Contractually Yours, Alpha by Giftemmy

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety Three

Maybe this was history repeating itself. My father had given up the Dawn Pack to Alexander and I - I gave away the Nightshade pack to Derek.

It is believed that in moments like this-when you're on the verge of giving up- someone dear to you appears, offering words of strength. A vision of a parent, a loved one a guiding voice to pull you back. I waited for that. I waited for Alexander or my father to appear, to tell me what to do next, to remind me that I wasn't done yet. But no one came. No reassuring voice, no outstretched hand.

There was nothing but darkness.

I was alone.

I thought about the pack-the people who never believed I deserved the title. I thought back to when I was a little girl, watching the soldiers train and repeating their steps. I remembered the first time I held a gun-the realization that I could so easily end a life was as terrifying as it was thrilling.

I remembered how happy and proud I was when I defeated my first opponent-he was a lanky boy who felt insulted for being paired with a girl. Through all those years, there was one thing I never did: give up.

So, I fought the darkness. It felt like I was drowning while desperately trying to break through the surface. I pushed harder, and finally, my eyes snapped open.

There was noise-cheering, rejoicing-but on the other side of the field, there was only silence.

Slowly, I staggered to my feet.

The crowd, which was once loud, grew silent. Derek turned around to see what had caused that reaction, and when his eyes met mine, I could see something different in his eyes; this time when he regarded me, he saw a threat; he saw danger.

He withdrew from his people and headed to me. "Surrender now or I will kill you." He promised, all humor gone from his eyes. I bet if I looked closer, I would see the fear he was trying so hard to hide.

its way into me, but I ran to him, ignoring the blinding pain in my legs and every other part of my body, or the fact

a moment, there was absolute silence. Even the birds fell quiet as he collapsed to the

he cried out. "I

bell rang twice, signaling the

to their knees before me, followed by

Aric called, but I didn't understand the panic in his

and the arrow-meant for

wouldn't attack-I won fair and square!" I cried out, but Aric

"Rogues." He whispered.

enough, he was right. They came from every corner. Had

***

Hundred

I couldn't tell.

now, I saw them-here in their multitudes.

father's burial

to get you out

gasped, choking on

I'll get

He coughed, his voice barely a whisper. "I... can't... make

I said, but even