My Fated Mate

13. BLOODY SECRET

POV (ALEC) 

8 YEARS AGO

“Arthur what have you done?”  My Father yelled, as he slapped Arthur across the face.  I clung to the stair banister as Andrew and I peered down, as our Father, the vicious Alpha of the BloodMoon Pack, was pounding on our eldest brother like he was a punching back.  I looked to Andrew, who was bitting his lip.  I knew he was thinking the same thing.  How do we save him?  

Andrew, being thirteen, would not go through his first change for another two years.  I, being his little brother, needed 5 more before I hit 15.  We might be strong, but our little bodies would not be able to withstand the assault our Father's fists were dishing out to Arthur.  At least he was 15, and had his wolf to help heal him and soften the impact of some of the blows.  

Suddenly Micheal, Richard’s father and Beta of our pack, stormed in. 

"Alpha!  You're going to kill the boy!"  Micheal yelled, as he ordered four wolves to hold my father back as Arthur cried and begged for forgiveness at his feet. 

“Please Father, help me.”  Arthur's big brown eyes, showed how innocent and scared he was and this only incensed our Father more.  After the death of both his Luna’s he could not settle his temper easily, and once it had been ignited it usually found a place somewhere on Arthur’s broken battered body. 

“Help you?  You killed a human couple!  Mauled them in their beds!  How can I save you, you worthless mutt?”  His words caused a chill to go down Andrew's back and we both instantly reached out and grabbed each others hand.  We were not suppose to show compassion for one another, and to an outside observer that would most likely be what they would think if they saw two small boys holding hands.  However, my hand was not meant to comfort Andrew, it had the soul duty of stopping him from doing anything drastic.  This was the same reason he held tightly to mine.  We were warriors, and it would only take us a second to race down the stairs and rip Arthur from our Father's clutches.  Yet, the ending result would be one of us in the pack hospital with a concussion, that would leave us unconscious for weeks.

“Please, it was an accident!”  Arthur groveled at our Father's feet, but his words did not reached him.  It was clear there was no Father here, only the BloodMoon Packs Alpha.  Suddenly the Alpha picked Arthur up by the cuff of his bloody shirt and raised him high, so his feet were dangling above the floor. 

“Go clean up the mess you made yourself, and don’t your dare come back till its done!”  He barked, as he threw Arthur right through the door.  Andrew and I could not stand it any longer and quickly released each others hands, as we raced to Arthur’s side. “Worthless!  The lot of you.  You should have all died instead of your mothers." 

Andrew glared at our Father, as he helped Arthur get to his feet. “Alec, get on his other side.” I quickly followed Andrew's command.  Even though Arthur was twice my size, I was strong and could carry most of his weight by myself, but I would not let my brother's know that.  Slowly, the three of us shuffled out into the snow and began to follow Arthur’s bloody prints all the way to the house. 

It was a small cabin out in the middle of the woods.  There were no lights on and it looked to be abandoned, but we knew better.  There were clear indications everywhere that it was a home.  The white paint on the shutters was crisp and clean and the a clothes line, with frozen bed sheets and shirts, had not been placed there by the wind.  Yet, the most disturbing sign was the fact that the snow had been carefully shoveled away,  giving a clear path to the green wooden door that now stood slightly ajar.  As if a fissure between this world and the next, that small opening allowed the scent of blood, the blood of whatever lay dead and decaying in there,  to drench the air in it's stench.  I felt my stomach flip and looked to Andrew who also appeared to be showing hints of nausea.  Arthur, on the other hand, started shaking the moment he saw it.  

“I can’t go back in there.”  He shouted, as he turned to run but his legs gave way and he crumpled to the ground, while Andrew tried to get him to stand.

"You have to."  Andrew pleaded, as the snow began to collect on the tops of our heads.  I reached out and let some of the flakes fall on my open faced palm and melt.  In our urgency to help Arthur, we had forgotten to bring our coats and now my bedroom slippers, long sleeve blue pajama pants and white shirt were soaking wet.  We would not last long out here. 

"We need to hurry."  I said, as my teeth chattered, causing Andrew to grab and pull at our brother but he would not budge. 

"I wont.  I wont, I tell you!"  He scream, as he shook his head violently.  I could tell Andrew was loosing his patience. 

