Jane |18+| ✔️

31. The time I began to rid the Vermin

Silas

Bounding down the far side of the mountain, away from the impending battle, has my apprehension at an all-time high. Time is against us. The Swinish Spawning is just around the corner, and that layer of wildness may have the shifter world as I know it in complete and utter shambles. I need this done and over with before the sun completely falls.

The rocks and ground give away under my wolf's paws, causing a rip-roaring snarl from within, setting him off. We're at odds as he dominates in his form, but I've kept my reins on him, knowing his true intentions. His only intention—and I cannot have that. I will fight him as it is dire that we stick to the plan so we can ultimately keep Jane safe.

He maneuvers with skill and agility, jumping and landing without a sound, making it to the Jaguar in no time. He growls as I force him to shift. He almost took my brother out for just being near our mate. Thank God Jane stepped in. Reluctantly, as soon as my beloved human slides off, I morph back, reaching under the driver's side wheel to capture the spare key I purposely placed there.

"Go. Don't look back." I open the door as she runs and hugs me with so much vigour and warmth.

"Don't die." I huff with humour. "It's not funny, Silas." Lowering to her level, I cup her wet cheek as I swipe at her new tears.

"In all the battles I have fought, I never cared for anyone as I care for you, Jane. My Mate. My Luna. My lover. My world. On my word, you will see me again, alive and well. Now go." She nods and moves to kiss me, flooding me with her fireworks and unmeasurable scent. "I love you, Jane Albright."

"I love you, Silas – Alpha of the North." She kisses me one last time before taking the key from my hand and scampering in behind the wheel. Closing her door, she starts it up and slaps her in reverse while touching the in-dash screen. My sights catch the glimmer of movement far off in the distance as I nod, setting them in motion.

Beckoning my wolf to sit tight for the moment, he howls but grunts and begins to pace. With a heavy sigh, I pray all goes to plan before bursting into a sprint, only to come and stand on a rocky perch between the two sides. "As Alpha of the North, I command you all to shift." 

Immediately, my authority is followed, even by the traitorous beings that will lose their lives here, on this field, today. A day that is traditionally viewed as glorious and unbridling. Where we let loose and enjoy the freedoms that be. Not betraying the Alpha that gave them all purpose and value. A life of riches measured in uncountable ways.

They were greedy and have no idea the burdens I shoulder in order for them to live in serenity. That realization is about to come to provision, I smirk a dangerous grin. It hasn't been long enough since I battled last, but my wolf is itching, and the fury he feels toward this brute of traders will hopefully quench his thirst once and for all.

"Brother," my eyes land on him first as he smirks from beside Reeva. "It's nice to see you well." He spits on the ground and steps forward while looking around. "Didn't get much of a chance to talk when you ran away like a little pup," I mock as he snarls.

"That diminutive mate of yours is scenting quite nicely," he jars back. "She'll make for a tasty snack once I'm done here... with you." My canines bear as the others all stir around us.

"Enough, Dante. End him," Reeva barks as my brother smiles and cracks his neck, eyeing me. "You're the rightful Alpha of the North, not him. He's weak and boneless compared to you. You will lead our people to greater things—as your parents wanted. Not squabbling over nonsense with humans. Hell, even his mate is cowardly—"

"You best shut your mouth right there," I warn. "Jane is the rightful Luna of the North, and you will bow to... oh wait," I smirk, "you won't survive this to bow. You will die for real this time, Reeva. Not fake it. Not hide for twenty years thinking I didn't know where you were, who you were with, or what you were doing," I chuckle as her snarl falls when Falcona and her pack come to stand beside me.