Triple Alpha's Threat

(GN) Ch. 116 - Acceptance

Drake POV

"Leave him!" My internal thoughts roared in defiance against Dietus's laughter. My wolf, Demetrius, surged with energy, pushing against the dark force.

"He is mine. You are all mine," Dietus declared as he worked his magic, pulling River closer to him.

"He is my brother!" I insisted, leaning forward on my front paws, ready to spring into action. I knew I couldn't fight Dietus, but I refused to stand by as my brother was sacrificed to this pathetic god.

"Demetrius, how fitting," Dietus remarked, addressing my wolf directly. I hesitated, surprised that he knew my wolf's name. "Lupa placed her most trusted and loyal warrior within you. She was a fool, though. My spirit is more powerful than any. I ruled this world for centuries, and I will rule it again," he taunted. I felt Zeus inside me, fighting for control but Demetrius was remaining fierce.

My body trembled as both my wolf and soul battled to keep Zeus contained. There was no time for this power struggle. My focus remained on River, watching helplessly as his body inched closer to the enigmatic giant looming just a foot away.

"Leave, brother! We can't win against him, not like this," River pleaded desperately.

"I can't! I won't!" I screamed, pushing my body forward. My jaws clamped down on River's shoulder, my canines digging deep enough to feel his bone crack. River howled in pain, but I had to ignore it. He couldn't be taken.

"You're so weak," Dietus laughed at me, his voice echoing in the air. My wolf growled furiously as I fought to free River from whatever magical grasp held him.

"Go to hell!" I snarled internally, my head shaking violently from side to side as I struggled to pry River away.

"He is mine," Dietus hissed, the pull growing stronger. River was teetering at the edge of ice and darkness.

"He is mine!" I roared, my determination fueling me. With a surge of adrenaline, I turned and bolted, dragging River by his shoulders. He screamed in agony beside me as I fought against the magical force pulling us back.

The air thickened around me, tugging at my ankles with relentless force. I feared I would trip and fall, but I couldn't allow that. If I faltered, we would both be lost to the Dark Forest.

"Get the fuck off me!" River's voice boomed, filled with rage as he struggled against my tight grip. My paws pounded against his side, and I realized with a jolt that I might sever his arm if I clenched any tighter. But I couldn't release him yet, not until we were completely free from Dietus's grasp.

"Drake! I swear to fuck, I'll kill you!" River's threats rang out, but I paid them no heed as I continued to run. For what felt like an eternity, I dragged him by his shoulder, blood staining the ground and leaving a gruesome trail behind us.

When we finally reached the mirror lake, I came to a halt. My jaw throbbed with pain as I released River from my grip, his skin torn and bloodied from my teeth.

"Are you out of your mind?" River's voice thundered, his anger palpable as he reached into the icy waters to cleanse his deep wound. I sat beside him, slumping onto my belly, utterly exhausted.

"I did what had to be done. Isn't that what you wanted?" I retorted wearily, my voice laced with bitterness.

"Dammit," River muttered, pulling his knees to his chest. We sat in silence, the weight of our recent ordeal heavy upon us.

"He's almost whole," I continued to speak to River in his mind as he responded aloud.

"He is an ugly fucker," River chuckled, but his laughter was cut short by a pained whimper.

'He is a strong ugly fucker, ' I added, sharing in the grim humor.

"We can't stay here," River stated firmly.

"I know. But facing her after what happened... I'm not sure I can do it. Her rejection only made me want her more. I'd do anything she asked, even if it meant sacrificing myself," I confessed.

"I'll tear her apart before I let anyone take you," River growled, rising to his feet despite the evident pain in his left shoulder.

'You won't hurt her. We both know that is the truth so stop acting like a five year old.' I scolded him, rising to my feet to follow after him.

"There are many things I would do Kiera." River grinned like an idiot. I knew exactly what he meant and it made him ten times more foolish when he denied he wanted his mate.

We slowly made our way back to my cottage where our trusted doctor awaited us. Dr. Hazel didn't say much, but his disapproving shake of the head spoke volumes. He had been stitching us up since we were boys, and it never failed to amaze him the trouble we found ourselves in.

"You are both weak. A journey to the South isn't wise right now," the doctor remarked as he tended to our wounds.

"We have no other option," I stated firmly. "If we stay here, the forest will swallow us whole."

"If you leave you'll be killed. This land will be pillaged, your pack members forced to take a new Alpha or death." Dr. Hazel gave us that fatherly look of disappointment.

"What would you have us do?" River shouted in anger. "If Dietus gains full power he will kill them all."

Dr. Hazel nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of our situation. "I'll do what I can to gather reinforcements and fortify the territory. But you both must promise me to be careful. Your lives are precious, not just to yourselves but to your pack."

"We will," I promised, exchanging a glance with River. Despite our differences, we were united in our determination to protect our pack.

"Don't think they won't see this as abandonment. You might not have a pack to return to." The doctor warned.

"We will tell them the truth." River stopped pacing and faced us both.

"I don't understand." I confessed.

"We need to them all that Kiera is their rightful Luna, our fated." River words nearly stopped my heart from beating. Claiming her this way would leave no room for us to ever completely reject her. It could force our people in a power struggle of who they wanted more, us or her.

"Are you sure?" My hand rested to my brother's good shoulder.

"Yes, I'm sure. She will take over if we fail." He said looking to the floor. A wave of reassignment washed over me, River was giving up. He didn't believe we would survive this, or he was ready to sacrifice himself.

I realized in that moment that we were all ready to meet our end. If we live then so does Dietus, but if we die then this all ends. That was the question we seek an answer to all along; how to end this. Now, we knew; we must take out our enemy by taking out ourselves.

I nodded solemnly to my brother in acceptance. We would step down, remove ourselves from this world and give it all to Kiera to rule. It was the only way.