Jacob

Hurt and angry.

I am hurt because somehow, I expected her face to light up for me the way it did when she looked into Derek's face. Why did it have to be him, of all people? Why couldn't it be me?

My anger is simpler, without complications. Derek should be here, right now, accompanying me to this meeting with the Metlako Tribe's Alpha. Victor is a friend, but I need my best friend and Beta to hear this too.

But he isn't here.

He must be out with Ana again, I think glumly.

I still wasn't sure why it troubled me so much. They were mates after all, and even though Ana might not remember that she rejected him not long ago, I am pretty sure the remnants of their fated mate-bond still lingered inside of their heads, drawing them closer. I have no reason to feel this way, no right whatsoever. After all, I once had a mate, and my only emotional obligation was to her - Gisele.

"Mr. Scardacos, it's good to see you again,' I extend my hand as the Alpha Victor shakes it, a charming smile on his lips but a serious glint in his eyes.

"Mr. Knoon, please," he gestures towards the seat across his desk, "take a seat."

I take a seat, adjusting the sleeves of my suit jacket. "I believe you have some crucial information about the rogue."

Victor nods his head, "Luthor. He's an abomination, really. He seeks to take over the territories of the wolf packs all around the state."

"Clearly he wasn't counting on my father having a son."

"Unfortunately, my father is already gone. I am vulnerable here in Washington, but I have heard about the Blood Moon Pack and your vicious warriors. I trust that you will take care of the situation."

"Of course," I say with a nod, "if only we could track him. He's good at what he does."

"He's good," the Alpha agrees, "but not as good as our resources. Which is why I called you here, Jacob. Word has it that he's planning an attack on the Dusk Hunters from Santa Clarita tonight after sunset."

I nod my head, immediately taking my phone from my pocket. "We'll act tonight then."

"Jacob," Victor leans in, folding his arms on the desk in front of him, "if there's anything you need - anything at all - I will have my pack on standby."

"Thank you, Alpha Victor."

The hour and a half drive back towards Santa Barbara feels longer than usual. Mentally, I have to prepare myself for war - and from a leader's perspective, I have to prepare the pack too. I need to get Anastasia off my mind if Blood Moon has any chance of catching the wretched Luthor tonight, but how was I supposed to do that when all I can think about is my own shortcomings.

Those shortcomings are brought to light, doused in it as if a spotlight had been cast on the thing that catches my eyes as I drive past Port Hueneme. I hit the brakes, almost giving myself whiplash in the process, and direct my gaze to the pier overlooking the port.

I would have missed it if I hadn't been so fixated on thoughts of her. I would have missed it if I hadn't sketched every detail into my mind. But it's the soft curves visible every time the wind blows, that fiery hair billowing out across her left shoulder. It's her - Anastasia - standing on the pier with her arms folded on the rails.

And she isn't alone. It's Derek, his frosted tips unmistakable this time of the day, when the sun is at its peak, shedding light above their heads.

I sit in my Jeep, my fists winding around the steering wheel and paling at my knuckles. That should be me, turning to her, tucking a strand of her luscious hair behind her ears. That should be me, gazing at her fondly, mesmerized by her beauty. That should be me, sliding my arm across her shoulders and drawing her closer to shelter her from the cold breeze.

But it's not me. It's my best friend, who once believed that Mother Selene was mistaken for bonding them. I laugh cynically, knowing that our Moon Goddess made no mistakes, and here was proof. It only took Medeia breaking his heart for Derek to realize that his fated mate-bond was more important to him than the almost lifelong commitment to his girlfriend.

But I am paying the price for it.

I have to remind myself that I have no right over Anastasia. Now, she belongs to him. Her lips, like budding carnations, were his to kiss. And I am to stand by and watch their love, their mate-bond, unfold into the beauty I once shared with Gisele.

Yes, Gisele. It was easier to blame Anastasia for what happened. That way, my anger can overcome this painful feeling. Still, I find myself unable to move, like a wicked spy who finds pleasure in watching them. But it isn't pleasure I feel. It's pain. Gut-wrenching pain that treads too close to the brink of anger which I want to inflict on my best friend. Except, this is not his fault.

With that in mind, I start the engine of my car and kick it into gear, knowing I'll have to keep a clear mind for tonight's attack. And as I watch their silhouettes unite in my rear-view mirror, I close my eyes to the heartbreak and open them to the road ahead.

Kimon, who answered my text message by showing up at my place, is standing outside the front door with his hands in his pockets. I'd sent two texts out when I left the Scardacos building - one to the Delta and one to the Beta. Of course, only one was loyal enough to pitch up here.

His dark brown eyes fell on me as I walk up the pathway. He notices the disdainful look on my face.

"What's wrong, Alpha? Your text sounded urgent," Kimon asks with concern, watching me intently as I plug the key into the hole in the door.

