Monachopsis

by Lyra Winters

  I stood up and walked toward Blaine who had also shifted into his human form as I mind-linked Riley and Xavier. 'East perimeter, again. Bring our parents. It's Gretta.'

  'Gretta? Damn it. On our way,' Riley said.

  I ran my hands through my hair as I inspected the area around her. Blood soaked the forest ground, the scents of rogues were prominent, and the soil had claw marks. I squeezed my eyes shut and breathed through my nose.

  Those rogues were on our land. We could've prevented this.

  "We will kill who did this," Blaine said.

  I shook my head. "The reason this has happened is that they believe we killed one of theirs. If we retaliate, it'll become a constant killing spree."

  His brows furrowed into a frown. "Sophia, you have to avenge her death. She wasn't just a pack member. She was an elder."

  I whipped my head toward him. "Don't you think I know that? This is my pack."

  "Are you fucking kidding me right now?" He let out a low growl, his veins throbbing in his neck.

  I crossed my arms. "Don't growl at me."

  The muscles in his face tightened. "We're mates. This is my pack too. You think I'd not let you have a say in my pack?"

  I shook my head and released a shaky breath. "I'm sorry. It's not that I don't want you to have a say. I just don't want this to end in a bloodbath."

  His body stiffened before he threw his fist into a nearby tree, the wood splitting. "You're an Alpha! You won't be able to keep peace every time. You need to show other packs you're not to be messed with or it will come back and bite you in the ass."

  I inhaled a sharp breath as my temper sparked. "I can try! My father always tried to keep peace with the rogues. I can't fuck that up!"

  "You're already fucking up, especially if you don't want to avenge the elder killed on your land." He stormed over, looking down at me.

  I glared up at him. "It's not always about revenge, Blaine."

  He bared his teeth. "It's always about revenge. It's in our nature."

  I gripped his shoulders, my thumbs digging into his skin. The skin-contact sent a wave of comfort through the matebond. He relaxed under my touched and his eyes softened as he leaned his forehead against mine. "Give me another solution."

  He gave me an exasperated sigh. "I can have my Beta and a couple warriors seek the rogues out and explain the Lockhart situation. They can find the rogues who did this and have them punished, not killed, to preserve your alliance."

  I pursed my lips and nodded. "Let's send your Beta and my Gamma."

  "Alpha," Xavier said, running up to us with Riley and my parents in tow.

  Blaine and I turned toward them.

  Mom covered her mouth. "Oh, Gretta."

  Dad shook his head with a sigh. "I think the pack needs to know about this."

  I nodded. 'Pack meeting, now,' I mind-linked the pack.

  I stood at the podium with Blaine, Riley, and Xavier next to me.

  I gripped the podium and stared out into the confused faces of my pack. "We have lost an elder."

  Whispers turned to shouts, wondering what had happened.

  "It was Gretta. We've been at odds with the Lockhart pack for some time now. They killed a rogue and planted the body at our East perimeter. The rogues are retaliating, believing we killed one of theirs. My mate and I have come up with a plan to clear this misunderstanding," I told them.

  "Are we going to kill the rogues that did this?" someone called out.

  "I want to, for Gretta." I paused, swallowing. "But we cannot cause any more bloodshed. We will send Beta Cole and Gamma Xavier to track them down. They will explain our situation to the rogues, and they will propose to punish the rogues who did this."

  "That's ridiculous! They will attack the moment they see them!" Lee, the previous Beta, remarked.

  I shook my head. "Rogues aren't mindless killing machines. They're capable of being reasoned with."

  "Bullshit."

  Blaine growled. "Speak to your Alpha with respect, mutt."

  I put up my hand before Lee could respond. "This is what's happening. I will not allow any more of our pack members to be killed because of a misunderstanding."

  Lee narrowed his eyes at me, but he kept his mouth shut.

  "Now, we need to discuss what we need to do about the Lockhart pack—" Blaine started.

  "Alphas! There's been another attack," Jason, my top pack warrior, shouted as he came into the auditorium.

  "What happened?"

