Alpha’s Hidden Gem

12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Fury of the Alpha

Axel

The scent of burning wood assaults my nose as I race through the forest, my paws pounding against the damp earth. Then a faint but very familiar scent infiltrates my nose, Lila’s vanilla and cinnamon aroma drives me forward, a lifeline in the darkness.

I'm coming, Lila. Hold on.

I burst into a clearing, my chest heaving, and skid to a stop. Two other wolves emerge from the shadows, their hackles raised. For a moment, we stand frozen, sizing each other up. Then, as one, we shift back into human form.

"Axel?" Ethan's voice is tight with worry. "What are you doing here?"

"Following Lila's scent," I reply, my eyes scanning the tree line. "You?"

"Tracking Elena," Finn chimes in, his brow furrowed. "Her scent has led us here."

A flicker of movement catches my eye. I turn, my heart leaping into my throat. There, just beyond the trees, stands a barn. Flames lick at its sides, casting an orange glow over the clearing. Rogue wolves pace around the perimeter, their movements agitated.

"There," Finn whispers, pointing towards the structure. "The barn."

I take a step forward, my wolf howling within me.

Lila's in there. I can feel it. But Ethan's hand on my shoulder stops me.

"Wait," he cautions, his eyes narrowed. "We need a plan. There are too many of them to take on alone."

I clench my fists, frustration warring with reason. Every instinct screams at me to charge in, to rip apart anyone who stands between me and my mate. But I know Ethan's right. We need to be smart about this.

"Okay," I say, my voice strained. "What do you suggest?"

Ethan's gaze flicks to the barn, then back to us. "We split up. Finn, you circle around to the back. See if there's another way in. I'll take the left side, Axel, you take the right. Let’s see if we can get them out without confronting the rogues."

I nod, my body coiled with tension. "Let's do it but let’s meet back here before we act on anything alone."

As we move into position, I send a silent prayer to the moon goddess.

Please, let Lila and Elena be okay.

The thought of losing either of them makes my blood run cold.

I crouch low, hidden by the undergrowth, and watch the rogues. They seem agitated, pacing and snarling at each other.

Something's not right, my wolf whispers. Be careful.

I take a deep breath, centering myself. Then, with a nod to Ethan and Finn, I surge forward, ready to fight for the woman I love.

Mate in danger. Must protect.

My wolf's instincts surge through me as I lead Ethan and Finn through the dark forest, our senses on high alert. The acrid smell of smoke mixes with the scents of Elena and Lila, tainted by the presence of rogues. Fear for Lila's safety grips my heart, intertwined with a growing anger at those who dare threaten her.

She's not our mate, I snap at my wolf internally, trying to maintain focus. We can't think of her that way.

My wolf growls in disagreement. She is. You know it. I know it.

Ignoring the thought, I shift my focus to Ethan and Finn as we come back with our observations and a solid plan in mind.

"Ethan, create a diversion on the far side. Finn, you're going to come at them from the other side. You guys will attack from two sides. I'll slip in and get Elena and Lila out of the barn."

They nod in agreement, their expressions grim with determination.

Let me out, my wolf demands, pacing restlessly within me. I'm faster, stronger.

I hesitate, weighing the options. "We need stealth. Not brute force."

Wasting time, losing her, my wolf counters, impatience coloring his thoughts.

With a deep breath, I surrender to the primal force within me, letting the shift take over. My bones crack and reshape, fur sprouting across my skin as I transform into my wolf form.

Ethan and Finn follow suit, their human forms blurring and reshaping into powerful wolves beside me. The familiar rush of adrenaline floods my veins, heightening my senses and making me acutely aware of every sound and scent around us.

My muscles coil, ready for action, as I feel the raw power coursing through my body. The wolf inside me growls with anticipation, eager to protect what's ours.

As we separate to execute the plan, I lock eyes with Ethan and Finn one last time, a silent promise passing between us.

We'll save them. No matter what it takes.

No matter what, Finn and Ethan echo back.

