Page 1 of No Honor Amongst Shifters
Chapter One
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ALCOTT’S LIFE WAS OVER, and it was all his fault.
He should’ve known better.He should have known that Damien was lying and that the only thing he wanted from him was information.He’d thought Damien was it for him, and now, he was locked up in his bedroom, in pain, and it would be a miracle if he survived this war.
He probably wouldn’t.For now, he was a prisoner, but he didn’t think Elijah would keep him around for long.He couldn’t afford to kick Alcott out of the clan while they were still fighting with the cockatrices and the coven, but Alcott was sure that as soon as they weren’t a danger anymore, he’d be on his way out.
He deserved it.He’d betrayed his clan and his leader.He’d wanted a home and someone who would love him, and instead, he’d lost everything because of his own stupidity.
He bumped his forehead against the window.He supposed it could be worse.The house where the clan lived had cells in the basement, but that wasn’t where he’d been taken.He was in his bedroom, and if he closed his eyes, he could almost believe that everything was back to normal.He could forget that he’d betrayed his clan and his brother.
But hehadbetrayed them, and he would pay for that.He just wasn’t sure when.
Maybe there was something wrong with him and that was why people couldn’t love him.The only one who did was Misha, but he probably regretted it by now.He’d found a home with the clan.He had a boyfriend and everything.He’d followed Alcott when Alcott had been kicked out of their birth clan, but he wouldn’t follow him this time.He belonged here.
Alcott didn’t.
A knock on the door pulled Alcott out of his thoughts.There was only one person who knocked when they visited now that he was a prisoner, and Alcott didn’t want to talk to him.He knew that Misha wanted an explanation and to make sure that he was okay, but Alcott wasn’t sure he was.He wasn’t sure of anything anymore.
Except for one thing.He’d messed up, and he would have to deal with the consequences of that.
He ignored the knock and pressed harder against the window.He wasn’t surprised when he heard the door open even though he hadn’t called out for his brother to come in.It closed softly, and Alcott wasn’t alone anymore.
He still didn’t turn.How could he face his brother after what he’d done?He felt humiliated and angry, even though it wasn’t his place to feel angry.Mishashould be pissed, but Alcott knew that if he turned to his brother, he’d see that he was worried.
That was Misha.He worried about everyone, which was why choosing him as the leader’s personal assistant had been a great idea on Elijah’s part.Alcott had been so proud of his brother when he’d found out about it, and he still was.Misha was really making something of himself.
Unlike Alcott.
“How are you feeling?”Misha asked.
His voice was softer than it ought to be.Alcott didn’t deserve to be treated with kid gloves.Hell, he didn’t deserve to be in his bedroom.He was surrounded by comforts when he’d betrayed the people who’d given him these comforts.
Misha sighed heavily.“I just want to make sure you’re okay.You’re pretty banged up, and you haven’t allowed anyone to check you.You could have internal bleeding or something.You haven’t been eating a lot.”
Alcott hadn’t been eating because he wasn’t hungry.It had nothing to do with internal bleeding.“I’m fine,” he croaked.
Misha sucked in a breath.“Are you sure?I can call the doctor.”
“I don’t need a doctor.I’m fine.”
Alcott wasn’t.He’d been beaten, and the man he’d thought loved him had watched without saying anything.He was bruised, and most of his body hurt.There were scrapes on his knees and the palms of his hands.
But he’d survive.Some days, he wished he wouldn’t, but unfortunately, his wounds weren’t bad enough to kill him.
He knew that Misha would be sad if he were to die, but he had other people in his life now.Eventually, he’d forget about Alcott.He’d be distracted by his boyfriend and his job and friends, and that was what Alcott wanted for him.It was what needed to happen when Alcott left.
He didn’t think Elijah would kill him.Any other leader would have, but it wasn’t the kind of person Elijah was.No, he’d just kick Alcott out of the clan, as he should.Alcott didn’t deserve to be here.He didn’t deserve for Misha to worry about him.
He’d been so terrified of being alone and not having anyone love him that he’d burned his life to the ground and pushed away the one person who did care about him.
* * * *
ROSLIN THREW A POPCORNat his brother’s head.He quickly dropped his hand and acted innocent, but he didn’t think Victor was fooled.Thankfully, he didn’t say anything.He turned back to his boyfriend to continue their conversation, and Roslin threw another piece of popcorn at him.
“Seriously?”Victor asked.“You’re too old for this.”
