Chapter 99

Helen POV

I paced the cell for exercise, needing to stretch and move and walk just so I could focus elsewhere from my troubled last few nights in this jail. I haven’t seen Justin at all but I could feel his presence upstairs, him and Randy getting into a lot more arguments than normal.

I laid down in bed, giving my sore muscles a break, but the steps coming down into the barracks made my heart skip a few beats.

Justin raced into my cell, his hands reaching to grab at me but Randy came from behind, throwing him aside. I screamed, cowering in bed, seeing Randy’s wolf come out and Justin’s Lycan breach.

I didn’t need to know the specifics why they were fighting again.

I bolted from the cell, rushing upstairs and thankful I had gotten exercise as a warm-up. Russo caught me on the porch, pinning my back to the wall. I panted, confused, my heart racing right out of my chest.

“They—they are fighting,” I panted.

Russo nodded and peered back into the house, rolling his lower lip between his rows of teeth. “Yeah, I know it, little wolf. Bad news out of the royal pack.”

“What kind of bad news?”

“Juden died, and so has Randy’s father. The pack has voted to request that instead of disbanding, beta Randy would be there Alpha,” he mumbled.

I shook my head in pure shock. Randy is loyal to Justin, he wouldn’t want to be an Alpha!

But it didn’t explain why Justin was bringing me into this fight, coming after me in the cell while he and Randy are in this political tiff.

Justin’s Lycan raced upstairs, spotting me on the porch. Russo threw me from the steps and I hit the dirt in the street, my head spinning. I gasped a breath, holding my neck while I tried to sit up, Justin roaring in the full form of his Lycan.

I laid back in submission, trying to appear small while Randy’s dark coated wolf leaped over me, standing firm in effort to protect me. I appreciated Randy’s attempt to keep my Lycan mate calm, but it wasn’t working right now.

I knew I would have to step up and stop Justin, but the look in his Lycan’s eyes wasn’t very pleasing.

He would hurt me for sure if I got too close right now but I don’t know why.

“What is going on?” I pleaded, reaching to stroke Randy’s fur and it caught his focus at last.

He watched Justin carefully and shifted back into mortal form, kneeling nearby while trying to catch his breath. He bowed his head at me but I’m not sure why.

“I have been offered to ascend as Alpha of the Lone Wolf pack in place of Alpha Kind Juden.”

I nodded through the explanation, already hearing most of this from Russo. “So why are you fighting Justin? Are you going to take the position, Randy? Why would you leave this pack, you helped us build it?!”

Justin’s Lycan snarled at my words, unhappy to have me out in the sunshine, out of that little cell, while he was trying to fight his Beta. He didn’t want my help but I couldn’t handle just sitting back and watching them fight.

“I might take the position,” Randy growled. “I told Justin if I do take the role, I’m taking you as my mate and my Luna.”

I inched back in horror. “What are you talking about, Randy?!”

“I am not letting him treat you like this,” Randy snarled, furious. “He is keeping you in a cell, Helen! He is acting no better than your father or Scott or Juden!”

My breath hitched and I swallowed the forming lump in my throat. Everything hurts when he speaks of taking me from Justin, but so does the look on my mate’s face.

Justin looks wounded and strained in confusion and madness.

I couldn’t blame him. He and I have been through so much already, this doesn’t seem like the end of our story. I can’t be handed off to Randy. I’m not even his mate!

“I’m so confused,” I admitted, looking to our beta who has treated me like a big brother. “What are you talking about, Randy?”

He let his head hang in exasperation. “I can’t leave you in his care. I don’t love you like a mate, but you are family, Helen. You have been a wonderful Luna to this pack, even when we didn’t have any wolved in this pack, and Justin is going to let you rot in that cell.

“I don’t want that to be the end.”

I scooted back on the ground, feeling eyes on me from all directions. The wolves in True Mates, the wizards as well, everyone was judging me and my choices, not knowing I was forced to hurt Justin.

And Randy is right. I may rot in that cell for awhile and Justin will take his ferocity out on me, but he would never beat me or torture me or belittle me like my family had.

Or like his father had.

I roll the necklace into my fingers, the rings comforting and familiar.

Just like my mate, no matter this lapse of our love story.

“Don’t leave, Randy,” I panted. “Please, just stay with this pack. You are an amazing beta and you’re Justin’s closest friend. He needs you here and I need you here.”

Randy stood suddenly, his face contorted in pained betrayal. He must have figured I would agree to leave with him for a loveless mateship but I could never reject Justin and my Lycan mate would be stuck with me in return.

We only had each other and he could hate me for that and let me sleep in that cold, lonely cell, but it wouldn’t be forever.

It couldn’t possibly be forever.

“Please, Randy,” I pleaded. “You are meant to stay in this pack, just like I am.”

He reached down, brushing my hair back. “You will be left to suffer in that cell, Helen. No matter what happened with Juden and your father, I am on your side here, Luna. I want what is best for you.”

“I am safe here,” I proclaimed. “Justin is angry and he has a right to be hurt, but I don’t think this is going to last forever. I need you here in True Mates, Randy. Please, don’t leave.”

Justin had tamed his Lycan down on his own, thankfully, because I wouldn’t be able to help him any time soon with the whole pack watching. I tried to stand, failing and hitting the dirt on my ass.

Randy reached for me, to help me, but Justin elbowed his way between us, letting me stay down on the ground with a look that made me too afraid to move again.

I stammered at the way they sized one another up. I don’t love Randy like a mate, but I care for him like he is blood, and he’s been a better friend to Justin than I have at times.

I need Randy to help Justin get passed the fact that I’ve hurt my mate.

Randy looked thoughtfully down at my spot on the floor and grimaced.

“I will stay as beta,” Randy purred. “My loyalty lies with the Luna of True Mates Pack.”

An overwhelming murmur followed through the crowd behind us and my breath hitched.

“We stand with the Luna of True Mates pack.”

I flicked a look over my shoulder to see the wolves and wizards alike all kneeling with that claim.

Justin’s anger only grew more ferocious.