"Get your ass up!"  Andrew yelled.  "Alec is only 10 years old, he will freeze to death out here!"  Andrew shouted, as he continued to shake Arthur.  Yet, the face that stared back at him was devoid of any coherent thought.  Arthur's eyes were ping ponging back and forth like two metal pendulum balls, he could not focus them.  I looked to Andrew and could tell he was at a complete loss, and as he stole a glance at my freezing body I saw anger flash in his eyes.  

"So you are ok with killing our brother?  Is that it?  Future Alpha of the BloodMoon Pack!"  Andrew shouted, causing Arthur to look at him with a quivering lip.  It had worked, Andrew had struck something in him.  Yet, the moment Arthur's eyes fell on the green door of the cabin he was lost again.  "Arthur!"  Andrew begged, as he raised Arthur's face to his and let their foreheads touch.  He was trying to see what Arthur was seeing, the nightmare that was eating our brother's mind.  Yet, we did not have time for this.  I did not have time for this.  The chill that was bitting into bones was now overwhelming, and before my brothers could stop me I raced to the cabin.    

“No!  Don’t let him see!” Arthur screamed, as my foot crossed the threshold. 

"Alec stop!  Get back here!"  Andrew yelled, as I turned to look at my brothers. 

"Just let me do it.  He is not going to move from that spot and I don't want to freeze to death out here!"  I yelled, my blue eyes were glowing in the still cold night.  I saw that Andrew's were as well.  Our wolves were trying to keep us warm and they were losing the battle.  Andrew looked at Arthur who was now in a fetal position, rocking back and forth. 

"I didn't know.  I didn't know."  He muttered.

Andrew sighed, and then raised his head allowing our eyes to meet. "In and out.  Do you hear me Alec?  In and out."  He ordered, as I nodded my head.  "And if you can't do that, come back.  I don't want you in there long."  Andrew growled, as he looked down at Arthur.  "Some Alpha you'll be.  Even your little brother is braver or stupider than you. "  Andrew grumbled, as he gave me one last look and bowed his head, letting me know I was free to move.  

Hell.  There was no other word to describe what awaited me behind that door.  I had thought the smell outside was bad, nothing would prepare me for this.  Overpowering was an understatement, it soaked everything and charged at me like a wild hungry beast.  I quickly covered my mouth and nose with my shirt, desperate to keep it out.  My teeth and finger nails were starting to ache, and were resonating with the scent.  It was not possible, I was ten, ten!  There was no way I could change, but as I looked down at my hands my nails were growing into claws and my incisors were turning into wolf fangs.  My heart was racing.  I could feel my wolf, it was pacing around inside me and wanting to break free.  "No, I'm too young, I can't handle it."  I cried out, into the darkness.  I needed to get out of here before it was too late.  I could feel my bones start to break as tears welled up in my eyes.  

"Don't fight me." 

I looked around terrified, who was that?

"Slow your breathing.  There is something here in this room that wants you."

I gasped for air, as I tried to steady my nerves. 

"But, I wont let him have you."  

The voice growled.  Wait, it growled.  It could not be.  I closed my eyes and tried to remember everything I had read at the Academy about our inner wolfs.  There was no way mine should be talking to me this early in my life.  Every young werewolf knew that your wolf would not speak to you until your first change.  Until then, they were a ball of power that you could release in little spurts if your emotions were heightened.  Yet, as my mind raced I started to get this horrifying feeling something was indeed present in that room.

"Remember, I wont let it have you." 

I nodded my head and gulped, as I began to look around the room, and the moment my eyes saw it my blood stilled in my veins.  Demon.  It's golden eyes stared at me as the rhythmic beating of its tail hit the floor forcing me to look up at it. 

“Oh, what do we have here?  I do wonder how old you might be little wolf pup.”  It hissed, as it scratched its claws on the floor.

“Ten. I'm ten.”  I whimpered, causing its eyes to flash with intrigue and excitement. 

"You can hear me?"  It said, as it took a step closer revealing a pair of sharp pointed fangs.  He was still covered so much in shadow that I could not make out what he looked like, but it was clear he was something not of this world.  

"Interesting.  I have been looking for years for someone to talk to.  I do believe we are going to be good friends, you and I."  It snickered, as I shook my head no, causing a laugh to spring forth from the creature. 

"No?  You don't want to be my friend.  Pity, I could offer you so much."  I continued to shake my head, making the demon grumble as it rested back against the wall

"Seriously.  There is nothing you desire?" 

"You can't give me what I want."  The moment the words left my mouth the demon rolled his neck and chuckled. 

