Neo

I felt a stab in my neck; but I was alone in my office. I stood quickly and ran down the hall to Nate’s office. I flung the door open, and found it empty. A colorful unicorn post-it note caught my attention and I picked it up, and what I read made me see red. Nate had gone to see Beckham. Alone. 

“MALCOLM! MARIA! NORA!”

The three wolves entered the room, they looked upset, 

“WHERE IS NOLAN AND MY MATE?!”

“Nolan was found by Lake Luna, unconscious. He was bleeding pretty heavily from a severe beating. We also found an empty syringe on the shore. No signs of Nate or Beckham. We followed the scent trail to the service road…but it was masked by the exhaust fumes of a foreign car. We sent out Trackers to track that car’s signature…but we aren’t sure if Beckham will ditch the car like he did last time.”

“How did this happen?”

“Nate got a phone call before he even got into his office…that must’ve been Beckham.” Nora whispered.

“Gather the warriors. As soon as we narrow down a location we move out. No one takes my mate and gets away with it.”

Malcolm ran off to do just that. The girls looked at me worriedly but I ignored them. I had phone calls to make. An army to rally and permission to murder an Alpha’s son if need be. As soon as I was in my office, I shut the door and picked up the landline. I called Alpha Jefferson, and he was quick to answer.

“Alpha Vicrum Jefferson of Purple Moon’s office, Penelope speaking, how can I help you?”

“This is Alpha Noah Lennox of Pacifica. I need to speak with your Alpha regarding his son.”

“One moment while I transfer you.”

I didn’t wait very long, the wait music had barely started when the Alpha’s gruff voice filled my ear.

“Neo, is everything alright?”

“No, everything is not alright. Beckham contacted my mate this morning and convinced him to meet him alone. Beckham knocked out Nate’s guard, bludgeoned him actually. Drugged Nate, and drove off with him. I’m calling to ask your permission to kill him if it comes down to that.”

The older Alpha was quiet for a few minutes before finally giving his answer,

“You have my permission to take out my son and heir.”

“Thank you.”

“I will also lend you my warriors and trackers. Beckham is sure to make a mistake and we will catch him.”

“We’ll start in Silver Crescent. My Beta has already gotten their permission to search their territory and the neutral lands surrounding it.”

“We’ll head to Silver Crescent immediately.”

“See you there.”

Just hold on Nate, I’m coming for you.

Nate

I woke up slowly…my vision was blurry but I could just make out a figure in the middle of the room, they looked like they were floating. Was that Bree? I struggled to sit up, but found that my legs and arms were bound together with duct tape, and so was my mouth. I couldn’t call out to her…couldn’t tell if she was alive or not.

“N-Nate? Oh…you…aren’t…supposed…to…be…here.” Bree managed to say,

The door opened, and in walked Beckham. He walked over to me first, and seemed to be satisfied when he saw that I was awake, he ripped off the tape, taking a portion of skin and fine hairs with him. 

“Nice to see you awake.”

“You said you would let Bree go if I went with you.”

“I did say that, didn’t I? Bree is my leverage, as long as she’s in danger, you’ll do what I say.”

“Beckham, why are you doing this?” 

“Because you asked me to.”

“When did I ask you to kidnap and torture Bree, kidnap and drug me, and just go batshit crazy?”

“When Sam died, you made me promise I’d never leave you. This is the only way.”

“I was delirious with grief and shock…you can’t possibly think I still mean it. And I never meant for this! I meant for you to never stop being my friend!”

“Semantics. I was in love with you and that promise gave me hope. You’d be mine one day.”

“You aren’t my true mate, you never will be. Why didn’t you say anything before I left?!”

“Are you rejecting me?”

“Beckham, I never loved you romantically, I’ll never love you like that. I once believed we were platonic mates…but now I just want to go home.”

“I can take you home.”

“Purple Moon isn’t my home anymore. Neo is my home.”

That was the wrong thing to say. I realized too late, Beckham’s whole demeanor changed, he no longer resembled my childhood friend; the man before me now was a monster. He stood, unfolding to his true height; Neo thought I was a giant, but the Jefferson men were even larger…and Beckham was unhinged and dangerous at the moment. His eyes were a strange mix of red and gold, one was rogue red, the other Calum’s gold…Calum was still fighting, still trying to gain control. I feared that it was too late, soon Beckham would have complete control over both forms and Calum would be lost forever.