"I've got information on the rogues," I lie, because that wasn't why my heart is in turmoil, "and we'll be attacking tonight. Gather the others."

"Isn't this Derek's job? Where is he?"

I gulp as I step inside my house, "he's preoccupied."

"Doesn't matter. I'll let the others know. What time do we meet?"

"Two hours before sunset. We need to strategize a plan of attack."

"Got it."

I spend the next few hours before our meeting in the woods wallowing in self-depreciation. I don't know why I feel like this - like I'm losing Anastasia when she was never mine to have. She's Derek's now, Derek's mate. And surely this isn't love I'm feeling.

I'm only trying to hold on to the last strand of my past. Only Anastasia was there - long before I found Gisele. It was Anastasia who'd been by my side ever since we were kids, but now she's cold, warming only to my Beta. And it hurts.

Dragging my feet with reluctance, I make my way into the woods, only lifting my head as I near the Blood Moon's cabin. The sun has yet to set, but the cool breeze of the autumn winds envelop my cheeks and allow me to reminisce over Ana's cold treatment towards me.

Kimon comes running up to me, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets as he shivers. "The others are here," he informs me through gritted teeth, and I sense that there's a problem.

"But?"

"But Derek isn't here."

I grunt under my breath as we approach the cabin where the others are waiting. "Has he at least called to say where he is?"

It wasn't concern that had me posing that question. I guess I just needed to hear it for myself.

Kimon sucks in a breath, "he's on a date with Anastasia. You know how it is -"

I lift my hand, cutting him off. I know how it is - the memory of spending hours upon hours with my mate was still ripe in my mind. But I refuse to listen to how blissful it all is. Not when I'm this messed up.

I decide to keep my mind strictly on the task at hand. In less than two hours, we would meet the rogue, Luthor, again. And this time there's no room for mistakes.

I call the pack out from the den, "Warriors, you will head the fight. The rest of you will stand behind us, and wait for my signal."

"The rogues are too strong, Alpha, we need the others to fight."

I look at Kimon and sigh. As much as I don't want the Omegas to get twisted into the gruesome fight, I know the Delta is right. We need to gather as many members as possible and prepare them for battle.

"Forget the signal," I declare, and watch as the Omegas in the pack stand forward with pride, "we will all fight tonight. Now, call on your wolves, Blood Moon Pack, and let us train for tonight's battle."

One by one, the werewolves shapeshift and take on their wolf forms. I watch with the pride only an Alpha can feel, and slowly feel my prior angst fade away. I close my eyes, and invoke my own wolf, succumbing to the prowess of his black cloak of fur.

'Blood Moon, gather in groups of two,' I command them with my mind, 'we will take on the rogues one by one, focusing on keeping their leader around. He escaped us before, but he won't escape us this time.'

Kimon nods his cocoa head, 'Yes, Alpha.' He turns to the wolves, bringing forth the power of his warrior commander in his wolf's voice, 'the only way to stall the rogues is by puncturing a limb so that they cannot walk. But the only way to stop them forever is by ripping their heads from their shoulders. Can you do that?'

The wolves nod their heads, waiting for Kimon's next instruction.

'Now, show me what to do when your opponent has the upper hand.'

I let Kimon take over as I pace the earth, my paws crushing dead leaves in my wake. They are capable, I think as I watch them, but the absence of my Beta makes it hard to trust my own abilities. He should be here! I yell inside my head, stopping briefly just to make sure I'm not loud enough for the pack to hear me. They're too busy sparring with each other to notice that I'm making my way back to the cabin.

I glance back once, just to check that no one has seen me leave the pretend battlefield, and close my eyes. I step into the cabin and pull my jacket off the hanging stand.

Biting my bottom lip, I consider if I should make the call or not. As a crushed man, I am making a mistake. But as a dutiful Alpha, I feel like I'm doing the right thing when I hit the green button on my screen.

The phone rings. And rings.

And rings.

"Hi, this is Derek -"

"Derek! Where the hell -"

"- please leave a message after the beep."

Beep!

I throw my phone at the nearest wall, delighting in the sound of glass as it shatters in pieces. I clench my fists against my thighs, all I see is red. The red of the rage burning deep inside me, the red of the waves of her hair. I can't even imagine what they were doing right now. They'd spent all day together, it would only make sense if they were caught in the throes of some fiery endeavor.

I take a deep breath, lest I allow the rage of my wolf to take over between these four walls of our cabin and ruin the place of sanctity for the Blood Moon Pack, and turn to the door. I'd allow my wolf to take over for one reason alone - to avenge my father. It is the right thing to do. There's no point in raging over my best friend and his mate. After all, Anastasia was nothing to me.

At least, I'd keep telling myself that until I truly believed it.