Page 74 of Outcast
His jaw tightened. "We didn't have time. They swarmed out of the tree line like an infestation. Seth and I took off to draw them away from you and ended up amidst the war raging in the village. I managed to grab Seneca and Nicholas and tried to get them to safety while Seth circled back for you."
Taking a shaky breath, I blew it out and laid it all out there. "The alpha is on their side, Milo. He cornered me and told me everything, threatening to kill my mates if I didn't cooperate." Milo’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes widened in fear and shock as I continued.
"Seth interrupted us, and the alpha hurt me to make it look like the Daimona had attacked me. I don't have time to get into all of the details, but I need you to trust me. We have to take him out and protect the pack."
His mouth set into a firm line, and he nodded once as his body tensed. "Let's kill that fucker."
Relieved by his instant belief in me, we gave into our wolves and shifted, taking off for the village.
I'm tracking Seth and Jameson to the same area.
Good. Let's hope they're okay.
As much as it ached, I was done trying to make things work with Jameson—but that didn't mean I wanted him to die.
Milo's large wolf shot ahead of us, alert and scouting around us for imminent threats as he raced to the central village area. No Daimona were in sight, but wounded shifters in both wolf and human form were being brought in to be treated.
We need to heal those that aren't too far gone with infection, immediately.
Jameson and Seth were on the far side of the space tending to a few children, and we ran towards them. A loud voice boomed as I reached them, causing us to spin around in defense.
"Betrayer!" the alpha screamed, pointing towards me. He was riddled with wounds, blood flowing freely from them.
He probably did that to himself.
Growling at the alpha’s proclamation, our hackles raised, ready to defend ourselves and our mates behind us.
"I told you all that she was a loose cannon! She attacked me, and look at her now, snarling and ready to attack me once more!" he yelled, faking a wounded expression as he did.
I'm taking over. I will expose his traitorous ass.
Shifting once more, I stared down the true traitor. "You attacked me! You cornered me in the Pit and sliced into me when you were about to be exposed!" I gestured down to the red lines across my stomach, not giving a shit about my nudity on full display.
A chorus of voices yelled out, defending the alpha.
"He would never hurt one of our own! Evenyou."
"How dare you accuse our alpha of such atrocities!"
"You are so ungrateful for everything he's done for you! He should have never taken you in."
Their adamant defense of him made me quickly realize that I would never convince them of the truth. Only one option remained.
To kill the fucker.
My voice rang out for all to hear, unwavering and full of steel, "I challenge you for the position of Alpha of this pack."
Chapter Thirty-Two
Kira
The pack went silent,everyone halting their movements to turn and stare at me with gaping mouths. With their attentioned riveted on me, the alpha allowed the darkness to leak onto his face for a brief moment as he sneered at me.
"You're a pup. I will not kill you in a duel. Instead, I will outlaw you from this pack. You are banished to be a lone wolf, effective immediately." His response dripped with feigned benevolence, and I rolled my eyes and scoffed.
I refused to go down without outing him. "I may not have been treated and raised as a shifter in my time here, but I did learn a few things. You are not allowed to decline a duel. Your allegiance truly lies with the Daimona and their master, and as such, you are unfit to lead this pack."
I'm so proud of you.
