Echo of the Howl.
1342 Words
The moment Madox took full control, everything blurred. He ran so fast the forest around us became a streak of motion. The only thing driving me forward was adrenaline. My path was guided by the scent of blood and the sounds of battle.
It didn’t take long before I saw the intruders. There were maybe twenty of them. But I had no time to analyze. I crashed into the first wolf that crossed my path with my massive head, tackled him, and tore a chunk from his throat. It was over in seconds — the element of surprise. But that, I had just lost.
Two more lunged at me. But for Madox, this wasn’t even a challenge. I let one bite into my shoulder while I kicked the other straight into the nearest tree. He dropped unconscious. Lucky—for now.
Pain burned in my shoulder, but it only fueled the aggression Madox had been holding back for too long. As soon as the wolf released me, he began to circle. I stayed still, not planning to let him take me down without warning. Madox growled, furious, but allowed the wolf to make the first move. We'd use his impulse against him.
And we did.
The wolf lunged at me with a howl, aiming for my throat. I dodged, but didn’t notice the second one sneaking up through the bushes. Just as I was about to strike, he knocked me to the ground. I waited until they both got closer, then launched. I sank my teeth into the first one's leg so hard I heard it crack. He howled and tried to run, but I held him until I saw, from the corner of my eye, his partner coming for my neck. I released the first and rolled out of the second’s reach.
He was too focused on attacking to notice my movement.
I launched at him. We fought viciously for a few moments. He was smaller than Madox, and panic was clear in every move. Foam built around his jaws as he tried to reach my throat.
I don’t have time for games.
I bit down on the back of his neck with full force, slamming him into the nearest tree. The crack of his bones was so loud it echoed briefly through the dark forest.
I mindlinked my top warrior. “William, report. What happened?”
Will’s voice rang in my head. “Alpha. Patrols didn’t report anything unusual. They just appeared out of nowhere. We have a few injured, but everyone’s stable. We also captured a few for questioning.”
I frowned. “How the hell did they take our warriors by surprise?”
“Alpha, they had no scent. They must’ve masked it somehow. We need to treat the wounded — even the ones we’re going to question. I don’t want to lose any intel. Our men are burning the bodies and cleaning up. Once the injured are out, I’ll find out where they came from.”
“Good. Keep me updated. And Will... one more thing. Do you know where my father is? I don’t see him here.”
Silence.
“Will?”
“Alpha... your father isn’t here. He never showed. I... I think he’s at the Packhouse.”
“What?”
How could he? How could he let us fight alone? Rage surged through me.
“Thanks, Will. I’m going to him. If anything happens, I won’t be far.”
I didn’t wait for a response. I sprinted toward his house. Technically, it was supposed to be separate, but over time he had expanded and connected it directly to the Packhouse. People whispered. Of course we argued about it, but as always, I let it go. There’s no use fighting someone who refuses to listen.
I slammed the front doors open.
“Dad?”
Nothing. Just a couple of startled omegas freezing in place.
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration boiling under my skin. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Do you know where my father is?”
Two young women exchanged a nervous glance before one of them answered carefully, “It’s okay, Alpha. We’re just… tense. We heard about the border attack. Your father is in his office.”
“We handled it,” I said quickly. “There’s nothing to worry about.”
They nodded in silence as I turned away and strode toward my father’s private study.
The room used to be pristine. Everything in its place—books, maps, reports. Now? It looked like a hurricane had torn through it. Piles of documents covered the giant mahogany desk. Training logs, financial statements, requests for aid… all mixed together in a chaotic mess.
But my father sat there like nothing was wrong. Smiling. Relaxed. Laughing into the phone.
“Hahaha! Yes, Michael, it’s all settled. Don’t worry, everything will go smoothly.”
I waited by the door, watching him.
He ended the call and stood up, still grinning.
“Dean! Right on time.”
He clapped me on the shoulder like we were meeting for coffee, not after an attack on our pack’s territory.
“Sit, son. I’ve got great news.” His eyes sparkled.
“Do you remember Alpha Michael? An old ally of mine very trustworthy. We’ve come to an agreement.”
“His daughter Harper is nineteen,” my father said, smiling more with every word. “She hasn’t found her mate yet, so they’ll be arriving next week. We need to prepare, get everything in order.”
He was practically glowing. I couldn’t even remember the last time I saw that kind of excitement on his face.
“Are you serious right now?” I snapped.
His smile faded, his brows pulling into a frown.
“Dean, this is important. I don’t understand why you're acting so angry. I'm doing this for you. Everything has already been arranged.”
“I don’t even know what you're talking about. Do you realize we were just attacked at the border? Where were you?”
He waved a dismissive hand.
“It’s been handled, hasn’t it?”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“You're their Alpha. You're supposed to be the first one protecting our pack. They rely on you. Don’t you get that?”
Now it was his turn to raise his voice.
“I can't be everywhere at once, Dean! And I have other responsibilities. Since you're here now, there’s no point in hiding it anymore. You and Harper will be married. It's done. Neither of you has found your mate this is a smart decision. Your mother will help plan the engagement with Harper when they arrive.”
I could only stare at him in stunned silence.
What did he just say?
“You heard me,” he repeated, smiling again like he had just offered me a gift.
“When you're married, I’ll step down and pass the leadership of the pack to you. Think about it our families united. Two Alphas. Two bloodlines. Do you understand the kind of power this will give our name?”
He looked at me with such hope in his eyes. The same eyes I once respected.
But now... all I could see was madness.
“Dad… you can’t force me to marry someone I don’t know. Someone I don’t love. I won’t insult the Moon Goddess like that. Whatever she has planned for me, I trust her. She’ll lead me to my true mate.”
His face darkened.
“You don’t know what’s good for you,” he said coldly.
“But I’ll help you see it. Either you marry Harper… or forget about ever becoming Alpha.”
I couldn’t listen to another word.
This was insane.
“The choice is yours,” he called after me as I walked out.
But I didn’t turn back.
I had more important things to do.
The wounded needed me.
“Will, meet me at the infirmary,” I said through the mindlink.
And I kept walking.
- Writer
