Nicolas POV
It was hard not to just barge down there and rip everyone apart. Maintaining my composure was a challenge.
“Is the tunnel clear?” I mind-linked Alpha Rick. He has taken hostages and was now running between the Alphas checking up on them.
“All the tunnels are clear,” he replied. “And all exits are blocked and secured.”
“Noted,” Ronan replied.
“We are sending two groups of warriors over to Alpha Jack’s and Alpha Noah’s pack,” Alpha Rick continued. “We don’t want any surprises.”
“You can proceed, Alpha Rick,” I said. “Be vigilant…”
“We will. Take care and bring my Zara home,” he said, and cut the link before I could say anything more.
Now that there was a direct link created between Alpha Rick and me, he would be able to link me directly.
The new gift was not only exceptional; it was handy as well. I could select in mid-mind-link if I wanted and needed to have anyone else join. It especially became handy when I needed to strategize and give out orders, and the best part, there was no range limit.
“I think we need to gather our warriors and attack soon,” Levi said, stepping closer. He sounded a bit pissed. He was listening in on the mind links but was more focused on what was going on below.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Jamie just told Zara that beta John was her true father,” he said, his face twisted in anger. I have never seen Levi this angry. “I am afraid of what he is going to reveal to her next…”
I stepped closer and looked down below. Zara’s face was twisted in anger and flushed red, and even though her hands were tied up behind her back, they were still balled into fists.
“I had the privilege to sink my canines in his throat and kill him. I watched the light in his eyes dim,” Jamie said, with a vile smile on his face.
My heart broke seeing Zara’s expression. She shouldn’t have received this information that way.
I turned my attention to Jamie. I couldn’t recall seeing him at the fundraiser.
“What is he talking about?” Levi asked, shifting his confused gaze toward me.
“I am not sure,” I replied. “But my guess is that he was the rogue wolf that was sent to kill me…”
Levi nodded in understanding, yet he knitted his eyebrows.
“He certainly does not look like the wolf,” he said.
“I think he uses magic to change his appearance,” Ronan said.
Levi nodded.
“How powerful is he?” he asked.
I shrugged.
“No one has a clue,” Ronan replied.
“Well, I hope he isn’t that powerful,” Levi said. “Can you imagine if he changed into something more sinister than a rogue wolf?”
I shudder at the thought.
“I am pretty sure he can shift into a wolf,” Ronan said. “But that shouldn’t keep us from going after him.”
“I agree,” I said. “We end this now!”
Levi nodded and waved his warriors closer. He would be moving in from the northern parts of the cave, while Ronan moved in from the southern part of the cave.
I’ll be going on my own with a group of warriors a couple of moments behind me.
I was hoping they would think that I came alone.
We were not sure how strong Jamie was, and I didn’t want to risk him finding a way to escape.
“We are in position,” Levi mind-linked.
I could see him from up here. He and his team found a spot close to Jamie and Zara.
“All set, we are ready,” Ronan linked next. I couldn’t see him from where I was waiting.
Alpha Luke found my gaze when no one was looking; he looked a bit anxious, and he quickly reverted his gaze down to Jamie.
Jamie hissed and grabbed something; he seemed angry, maybe even afraid of something.
Was he trying to tell me something?
A moment later, Alpha Jack went closer. He seemed confused by Jamie’s actions.
What the hell is going on?
My gaze moved to the opening in the cave roof. There was no full moon in sight. Was he going to start the ritual earlier?
I weighed my options and even considered connecting and mind-linking with Luke, but I was afraid that Alpha Jack might notice…
“Get into position,” I mind-linked my warriors. “Our time has run out.”
A simple nod of their heads told me they were ready, and I quickly left them, making my way down toward the temple.
Our plan was simple-I needed to create the diversion while Levi untied and set Zara free. Ronan will protect her and take her safety.
I silently moved toward the temple, noticed an opening, and walked straight toward Jamie. He didn’t see my coming, nor did anyone else.
Everyone was deep in their own thoughts, staring at Jamie with disbelief, initiating a ritual.
I could hear confused whispering. His men were confused by his behavior.
Jamie picked up the book and shifted it to his left arm, giving his right hand some freedom to move it around.
He looked down, read some words, and started charming them.
A breeze whooshed past me and moved toward Zara. The candles around her grew brighter.
Zara’s face froze in fear. She threw her back, a horrific scream leaving her lips. The sound made my heart bleed for her.
I was too late. I let her down. I let her feel this! This was my fault!
I shook in anger. Jamie was removing my mark from Zara’s nape. I could feel her pain slipping through the close mate bond. It was becoming my own.
Something urged me forward. The anger is seeping through my veins like fire.
Before I knew what I was doing, my fist connected with Jamie’s jaw, sending him sliding on the cave floor.
The book of spells cut through the air, dropped to the floor, and slid toward the water.
I let out an earsplitting roar, forcing everyone back as I set myself between Zara and Jamie.
Alpha Jack and his men hovered in fear. They were uncertain about their surroundings and the best course of action. They have never seen a wolf walking upright and on his back paws.
“Nicolas,” I hear Zara gasp from behind me. She sounded surprised and relieved but not afraid. “Is that you?”
I didn’t respond, instead focusing entirely on Jamie.
Jamie’s startled gaze met mine, and his eyes widened when he saw me.
He quickly scrambled to his feet, taking another step back.
“Like what you see?” I sneered. “You did this to me! You changed me into the beast I am today!”
“A-alpha Nicolas?” He stuttered nervously, looking back at Alpha Jack. “W-what a surprise! The new look is fantastic, don’t you think? It suits your demeanor perfectly!”
“Alpha Nicholas?” Alpha Noah muttered in disbelief. “Isn’t he supposed to be a weak old human on his deathbed? What the hell is this?”
“I thought you got rid of him,” Alpha Jack growled. “Now you have changed him into a monster! Can’t you do anything right!”
“I don’t know what happened,” Jamie stated. “I have bound his wolf. I drained his magic. This must be some trickery!”
“Just shows you what kind of wizard you are!” Alpha Noah sneered. “Useless!”
“Men, seize him!” Alpha Jack roared his order.
Jamie stepped back, a vile smile forming on his lips as he stepped toward the book. The rogue warriors surrounded me, blocking my path.
“Looking for this?” Ronan suddenly asked, waving Jamie’s book of spells in the air and catching him off guard.
Jamie’s gaze shifted back to me and then to the altar, noting Zara’s absence.
“Did you really believe I would come alone?” I asked, and I threw my head back, releasing a howl, calling all the warriors, but before they could reach me, Jamie had one last trick up his sleeve…
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