Forty One
*Rafe
“What are you doing, Rafe?” Rafael demanded as soon as he saw me dressing up in my chambers. “You can’t seriously be planning to go after the girl. Don’t you think what you are trying to do is unnecessary and a step too far?”
I tightened the last strap on my leather armor. “Of course I am. Freya is in danger. I have to save her.”
Rafael shook his head. “She escaped the palace walls of her own volition. The Sunshade pack is treacherous territory, even for you. It’s far too risky.”
My jaw clenched. I knew he was right – it would be perilous to confront the rival pack alone on their own lands. But images of Freya, scared and alone, possibly hurt or worse, kept flashing through my mind.
I met my Gamma’s stern gaze. “I hear your counsel, Rafael, but I cannot abandon her. Not when her life may be at stake.”
“What is this girl to you? Why endanger yourself for her?” He searched my face, trying to understand.
I squared my shoulders, hand gripping the hilt of my sword. “She is MINE. I am the greatest Alpha these lands have ever seen. And no one – not the Sunshade pack or anyone else – takes what belongs to ME.”
Fire burned in my veins, the beast within me snarling to protect what was ours. Freya was my mine and mine alone, even if I hadn’t claimed her yet. Nothing would stop me from bringing her back safely to my side. Not my Gamma’s warnings, not an army of enemies. I would save her or die trying
“You are aware that by leaving the palace, she has publicly disobeyed and ridiculed you?”
“And she will be punished for that.” I responded tightly. “After she is found and brought back to safety. That is the most important thing.”
“So let your men go. You have a duty here!”
“I’m going, Rafael. Don’t try to stop me.” I grabbed my pack and headed for the door, my resolve unwavering. One way or another, I would get Freya back. I paused at the threshold and turned back to face Rafael. “I need you to watch over the other candidates while I’m gone. Keep them safe and maintain order here until I return with Freya.”
Rafael sighed heavily but nodded. “I don’t agree with this course of action, but I will do as you command, Alpha. May the moon goddess watch over you.”
“Thank you, Gamma.” I clasped his shoulder briefly before striding out of my chambers, letting the heavy wooden door bang shut behind me.
In the courtyard, I found my most trusted warriors already assembled, awaiting my orders. Their eyes glinted with fierce loyalty and readiness for battle. I surveyed their ranks with pride – these were the wolves I would trust with my life. With Freya’s life.
The Raven bird flew above me, waiting me to give it the go-ahead.
“My brothers,” I addressed them solemnly. “The Sunshade pack has taken what is ours. They have abducted one of ours, Freya Hadid.” Growls of outrage rippled through the assembled soldiers. “This insult cannot stand. Today, we ride out to bring her back and show those curs what it means to provoke the wrath of the Crimson pack!”
Howls of excitement echoed off the stone walls as my warriors raised their swords and guns in salute. The bloodlust of the hunt was upon us now. I mounted my massive black dire horse, feeling the power of the beast surging beneath me, eager for battle.
“For Freya! For the Crimson pack!” I roared. “Move out!”
****
*Freya*
The horrible stench of death and decay assaulted my nostrils as I stood at the edge of the massive pit filled with writhing snakes. Rotting corpses, mangled beyond recognition, emerged through the mass of scales and fangs. I gagged, bile rising in my throat. How many innocent lives had been sacrificed to this hellish grave?
Two guards gripped my arms, restraining me. I squeezed my eyes shut as hot tears spilled down my cheeks. This couldn’t be how it ended-thrown into that pit to be slowly devoured alive.
“Please…” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I don’t want to die.”
One of the guards chuckled darkly. “Beg all you want, wench. Alpha Zephyr’s word is law.”
I forced my eyes open, peering up at Zephyr. His twisted features were devoid of mercy as he sized me up like a piece of meat. When his cold gaze met mine, a tremor ran through me.
“Any last words?” Zephyr’s lips peeled back in a cruel smile.
My heart pounded so furiously I could scarcely breathe. I thought of my mother’s warm embrace, her loving smile. Soon I would join her.
“I’m ready,” I lied, struggling to keep my voice steady.
Zephyr raised his hand, and time seemed to slow. This was really happening. I braced myself for the final plunge into that gruesome grave.
“Now!” he roared.
At that moment, the deafening crack of gunfire erupted from somewhere behind me. I flinched as the guards restraining me were blown backwards, their blood splattering across my face.
Chaos erupted all around. Bodies dropped like ragdolls as bullets whizzed through the air. Zephyr’s men scattered in a panic, returning fire blindly at an unseen enemy. Screams of terror and pain filled the smoke-choked air.
I crouched down, covering my head as the ground trembled from the gunfire. Through the haze, I caught a glimpse of a massive, snarling beast across the pit – half-man, half-wolf. Its eyes burned like embers in the settling smoke. I could not mistake that deep blue eyes anywhere.
Rafe, in his hybrid werewolf form, let out a deafening roar that shook me to my core. He was at least nine feet tall, his rippling muscles barely contained by his wolf-like skin. Wicked claws extended from his fingertips as Long fangs protruded from his muzzle, glistening with saliva.
“Oh.. my.. God..” I whispered in awe. He was a force of nature, beautiful and terrifying all at once.
Zephyr turned towards the beast, his face contorted in rage. “Rafe?! How dare you show up at my kingdom!”
Rafe answered with a bone-chilling roar that made my blood run cold. In the blink of an eye, he launched himself across the pit like a missile. Zephyr scrambled for his weapon, but he was a second too late.
Rafe’s massive form slammed into him with the force of a freight train… Rafe’s explosive arrival scattered Zephyr’s guards like tenpins. In a blur of motion, his claws lashed out, rending flesh and bone with terrifying ease. The guards didn’t stand a chance against his preternatural speed and strength.
Within seconds, the area was clear except for the broken bodies littering the ground. Rafe turned toward me, his feral eyes locking onto mine. I froze, my heart pounding in my throat as he approached with heavy, purposeful strides.
Up close, he was even more imposing – an alpha predator. His muzzle was stained crimson, and his powerful muscles flexed beneath his fur with each movement. Yet, when his piercing gaze met mine, I saw the familiar warmth of Rafe’s eyes shining through.
Slowly, carefully, he knelt down and extended a massive clawed hand. I placed my trembling fingers in his palm, and he scooped me up with a surprising gentleness, cradling me protectively against his heaving chest. “Hi, butterfly,” He murmured with a soft smile.
“H.. Hi” I stammered, still in shock. His face and appearance was going back to the human form now. He was here. He was truly here.
*****