After I killed John, various pack members came up to congratulate me. The older ones simply nodded at me and barred their necks in submission, which I nodded to them one in return.

My younger students swarmed me, babbling excitedly about how awesome it was. I smiled at them, ruffling some of the pups' hair and mindlinking them to go to bed so they could wake up early for school the next day.

I turned away from the pups and ran directly into an older woman. I recognized her as John's wife.

"You... Killed my mate..." She hissed at me, tears streaming down her face.

He was the one who challenged me. If I didn't kill him, he would have killed me, and he has no more of a right to live than I.

"He has children! He has faithfully served Alpha Wilson since before you were alive. Fuck you!" She screamed, swinging her fist at me.

I caught her wrist easily, and twisted it so far it made her wimper in pain, but not far enough to break it.

You just said yourself that he had children. I suggest you go take care of those children before I kill you and make them orphans.

Her eyes widened. "Don't..."

I let go of her wrist. Consider that your one and only warning. The only reason I don't kill you where you stand is because of your pups.

She nodded, barred her neck in submission, and ran away after I nodded once at her.

That scene drew the attention of a couple bystanders, who dispersed when I growled at them. I fucking hate being stared at.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

One Week Later

The week had gone by quickly and uneventfully. The pack members finally started growing bored of the duel, and the amount of stares and whispers when I walked by decreased to the normal amount.

The day after the duel, there was the challenge for the Delta position. Since it was the lowest level of pack leadership, any wolf of any rank could be a challenger. They fought each other one on one until someone submitted. In the end, a wolf 21 years of age, named Omar had successfully made every wolf he challenged submit.

I watched all of the rounds, and could tell from the beginning that he would win. He was smart, calculating, and most of all, had consistently shown up to almost all of my training sessions, and had done so enthusiastically.

Today was the day the Blood Alpha was supposed to arrive. Of course, we were under strict instruction not to call him that. We were also ordered by Alpha Wilson not to look him directly in the eye unless he spoke directly to us. Apparently, eye contact was seen as disrespectful according to the old pack etiquette the Blood Lake pack followed.

For some reason, I had been extremely on edge all day. I wasn't scared of the Blood Lake Alpha, after all, he wouldn't kill me if I just sat there and shut up, but for some reason, my heart felt extremely heavy.

Maybe I felt guilty for killing John.

Haha just kidding, he deserved that.

Right now, the Pack Leaders, including newly appointed Delta Omar, sat in the conference room, waiting for the Blood Lake Alpha and his men to arrive. He likely brought above 10 men with him, his pack leaders and a few warriors. Not that anyone was dumb or suicidal enough to attack him. Everyone had heard enough rumors about his psychotic, violent tendencies to steer clear of him and to always submit.

I had heard that when a rogue trespasses on his land, the Blood Alpha will torture them for weeks in his prison, and then nail their bodies on to a wooden post on the outside of their territory. Even I wasn't that fucked up. But I will admit, it proved very effective for warding off rogues.

I could hear Alpha Wilson's heart racing a little bit faster than normal. As a matter of fact, so were all of the other leaders' hearts, except mine. What a bunch of pussies.

Alpha, Blood Lake has just crossed through our border. We have 10 warriors walking them to the Pack House now. They should be there soon.

"Remember, please do not provoke Alpha Cain. We have to get him to agree to be an alliance for us in the case of a war with Blue Moon. Ares, he may request you to take off the hood of your cloak and pull down your face mask, as it may be seen as a threat. Please do not fight him on that if he requests it." Alpha Wilson looked pointedly at me.

I rolled my eyes. I wasn't taking off the hood of my cloak no matter what. What I looked like remained a secret to most other packs, and I preferred it that way. The last thing I wanted was some rando Blood Lake dogs staring in disgust at my scars, bite marks, and missing flesh.

3 rapt knocks on the door was heard. Alpha Wilson breathed in deeply, and left the conference room to go greet Blood Lake, while the rest of us stood around the long, rectangular glass table, waiting to greet Blood Lake.

I could hear Alpha Wilson open the door, and could hear him greeting Blood Lake. In response, I heard a deep voice thank him for inviting him, and request to start the meeting immediately. Upon hearing the deep voice, I got butterflies in my stomach. What the fuck?

My wolf was going insane at the sound. I don't know what got her so riled up, but knowing her she was just being an overzealous bitch.

I could hear steps walking through the house, getting closer and closer to the conference room.

First, Alpha Wilson walked in. He was followed by an extremely tall figure, probably around 6'6 feet. He was extremely muscular, to the point where I could see the definition of his muscles through his dark dress shirt and black slacks. He was extremely tan, and his dark hair was tousled in a messy sort of way. His dress shirt was rolled up to his elbows, and I saw tribal tattoos swirled around his skin like another shirt. Tattoos even climbed up around his neck, poking out around his collar.

The most alarming part about him? His dark eyes, which were frantically looking around the room, until they settled on mine.

A jolt of electricity went through me as his eyes set on mine, and he growled out what I already suspected.

"Mate."