Page 73 of Alpha's Revenge Luna

I clutch the cold metal of the gun, hidden behind me as I step out of the shadows. “Grandma?” My voice trembles, betraying my confusion and fear.

My grandmother whirls around, her demeanor instantly transforming into the caring, nurturing figure I remember from childhood. “There you are, finally! You can come home; we’ve got him, sweetie; he can no longer hurt you,” she says, her voice sweet and inviting.

I shake my head, disbelief and hurt warring within me. “Home? After what you’ve done? You called them here, didn’t you?” My accusation hangs heavily in the air between us.

Grandma’s expression hardens for a moment before regaining composure.

“Emery, you don’t understand. It’s for your own good.

You belong with your family, not with...

him,” she says, her eyes flickering toward where Dion and Kyrio are being held.

Little does she know I heard everything, and I see her for what she truly is, a monster. First, I need to know where Caleb is.

“I don’t even know who you are anymore,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. The realization that the grandmother I knew and loved could orchestrate such a betrayal is shattering.

“Emery, please,” Grandma pleads, walking toward me. “Let’s go home. Forget about all this.”

I step back, my grip on the gun tightening. “I can’t. Dion is my family now, too. You might not understand it, but he’s not the monster you think he is.”

Grandma shakes her head, a look of pity crossing her face. “You’re brainwashed, dear. He’s a Hybrid, a monster. He’s dangerous and using his vampire compulsions on you, he’s not your mate.”

“No,” I counter firmly. “He is my family. And I won’t let you hurt him.” I glance toward where Dion is.

“Emery, don’t make me do this,” Grandma says, her voice taking on a threatening edge as she reaches into her purse and pulls out a syringe.

Fear grips me as I realize what she might be capable of. I pull out the gun, pointing it at her, my hands shaking. “Stay back, Grandma. I won’t let you hurt Dion.”

“Emery, you’re pointing a gun at your own grandmother,” she says, her voice laced with disbelief like she truly believed I would choose her.

“I’m protecting the man I love,” I reply, my voice steadier than I feel. “The man you tried to kill!” I yell at her.

“I’m doing this for you, Emery. All this is for you”

I swallow hard, my confidence wavering. Then I hear Dion’s voice in my head, “You need to run, love. I will buy you some time, but I need you to run!” I shake my head.

“Where is Caleb, Grandma?” I ask her, my eyes darting to Dion behind her, all guns trained on him.

“I told you at a sleepover. We can go get him as soon as you put down that gun.”

“Whose house?” I question. I knew something was off with her, but I didn’t expect her to betray me like this. She clicks her tongue in annoyance.

“What happened to Trinity?” I ask her. She sneers but doesn’t answer.

“He’s filled your head with so much nonsense. Once we get that mate mark taken care of, you’ll see, you’ll see the atrocities of what your mate has done,” she assures me, but for the first time, I truly see her; how I didn’t all these years is beyond me.

“You know the rogues got her,” she tells me. “Now let us put this behind us, let me help you, let me get rid of…”

“Just like you helped Trinity?” I ask her. “You let Mom kill her?” I choke on the words, feeling the truth behind them.

“You heard that, did you?” she asks. Her eyes flicker and I glance around at the other men. There are only four and Grandma; surely Dion can take out the one holding Kyrio hostage if I can keep the others distracted long enough.

“I heard everything; I know who you are, and I know what you’ve done!” I yell at her.

“I never should have given your father that pack. Weak, so damn weak. Your mother had more balls than him she did, but she insisted he take over. I warned him, and he failed,” Grandma states and I furrow my brows.

“Even with all the evidence of Trinity’s betrayal, he still wouldn’t kill her. He was going to let her get away with it. Instead, he left it for me and your mother to deal with!” she snaps at me, and I gasp.

“And once again, I am stuck cleaning up after weak men. Now, Emery; you’re going to give me that gun before you do something we both regret.”

“Where is Caleb?” I spit at her.

“He’s not even your brother. Who cares where the brat is? He’s probably dead since Elder Eric took him. Those bloodsuckers, nothing survives long around them.” I gasp, looking at Dion behind her.

