Alexander’s POV
The task of attacking the open area below was given to the werewolf packs. They were instructed to create a diversion to lure the rogues out, while the rest of us went around and entered the buildings.
It ended up being a bloodbath.
Before we even reached the pack house, rogue bodies were scattered around us, covering the surroundings in a river of blood.
However, this did not halt the rogue invasion; an increasing number of rogues emerged from all available hellholes, striking from every direction.
Compared to the average wolf, they were more skilled in combat.
“We are surrounded,” Ghost grumbled, annoyed. He wasn’t scared; he was just irritated that it was going to delay us getting to Emily.
“Head towards the pack house,” my father linked. “Your mother and I will keep them off. Locate Emily and ensure her safety.”
I hesitated, seeing the rogues stalk closer and nip at my father’s tail.
That did not sit well with my father’s beast, and like magic, a ray of ice materialized and covered the rogue’s snapping muzzle. The rogue was taken aback; he let out a whimper as he scratched to free his muzzle from the ice.
My mouth fell open in dismay. That is something I have never seen before.
My father noticed that I was staring and winked, a mocking smile dancing across his lips.
“Did you really think I was going into this unprepared? He linked. “This is what we have trained for our entire lives, but it is now your turn to end it.”
“Go now!” With a mighty growl, my mom slammed her fists on the earth.
I swallowed hard when I noticed the earth giving way to the approaching rogues.
“Now, son, get moving! We will be alright!” My father yelled with greater urgency.
Luke took hold of my arm and dragged me in the direction of the pack house. I knew exactly where I had to go. The map was printed in my mind.
“Incoming!” Luke bellowed, shoving me aside as a rogue lunged in our direction.
Luke tore him to pieces very quickly, splattering blood all over his fur.
I reached out, extended my hand, and pulled Luke to his feet.
“Thanks,” I said.
“Don’t mention it. It was fun,” he said, taking his hand and running it through his hair. “I hadn’t had such fun in such a long time.”
It was only Luke who could be so upbeat in this situation.
Rolling my eyes, I moved in the direction of the door. It seemed to be deserted.
The most excruciating pain shot through my body as soon as I touched the door handle, bringing me to my knees.
“What is the issue?” Luke asked.
“I-”
A sudden round of applause came from behind us, interrupting me, and I looked around, confused.
Standing a few feet away from us were Axel and Vito.
“Cousin, did you think I would make it so simple for you to get to your precious mate?” Axel gritted his teeth and sneered, drawing nearer. “My dear brother here,” he pointed to Vito, “made sure to leave you a little surprise.”
“What sort of surprise?” Luke asked as he helped me stand up.
I could feel my heart thumping violently inside my chest, and my breathing was quickening.
Was I about to die before I reached my mate?
“There is poison on the door handle,” Vito uttered, his expression expressionless. “Specifically designed to prevent Alpha Alexander from entering, I brew it myself. It has mercury, liquid silver, and wolfbane in it.”
“Components that would definitely kill a wolf,” Ghost growled angrily.
“It could have been worse,” I said with a hopeful expression.
“What?” Ghost hissed in disbelief. “You sound like Luke!”
“I am not,” I said. “There could have been something added by Vito to negate our abilities.”
“The ones that are largely unknown to us?” He growled and grew irate.
“Those exact ones!” I chirped.
“Each time your dear Alpha attempts to open that door,” Axel smirked and peered into my eyes. “The poison will seep through his skin and into his bloodstream.”
“Which would leave him in so much pain that he wishes he was already dead,” Vito added.
“Axel, why are you doing this?” I asked.
“Because I am the Opal Pack’s legitimate Alpha,” he snapped. “My father was cast out of his role and banished from the pack like a worthless dog!”
I shook my head.
“He has no idea,” Ghost remarked. “He received inaccurate information from someone.”
“And I think I know who that was!” I commented bitterly.
“You don’t know what you are saying,” Luke challenged. “Your father amused himself by torturing innocent wolves.”
“Lies!” Axel let out a roar. “It’s all lies!”
“He was not an Alpha by blood,” I added. “He was adopted; he was not the Alpha, my grandfather’s son! He was the offspring of my grandfather’s brother, the Beta of the pack!”
“Shut up!” He growled, stalking forward. “You are spreading lies! I saw the records with my own eyes! You don’t know anything about the truth!”
“But you do?” I asked and scoffed. “The original records were destroyed.”
“I know what I saw!” He growled, becoming enraged. “King Xavier showed…”
“Everything that wolf tells you is a lie!” I spat. “He is not even the true King of the Werewolves!”
“I don’t believe you!” Axel yelled.
“You don’t need to,” Luke said. “We can show you what truly happened.”
“We know of…”
“Enough!” Axel roared. He lost control and shifted into his wolf as his anger boiled over.
Vito laughed and tossed his head back.
“Now you have done it!” He said, laughing. “It will be the end of you!”
A sinister smile replaced Vito’s laughter.
“Take him!” He ordered Axel’s wolf as if he were its master.
Axel’s wolf didn’t shy away, and he launched himself into the air, his eyes turning purple.
I was astounded by what I was seeing, and my eyes grew wide.
“Have you noticed that?” I linked Luke while maintaining my focus on Axel’s wolf.
I saw Luke nod out of the corner of my eye.
“It seems like Vito was the one assisting Angelica,” he answered.
It all happened so quickly.
Luke suddenly gave me a violent jerk toward the door, grabbed the door handle, let out a sharp hiss, forced the door open, and shoved me toward the opening.
I was pulled back just as quickly as I believed I had gotten inside, and I yelled out in shock and agony.
Axel had managed to sink his claws into my back, and he was pulling me away from the door. Luke saw it too late, roared out in anger, and came running after us.
Yet, I managed to catch a glimpse of someone entering the building and vanishing inside as I fought against Axel’s hold.
Will that someone be able to save Emily? Or was this all in vain?
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