Landon

After the shakeup I got from Rhiannon, I knew I had to turn things around for myself.

There is only so much sulking a man in my position can pull off without it becoming annoying or worse: a hindrance.

I am still very much broken by the rejection of my mate, but that is never going away for as long as I live. The downside of being a werewolf is that we don't get to move on like humans do.

Yes, you are allowed to be with other people and make your life as you see fit, but you’ll never get over your mate. Harry will always populate my mind no matter what I do. For the rest of my life.

I also cannot ascend as Alpha of my pack, as we all know by now, but that is not what is corroding me inside if you can believe it. Shocking, I know.

I am gutted to lose the Alpha position I was literally born to occupy, of course I am, but what aches me the most is missing out on the chance of having a (life) partner. I was raised by loving parents who taught me that our kind mates for life.

Being raised on this concept, it's easy to understand why this is hurting me so bad. I do want to be Alpha, but even if I had to abdicate in exchange to being accepted, I would do it in a heartbeat.

I would certainly cry about it, but nothing in this world should be more important than my mate. Though no decent person would ever ask me to make such a choice.

Ironically, I had totally forgotten that I needed to sign the peace treaty with the Blood Moon pack. I was so blindsided by the rejection that I lost track of what is really important for my pack.

After the negotiations done here with their Beta, it's only fair that I travel to their town for the signing. However, Javier is very worried about this trip.

He organized a twenty warrior escort for me, with two of them on my guard the whole time I stay over there. Considering I am responsible for the death of thousands of their people, I am not exactly complaining about it.

I am very anxious about seeing my mate again, which is why I woke up early today, had breakfast and entered the motorcade towards their town ahead of schedule.

The trip was short, so I got there when they were exiting the dining room and managed to see my mate before he left. His scent is so wonderful to me and our hug was very conforming to my soul and my inner wolf.

I entered the office to sign the peace treaty and talked to Alpha Staedler for a couple of hours about our new partnership, specifically the unmated exchange program I aim to implement between our two packs.

Yes, I already found my mate but there are still people in my pack who haven't. I hope to Goddess Rhiannon finds hers even among ‘these’ people. *sigh*

Alpha Staedler was nice enough to give me the tour of the place, introducing me around - I've never had so many people glaring daggers at me in my life - and offered me lunch.

I wanted to take him up on the offer, but it wouldn’t be fair to the (many) warriors who are waiting for me to return home. They need to eat too. Plus, I am not particularly hungry. It is not even noon yet.

He accompanied me to the front door, where yet again I was confronted by my mate who was entering the pack house, back from wherever he went to stay away from me.

“You’re still here?” He said in a surprised tone as he walked inside the manor.

“I’m leaving, actually. Thanks for the hospitality, Alpha. I hope to repay this kindness soon.” I replied, glancing at his father as I said that.

“Of course, Regent. Have a safe trip.” Alpha Staedler spoke cordially.

I took one last inhale of my mate’s scent before I’d enter the car my warriors had parked in front of the pack house. I waved the Staedlers off and walked the steps towards the car when I was hit.

A bullet came from somewhere in the area and before I knew it, I was struck down. The warriors initiated security protocols and assessed the threat level, two of them pulling me inside right away, shielding my body from any more shots.

“Call a doctor, please!” Kyle, one of the warriors on my escort, told Alpha Staedler who was taken aback by the dramatic situation. I was bleeding profusely from the bullet wound.

“Oh my Goddess!” Harry cried out at the scene, completely horrified by me being shot.

“We came here to sign a fucking peace treaty!” Mathew, another warrior on my escort, gasped in shock while he ripped apart my shirt to try to stop the bleeding. The bullet hit my chest, nearly missing my heart by an inch.

Several other warriors scouted the vicinity to find the shooter. They formed a perimeter around the pack house and secured the place. Lucas Wilmont, the Blood Moon pack Beta was also called with some of their warriors to help out [in any way they can].

A first aid kit was provided to treat the wound before an actual doctor could arrive. I wanted to be strong and power through, but before I knew it the lights went out for me.

