A Gold Alpha For A Silver Alpha
Moon-Colored Eyes Chapter 19

Jackson POV

-I want him alive. It was the only thing my mother said before throwing herself against Leonardo, who had not hesitated to turn around and try to run.

Of course it wasn't farther than a couple of steps, mom didn't even need to transform completely to have him subdued under her.

Instead the rest of the pack lunged for the vampire who, to his credit, despite his wound was able to endure another two whole minutes until he ended up passing out from lack of blood from the wounds.

I transformed back into a human as I approached mom.

-You're in a hell of a lot of trouble pup, and if you keep trying to run away you're only going to make it worse. I growl in annoyance as I continue to press him to the ground.

-I told you it's not what it looks like, but since I'm not one of your precious children I'm probably lying, right? I huff and puff in an attempt to break free from my mother's iron grip.

-One of my precious children is bleeding because of you and your bloodsucking little friend, many have lost their lives for less than that. So I would not recommend that you continue to try your luck. I am not known for my mercy. My mother's voice was calm, but if you know her well you can detect the sharp and dangerous tone she hides, she released him letting him stand up but not letting go of his arm to prevent him from running away.

Leonardo's eyes change to bright golden ones with black speckles.

-F**k you and your whole family. He let out angrily and I stepped forward at my mother's annoyed snarl.

I drove my fist into his face with such force that I knocked him out the second it hit.

Mom looked at me with raised eyebrows and I shrugged.

-I've wanted to do that for a long time, besides," I take a breath to control the urge to keep hitting him, "No one insults our family.

She nods and I offer her a hand to help lift my idiot half-brother.

-Where's daddy? I ask looking around.

-Securing the territory looking for more leeches, I ran into some on the way here." That explained the blood. "They didn't stand a chance." A look full of sorrow and pain in the direction of the dead warriors. "Logan, Dannia." Both wolves approach from where they were stationed.

-Yes Alpha. They both answer at the same time, they give each other an intense look and in a couple of seconds Logan is approaching the bodies while Dannia transforms back and runs off in the direction of the living quarters.

-Jack," I turn my attention back to my mother, but she is standing with her arms crossed as she looks thoughtfully at Leonardo, "I need you to help me get him to the house. The house, shouldn't I go straight to Noctem Castra?

The doubt must have been reflected in some way because mom turned to look at me with a gesture of exasperation.

-Yes to the house, this is a matter we need to handle as a family and then as a herd. Besides I want to spare your father the pain of seeing his son lost in that place.

-But he ran away, he fought with Juliet, he brought vampires into the territory while we were sleeping, he is directly or indirectly responsible for the deaths of three of our people.

-And he will pay for everything, but we can't treat him like we would treat anyone else, he has your father's blood running through his veins which makes him your brother, whether you like it or not. -Blood doesn't make us family.

My mother growled, tired of my attitude and I ducked my head, swallowing my answers.

-Are you questioning my choices, maybe you think you can do better? She asked me with a sharp edge to her tone.

-No, Mom. I mumbled back.

-Well, then do as I tell you and take him before he wakes up, call your brothers to keep an eye on him, I'm going to look for your father to tell him what happened- Worry shone in his eyes- I want to tell him while I look him in the face-. -What do you think he thinks?

-I don't know, I hope he takes it better than me- He says it at the same time he sees his hands stained with blood- Hurry up, the faster we replace out what was going on the faster we can hear an explanation- I gave him a nod- Oh, and do me a favor. Keep an eye on your sister's mate, I have a feeling there's a history between the two of them and the last thing we need is another fight, I don't want to add fuel to the fire.

I nod one last time, I put Leonardo's body on my shoulder and turn around to jog towards the house.

(...)

When I was near the garden I sent a mental message to my brothers to get their butts to the downstairs living room.

Mmmhmm, what do you want Jack, I hope you have a good reason to wake me up?

My sister's husky voice filled my head.

Just like there must be a good reason for your scent to come in waves from the room where the rouge is staying, where dad specifically told you you couldn't go.

The silence that proceeded gave me enough of an answer to make me growl.

You are in a lot of trouble Juliet, but this is not the time for that, we have more serious matters at the moment.

The tension of my words was felt through the mental loop.

What happened?

