Asher
Kaidos won’t let me rest-not even for a second. He paces restlessly inside me, urging me forward. He knows it’s time to rescue Ally.
With the blueprints of the Greyhill Pack in my hand, I’ve studied every detail-every hallway, every hidden corner, every escape route. I know that place like the back of my hand now. We’ve gone over the plan with the warriors. Everyone knows their role, their position, how we strike, and when.
I let out a breath of relief when I reach out through the bond-and feel her. Ally’s lowered her mental walls. I can sense her again. Her emotions hit me like a wave: fear, but also hope. That tiny flicker of hope tells me everything I need to know. She’s holding on. She’s waiting for us. And I swear, I won’t stop until she’s safe.
“It’s time,” I say, turning to Ryder.
Liam will stay behind to guard the pack. Leaving it unprotected would be foolish.
The warriors load into two black SUVs. When we reach the Greyhill border, we’ll shift into our wolves and strike hard. If anyone dares get in our way, I won’t think twice about spilling blood.
But I don’t ride with them.
I tap into the shadows. I move through the night unseen, letting my instincts guide me. The wind rushes past me, trees blur as I move faster than any wolf could. I feel the pull of the bond growing stronger with every step.
Then suddenly-I feel her.
Her emotions spike. Her heart is pounding like a drum in her chest. I hear it. I feel it. Panic, terror but She’s close.
The pack feels deserted as I move through the empty streets and narrow alleys. I shift into my human form.
Then, I hear voices, it’s like a gathering.
I pick up my pace, No guards. Just an open path to wherever they’ve taken her.
Such a fool. Craig’s so obsessed with power, he’s forgotten how to protect his own people. All he wants is Ally’s gift-her blood, her strength-just to make himself stronger. Even if it means sacrificing everything. Stupid, power-hungry bastard.
I listen again-there it is. Her heartbeat. Fast, pounding. She’s afraid, but she’s alive. And then sharp, powerful howls pierce the air.
What the hell?
I break into a run, following the sound, until I reach the clearing. And that’s when I see her.
Ally.
She stands tall at the center of it all, glowing like she was carved from light. Her face-goddess, she looks like an angel.
The fire burning around the altar dances in her eyes, and the wolves… the wolves are howling around her In reverence.
Every single wolf bows to her.
She stands untouched, and completely in control.
I see the shock on her face, But I feel nothing but pride. She did it.
But just as I step forward, I catch movement from the corner of my eye.
Someone’s on the ground, writhing in agony.
And I know without even looking closely-it’s Craig.
Whatever Ally did to Craig-it must’ve hit him hard. I look closer and confirm what I already suspected.
His body is twisted in pain, and I can see it-his magic has turned on him. It’s rejecting him completely.
Selena once told me how deep Craig’s hatred runs-for both her and Ally. That kind of darkness doesn’t fade easily. And knowing him, I doubt he’d give up, even now.
As if the universe agrees with me, I watch him slowly rise. Even with his limbs trembling and his veins darkened with whatever cursed magic he’s consumed, he summons the last of his strength and lunges toward Ally.
A deafening growl explodes from my chest. It rumbles through the air and shakes the earth beneath my paws as I leap-mid-air, I shift into my wolf form and slam into Craig with the full force of my fury.
He crashes into the stone wall with a sickening crack. Bones shatter on impact.
I land hard and immediately shift back, throwing myself in front of Ally, shielding her with my body. She’s still standing, glowing in the firelight, but I can see the panic in her eyes.
Craig isn’t done.
He staggers to his feet, veins bulging, eyes burning with madness. Something dark pulses through him-something that doesn’t belong in this world.
But what truly stuns me is that none of his pack members move to help him.
They stand back, watching, empty-eyed and still. Maybe they finally see the monster for what he is. Maybe they’ve been waiting for someone to stop him.
My chest burns with rage as I turn back to Craig. This coward-had the audacity to kidnap my mate.
“You should’ve stayed dead,” I growl with fury.
I see it in his eyes-desperation. He knows this is the end, but he’s going to try to take Ally with him.
I won’t let him.
He lunges at me, wild and reckless.
With a flash of movement, I slash forward-one clean, swift strike.
His throat opens beneath my claws.
Craig freezes, choking on the breath he’ll never finish. Blood pours from the wound, and he stumbles backward.
Then he drops
The moment Craig hits the ground, life draining from him, a deafening thunderclap rips through the sky.
Then, without warning, a heavy downpour begins, soaking everything in sight. The pack members scatter, rushing for cover, but my focus remains on Ally.
I push through the chaos and make my way to her. She’s breathing hard, her chest rising and falling. Her eyes are wide with confusion and fear.
I can feel her heart racing, thundering against my chest, and I know her body aches from everything that’s just happened.
I glance down at myself. I’m covered in blood, but it’s not mine. It’s Craig’s.
I look at Ally and see the shock in her eyes. She’s still in that moment-her mind still processing everything that just happened.
I reach out, pulling her close to me. She stiffens at first, her body tense under my touch.
But I refuse to let go. the sparks and tingles that erupt between us-electricity course through my skin.
I know I’ve given her every reason to doubt us, to wonder if we’re meant to be together. All that’s happened, all the pain and betrayal… I understand why she would be scared. But in this moment, I just want her to know one thing.
“You’re safe now,” I whisper softly in her ear. My words are barely audible over the sound of the rain, but I say them with all the conviction in my heart. I pull her closer, letting her feel the truth in my touch.
It’s just the two of us now, standing in the middle of the downpour. And as the rain pours down on us, I know this is only the beginning of what we can build. We stay there, in the rain, for what feels like an eternity.
I can’t let her go-not again, not after everything that’s happened. I won’t let her out of my sight ever again.
I quickly link with Ryder through the mind, my voice firm and commanding. “Get the car ready. I have your Luna with me.”
“Yes, Alpha,” he replies immediately.
I hear the sound of the car approaching, and I move quickly, cradling Ally in my arms. She hasn’t said a word, hasn’t even flinched from my touch.
I spot the car in the distance. I pick up my pace, my heart thumping louder in my chest, and hurry toward it, as I keeping Ally pressed against me, making sure she feels safe, protected.
When I reach the car, I don’t put her down. I settle her into my arms, holding her tight as Ryder opens the door. I keep her close, as our bodies pressed together, as we pull away from the border.
It’s a miracle that the rain has subsided, allowing us to drive safely.
But just as we leave the border, Ally speaks, her voice barely more than a whisper, and it sends a shock through me.
A low growl rumbles in my chest, instinctive and raw. I tighten my hold on her, the protective urge surging through me.