BloodRed

I saw Justin trying to choose what to wear for his date. I giggled. “It’s a date, Justin. No need to go overboard.”

“Bite me,” he shot back.

I grinned showing my fangs. “I might throw up if I do. Wet dog is not my preference.” My fangs slid back into their sheaths. “Besides, I just got back from hunting. I’m not hungry. I came to your room because I have a question.”

“Okay.”

“I think the team should go with you on your date. Is that okay?”

He scowled. “Why?”

I smiled slightly. “None of us should go anywhere alone. We don’t know who’s on Tono’s team.”

He hesitated. “You’re right. As long as you stay hidden.”

I snorted. “Like we would get involved. It’s a deal.”

He drove and picked Maria up and we followed. We chose a table close to theirs but far enough away that Maria wouldn’t notice us. Though we could, of course, hear everything they said. I watched the people coming in and out of the restaurant.

Kelsey, Jem said in his head.

I glanced at him then looked back at the doors. Hmm?

What are you looking for?

Anything. Then I froze when I caught the scent of wet dog. Do you smell that? I asked him.

He inhaled. “Wolves,” he muttered.

Everyone at our table whipped their heads in its direction. “Tono,” Quin hissed.

I stared. “That’s him?”

“Yeah. We’re able to sense when another Alpha is near. That’s him,” Gwin said.

I stood and walked straight towards him. I heard hisses of surprise behind me but it didn’t stop me. “Hello, are you Tono?” I asked politely.

He looked at me. “Who’s asking?”

I smiled. “Kelsey Quill.”

He grinned. “You came straight to me.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going anywhere with you and I’m so not marrying you.” I shrugged. “I just thought you should know.”

“You will come with me,” he snarled.

“Nope.”

“You will! Or I’ll force you!”

I grinned. “Do you think you’re stronger than three vampires and three wolves? Because I don’t. Hex is helping too.”

“You liar.”

I shocked my head. “I’m not lying and I doubt your pack is stronger than his.”

“You’re underestimating me. People have died for doing that.”

I laughed. “Oh, I’m not underestimating you. I’m smarter than that. I made the mistake of underestimating Brad. He was on your side, right? He’s dead now. You’ll find his and Anna’s remains where their house was.”

“You bitchHe threw himself at me and I smoothly grabbed him and got us outside so no one would get hurt. I slammed him onto the ground.

“Yeah, I’m a bitch. But you’re an asshole who wants to force a woman to marry you. That’s sick. You wanted to be the pack leader but from what I’ve seen you’d make a terrible leader. You unforgivable bastard,” I spat. “I will never marry you. So get over it and be a better person.”

Clapping behind me made my mouth twitch into a smile. “Bravo, Kelsey,” Jem said.

“Yes, really excellent,” Mika added.

“I’m glad you’re on our side,” Robin said.

“I agree,” Gwin said.

“Remind me not to get on your bad side,” Quin chimed in.

I snorted. “It’s not over yet.”

Tono stood. “I’m supposed to be the Alpha of that pack. Hex stole the role from me!”

“No, he didn’t. That ‘role’ is always passed on to the oldest. Even I, a vampire, know that.” I smirked.

Tono snorted. “I killed my father, the pack leader. Whoever kills the pack leader takes that leader’s place.”

I opened my mouth to deny that but shut it again. That’s a rule too for werewolves. Shit!

“Then challenge me, brother,” Hex said appearing out of nowhere. “Fight for the leadership.”

“Hex!” Quin and Gwin chorused. They both looked unhappy he was here. But that might be because he challenged Tono.

The whole pack showed up behind Hex. “This is a fight for leadership so it’s a fight to the death match. No one may interfere,” Hex said.

“Hey, if you die the WV Alliance dies too,” Jem said.

No, Hex thought at us. If I die, you’ll have to help Justin get stronger so he can kill Tono and take the pack. The Alliance will be in place again if that happens. I told my pack this before we came. Can I trust you with this?

Jem and I nodded, My vision blurred with tears. Jem hugged me and didn’t let go. I leaned into him. Robin and Mika stood and hugged next to us. Justin came out of the restaurant and wrapped his arms around the twins. All of us were trying to find comfort in this thing. I didn’t want to watch the battle but I will. It’s only fair that I do since I’m the cause.

Tono and Hex shifted and started circling one another. Then Tono launched himself at Hex and Hex met him in the middle. Tono clawed Hex’s stomach and Hex snarled claiming Tono’s hip. Gwin whimpered.

I could stop this. Give myself to Tono and voila, Hex lives.

Don’t, Jem said.

But…

No!

Tono growled and bit Hex’s shoulder ripping out a chunk. There was another whimper from Gwin as Hex dropped to the ground. He stood and jumped onto Tono’s back biting him on the neck. Tono shook hard and Hex flew off him. Smacking into a tree. We all heard his spine break. Tono jumped on him and twisted Hex’s neck. With a crack, Hex went limp. But I saw his tail twitch. He was alive! Tono turned away and Hex pounced biting off a chunk of Tono’s shoulder.

Tono snarled and clawed Hes in the eyes. Hex jumped back and Tono missed. Hex launched and slammed Tono into a wall. Tono retaliated by flinging Hex close to the cliff’s edge.

Oh, did I forget to mention The Blue Cafe sat on a cliff? Oops.

Hex jumped onto Tono and sliced him from shoulder to him. Tono slammed Hex into a tree that sat on the edge of the cliff. He did it again and again. Finally, the tree gave. Hex’s eyes met mine and he and the tree disappeared over the cliff.

“No!” Gwin screamed. She broke out of Justin’s arms and ran to the cliff. I knew she was about to fling herself after Hex so I jerked out of Jem’s arms and used super speed to tackle her to the ground.

“Let me go!” She screamed.

“Gwin, listen to me. Listen! Hex wanted Justin to be the pack leader. We need to help him get ready to challenge Tono. We can’t do that without you, Hex wouldn’t want you to follow him,” I told her calmly and gently.

“Please,” she moaned. She began to cry and I knew she wouldn’t go off the cliff now.

I got into a sitting position pulling her with me and hugged her tightly. We’ll get rid of Tono together, Okay?” I whispered.

Tono snorted. “If Hex couldn’t beat me what makes you think you can?”

“Take your pack and go already,” I snarled. “Or I’ll break my promise and kill you myself.” Though Hex practically gave me permission to break it.

He laughed and walked off. Hex’s old pack followed him.

“It’s not fair,” Gwin whimpered.

“You loved him,” I said softly.

“Yes.”

“We’ll get rid of Tono together, We’ll get Justin ready and defeat the asshole, okay?”

She nodded tears still rolling down her cheeks. “If that’s what Hex had wanted that’s what we’ll do.” Her voice had become hard and determined even with the tears that were pouring out of her eyes.

“That’s the Gwin I know,” I said. Mika came and wrapped us both in a hug. Then the others joined in. Together we held Gwin as she cried over the one she loved. All of us knew what it was like to lose someone. We all knew that the only way we will win if by working together and killing Tono. It was the only way things would turn back to normal. Or sort of normal. Since none of us are exactly human. But normal as in not having people try and kill us.

“Let’s train Justin and end that bastard!” Gwin snarled.

I smiled and we all agreed but still didn’t move from our spot. We stayed where we were to grieve. Together we can do this, I said to Jem.

He gave a slight nod. Together.

I looked up at the stars. The pack will be okay, Hex. Then I glared. Don’t get comfortable, Tone. We’ll be back.