We found Leonardo, when we are all here I will give you all the details, I am already coming to the house, so hurry up and come down, also try to control your partner. Mom has a bad feeling about the two of you and you know she's not usually wrong. A few seconds passed in which I finally reached the main entrance, where I carefully opened the door, juggling not to hit my half brother's body with the wood.

My ear perceived the clear signs of footsteps from the floor above, I advanced until I reached the armchairs where I remorselessly dropped Leonardo on the biggest one. I crossed my arms as I analyzed him.

He was still wearing the same clothes I had seen him in the last time, but they were dirty, torn and wrinkled. His face was full of scratches, as were many other parts of his body that were in plain sight, his skin was pale and it could be my imagination, but dark spots that were perhaps dark circles under his eyes were peeking out from under his eyes.

-Do you think someone died?

-Maybe Jack had an epiphany and is going to become a monk.

-Why would he choose to be a monk when he's going to be the Alpha of the pack?

-I told you, maybe he had an epiphany.

-What kind of dreams do you have when you go to sleep?

I listened to my twin with my little brother before I saw them, I snorted a little at their conversation but my lips curved into an amused smile at the same time, no matter how bad things were, they were always able to get a smile out of me. -Sometimes I can't believe we're twins, what's in your head where the rest of us have a brain Jace? Juliet sounded somewhere between amused and incredulous.

Any retort the baby of the family might have said was cut short when halfway up the stairs they noticed our newest member.

-So someone did die? Julian's tone was more one of reassignment than surprise.

And that alone gave a lot to say about my brother's personality.

-Finish walking down and check it out.

The three of them jogged at a medium pace as the sleepiness disappeared from their countenances replaced by doubt and curiosity.

-What happened?

I snorted as I scrunched my eyes, thinking of the best words to describe the situation.

-Mom and Dad are going to judge Leonardo for an alliance with the vampires.

My brothers' faces closed stoically.

-He did what? Jace asked with all amusement eradicated from his expression.

-It's a long but short story.

And so I proceeded to tell them everything that happened tonight while they were in their fifth sleep.

-So the bottom line is Julian is right and he's dead," Juliet sighed as she plopped down on the couch across from Leonardo, "Well, at least I hope they let me talk to him before they slit his throat.

-I think you'll be busier explaining why you have the scent of your mate all over your body, sis. I tell her with a reproachful look.

Isn't she supposed to be too little to do those things, hmmm, we might have to bury two bodies in the end.

Juliet's cheeks heat up but she just gives me an ugly look.

Julian and Jace sniff in her direction then put on serious faces, they don't like me having the macho scent mixed with theirs either.

-Don't look at me like that, Julian comes with Bella's scent all the time and no one says anything to him. She defends herself red with indignation.

-Julian has known his mate since they were both learning to walk. Jace retorts.

-You stay out of my love life and I stay out of yours.

-We don't have a love life sister, you're losing your touch with your threats. I scoff, Juliet squints in my direction and smiles mischievously.

-Oh, but one day you will have her and you will remember my words, you will be very lucky if your mate is like me and allows you to get close to her, otherwise you will have to suffer while looking at her from afar, wishing things were different. She finishes very seriously and a shiver runs down my spine.

But before I can say anything, the front door opens, ushering in my parents. Mom has dirt and dried blood covering her clothes, while Dad looks tired and with dark circles under his eyes. They both give us an attempt at a smile that comes out more like a grimace as they approach us, mom raises her eyebrows when she sniffs Juliet but says nothing sitting down next to her, dad stands with his arms crossed in front of our half brother.

-Bring me a pitcher of water from the kitchen. He spoke and Jace hurried to follow his order, rushing out to the kitchen and taking only a few seconds to return with his order.

Dad nodded to him and my brother dropped the entire contents on Leonardo's face, wetting everything near him.

But indeed, my half-brother sat up suddenly shaking his head throwing drops in all directions.

-But what the hell..." He says annoyed looking around until he reaches me and gives me a look of hatred "How dare you punch me.

-How dare you make an alliance with the damned bloodsuckers, do you have any idea how many of our people have died because of them? Dad cuts him off and Leonardo turns his attention to him.

-What I do or don't do is my business. He replies without being intimidated.

-Not when you put us all at risk with your childish tantrums. Mom interjects, looking calmer than she should be.

