Winning Over the Alpha

Chapter 31

Warning: Violent Content

~Tessa~

Tessa sat on the steps of the packhouse watching the harsh morning sun intrude its way through the calm purple glow of the night sky. She was entranced by the way each star disappeared, one by one, while the rising mist dressed the scene in an ominous haze. The beauty of the morning was trying to trick her into thinking the day would be like any other, but Tessa knew its secret. Evil and destruction were rising with the sun.

So, she welcomed this moment of silence, after being busy all night preparing for battle. Every warrior was restless and refused to sleep until everyone, who was unable to fight, was safe in the bunker below the packhouse.

Tessa kept her expression eerily calm while her insides burned with pure hatred. The flames were fueled with visions of John taking his last agonizing breath and she smirked while imagining the ways she would kill him. The possibilities were endless and every scenario imaginable was beyond satisfying.

Tessa fought to hold onto her rage, but her thoughts quickly shifted to Dainin. He had a way about him that put her mind at ease. "Please be alive," she hoped, picturing him fighting his way back to her.

She had seen what the grief of losing a mate did to wolves, and if it wasn't for her pack, she may have lost her mind already. Dainin had mended every shattered piece of her heart within the short time they were together. Now, she felt nothing without him.

"If I survive this, I'll find you," she silently promised him, then Cadence joined Tessa on the steps, pulling her out of her grief for a moment.

"Isn't it a beautiful morning to kill some traitors," Cadence asked, happily stretching her arms carelessly over her head. Tessa loved her dark sense of humor.

"It's going to be a blood bath that's for sure," Tessa agreed. "I just pray this will be over quickly."

"Me too," Cadence quietly answered. They both sat together in silence watching the other warriors take their place on the field.

Although they all hid their emotions, Tessa knew most of the warriors had families to worry about. "And those who don't have mates waiting for them somewhere out in the world," Tessa's wolf added.

"I know that," Tessa sighed, feeling foolish for avoiding something which proved to be the best thing to happen to her. Now guilt was filling the emptiness in her heart knowing some wolves may not get to experience the beauty of the mate bond.

"Cadence, how could I have been so selfish," she asked, scanning the crowd in hopes her eyes would meet the chocolate hues she yearned for.

Cadence ran her hand up Tessa's back to comfort her. "You aren't selfish. You put the pack's safety first like he knew you would. I'm sure Alpha Monroe would have done the same if he were in your place. You'll see. When you're reunited everything will be okay. I promise," Cadence assured her.

Tessa scoffed at her words. "I have been so distracted that I missed all the signs pointing to John's betrayal since Dainin arrived and now he and the pack are paying for it," she stated, feeling angry at herself, but she knew she'd make it up to them.

Turning to face Cadence, Tessa met her eyes with a solemn expression. "I want you to promise me something," she started in a hushed tone. "No matter what happens, I want you and Zander to look out for each other during the fight. Everyone knows not to get separated from the group and that includes you."

Cadence's eyebrows came together in confusion, so Tessa continued to explain. "I don't want you to be a hero. I want you to fight like I know you can and let me take care of things my way if it starts to go south. No matter what it is," Tessa finished hoping Cadence understood, and by the darkness filling her Beta's eyes, Tessa knew she did.