Cain’s Pov
The tension in the room felt like it could slice through steel.
We had all retreated back to the strategy room after our near brush with death.
No one said a word, all watching me, their eyes filled with questions, confusion, and anger.
Jax had his fist curled up, like he would punch a hole through anything he could lay his hands on.
Mika drummed her fingers on the round table rhythmically, Aria sat at the far end, lost in thought, fire burned in Stanley’s gaze, I could see the question in them as well.
Tearing my gaze from them, I let out a tired sigh, of course I knew what they wanted to hear, but not if they were ready to hear it just yet.
Always the impatient one, Stanley stood abruptly from his seat, glaring, “Why?
We had him right where we wanted him, we could have ended it.
All of it.” He accused, his tone barely controlled, he knew better than to yell, but the anger was palpable.
They all looked at me expectantly, not saying a word but their gaze held the same question.
I found myself watching my newly bonded mate, the same little girl who would giggle excitedly whenever I threw her in the air.
The same little girl who would cover at the slightest sight of blood, standing tall beside me, watching Theron bleed.
I couldn’t help remembering how she stood, even with her knees shaking, her heart beating faster than she agreed to admit she still stood tall, not cowering.
The way her breath hitched, the way her face paled when she realized that she could have died, the beads of sweat on her forehead, the fear, the pain, all real but she still stood before the orchestrator of all these, stood her ground.
And yet I believed her to be the weak link, the easiest way to get to Theron, I clearly underestimated her strength.
“Alpha….” A sudden yell brought me back to what was currently going on.
Sigh.
I turned to face him, his face already reddened from rage, “Stanley.”
”I asked you Alpha, why did you let Theron go?
We had him, we could have ended it right there and then, the revenge would have been over, for all of us.” His voice rose the more he spoke, shaking.
Forcing my mind off Aria, I stood, taking my time as I closed the distance between us, his pupils followed me defiantly, seeking for an answer.
I stopped just at the edge of where he sat, his lips moved, the control nearly slipping from his grip, “That was the best time, the first time we’ve actually bested him, actually had him right where we wanted him.”
I leaned towards him, “Because ending him in that state would make us no different from him.”
His jaw thickened, “But—”
I cut him off, “We’re not like him Stanley,” I placed a hand on his shoulders, patting softly, “I understand your anger but I won’t lead my family down the wrong path all in the name of revenge.”
His eyes softened but there was still a hint of unwillingness in them, “He doesn’t play fair, why should we?” He muttered.
I curled my tongue, “Because we’re different” I continued, “We’re nothing like Theron, we’re better than him.
And when we do have him, when we actually defeat him fair and square, his death will be anything but quick.
It will be slow, agonizing and something no beast on earth will ever forget.” My voice held a dark promise.
“And we’re going to make it worthwhile, It’s only a matter of when” I smiled warmly.
A chair scraped behind us, followed by the sound of someone running, something tugged at my heart strings instantly.
My eyes followed her as she ran out, the rest of the team snapped their heads towards me, waiting for my reaction.
They all wanted to see if I would follow or stay.
My jaw ticked as I watched her fading back, something pulled me towards her, to run after her, pull her into my arms and whisper words of comfort.
I knew right then, it was the newly formed bond speaking, but the rational part of me looked at the team that had been with me during my darkest times, I had to stay with them, I had to push down whatever this feeling was, remind myself that it was only a strategy, that’s all this will ever be, a means to an end.
My eyes locked with Mika’s, she gave me a tight smile, “Go after her.” She looked like she had more to say but held it all in.
I shook my head, I wasn’t going to go, but somehow I found myself making my way out of the door, chasing after something that was lodged deeply in me, that was now a part of me.
Just before the door shut behind me I heard words that may turn out to hunt me forever.
“We’re fighting a losing battle.”