Alpha's Little Vampire Mate
CHAPTER 141

Marcus POV

I paced the length of the office, my wolf clawing at the edges of my mind. I could still feel the heat of Lily's throat under my grasp, the fear in her eyes as I choked the truth from her. She had been in the hospital for days now, fighting for her life all because of me.

I felt like a monster.

My own Gamma and Beta barely acknowledged me, their silent judgment hanging in the air like a thick fog.

How could I have let this happen?

How could I have let my wolf take control like that?

I sank into a chair, my body shaking with the weight of my guilt. Chloe was still missing and I had nearly killed an innocent woman in my quest to replace her.

My hands trembled as I raised them to my face, the scene of Lily's fear still fresh in my memory.

What had I become?

A beast?

Or had I always been this way, waiting for the right moment to unleash my darkness?

I closed my eyes, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over.

Just when I thought I couldn't sink any lower, or have a minute of silence from pack troubles and numerous questions, the door to my study exploded open and Mark charged towards me like a raging bull. "You!" he bellowed, his face contorted with rage. "You did this! You and your stupid wolf! You put my wife's life in danger for yours!"

Titus, who was hot on his trail, tried to hold him back, but Mark was determined. He kept launching himself at me and before I could even defend myself, his fist connected with my jaw, sending me flying off the chair and onto the floor. I felt my lip split open, warm blood filling my mouth.

Mark's fist sent shockwaves of pain through my body as I crashed to the floor. The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth as I struggled to right myself.

"Mark," I grunted, spitting a crimson puddle onto the floor, "This isn't helping."

But Mark wouldn't listen. He lunged again, his hands wrapping around my throat.

"You destroyed her. My Lily is fighting for her life and that of our pup because of you!" he growled, his grip tightening with each word.

I struggled against his hold, trying to push him off.

As Mark's vice-like grip tightened around my throat, my desperation grew. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, could only focus on the burning pain radiating from his fingers.

"Mark!" I choked out, "Stop! This isn't the way to-!"

Mark's glare silenced me, his face a mask of rage. "This is your fault!" he hissed. "You put Chloe's at risk and that of my wife! You need to learn!"

My wolf took over as Mark tightened his grip on my throat, my lungs screaming for air. I lashed out with all the strength I could muster, my fist connecting with Mark's face with a sickening crack. Mark flew backward, his body smashing against the wall.

The impact caused a sickening thud, his head bouncing back with a spray of blood.

I coughed and gasped for air, my throat raw and burning. I staggered to my feet, my gaze locking with Mark's stunned expression.

My chest heaved as I surveyed Mark's stunned expression.

Mark had dared engage me in a fight?

He totally forgot the rules, he laid his hands on me for the stupidity of his wife, even though I felt guilty for my actions, that gave him no right to trample on my authority, I'll never allow that.

"You forget your place, Mark." I growled, still struggling to catch my breath. "I am still the Alpha of this pack irrespective of the bond between us that gave you the right to barge in here and do rubbish, Mark! You need to be punished! How dare you?"

But before I could continue, the Gamma, Titus, stepped between us "Now is not the time, Alpha," he said, his tone low but firm.

My gaze shot to Titus, disbelief and anger warring for dominance within me. "Not the time?" I snarled, my chest heaving with each breath.

"He attacked me! My Beta, my second in command attacked me with the intent of harming me, and you say this is not the time? Have your brain and anus swapped places?"

Titus's gaze was unwavering. "Alpha, I understand your rage, but Mark's actions were driven by fear and desperation. Lily is his mate, and she might not come out of this alive, you forget she's not a werewolf. You should see the extent of damage, the doctors have booked her for multiple surgeries meaning she has to lose her child, indirectly, you just killed Mark's child. If you punish him now, the rift between you may never end."

My feet remained rooted to the ground as Titus's words echoed in his mind.

Lily's life would be saved, but at what cost? Her unborn child.

After six months?

All because of me?

Mark struggled to stand up, I couldn't even look at him right now, my conscience was pricking me badly.

Adding to my list of atrocities, I just killed a child because of my anger and foolishness.

As Mark turned to leave, the hurt and rage written across his face, he paused in the doorway, his eyes burning with a rage that belied his broken heart.

"You," he growled, his voice low and deadly, "You would do well to remember that if my Lily dies, so does my loyalty. And without me, this kingdom will fall to ruin."

My eyes widened, the gravity of Mark's words crashing over me like a wave. Mark's threat cut deep, cutting every string in my heart.

Mark's parting glare seared into me, the rage and grief of his words still fresh. I wanted to call out, to offer my condolences, but the words died on my lips.

Left alone in the silence of my study, I collapsed into his chair and cried.