"Oh, my little friend.  You have no idea what I can and cannot do.  But, it is clear you are not ready for the gifts I can bestow, so I shall leave it at that."  He said, with an evil grin.  "Now tell me, what brings a ten year old wolf pup to my new lair?" 

"Your lair?"

"Why yes.  Only a place so pungent and fecund with death would call a GONE to it."   He said, as he raised a clawed hand and waved it around, while he breathed in deeply.  "Yes, heavenly." 

I felt my blood run cold.  He was GONE, a demon that had killed so much that his very nature had become twisted.  I thought I was going to be sick and quickly covered my mouth. 

"Oh dear, does it not agree with you."  He chided, causing me to glare at him. "Ooo, now that's more like it.  I do so love the color red." 

"What?" I gasped out, as I tried to steady my stomach.

"You don't know."  He laughed, as he clapped his hands together. "Oh, you are so interesting.  Yes, it is decided.  We shall be friends, whether you like it or not!"  

He growled deeply, as he slowly slithered out of the shadows revealing a giant serpent like body with two very human arms attached to it.  Yet, instead of fingered hands he had three sharp black talons at the end of them, that he could retract and use to scratch and pick things up with.  As my eyes traveled down his body, I noticed he had not been beating his tail, he had been shaking it.  On the end of it was a rattle like a rattle snake, but instead of scales his entire body was cover in a dark rich purple fur.  Red horns adorn his head and black spikes ran from the back of his neck all the way to the tip of his tail.  He was massive and could open his mouth and devour me in an instant.  Yet, as he came closer I noticed hanging from around his neck was a silver necklace.  It felt so out of place on a creature that wore nothing but the fur on his back.  When he caught me staring at it, he raised a clawed hand to the necklace and gently held it up for me to see. 

"Everyone has a past little pup.  Even that red eyed beast sleeping in you has one."  He said, as he pointed at my chest. I quickly took a step back as he eyed me with a coy grin.  "I would tell you my story, but you don't want to be my friend.  So, I shall have to leave you in suspense.  But, I do swear, it is a juicy one."  He hissed, causing his long black forked tongue to reach out and touch my cheek.  I felt a shiver go down my spine the moment it made contact, causing the demon to snicker. 

"Well, this has fun, but you are starting to bore me.  Do whatever it is you came here to do,  but remember you better leave me something behind."  He said, as he slithered back into the shadows and watch me with its golden yellow eyes. 

“What do you want?"  I said, causing the creature to hiss. 

"That is up for you to decide."  And then he was gone.  I ran to the spot where he had once been, but he was no longer there.  I flipped my head around and searched but the room was empty.  Had he been a fever dream brought on by the now rancid smelling blood. I ran my hands through my hair as something sharp scratched me.  I pulled my hands back and felt my throat go dry.  Black claws.  I turned my hands over and noticed thick black fur was covering the tops of my hands.  I had some how awoken my wolf and I was not sure how I was suppose to change back.  

Quickly, I searched the house and saw a mans pair of work gloves.  I put them on, there was no way I was going to let my brother's see this.  A ten year old changing only meant one thing.

Power.

I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I heard his voice again. 

Hurry up. We are not welcomed here.  He has not gone far.

The voice said,  the voice I now had to believe was my wolf.  He was right.  I placed a hand on my chest and took deep breaths to steady myself for the gruesome task at hand.  I needed to get this over with or Andrew was bound to come charging in here, and the last thing I wanted was for him to meet that demon.  I found a rug on the floor and began to wrap the bodies of the two badly mutilated humans up in it.  How in world had Arthur managed this?  

I wished my eyes could not see in the dark, this was an image I would never be able to erase.  They were no longer bodies but pieces.  Giant wolf teeth had torn into them like a machete.  As I tried to drag them over to the rug, their limbs were detaching from their half eaten frames.  I was going to sick.  I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.  I was not strong enough, I could not do this.  I did not want to be here anymore.  I wanted to go home.  I wanted to be in my warm safe bed, away from the blood that was now covering my hands, arms, face, and legs.  It was everywhere.  

"I cant.  I just can't"  I cried, as I pulled with all my might to get the rug, which now carried their bodies, to the door.  Their blood had soaked it through making it slippery and wet, and impossible for me to hold on too.  Suddenly, I lost my footing and landed on top of them.  I let out a scream, as I jumped back and raced to the farthest corner of the room and shook.  

