CHAPTER NINE
1073 Words
Nox decided to take Noah and Alexander out for a picnic by the lake. It had been a while since they last did something fun together, and now that Alexander was with them, it felt even more special.
The sun was warm but not too hot, and a light breeze made the trees sway gently. The three of them walked hand in hand, smiling and laughing. Nox carried the food and Alexander’s toys, while Noah held Alexander’s hand.
When they reached the lake, Noah found a nice shady spot under a big tree. He laid out the picnic blanket carefully, making sure it was flat. Nox placed the food basket down and took out the toys.
Alexander sat on the blanket right away, his eyes wide with excitement. He looked at the lake, the trees, and the birds flying above them.
“Are you liking it, bud?” Nox asked and gently ruffled Alexander’s hair. The boy looked up at him and smiled brightly, making Nox’s heart feel light.
“Thank you, babe,” Noah said, sitting beside him. “I know you have a lot going on, but you still found time for this.”
“I’ll always make time for you,” Nox replied, pressing a soft kiss to Noah’s forehead. “Do you want to take a dip in the lake?”
“Yes!” Noah grinned like a child.
Noah and Alexander ran toward the lake, laughing as they stepped into the cool water. Nox stayed on the blanket, watching them carefully to make sure they were safe. As Alpha, he always had to stay alert in case any rogues dared to enter the Shadow Wolves’ territory.
He smiled while watching his husband splash water at Alexander, and the boy giggled, splashing back. Their small family was growing, and Nox silently thanked the Moon Goddess for giving them Alexander. He promised himself he would protect both of them with everything he had.
But his peace didn’t last.
A warrior came running from the trees, his face pale and full of panic.
“Alpha! The vampire escaped!” the warrior said, out of breath. Nox stood up quickly.
“What? How?!” he exclaimed.
“He knocked out Alex during the torture session,” the warrior explained, panting.
“What about the device? The one that blocks his powers?” Nox asked, his voice sharp.
“He... he took it off,” the warrior said with a shake of his head. “We don’t know how.”
Nox cursed under his breath and immediately looked toward the far side lake. His eyes landed on Noah and Alexander, who were still playing, unaware of what just happened.
He clenched his fists, his mind already working on what to do next.
No one—especially not a vampire—was going to hurt his family.
“Find him! He can’t be that far,” Nox growled.
“Beta Croxx went after him, Alpha, but he didn’t have any backup,” the warrior said. “He bolted as soon as he heard the vampire escaped.”
Nox’s jaw tightened. “Guard my family. Bring the warriors here. I’ll find Croxx myself,” he said. With one last glance at his mate and Alexander, Nox shifted into his massive black wolf and sprinted into the forest, leaves rustling beneath his paws.
Back at the lake, Noah stopped playing and turned when he heard footsteps and saw Nox talking seriously to the warrior. He watched as Nox shifted into his wolf form and ran off.
Something was wrong.
Noah’s heart thudded loudly in his chest.
“Alexander, let’s go back for a minute,” he said gently, lifting the boy into his arms. Alexander didn’t ask questions. He simply nodded, sensing the sudden tension in the air.
As they reached the picnic blanket, Noah looked at the warrior with worry written on his face.
“Where is Nox going?” he asked while holding Alexander in his arms.
“The vampire has escaped, Luna,” the warrior answered. “And Alpha Nox was chasing after him with Beta Croxx,” he added.
Noah’s breath hitched. Fear clawed at his chest—not for himself, but for Nox, Croxx, and the whole pack. Innocent people could be caught in the crossfire.
“Where is the vampire headed?” he asked firmly.
“Up South, Luna,” the warrior replied. Noah’s eyes hardened.
“Call the warriors. Tell them to protect every member of this pack,” he ordered. “Now,” he added.
He wasn’t a Luna just for show. He may not fight like Nox, but he would protect the pack in his own way—with strategy, orders, and care.
Meanwhile, Nox followed Croxx’s scent trail deep into the forest. The wind grew colder as he neared the edge of a rocky cliff. That’s where he saw them.
Croxx was already fighting the vampire. The rogue vampire shot blast after blast of icy power at Croxx, trying to freeze him in place, but Croxx was quick. He dodged left and right, barely missing the deadly ice spears that formed from thin air.
Nox didn’t wait. He shifted back into his human form and joined the fight, trying to get close to the vampire.
But the vampire smirked and slammed his hands on the ground, freezing it instantly. The ground beneath Nox turned slick with ice.
“Damn it,” Nox muttered, struggling to stay on his feet.
The vampire laughed loudly. With a wave of his hand, he formed a sharp icicle and hurled it straight at Nox.
Nox tried to dodge, but his feet slipped because of the ice.
The icicle flew toward him—fast.
Before it could strike, Croxx jumped in front of Nox, taking the blow straight to his stomach.
“Croxx! What the hell are you doing!” Nox shouted, catching him as he fell back, blood soaking his fur.
Croxx groaned, gripping the ice shard stuck deep in his side, blood dripping on the ground.
“For my Alpha,” Croxx said, weakened.
“You f*****g i***t. I didn't told you to catch icicle for me,” Nox whispered, voice shaking in anger and pain. He needs to act fast and bring Croxx to hospital.
But the vampire wasn’t done yet.
And Nox was about to show him why no one hurts the Shadow Wolves and walks away.
- Writer
