Panic coursed through Luke as he felt the jaws of Jaii close around his thick neck. Before he could even think to beg for mercy a pain like no other came and his howl of agony became a choked, gurgled noise. His entire body fell limp against the bloody grass beneath them as he lived out his last moments, unable to make another sound. He didn’t even have the energy to shift, though his body would surely make the change for him once death had arrived.

“What the hell!” Rick yelled, tears in his eyes out of anger and grief. He hadn’t gotten involved because frankly, there hadn’t been enough warning. Besides, Jaii meant business and he feared for his own life. Even right now he was afraid of what the alpha’s son might do next. He could not be Beta under this shifter, he wouldn’t. He had to convince him to leave…

“You killed your own father! You’re insane!” he screamed, taking a single step forward and looking from Sam, some of the others that had gathered around, and back to Jaii. “Nobody here wants you as Alpha, Jaii, you’re clearly not stable!” There were a few murmurs of fear and agreement from the lesser pack members, ones who had gathered to see the fight but sent their children back to their rooms. “I’m taking charge of this pack. You’re banned from our territory, and anyone who doesn’t agree with that can leave with you! I won’t have you endangering our family, Jaii,” he said, pointing toward the long road that led to the gate. “I swear if you’re not gone within the next five minutes I’ll call Vera’s father,” he said, “see what he says about all this, you and her.” That threat surely made him lose Vera for good, but it was worth it. He was becoming Alpha of this pack, and that was all that mattered. He had power.

Rick ran to his brother’s body as it began it’s change, leaving a mangled male body that made the scene look even worse. “Get out of here, Jaii Talon. I swear if you’re not gone within the next five minutes me and the others will deal with you myself.” He looked at Sam, eyes narrowing. “What will you choose, hm? If you’re staying, get that healer out here now. Maybe…maybe he’s not gone. She should have been out here from the beginning, why did you send her away?” he screamed, sadness making him yell even louder.