“Elder Eric?” Dion murmurs behind her and she sneers, turning toward him. “Yes, your pitiful father. How do you think I found my way into the council, purely through Sloan?” she laughs.

“No, once I threatened to tell the council what he truly is, I had him by the balls,” she laughs.

“You gave Caleb away,” I choke out and she turns back to face me.

“What use do I have for him,” she snaps at me and hearing that my mind is officially made up.

“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not,” I whisper, tears streaming down my face. “AndI won’t let you hurt him.”

As I stand there, gun aimed at my own grandmother, the weight of my decision bears down on me. But I know, deep in my heart, I’m making the right choice. For Dion, for me, for the future we could have together.

“You traitorous little bit—” her words cut out when I pull the trigger and all hell breaks loose.

Yet all I see is the woman I grew up believing was my grandmother, standing there staring at me in shock, her shirt staining red as she clutches her chest. She staggers forward and I feel a bullet whizz past my face narrowly missing me, drawing my attention to those around us, yet the only one standing is Dion.

The men now lay in mangled heaps and my mate is covered in blood.

My grandmother wheezes, the bullet having pierced her lungs, and blood spews out her lips.

Dion walks over to her, and she reaches for him, clutching his shirt when he grabs her face.

All I can do is watch in shock at the fact I shot her and at everything we learned.

“Now, I’ll rip your heart from your chest just as you ripped out mine the day you tossed me off that cliff,” he snarls, the cracking sound of his hand piercing her chest where her heart is, is sickening and loud in the parking lot despite the alarms blaring loudly.

Dion’s eyes meet mine, asking if I’m okay, I nod our silent relief passing between us.

He nods back, stepping forward as I lower my gun, the deafening echo of the shot still ringing in my ears.

The chaos around us fades into a blur when we hear the choking gasp of Kyrio.

My eyes move to Kyrio lying in a pool of his own blood, and I race to his side.

The metallic scent of blood fills the air, mingling with the acrid smell of burning rubber.

Faint echoes of shouting voices and sirens resonate in the distance.

Kyrio lies motionless in my lap, his lifeblood seeping away onto the cold ground. Dion kneels beside us, his face etched with anguish. Kyrio, his best friend, is slipping through our fingers. I’m cradling Kyrio’s head in my lap, his blood pooling beneath him, staining my jeans.

“Dion, do something!” I cry out, my voice breaking with panic. Dion’s eyes are tormented pools of pain. He knows what he has to do but seems hesitant.

Dion, frantic and focused, tears his wrist open, pressing it against Kyrio’s pale lips. “Drink,” he orders, voice strained with urgency. “Kyrio, please,” he whispers, a plea to the semi-conscious form in my arms. He presses his bleeding wrist to Kyrio’s lips, the blood trickling into his mouth.

Kyrio’s body remains still, too still. Dion’s blood, the blood of a Hybrid, potent is our last hope.

“Drink, my friend,” Dion urges, voice strained with his anguish. The moments stretch out, each second an eternity of waiting, hoping against hope.

But it’s not enough. Dion, with a pained expression, forces more blood into him, whispering apologies and promises.

Suddenly, Kyrio convulses violently, his eyes snapping open. They are wild, unfocused, filled with a savage hunger. He lunges, teeth bared, aiming for Dion’s neck.

“Dion!” I scream, but Dion is already moving, holding Kyrio back with a strength born of desperation. “Kyrio, control yourself. You must!” But Dion’s gripping Kyrio’s jaw, holding him back. “Freeze, Kyrio,” Dion commands with a growl.

Kyrio stills, his fangs inches from Dion’s skin.

Kyrio’s struggles weaken, his eyes clearing as Dion’s command as Alpha takes hold. He stops, panting, confusion written all over his face.

“Dion... what...?” Kyrio’s voice is a hoarse whisper, and he pats his chest, it’s so odd seeing him with fangs, it’s eerie, his movements too quick, he even startles himself.

“We had no choice, Kyrio,” Dion replies, his voice heavy with regret. “You were dying.”