  "One of our warriors. He was patrolling and was attacked on the East perimeter. He's injured, but still alive. It wasn't rogues. It was the Lockhart pack. We killed the wolves that attacked him."

  Rage overtook my body, and I slammed both of my palms on the podium as a growl rippled through my throat. "Riley, get the Alpha of the Lockhart pack on the phone. We are going to propose a meeting."

  The sun was setting on the horizon as we arrived at the unclaimed territory. Oranges, pinks, and yellows blazed against the sky in a furious attempt to stay surfaced. The darkness of the night pushed them down, suffocating the colors with retribution.

  I wrapped my arms around my body and took deep breaths as we waited. Blaine stood beside me with his arms crossed, his hair blowing wildly in the crisp evening air.

  Riley and Gabe stood to our right. My pack warriors were on standby at the edge of our territory in case things took a bad turn, which I wouldn't put past Lockhart. Xavier and Cole had already left to find the rogues and explain the situation.

  "So, this is Alpha Maxwell, daughter of the former Alpha," a chilling voice mused, emerging from the woods.

  My eyes landed on Alpha Lockhart. His hair was a fiery red, but his eyes were black. Tattoos covered his tanned skin, and he held his head high as he stalked toward me. An aura of danger surrounded him, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand. His Beta and Gamma accompanied him.

  I straightened, reaching my hand out to him. "Yes. It has been some time since we last met. It surprised me that you accepted my request."

  He clasped my hand with a tight grip, staring deep into my eyes. "That it has. You have grown into a beautiful young woman, Alpha Maxwell."

  Blaine growled.

  Lockhart's head tilted to the side before dropping his hand. "And this is your mate? Blaine Huntington. Nice to see you again." He shook Blaine's reluctant hand.

  "Likewise," Blaine said.

  "Were you scared to meet me alone?" His black eyes flickered to me.

  A chill quaked through my body as I shook my head. "I'm not scared of you."

  Blaine snarled. "I wouldn't let her out of my sight."

  Alpha Lockhart hummed. "Very well, Huntington. Your mate fascinates me."

  "Watch your words, Lockhart." Blaine sneered.

  "Back to the issue at hand." I cleared my throat. "I would appreciate it if we could come to a compromise about the unclaimed territory. And for your pack to stop painting a red X on us for the rogues. And stop attacking my pack members."

  He grinned. "I think we can come to an agreement. Give me this territory, and I will put an end to it all."

  I shook my head. "My father's been battling you for this his whole life. I won't just hand it over."

  His eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms. "I see."

  "But I'm willing to compromise. How about we split this land in half and expand our territories?"

  His eyebrows shot up. "You're willing to share this territory?"

  "Not share it but split it. We can both extend our borders into the unclaimed territory until we hit the middle. That will be the new boundary between our packs."

  He chuckled. "How interesting." He rubbed his hands together. "Very well, Alpha Maxwell. You have yourself a deal."

  A shiver ran down my spine at his sharp laugh. "Thank you, Alpha Lockhart. I am pleased to come to an agreement with you."

  His laughter ceased as he pressed his lips into a thin line. "Don't mistake my actions, Maxwell. I don't intend to have an alliance
with your pack."

  "I wouldn't dream of that, Lockhart. You're too murderous for me to become allies with." I scowled.

  His lips twitched into a smirk. "Murderous indeed. By any chance, sweetheart, have you seen my sister?"

  My shoulders went rigid. "Your sister?"

  He winked before transforming into a huge red wolf and sprinting away. The two men with him followed suit.

  "That was weird. Why would he ask that?" Riley scratched her head, watching them leave.

  My heart dropped. "Olivia."

  I transformed into my wolf and sprinted toward the pack house, Blaine by my side.

  'Find Olivia, your Gamma's mate, quickly!' I mind-linked my entire pack with urgency as I raced through the woods toward the pack house.

  My paws carried me forward as I strained my muscles to go faster. I had to find her. I couldn't tell if what Lockhart had said was a threat or a prediction, but I needed to make sure we had security around Olivia now.

