Fated to the scarred Alpha

Blood on his hands

*Stephan*

Silence eases in around us as though we each need to ponder the ramifications of our actions tonight. I had expected a few of the lords to object quite vocally, but they haven't. Too dignified perhaps. Or perhaps they care for my uncle as little as I do. Or perhaps they are just waiting to see how things sort themselves out.

"What is your next step?" Raphael finally asks.

"To take up residence at the town House as soon as the imposter has scurried away. You are both welcome to reside there." I tell them.

"I will remain here," Triastan says without hesitation. "It is where I am most at home."

"You have comfortable accommodations here," I say. "Of that there is no question. But now that you are once again recognized as a beta, you might consider selling this place. Its ownership is hardly befitting a gentleman."

Tristan raises a brow. "I never claimed to be a gentleman."

"But you are," I insist.

Triastan shoots to his feet. "Trust me, brother, I have done things that no gentleman would do. Polite pack Society would find me... not quite so polite. My wealth, my more questionable resources are at your disposal. I have already sent two men to keep watch over the town House and its current resident. I will do all in my power to ensure you hold your title, but my place is here."

He makes to leave, and I stand. "Tristan."

My brother stops but does not turn around.

"I could not take you with me. Not twelve years ago. I can take you with me now."

"It's too late." Triastan's voice carries no emotion, yet the words slam into me with the force of cannon fodder. "Perhaps you can regain what you lost, but I cannot. Nor do I have any desire to. Make yourself at home."

He strides from the room, never glancing back. I take a step forward. I will catch up to him; I will make him understand…

"Leave him be," Raphael orders.

I don't want the wounds that mar my relationship with Triastan to fester, but I suspect my obstinate brother is in no mood to listen. So instead, I study my twin, still lounging in the chair. It's difficult to look at him and see what a handsome devil I myself had once been. With great reluctance, I wander back to the fireplace and press my arm against the mantel. "Do you know what happened to him?"

"He talks to me as little as he talks to you." Raphael shrugs.

I sigh. "I thought they would keep him clothed, fed, and housed within the workhouse."

"Whatever he went through, it's not your fault. All the fault rests with Uncle. Which is the reason that I do wish you had bloody well let me kill him."

"So you could hang?" Mary had issued a similar warning, but somehow accompanied by her sweet voice, it had held more power. I wonder if she realizes how close I had been to not releasing my uncle. I wonder if She had been disappointed to see the darkness I harbor inside me.

"I have a fast ship. And the sea suits me," Raphael says.

I press my thumb to my brow, rub just above the despicable patch, and stare into the fire. "Will you join me at town House?"

"I don't think so, no. I have been on my own far too long. I prefer it, Snow."

I jerk up my head and meet my brother's unflinching gaze. From the moment my uncle's henchman escorted me to the tower, I hadn't been addressed by my title. I had whispered it to myself every night before I went to sleep… a quiet reminder, a solemn vow. I didn't want to forget who I was, what I was, what was owed to me. Everything I had done from the moment Mary slipped the key into the lock to free me had but one purpose in mind… to see that I regained what belonged to me, and in so doing provide a place for my brothers.

My throat tightens. I have paid a dear price to once again be Alpha. But then, so have they.

They don't need me now. It leaves me feeling unworthy, as though I have failed them. Like me, they should have been gentlemen. They should have lived leisurely lives. They should have been like the gents in Triastan's club who had little more required of them than indulging in their vices. They should not have borne scars… both visible and hidden.

I watch as Raphael slowly rises and approaches me. "Make no mistake, Brother. The desire to see you standing rightfully in Father's place burned within me with a vengeance. I would endure it all a thousand times, with no regrets, to ensure that you are once again the Alpha."

I release a bitter laugh. "I am humbled, Raphael. By your devotion and Triastan's. I have been blessed with brothers who would do anything to see me hold my title. Our father was cursed with one who would do all in his power to see that he did not."

"Do you still believe he killed him?" Raphael asks.

"Without a doubt." I shake my head, regretting the truth that lies before us. "But to prove it will be nearly impossible. Justice cannot be left to others to consider. I have spent years plotting how best to serve as judge, jury, and executioner. Tonight, I feel as though we at least killed his place within pack Society."

My brother shrugs. "We may have achieved that, but there's more we can do. We don't need proof to make his life miserable."

"That should happen soon enough once he moves out of the town pack House. I doubt he has anywhere to go."

Raphael grins. He has always been quick to smile, but this one is more wolf than cub. "Then we should put him out of his misery and kill him straightaway."

"I have killed. It's not a pleasant undertaking." I point out.

"As have I, although I'm not at all averse to sending to the devil those who deserve it."

I study him. It's been only a fortnight since my brothers and I managed to reunite. I had left each of them with the command to meet at the abbey ruins near Snow Moon castle in ten years on the date we escaped the tower. But war and wounds had delayed me. The sea had thrown obstacles in Raphael's way, and he, too, had failed to show at the appointed time.

Triastan had hired a man to live near the ruins until we arrived. Not once had it ever occurred to him that we were dead. After months spent recovering from my devastating wounds, I finally made my way to the abbey. The man had provided me with the address of The gambling Club and a message from Triastan. Here, I would be safe.

But instead of heading to Blackrock city straightaway, I had spent a fortnight securing the estate. Then I had come to Blackrock city. My brothers and I had planned our return to pack Society. We had wanted a dramatic entry. I think we achieved that end with remarkable success.

But the final curtain has yet to draw close, and several acts still remain unperformed.

"I don't want any more blood on my hands," I say now.

"It would be on my hands." My twin says.

I don't much like how quickly Raphael responds. "You have become quite bloodthirsty."

"I have learned to survive, no matter the cost." He shrugs. "I have also learned to take comfort where I can find it. Triastan has a charming girl working here who is very talented at giving comfort. So, if you will excuse me, I believe I will seek her out. I'm sure she has a friend if you're interested."

"Not tonight."

Tonight, I have far too much on my mind. After my brother leaves the room, I drop into the chair and fill my glass with more brandy. I take a long swallow and lean back. From my pocket, I remove the threadbare bundle. The yellow ribbon has faded with time, but it still manages to hold secure what I treasure most.

I bring it near my nose and inhale deeply. The rich scent of the soil tantalizes me, spurs me on, and makes me yearn for home. I will return there soon… once my place in pack Society is firmly established.

I am the Alpha of Snow Moon, I tell the fire. It merely snaps and pops, as if it doesn't believe my words any more than I do.