Chapter 7: Chapter 7

ALVARIUS

The night air hangs heavy with tension, an intense weight that seems to press down on the forest clearing where I stand, guarding Valery’s house.

Her house is too close to the borders of our land for me to be comfortable, and perhaps my persistent lingering—to watch her and be near her—had caused them, a rival pack, to find out about her in the first place.

I have five warriors with me; the rest were left at the pack house. But I question my decision. Craftiness is one of Ethan’s defining traits as their alpha. And it’s because of him I was wounded so badly.

That day in the forest, he had come to talk to me as a man.

I thought I had kept up my guard, but I was wrong. The fallen leaves and dead wood in that location had successfully masked the scent of Ethan’s beta from my wolf’s keen senses.

With the intensity of our argument rising, Ethan and I effortlessly shifted into our wolf forms. That’s when Ethan’s beta revealed himself, still in human form, and with a swift motion, he plunged a silver dagger into my stomach.

The two of them laughed as they drew away from me. And had Valery not found me when she did, I most likely wouldn’t have made it.

Now, I stand, my senses alert, and my muscles coiled like springs, ready to defend Valery and our territory at any cost. The moon cast its ghostly light upon the scene, bathing the clearing in a silver glow.

Beside me, Sam, too, stands rigid, his golden eyes scanning the darkness.

“They’re coming,” he growls, his voice low but fierce.

I nod, my jaw tightening. The scent of the rival pack’s wolves is thick in the air, a pungent mixture of sweat and aggression that sets my teeth on edge.

“Sam, take the eastern flank,” I command, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. “I’ll hold the center. Do not let them get through.”

He nods, his lips curling into a snarl of determination as he shifts into wolf form before practically flying off into the trees. Meanwhile, I remain rooted to the spot, every nerve in my body poised for action.

Minutes stretch into eternity as I wait, tension building with each passing second. And then I hear it—the unmistakable sound of rustling leaves and muffled growls.

“They’re here,” I mutter under my breath, my heart pounding in my chest.

Emerging from the shadows, the rival pack comes into view, a sea of snarling faces and glinting, golden eyes advancing through the trees. Among them is their alpha, a massive brute with scars crisscrossing his fur, who shifts to stand in front of me.

“Alvarius.” He spits to his side. “I guess you’re stronger than I gave you credit for.” His lip lifts in a sneer. “Or maybe I should be giving the human credit?”

He takes a step forward. “You know, my plan was to kill her. But she’s not bad to look at.” He sucks his teeth. “Maybe I’ll use her to keep my bed warm instead.”

I growl and clench my fists. “Enjoy your fantasy,” I say. “That’s the last time you’ll ever think of her again.”

Ethan laughs. “Oh, Alvarius, look around you. You’re outnumbered. Your pack’s time has come to an end. You will die tonight. And your little human will be mine. Just think of all the fun the two of us will have.” He licks his lips and smiles wickedly. “I’m thinking about it right now.”

With a bloodcurdling howl, I transform and surge forward, my skin turning to fur moments before the air fills with the clash of claws and fangs as we meet them head-on. The forest erupts into chaos, a whirlwind of snarls and yelps as we fight tooth and claw for dominance.

I move with the fluid grace of a predator, my senses heightened by the rush of battle. I strike out with my claws, cutting through fur and flesh with practiced precision. Around me, my warriors fight with equal ferocity, their loyalty to our pack driving them forward.

The sounds of battle echoed through the forest, a symphony of growls and yelps that filled the night air. I fight with all the strength and ferocity I possess, my senses heightened by the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Just then, the faint sound of glass breaking reaches my ears.

Valery.

My heart wrenches as I send a swift glance toward the house. Immediately, I order Sam to go, and without hesitation, he races off toward the house to protect her. Although only half of my mind is now on the battle before me, I fight on.

Then, through the haze of battle, I catch sight of Jacob, one of my warriors, locked in combat with two of the rival wolves. He fights with a fierce determination, but I can see the strain in his eyes, the weariness that threatens to overcome him.

With a roar, I leap to his aid, driving back his attackers with a flurry of attacks. Together, we fight as one, our movements synchronized as we push back against the tide of enemies.

This is why we train so much.

But even as we fight, I know the odds are stacked against us. The rival pack is too numerous, too relentless. We’re holding our own, but for how long?