Beckham stalked over to where Bree hung pathetically from the ceiling. Now that I could see clearly, I could see that she was strung up by silver and her skin was a grotesque blackish purple, black veins traveled up and down her arms, dried blood, pus, and bone could be seen on her arms and legs. Bree was already good as dead…he was just messing with me. He tricked me into coming here, making me believe I could save Bree, redeem myself for not being able to save Sam.

“If you won’t mate with me willingly, maybe once I destroy your will to fight you’ll be more compliant.”

“Please, give her the antidote and let her go. You have me…let Bree go.”

“But if she’s alive, you’ll never truly be mine. You’ll always find a way to leave.”

“I’ll do what you want, just let her go.”

“Mm, I don’t believe you.”

Beckham walked behind Bree, tracing the contour of her neck, she shuddered weakly but she couldn’t even lift her head. I watched helplessly as Beckham took hold of the nape of her neck, squeezed, twisted, and then snapped her spinal cord. 

“NO!”

Bree’s body hung limply, she hadn’t even screamed. Hot tears fell down my face as Beckham licked off the blood from his extended claws.

“This happens every time. I always manage to get blood on my hands.”

“Why…”

“I’ll do the same to your mate if you don’t do what I want.”

“Don’t hurt Neo…don’t go anywhere near him!” I fought against my binds. I had to protect Neo, I had to protect the pack…but how? I couldn’t even save Bree, or Sam. I failed them both, how was I supposed to protect Neo and the others?

“No harm will come to Neo, as long as you are a good mate and complete our bond…okay?”

I closed my eyes, and nodded my acceptance. I didn’t even want to look at Beckham…I hadn’t even had penetrative sex with Neo yet and I knew that Beckham wouldn’t hesitate in taking that aspect of my virginity. I cried silently into the pillow beneath me, I could feel my body being picked up but I still didn’t open my eyes. I didn’t want to see where he was taking me, although I was grateful I was no longer in the same room with my dead friend.

I’m so sorry Neo.

Beckham placed me on a plusher mattress, and undid the bindings on my legs, but he kept my wrists bound together. He hooked my wrists on a hook on the headboard; I then felt claws on the seams of my athletic shorts. I shuddered, his touch was wrong, it didn’t bring euphoric sparks on my skin like Neo’s did; his touch actually made me want to vomit…but I swallowed it down. I had to protect Neo. I had to protect our Pack. I’d make it back to him someday, I just had to survive this. I just had to survive. Beckham cut through the material and I was naked, completely bare before him, vulnerable and exposed. We’d been naked around one another before, it was common amongst werewolves; but this was different…now I knew that my naked body aroused Beckham.

#WARNING SKIP IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE READING ABOUT NONCONSENSUAL SEXUAL ACTS**** RESUME WHEN YOU SEE “***”# 

Beckham forced my legs apart, his hands covered in a slimy concoction that I assumed was lube. He was just exploring me down there, toying with me. 

“Has he had you down here?”

“No.”

“But you marked each-other?”

“We didn’t go all the way. We wanted to wait.”

“And now you’re mine.”

Beckham kissed me roughly as his fingers entered my virgin hole, his kiss swallowed my scream of pain. Beckham was blinded by his need, by his lust. He had finally ‘won’ his obsession. He had me just where he wanted me. He added another finger and I fought the urge to squirm away, it didn’t feel right, it wasn’t supposed to be like this. This was supposed to be Neo. I would think about Neo, but it felt wrong. 

“Mmm, you like that don’t you?”

“Mmhmm.” I didn’t think I could lie convincingly, but Beckham didn’t seem to notice.

“I’ve waited so long for this, to have you all to myself. After we’re mated, we’ll return to Purple Moon and lead together.”

“Sounds…like a plan.”

Beckham growled his approval and removed his fingers. I knew he wasn’t finished though. I watched Beckham undress and couldn’t help but to compare him to Neo. He wasn’t Neo, he wasn’t my love, he wasn’t my mate. He repulsed me. I once thought he was handsome, but now the sight of his naked body made me want to gouge out my eyes. 

“I’m going to make you forget that he ever existed.”

Impossible. I’ll never forget Neo.

