Sebastian’s Rage
There was blood and treachery on the battlefield.
Burned flesh's stench permeated the night sky as smoke twisted there. Wolves lay dead or injured, their bodies strewn over the valley like fallen fighters from a long-ago conflict.
And in the middle of all—stood Sebastian.
His chest surged and fell with frantic gasps, his eyes blazing red with wrath. He was not only irate.
He was fuming.
And someone was scheduled to pay.
Kieran stood over Sebastian, his golden gaze dark and unbroken. His posture was tight but under control; his hands closed into fists.
Elara could sense the weight of what was about to unfold.
This was not only another argument.
This struggle was one of dominance.
of fury.
Of which would make it through the evening?
Kieran's voice was cool, "Sebastian," but under it was steel. "Stand down."
Sebastian grinned.
a harsh, acrid sound.
"You want me to quit?" His voice was unvarnished, full of an uncontrollably angry rage.
His power washing off him in waves, he moved slowly forward.
You allowed them to pass away.
Kieran's teeth clenched. "I carried out what was required."
Sebastian's eyes went flash.
"You refer to this as a triumph? His fists shook and his voice cracked with fury.
Elara's heart seized.
In the ambush Sebastian had lost his sibling.
He also lacked readiness to pardon.
Around them, the warriors observed in quiet tension.
This was not a struggle between two wolves alone.
This put leadership to the test.
Should Sebastian question Kieran right now, the pack would divide.
They couldn't afford that either, with Dante's soldiers still prowling the shadows.
Elara came first.
Her hands up, she walked between them, her voice strong yet consistent.
"Sebastian," she said. It is not the time for this.
Sebastian turned to look at her, his fury changing.
His lip closed. "You shield him?"
Elara's chest closed tightly.
She did not stand up for Kieran.
She stood up for the pack.
"Your brother died for nothing," she remarked. But if we fight each other now, all we have created? For what reason have we bled?
She gave her head a shake.
Then we might as well let Dante murder us all.
Right now, Sebastian's body was shaking.
He was not only lashing at Kieran.
He was furious with himself.
For failing to guard his brother.
For not being more robust.
For losing the one family he still had left.
His claws sinking into his palms, his breath came sharp and forceful.
Writing all over him was the need for violence.
But subsequently—
His wrist was held by a little hand.
Lucas.
Beside him, the small lad stood with wide uncertainty in his golden eyes.
Sebastian silence.
Luca spoke softly and with hesitation.
Not.
The one word sliced across the fury like a dagger.
And during that instant Sebastian broke.
His breath breathless, he staggered back.
Kieran kept close eye on him.
Before Sebastian punched the ground, his growl shook the ground. His hands shook as well.
"Damn it," he said in a whisper.
And Elara saw, for the first time, something more terrible than wrath in his eyes.
Tragic.
Pure, raw loss.
Elara stooped next to him; her voice low.
She replied, "I know." "I know it pains."
Sebastian replied nothing.
He did not, however, fight either.
And for right now—that was plenty.
The fight was over.
The fight was far from ended, though.
Dante was still on the planet.
Lurking. waiting.
And just now he understood exactly how to break them.
Since a split in a pack divided
Was there previously a pack lost?
Will Sebastian pardon Kieran—or will his anger overwhelm him?
How will Dante turn their frailty against them?
Is Blood fang powerful enough to last what is ahead?
The war was still under progress.
It was only just getting started.