April’s POV
The rogue didn’t look scared.
If anything, he looked amused.
“Well, well, well”, he drawled, crossing his arms as if we were having a casual conversation. “You must be the big bad Alpha. Gotta say, I expected more.”
Cassius didn’t move. His expression didn’t change. But the air in the room dropped a few degrees, thick with the promise of violence.
The rogue chuckled. “Relax, Alpha. I was just having a friendly chat with the lady here. No need to get your fur all ruffled.”
My jaw clenched. “That’s funny, because I don’t remember asking for a conversation.”
His smirk widened, but there was something calculating behind his eyes. “Ah, playing hard to get? I like that. But you see, sweetheart, I don’t think you realize how much trouble you’ve gotten yourself into.”
Cassius took another step forward, his voice low and lethal. “You have about three seconds to explain what the fuck you’re doing here before I tear you apart.”
The rogue whistled. “Feisty. But you should be asking your little girlfriend that question.”
That caught me off guard. What the hell did he mean?
Cassius stiffened beside me, his body coiled like a loaded spring. My heart pounded, but I kept my expression blank. I would not give this bastard the satisfaction of knowing he rattled me.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked.
His smirk never wavered. “You’ve been asking questions, sweetheart. Stirring up things that were better left buried. And some people? They don’t like that very much.”
Fuck! This was about my parents??
I felt Cassius shift beside me, his presence burning like wildfire, but before he could react-before I could even process what he was saying-the rogue lunged.
Straight for me.
Everything slowed.
I saw the flicker of movement, the tensing of muscles, the gleam of intent in his eyes. He thought he could grab me-thought he could use me as a bargaining chip against Cassius.
Big mistake.
Snow surged forward, our instincts aligning in a perfect, violent symphony.
I spun out of his reach, dodging his outstretched hand, and in the same motion, I slammed my elbow into his gut.
The air left his lungs in a whoosh.
He barely had time to recover before I was on him.
A sharp kick to his knee sent him stumbling. I twisted behind him, gripping his arm, and wrenched it back hard until I heard the sickening pop of his shoulder dislocating.
He let out a strangled yell.
I wasn’t done.
I moved fast-faster than he expected.
A punch to his ribs. A knee to his stomach. A final, vicious kick to his legs that sent him crashing to the floor.
The rogue gasped, coughing, barely managing to stay on all fours. Blood dripped from his mouth. His eyes, wide with disbelief, flickered up to me.
I tilted my head, breathing hard. “You were saying?”
For the first time, his smirk was gone.
Cassius hadn’t moved.
But I felt his gaze on me.
When I turned, my breath caught.
His golden eyes burned with something dark and primal, something raw. Not just pride.
Hunger.
His fists were clenched at his sides, like it was taking everything in him not to move, not to grab me. His chest rose and fell in slow, controlled breaths.
My heart pounded for an entirely different reason now.
I swallowed hard.
But before I could say anything, the rogue moved.
One second, he was on the floor. The next, he was scrambling to his feet, running.
I didn’t chase him.
Because Cassius had already gone after him.
Cassius’ POV
Mine.
The word thundered through my head, my wolf practically howling with it.
I had known April was strong. I had seen the sharpness in her, the lethal grace in the way she carried herself.
But watching her fight-watching her take down that rogue with brutal, effortless precision?
I had never been more fucking turned on in my entire life.
But I didn’t have time to dwell on it.
The bastard ran.
And now? It was my turn.
I exploded forward, my body a blur of speed and fury.
The rogue made it out of the bar, shoving through the doors and into the night. But he wasn’t fast enough.
Not even close.
I reached him in seconds, grabbing the back of his shirt and slamming him into the alley wall. The force cracked the bricks. He groaned, dazed, but I didn’t let up.
I wrenched him around, shoving him against the cold stone, my forearm pressing against his throat. “Where the fuck are your friends?”
He bared his teeth, still trying to act tough despite the fear creeping into his eyes. “Go to hell, Alpha.”
I shoved harder, cutting off his air. “You’re already there. Start talking.”
He gasped, struggling, but I didn’t let up. I had given him a choice before. Surrender or die.
And I wasn’t feeling patient anymore.
“You don’t get it, do you?” he wheezed, his voice strained. “You’re already too late.”
My jaw tightened. “Too late for what?”
He coughed, a laugh bubbling up despite his obvious pain. “You think she’s safe?” His bloodied lips curled into a sick grin. “You have no idea what’s coming for her.”
Rage slammed through me like a tidal wave.
I pulled him forward-then slammed his head back against the wall. His body went limp.
Unconscious.
Good.
I released a slow breath, my wolf still clawing for control. I needed to get him back to the pack. Needed answers.
But more than that-I needed to get back to April.
Because whatever was coming for her?
They’d have to go through me first.