The Shadow Alpha novel Chapter 46

“Is everything set?” I asked looking Dristan directly in the eye, to which he replied with a curt nod. Satisfied with his answer I turned to the rest of the packs that were littered across the backyard in groups, my fists clenched up involuntarily and I dragged in a deep calming breath.

“Today marks the day that the werewolves of the world come together to defeat the traitors of our race and reclaim our freedom. Many of you have travelled across the seas to be here and have a hand in a battle that will go down in history, so let us make it a great victory!” I finished strong earning a loud cheer from the crowd. I searched the eyes of each and every person that stood before me and found nothing, but bravery and determination.

“We have just received confirmation that all packs are ready and awaiting our order. You are all well aware of your duties, please stick with your team and follow the plan as far as possible. Nothing reckless!” my Alpha tone did not waver as I continued to relate the plan once more.

After the meeting everyone was given time to themselves, time to spend with their loved ones and mentally prepare themselves for the battle. As much as we hated to admit it, everyone going out there ran the risk of not coming back alive and it took real guts to say goodbye, knowing the possibility.

You never know where your luck lies.

~~~

“Regardless of what I’ve done, in my eyes he is still my son, I have raised him as my own and I will always love him.” April’s voice held conviction, which I both admired and detested. How could she call him her son and betray him the way she did?

“We all have our own reasons for doing the things we did. Everyone!” her last word hung in the air, thick with double meaning.

“So what you’re saying is that your actions are justified? That lying about who you are, is justified? Calling yourself someone’s mother when you’re nothing but an imposter, is justified? Being a part of a revolution that could destroy everything we have worked so hard to build, is justified?” I fired question after question and watched as her confidence dwindled. She was quiet for a good few moments; her head bent down in shame.

“You’d do anything for Devin, wouldn’t you?” she asked in a timid voice, still staring at the table below.

“Anything within reason, yes.” I articulated and a soft laugh erupted from her.

“Then you’re a stronger woman than I am…” she finally looked up and stared into space, her eyes held pain and slight anger.

For the first time since they were captured, I was making progress. I had sat countless hours in this very interrogation room across from April, waiting for her to crack and tell me why she did what she did.

“Why now April? Why today?” she knew exactly what I was asking by the knowing look in her eyes.

“Because after today it won’t matter. In fact, it doesn’t even matter now.” She revealed matter-of-factly. I neglected to comment and opted for an accepting nod, which was also an indication for her to continue.

“I was born into an ‘anti-pack’ family, I grew up learning the ways of the revolution; it may seem far fetched, but the revolution runs deeper than two generations. My father was the leader of one of the ‘anti-packs’. When I turned eighteen, he had already promised me to be married to an alpha. At the time it didn’t faze me since I knew of my fate long before, but that very year I met my mate, who happened to be the Beta of a very strong pack. I had always been indifferent to the ways of my people, so when I met my mate it was love at first sight.

“All I wanted was to be with him and I was willing to run away and be with him. The day I left the pack we were both caught, that’s when I met Austin. He was the Alpha that I was supposed to marry and my running away angered him so in exchange for my mate’s life I agreed to marry Austin and pretend to be the mother of his child. I resisted at first, but I could not see my mate suffer for my mistakes. I made Austin and my father promise not to hurt him and in exchange I wouldn’t breathe a word to another soul.” Suddenly it made perfect sense.

“They killed him. That’s why you no longer hold your promise, because they broke theirs.” I guessed and by the pained look in her eyes, the conversation I overheard came to life.

“Why keep quiet for so long afterwards?” I inquired, not quite getting that bit of the picture.

“Devin didn’t deserve that kind of betrayal, after everything I did. He didn’t deserve to know that the woman who lied to him did it all for her own selfish motives.” I scoffed at her words.