The last thing I saw was my mate crying next to a pool of my blood while Kyle did his best to tourniquet me. I should have known better than to come here this soon after the attack, but I was naive to think we could achieve peace.

I really thought our packs could become allies. I guess there is a real reason the Moon Goddess paired me with one of their own. However, if I die all that effort would go to waste.

Harry

Pain. Insurmountable pain. Unbearable pain. An ache like never before had I experienced in my life, cut through my whole body as soon as the bullet hit my mate.

I felt as if I was the one being shot, not exaggerating. I really did.

Despair took over me as my mate was carried back into the pack house, he laid on the ground bleeding. His warriors did their best to stop the bleeding, making a tourniquet out of his ripped shirt.

My dad provided a first aid kit to treat the wound while a doctor was on their way here. We thought about taking him to the hospital, but leaving the pack house is not an option at the moment. We don’t know how many shooters could be out there or if they are still there.

All the warriors that came with him spread out searching for the shooter while the two inside tended to him. In a moment, Lucas arrived with some of our warriors as he and my dad took some action as well.

But all I cared about is my mate and if he is going to survive this. I know I rejected him and we are not marked, but if he doesn’t pull through I don’t know what I am going to do with myself.

I am desperately crying at this horrible scene, fearing the worst possible outcome.

My mom came to console me, seeing I was unraveling. The warrior treating him tried to keep him awake, but suddenly his eyes shut and he was unresponsive. That is when I lost all connection to my mate and I really despaired.

“Regent. Regent, wake up!” One of the warriors who was protecting Landon cried out to him, slapping his face lightly to get a reaction. Both the men on his escort were looking desperate at the dire situation, this doesn’t bode well for them.

My mom told them to move him into a private room so he could be treated, then his warriors carried him inside carefully. Both of them looked deeply worried for their regent while I was utterly wrecked.

Finally, a doctor came and rushed to treat Landon. Neither one of the warriors left his side in the room, but I wasn’t allowed inside while the doctor worked on him. My father wouldn’t allow it, saying there were too many people there already.

I wanted to argue with him but ultimately it is better if I don’t see my mate being treated. Goddess knows what procedures the medical professional would have to do to remove the bullet and treat him.

For once, I wish I had already graduated from med school. This way, I could help my mate immediately instead of waiting for someone else to do it.

The doctor took a long time inside the closed room while a panic state of fear struck me to my core. Please Goddess, whatever you do, don’t take my mate away from me. I beg of you.

I don’t deserve this and neither does he. I know he is not exactly an angel, but please… he’s only 21 years old. I’m too young to be left mateless.

A FEW HOURS LATER.

The doctor left Landon’s guest bedroom while my parents and I patiently awaited his report. Dad looked very worried. I don’t think it is going to bode well for us if their regent dies on a visit here to sign a peace treaty.

“Good afternoon, Alpha. The bullet hit very close to his heart, so I had to be extra careful in removing it. He’s been medicated and I’ve sedated him. Now we just have to wait and see how his body responds, he is not out of the woods just yet.” He informed us in a somber tone.

“Thank you, doctor. I’ll accompany you to the front door.” Dad said, walking away from the guest wing with him. I couldn’t resist going inside to see my mate. I know he has people with him, but that is not going to stop me. Not ever.

I knocked on the door and entered to find two men standing by his bed. One of them was sitting on a chair and the other one was watching over him closely.

“Excuse me, I came to see my mate.” I declared, though I shouldn’t have to explain myself to anyone.

The guy who was by his bedside stood up to allow me to approach him on the bed.

“I’m gonna grab us a cup of coffee, Matt.” He told the other guy and left the room shortly. The tall brooding guy smiled at him and then watched me carefully as I approached the bed.

Landon was lying perfectly still, shirtless, half of his body covered by a sheet. There was an I.V. drip hooked to his arm and I could see the bandage on his chest where he was shot.

He looked so peaceful lying down as if he was just sleeping. Emotional tears fell from my face, I could not keep it together, I sobbed watching my mate fight for his life. He was cowardly shot just like his father was cowardly killed not so long ago.

