Eyes wide in horror stared back at Jason, except for Astrid, Ishmael and Killian's. Did he regret killing Amina? No. Not because he was a demon. Because he had a score to settle as a human. Amina deserved what happened to her. She never showed any regret for making Jason's life a living hell. So why would he feel sorry for the witch?

Mallory stepped forward. Her eyes glued to the dead witch as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Jason," she whispered. "What have you done?"

"Can't you see?" Jason replied. "I killed her."

The pool of miasma seeped back into his body, and his glowing red eyes turned back to normal.

Mallory's eyes hardened faster than a guy's boner while receiving a lap dance. "That's not what I meant, and you know it. You've never killed anyone in such a heartless manner before."

Jason scoffed, earning a glare from his best friend. She would never understand...

"Did Cyron influence you—"

A growl escaped Jason's mouth. "Don't finish that sentence! It has nothing to do with him. It was my choice alone."

"Why?"

"Because she deserved to have her life ripped away from her!" Jason yelled, losing his cool. Mallory flinched.

"So you did it out of revenge?" She pressed further, wearing away at Jason's patience.

He rushed forth. Henry stepped in between him and Mallory, growling at his approach.

"Don't bare your teeth at me," Jason countered, glaring at Henry. He then turned his attention back to his best friend. "As for your information, Mally. I did it out of justice."

Mallory returned a scoff of her own. "Yeah, right..."

"Mallory... You may know what happened to me, but you have no fucking idea how it feels to have your wolf ripped out of you." A tear slipped from Jason's eyes, causing Mallory's eyes to soften. "I've been through hell and back because of that bitch!" Jason pointed at Amina's corpse. "So tell me, Mally. Wouldn't you have done the same to her if she had killed off Mia?"

Mallory's mouth imitated a fish, bobbing open and close. For once, he left her speechless. He then turned to all those around him.

"And that goes for all of you who want to judge me. Yes, there's a bit of revenge woven into my actions. However, mostly, I sought justice for my wolf, who died at the hands of that bitch." Jason's voice broke, unable to contain his sorrow from slipping forward.

Jason shook his head and then walked over toward the stairs. He had enough for one day and all he wanted to do was crawl into a bed and sleep his sorrows away. Jason half expected his mate to intervene, but Jason was thankful he didn't get involved. He couldn't handle another emotional blow if Killian also began berating him.

Jason knew he had disappointed Killian by losing his cool. He decided that he'd rather avoid his mate's gaze, then see the truth in Killian's eyes. With a heavy heart, Jason made his way toward the top floor where the embassy suits were located.

He was done.

The door opening announced Killian's arrival. Jason lay on the bed, staring out of the window. Dusk danced around, showering the sky with vibrant yellows and reds. The stars began dotting the sky. A few flocks of birds flew across the windows towards their nests, most likely.

Jason dreaded what his mate's presence meant. He didn't look forward to the conversation they were probably going to have.

His mate said nothing as he entered the room, but Killian came carrying gifts. The scent of a home cooked meal pulled Jason out of his funk. He rose from the bed to see Killian placing a tray of food on the mahogany coffee table in the center of the room. Killian then sat down on the blue couch, staring at Jason.

"You hate me, do you?" Jason said, still avoiding his mate's stare. He played with the white linen of the duvet he covered himself in earlier.

Killian chuckled, drawing Jason's eyes. There wasn't a hint of hatred in his mate's beautiful eyes. "No, sexy... I don't," Killian replied with a smile.

"Disappointed then?"

Killian strutted up to him from the couch. Jason couldn't help drooling over his mate's straining against the confines of his suit. Killian had discarded his suit's jacket and rolled up his dress shirt's sleeves, exposing his muscular forearms. The bed dipped next to him. Soon, Killian's hand cupped Jason's face, affectionately rubbing his cheek. Jason leaned into his mate's touch. He then closed his tired eyes as he enjoyed his mate's soothing touch.

"Not disappointed, but you scared me a bit," Killian said.

Jason's eyes snapped open. "Scared?"

