Contractually Yours, Alpha by Giftemmy

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty Five

Chaos erupted–people spoke over one another, everyone desperate to be heard.

“Enough,” I snarled. “You bicker like children. I am not for one side or the other–this pack is one, and everyone will be treated equally. You’re right that I don’t deserve this position, but…” I paused, weighing my next words. The Alpha will return” I assured them.

Keith spat on the ground. “That’s a lie, and you know it. You did something to him, and he’s not coming back.”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “I did what I did to help him! I hated the fact that I lost it, but I felt the need to let them know. “I love him, and I will never stop loving him.”

“And yet here you are, taking his title and taking over his pack. You didn’t do this for love, but greed–greed for power. What you fail to realize is that you might claim the title as yours, but loyalty and respect are not passed down; they’re earned.” Keith finished; with one cold glance at me, he turned around and walked away. Many others followed.

14

“You can’t let them talk to you this way; you have to do something.” Austin said, but once again, I shook my head.

“He’s right,” I said. Austin and Phil stared at me like I’d lost a nut. “I have yet to earn their respect. If I thought I could step in and claim both the title and their loyalty, then I’d be the fool. It’s a gradual process–one step at a time. And this… this went better than I expected.” I said, my gaze drifting back to the others still kneeling before me. Most were from the Dawn Pack, but among them were a few Nightshade members.

than I should ever expect–I kept telling myself

I cried. I cried until there were

Alexander coming back, and then everything was back to the way

dungeon,

brutal aftermath of his beating- swollen, bruised, and marked with cuts. Pain was etched

the cell bars. His eyes snapped open, wide with alarm.

as I stepped into the criminal’s cell unarmed. Well, they didn’t see the gun I had brought along but I hadn’t brought it for

he saw me, his

but the chains yanked him back, stopping him

“Forgive you? Really?”

ever make up for it, but I need your forgiveness. I can’t live with

said to him and

couldn’t tell you.”

1/2

Hundred and Sixty Five

Why couldn’t you tell me?”