  I shifted back into my human form once I reached the pack house. I ran through the disordered house and up to Xavier and Olivia's room. I jiggled the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge.

  "Olivia?" I knocked on the door. "Open the door! I think you're in danger."

  After a few seconds without a response, I kicked it in, breaking the door off the hinges. My hands flew to my mouth once I saw what was on the other side.

  "Sophia, slow down!" Blaine caught up to me before stopping short.

  Olivia was struggling against one of Lockhart's warriors, he tangled his hand in her hair as he held her up, a knife to her throat. He used her body to shield himself from us.

  I held up my hands as I took a few steps closer. "I know you're under orders, but you don't need to do this. Olivia is your Alpha's sister, for fates sake."

  He placed the knife on her skin and applied pressure, making a trail of blood leak down her neck. "Don't come any closer or I'll kill her!"

  "You do that, and you die too," Blaine's gruff voice spoke from behind me.

  "You think I care? My whole purpose in life is to serve my Alpha. Dying while doing so is an honor."

  Olivia squeezed her eyes shut. "It's okay Alphas. I knew my brother was coming after me. Please, just, tell Xavier I'm sorry." Tears trailed down her face as her eyes fluttered open. "Tell him I love him."

  I felt useless. I couldn't attack him or move the knife away without him dragging the knife across her neck before I even moved an inch. I was an Alpha and yet I couldn't save my best friend's mate.

  I nodded, clenching my fists as I heard footsteps stomping up the stairs and toward the room. "I will."

  "Liv!" Xavier came to a halt as he entered the room. His eyes turned black once saw her. "Get your filthy hands off my mate."

  "No can do, buddy. Alpha's orders." He jerked her head back roughly, exposing more of her neck.

  "I love you Xavier. Please remember that! This isn't your fault. It's nobody's fault." She maintained eye contact with him as she sobbed.

  "I love you Liv. I can't lose you. I won't lose you." Xavier shifted, launching himself toward the warrior.

  In a matter of seconds, the man pushed the knife across her throat. Blood gushed from the gaping wound. Her eyes widened as she clutched her throat and gurgled on her own blood. The life left her eyes as her body hit the ground.

  Xavier's wolf caught the man's neck in his mouth, and he ripped it open, decapitating him. His claws dug deep into his chest, shredding him to pieces as he bit chunks of flesh off his face.

  Tears pricked my eyes as I stood at the doorway. "Xavier, he's dead."

  My words didn't faze him as he continued mutilating the warrior's body. His primal instincts had taken over.

  I turned my head and mind-linked Caroline, 'Xavier's mate has been murdered in their room. He killed the man responsible.'

  'Xavier's mate? Olivia? Oh, fates. I'll notify my team. How is he?' she asked.

  'How do you think?' I asked.

  'I lost my mate too,' she said before cutting off the mind-link.

  I took a deep breath and walked over to him. "He's dead, Xavier. Stop."

  Xavier growled at me before shifting back into his human form. His body was saturated in blood, unmoving from the disgusting mush of flesh on the floor. "She's dead. I waited for her for so long, and she's gone." Tears ran down his face, mixing with the blood.

  Blaine walked over. "You did the right thing. You avenged her death."

  "You don't get it! I wasn't here. I was on a fucking mission when I got the mind-link you sent Soph. I ran as fast as I could, but I still couldn't save her."

  My shoulder sagged. It was me who sent him on that mission to talk to the rogues, but that was part of his job as a Gamma. Nobody knew this would happen. "It must've been intricately planned. Everyone was so focused on the meeting with Alpha Lockhart, and he took that chance to move in on her. I'm sorry I couldn't protect her, but this wasn't your fault."

  "I know whose fault it is. That fucking Lockhart Alpha." His eyes turned an even darker shade of black. "She was his sister."

  "He doesn't care about family. He made that abundantly clear." Blaine rubbed his face.

  "Yeah, he fucking did. I swear I'll kill him for this."

  I let out a breath and nodded. "You just killed the warrior. You need to put Olivia to rest before you decide on any revenge plans. You know I'll support you, but we still need to think about our pack and the consequences if we go directly to the source of this."