"I can't  I don't want to be here anymore" I cried, as I buried my face in my hands. 

"Mommy?"   I froze.  As I pulled back my hands, I felt my eyes widened in disbelief.  Standing at the foot of the stairs was a small little girl, who looked to be only around seven years old.  She was in a long yellow night gown but what rattled me the most, was this was not a human child.  She was clearly a young wolf pup.  I truly was going to me be ill.  My eyes shot to the blood soaked rug and before I could stop myself I threw up.  Arthur had lied.  He had completely and utterly lied to us all.  He did not kill a human couple, he had murdered a family of werewolves.  Father would execute him on the spot, and Andrew and I too for having helped him.  The fool, he should have run away and become a rogue, now what was I suppose to do?  

As my mind raced I watched as the little wolf pup eyed me with confusion and began to leave her perch on the bottom step, as a chilling thought wrapped around me.  A witness.  She was a witness to Arthur's crime.  Slowly, I removed my gloves and put my hand's behind my back. 

“Who are you?”  She sniffed, as she looked around confused.  “Where’s Mommy?”  I had to swallow the saliva that was gathering in the back of my throat, as I sIowly stood up and began to walk towards her.  There was no way I was going to let her know the bloody mound by the door was what remained of her parents, and even if she did know she should would not know for long.

"What's your name?"  My voice wavered, as I tried to put a smile on my face.  If I was going to do this, I needed to make sure she could not sense my dark intensions.  Her head darted from side to side and then she covered her mouth. 

"What is that smell?"  She said, as she squinted her eyes and scrunched her nose. 

"It's nothing."  I said, as I began to flex my claws behind my back, trying prepare for what needed to be done.  I would make it quick.  She would not feel a thing. 

"Who are you?"  She said, as her little head c****d to the side.  My heart was slowly accepting that in a few brief moments I was once again going to be the only living thing in that house.  She was young, so young.  Why Arthur?  Why did you have to do it?  She can't blame me.  It's not my fault that she was born unlucky, that we both were.  Yes, it was unfortunate that she would never get to experience her childhood and I was about to loose mine.

“I’m your big brother.  Your parents asked for me to watch over you.  Can I do that?”  I said, as the lie poured out of my mouth like an enticing candy for her to chew on.  It did not take long for her to nod her head and reach out for my hand.  Quick and painless.  It would be over fast and then instead of two bodies their would be three.  No one would ever know. 

But you would. 

Quickly, I snatched the little wolf pup and covered her mouth.  He was back.  Her big green eyes widened in disbelief as I felt something wet running down my shirt.  It was warm and one look at her shaking quivering frame I knew what had happened. 

"What do you want?"  I growled as I raised a claw to him to only find my own human hand stared back at me.  What had happened?  Where was my wolf?  Yet, I was not given a minute to think on this.

The demon tapped the side of his face with a black talion and then turned his golden eyes on the child. 

"I want her."  He said, as he raised his talon and pointed at the pup.  I could feel her squirm in my arms as she buried her head in my chest. 

"No, you can't have her."  I declared, causing the demon to sigh annoyed. 

"Why ever not?  You clearly want to be rid of the child, let me take her from you." 

The moment she heard this, she stiffened and began to whimper.

“You don't want Bell.”  I looked down and saw she was chewing and clinging to my shirt.  My shirt that was covered in her parent's blood.  How could she not tell?  She was a wolf, she had to smell their scent on me. 

"You can't have her because I want the child."  I said, hardly believing the words that were coming out of my mouth.  Yet, in that moment I knew I was not going to give her to him.  It was one thing for a werewolf to kill a werewolf to protect his family, it was another to send a pup to its death by using the bloody hand of a demon.

"You want her?  Why?"  The demon questioned, as he let his eyes rake over me.  I knew my knees were starting to shake, this was too much to handle.  My mind battled for an answer.  Think Alec.  I knew that if I did not give him a proper reason he would rip the pup from my arms, and I would have no way of getting her back. 

"Because...Because  blood should pay in blood."  It was a line from a children's book.  I knew I was grasping at straws but I was a child.  The only knowledge I had was what was read to me, or forced down my throat with my Father's fist. Thus, I could only pray that the demon knew the story. 

