The Alphas prize novel Chapter 26

I looked between my sister and the vampires that stood at her side. I could hear the sounds of Cain and Calyx battling it out from behind me. An overwhelming feeling of dread came over me as I knew we were screwed; we were outnumbered and unprepared for this. Especially the fact that Adela was a part of this whole plan. I shook my head and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Adela, I am your fucking sister; how can you say you are going to kill me? And most of all, why? What the fuck did I do?” I asked her in absolute disbelief. I needed to know what was going on and why.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Because I fucking hate you, it’s always about you; everyone loves and adores you. Dad, mom, Gunnar, everyone in the pack, they talk about you like you are a god. For example, when you started training with dad and Gunnar, I asked to train too, but they said no, that I was too weak, that I wouldn’t be suitable. Yet, they allowed you to join, and that wasn’t fair. The moment Cain took you away was one of the greatest moments of my life. I thought to myself, I am finally free of her, and it would be my time to shine, but I was so wrong. Everyone constantly worried about you and your safety; they just wouldn’t shut up about you, proving that things would never change. I mean, Gunnar even risked his life by coming here to see you, for fuck sake. So, the only way I can truly be rid of you is to kill you.” Adela stood there smiling now at her revelation.

I was utterly taken aback at her confession, standing there with my mouth agape, “I…I….” I couldn’t find the right words to respond with at first; as shocks cold grip wrapped around me, “Adela, I am your sister, I have been nothing but good to you all these years, taking care of you and being there for you when you needed me most. Everything you just told me was out of my hands. I had never once asked anyone to treat you as if you were beneath me, and I would never have.” I paused and sucked in a deep breath before continuing. “Killing me won’t solve anything; if you kill me and someone finds out that it was you, dad will either banish you or will execute you, and you know I am right. Taking the life of another pack member, especially one who is family, is forbidden.” I tried to plead with Adela, even though I was angry with her. I didn’t want her to do this; I didn’t want her to live the rest of her life in isolation or die.

Her chest heaved, and she clenched her jaw before stomping her foot on the ground. “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Adela bellowed out, “It doesn’t matter what you say; I won’t change my mind on this.” She looked to the vampires on either side of her and pointed towards me. “Hold her.” She said coldly, and my eyes flickered between the three bloodsuckers, two of which were now closing in on me. Lazarus stayed by Adela’s side while the other two reached out to grab my arms, but I ducked and slammed my fist into the first man’s stomach, causing him to keel over. The other man swiped at me with extended claws, and I swung my leg in the air, the heel of my shoe connecting with his jaw. The vamp let out a pain-filled groan before collapsing to the ground. The first man got to his feet, and I faced him, ready to fight, but he stood there smiling, making me wrinkle my nose in confusion, that was until I felt hands wrap around me, constricting me and holding me in place.

I kicked and thrashed in their hold, but whoever was holding me hit me on the head, and my vision instantly blurred, making me vulnerable and disoriented now. I watched as Adela approached me, a wicked grin on her face. “Poor, poor Freja, no one to save you or protect you.” She said while sticking out her bottom lip. I couldn’t hear Cain or Calyx anymore, causing me to wonder where they were and if Cain was alright. My eyes peeked over my shoulder as I tried to find Cain, hoping he was close by, that he could see or hear what was going on. However, Adela was right, there was no one around to help me, and I was on my own now.

Adela followed my gaze, looking around the trees. “Sorry darling, but your dear mate is probably dead by now, and if not, he will be soon. Calyx is quite determined to kill that brother of his.” She laughed, “Just as determined as I am to kill you.” Adela then walked closer to me, and as she approached me, she held the knife in front of my face, waving it around. The handle was black and red, the blade an ashy grey colour. I reared back from it as an uneasy feeling stirred inside me from this weapon, and my wolf growled loudly within my head.

I twisted in the vampire's hold, struggling to free myself, but he only held onto me tighter, nearly breaking my ribs. Adela held the knife to my face, pressing the cold blade against my cheek. “This blade will make sure you die and stay dead. Don’t worry, though; it will be quick but not painless.” She grinned.

I wanted to plead with her again not to do this, but deep down, I knew it would be pointless. The look that now loomed within my sister’s eyes was one I had never seen before, a look of sheer hatred, a look of madness.

I sucked in a deep, shuddering breath. “Adela, you don’t want to do this; you’re just angry and lashing out. I’m giving you this chance to walk away, and I’ll forget everything.”

Her face softened. “Really? You would forget that all this happened and forgive me?” She asked me softly.

I nodded my head and gave her a caring smile. “Yes, I would,” I told her honestly.

Adela pursed her lips and appeared to be considering my offer, but then she started to roar out with laughter. “Not going to happen, but nice try. I will not walk away from the opportunity to watch your blood spill all over this forest floor.” She growled.

Thunder was now starting to boom around us, and lightning lit up the night sky, signs of an impending storm. Just like the one that we now faced, a storm between siblings.

She smiled broadly. “Goodbye Freja, I won’t miss you.” I closed my eyes, readying myself for the plunge of the blade, but it never came, and suddenly, I was released, collapsing onto the ground.

My eyes shot open, and I looked around me, wondering what was going on. Adela lay on the ground, her hand to her head and all three of the vampires were battling it out with none other than my dear brother, Gunnar. I was surprised by his arrival and curious as to how he knew that I needed him but relieved that he was here, here to save my ass. Gunnar was relentless as he fought with the vampires, not faltering one bit, as he continued to land punches and kicks. For a brief moment, I was afraid for his life, that he may be outnumbered, and I don’t know why I was, as my brother was fighting with the strength of a dozen men.

Gunnar’s gaze landed on me. “Get the fuck out of here, Freja.” He yelled at me before shifting into his large and stunning wolf. Gunnar’s wolf was broad and tall, a ferocious black beast with white ears, a unique trait. I had always admired his wolf for its beauty and strength.

Gunnar lunged forward and began to tear through the vampires, ripping them to pieces. I looked over to Adela, who was glaring at me. “You fucking bitch, see what I mean.” She gestured to Gunnar, “He would give his life for you and even hurt me, just to save your ass!” Adela bellowed out while shaking with fury.

Her chest was heaving, and her eyes darkened. I opened my mouth to say something but was quickly cut off when Adela lunged for me, a look of insanity on her face. My eyes widened, and I rolled away from her, causing Adela to land on the ground face first, with a thud. I got up from the ground and stood to my feet, standing in a defence position.

Adela stood to her feet and lunged for me again, but I didn’t move fast enough this time, and she collided with me. We tumbled around on the ground, sticks and leaves flying all around us. We came to an abrupt stop as we crashed into a large tree. My wolf was howling and growling inside of me, itching to be freed, to take out the threat. Adela and I rustled on the ground, both of us standing to our feet hastily.

My body tensed, and my lip twitched as rage started to boil within me. “Adela, that’s enough! Stop this shit now!”

Her eyes narrowed on me, and she didn’t say a word, just snarled, as she dove for me once again. As she closed the distance between us, I gripped her by the hair and slammed her face into the tree, disorienting her. Then, I grabbed the back of Adela’s shirt and brought my knee up, connecting it with her nose. She groaned loudly in pain as she flopped onto the ground.

I took a step back from her, being cautious, and my wolf snarled, clawing at my insides now. “Adela, we can end this now; end it before one of us doesn’t walk away,” I told her in a dark and cold tone.