  His head whipped toward me. "Seriously? You think I can't fucking think straight? I know exactly what I want to do and that won't change. I want to slit his fucking throat!"

  Blaine stepped in front of me. "Xavier."

  He jerked his head away from us and toward Olivia's body. Her dark crimson blood covered the once-white carpet as she laid face down in it. The blood pooled under her neck. She looked like a doll thrown carelessly down on the floor. Xavier needed her just like I needed Blaine. I couldn't imagine the pain he was going through.

  Xavier let out a whimper as he crawled toward her body. He held her head, careful to not let it fall back as he flipped her over and cradled her close. He kissed her head as he sobbed into her hair.

  I turned away from them. It was too intimate, too heartbreaking to witness. "Take all the time you need." I hesitated at the doorway. "Call me when you're ready."

  Blaine and I walked out of the room and closed the door behind us. His face said it all; he was just as unsure as I was about what to do next.

  I mind-linked the rest of the pack to notify them of Olivia's murder and to tell them not to bother Xavier. The pack had the same question I did, do we retaliate? I didn't know. I sure as hell wanted to for Xavier and Olivia, but was it the best decision? Lockhart's pack was aggressive and downright evil. Their Alpha had no known weakness, and if he did, he didn't show it. Starting a war with them would be suicide and I wouldn't do that to my pack.

  Blaine wrapped his arms around me and kissed my head. "We'll figure out what to do after the funeral. Now is the time to be mourning."

  "You're right." I buried my face into his chest and inhaled his scent. "I just hope Xavier will be okay."

  The classic piano melody filled the pack house with heartache as I walked through my saddened pack members and toward Xavier who stood motionless beside Olivia's coffin.

  I wiped an angry tear away from my cheek. "I'm so fucking sorry."

  He lifted his head to meet my eyes. "It wasn't your fault. I know you did everything you could. I just miss her so much." He balled his hand into a fist and hit the middle of his chest. "It hurts here. Like a hollow pain. I've never felt something like this before."

  I swallowed hard and pulled him into a hug. "It'll take time, and a lot, but one day you won't feel it as strong."

  "That's exactly what Caroline said." He squeezed me tight before letting go.

  "Yeah, she told me she lost her mate too."

  His bottom lip quivered, but he ran his han
d across his face to stop it. "I didn't know either. Till she told me. This pain is unbearable, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone."

  "I know how you feel." Ivy pushed past me and wrapped her arms around Xavier's stiff torso. "It gets better. You just need to focus your attention on someone else."

  He stiffened and pulled away. "I don't want anyone else."

  "Well, too bad. She's not coming back. Once you accept that, the faster you can move on." She smiled, patting his shoulder.

  His face scrunched up in vehemence. "What the—"

  "Hell is wrong with you?" I interrupted, grabbing her upper arm and pulling her away.

  I mouthed sorry to Xavier as I dragged her into a spare room.

  "Let me go! Your grip is too tight!" She pulled her arm away and massaged it.

  "Shut your mouth for two seconds!" I turned around and began pacing. "Do you not realize how insensitive you just were?"

  She rolled her eyes. "Your mate hasn't died. You don't understand."

  I stopped, pivoting to face her. "Seriously? Xavier fell head over heels for Olivia. She was his mate and his true love. She was murdered in front of him two days ago and you're suggesting for him to move on! Who does that?" I threw my hands up.

  "Someone who's been there." Ivy patted her swollen stomach. "It's difficult but the only way I could forget Jackson was by replacing him with Nolan. He will never be Jackson, but he at least fills that void." A tear trickled down her face, and she wiped it away.

  I shook my head and pinched the brim of my nose. How could she think that way? Why didn't our parents get her therapy for what happened with Jackson?

  "You need to be more sensitive," I said. "I know Olivia's death probably brings up memories of Jackson and I'm sorry. But try to be more in tune with other people's feelings."

  "How about I just not say anything at all then?" She pursed her lips and crossed her arms.