare at it in awe. Never did I think that I would get married. Let alone replace someone that would love me more than my mate did. It is rare for a wolf to move further than being marked by someone that is not their mate.

My eyes stay on my ring finger as the diamond ring plants the road for our future ahead. He wants everyone werewolf or not to know that he is mine. He is spoken for and no one will intervene with our love.

Hunter leads me into the hallway where Andrew and Ken are waiting.

Andrew does not wait for an answer as he looks at my hand and his arms wrap me into a big hug. He lifts me into the air as if I were light as a feather.

“I can’t believe you’re all grown up!” He smiles at me and I see that his eyes are watering as he sets me down.

“Why are you crying?” I whisper not wanting my emotions to surface as well.

He can’t get emotion because then he’ll make me emotional.

“Because-” with no more words his tears start flowing, “I’m just so happy for you,” he sobs. "After everything that you've been through it finally, finally, seems as if you have your happily ever after."

Not the waterworks, don't do this to me, Andrew!

“Man up Andrew you’re worse than a girl,” Ken pats Andrew’s back and Andrew wipes his tears.

"Hey," I smack Ken in the shoulder, "you have no idea what we've been through. Don't belittle him," Andrew is allowed to cry when he wants to. Too many times he held his emotions in and right now he won't be ashamed for letting us see how he feels.

“Congratulations Alpha Blake,” Ken bows his head to me and I nod at him.

“Thank you,” I whisper back at him not trusting my voice.

“Adrian, congrats brother!” Ken hugs Hunter and I stare at them. They have more than an alpha and beta relationship they are like siblings, just like Andrew and me.

“I wanted to ask you if you wanted to be my best man, that’s a thing right?” Hunter looks at me and I shrug.

I have never attended a wedding in my life so this is new to me as well.

“I think so,” I turn to Andrew. “Do you want to be my maid of horror?"

“Mel, I even know that’s wrong. Its maid of honor and it is a girl’s position,” he states in a matter of fact tone.

“You know better than anyone that I don’t have any female friends that can take your place in this. Even if I did none of them would know me as well as you.” I point out and he nods as if the realization is barely hitting him.

“I think I will be your maid of horror." He smiles at me and I give him a quick hug. “Come Angie wants to see the ring.” He pulls me away from Hunter and a piece of me yearns for him to come and hold me.

Andrew leads me to a huge room. There are seats scattered all around, a pool table, and the wall at the end is covered in books. Everyone is there relaxing and enjoying other people’s company.

Angie is talking to a brunette by the fireplace. She looks so bubbly talking to her, she has a huge smile on her face and it seems as if she can sense Andrew in the vicinity her eyes dart to our direction.

“Andrew,” she drops her conversation and runs to us. She wraps her arms around Andrew and he kisses her head. “Did she say yes?”

I’m right here,” I state as I stare at her.

Ever since Angie became Andrew’s mate I have hardly talked to her and she seems to shy away from me.

“I’m sorry,” her eyes lower and that is when she sees the ring. “You said yes!”

“I did.” Her excitement surprises me as she screams in delight and pushes away from Andrew wrapping me with her small arms. She pulls me down a bit because she is shorter but not much since she is jumping on her tiptoes. “I’m so happy for you two. Hunter is a lucky guy.”

“Thanks.” I scan the area hoping that no one is staring and that is when I see Calvin sitting in the corner staring at me. “Excuse me for a moment will you.” She lets go of me and I make my way over to Calvin. He stares at me without saying a word. “Hey!”

“What do you want?” He snaps at me and I take a step back. Up close I can see his glare.

“Sorry I thought you were Calvin.” I stare at Zeke the resemblance between him and his brother is uncanny. I have not encountered twins before them and it is unnatural how two people can look the same yet they are as different as night and day.

“I can’t believe my brother likes you.” He hisses, “you single-handedly destroyed our pack and yet everyone here seems to be glad that you have that stupid rock on your finger.” He stands up and my wolf pushes herself to my core.

“What does that have to do with anything?” This boy better watch what he says. I did not single handily destroy his pack. This pack was on the brink of falling apart when I arrived. Not saying that I did not help but there were other people involved.