It was an old ancient tale that began with a death of a beloved child.  As the story went, an Alpha's eldest son had accidentally caused the death of a werewolf couple's only child.  Heartbroken and angry the couple demanded justice. Yet, the Alpha loved his son and could not bring himself to harm his future heir, and so to appease the family he sacrificed his youngest child, a boy.  However, the boy was innocent and the couple could not bring themselves to kill the child.  Thus, they chose to raised him as their own.  But, the Alpha lived in constant fear that one day the couple would exact revenge for the death of their pup, and s*******r his youngest son.  

In little Bell's case the rules might be slightly different, seeing as what she lost were her parents.  But, if I took her in and raise her, I was no different than the werewolf couple or the Alpha.  Arthur, Andrew, and myself would live in fear that one day she would learn the truth, and then it would be her call if she wanted our lives.  Unfortunately, we are the son's of an Alpha, so her chances would most likely get her killed, but that would be her problem, not mine problem. 

"Because blood should pay in blood."  The demon laughed as he raised his hand to his face. "Oh, my dear boy, you never cease to amaze me.  Are you certain you are only ten?"  The demon smiled, as he shook his head in disbelief. "You wish to bind the child to you in her younger years and then let her choose if her protector will become her killer when she is older.  I must say, your little mind is certainly a devious thing.  Very well, you can have the child.  There is no way I wish to ruin that show."  He said, with a wave of his hand.

I let out a sigh of relief and looked down at Bell.  She smiled up at me, making me realize it was not over yet. I took a deep breath and stepped toward the demon and eyed him

"A deal is a deal.  What do you want?"  I said, as I raised my head and let our eyes meet.

"I want nothing." 

"What?" I felt my body go ridged, he could not be serious?

"I mean it.  I want nothing from you."

"But you said." 

"I know what I said.  Yet, it is clear it would be in my best interest to not take your life today."  

I felt a my heart stop.  I knew it.  I knew his plan all along had been to kill me, and this stupid banter had been nothing more than the before dinner show.  There was no way I was going to believe he would let me live today and not come and kill tomorrow. 

"Don't worry.  You won't be seeing me again, any time soon.  Unless you are able to one day recall this conversation." 

 Before I could even move the demon reached out a black taloned claw and placed it to my forehead.  It felt like something was scratching and clawing into my mind.  I let out a scream as he began to tear at invisible strands in the air, that I could not see.  He kept twisting his claws as if he was gathering something and with each rotation my head felt like it with cracking open. 

"What are you doing?" I shouted.

"I am taking your memory."   

"Why?"  I gasped out, as I fell to my knees as Bell gripped tightly to me. 

"Because I don't want you to remember this night, until you are ready to come find me and listen to my story. Obviously."  He hissed, as he then turned his sights to Bell.  "And as a thank you for your witty banter this evening, I will take hers as well."   Suddenly, Bell let out a scream as she wriggled in agony. 

"Stop you're hurting her!" I shouted as I cradled her in my arms. 

"Oh, do not fret so.  The child is fine, she will just never remember having ever met me and the same... goes... for.... you." 

Suddenly everything was spinning around me as I felt my hands let something warm and wet go.  I collapsed to the ground as my face planted into the snow. I rolled my eyes to side and realized I had someone gotten outside and only a foot away from the blood rug that housed the werewolf bodies.

"Alec!"  Andrew shouted, as I felt him shake me.  "Oh my god, he is covered in blood."  He said, as he looked at Arthur who now had his eyes on the sleeping child clinging to my chest. 

"What is that?"  Arthur said, with a hint of anger and worry.  It was clear, he had started to return to his old self.  I was not sure how long I had been in the house but during that time Andrew must have calmed him down because the Arthur that was looking at me now did not seem pleased to see me or Bell.  Yet, I would fight to keep her, why?  I could not recall.  It was like there was a hole in my mind, something was missing.  A thought that was so clear but when I pressed to remember it, it evaporated into smoke.  All I knew was I had to protect that pup and keep Arthur from taking the life of another werewolf tonight.

Quickly, I wrapped my arms around the sleeping child and eyed my brother.

“They were werewolf hunters and they had this young pup locked up, up stairs.”  I look at my brothers to see if they believe me.  Andrew had no reason not too, and everyone knew that werewolf hunters sometimes smelled like wolves to trick us.  It was the perfect lie. The only one who seemed unconvinced was Arthur because he already knew the truth. 

