Chapter Twenty-Six

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I didn't suppress the emotions this time. I allowed them to slam into me, wash over me in waves of hot fury. Purple consumed my vision. Wrath flowed through me like a war cry, charging every muscle and bone. The Delta's eyes snapped to mine, but I didn't register his expression. I didn't even register the pain of my shift. Suddenly, I was towering above the tables, above everyone else who had gone white with shock. I was a beast; my beast. Tables barked and splintered under my weight as I charged across them, straight for the man who stared me right back, seeing the monster I was.

Shrieks rang in my ears as people jumped out the way, wood splintering and hissing as my robust limbs slammed into them. The smells were overwhelming; sweet, cloying scents that had my heart hammering faster. Fear. I could smell fear, and much of it was coming from the dark-haired man before me, who was grinning despite the terror in his eyes.

In a motion of monstrous grace I leapt, my eyes locked like a hawk's on Osyn as I came crashing down on top of him, the head table crashing as we were sent back. My claws dug into his skin, and he stared up at me from the ground, grinning but fearful. Afraid but exhilarated. As though he'd just jumped off a cliff, knowing what awaited him at the bottom, but intended to enjoy the fall all the same.

A deafening growl rang out from my throat, something that echoed through the quiet chaos of the room. Alpha Osyn, to his credit, bared his teeth back -- though it didn't look half as intimidating as mine did.

"Is this how you want them to view you, Epsilon? As some unbridled monster?"

His words were smug, as though maybe he knew I would give up now. As though he thought it would be enough to make me come to my senses and he would win... again. But he was wrong.

"I can smell your fear, Lord." I snarled, bearing my canines down on his throat. Sure enough, that cocky smile vanished in an instant, his eyes wide and watching the teeth that scraped carelessly along his skin. That cloying smell hit me again, and sick satisfaction pushed through me.

Slowly, I retracted my maw, and the Alpha went impossibly still. For too long, I'd been pushed down. For too long had this tyrant hidden behind power to make people bow their heads.

I looked into those eyes, and staring back into mine, I think he saw it then. I wanted to kill him. I had to kill him, because dead men can't rule.

"Kyra!" A voice boomed. I stilled, my eyes sliding to the chaotic mess of the dining room behind me. There, standing in the destruction of it all was Azure, her blue eyes bright and pleading. "Kyra," she said again, and I could read the rest on her white face. Don't do this. This isn't you. What will happen to us if you do? One moment of satisfaction for us to lose our only form of sanctuary.

Raina was quickly at her side, and her face portrayed the same anguish. I looked again at Alpha Osyn, who was quivering under my hold.

Selfish. I was a selfish beast, just as all werewolves were.

But for my friends? For them, I was loyal. For them, I would walk to the ends of the earth to save them. For them, I would sacrifice myself, even my pride.

So, choking back pride, I slowly stepped off the Alpha's quivering frame. Sucking in a deep breath, I willed the emotions out of me, willed for that slate-grey numbness back. The shift was seamless, and the black cloak covered my naked form entirely.

Slowly, I rose, buttoning the cloak as I went. With controlled movements I shifted my gaze to the man before me, at the victorious smile slowly emerging from the white terror of his face. I looked to the Delta, who was staring back with unabashed shock. I looked to the Luna, who seemed to be apologising to me with her eyes.

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