"I thought I had lost you there for a moment. Hatred can easily swallow a soul whole. I'm glad you didn't let it consume you." Killian leaned forward and kissed Jason on the forehead. "And for what happened downstairs, I don't blame you. I can understand why you despise your brother and father. They deserved the punishment you gave them. As for Amina... I would have killed her if you didn't."

Killian's words sent a bolt through his body.

"She hurt you and unleashed a dangerous lunatic that has killed a lot of people. She needed to pay for her actions. Her death was due payment," Killian finished.

Jason sighed while rubbing Killian's forearm. "It's just sad that Mallory doesn't see it your way..."

Killian pulled Jason into his lap, wrapping his muscular arms around Jason's waist. Jason straddled Killian before placing his head against his mate's shoulder. Although, he had to be careful not to poke his mate in the face with his horns. Jason's shoulders slacked as Killian rubbed his back, easing the tension in his body.

"Don't be angry at her," Killian whispered. "Her heart is in the right place."

Jason grumbled and replied, "But it feels to me that we're drifting apart."

"It may feel that way, but she's just scared to lose you. She's still holding on to the person she used to know before this mess started. And what happened today showed her a side of you she never got to see. Since the sundering, you've changed. And with Cyron added to the mix, she's afraid you'll turn—"

"Into a monster?"

"Probably, but mostly she's trying to hold on to the friend she used to know since diaper training." Killian gave Jason a gentle squeeze. "Give her time to adjust. Even you haven't had the time to acclimate to your new life."

Jason nodded. What Killian said was probably true. He hadn't fully come to terms with what happened to him in the last year, and it would take some time to get used to being a hellhound. Jason hoped Mallory would one day accept him for who he had become—there was no turning back.

Killian slapped Jason on the butt and said, "Let's have dinner and then turn in for the night. We have a big day tomorrow."

Jason sat in the conference room surrounded by the Alpha Council, his friends and, unfortunately, his father and brother. He rubbed his temple, fighting against the urge to kill his brother.

Quinton, for the past half-an-hour, has been yapping his gums off, yelling at the council for using his pack as the staging ground for a counter-attack. Jason diverted his attention to the windows, which ran along the room. Snowflakes drifted from the heavens and covered the garden in a thick blanket of snow.

Jason began tapping his claws on the mahogany table, which stopped Quinton in his tracks. "Are you done, brother dearest?" Jason asked, smirking at his brother. "You should be grateful that we're here to save your sorry ass. Alaric is heading this way, whether you like it or not. So act like the fucking Alpha of this pack and stop bitching."

Quinton threw Jason a seething glare while rubbing his chest. He wore a loose fitting t-shirt that covered up a bandage, which covered up the large scar on his chest.

"And why should I be grateful?" Quinton huffed out, slamming his fist onto the table. "It's because of you he's heading here in the first place!"

Jason raised his brow at his brother's idiotic thinking. "And tell me, brother. Why is it my fault?"

"He wouldn't have dared starting a war if he didn't have your blood! It's all your fault!"

A roar shook the pack house again. But it didn't come from Jason. No. It came from his mate. Killian towered over Quinton in the blink of an eye. Quinton wheezed out a 'sorry' while dangling a foot off the ground. Killian had him by the throat.

"It seems your stupidity knows no bounds," Killian growled. "Insult my mate again and I'll kill you. We'll dig a grave next to Amina's so you can keep her company in the afterlife." Killian released his grip on Quinton. The fool dropped to his knees.

Killian strutted back toward Jason's side and sat down beside him. Jason couldn't lie. His mate was an absolute wild beast, in and out of the bed. Jason had to re-adjust the bulge in his pants before he broke the poor fellow.

Quinton stumbled to his feet while rubbing his neck. "I apologize, my king."

"Save your fake apologies, Quinton," Jason replied. "And before you point the finger at me, know that you're pointing three at yourself. Alaric couldn't have gotten my blood if it wasn't for your and our father's schemes. The sundering gave him exactly what he needed."

Jason's eyes found his father, but the haggard old man stared up at the wall, ignoring all those around him. He still didn't recover from the beating. The right side of his jaw was a stomach-turning yellow and blue, swollen and distorted. He would be able to talk for a while.

Jason then turned back to his brother. "So if you're done with your pity party, we have to prepare for battle."