Hunted by the Alpha King

Sixteen

“She’s gone.”

Ronan slashed at the wolf who had given him the news. Xavier grabbed him around the chest, pinning his arms down to stop him, but nothing could stop his anger. His mate was gone. Finally, after years of waiting, he could smell her scent. He had finally been able to touch her skin. To taste her blood.

And now she was gone. He roared into the air until his throat hurt.

His Hunter’s watched as he quickly lost his mind with emotionless eyes. Never before had their leader shown emotion of any kind. Xavier pulled him away any time he stepped toward another wolf. Saving their life. Once he was finished with his anger, Ronan would be embarrassed by this display. But no pack member would hold it over him. They could feel the charged energy in the air. The desire for his wolf to take over and destroy the entire pack. The fact that Ronan’s eyes were still mostly black, besides a ring of red around the pupil, was a huge testament to how strong he was. He was fighting the desire for destruction. The desire to let the beast take over completely. His claws swiped the air, roaring when they couldn’t find a victim to maim. He wanted blood. He wanted to stain the ground with rivers of red. To roar so loud that even mountains would tumble.

“Willow!” his voice came out more of a pained groan than a roar.

“We have her parents,” Xavier whispered into his ear, slipping his arms around Ronan’s neck in a chokehold. “I have already told Silas and Weston to interrogate them.”

“I’ll kill them!” Ronan had started to foam at the mouth. The thought of their blood running down his neck was too enticing.

“You’ll need them alive if you ever want Willow to come back.”

Ronan’s vision flared to red in a flash at the sound of her name. Especially when another unmated male had said it. Easily he broke free of his Beta’s arms now that the beast had completely taken over. Ronan was allowing himself to be held, but Leif would never allow it.

Skin shredded apart and bones broke as Ronan fell to the ground. A large black wolf took his place, turning his snarking muzzle to his Beta.

You cannot kill him! Ronan screamed at Leif.

This worthless pup dares to mention our mate in my presence.

You’re the worthless one who let her go!

Don’t question me!

Ronan thrashed his head as Xavier watched him with unblinking eyes. His beta didn’t show any signs of fear, which was exactly why he was second in command. He watched patiently as his Alpha tried to get his wolf under control. After an hour or so the red haze in the Alpha’s eyes dimmer, until the coal-black color was left over.

The black wolf shifted back into his human form. Ronan was left panting and naked on the floor after his battle with his wolf. “Bring me her parents.”

“Sir-”

“I have him under control now. Bring me her parents or I will let Leif finish you off.”

Xavier nodded before issuing the Alpha’s orders to one of the Hunters. Another Hunter brought a change of clothes for Ronan. “It’s best to not meet your in-laws naked.”

Ronan almost smiled at the innocent words. His in-laws were lucky if he didn’t kill them. Because it was very possible. He may have control over the beast for right now, there was no guarantee the peace would last. His muscles twitched with every movement. Pulling on clothes felt like he was trying to peel his skin off, he was so sensitive. But he didn’t groan in pain or let anyone see such weakness.

The Richards were brought before him. A tall, muscular bruiser with brown hair and a buxom brunette. They were the stereotypical Southern wolf. Ronan’s black gaze flicked between the two, cataloging every feature and movement. Their hands were handcuffed behind their backs and their faces were painted with bruises. Purple and black bloomed along their arms from the rough handling. Willow’s mom looked less bruised, but not by much. The Hunter’s treatment of them hadn’t been good. Her mother had hazel eyes while her father had yellow, a far cry from Willow’s violet. Both parents had dark hair and tanned skin, but Willow was all frosty white.

“She doesn’t favor either of you.”

Ronan watched with satisfaction as her father’s jaw clenched. But he noted that neither said anything. Or disputed with him. They were aware that Willow was her own. But Willow and her parents were wrong. Willow was his.

“Where is she?”

“So she got away.” Her father smirked. Ronan’s hands grew into claws instantly at the smile. It was taunting and proud. He seemed unphased at the sight of Ronan’s anger. No outward expression, at least.

“Where. Is. She?”

“You’ll never find her. Not unless she wants you to.”

“Who do you know that’s South?”

Ronan watched as fear flickered in her parent’s faces. They had expected her to go a different way. Their union had thrown off her escape plan. A fact that Ronan was grateful for until he realized he couldn’t torture her parents to find out where she was. They didn’t know either.

“Your worthless to keep around if you know nothing.”

“Did you say she went South?” Willow’s mom asked, stepping closer to the Alpha. Ronan narrowed his eyes at the sound of fear in her voice. He nodded once and watched as both parents paled.

“You have to go after her! You have to find her!”

Ronan arched his brow at Willow’s mother’s request. Everyone knew that he was going after Willow. The white wolf would never escape his grasp again. Ronan walked around the pair until he was at their bound hands. He raised his hand, extending his claw, before swiping down.

No! Willow’s voice rang through his head. It was a balm to all of his anger and pain. Peace and calm washed over him like waves of the ocean.

Come home, little wolf.

You will not kill my parents!

You dare to command me? You left them.

Please! Willow sobbed.

You will come to me the next full moon.

I can’t!

Yes. I will give you a month to find a way or I will kill them.

Ronan wiped his hand down, releasing the cuffs around their hands. Both looked at him wearily as they rubbed their wrists.

“Why can’t she go South?”

They looked at each other, silently communicating. After a brief moment, Willow’s father nodded before his wife said, “She is hunted. Other wolves will try to find her. She was supposed to go North to be protected.”

“Hunted by whom?” Ronan stepped forward, his beast rising again.

“Any wolf who discovers her true identity.”