-Childish? What do you think you're accusing me of, none of this would have happened if you hadn't brought me here, you were never there for me before and I certainly don't need you now.

-You brought vampires into the herd's territory without anyone noticing in the middle of the night and you killed the guards that were supposed to protect us, you only have your head still attached to your body because you are my son, so you better come up with a good explanation for this betrayal. Dad declares with seriousness and danger coming off his countenance.

-I am not your son, you abandoned me with my mother before I was born to stay with her- His eyes fill with disgust when he refers to my mother, which makes my brothers and me growl- Then don't pretend you care about what happens or doesn't happen to me, and I am not going to give you any explanation-.

-I never abandoned them, your mother was kidnapped in the middle of an attack when you were in her womb-. Dad growls and Leonardo shows his clear disbelief.

-I don't believe you, you never loved me and that's why mom had to leave the herd, I was too afraid that you or your partner would kill her along with me, it's your fault everything that happened afterwards. He says and shows pain although he hides it well. -I would never...

-Your father never tried to kill you or your mother, but I did. My mother interrupts my father and a collective gasp echoes through the room.

Mom did what?

Leonardo paled and clenched his fists tightly, but my mother wasn't done yet so she continued to surprise us further.

-From the second I found out about your existence I went crazy, I couldn't tolerate anyone but me giving puppies to my mate." She leaned back leaning on her knees and spoke in a clear and ice cold voice, "I immediately transformed myself to start tracking your mother's scent, I planned to pull you out of her womb with my claws while listening to her screams begging me, then I would rip her throat out and watch her drown if she hadn't died from the blood loss yet. Leonardo's body began to shake with rage as he growled, his eyes shifting and revealing his fangs in a menacing gesture.

My brothers and I shuddered at Mom's story, but she didn't even flinch at the atmosphere she had created.

-But you know why you are still alive, because you can see the sunlight and hear the birds singing," she said leaning back on the back of the couch, "Because your father put his best warriors to guard you day and night, including his Beta, because when I tried to approach him, he stood in front of me, blocking my way, even though it almost cost him his life, You are still alive because your father loved you from the first second he found out about your existence- He paused to take a breath- And when he lost you, when he realized he had taken them away he went mad with rage, he almost killed me in his despair and has spent the last twenty-one years looking for you even under the rocks-.

A sepulchral silence settles, I don't know what to think about what my mother has just said, and neither do my brothers' faces. We never expected such a statement, it never crossed our minds that she was capable of something similar.

-Mom... Julieta started to say but mother cut her off, never taking her eyes off Leonardo.

-Then don't say again that your father abandoned you puppy, if you have anger or resentment then blame me, but this is the last time I allow you to refer to my partner like that.

Leonardo stops growling but purses his lips in silent disagreement.

-Well, that's not the reason for this, the problem is Leonardo, you befriended those creatures, the same ones that took you and your mother years ago and allowed them to infiltrate our pack again, giving them the opportunity to do the same thing they did to you to other innocent families. The men who died tonight had fathers, brothers, partners, children, and now their blood stains your hands along with the suffering of their families-.

I change the subject to my father and my half-brother finally begins to show signs of remorse.

My wolf squirms uncomfortably and distractedly wanting to leave and I shut him up mentally, I don't have time for this.

-Do you understand the seriousness of what happened, what what what you did will mean in the future? My father continues but Leonardo still doesn't say anything.

Rex starts barking and scratching inside my head but I ignore him.

-I never wanted anyone to die." Finally my half brother speaks.

-So what did you think was going to happen, or what did you expect to happen?

Rex howls in annoyance at being ignored and tries to make a connection with me.

-I... Leonardo starts but is interrupted when a white wolf destroys the living room window and enters growling in a fighting pose, we all jump from our places growling menacingly. -Rouge. Mom says angrily, letting out her claws.

I inhale deeply and a scent of lavender with red wine hits me like a brick wall making me gasp at how delicious it is.

My pupils dilate and need fills me.

Damn it.

I know why Rex was so restless, I reflect seeing the beautiful winter furred wolf in front of me, and my wolf only confirms it when he growls inside my mind. Mate, Mia, claim!

He demands, but before I can do anyone can do anything, my newfound mate lunges at my half-brother who was growling at him with claws out ready for a fight. Damn it x2.