Captured by the Alpha King

10 Onyx

10: Onyx

The scent of her blood burns in my nostrils, its sweetness a cruel mockery of the venom coursing through my veins. Rowan, my mate, my obsession, ripped from my side by those wretched leeches. Never have I felt fury such as this, a rage so primal it threatens to consume me whole.

I gather the pack with a roar, the Alpha's call to battle. They come quickly, eyes glowing amber in the moonlight, awaiting my command. I pace before them, flexing clawed fingers, barely containing the urge to tear into throats.

"The Elden Coven has taken Rowan. We are going to get her back." My voice trembles with rage.

The pack erupts into vicious snarls, slamming fists against the forest floor. They know my pain, my desperation.

I raise a clawed hand and the pack falls silent, eyes burning with loyalty. "We attack at dawn. Fen, take your fastest wolves and scout the area. Bryn, prepare healing supplies, Rowan may need you. The rest of you, sharpen your senses and ready yourselves for war."

The pack disperses to fulfill their duties, resolved to the coming battle. None have seen me in this state, overflowing with feral protectiveness. With Rowan's life at stake, I will stop at nothing to get her back, even if I must tear the Elden Coven apart, limb by limb.

I pace the forest floor, wearing a path in the dirt as the moon climbs higher. Doubt creeps in. What if I'm not strong enough? What if the Coven's magic overpowers us? Rowan's face appears in my mind's eye, her gentle smile washing away the fear. No. I push the weakness down deep, letting the fury rise up to replace it. For her, I will be the monster they fear.

The pack has finished their tasks, gathering again with weapons and poultices in hand. I look into their eyes and see iron determination reflecting my own. These wolves would follow me into the depths of hell itself to bring my mate home. For they know the consequences if they don't.

"The Coven made a grave mistake taking what's mine," I growl. The pack rumbles in agreement.

"We will remind them why we are feared, why mothers whisper our legends to frighten unruly pups. We will fight as one vicious beast with but one purpose - to sink fangs and claws into our enemies until they release what is ours."

The wolves bare teeth and howl for blood, stirring the spirit within. I turn and lope into the forest, leading my pack to war beneath the cold light of the moon. The Coven will regret lighting the fire within. We will reduce their stone walls to rubble and tear the still-beating hearts from their chests. Nothing will stop us from bringing Rowan home.

The forest blurs past as we race through the night, paws thundering against the earth. I lead the charge, my pack fanning out on either side of me in a V formation. We are the point of a spear aimed at the heart of our enemy.

The Coven's stronghold looms ahead, a hulking monolith perched atop a lonely hill. Torches flicker along the parapets, casting dancing shadows that cannot hide the guards patrolling the heights. I signal the attack with a sharp bark.

My pack breaks and surrounds the base of the hill, merging with the night. I alone rush straight for the iron-bound gates, drawing the attention of the guards. Arrows whistle through the air as I sprint up the winding path. I dodge and weave, arrows glancing off stone inches from my flank.

At the top, I leap through the gates in a surge of snarling fury. The guards rush to meet me, wolfsbane tipped swords glinting in the firelight. I lunge, knocking one to the ground and tearing out his throat in a spray of hot blood. The others close in, slashing at me with their blades. I snap and claw, fighting like a cornered beast.

A thunderous crash echoes from the far wall as my pack breaches the outer defenses. Howls ring out as they swarm into the stronghold. The guards curse and fall back to defend from this new threat. I race past them into the inner keep, following Rowan's scent through the maze of halls. Her captors will pay for what they've done. I will see this place burn.

I barrel through the twisting corridors, the stench of death and decay growing stronger. Her scent leads me to a heavy iron door barred and chained shut. I morph to human form and wrench the door open with supernatural strength, the metal screeching in protest.

The sight within turns my blood to ice. Rowan lies pale and unmoving on an altar, surrounded by Elden vampires chanting foul spells. Their leader holds a cruel ceremonial dagger, poised over Rowan's heart.

With a roar, I hurl myself at them. My jaws close around the leader's arm, severing it in a spray of dark blood. His screams echo off the stone walls as I rip out his throat.

The other vampires hiss and swarm me, claws and fangs tearing as they stab me, the sting vibrating through my body. I fight with savage fury, shredding limbs and torsos until the floor runs slick with blood. Behind me, my pack spills into the room, joining the frenzied attack. We will not stop until every last Elden vampire is dead.

I shift back and race to Rowan's side, slashing the chains binding her. Her heartbeat thrums, faint but steady. Relief floods through me as I gather her limp body in my arms. She is safe now. I will never let her go again.

With Rowan secured, I turn back to the battle raging around us. The keep rings with screams and howls, the clash of fangs and claws. My pack fights as one, mercilessly destroying our enemy. The Elden coven falls before our onslaught, their dark reign ended.

When the last vampire lies dead, I let out a long, fierce howl of victory. My pack echoes it back, our howls reverberating through the conquered keep. We emerge bloodied but triumphant, Rowan cradled protectively in my arms. This night, we took back what was stolen from us. And we will never yield again.

The victory howls fade as I carry Rowan outside, my pack falling in around us. Her head lolls against my chest, eyes closed, skin pale. Worry gnaws at me.

"We need to get her to the healer," I say.

Tyrone nods. "I'll run ahead and alert her."

He lopes off into the woods. I glance around at the rest of the pack, taking in their injuries. Claw marks rake fur, blood stains muzzles. But their heads are held high, eyes bright with triumph. As much as I wanted to be proud, there was no time.

Rowan stirs slightly with a soft moan. I tighten my arms around her, a rumble rising in my chest. "Almost there, little bird. You're safe now."

Her eyelids flutter but don't open. She smells of blood, fear and pain. A growl escapes me. They f****d with the wrong woman.

We reach the spot where Bryn has prepared a makeshift medic area. I lay Rowan gently on a bed and take her hand. "Where the f**k is Bryn? Tell her to get her ass here immediately."

Tyrone dips his head and lopes off.

I smooth back Rowan's hair, my heart aching. She looks so small and pale against the bedding. But she's alive. And she's back where she belongs. With me.

I press my lips to her forehead. "I'll never let anyone hurt you again. You're safe now, little bird."

Her fingers curl weakly around mine. My brave, beautiful mate. She'll recover. She has to. I cannot imagine life without her light. Finally, I hear Bryn outside. She goes straight to Rowan and lays a gentle hand on her forehead, murmuring words of encouragement as she looks her over. Rowan stirs, whimpering softly.

I hover close, loathe to leave Rowan's side even for a moment. "Will she recover?"

Bryn's eyes meet mine, empathy and reassurance in their depths. "With time and rest, yes. I don't know what they did, but her external wounds are minor. It's the internal wounds that concern me."

Right, what the f**k does that mean?

Bryn opens her satchel, removing jars and vials of herbs, pastes and elixirs. She works methodically, cleaning and dressing Rowan's wounds, administering tinctures and poultices.

I pace the area, too anxious to sit. My nails lengthen into claws, then retract again. I want to shred something, to unleash my fury, but that must wait. Right now my place is here, with Rowan.

At last Bryn finishes. She lays a hand on my arm. "Let her rest now. The medicines will help her sleep and recover."

I nod, the tightness in my chest easing slightly. "Thank you."

Bryn offers an understanding smile. "I'll return to check on her." She gathers her things and leaves.

Finally alone, I settle down beside Rowan. She looks more peaceful now, her breathing deep and even. I take her hand again, linking our fingers.

"I'm here, little bird," I murmur. "Rest. Grow strong again. We have a life to plan."