86 One Down
Candace POV
No, this can’t be happening is my only thought, as I’m dragged from the cells. “Ace, please don’t do this. Please I love you Ace,” I scream as they drag me up the stairs and through the pack house. Pack members stare but no one makes a move to help me. In fact some actually look happy to see my suffering. I look from face to face but no one looks concerned I’m being man handled by two warriors as they pull me towards the door. Once I’m yanked through the door that leads to the pack yard, I’m tossed on the ground.
I try to get to my feet, but the warrior pushes me back down. When I manage to look around, I notice most of the pack has gathered to witness whatever that b**ch plans to do to me. When my eyes meet Becca’s she f**king smirks at me. Goddess I hate her. She always hated that I was with Ace. I think she secretly wanted him for herself. I still don’t understand why the goddess would choose that fat b**ch to be a Luna. It should have been me.
Anger runs through me when I see that f**king traitorous b**ch Ebony standing next to Becca. How f**king dare she betray me. I’m the reason she stopped being harassed by the female pack members after she f**ked that she–wolf’s mate. When my eyes meet hers, she looks at me with disgust clearly written on her face. “How dare you look at me like I’m the one that is lower than dirt? You are a wh*re that f**ked someone else’s mate, Ebony. You have no loyalty you backstabbing b**ch.”
A growl sounds from behind me and I turn in time to see a very large pissed–off man stalking in my direction. Before I can even try to get to my feet, he has me by the throat. “The only wh*re I see is you. If you weren’t about to die, I’d snap your neck for speaking to my mate with such disrespect,” he says before he finally releases me.
I grasp at my throat, trying to pull air into my lungs and calm my raging heart. The sound of the door opening draws my attention. I watch as that b**ch and Ace step into the yard. “Now that everyone is here, we can get started. Candace James, for your crimes against the Red Moon pack, your sentence will be carried out by Olivia Morris and witnessed by the pack members here today,” Connor says.
“You can’t do this. You have no right to sentence me. I am no longer a member of the Red M You are not my Alpha. You don’t have the council’s permission to execute a Luna. I demand to be let go,” I scream.
A smile spreads across his face and a shiver runs down my spine. “You have been rejected by your mate and exiled from his pack, which makes you a rogue. I have the authority to sentence any rogue that enters my territory without permission as I see fit. Besides, the head of the council is in the pack cells awaiting his own execution as decreed by the King of Werewolves,” he says, pointing to the man that is wrapped around my mother.
I turn to find Ace again. When my eyes land on him, his arm is wrapped around that b**ch and his hand is pressed against her stomach. “No, it can’t be. You knocked up the half–breed. You were supposed to forgive me and save me from all of this. You were supposed to make me your queen,” I scream. Squeals sound all around me as people congratulate Ace and that wh*re like I hadn’t even spoken. “Aren’t you going to congratulate us Candace? Della is going to be a big sister,” Olivia says smugly.
I go to charge at her, but the warriors hold me back. “No, let her go. The sooner we end this, the sooner I get to see my pups.” I smirk realizing her being pregnant is a good thing. She was away from the pack for five
86 One Down
years. She hasn’t trained, she can’t shift, and she will be worried about protecting her precious half–breeds the whole time we fight. “What happens if I win, I turn asking Connor.
“If you win you are free to leave. No one will stop you,” Olivia answers me. “I want Ace if I win. Since you’ll be dead, he can mark me as his mate and I can become queen.” She throws her head back and laughs. I ball my fists at my side. I’m going to enjoy killing her pathetic a**.
“My mate is not a possession. He isn’t a prize to be won. The only thing you will leave with if you manage to beat me is your life, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up,” she says. I can feel my wolf pushing to the surface. She wants Ace back as much as I do. She agrees we should be queen. Once this b**ch is dead it will be easier to convince him to take me as a chosen mate. He loved me once, he will again.
She presses a quick kiss to Ace’s lips before she walks into the circle the pack members have formed. She should have made that kiss count because it’s the last kiss she will ever share with him. He is meant to be mine. My wolf growls her agreement.
Olivia POV
I don’t even have to be in Candace’s head to know she really believes she can beat me. I’m glad she is underestimating me. It will make this so much better when I finally end her. We start to circle each other and I watch her body language: The minute her shoulder moves, I anticipate the lunge and sidestep her. She falls face first in the dirt and the pack members laugh. She quickly scrambles to her feet. Instead of controlling her anger, she simply swings her fist but connects with nothing.
This time I land a solid punch to her side. Her sharp intake of breath and the satisfying sound of bone breaking lets me know I broke at least one rib if not more. Instead of giving her wolf time to heal her, I go on the offensive. I lunge and force my shoulder into her stomach knocking her onto her back. She screams in pain as the impact further injures her ribs. I straddle her chest and land punch after punch to her face. In a last dig effort, she bucks me off, and I scramble to my feet.
I realize she is about to shift and jump back out of the way, while allowing Danica to push forward. Once we’ve shifted, I can’t stop myself from asking Danica about the pups. “I promise you, Oli, they are perfectly safe. I would never allow any harm to come to our pups” she says. I relax as I get my first glimpse of
Candace’s small brown wolf.
It’s almost comical at the size difference between our wolves. Danica stalks forward and the wolf whimpers, offering its neck in submission. Before Danica can make a move, they shift back. “What the f**k are you doing? Shift back now you wretched wolf. I want those pups and that b**ch dead. I want to be queen,” she screams. Anger flows through me like a raging river and Danica gives me back control. I don’t care that I’m
completely naked in front of the pack.
The only thing that matters right now is killing this b**ch who just threatened my pups. I stalk toward her as she continues to scream for her wolf to shift. I grab a handful of her dirty f**king hair and punch her with the other hand square in the face with all my might. Blood pours from her nose, but I don’t stop. I punch her four times before I finally let her fall to the ground.
“How f**king dare you threaten my pups? I was going to make this quick because I’m not one for torture, but I may drag you back to the torture room for what you just said.” “No please. I’m sorry,” she manages to croak
out.
“Save your empty apologies. You are an evil b**ch who has done nothing but hurt everyone around you. You don’t deserve mercy and you won’t find any here. I just pray when I’m done with you that you suffer for
86 One Down
eternity.”
I extend the claw on my right hand and run it down each of her cheeks, creating a deep cut. Blood runs down her face into her hair and coats the ground under her. Her screams fill the air, and it does nothing to satisfy the rage I’m feeling inside. I claw at her chest, arms, and thighs. She is a bloody mess. She pleads for me to stop and this time I will.
I grab her by the throat and her eyes meet mine. Without another word, I rip her throat out. She gurgles for a few seconds before the light leaves her eyes and her body stills. Knowing she is no longer a threat to my pups has my body relaxing. I take a step back, and I’m scooped up in strong arms. I lay my head against Ace’s chest as he carries me toward the pack house. I’m glad dealing with Candace is over. My pups and mate are safe. This afternoon I want to focus on our pups with my family.
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