“The poor thing.” Andrew said, as he reached out and took her from me.  “What do we do with her?” Andrew said, as he looked to Arthur who was eyeing me with a look of, "what are you playing at?"  Yet, I was not going to answer him.  It was up to him to put the pieces together and make my lie truth.  He would obviously take the bait.  Not only was a I protecting Bell, but I was saving Arthur from being known as a killer.  If he had ended the lives of hunters, instead of humans, he would be welcomed back as the resounding hero and his status as future Alpha was set.  We were both playing a dangerous game, but he was the one who started it. 

“We will bring her back to the pack house and adopt her as our little sister, and give her the Holloway name.” Arthur said, as he placed a hand on the child.  Instantly, she opened her big green eyes causing Arthur to take a step away from her.  She started to whimper when she realized she did not know who was holding her.  Quickly, I took her from Andrew and patted her back. 

"Shhhh.  Look Bell, this is Andrew and that is Arthur.  They are going to be your brothers too." I said, as I pointed to Arthur and Andrew. 

"What about Mommy?"  The moment the words dropped from her mouth I looked at Arthur. 

"Yeah, Arthur, what about Mommy?"  I said, through gritted teeth, causing him to start to shake.  Andrew not understanding quickly began to sooth Bell, while I set my sights on Arthur, who was now standing over the bloody wrapped corpses of Bell's parents.  Carefully, I handed Bell to Andrew and walked over to Arthur.  He was deep in thought and was flicking a lighter back and forth. The purple flame on it was slightly illuminating his face. 

"I didn't know.  I didn't know."  He mutter to himself. 

“What is that?"  I said, as Arthur flipped the lighter open and held the flame up for me to see. 

"Cauldrons Fire.  It burns only what the holder wishes to burn, nothing more and nothing less."  Before Arthur could stop me I grabbed the lighter from him and threw it on the werewolf bodies.  He looked at me shocked, but I just shook my head, making him take a step back.  The two of us stood there in silence watching the bodies quickly turn to dust and leave a black stain in the pure white snow.   Slowly, I reached down and picked up the lighter and dusted it off and began to walk away.

"What are you doing now?"  Arthur said, as I flipped the lighter and turned back to face him.  

"Everything must burn Arthur.  Everything."  I threw the lighter through the green cabin door, the door that had once terrified us both because we knew what was inside that slaughterhouse, and in just a few seconds it burst into flames.  Bell watched from Andrew's arms is horror.  

"My home!"  She cried as she fought free of Andrew's and raced towards the flames.  I grabbed hold of her arm and twisted her around to face me. 

"No."  I said, causing her to shake her head. "I said, no Bell!" I shouted, as she screamed and kicked me. "I said NO!" I growled, using a voice that caused her to stop and look up at me in fear. My alpha voice.

"Alec, did you just." Arthur said, as Andrew and him looked at me in shock. 

I knelt down and grabbed hold of Bell's face. "No Bell.  That is not your home anymore."  I watched as tears welled up in her eyes as she crumpled to the ground and sobbed.  It was over, it was finally over.  I carefully picked her up and let her silently cry in my arms as Arthur and Andrew looked down at her. 

"Father is never going to accept this."  Andrew said, causing the three of us to run our hands through our hair.  It was a habit we had picked up from him. The only habit I hoped. 

"I will talk to him."  Arthur said calmly.

"We will beat you."  I replied, causing Arthur to laugh. 

"He will beat me no matter what."  Arthur said, as the three of us to look down at Bell. 

"You don't think he would."  But I was not able to finished for Arthur and Andrew were already growling. 

"We will never let him touch her!"  Andrew barked, as he took her from my arms and placed a protective hand on her back, but then he pause.  We watched as he placed a hand on her forehead and gave us a worried look. "She is burning up." 

"Lets get her back to the pack house."  I said, but the moment I took a step I crumpled to the ground. 

"Alec."  Andrew said, as he tried to reach for me but Arthur stopped him. 

"I've got him."  I felt Arthur lift me up and put me on his back.  I rested my head on his shoulder and started to drift off to sleep.  Yet, before I did I had to talk to my brother.  I had to understand what happened. 

"Why Arthur?"  I said, as my voice shock.  "Why did it happen?"  I could feel the warm tears running down my face and soaking Arthur's back.  The soft crunching of his feet trudging through the snow was making my eye lids heavy.  "It was horrible.  I don't understand."  I whimpered as I clutched his shirt and felt him stiffen as he stopped and looked up into the night sky. 

“The day you turn Alec, for the first time, make sure you are far away from anyone.  There is something wrong with our wolves.”