Page 53 of Night with a Gamma
With one final surge of energy, we unleash the full force of our attack. The flames erupt forward, crashing against the Rogue King’s dark energy, and I can feel the sheer power of our bond driving us forward.
In that moment, everything else fades away. It’s just us — Wren and me — united against the darkness. The flames engulf the Rogue King, and I can hear his furious howls echoing through the night.
With one last push, we break through the darkness, the flames consuming the Rogue King as he lets out a final, anguished roar. The darkness shudders and collapses, and for a moment, everything is silent.
The flames flicker and fade, revealing the clearing bathed in a warm glow, and I look around, bewildered. The rogue wolves have scattered, retreating into the shadows, and I can feel the energy of our pack surging around us. The rogues who perished have turned back to their human counterparts.
“We did it!” I shout, a surge of triumph flooding through me. I turn to Wren, my heart swelling with pride as I pull her close. “We did it together, Little Bird!”
Her eyes shine with tears of joy, and I can see the relief washing over her. “I knew we could!” she replies, her voice filled with emotion.
The pack erupts in cheers, their voices echoing through the clearing as they celebrate our victory. I can see Dalton and Wyatt exchanging proud glances, their expressions filled with relief and pride.
As the night settles around us, I hold Wren close, my heart racing with gratitude and love. We’ve faced darkness together, and we’ve emerged stronger than ever.
In this moment, I know we are unbreakable. No matter what challenges lie ahead, we’ll face them together — side by side, as a pack.
The celebration continues, laughter and joy filling the air as we reunite with our pack members. I can feel the warmth of our bond surrounding us, a fierce flame that will never be extinguished.
And as we stand together, I know that our love and strength will guide us through whatever comes next. For we are the Waterton Pack, and together we will face whatever darkness lies ahead — united, unbreakable, and forever strong.
26
OUR PAST TENDS TO COME BACK AROUND
Wren
The morning sunspills through the high windows of the pack house, casting warm beams against the cool metal of the spiral staircase. Each step I take down feels heavier than the last, my heart thumping with an unsettling mix of dread and curiosity. I can’t shake the image of the charred body from last night, the remnants of a life extinguished by my own powers — and yet, it was necessary. It was either him or Harrison, my mate, and I chose love over darkness.
As I reach the bottom, the air thickens, charged with an electric tension. I step into the first room I see, and the sight before me grips my heart in a vice. There, sprawled on the floor, lies the man I killed last night — his body twisted in death, the stench of burnt flesh mingling with the metallic tang of blood. My magical signature lingers in the air, a reminder of my fiery retribution. I shudder, my breath catching as Wyatt, the alpha of the Waterton Pack, looks up from the scene, his expression a mix of grief and determination.
“Wren,” he greets, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding us. The others are here, too — Harrison, my steadfast mate, stands protectively nearby; Octavia, the Luna, her eyes red-rimmed and glassy; Poppy, her best friend, looking resolute; and Dalton, the Beta, who seems caught between duty and concern.
Wyatt’s gaze shifts back to the body, and he explains the gravity of our discovery. “This is Alpha Fredrick Leaver, from Octavia’s old pack. We need to know why he did this.” He glances at Poppy, as if she alone holds the key to unlocking the remnants of the past.
Poppy steps forward, her aura shimmering with violet hues, a signal of her readiness to delve into the depths of Fredrick’s mind. Harrison moves closer to me, wrapping his arms around my waist as if to anchor me amidst the swirling emotions. My heart races at the sight of Poppy’s determination; she’s always had a way of getting to the truth.
“Be careful,” I whisper, though I know she can handle herself. Poppy places her hand above Fredrick’s charred body, and a mist of violet energy escapes her fingertips, swirling and sinking into his lifeless form. The room falls silent as we all watch, our breaths held in anticipation.
“I see him,” Poppy whispers, her voice trembling. “He’s… he’s obsessed with Rosemary, Octavia’s mother. He wanted her to be his chosen mate, despite her already being bonded with someone else.” The revelation hangs in the air, thick and heavy, as she continues. “He pursued her relentlessly, but she wouldn’t yield. When he realized he couldn’t break their bond, he turned his sights on Octavia instead.”
My heart sinks as I begin to understand the gravity of what Poppy is revealing. The pain etched on Octavia’s face is palpable, and I can feel the wave of sorrow crashing over her. Harrison tightens his hold on me, a silent promise of support.
Poppy’s eyes are wide as she continues, “He made a deal with a black magic witch. He wanted power, and he was willing to kill for it. He thought that if he eliminated Rosemary and her mate, he could have Octavia.” She pauses, the weight of her words causing a collective gasp from the group. “But it backfired. Octavia was left without her parents, and Fredrick’s twisted plans only deepened her grief.”
Tears begin to spill from Poppy’s eyes, and I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. She’s taken on the burden of revealing these dark truths, and I can see how it drains her. As she pulls her magic back, her eyes flutter open, glistening with unshed tears. She looks directly at Octavia, who is now cradled against Wyatt’s chest, her sobs muffled by the fabric of his shirt.
“Octavia,” Poppy whispers, her voice breaking. “I’m so sorry.”
Wyatt holds Octavia tighter, whispering soothing words that I can’t hear but can imagine. In this moment, comforting words feel inadequate. I want to say something, to reach out and ease her pain, but I know that right now, she needs her mate more than anything I could offer.
Harrison brushes his fingers through my hair, planting a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “We’ll be here for her,” he murmurs, his voice a soothing balm against the storm of emotions swirling within me. “But Octavia needs Wyatt right now.”
Wyatt lifts Octavia effortlessly, cradling her in his arms as he carries her out of the room, presumably to their suite. The moment is heavy, the air thick with grief and resolve. I glance at Poppy, who looks pale and drained; the energy she expended takes a toll on her, and I wonder how she can bear the weight of such dark memories.
Dalton, ever the attentive Beta, steps forward, concern etched on his face. “Come on Cupcake, let me take you to thekitchen. You need something to eat, maybe a snack before you rest.”
She nods, her expression distant, and as they exit the room, a strange tension lingers, an unspoken connection between them that I can’t quite place. I turn to Harrison, my thoughts racing. “Do you think they’re…?” I trail off, unable to voice the thought that’s creeping into my mind.
