Page 59 of The Wolf's Prince
Soren was right about one thing; it was better if they were together, and right now Nikolai needed help with this.
He hoped desperately that Soren would be there for him now when he needed him most, but part of him didn’t believe it would happen.
CHAPTER13
SOREN
Soren had fresh scrapes and bruises all over his neck and shoulders as he walked to Alpha Jin’s den. On top of the stiffness and the pain through his entire body from yesterday’s fall, he was hurting everywhere. The aches were minor to how he was feeling though.
His entire body was in turmoil.
How could he have let that happen? The more time passed from his skirmish with Kamon, the more anger filled him.
He had known that Kamon was the only one who could truly challenge him… and he did not want to admit how close he had come tolosing.
If they had not been pulled apart, there was a good chance, that Kamon would have defeated him… possibly even ended him. And just after mating, Nikolai would have been alone.
Fear overwhelmed Soren, for Nikolai, and for his pack. When the time came, he could not, under any circumstances allow Kamon to beat him. He had to be the better wolf.
Humans used cells to detain those who were dangerous. They did things differently here. They didn't have cells for bad wolves, what they did have was far more humiliating. The long, thick chains they used were bolted to the walls on the eastern side of their village. On the ends of each, were metal collars that were impossible to break free from in either form.
It had been so long since they had been used. Now both Eri and Kamon were detained by them. Was it a sign of what the pack would be like when Alpha Jin was gone?
When he had been very young, a shifter from their pack had let anger overtake him and had attacked those around him. He had been chained to that wall for a month and despite the havoc he had wreaked, Soren had felt sorry for him because the chains seemed far too cruel and inhumane for anyone to suffer. He hadn’t wanted them to be used again.
Now, he was glad for them.
First, Nikolai, his sweet, delicate mate, throan from the mountain. Then Andrey, a human who was so innocent and kind, attacked out of spite. Both were completely defenseless… and it was all to get under Soren’s skin…
Well, it had worked, but hopefully to their detriment.
As the pack alpha, Jin had the right to banish Kamon from the pack. After his behavior today, no one would dispute it.
Soren gritted his teeth in determination. He would not leave until Alpha Jin saw his concern.
As he neared Alpha Jin’s dwelling, Soren was more and more eager to find a solution to the issue of Kamon. To end his desire for power and unrest before it affected anyone else in the pack, but as he neared, his steps slowed.
The first sign that something was amiss was that neither of Alpha Jin’s guards were at his door.
His steps slowed before he heard worried voices from within.
Slowly, Soren pushed the curtain aside.
Jin’s two guards were within, leaning over Jin’s body. When Soren entered, they looked back at him with somber faces.
Soren’s world sank.
“He’s gone, isn’t he?” he asked.
The alphas both shook their heads.
“Not yet, Soren, but… we think soon.”
Soren was hit with relief and then loss all over again.
He knew Alpha Jin didn’t have much time left, but he wasn’t ready. He could not say goodbye to the man who had reared him and loved him and kept their pack as a family. He wasn’t entirely sure how to continue without him.
He stepped further into the warmth of the cave, glad the fire had been carefully kept, and then knelt at his grandfather’s side.
