My Older Alpha Mate

chapter twenty two

Ashton's POV

The gorgeous field that we met in was no longer illuminated by the warm sun but now dark and cold. I glanced briefly at the ground that would soon experience blood shed. I focused back in on Jax, who had removed his shirt and was eagerly standing 10 feet away from me, staring at me with the coldest eyes I may have ever seen.

I took another look at my mate who Olivia held at knife point now, staring at the ground. Shameful does not even put it into words. Jon's eyes looked tired and betrayed. He focused now on the task at hand. I think we all are.

I broke the silence that had fallen on the forest. "The battle of the brothers has been a worldwide necessity in order to establish dominance and leadership ability within a tribe. We hope the moon goddess as well as the all-holy sun will watch over and and assist us in announcing this battle's winner. May the better alpha win." I bowed my head as well as everyone else.

Let the fight begin. Simultaneously, Jax and I run at each other. We both turn as we jump and collide as wolves. Nearly identical wolves, ofcourse. He bites at my coat and we bash teeth for what seems like forever, then silence.

I'm in a bright room sitting in a chair. The sun room's lights glow on me. It's warm and it smells like cookies. Suddenly, a small boy runs around the corner and into my arms. He fits like a glove. I hug him tightly like i've known him forever. "Who are you?" I ask gently, cradling this small thing in my arms. He looks up at me and grind with his teeth. He looks just like me and when my beautiful, aged mate rounds the corner, it all fits like a puzzle. This is it. This is what I'm fighting for.

I come back to reality and Jax's wolf is chewing on my bloodied leg. I kick him off and his wolf whimpers as he slides across the dirt. He's back up and so am I. We circle each other like pray. I mind link him, "We don't have to do this, Jax." I think solidly. He attempts to take a bite at me which I dodge swiftly. I know he can hear me. I lunge at him and bite his front leg. We wrestle in the dirt but I don't let go. I bite harder. My wolf sinks his teeth until I can see that baby's smile again.

I shove up and he's on the ground with what is left of his leg. I put my paw on his chest and swipe my paw across his face leaving five thin gashes. His wolf is weak now. Vulnerable.

"Do it. Finish it." My wolf insists. I mind link him again, "Jax, don't make me do this." Suddenly, his bones crack and his diaphragm shrinks. Mine do as well. It happens quick. Jax is bloodied and his face is raw. There are blood on my hands and I can't feel anything. He speaks now, "This will be done properly. How it should have years ago." Jax grabs my throat and suddenly I feel something warm all over my body.

"No!" Aurora screamed in a bone-chilling screech. I glanced down to see a dagger in my stomach. It's hard to breathe now. I fall over and Jax stands over me now, dragging his mutilated body across the ground. My vision is blurring. I look over to my mate and I attempt to mutter out an "I love you" but blood comes out my mouth instead.

Jax lifts up his fist to put me out of my misery and I close my eyes. This is how it ends, I suppose. But it doesn't come. It's silent and I peel open my eyes which is a task in itself. Jax is frozen in front of me, his body twitches and now blood pours from his mouth. He falls over and closes his eyes. The space where he previously stood was now occupied by a shaking Olivia with blood on her hands.

I dropped the weight of my skull ans my head fell against the ground. I closed my eyes and took a difficult breath. The last words I heard before falling into the darkness repeated in my head, "No! Please help! Ashton! Please stay awake! Please!" My mate cried out as I took a long, difficult breath.

Good night.