Alpha

Chapter 18

I woke up with a fright, lifting my head from the side of the bed. My hand was still holding Konrad's. Nothing had changed, which was upsetting.

Konrad was placed in the infirmary because after being stitched, he didn't wake. It should have happened within ten minutes, and when it didn't, everyone agreed that it would be a good idea to have a medical team watch over him until he woke.

In the moments after the Alpha had been caged, the wolf finally relinquished her stance and stepped back from protecting Konrad. Joey and Alec were able to coax her into letting me take back control, and it was then that I collapsed. Anxiety, adrenaline, fear. All of it had me in a state that probably made me look like I was losing my mind.

Maybe I was.

On the other side of the bed, the sleeping body snorted awake and sat up on the lounge. A bewildered Ezra looked around and frowned at his brother.

"Still not awake?"

I shook my head sadly.

Meeting Ezra should have been a wonderful moment, but it wasn't. He'd been called to the infirmary, and I guess whoever it was that rang him didn't specify the exact details. Ezra thought his brother was dead.

I'd never seen so much relief on anyone when Ezra learned that it wasn't true. Soon we were left alone in the room, and then the awkward conversation began.

I learned that Ezra was fully aware of Konrad's plan to become my Beta. He didn't like the idea of becoming the Alpha but accepted it because he knew it would mean that Konrad was happy. It also meant that he was guaranteed that West River would never attack. I didn't think that my reputation as a leader would grow so dramatically after my father and Stephen died, but it had. As much as I was labeled an Omega, I wasn't seen as one. Everyone believed that because I was a Nolan by blood, I would be exactly the same as my father. Stephen was so, why would I be any different?

Even Alec commented about the wolf, which had me questioning his thoughts. He said that I was a larger than average female wolf which he figured was probably because of my Alpha status. I hadn't unleashed the wolf in a long time, which meant that no one knew her true size. It would seem that she could rival many.

Joey then suggested that because my wolf had finally been seen, word would spread that I was no little girl. It would help us in the long run because everyone would know that not only was the wolf bigger than she should be, but she protected with ferocity. She was prepared to take on a monstrously huge Alpha to protect her mate.

Ezra sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Never thought this is where I'd be sleeping at the meat market. In the arms of lots of lovely wolves, sure, but not a crusty lounge in a makeshift infirmary. I am going to find something to eat and drink. Did you want anything?"

I shook my head, giving Ezra an uneasy smile. We got along, but I could tell that he was uncertain of me. Word had spread, and this Alpha was rising through the ranks. If there was any doubt as to her capability as a leader before today, it was now gone.

Ezra nodded as he walked to the door. I knew that the uneasiness between us was also because of Konrad's condition. He hadn't woken, and there was a good chance it was because it had taken so long to get the repairs done. If the wolf had stepped back straight away, things might have been different.

As he walked out, Ezra nodded at Alec, who entered the room. He gave me a grim look as he passed over the phone. There was a connected call to Gus.

"Gus?"

"Megan. I'm sorry to bother you at a time like this. How's Konrad?"

"Not awake yet. What's wrong?"

"The council has kept us up to date regarding the ritual fight and the mating rights."

That was not a surprise.

"And all that nonsense with the paperwork and the Blood Moon pack."

"Gus, why are you stalling?"

He sighed heavily.

"Because the Blood Moon Alpha attacked you, another Alpha, in the neutral zone in a situation that was not bound by the rules of a ritual fight, we enter into a peculiar area. The council has already contacted us. I spoke with the representative of the supreme councilor, who stated that the Alpha will be displaced as leader for his actions. The situation that we find ourselves in is that the laws are clear. When a leader is displaced by the council, the pack territory is open for consumption. As the offended party, you are given first choice. You are entitled to take over the land. A coup is not necessary. The elders, any remaining hierarchy, and the pack are to bow down to your demands."

"Blood Moon land is at the far end of the southeast zoning. That's not even my biggest issue. Dark Claw and Iron Fang stand between us. I can't amalgamate two packs with two standing between us. Especially one like Iron Fang."

Ruthless was a good way to describe them. I found it surprising that they didn't come to West River land and take over after the death of my father and Stephen.

"I know. I said that you were away at the mate meetup, so we couldn't discuss anything regarding the future. All pack meetings are in suspension when the leader is away. The representative has agreed to give us twenty-four hours after your return to decide what we want to do. So, I guess be ready for a meeting when you return."

"Great," I muttered. "I'll talk to you then."

As Gus said goodbye, I looked at Alec. The grim look on his face said that he already knew what was going on before he entered the room.

Handing the phone back, I smiled.

"Go, rest, party, whatever. Don't worry about what's going on. We have time, and the council won't expect an answer today."

Nodding, Alec wandered out of the room.

Sitting on the bed, I picked up Konrad's hand again. With a heavy sigh, I lifted it and pressed it to my cheek.

"Konrad," I whispered. "Stop being a drama queen and wake up."

Nothing happened. Not even a twitch.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. With a sniff, I wiped them away. I took a deep breath to calm myself. It wasn't working.

"Wake up. I can't deal with any of this. I don't know what to do. I'm lost, and I need you."

Pressing his hand against my sternum.

"This heart beats for you and only you. I love you."

The first thing that I felt was his fingers shift against my skin. A slow, lazy smirk filled his face, and the sleepy eyes opened.

"I told you that I'd find a way to make you love me."

I laughed. It was more like a sob, but it didn't matter. Leaning down, I kissed Konrad.

"You're a monster," I whispered.

"Your monster?"

"Absolutely."