The realization dawns in Kyrio’s eyes first shock then horror. “I’m alive,” he chokes, touching his newly formed fangs. The sirens grow nearer, yet there’s still a savage gleam in Kyrio’s eyes and I can see the worry in Dion’s.

“We won’t be much longer if we don’t get out of here,” Dion mutters, glancing around.

“And you can’t get in the car with us like this,” Dion adds and Kyrio stares at him. Dion motions for me to come to him, holding out his hand.

“Don’t bite us,” he instructs firmly. Kyrio’s eyes, clouded with pain and confusion, lock onto Dion’s, and he nods, understanding flashing in his gaze.

Once Dion’s sure Kyrio’s not going to tear into us, he motions for Kyrio to walk ahead.

Yet Kyrio seems almost lost like he is taking in the place for the first time.

When we near the car, Dion stops Kyrio rummaging in his pockets while Kyrio watches him with a hungry intensity, Dion hits the fob, the trunk popping open.

“Sorry Kye, but you gotta get in the trunk.” Kyrio glances at the trunk then Dion then to me. I linger behind Dion, nervously.

“Do I need to order you?” Dion asks him, watching him like he’s watching a snake about to bite. Kyrio sniffs the air, his pupils dilating and restricting, deep shades of red swirling in them.

“What’s wrong with him?” I murmur.

“He needs blood, he’s between phases, I need you to get in the car, Emery,” Dion tells me. I look at Dion.

He nods toward the car.

“Why?” I blurt stupidly.

“Why do you think? Now hurry up, we need to get out of here before authorities show up. I am not sure who is in your grandmother’s pocket and who isn’t,” Dion warns me, just the mention of her makes my heart race faster and my thoughts go to Caleb, wondering if he is okay.

Nodding, I move to the passenger seat and climb in.

My mind reels with the events and now that I’ve sat down it’s like the adrenaline has worn off and I am assaulted with the memory.

Hearing a grunt and banging around, I peer at the side mirror but don’t see Kyrio or Dion.

Staring through the back window, Dion shuts the trunk and moves to the driver’s seat.

He opens the door sitting in the car and the blood dribbling down his neck doesn’t go unnoticed by me, so I know he let Kyrio feed on him.

We leave the parking lot and the mess we left behind, pulling onto the highway just as patrol cars zoom past us. Dion glances in the mirror and I hold my breath as we head back toward the highway.

“What now?” I ask.

“We go home, form a plan,” Dion states and I swallow the lump forming in my throat.

We make our way back home. The packhouse is quiet, and dark when we return home, but Tara is waiting out the front despite the late hour, so I know either Dion or Kyrio mind-linked her to tell her what happened.

She races toward the trunk of the car, but Dion stops her, grabbing her shoulders.

He tells us to step back while he lets Kyrio out.

Yet the moment he does, Kyrio barges past him to get to Tara, a shriek leaves me as I panic thinking he is attacking her only to see him scoop her up and hug her tightly.

Tara sobs, clutching him back and Dion lets him go, having grabbed his shoulder the moment he grabbed her.

Kyrio’s placed in the dungeons immediately - a precaution until he can control his newfound bloodlust.

I watch from a distance, a pang of sorrow for their situation striking me. Dion wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close. “He’ll be okay,” he murmurs, his voice filled with a certainty I don’t feel, but I desperately want to believe.

I can’t shake the feeling of an impending storm. Caleb is out there with Elder Eric. The thought gnaws at me.

Dion sensing my turmoil, brows furrow in concern.

“We’ll figure something out,” he assures me, his hand squeezing mine.

“I won’t let anything happen to him. To any of us,” Dion reassures me.

“We’ll find Caleb,” he says, determination steeling his voice.

“We’ll bring him home. Now come on, you should sleep. ”

“What if the council comes?” I worry, too scared to sleep, my grandmother’s dead body haunting me even awake. I dread falling asleep.

“Our men will alert us. Now come.” Dion leads me to the room, yet the packhouse feels different. Everything feels different and to think what was supposed to be a visit with family has turned into a bloodbath.