Ethan's howl tears through the night air, a chilling prelude to the impending chaos. I watch as rogues peel away from the burning barn, drawn by his distraction, their attention momentarily diverted from their captives. It's my window of opportunity.

Finn's lithe figure engages the remaining guards in a whirlwind of fur and fang, creating a diversion on the other side. My heart thrumming in my chest, I take my chance, slinking into the shadows near the barn. The flames cast an eerie glow, highlighting the danger that awaits me within.

My wolf urges me forward, a primal hunger to protect coursing through my veins. The inferno crackles and pops, the heat licking at the barn's wooden walls, threatening to engulf the entire structure. Every instinct screams for me to charge in, to fight my way to Lila and pull her from the inferno. But reason holds me back. I need to be smart, not reckless.

My nostrils are filled with the bitter scent of smoke as I carefully maneuver through the darkness, ensuring that I remain hidden from view. I can hear the crackle of flames and the growls of the remaining rogues, but my focus remains solely on reaching Lila.

A moment of tension hangs in the air as I carefully approach a lone rogue guarding the entrance. The wolf's back is turned, its attention drawn towards Finn's valiant efforts on the opposite side of the clearing. My movements are silent, a blur in the night, as I take advantage of its distraction. I slip past it, my heart pounding with each step closer to Lila.

As I enter the burning barn, the heat hits me like a wall. Through the haze of smoke, my eyes scan the shadowy interior, desperately searching for any sign of her.

My heart races as I push deeper into the burning barn, the inferno raging around me. The crackling flames lick at the wooden beams, devouring everything in their path. Falling debris crashes to the ground, sending sparks flying in all directions. The intense heat sears my fur, making each breath a struggle.

My wolf senses are overwhelmed by the thick smoke, making it nearly impossible to locate Lila's scent.

Too much smoke, my wolf howls internally, its panic rising. Can't smell her!

I try to calm both of us, focusing my thoughts. "Focus," I tell myself, pushing through the haze. "We'll find her."

But my wolf's growing panic mirrors my own, urging me to move faster.

Hurry. Hurry. Hurry.

Through the flames, I spot a familiar wolf figure running toward me. Elena. Relief washes over me as I rush to her side, taking in her soot-covered fur. She's alive.

"Elena!" I shout through our pack bond over the roar of the fire. "Where's Lila?"

"She's trapped," Elena coughs, pointing deeper into the barn. "A beam fell on her. I tried to free her, but..."

I nod, understanding the unspoken.

"Go," I tell her, helping her to her feet . "Get out of here. Help the others."

Elena hesitates for a moment, her eyes reflecting the flickering flames.

"Keep going that way and you will find her."

Then, with a determined nod, she disappears into the smoke, leaving me to face the inferno alone.

The barn groans ominously above me, the structure weakening with each passing second. I push deeper into the flames, my heart pounding in my chest. As the smoke swirls around me, I catch a faint whiff of a familiar scent. Vanilla and cinnamon.

Lila.

My pulse quickens, hope and fear battling within me as I follow the scent trail, praying that I'm not too late. The flames grow higher, the heat more intense, but I refuse to turn back.

Hold on, Lila, as I push forward into the heart of the inferno. I'm coming.

There.

Through the haze of smoke and the dancing flames, I finally spot her. Lila, my Lila, lying unconscious, pinned beneath a heavy wooden beam. My heart lurches at the sight, a mix of relief and terror flooding through me.

Save her, my wolf roars within me, its desperation palpable.

Bite her, turn her.

Make her one of us!

I shift back to my human form, the vulnerability of my naked skin against the searing heat a stark reminder of the urgency of the moment. I rush to Lila's side, my hands gripping the beam, muscles straining as I try to lift it off her. The wood is hot, blistering my palms, but I barely feel it. All that matters is freeing her.

As I struggle with the beam, I realize with a sinking feeling that Lila is barely breathing. Waves of fear and desperation crash over me. I can't lose her. Not like this.

It's forbidden, a part of me whispers, even as my wolf grows more insistent.

We can't...

She dies if we don't, my wolf counters, its voice filled with anguish.

