Chapter Thirteen
1214 Words
Fenrir’s POV:
The night belongs to me. I feel the cold air cutting through my fur as I run. Dirt goes flying as my paws hit the ground. The forest blurs around me in streaks of shadow and silver moonlight. This feels like victory. I feel victorious.
And on my back?
Mine.
What I feel can only be described as ecstasy. There are no other words for it. I can feel Ulric’s joy flowing through me like blood in my veins.
She trusts us. I let Ulric know.
Nothing else matters now. She trusts us. All I care about is her sitting there without fear and laughing instead of screaming.
Mine. I cherish you, Maya. I say to myself, letting out a low growl unintentionally.
She barely notices. I can hear her laughing and screaming on my back. Her fingers are tangled in my fur, her chin resting slightly on the back of my neck.
This is happiness.
Her laughter echoes through the woods. That is probably the most dangerous sound I have ever heard.
Now I know that I will destroy anyone or anything that tries to harm her.
I run, cutting through narrow paths, flying through the air. Like a King showing off his Kingdom to his Queen.
She belongs here with me.
With us. I hear Ulric in my head.
Then it hits me.
Another scent. A wolf scent. A male scent.
I come to a sudden halt. My happiness vanishes and is replaced by alertness. Every one of my instincts slams into place. I scour my surroundings carefully, then I see it. Two green eyes glowing from behind a tree ahead.
Before I can react, a blur of brown and black fur pounces out from behind the tree, slamming me to the ground.
The blow sends Maya flying into the woods. My body burns with fury. Before the attacker attempts to make his next move, I jump up, and my canine teeth lock around his throat. I shake his body violently; my jaw aches, but I do not stop. I close down on his neck harder as I shake more violently. He paws at my snout but I do not stop; I do not give in.
Nobody hurts my mate and lives.
I taste metal, and then suddenly he goes still. His body goes limp in my jaws, and I drop him at my feet. My first instinct is to find Maya. My gaze sweeps the clearing until I see her sitting against a tree, eyes wide, arms wrapped tightly around her knees as she trembles. I turn back toward the forest and immediately sense them. More wolves. Watching. Waiting. Hiding between the trees.
I stand over the rogue's body, blood soaking into the earth beneath my paws. I throw my head back and release a dominant, bone-rattling howl.
Within minutes I am surrounded by familiar wolves; a mix of grey, white, and black bodies forms a protective circle around me. One look at me is enough. They see the body, the blood, and my shaking mate.
Protect the Alpha.
Protect the Luna
They vanish into the forest. The silence lasts only seconds before it is torn apart by snarls, growls, and dying yelps.
I retreat and let Ulric take control again. Bones crack, flesh shifts. The wolf gives way to the man.
Ulric’s POV:
I wait until I see Derick emerge from the trees, blood staining his muzzle.
“The area is secure, Alpha. No survivors,” Derick says through our mindlink.
I approach the shaking Maya, her knees pulled up to her chest, her eyes wide with fear.
“Come,” I whisper. “You are safe, my girl.”
I scoop her up and hold her against my chest. She does not resist.
I walk until I reach the Jeep Derick left for me. I open the back door and carefully lay her on the seat. She has fallen asleep. Either exhaustion or shock has claimed her.
This is all my fault. I can’t help but think to myself.
I close the door gently.
I open the door to the driver's seat and find a pair of pants. Derick always thinks of everything; because I had shifted, I am now completely naked.
The drive to my house feels endless. Worry gnaws at my mind. How did these bastards get into my territory? How did I let this happen? They attacked while I was out with Maya. I was reckless.
I carry my sleeping mate to my room and tuck her in. I kiss her head softly. She stirs in her sleep but does not wake.
“Alpha, we need to talk,” Derick says in my mind.
“I’ll be there now.” I turn the beside lamp off beside Maya, and leave my room.
I’ll have her stay in my room tonight, with me, so that I can keep her safe.
Fenrir chuckles in my head.
So you can keep her safe? Right Ulric. That’s absolutely the real reason.
I ignore his comment and carry on walking to my study. I enter the room and find my desk surrounded by the top members of my pack. A meeting has been called. Leading the meeting is Derick
“Alpha, please, sit.” Derick says concern covers his face.
I walk past the crowd and take a seat by my desk.
“What is it?” I demand.
“The rogue that attacked you survived,” Derick replies.
“Really?” Shock tightens my chest. “I surely killed him. He was strong but inexperienced.”
“He is in the dungeons, Alpha,” Jericho, one of my most skilled fighters—my Gamma—says.
"And was there any questioning?" I ask curiously.
“Yes, Alpha. After some intense questioning, he finally relented and told us what we need to know," Jericho explains.
“You need to keep an eye on Maya, Alpha. These wolves were not rogues as suspected,” Derick interrupts, his tone sharp with concern.
“We are still trying to figure out how they crossed our borders undetected, but they were sent from the Silver Water Pack. According to the mutt in our basement, the order was given directly by Beta Cole. Luna Sherry supported this decision.”
Silver Water Pack.
I should have known that Cole would not have just let me take Maya. That bastard is territorial and cold. He wants my mate.
I think this i***t might have a death wish.
We just made peace with this pack; after all these years of war, they want to fight again. Sherry already took one Luna from this pack. She will not have my mate.
The memories come flooding back. I choke back my tears.
I will not let them take her.
They will not win.
They will die for this.
“Keep the mutt alive, Derick,” I say, authority radiating from me. “Jericho, double the patrols. Find out how they infiltrated our territory.”
“Derick, set up a meeting with my father. And move all of Maya’s belongings to my bedroom,” I add, almost barking the orders.
“Yes, Alpha,” Derick and Jericho answer in unison.
I am coming for you, Cole. She is mine.
- Writer
