The air was thick with smoke and ash, the scent of burning flesh so strong that it could’ve turned the stomach of even the most battle-hardened warrior. The bodies of the dead and dying littered the ground, and every now and again the pleas of a victim would ring out… just before they were silenced forever.
Erik of Blackwater, Alpha of the Winter Islands, had come to this village for one reason: Vengeance. He and his men had pillaged their way halfway across the world in search of the Alpha who’d murdered Erik’s mother and sister. And after a year in a foreign land, they’d finally tracked down their prey.
The battle had been swift and decisive. Erik and his men had attacked in the wee hours of the morning, laying waste to the small town in the matter of an hour. The sitting Alpha had defended his people admirably, but the male never stood a chance against the foreign invaders. Erik ordered the village burned, and those foolish enough to stand in their way were cut down without care or hesitation.
“Bring them,” Erik commanded his Betas, gesturing to the pack house.
“No, please!”
The desperate cry came from the source of Erik’s rage… Aaron McAlister was by no means a weak man. There was a reason he’d been able to claim so much land in such a short amount of time. Aaron had more men, more weapons, and more power than any Alpha could dream of. But in the face of Erik’s rage, none of that mattered. Hate is the most powerful force on earth, and Erik had fed off of his every second of every day for the last year…
“Mercy?” Erik spat, unsheathing the knife he kept at his waist. He pointed the blade at his wounded enemy, his expression bordering on maniacal. “You dare speak of mercy to /me/? When my mother begged for her life, did /you/ show mercy then? Where was this /mercy/ when you allowed your men rape and murder my sister? No, Aaron McAlister. I will not show mercy. I travelled across violent seas and an endless ocean of land to get to this moment. And you know why?” Erik dragged the edge of the knife across Aaron’s cheek, slicing open the flesh. “To destroy everything and everyone you hold dear.”
It was then the doors to the pack house burst open. Erik’s men dragged out a family of five; a mother and her 4 cowering daughters. With them, was a young Alpha and an older Beta; the two men no doubt left to protect Aaron’s family. Erik’s gaze landed on the men first. He had an idea of who they were and why Aaron had chosen to hide them away during the battle. He looked back at the McAlister Alpha before walking over to the younger of the two men. The boy stood tall and proud, and couldn’t have been older than 25 or 26.
“Let me guess,” Erik said, speaking to Aaron. “This is your heir. Am I right?”
Aaron’s jaw stiffened, but the look in his cold grey eyes was all the confirmation needed.
“He is indeed.” Erik smiled at the young man, walking a slow circle around him. “Actually, he looks a lot like you… No wonder you tried so desperately to guard your pack house. This young Alpha represents your future. He is the male who will carry on your legacy and your name sake. He’s your /only/ son,” Erik whispered, looking over the boy’s shoulder and directly into Aaron’s eyes. In one swift and clean movement, he slit the young Alpha’s throat. Lifting his foot, he shoved the boy down with the heel of his boot, the body landing at Aaron’s feet.
“You son of a bitch!” Aaron roared, angry tears filling his eyes as he fought against the men holding him. “Fight me like man you fucking coward!”
“In time,” Erik promised, moving toward the Beta. “But not before I see you suffer.” He turned his attention to the old man. “And who are you?” he asked, not expecting an answer. “His father? A beloved Uncle perhaps? No, I don’t think so. There’s no resemblance between the two of you. But you must be important to your Alpha in some way. I’m guessing you’re a good friend; a mentor? I’d be willing to bet you served as his Beta once upon a time.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” the Beta said, his gaze unwavering as he met Erik’s cold stare. “And I do not fear death.”
“Very noble,” Erik snickered, glancing back at Aaron. “Tell me, old man. Are you the one who taught him how to rape and murder women and children?”
“It’s me you want!” Aaron shouted, trying to draw Erik’s attention to him. “I killed your mother, not…”
Erik gutted the Beta before the groveling Alpha could finish his sentence. The old man dropped to his knees, his withered hands trying in vain to stuff his intestines back into his body…
“Let’s see, who do we have left?” Erik pointed the knife at the mother, oddly impressed by her show of bravery. She stood firmly in front of her children, using her body to shield them. “Should I kill your mate now?” he asked Aaron. “Or should I let her watch as my men rape your daughters?”
“STOP!” The frantic cry came from a young man of delicate beauty, with hair so pale it appeared white. He fought passed Aaron’s mate to face Erik, his bright green eyes flickering to meet the Alpha's before his gaze dropped to the ground. He reeked of fear and desperation, but, to his credit, he maintained his bearing. “Please, Lord Alpha, have mercy! Spare my mother and sisters. Take me instead!”
At first, Erik was unmoved by the sudden outburst, but that changed when he realized who he was talking to. There was an undeniable resemblance between the older woman, as well as the four girls hiding behind her wide frame. Erik glanced over at Aaron, the picture taking for in his mind. ‘A second son? How unexpected…’
“And why should I spare any of you, little wolf?” Erik asked in amusement, his men laughing behind him.
“Because, I… I am Ariyan McAllister,” he answered. “The second son of Aaron McAlister, and now… all he has left. As of this moment, I am his most valuable possession. Kill me, and his legacy ends here. His heir is dead, his pack is gone, and, with my death, he has no son to carry on his name. You win, my lord. To destroy my father, my life is the only one you need take.”
“That’s not enough,” Erik replied simply. “He needs to suffer for his crimes.”
“Then… claim me!”
“NO!” Aaron roared, growling as he struggled to break free. “I’d rather see you dead than in the arms of that… that savage!”
“Savage!” Erik hissed. “You raped and murdered my kin; sold my people for slaves, and you call ME the savage?!”
“Please, my lord!” Ariyan begged, falling to his knees in a show of open submission. “Take me! Make me yours! You can spend the rest of your days torturing me for my father’s sins, just please… let my family live!” Tears dripped down his eyes involuntarily now, collecting on his chin before they fell to the dirt.
“Please…” the boy's voice shook as he clutched Erik's hands in desperation.
"My lord." Ariyan leaned in slow to kiss the tips of Erik's fingers. "I won't resist..." The boy stared up at him pitiably, the green of his eye glistening from the tears falling down his flush pink cheek. "Use me as you'd like, but please....spare them from your wrath."
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