“Everyone likes you and it turns out you’re next in line to be the top alpha. That was my spot!” He snaps at me and his eyes seem to be a gateway to the inner battle he is having with his wolf.

Is he challenging you?

I can see why she thinks that Zeke is trying to stand taller than me not in his physical sense but his wolf is trying to rise above mine.

“Zeke, calm down,” I say as calm as possible. Standing before him I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. If I were to back away that will seem as if I am scared, but if I stand here he could do something that he would regret.

“Calm down? You took everything from me. You took the only thing that mattered to me,” he spats at me.

“I did no such thing and if that’s all that matters to you I think you need to rearrange your priorities.” I hiss at him and my body fills with goosebumps.

“I am no longer the beta!” He screams at me as a vein in his forehead protrudes and his breathing is becoming harsh, “you should have stayed with that pathetic pack of yours.”

Let me rip his head off! My wolf snarls and I push her down but it seems to be a losing battle.

“Why the hell is that my fault?” I say through tight lips.

“Because you made my alpha step down and thus making me lose my ranking.”

“Then stop bitching and earn it back. Mathew is seeking wolves that are worthy, show him that you are.” I yell at him and the small gleam in his eyes is gone. He is not Zeke anymore. He gave himself to his animal self.

Silver!

Fight him Melany or else a lot of people are going to get hurt.

I can’t.

Zeke is still in his human form but any trace of his human self is out of his eyes. I stare at him shocked when the speed of light his hand flies to me. The back of his hand connects with my cheek. My teeth bite down on the inside of my cheek and my body flings to the side.

“Melany!” It is Andrew and I do not want him to get into this.

Zeke’s dark eyes look around lost not sure of what to do.

Melany.

My blood oozes in my mouth. I spit out hating the taste of rust in my mouth.

He needs a release.

I know what to do but I also know it is going to hurt like hell.

Zeke moves towards the rest of the people that are shocked as well staring at him. I hear some of the males growl aggressively towards him and a fight in the castle is not a good idea especially with everyone so close.

The door opens and Zeke’s eyes darts in that direction I take my chance. I run at Zeke my entire body slamming into him and we both stagger back. My mind is aiming for the window he needs to get out of here. Zeke’s back crashes into the window and it appears fragile as it shatters before us.

The pieces come down on us as Zeke tries to keep himself balanced. I step away a good two feet from him and my hand stretches out to push him out the window. He needs to be in the forest to fight off his demons. As my hands press on his back he surprises me by turning around and grabbing my forearm.

“No!” I yell at him but it is too late.

“Melany!” Hunter screams as the wind rushes past me and my body flings forward and out the window with Zeke below me, his voice registers with me just as my body falls out the window. Zeke is shifting before me his claws digging to my skin.

“Let go!” I growl at him quietly as all the wind pushes out of me and the ground is coming closer making my fear get the best of me.

Shift Melany.

I know that it will hurt less in my wolf form as Zeke is doing but I cannot bring myself to shift. The feeling of terror and helplessness is not allowing me to shift.

Falling seems to make everything move in slow motion in my head I can see Zeke’s body tremble even in the air and I can also see the ground getting closer but there is nothing I can do.

Damn it, protect your head! Silver yells at me and I listen to her my arms wrap around my head and my eyes shut close.

I feel and hear everything. My breath escaping me as my body connects with the ground, the cracking of bones as my side takes the hardest hit. My head bounces off my arms and my body turns a couple of times as it comes to a full stop.

“Fuck!” My arms fall to the sides as my eyes try to focus. The starry night sky is before me as a huge dark blanket with painted on specks of white.

Has there always been this many stars or am I seeing double?

Get up!

Everything hurts. I whine at Silver.

Melany, you have to get up. Zeke isn’t his usual charming self.

Zeke! My head falls to the side and I am staring at the baring teeth of Zeke. His tongue darts out as it swipes the front of his teeth.

I’m in some deep shit!

“Melany!” Hunter screams from above and all I want to be is back in my room with him.