Chapter 33
858words
He lunges forward, shifting mid-leap into his wolf form—a lean, gray creature with wild eyes. Kieran pushes me back as he shifts to meet the attack, his black wolf form massive and powerful.
The alphas collide in a fury of teeth and claws. Around them, Marcus's wolves hesitate, surprised by their alpha's direct attack.
I shift, my silver-gray wolf ready to defend Kieran. Before I move, more wolves burst from the trees—our pack responding to Kieran's call.
The fight turns chaotic—wolves clashing throughout the clearing, snarls filling the air. I lose sight of Kieran, dividing my attention between defense and searching for him.
Marcus's scent is my only warning before his wolf slams into me, knocking me down. His teeth snap near my throat as I twist away.
*You should have stayed with me,* his voice snarls in my head through our old bond's remnants. *Now you'll die with your precious new alpha.*
I fight back with everything, my wolf stronger and more confident than in years. No longer the submissive creature Marcus created, but a true pack wolf, an alpha's mate.
We roll across the forest floor. His size gives advantage, but I'm quicker. When he lunges again, I duck under his attack, my teeth finding his foreleg.
He yelps in pain and rage, pulling free and circling me warily. Blood matts his fur where I bit him, his limp now obvious.
*You've learned new tricks,* he growls mentally.
*I've remembered who I am,* I reply, surprised to find I can project back to him through the remnants of our bond. *Who I was before you broke me.*
His wolf snarls, preparing to attack again. But before he can leap, a massive black form crashes into him from the side—Kieran, his fur matted with blood but his eyes burning with protective fury.
The two alphas roll away in a tangle of teeth and claws. I try to follow, but find my path blocked by one of Marcus's wolves—a large brown male I recognize as his beta, Dominic.
Unlike Marcus, Dominic seems reluctant to attack. His posture is defensive rather than aggressive, his eyes troubled.
*He lied to us,* I project, hoping the remnants of pack bonds might allow communication. *About everything.*
Dominic's ears flick forward in surprise. *We're starting to see that,* he responds, the mental voice faint but clear.
A pained yelp draws my attention. Kieran and Marcus have separated, both bleeding from multiple wounds. While Kieran stands strong despite his injuries, Marcus sways slightly, more severely wounded.
*It's over, Marcus,* Kieran projects, his mental voice strong enough that I suspect everyone in the clearing can hear it. *Your wolves are outnumbered. You've lost.*
*Never,* Marcus snarls, desperation edging his mental voice. *She's mine. I'll kill her before I let you have her.*
He lunges not at Kieran, but at me, covering the distance between us with desperate speed. I brace for impact, teeth bared, ready to fight for my life.
But the attack never lands. Kieran intercepts Marcus mid-leap, the collision sending both wolves crashing into a nearby tree. There's a sickening crack, a yelp of pain, then silence.
When the dust settles, Kieran stands over Marcus's motionless form, blood dripping from his jaws. For a terrible moment, I think he's killed him. Then Marcus's chest rises slightly—alive, but badly injured.
Kieran shifts back to human form, his body covered in cuts and bites that are already beginning to heal. I shift as well, rushing to his side.
"Are you okay?" I ask, hands hovering over his wounds.
"I'll heal," he assures me, though pain lines his face. "What about you?"
"I'm fine." I glance at Marcus's unconscious form. "Is he...?"
"Alive," Kieran confirms. "But his spine is broken. He won't be a threat anymore."
Around us, the fighting has stopped. Marcus's wolves stand down, many looking relieved rather than defeated. Dominic approaches cautiously in human form, hands raised to show he's not a threat.
"Alpha Blackthorn," he addresses Kieran formally. "We surrender. We had no idea..." He glances at Marcus. "He told us Selene was taken against her will, that you were holding her captive."
"And you believed him?" I can't keep the bitterness from my voice.
Dominic has the grace to look ashamed. "We had no reason not to. He's our alpha."
"Was," Kieran corrects. "An alpha who can't protect himself can't protect his pack."
The implication is clear. By pack law, Marcus's defeat means he's no longer fit to lead. The Silver Lake wolves will need a new alpha.
"What happens now?" Dominic asks, uncertainty in his voice.
"You take him back to your territory," Kieran says. "He'll live, but he won't walk again. Not without extensive healing that only the oldest packs can provide."
"And us?" another Silver Lake wolf asks. "Our pack?"
"That's for you to decide," Kieran replies. "Choose a new alpha. One worthy of your loyalty."
The Silver Lake wolves exchange glances, a silent communication passing between them. Finally, Dominic nods. "We understand. And... we're sorry. For everything."
