The Alpha's Mistake

Chapter 8

Fire consumed Alpha Archer's eyes as he spat. "What the hell is that thing doing here?"

Alaric quickly positioned himself in front of her bed protectively. Todd stood next to him. "Getting the medical attention she needs and deserves." Atlas answered.

"That thing deserves nothing. Stand down, pup. And you," he looked at Todd with malice. "Get out."

Todd resisted the aura of his alpha for a few moments before Timber submitted. Turning to Alaric, his eyes expressed what he couldn't say.

It's alright. Go wait in my room. Alaric told him, without taking his gaze off his father.

Releasing his breath, Todd scurried away, hating Alpha more than ever.

"Why you put up with that sniveling mutt is beyond me." Archer snarled.

"You're talking about my best friend and the only one who's been there for me most of my life. Watch what you say about him." Alaric shot back.

"I can say whatever I want about anyone. You have no power over me. Step aside." He came into the room, trying to intimate his son. Alaric was half an inch taller, and they shared the same dark hair. The similarities ended there. Archer had a much larger frame, evidence of his glutton ways, and lack of exercise. Alaric was fit and muscular. Archer had furious brown eyes trained on the younger wolf.

"No." Alaric stood his ground.

"You will obey me! Get out of my way, pup!"

Controlling his emotions, he refused to let his father rile him up with simple words. "Why? Do you intend to finish the job that you claimed was already done? Tell me, father, why is my mother's murderer still alive?"

"I've enjoyed beating her. Now, I'll enjoy killing her."

"No." He growled. "Why did you lie to me?"

"Do you want to do it? Fine, I guess you can strangle the life out of her."

"You will answer my question! Why did you tell me Heidi was dead?"

"I don't answer to you. You answer to me. It's time for that thing to go. I will lock you up if necessary."

"Try it and see what happens."

"I am Alpha! Not you! I make the rules, I tell you what to do."

"I think it's past time you handed that title to me. It should've taken place on my twenty-fifth birthday."

"I refuse to give anyone my title!" Spit flew out of his mouth, and his face reddened with rage. "Especially to a weak minded mutt like you. Move out of my way." He tried to use his Alpha aura to force Atlas to submit, but it failed like always.

"Still trying to use your Alpha power? When will you realize it won't work on me? Unlike you, I was born to be an alpha. This pack is my birthright. You need to get your head out of your ass and step down."

"I will not step down! Nonetheless, you will get out of my way or be punished." Archer continued.

"Like you've been punishing her for a decade? Telling others she's a rogue, with rogue parents?"

He stuttered a moment. "How do you know that?"

"I'm starting to know a lot of things."

Larry, get your ass to the hospital. Archer mind-linked his second in command.

"It doesn't matter. You'll be gone tomorrow, just like always." A smug expression settled on his face.

"I wouldn't count on it if I were you."

"What's the big deal, anyway?" Archer decided to change tactics, bullying Alaric wasn't working. "What do you care about this filthy mutt?"

Clenching his fists, Atlas growled. "She's my mate."

A sinister grin spread on his father's face. "Is she now? Splendid. I get to kill her, and you get to suffer. Two wolves with one stone."

"Did you know?" Atlas was still in control.

"I suspected ever since you were kids. You'd always be glued to her when I wasn't around."

"Is that why you lied to me? Because she might be my mate?"

"I had hoped you'd find some she-wolf to mark before now. I underestimated your desire for your destined mate. I won't underestimate you again." A gleam entered his eyes.

"You want to bet on that?"

"Alpha, what's going on here?" Beta Larry stepped up behind his master.

"It's time to take out the trash. Alaric needs to inspect the dungeon. Then you can do what you want with that." He gestured to Heidi.

"With pleasure, sir." Larry moved towards Alaric with a twisted smirk.

"Put one finger on me, and I'll break it." Looking him dead in the eyes, Larry faltered.

"What are you waiting for? Take him away!" Archer bellowed.

"Are you afraid to do it yourself?"

"Larry!"

"Ah ah ah. Don't move." Atlas said to Larry.

Lester won't touch him. What should I do? Larry asked Archer about his wolf.

"How are you doing that?" Archer grit out.

"Again, you forget that I have alpha genes. The Moon Goddess changed our DNA shortly after you were born. Even without the official title, I am also his Alpha, and his wolf won't make a move against me."

"I am the only Alpha of Phantom!" He roared.

"No, you're not."

"I order you to stand aside. Reject that mutt and come to your senses! She murdered your mother!"

"I will not! Heidi is my mate. She didn't kill anyone. And you know that."

"You've gone too far this time! I order you to leave Phantom and never come back."

You know what we have to do.

I had hoped it wouldn't come to this.

I know.

"You leave me no choice." Atlas retreated for Alaric to speak.

"Finally, you see reason." Archer clapped his hands together while smiling.

"Yes, unfortunately. I, Alaric Oaks, formally challenge Archer Oaks for Alpha of Phantom Moon Pack."