Jason's POV

　　Opening the large double doors at the back of the pack house, I felt all eyes turn on Kayla and I. Pulling her to my side protectively, she might not be my mate, but I still cared for her deeply and was less than impressed by the judgmental stares she was getting from those within my pack! Everyone had already assembled per my father's request and stood silently at the bottom of the stairs - everyone except Kayla and I.

　　Searching the crowd of faces for Tommy, I sucked down a sigh seeing his tense jaw and hard gaze, looking between his sister and me, shaking his head disapprovingly. His wolf shone at the back of his eyes letting me know that Tommy did not stand alone in his anger!

　　"Nice of the pair of you to join us." My father's dry voice cut through the air, irritating me. "Were we interrupting something?" He snapped sarcastically as I walked past.

　　"You know what, Buddy! I am done with this shit; I am done with apologising, explaining myself and seeking their approval; you know what- fuck them!" I growled at Archer, who chuckled favourably. 

　　"Fuck yeah! But you can tell ya, pops! He looks like he wants to use our bones as a toothpick; I am not in the mood for a fight with him today!" he winced, observing him through my eyes. 

　　"Seriously! It's training! you have to be in the mood for a fight!" I laughed, rolling my eyes, knowing he wouldn't miss out on a chance to stretch his legs and kick some ass tonight! "I will deal with Father; you deal with Tommy!" I bargained, hearing him groan. I narrowed my eyes at my father, ready to fulfil my side of the bargain.

　　"I swear to God, if he lands a punch on my face, I am gonna be pissed!" he grumbled but nodded. "Date, tomorrow! I wanna look my best!" Laughing, I pushed him down momentarily and turned my attention to my father. Wanting to make a point.

　　"Yeah, actually, you were." I snarled, turning to look at him; Archer shined supportive in my eyes even if we both knew it was false confidence. Feeling Kayla's hand gently touch my shoulder and pull me back to the here and now. 

　　"Come on, baby." She whispered, trailing her hand down my arm to link her fingers with mine. Calm washed over me at her gentle touch! This was why I liked her! She knew when to act and when to be silent! Letting her pull me towards the crowd and our usual spot beside Tommy, I shook my head at the anger I felt bubbling out of nowhere; two seconds ago, I was fine! Now standing with my pack I wanted to rip all these assholes' heads off and feed them to Archer.

　　"You're a bastard." Tommy hissed under his breath, looking at me in disgust; my best friend's anger apparent also, igniting the fury I felt building inside me. "A selfish fucking snake!" Turning slowly, my green hues levelled on him, daring him to continue. 

　　"At least Damien is loyal! You... you are a disgrace to this pack!" he spat aggressively, his fists clenching at his side as he looked at me with vivid yellow eyes—Rafe evidently as annoyed as Tommy. "Turning my sister into the laughing stock of the pack!"

　　Shrugging off Kayla's gentle touch, not wanting her calm, but Archer's chaos! I narrowed my eyes at my best friend, giving him a moment to retract his statement and back down.

　　"I'd highly suggest he apologise!" Archer growled venomously; I could feel his need to force Tommy's submission ebbing to the surface and taking hold of me.

　　"He can't get away with disrespecting us like that." he added, his tone dripping with outrage. He was right, but Tommy was still my best friend, and this behaviour was out of character, even for him! We may disagree and bicker in private, but we were always the picture of unity and strength in public. 

　　"Something is wrong, buddy!" I breathed to Archer; I could feel the resentment washing off my wolf, bubbling to full-blown hostility. He ignored me, forcing me to retreat, fury taking over and seizing control of my body. Without my consent, my fist exploded into my best friend's jaw, sending him flying to the ground. 

　　I watched in horror as Archer possessed my body, crouching over Tommy and driving his fist repeatedly into my best friend's face. I knew those around us wouldn't step in, not brave enough to approach Archer when he exuded chaos like this. My wolf had always been antagonistic and temperamental but never hateful. And that's what I felt coursing through his veins now! Hate!

　　Looking through the savage eyes of my beast, I expected to hear gasps and see my father and Marcus run to split us up... instead, I was faced with the reality that everyone was fighting each other! Siblings were fighting siblings! Friends taking chunks out of each other! Even my mother, who had always been so peaceful and dignified, I noted, had a she-wolf in a headlock, screaming something about her wandering eye. 

　　The pack had gone mad! 

　　Pulled back to my own issue, Tommy had managed to free an arm and plunged it straight into Archer's mouth- my mouth! Blood seeped between my lips, coating my teeth, making me look like the savage beast people feared I was! 

　　"Buddy! Stop!" I screamed at Archer feeling the overwhelming urge to kill wash over me! Something was wrong; I would never want to kill Tommy or Rafe! Neither would Archer! Momentarily Archer listened, his temper simmering slightly, giving me hope that I had gotten through to him! 

　　Tommy took the chance to lunge, overpowering Archer and kicking up into his chest; Archer, too distracted to shield the attack, stumbled back, landing on the grass with a thud. I hoped the distance would allow me to talk some sense into my insane counterpart! Tommy, however, had other ideas; his large muscular form straddled, Archer his knees digging into his arms to keep him pinned to the ground as he launched his own brutal attack at my face.

　　"Archer, it's not Tommy!" I shouted, but my words bounced around my head, letting me know he was shutting me out! Fear seeped up my spine, given the hatred I felt from Archer and the pure, unfiltered need to kill; I feared for my Beta and best friend's life! There had to be a way to stop this insanity! 

　　Repeatedly trying to push to the surface but only getting glimmers of the chaos around me, I felt paralysed and helpless! Calling on the last of my strength before Archer took over completely, and knowing without a doubt I would lose my best friend; I pushed to look through my wolf's black eyes. Tommy's face was bloody and bruised. He looked every inch the warrior I knew him to be! A fair adversary for Archer! But his eyes were no longer light grey nor the magnificent yellow of Rafe! 

　　They were purple! 

　　The exact shade of purple I had seen once before in a dream! Abigail's dream! 

　　The darkness! It was here!