Page 121 of Villainous Fate

Frank is my father.

As I think the words, his face drops, guilt evident as he realizes I know. His eyes flash to my mother just as Giovanni connects with my back, knocking me to my stomach, my chin hitting the floor.

Giovanni: Submit, boy, before I kill you for this charade. Save your pitiful life. You don’t want my pack. A father who never claimed you, a mother who lied to you, a girl who betrayed you with your closest friend. Everyone who was supposed to love you chose not to. Chose to walk away and leave you. They chose a life without you.

His foot connects with my jaw on the last word, and I see stars. My head falls back as the truth of his words settles within me.

My wolf pushes against my control, but I won’t give him satisfaction. I deserve to lose. He outplayed me, and he’s absolutely right about everything except the part where I should save my life.

I don’t want it.

There’s nothing left for me here.

There’s nothing left for me anywhere.

My eyes look over to Luca, sending him a silent apology. I know this will hurt him, but I no longer care. He has a pack to run; he doesn’t need me threatening his rule. I see his face register that I’ve given up, and panic flares as he yells, his cries blending in with the cheering crowd.

Rolling over, I spit out the blood pooling in my mouth and stand. Realizing he’s basking in what he assumes is his win. I square my shoulders and smile the same sinister grin he’s given me over the years, causing him to pause momentarily, unsure of my intentions.

“Your own brother fucked your Luna behind your back, your wolf wasn’t strong enough to defeat the old Alpha without blackmailing him into submission, and now you’ll be killed by the bastard son you raised because you are nothing but a pathetic excuse for an Alpha,” I shout out loud, causing a gasp through the crowd.

Without hesitation, he shifts, his coffee-colored wolf snarling where he once stood, and I wait for his attack, holding my wolf back with everything I have.

I accept my Fate.

As he launches, my heart betrays me one final time, and my eyes slide to Grace just as she screams the word ‘no,’ and Marcus curls her into his chest to prevent her from having to witness my death.

I’m sorry, Tails. I can’t live in a world without you.

It’s my final thought before I’m knocked to the ground.

Chapter 60

Deacon

Myheadslamsintothe arena flooring, causing me to lose focus just long enough for my wolf to push through, forcing my shift. I throw the heavy weight on top of me off with a push of my hind legs and whip around, a spectator in my fight. My wolf is calling the shots now.

Blood drips from Giovanni’s snout, and he stands there, no longer attacking me, with his eyes fixated on the floor. My wolf is processing too slowly to understand.

I’m not bleeding.

Crouching in preparation to jump, my eyes catch what he’s staring at, and I freeze in place.

Lying on his side, facing away from me, is Luca.

Why is he on the platform?

My wolf slowly stalks toward him, very aware of Giovanni standing at his feet. My muzzle pushes against Luca’s shoulder, causing him to fall to his back, exposing the gaping hole in his throat.

Nooooooooooooooooooo!

My stomach drops as a whine leaks from me. His eyes are glassy and expressionless, the expanding puddle of blood the only sign he was alive moments ago. Something inside me changes as I look down into the face of the only person who truly loved me. The only person who stood by my side no matter the consequences. The person who died trying to save me from myself.

Brother, you should have known there was nothing left of me to save. I’m a shell of the man you were. This pack needed you to lead them. I’m not you.

Only then do I hear the shouting, not only from the crowd and the council but also from my mother, her wails breaking through all the other noise. My head whips in her direction to see her crumpled on the floor, sobs rolling from her as my sister curls into her chest, tears streaming down her innocent face.

I’m sorry, Ash, you lost the wrong brother.

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