In the Alpha’s Arms

The Things in Between

Well there it was, the pit that settled in her gut four months ago and rotted, Back at last to have its victory over her once and for all. She’d killed a girl. A woman. A person. Her wolf whined and nipped for her to be strong and for her to understand why it had to happen ut Lita pushed back. She deserved to feel every inch of its agony. She had killed someone.

And I killed her? Or at least, my wolf did?”

The silence was confirmation, “Was she given a proper burial?”

Lita didn’t know why that fact bothered her so much. She’d taken another life. That was bad. Horrible. As much as Erica got under her skin it wasn’t ever bad enough to wish death on her. Until it was. Erica wasn’t innocent. She’d worked with Maxim to try and kill Lita.

She was fucking evil, her wolf insisted. Except she wasn’t. And maybe neither was Maxim. Or her parents. Or even Brian. What did she really know of these people to pass that sort of sentence? DEATH. The finality of it, made her chest ache. Death didn’t play favorites with souls one way or another. Or James would still be here. That much was clear but…

Lita flinched at her own thoughts, Where she might have shown mercy her wolf had none. The flashes of the images she had were viscous and terrifying. She was rabid. Or her woll was, she wasn’t sure. She wasn’t sure exactly who desired the woman dead. Perhaps both.

She needed to deal with her feelings about what she’d done but her mind seemed obsessed with the idea that Erica needed to be given a proper burial. Her family needed to know. They needed to mourn properly, Hell, Lita belonged in jail. Perhaps it would make her soul one smidgen less guilty if she paid for the crime. And what even were the rules of engagement for this sort of thing? Surely the wolf world had their own justice system? Surely she wasn’t going to get off without any punishment?

Her initial question was only met with more silence and the look on Cole’s face made her feel even sicker. He was pale and unresponsive, “Cole?”

“She wasn’t buried. There was nothing left to bury,” he huffed like it had taken a lot for him to admit that. Nothing left to bury? Another crack in the mental armor her wolf had built. Was it all really so terrible underneath? The pain hadn’t vanished at all, it had been pushed under the weight of her wolf’s resolve. There was no guilt there. No remorse. Only survival. Lita remembered the silence of her wolf’s conscience that night. Her mind raced How could there be nothing left of Erica?

their own reasons. They’re unique to themselves. None of this is your fault.” He reached towards her but she retreated, sliding backwards a few steps. If there was no body left, that meant it was gone. How would it be gone? The heavy flash of a thought passed her

h–her?” Lita thought she was going

up her entire stomach

sped to her side, lifting her out of the vomit and carrying her to the tub. Lita shook furiously, eyes glassy and distant. The rotten pit turned in her stomach again and again. What had she done? What had

“I–I’m a monster, Cole

words were firm, eyes piercing but reserved. Cole was trying to salvage

down baby.” He said it like it was the only thing that mattered. Like it excused everything else. Then he brushed her damp hair back and cut on the shower, “Wolves kill each other all the time. It’s not an excuse but it’s true.” It was

pushing it down so she could worry about other things. But she’d stood in Erica’s blood. She’d fucking eaten her. That was…

going to jail. Oh my god, I’m going to jail. Or worse, is there something worse? Oh my god, wolf justice. An eye for an eye? What about her family? And my wolf, she’s a psycho! She ate someone!

tub, reeling and full of a chaotic emotion she couldn’t explain. It wasn’t just guilt.

heard anything Cole said.

The Things in Between

of James returned in

for minutes, hours, days before the first officer appeared at her side. What was time anyway, besides something broken and frozen? Time could never move forward the same as it had before. She couldn’t pull her eyes

killed him. And that driver too, who didn’t survive his own injuries. And fate. Of course, had killed him

her and no one else. If he hadn’t been so distracted he might have

her mate. Cole would have his best friend. Maybe she’d never have met Colle. Or been at that tournament or killed Erica. But then she’d still be with Brian and stuck

that had been set at her side. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from James. Her brother, whose pulse was taken and a head shake exchanged between EMTs. They left him, returning to the others who huddled around Lita.