Page 111 of Midnight Moon
“Liar!” Orlando snarled from the back of the crowd. The rest of the Coastal Pack, also, hollered their objection.
Alpha Kurt held up a silencing hand.
He continued to look at Asher. “Explain.”
“Tyler Kerr’s actions during our fight did not indicate a desire to subdue. His attempted strikes were lethal and intentional. It was killed or be killed.”
“You cannot prove my son’s intent,” Orlando shouted.
Asher continued, undisturbed by the interruption, “I know, without a doubt, Tyler Kerr intended to end my life on this night. My energy was fading. I was forced to decide to save myself or let him kill me, and I do not regret my decision. I leave it to the Badlands Pack to decide it my actions were just—as is dictated by Alpha Games’ rules.”
Murmurs traveled through the crowd. I stood there, two steps into the combat ring, with breath lodged in my throat. My heart pounded as I waited to hear Asher’s fate.
Alpha Kurt assessed Asher. With a nod, he turned and walked back to the podium. His council stood there. When he reached them, the males pitched their voices low as they discussed Asher’s fate. I didn’t try to hear what they said. My focus rested on a particular Wilds shifter.
Asher’s wounds were many. They leaked blood onto the grass beneath him, but he seemed all right. Chase placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder and muttered something in his ear. Asher nodded along, looking the picture of calm.
Orlando continued to shout. The Badlands shifters prevented him from charging the combat ring, but I feared what the Coastal alpha, or his pack, would do if the verdict didn’t go their way.
Five minutes passed.
Alpha Kurt stepped off the podium and rejoined Asher, Chase, and Jasper on the field.
Lifting his voice, he declared, “The Badlands Pack has decided. After considering the tone of the fight and the actions taken by the fallen shifter, Tyler Kerr, we conclude the Wilds Pack competitor, Asher Wolfstan, acted in self-defense. The killing will not be punished.”
“NO! You bastard.” Alpha Orlando renewed his efforts to break free. His eyes blazed with hatred, and his hands began to shift into claws.
Even from the back of the crowd, I saw his attention zero in on Asher. “You would’ve done anything to make sure that bitch went to your pack. You murdered my son, and I will not let this stand.”
His vile words caused part of the crowd’s attention to shift onto me.
“Get him out of here,” Alpha Kurt commanded. The Coastal Pack moved. I thought they’d fight the Badlands shifters, but they actually helped them remove their alpha from the crowd. No doubt, they were just as pissed about Tyler’s death, but they would not defy Alpha Kurt’s decision—not out in the open.
I watched it all unfold in a daze as the reality of what had just happened hit me.
Asher won…
The Wilds Pack won.
The world shifted. I stumbled back, hitting the railing.
My father’s hand landed on my shoulder. He said something into my ear, but I didn’t hear him. Buzzing drowned out all sound.
Asher was supposed to lose… we were meant to go our separate ways.
My hands started to shake. The tremors traveled to the rest of my limbs. Even my teeth chattered.
My father continued to speak while I stared at the shifter whose actions had decided my fate. Asher continued speaking with Chase, unaware of the turmoil ripping my soul apart.
Alpha Kurt bellowed something else. I heard the crowd’s dulled response. Vaguely, I acknowledged several shifters continued to glance my direction, but their attention didn’t last as they gradually fell away from the combat ring.
The celebration to mark the end of the Alpha Games would begin back at the Badlands meeting hall. The night would be full of food, drinks, and merriment before the packs went their separate ways tomorrow.
Oh Mother…
Would I leave with my pack tomorrow, or would Asher and Chase force me to return with them to Alaska?
I closed my eyes and breathed deep. Trying, but failing, to calm down.
