Alpha Vaughan

Chapter 28

Empty.

That couldn't begin to describe how I felt.

Numb.

That could to an extent.

I guess, after all, we didn't have a bond that would enable me to know whether or not she was alive. Because I was only just finding out she was... Gone. I couldn't even bring myself to think it. Eunice was gone, I wouldn't ever see her again, wouldn't ever hear her laugh or tell me that I looked like I'd just drank wolfsbane. Ever again.

Something hot worked its way up my chest to settle in my throat. I shut my eyes tight when tears slowly trickled down my cheeks.

The whole pack will find it difficult to trust me after what had happened tonight; and Vaughan might never. I had to stop a fast approaching war with powers I had no control over nor wanted. Nayla was gone and... And Eunice-

A sob ripped out of the depths of my soul, and I sank down on the turfs, fisting grass and mud, more sobs followed until I was openly crying.

The wretched sobs continued until they muted down to pathetic sniffles and hiccups. How would I go on living now? How could I? When an extension of me was...dead? I hated that I knew the answer to that; I simply couldn't.

Through blurry eyes, I stared at a dandelion flower bush away from me, the white petals slightly rustled in the breeze and slowly, my memory contorted the white flowers into a white T-shirt with the lettering 'Hakun Namatata' printed boldly on it. The day I'd met Eunice.

We were in fourth grade, and as usual, I sat alone in the fringes of the cafeteria to have my lunch. I remember looking up, surprised, when someone else dropped into the seat opposite me, setting down her food on the table.

I had stared at the red-haired girl in pigtails and a large T-shirt, waiting for her to say something. She didn't, instead she continued to lick her lollipop halfheartedly, scanning the environment with a bored look.

Taking that as my cue to speak up, I echoed the words on her shirt. "Hakun... Nama... Tata. You must love the Lion King a lot."

She'd removed the lollipop from her mouth only long enough to say, "I would love the Lioness Queen even better."

Then, I'd thought that was a really cool thing to say. She'd been cool too, and fierce, and funny, and my bestfriend. She'd protected me from the bullies at school whenever they came at me for being latent. Over the years though, our roles changed.

After her mother had been banished from the pack for a serious crime she'd committed, Eunice... She became a shell of her former self. The bullying at school only shrunk her distinctive will further, and then I became the protector. But I'd failed to protect her the one time it mattered a lot.

I'd failed her. I'd failed everyone, I thought, Nayla's warm smile flashing across my mind.

At length I picked myself up from the grass with a new resolve, marching into the pack-house with determined steps. I had to save Nayla and William while I still could.

Passing by curious-eyed werewolves, I ignored the whispering that started around me and rushed upstairs. On reaching my room, I flung the doors open, heading for the one connecting I and Vaughan's room.

"Miss?" The omega from earlier called.

I ignored her, going ahead to wrap my hand around the handle. I opened the door and what greeted me on the other side was... emptiness. It was midnight, where could he possibly be?

The omega came to stand beside me. Turning to face her, I asked, "Where is the Alpha?"

She looked at me in an odd way. "The Alpha never sleeps in his room."