Adrian's POV

"You better start explaining what happened to my grandson." Sky spoke sternly, her glare fixed on Troy. He gulped, looking up at her nervously. It had been over an hour since the doctor said Payton would be alright. How could someone have done this to him? He's just a little kid.

My wolf wouldn't stop pacing and growling, the both of us were close to snapping. Someone had hurt one of my sons, and I was not okay with that. After Callie and I had spoken to that strange doctor we had gone in too see him. He laid motionless on the hospital bed, the only sound was of the heart monitor. He was so pale, the only colour was of the bruises covering his entire body. When I had held his hand in mine, it was so cold and lifeless. My fear didn't go away, I knew that he was close to death but I wouldn't let him go, I would never let him go. 

Now we all sat in my old office, with Skylar leading the meeting. 

"Troy tell me the whole story." She said, sitting down next to Kyle. She sat waiting patiently for him to speak. He looked at everyone then sighed in exhaustion. 

"I had been out on a perimeter check. It had been just over an hour before I smelt rogues near the pack house. I ran to the area and spotted them, but I also spotted Payton. He was laying on the floor, so still, I believed he was dead. I went at the rogues but they ran away before I could get to them. I immediately went to Payton and brought him back, that's when your other son saw him and screamed. I'm sorry I didn't get there in time." He said, leaning over and covering his face with his hands. I wanted to be angry at him, wanted to tear him limb from limb for letting my son get hurt. But it happens. For the time that I spent as Alpha I learnt that you can't save everyone. It's the hardest part about being Alpha. Having to bear the weight of all that guilt. 

As the discussion went on and on I couldn't take it anymore.

"I need some air." I said standing up before leaving. I'm grateful that none of them tried to stop me, not even Callie. I know that she and Trevor are the ones hurting the most. The pain already is unbearable in my heart, I couldn't imagine what it must be like for them. Sighing I walked out of the pack house and walked into the forest. It was odd that no one was outside, but it was probably just for security measure incase the rogues came back. My thoughts were everywhere and as they began to drift off, it started to remember the day I had met Emily.

It was a couple months after being announced as the new Alpha. I took my job seriously but was still kind and fair. I didn't want to be my father. I wanted to be an Alpha that everyone loved and didn't fear. That's not what I wanted to be known as. Although my pack is small, I couldn't ask for a better one. Everyone was treated fairly, no one was above or below anyone else. Though as time progressed I started to become worried that one of these days I would meet my mate, the person I'm supposed to be with for the rest of my life.

I didn't want any of that, and my entire pack knew that. I had expressed my feelings towards it and yes, most of them didn't agree but they didn't express they're disagreement. 

I had just finished up my morning routine and decided to go for some breakfast with my closest pack members. We all piled into a car and drove into the city. We agreed to go to the small diner in the middle of town. They have the absolute best food there. We soon pulled up and parked. Climbing out everyone was joking around and having fun. I couldn't help but smile, watching all of them. We walked in and were immediately seated down. A waitress took our orders and we waited. 

"Did you see we almost lost by three points." Chris, one of our strongest warriors spoke. I paid attention but it was soon caught to a booth across the restaurant. There sat a beautiful woman, her hair was put in a braid and she was reading a book. She was absolutely stunning. The guys must have noticed my stare. 

"Go talk to her Alpha." One of them said, pushing me out of my seat. I playfully glared over at them before straightening my shirt. I slowly began to walk over to her but made a B-Line to the bathroom when I saw a man sit down at the same booth. That was probably her boyfriend. As I walked out of the bathroom, I couldn't help but hear the two of them speaking. 

"Oh come on Babe, don't be like that." The guy spoke, having a smirk on his face. When I turned to her she was glaring at the man. 

"First of all I'm not your Babe, second of all I wouldn't go out with you if you were the last guy on earth. Now get away from me you creep." She spoke sternly, her glare intensifying. The guy's smirk fell and he too began to glare. 

"Listen here, you better watch who you're talking to-"

"I think the lady made herself pretty clear, so I think it's best you leave." I spoke harshly, placing my hands down on the table and glaring over at him. He looked up at me glaring before standing up and walking away. I turned to face the beautiful woman but was met with a glare of my own. I became nervous as she stood up, grabbing her items. 

"Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't take care of myself. Next time, mind your own business." She spoke before turning around. Now a sane man would just walk away and not want to deal with an angry woman, but I've never been sane. I ran out the diner, turning my head everyway to spot her. As my eyes land on her I run after her. 

"Hey! Wait!" I yell before stopping in front of her. She rolls her eyes before glaring again. 

"What do you want?" She asks, not wanting to have to deal with me. 

"I didn't mean it in a sexist way. I believe that you can take care of yourself, all I was trying to do was be a good citizen." I said with a soft smile. She looked up at me skeptically, as she did so, I couldn't help but stare into her eyes.

"Well thanks, I guess." She said before walking past me and walking off. 

"What's your name!" I yelled out to her. 

"Emily!"

After that day I had seen her at the diner once again and got her phone number. It took a lot of begging and convincing but she had finally agreed to going out with me. And from then on, I knew that she was special. It all changed that day when she accused me of attempting to murder her. I didn't understand it. Why would she have said those things, what did I do to deserve that. 

"Adrian! Get to the infirmary right now!" I heard Callie's voice scream in my head. I winced but ran. What was going on, why would she be calling for me like that? Is something wrong with Payton? Did he wake up? 

So many questions ran through my head as I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Although I had super speed, it felt as if I was running in slow motion. It felt like years had passed when I finally made it to Payton's room. As I got to the door, it opened and Emily and Troy walked out. Both had sad faces. 

"I'm so sorry Adrian." Troy spoke before walking past. Emily gave me a hug before walking after him. I watched them leave before walking into the room and my heart broke completely. There he laid, but the difference? The heart monitor made no noise. Callie was holding Payton close to her body, his arm limp at his side. He was dead.

Payton was dead.

I stood there in complete shock as I watched my lifeless son. 

"W-What happened?" I spoke softly, scared to speak any louder. 

"You killed him!" I heard Trevor yell. I turned, looking over at him. I expected him to be looking at someone else, but no, he was glaring at me with tears in his eyes. 

"Trevor what are you talking about?" Callie had managed to ask. 

"He killed Payton! I saw him! He's a murderer!" 

That's when Callie attacked.