His livid expression morphed into a nasty smile.
“Kira.” The commanding voice of her former Alpha bellowed behind her.
She turned to see the Alpha looming in the door to the kitchen. His face was blank but his eyes burned dark amber. As Deanna spun round the shifter stepped over the fallen wolves and snaked an arm round her chest whilst disarming her. She snarled and her fangs descended; she bowed her head and sunk them into his fleshy arm. The shifter roared and let go of her, her gun dropping to the floor.
Deanna stared at the shifter murderously, his blood trickling from her mouth. The shifter grunted and raised his hand.
“Enough.” The Alpha strode forward and painfully grasped Kira’s arm.
He dragged her back out into the Diner with Carly and Deanna being pushed along by the other shifter, now clutching his bloodied arm and muttering curses to the bobcat.
Kira and her wolf growled as she saw Joseph. The arrogant young man was sat idling in a chair, his feet resting on the counter like he hadn’t a care in the world. He sneered when he spied Kira.
The other shifter and wolf were stood outside the entrance to the Diner. Blocking the escape route. It struck Kira that they hadn’t even bothered to check on the two wolves Deanna had shot. They could care less about their own people apparently. Carly looked at her feet whilst Deanna was trying to outstare the sullen shifter she had bitten.
The Alpha’s determined gaze bore into Kira. Everything about him told her to submit, to bare her neck and bow down to the Alpha. But she forced herself to be strong. Her wolf railed against her nature, railed against the power of the Alpha. This man had allowed her twin sister to be hurt over and over again, he had failed to protect one of his pack to cover up for his son’s disgraceful behavior. In Kira’s book he didn’t deserve to be an Alpha. Real Alphas protected all their pack, like Adam would, not just some of them.
Overcoming her animal nature she met his eyes and jutted her chin at him. His eyes faltered a little at her defiance but he stood his ground.
Joseph snorted. At her or at his father she couldn’t tell. But if the Alpha’s flickering eyes were anything to go by it was at him. Perhaps there had been recent rumblings about Joseph becoming Alpha soon. It was a difficult thing to do for an Alpha to concede his power to a younger wolf, to admit he was no longer the strongest or the best. Made even worse by a cocky bastard like Joseph.
The Alpha’s eyebrow ticked. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You, me and Joseph will go get Lilah. You will tell her she is to come with us.”
Ha! Kira folded her arms. “Not going to happen.”
The Alpha raised an eyebrow and walked over to Carly. He placed a meaty paw on her trembling shoulder. Carefully he rubbed his clawed thumb over her neck. “If you don’t my pack mates here will rip this little wolf and bobcat to pieces.”
The Alpha winced slightly and Kira wondered at it. “How do I know you won’t do that anyway?”
“You have my word as Alpha.”
Kira balked. “Your word? Like when you promised to protect my sister when she joined your pack, and instead you allowed this animal to treat her like dirt?!”
Joseph leapt to his feet and grabbed Kira by her hair. He twisted her face round to look at him; his face was ugly with fury. “Disrespectful bitch! You should learn some manners about how to talk to your betters.”
Kira’s felt tears spring to her eyes at his savage grip but she made herself look him in the eye. Her wolf snarled and her muscles shivered as she sought her shift.
“Joseph!” Snapped the Alpha. “That’s enough.”
Joseph trained his gaze on his father in disbelief. “But she…”
“I don’t care. We’re only here to take back what is ours.” The Alpha told him firmly.
Joseph quaked slightly almost as if he was in pain and closed his eyes. “Fucking wuss.” He spat.
“What?” Roared the Alpha. He gripped Carly firmly but she held as still as a statue.
The shifter whining over his bloody arm looked between the Alpha and his son nervously. Deanna noting his distraction began edging toward the kitchen. Back to her gun.
“You’re a coward!” Yelled Joseph. “If I was the Alpha…”
His father was fuming. “You’re not the Alpha I am!”
Joseph was almost spitting. “I should be. I’m younger, stronger and better able to lead than you ever were! You’re too old and too much of a coward!”
The Alpha laughed nastily. “You’re a pathetic little asshole not even fit to lick my boots. You’ve been a disappointment to me your whole life.”
Joseph threw Kira aside. She landed on the ground and looked between father and son in amazement. She knew there was a bit of tension but yeesh! Joseph Sr loved his son, and forgave him everything he did. All the selfish, stupid mistakes he made were covered up due his loyalty and love for his son.