I hate this fucking feud between our packs. I get wanting revenge for a life taken, but if we keep on going down this path there won’t be any members left in our pack.

I couldn’t resist caressing his body softly, the exposed part of it. Even under sedation, his body reacted to my touch instantly. His arm hair bristled upon my touch causing me to suddenly chuckle at the innate reaction.

It was a silly thing, but it made me stop crying for a moment. It’s funny how it is always the small things that get you. I was so lost in the moment caressing my mate’s flesh that I got startled when the other warrior returned carrying two cups of coffee.

He giggled at my sudden reaction of removing my hand from Landon’s body. I blushed for some reason. I guess I didn’t envision doing this with an audience, but I don’t think they are going to leave me alone with him. I could ask, but I don’t want to waste my time arguing with them.

I stood up from his bedside and silently left the room. There was nothing to be done now except to wait as the doctor said. I sincerely hope he recuperates otherwise I don’t know if I ever will.

Since I had skipped lunch with all this commotion, I was hungry for dinner. On my way out of the guest wing, I saw several other warriors from Regency Falls. He came in with a large entourage and now that his life is precarious, tensions have never been higher [between our two packs].

I washed my hands and entered the dining room to see my parents looking tense as well. Lucas was here too. My brother had spent the day away, supposedly with his late mate’s parents, but he was also present. Except he wasn’t exactly looking apprehensive for my mate’s health.

“Did you find the shooter, Lucas?” I asked him point blank. My parents got wide eyed at my sudden question.

“Not yet, unfortunately. They escaped before we could ascertain their whereabouts, but rest assured all efforts are being made to get to the bottom of this.” He replied in a firm tone.

“You should give that person a medal, not be tracking them down like a criminal.” Aaron spoke with an evil smirk.

“Aaron!” Dad shouted in a reprimanding tone, glaring at him.

“If I find out you had anything to do with this, I swear to Goddess you’ll live to regret it, brother.” I threatened him, eyes glowing in anger.

He scoffed at my threat.

“If I had shot him, he would be dead already.” He smirked, deviously.

A loud growl escaped my lips before I could contain it. I am furious at him right now. His blatant disregard for my mate’s life is overpowering all my senses.

“Aaron, shut up! Have some respect for your brother’s mate!” Dad chastised him, irritated.

“He rejected his mate, he should be glad to be rid of him!” He countered, dismissively.

The punch was fast and aggressive enough to knock him off his chair. I was possessed by rage, looking at my brother now on the floor. I am livid.

“Motherfucker!” I yelled at him, furiously.

Before he could come back at me, dad restrained him. The rest of my family present and Lucas were baffled by this confrontation. I was already in a vulnerable place to begin with, now I am feral.

“Stop this fight right now! This is not how we behave, boys. This is beneath the both of you!” Dad reprimanded us, still containing my brother from coming at me. Aaron was raging, but it has been years since I lost the fear I had of him. Now we are equals, as far I am concerned.

“Aaron, son, please have some empathy. This is not how we act. This is not what Jessica would have wanted.” Dad said, finally releasing him. He looked at my brother deeply saddened. Aaron lowered his head sorrowfully and dad hugged him for a moment.

“You are better than this, son. You were born to be the Alpha of our pack. If anyone can relate to what your brother is feeling right now is you. You should be championing his mate’s recovery because if he dies in our territory, it’ll be hell to pay.” Dad stated in a deep somber tone.

“Do you think they’re going to retaliate against us?” I asked my father, worriedly.

Dad glanced over at Lucas, who gulped nervously.

“I overheard one of their warriors mentioning a protocol called ‘Armageddon’ and I don’t think that’s a good thing.” Lucas spoke, voice trembling with nervousness.

Armageddon? Really? If last time they took half our pack, what is in store for us if he dies? By the sound of it, total annihilation. Even so, I need my mate alive. For all our sakes.

A|N: You're in danger!

Poor boy(s), you better pray he survives this.

This title is actually perfect for the chapter. It's so obvious you'd think it's a metaphor. LoL

Love,

Léo.