A/N: It's finally here, uwu. Sorry for the delay. I think the next chapters will be a lot easier to write, we'll see, I get distracted way too easily. I'll be attempting to at least start the next chapter on Friday, and finish it up by Wednesday, but actually sticking to schedules are impossible for me so we'll see how that goes XD. Anyway, enjoy, and let me know what you think. As always, I love the comments, even hate comments, votes, follows, etc. <3

Song: Losing You by Aquilo

[Not sure why, but I like this song a lot and had it playing while writing the first part of this chapter] 

Chapter 56

Vince's POV

This was the final straw, my demise.

All at once, I could sense everything falling apart. The cold flooded my senses, wrapping and seizing every ounce of blood, freezing every one of my joints and tendons in place. All while the jumbled noise suddenly became clear, the pack's shouts and gossip intensifying, the air filling with anger and tension.

To his own brother? To the alpha?

Monster. Disgrace. Animal. Asshole. The list went on.

"Please," I whispered, wishing it would reach him through the commotion of the pack members. Even from where I was, I could see the trembling of his lips, the way his eyelids flutter in fear and anguish. With every unsteady breath, I could see the way his body shook, the hand clutching Xavier's shoulder the only thing probably keeping him from falling to the ground.

"Please," I pleaded, not even sure if those words could be heard by anyone. Desperate, I looked to Simon, hoping he could hear me. "Please believe me."

But I could sense it. His fear, the anxiety of seeing what I had done. He was on the verge of a panic attack and I had been to blame yet again.

And despite the repercussions, my wolf was urging me towards him. Go to him. Comfort him.

I wanted to. Wanted to explain, tell Simon that I saw what he did, saw that damn necklace, heard his damn confession.

Then tell him.

I blinked, tuning everyone else as I stumbled to my feet, letting the feeling, the need to go to him propelling me further. I stumbled like a baby deer but managed to get closer to them, hoping they'd drown out the noise, wash away the doubt and fear running through me.

I wanted to tell him. Tell him that Michael had messed it all up for us. To tell him that I knew what I wanted. About the revelation I had earlier. To tell him that I would protect him, that Michael wouldn't get away with this. To tell him that I was willing to make things work, no matter the cost.

But words failed me, the same fearful look chilling me to the core.

"Simon," I breathed, nearly a foot away from him.

But he stepped backward. One simple step back and my resolve was cracking. No. I reached my hand forward, hoping he could just look at me. To touch his face and have him look at me like before, with acceptance and forgiveness.

Please, I wanted to tell him. Tell me it was okay. Tell me that you'll still stay. Tell me I'm not a monster, that you still look at me differently from them. Please. Don't hate me.

But he shrunk back into himself, jerking his head away from my bloody hands in fear. Another step back. He was trembling. Because of me.

He couldn't even look at me, and it was tearing me to pieces. I looked to Xavier, but he too looked at me with fear in his eyes, his eyes filled with unshed tears.

No, I couldn't speak. Please believe me.

I felt a pair of hands gripping my arms, pulling me backward. Then another, as I watched Dwaine and Lucas pull my mate and brother away from me. No.

Don't go. Don't walk away. Please, I begged as they pulled us away from each other. Don't leave.

My wolf howled, and everything soon after became a blur. I remember trying to fight the harsh grip on my arms, remembered yelling aloud, maybe even screaming, but it had nothing on the haunting look of Simon's as he was dragged away. There was no reassurance, no sense of understanding on his face like the nights before.

As I spiraled into unconsciousness, I wondered if this had what being rejected felt like.

---

Bryce and Lucas's brother Craig had brought me to my room. It had been a couple of hours ago, but they were still posted at my door, the silhouette of their feet underneath the door unmoving. For once, they were silent, hardly any small talk from them.

I wanted to scoff. Guarding my door for what? So I didn't go on a rampage again? I was more a threat to myself than anyone else at this point. Trapped in my own room with these thoughts about what had happened earlier was not helping. I was angry, disappointed, hurt, and terrified. Angry not only at Michael but at myself. Disappoint at myself for doing that, and terrified of what the outcome would be.

It didn't help that Simon's things were still here, his bag in the corner, his jacket laying over the couch's armrest. Still there from the night he left. Would he even come back here anymore? With that look on his face, I wasn't sure if there was even a chance in hell that he'd come back and tell me the things I wanted to hear.

I mean what did I expect, for him to come around and pretend nothing happened?

There was a commotion, an exchange of words before I could hear the door open. It hadn't been the guards, and to no surprise, it hadn't been Simon. Instead, Xavier walked in. A shock that he had even wanted to be near me at this point.

He shut the door behind him and walked closer. I didn't bother to look up at him, knowing it wouldn't make anything better.

"You shouldn't be here, Xav," I said plainly, staring at the wall beside him.

"And why not?" I looked up at him finally, wearing a pursed frown, but not that terrified look I had seen hours ago.

"Because," I told him before sighing angrily. I mumbled grudgingly, "forget it."

The silence grew before I dared to ask, "Simon? How is he?"

Xavier blinked before glancing away. "He's alright now."

I clenched my teeth. "You should be with him, not here with me."

He hummed before letting out a soft laugh. "You know, he said the same damn thing. Told me to check on you."

"He needs you more than me." I frowned.

"Vince-"

"You shouldn't be here."

He looked bewildered. "Why would you say that? He was genuinely concerned about you, and so am I, Vince."

