Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven

63. Chapter 63

Chapter sixty-three

Locke

T here he stood on all fours. Challenging me. It’s the first time in over sixty years I’ve faced off with Malikiah Hale.

My snarl is merciless as he sends a sharp bite through the air. With quick steps I move in front of Raven, guarding her against the man I’ve dreamed about obliterating.

She tugs at my fur, but I keep staring down Malikiah. The flames are licking through the air, rising quickly up the walls.

“Raven.” Declan’s voice catches my ear, and I’m grateful my friend sees what’s about to happen.

“Come with me,” he calls.

She squeezes my fur tighter. “I can’t leave him.”

Stubborn woman.

I fling my snout towards Declan, my eyes still on the dark brown wolf in front of me.

I can feel Raven maneuver next to me, her soft voice flowing to my ears. “Come back to me, ok.”

I let a howl sound from my chest, my lungs expanding with the force. She leaves my side, escaping the flames with Declan.

When I narrow my eyes back at Malikiah, more figures have appeared within the flames.

Nyko and Kingston stand a few feet behind him, their teeth bared. I scan the room, seeing the few pack members that are present surround us. No one dares to interfere. Not when the alpha is challenging another wolf.

I’ve waited for years, and now…. the waiting was over.

I’m the first to take a step, past Elias’ burned corps. Malikiah drops his head, his legs crouching as he leaps at me. His jaw snaps, his saliva dripping as he continues to bite the air. His eyes glow, the black pits matching his dark soul.

We walk. Circle after circle. Neither going for the kill just yet. I study him. His walk. The way he drops his head when he thinks he sees an opening.

The hate I have for him runs deep. He killed my father. Stole my family. Endangered the love of my life, and now, I’m going to end it all. With one bite. One snap.

Crouching, I use all of my strength to lunge, striking his hind leg. When he yelps, his breath hissing from his mouth, I strike his flank with my teeth. I sink my canines into his flesh, tearing my mouth away with a growl.

He roars, his shoulder raring into me, knocking me off of my paws for a brief moment before I’m back up, lunging again. He doesn’t expect my quick rebound, and I take the small window of time while is neck is turned to chomp down, sinking my teeth into his meaty flesh. I clench, locking my jaw as I snap his neck with one shake of my head. The alpha falls to the ground, lying in a heap of bloody fur. He may be down. But he’s not dead. Not until silver flows through his veins. Stepping back, I meet Kingston’s eyes. I lift my chin, letting the shift transform my bones. The building is still engulfed in flames, the smoke filling the space.

“Locke.”

I glance to my left as Nyko hands me a weapon. The bullet I need to end this.

Taking the rifle, I point it at the alpha. The imposter. The man who took everything. I aim, and without a single fucking regret, I fire.

The alpha’s life ends, and in the midst of the smoke and flames, I watch every wolf still remaining bow in respect. The alpha is gone. And now, a new one will reign.