Mercy

Nikolai’s heart felt heavy in his chest. His wolf didn’t like what he was about to do and Nikolai agreed completely with him. He also didn’t like what he was going to do. He didn’t want to utter a single word that will indicate he didn’t want her, but he wanted - needed what was best for her and his son.

He listened as she shuffled around the room until he felt her settle down next to him. Her left thigh brushing against his right and he inhaled slowly. His hands curled into fists as he fought with his emotions.

“Roza, I have done you wrong in so many ways. I failed you as my mate. I broke your trust and hurt you in a way that should never be deemed as acceptable. When you could’ve left me for dead, you came and saved me. That right there tells me you are a better person than I am. You are a lot stronger and more selfless than I can imagine. I told you that I wanted to try and prove to you that I love you, but I failed you in that area too.” He said in a small hopeless voice. His heart twisted in his chest as he spoke to her.

He growled in frustration, feeling his heart beating almost in a painful squeezing way as he pictured her gone forever. He didn’t know what he will do if she did decide to leave him.

“I will understand if you want to leave me. I don’t know how long I am going to be blind for, but I don’t want to hold you down too.” He whispered.

There was a moment of silence. The only way Nikolai knew she hadn’t left yet was the warmth of her thigh pressing against his. When he was about to speak up again he felt her hands wrap around his clenched fists.

“I’m staying.”

His breathing was irregular as the words slowly registered in his mind. She was staying even when he allowed her to leave. That means that she really was giving him a chance.

“But...” She said.

He looked up and knew he was frowning, but all kinds of questions popped up in his mind. Did she want to stay and not be his mate? Did she want to stay and not give them a chance?

“But I want to give us a try. Everyone deserves a second chance. We might have gone the wrong way about this as mates. You might have hurt me in the long run, but we have a pup together and a bond that we both know is getting stronger every day.” She reasoned. “If I leave now, not only will Maksim will be heartbroken, but it will leave us both wondering about those ‘what if’ questions.”

It was in that moment, Nikolai knew that he had to do everything right this time. He needed to make sure that Roza knew he was truly sorry. He needed this woman in his life and he would walk through hell and back just to have her accept him.

Several hours later, Nikolai stood outside in his front yard with Dimitri. He called for a pack meeting so that he can inform them of his decision. He knew that within his pack he has very loyal pack members, but there were a few young male wolves who were cocky. Many of which Nikolai has encountered and although they will meet Nikolai’s eyes long enough to make Nikolai’s wolf shake his fur in anger. They also knew when to look away. It was like touching the barrier enough to cause a mark, but not enough to be challenged.

“I have called a pack meeting tonight because of the recent incident. After a tree fell on me, I cannot see. As I am trying to adjust to my new misfortune, I have asked Dimitri to take my place as Alpha.” Nikolai announced.

The crowd started whispering. Slowly, the voices grew and a somewhat panicked feel hit the air. The crowd was growing restless at the idea of their Alpha stepping down.

“Silence!” Nikolai roared.

Immediately, silence fell in obedience.

“Why is it that the Beta is taking your position? It is customary that the Luna takes over your job until you are better.” An elder asked. Nikolai turned toward the voice. His ears twitching as he pulled through his memory to find a face to the voice.

Nikolai could feel Roza stiffen next to him. His hand found hers and wrapped around her hand. He felt the tension leave her body.

“I understand that it is customary that the Luna of the pack should be next in line to take care of you. I know that you also know that Roza is my mate. Word has gone around and I am not denying it. She is my mate. However, Roza is not your Luna yet as she does not bare my mark. Therefore, I have concluded that Dimitri will stand in my place until I recover.” Nikolai spoke.

“That is bull!” A younger deeper voice growled.

Dimitri snarled and Nikolai’s wolf began pacing. Even in its weakened and quiet state, Nikolai felt him stir a little.

“Are you challenging my decision?” Nikolai said in a deadly low voice.

After a moment, the voice spoke up again.

“I am.”

Gasps went through the crowd. Dimitri was growling in anger at the blatant insult. Nikolai, however, was a lot calmer. A slow dangerous smirk crawled on his face.

“I would like to issue a challenge to you, Alpha. You are incapable to be our Alpha and I think we should get a chance at taking your place.” The male voice said confidently.

“Shut the fvck up, Don.” Dimitri growled.

Nikolai put a hand out to stop Dimitri. A challenge is a challenge. Don was a big burly man, but he was still very young and too confident. Nikolai has seen this man fight and although he was very good, he doesn’t understand that humility was a big part of earning your spot as Alpha.

“Nikolai, you don’t have to fight him. I’ll knock that asshole down a notch.” Dimitri reasoned.

“The challenge was towards me. What kind of Alpha would I be if I can’t even control my own pack?” Nikolai said in an ominous tone. His power slowly radiated in strong waves as he took a step forward.

“Nikolai.” Roza said in a panicked voice.

“It is okay.” Nikolai soothed.

He felt Dimitri and Roza step back. Slowly, the smell of a young wolf appeared in front of him. He knew right away it was Don.

“Prepare yourself, Alpha.” Don said insolently.

“You are very confident. I hope your actions speak louder than your words.” Nikolai was slightly nervous. Has he fought blind? Hell no. He was winging it and a part of him doubted he could do it.

“If you beat me, you get my pack and title. If I beat you, you will leave this pack.” Nikolai warned.

The air in the pack fields was tense. No one dared to say a word as they watched someone challenge their Alpha. Many knew this was an unfair fight, but many knew that their Alpha was a lot more capable than anyone thinks.

Nikolai closed his eyes. Losing his sight means that he couldn’t rely on his vision. He has to count on his other senses. His ears twitched and his nostrils flared as he put his hands up in the air.

It all happened really fast. Nikolai being flipped to the ground, eliciting a grunt from him. The feel of Don’s foot stomping onto Nikolai’s stomach, bruising and injuring his recently healed ribs.

Pain shot through Nikolai’s body. He turned to his hands and knees as he wheezed, clutching at his throbbing rib cage. He felt Don pull him by the hair hard before landing a punch to his jaw and another one to his cheek bone.

Nikolai felt his whole world spinning. Don made quick work in using his blindness to his advantage. Landing blows where Nikolai couldn’t see or know. The man was skilled and quickly making Nikolai a punching bag.

“Nick!” Roza cried out. He can hear the worry and fear in her voice.

It did something to him. Something woke up inside of him and a growl left his lips as grabbed a hold of Don’s hand that was in his hair. Twisting it enough for Don to release him.

Keeping a strong hold on Don’s hand, his hand reached out until he got a hold of Don’s shirt. Pulling him up to where Nikolai knew he could land a few punches.

The sound of Nikolai breaking Don’s nose and releasing him. He heard Don’s body hit the ground as he cried and whimpered. The smell of blood hit the air. With a quickness that he didn’t know he possessed, he grabbed both of Don’s arms and yanked them behind him. The sound of his shoulder bones breaking filled the air.

Hearing Don crying, he knew that Don was lying on the ground on his front. He moved to place a knee to Don’s back and his hands gripped Don’s jaw, ready to pop it when he stopped.

Breathing heavily he spoke. “You are to leave in fifteen minutes. If you are not off the border by then you will be hunted and killed with no mercy.”