"You know what'll happen, Xavier." I frowned, ignoring his comment as he raised his brows. "You can't be here."

"What are you talking about?"

"You're not stupid," I told him. He knew exactly what I meant. "You'll be expected to make the final call. Michael is incapacitated and I'm the one in question. Whatever they decide to do with me, it'll fall to you. If they know I talked to you, they'll think I forced you to help me. "

"That's bull." He huffed before putting a more stern face on. "You know I never wanted to be alpha. Never thought I'd have to. To make a call like this?"

"You know everything there is to be one, Xavier. And for the time being, you'll have to. The council will want this done immediately. After what they've seen, I'm sure they'll want to discuss it later on tonight."

"Then tell me what he told you," he demanded. "I need to know your side of the story, Vince."

"It won't change a thing." I clenched my jaw, my hands balled into fists at my side. "If I told you what he did. What he said, and what his intentions were."

"It will, Vince," he stressed. "You wouldn't have done something like that if he hadn't said something."

We glared at each other for a few moments before I gave in. I ran a hand through my hair before telling him everything. From the visions, the memories I had seen of Simon at his worst, to finding the ring in father's chest to the moment Michael pulled it out and I snapped. From what he told Simon to what he told me about his intentions.

Xavier scoffed before closing the gap across the room, sitting at the foot of the bed. "And you think this won't change the council's minds?"

I didn't reply, aware that if there had been a chance to explain myself it still didn't hide the fact that I had made myself a fool today.

"He murdered our father," he fumed, throwing his hands in the air. "The council would have his head."

"And mine. It doesn't change the fact that I nearly slaughtered him in front of everyone. They won't believe me Xav," I seethed. "You shouldn't have come here. They'll think you had a part in this too if you try and make excuses for me."

"They'll believe you," he rebutted. "If we tell them what he did to dad. Besides, if you mention what he did to Simon, we could tell them it had to do with your wolf trying to protect him. He told me what happened, and that's plenty of justification for what-"

"Just stop," I snapped at him. "This had nothing to do with my wolf. Using him as a scapegoat won't do shit. The truth of the matter is that I nearly killed him, he could still die as we speak. We have no proof that he did those things, Xavier. Regardless of what he said or did, it doesn't change that."

He scoffed. "I could say the same about you. There's no proof that you didn't have a reason to attack. He provoked you, and there were witnesses to the scene, including me and Simon. Simon knew about the necklace and someone must've seen it."

I let out a breathy laugh. He was being ridiculous. "You'd defend the person who got your mate murdered, Simon's family murdered, and nearly killed his own brother?

"You're my brother," he said firmly before his face softened. "We're supposed to look out for each other right? I won't let that council drag our family's name further by making these false claims and punishing the wrong people. Not again. They did that with Simon's family, and I won't let them do that to you too."

"He's your brother too."

He turned to me with a solemn face, one that made him seem much wiser and older for a second. "I told you I had my doubts with him. He's threatened Simon, threatened you, and was conveniently away during that rogue attack. I'm not stupid, I've overheard a few of those phone calls, and I don't think he plans on stopping here. He's been pushing your buttons this entire time, and I think it's safe to say that he isn't here to help you. Whether it's for the role or to just mess with you, I won't let him have that satisfaction."

"You're ridiculous," I sighed.

"Maybe I am," he said. "Not off-brand for our family though. Maybe I am biologically related to you lot after all. "

The air seemed to lighten a bit between us at his joke. Aside from his humor and habit of rambling, Xavier seemed so mature now. I'm sure he still couldn't cook to save his life, but this was a different version of him. He had never been interested in pack affairs before, joked that he was the black sheep out of the family. But here he was, willing to face the council of all people, probably go against everyone's wishes by trying to defend someone like me. Someone he should've hated, someone he deserved to hate by all means.

Here he was risking to be scrutinized by the council. I mean when was the last time I had been there for him?

"Xavier," I said softly, scared the words would fail me. He turned to me with his usual aloof face. "Whatever happens, make the logical choice. If something were to happen to Michael and they decide to exile or kill me, don't foolishly put a target on your back for me. You'll need their respect if you take his place."

"I'm going to do what I think is right," he replied. "Whatever they say, I know what I saw, I know what I heard. I'm not going to let the council decide something so haphazardly. They've made hasty decisions before, and I won't let them do that again. I won't let them wreck the only family I have left."

"Xav," I breathed. "Please. If something happens to me, whether they exile me or...you'll look out for him. Protect him."

"Of course."

"You promise?" I looked at him sternly.

He chuckled before extending his pinky finger out to me. Something we had done when we were kids, pinky promising each other over silly little things. "Promise."

We locked pinkies before his phone buzzed, and mine did shortly after. He reached for his phone before squinted at it in disbelief.

"It seems our brother isn't done," he seethed as he checked his messages before showing me a picture of the treeline, wolves poking their heads through the bushes that lined the neutral territory. "More rogues spotted. A bunch of them circling our less patrolled borders. They're forming herds."

"You think he's planned these? But he's-" I shook my head. "How would he have?"

Xavier scoffed. "Either he planned this before, or he's well enough now to plan this. That, or he's working with someone. Regardless, there's no way this is a coincidence. He wasn't here when the first rogues broke through earlier, and now he's conveniently in the clinic when another attack is imminent? This isn't right."

"I don't like this," I mumbled. "Don't like whatever game he's playing."