The last of her pack

Chapter8. Hard headed

Eran POV

I locked eyes with the female from the window and something in me tightened. Her gaze widened, startled and she jerked back, quickly closing the window. I could feel my own pulse spike. My nose flared, my chest felt tight, my entire body screaming for her. She was breathtaking, absolutely beautiful, and every instinct in me was screaming to claim her.

But Eryx had said she was his. Was he lying? Trying to trick me so only he could have her? I clenched my fists, muttering under my breath, “I’ll have that female too.” And without another thought, I marched off, my boots crunching on the ground.

One of the guards, a familiar face named Francis, spotted me as I passed.

“What’s got you so wound up?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “You look like a man carrying the weight of the world.”

I gave him a side glance, sighing heavily. Then, stepping closer, lowering my voice, I said, “You wouldn’t believe what I’m about to tell you.”

Francis scrunched his face, suspicion written all over him. “Try me. I will believe you,” he said, leaning in, curiosity sharp in his tone.

I leaned closer still, my words a whisper now, dangerous in their intensity. “If you utter this to anyone, I’ll behead you before the alpha even gets the chance.”

Francis raised his hands in mock surrender. “My mouth is sealed. Go on. What’s happening?”

I exhaled slowly, trying to contain the surge of emotions threatening to spill over. “There’s… a female in the pack.”

Francis blinked, and then a laugh erupted from him, loud and incredulous. “You’re seeing things, Eran. You’re losing it!”

I rolled my eyes, grabbing the front of his collar in frustration. “Have I ever joked with you, Francis? Ever?” I asked, my voice tight with disbelief.

He straightened instantly, the humor fading as he looked me in the eye. “Are you sure about this?” he asked, his tone now serious, wary. “Females… they’re extinct. You know that.”

I let go of his collar, pacing a few steps, the tension in me refusing to settle. “I know. I was surprised too. But this one… she’s Eryx’s mate, and she’s in his room. Right now.”

Francis leaned in, eyes wide, a dangerous excitement in his expression. “A female? Here? Tell me—does the alpha plan to share her? Because if he doesn’t… I need a female too.”

I exhaled, pressing a hand to his arm to stop him from blurting more. “Hush. Do you really want anyone overhearing this? There are females out there I’m sure of it. I intend to find out if there are more.”

Francis’s grin widened and he muttered, “The alpha will give the command and then we’ll find them. We’ll find more.”

I shook my head, feeling a twinge of frustration. “I’m not sure that bastard will give orders anytime soon. He’s too self centered. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself.”

Francis’s expression hardened. “We can’t defy the alpha. You know that. We don’t act without orders. You’re his brother and I’m his guard. If we go after females without permission, he’ll have my head.”

“And you think he wouldn’t kill me too?” I snapped, pacing now, unable to keep still. “That bastard’s been waiting for me to slip up for a long time.”

Francis’s eyes flickered with unease. “You actually want him gone, don’t you? Everyone knows the two of you hate each other.”

I paused, jaw tight and then continued with quiet determination. “Hate doesn’t even begin to cover it. But even if I can’t have him gone right now, I’ll find a female for myself. I need a female too.”

Francis leaned back slightly, concern etched into his face, but I could see the spark of excitement, the same raw hunger in him that I felt gnawing at me. He opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off.

“I have to go. What I’ve just told you stays between us. Take it to your grave, Francis,” I said, voice low but firm.

Without waiting for his response, I turned and started walking, each step purposeful, my mind already calculating my next moves. My pulse hammered in my chest as anticipation and desire coiled tight inside me.

“I’m gonna find a female for myself,” I muttered under my breath, louder this time, letting it hang in the night air like a challenge. “And you won’t stop me, Eryx.”

The forest loomed ahead, shadstretching like dark fingers across the path. I stepped into the bush, the leaves brushing against my arms as if trying to warn me, but I didn’t slow. The night swallowed me whole, and I embraced it. It was mine now, the darkness, the secrecy, and the hunt. Every nerve in my body thrummed with desire and determination, driving me forward.

I thought of Eryx, smug and confident, claiming her as his own. I clenched my fists, tasting the bitterness of his arrogance. Perhaps he was lying, or perhaps he truly thought he could keep her. Either way, I would prove him wrong. I would have a female of my own, someone who would belong to me and only me, not just a mate to the alpha or a trophy to anyone else.

Francis’s words lingered in my mind for only a moment. I knew the consequences would be severe if Eryx discovered what I was about to do, but I’d be damned if I waited for some bloody order. Francis wouldn’t betray me, my secret was safe with him. That knowledge did little to quiet the storm raging inside me. Every instinct screamed that waiting was impossible. The female was here and I would not let this opportunity slip away.

“I’m gonna find a female for myself,” I repeated, more to myself than anyone else. “And you won’t bloody stop me, Eryx.”

The night of the bush swallowed me whole.