She's meant to be pack.

To be ours.

The internal debate rages within me, even as the flames lick closer, the heat almost unbearable. Lila's life hangs in the balance, and I know I have to make a choice.

With a deep breath, I make my decision. Leaning down, I press my lips to Lila's neck, my teeth grazing her skin.

“Forgive me,” I whisper, before biting down, my fangs sinking into her flesh.

Please don’t go feral, stay with me, I plea to the fates and to Lila.

As my teeth break her skin, I feel my wolf's satisfaction surge through me.

Yes. Ours. Forever.

A rush of power and connection flows between us as the bite takes effect, an unbreakable bond forming in the heart of the inferno. I feel her heartbeat synchronizing with mine, her breath growing stronger.

Gently, I scoop Lila into my arms, cradling her against my chest. Her head lolls against my shoulder, her breathing shallow but steady.

I pause for just a moment, gazing down at Lila's soot-streaked face. Even now, she's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I can't resist pressing a soft kiss to her parched lips, pouring all my love and relief into that fleeting touch.

The barn gives an ominous groan, the charred timbers shifting and creaking precariously. We need to get out of here now before the whole structure collapses on top of us.

"I've got you, Lila," I murmur against her skin. "I'm never letting you go again."

I hold Lila closer, feeling her heart beat in time with mine. She's safe. We both are. And that's all that matters.

The barn collapses behind me as I carry Lila's limp form in my arms, the flames licking at my heels. Beams crash down, narrowly missing us as I dodge and weave through the fiery maze. My lungs burn with every breath, but I push forward, fueled by the need to protect my mate.

As I burst through the entrance, the cool night air hits my face, a momentary reprieve from the inferno behind us. I breathe deep, filling my lungs with blessedly smoke-free oxygen. But relief is short-lived as my eyes land on the figures circling the clearing. Rogues, their eyes glinting with malice in the firelight.

Danger, my wolf growls, hackles rising. Protect mate.

I clutch Lila tighter to my chest, ready to face the threat head-on. The rogues snarl, their intentions clear. But before they can strike, Ethan and Finn appear at my sides, flanking me protectively while Elena snarls at them from behind.

A tense standoff ensues, the air thick with the promise of violence. My wolf is coiled, ready to spring into action as I gently lay Lila down behind me. Then, as if on some unseen signal, the rogues lunge forward. I quickly shift and unleash my wolf to protect our mate.

Chaos erupts as we engage the enemy, Elena, Ethan, and Finn fighting with fierce determination to shield Lila and me. I dodge and weave, using my body as a shield for Lila's unconscious form. The clash of teeth and claws fills the night, punctuated by growls and yelps of pain.

As quickly as it began, the fight is over. The rogues retreat, melting back into the shadows as if called by an unseen voice. We're left panting, adrenaline still coursing through our veins.

Safe now, my wolf purrs, nuzzling Lila's hair. Ours to protect.

We all shift back to our human forms simultaneously.

Ethan, Elena, and Finn's eyes widen as they catch sight of the bite mark on Lila's neck.

"Axel, what did you do?" Ethan breathes, shock evident in his tone. “You know that it is forbidden to try to change a human. You know that the outcome could be the end of both of you. You said that you wouldn’t.”

"I had no choice," I rasp, my voice hoarse from the smoke. "She was dying. I couldn't lose her."

Understanding dawns in their eyes, mixed with apprehension. We quickly leave the area, wary of more rogues lurking nearby.

As I carry Lila through the forest, worry begins to creep in.

What have we done? The gravity of my actions sinking in. The consequences...

Did what was necessary, my wolf reassures me. She lives. She'll be strong.

I feel the changes beginning in Lila's body, our bond deepening with every step. It's an intense connection, unlike anything I've ever experienced.

We arrive at the pack house, the familiar scents a stark contrast to the chaos we left behind. I lay Lila gently in a secure room, reluctant to leave her side. With a heavy heart, I call Mabel, a mix of dread and hope in my voice.

The pack members start gathering around with snarls etched on their faces.