Full Moon

One: Chris

You look at me and are shocked. I had everything and I threw it away when I killed him. I mean, I had to. For the sake of our pack. I couldn't let him send out any more betas to get slaughtered. So I did it. It was quiet and simple.

When he asked for his late bottle of whiskey, I gave it to him but with something else.

Chelidonium Majus Laciniatum. Celandine. An abundant herb that grew in the greenhouse. Except no one else knew about it but me. Carefully, I picked the small yellow flower with my latex gloves and placed it in a small plastic bag. A small fragile flower with a potent effect. Nausea. Paralysis.

When everyone was away doing their jobs I was in my room hunched over my desk. No one bothered because no one simply cared. But I did. For my mother and my sister. Both fragile and broken by this Alpha's rule.

I grounded the small yellow flower until it was an unrecognizable powder. It was easy, too easy for the matter.

"Chris," Dimitri said, his arms crossed behind his head and his feet on the bed. My father's bed. "Get me my bottle so I can think. I'm thinking of sending the Mauro Corps to Benin to get me more riches." He sneered his white teeth grin. Money. Riches. That was all he cared about. He just wanted power. Let me tell you I will end his rule of tyranny.

I went to the other room to get his bottle of whiskey and safely concealed in my pocket was the Celandine. I stood in the hall outside his room glancing back at the baggie and his whiskey.

What I was doing was going to disgrace the pack's name but I didn't care. I popped the cap on his whiskey and ripped the bag open.

No going back. I dumped the green yellow white powder mix. I stirred the drink until it dissolved.

"Chris! Where the hell are you?" he screamed, "Your daddy didn't pay for these drinks for you. They're for the Alpha! Me! Hurry up! Get your scrawny ass over here."

That was the last straw. I mean I wasn't scrawny. He only said that to put me down. I was well built. Wide hips. Big chest. Thick muscles. Long thick brown hair. The likes.

I strolled into the room and handed him his open bottle. He didn't think twice when he put his lips on that bottle and took multiple gulps of the fiery drink. When he did I saw in the bottle a root of the flower but I don't think he noticed because he drank until the bottle was empty.

I stared at him wide-eyed near the door. He drank it. He freaking drank it! All of it, too!

"What are you looking at you mindless brat?" he slurred, his cheeks turning pink. "Get out and do something productive." He threw the bottle.

I ducked and it crashed just above my head. Glass shards rained down on me but none pierced me. Now I just had to wait. Until he couldn't speak. Couldn't move. Couldn't cry for help.

I gave him a cold stare and walked away. He laughed and laughed. Then he choked. I turned and caught him grabbing his throat and gasping. He gasped but I just stood.

I watched the work of my small yellow flower. The work of my anger and hatred. Of my revenge. It was choking this man. Paralyzing him.

"H-Help, h-help," he wheezed, "Chris...what did you do...to me? Chris...you..."

His arm fell limp on the side of the bed. I thought I had killed him but his eyes apparently weren't paralyzed.

They helplessly darted back and forward. Then landed on me. He couldn't move. His eyes were wide and afraid and I now knew why.

I was smiling. Deviously smiling. I strolled to his bedside and stroked a hand over his hair than his forehead, his eyes, and then both my hands stopped. One over his nose the other over his mouth.

"Don't worry," I cooed, "It'll all be over soon. You won't hurt this pack anymore than you already have."

He was exhaling quickly and heavily. "Don't do that now," I said cocking my head, speaking softly like I was threatening a child, "There is no one else here. No one to hear you scream or even see me."

I flashed him a smile again. "They'll think you got drunk and choked on your own vomit. Disgusting. I know but you almost did four years ago. Do you remember? Yes. I know you remember. If you don't struggle it'll be over quick. I'll give my best to Dana and Ruine. Good. Bye. Dimitri."

I pinched his nose and covered his mouth. I looked into his eyes as the blood red Alpha color faded and surfaced. He tried to inhale through my fingers but failed. He tried to move his face, call out for help but nothing happened.

Only muffled moans came out then silence. I looked into his dead eyes. They were now no longer red but maroon, the color of dried blood.

I closed his bloodshot eyes and calmly stepped out of the room.

"Chris!" a high pitched giggly voice called out to me.

I didn't move. I didn't even twitch. I glance down the hall. His daughter Dana ran up to me.

"Hey! You have to see what Ruine did!" she said pulling at my arms. She glanced at the room I just stepped out of. "Oh is dad asleep? It's kind of early."

She let go of me then went into the room. I swallowed hard. I couldn't move. Maybe I got some of the flowers on my hands. Oh, God. I wanted to run! I had to run!

"Eeew! Dad, you reek of whiskey, I'm not giving you a kiss!" she said pinching her nose then closing the door. "Stay out of there. He stinks of booze."

She was sixteen. Bronze hair and copper eyes. Thin brows and full lashes. A cute little thing and I had just killed what made her happy.

"Are you coming?" she asked me once she saw I was in a daze.

I swallowed hard. "Sure," I managed to say, "I'll be out in a minute."

"No, no," she chanted, "We don't have a minute." She grabbed my arms and pulled me through the house until we were outside.

She wouldn't let go of my arm. The sky navy and stars dotted the night sky. The barbecue was roaring and charring meat.

Jaq was at the grill flipping the burgers. Carefree Jaq. I always loved him. His sleek brown hair and golden amber eyes.

Now, look what I've done. I killed his uncle and didn't even bat an eye. He'll never forgive me. No matter all the bad Dimitri has done he'll say I had no right to kill him.

Throughout the night I did my best to smile and laugh like nothing was wrong when deep down I had made the biggest mistake of my life.

\^l