Beckham crawled on top of me, and I shuddered. Beckham mistook my shudder of disgust for a shiver of anticipation; he licked the skin on my neck…exactly where Neo’s mark was. No. No! He couldn’t possibly think this would be okay? Was he going to bite over Neo’s mark? The two separate venoms would attack one another, it could lead to death! Not to mention excruciating pain… 

Beckham continued his licking, down my neck, to my chest; teasing each of my nipples, and then he was gone, not completely, I could feel his legs on top of mine, keeping me in place. Here it comes. 

***

The door burst open, and Beckham snarled at the intruders; it was Neo and Malcolm. They looked livid; I’d never seen Neo so angry. Beckham snarled, he was fully naked but I don’t think he cared. Neo lunged, claws extended and fangs on full display. His eyes were also a mix of jade green and bronze. Both my boys were present. I had never been so happy to see my unhinged mate’s wolf.

Malcolm was at my side, he cut through the duct tape and draped a blanket over my shoulders. I watched my mate and ex-best friend face off; and I didn’t have any doubts on who the winner was going to be. Neo was stronger than Beckham realized; and even stronger when he had someone to protect.

“Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

“He killed Bree…he said he would let her go and he killed her.”

“We know, we found her body downstairs. C’mon your parents are outside.”

I let Malcolm help me up and I used him as a crutch to manage the stairs. Now that I wasn’t trying to throw up I noticed we were in a cabin of some kind.

“How’d you find us?”

“Those two goons Crazy Ass hired aren’t very bright. We had some Trackers follow them to this cabin. Once we sniffed you out, we knew that Beckham was inside and we went in. We’re just sorry we didn’t get here in time to prevent everything that happened.”

“It would’ve been a lot worse if you were any later…so thank you for coming when you did.”

My mom saw me first, and came running. She nearly knocked me over when she threw her arms around me. She was crying hysterically, mumbling in Italian…mostly about me being stupid. I was too tired to fight her on it. It was very stupid of me to believe anything Beckham said.

Neo

I circled the deranged monster in front of me, he was nearly foaming at the mouth…his eyes were now completely red. There was no saving him. I would have to kill him. I hated that I had to do this, but then I thought about what he was about to do to Nate and I didn’t feel so bad.

“Nate will never be yours! You had a mate, a mate that loved you and you killed her! Just like you killed her brother! There’s no redemption for you.”

“My father will never allow me to die!” Beckham snarled,

“He gave me permission to kill you. I can call him, if you want? Even your daddy, who covered up your first murder has given up on you!”

Beckham lunged at me, but I dodged easily. Sparring with Nate and his dad was paying off. I was faster on my feet, and smarter with my moves. Deaton was close to the surface but I was in full control. I intended to keep it that way, I just wanted to incapacitate him and ship him back to Purple Moon for his father to deal with…but I would kill him if I had to.

He swiped his clawed hand at me, and I spun to avoid it, but he caught my upper arm; warm blood cascaded down my bare arm, but the wound instantly healed. It still stung though. I pulled one of Nate’s moves and did a windmill swipe with my feet, Beckham landed hard on his back and I was quick to flip him and pin him down;

“I don’t want to kill you, which is saying a lot. By rights and Werewolf Law, I have legal standing to kill you here and now.”

“Then do it! If you don’t I’ll never stop coming for Nate.”

“Not if you’re locked away somewhere, never to escape. Or maybe, your daddy will sentence you to death himself.”

“He wouldn’t…”

“Wouldn’t he? You nearly destroyed the treaty he had with my pack, kidnapped and killed a member of his pack, and kidnapped and attempted to forcefully mate the Luna of the pack he is allied with. If you were my son, you’d already be dead. You’re a monster and there’s no saving you.”

“Kill me or I’ll kill you and take Nate forcefully!”

“As you wish.”

I brought my clawed hand to his neck and pressed inward until I felt blood, and then ripped my hand across the expanse of his throat. Blood sprayed everywhere, and Beckham’s head banged against the floor when I released my hold, his pathetic gurgles the only sign he was still alive. For now. I flipped him back over and sprinkled silver powder into the wound so it wouldn’t heal.

“This could’ve been avoided.”

I watched as life left his eyes, and then I stood and went to find my mate. I was going to take him home, and make sure he never left my sight.