Chapter 22 An Alpha She–wolf
SERAPHINA
Was it my imagination? I whispered to Phina, my heart hammering against my ribs as I stared into the darkness
Phina’s reply was low, shaken by the shadow we’d seen. “If someone had seen us, they would have instantly exposed us
Her comment made sense. The Alphas at the Lupine Academy were evil to the bone and hated me with a vengeance. If anyone had spotted me, they would have sounded the alarm without hesitation. But nothing happened.
Could it have been just an animal?‘ I asked.
Phina nodded slowly. I think so. I didn’t sense another werewolf nearby. And our fear of being exposed was always gnawing at us–it could have made us imagine things
Relief bled through me, and I exhaled shakily, forcing myself to focus again on the bison in the distance. Thankfully, I’d been concealed well behind the trees, far enough that it hadn’t noticed me.
I crouched low, stalking through the underbrush, Phina humming with raw, electric energy beneath my skin.
The bison grazed heavily, oblivious, its muscles rippling beneath its thick hide.
One wrong move…one snapped twig, and it would bolt. Then I would lose precious minutes I didn’t have.
Be patient. Be precise.
I circled wide, studying the clearing, calculating. A direct charge would get me crushed under its hooves. I had to be faster.
Smarter.
The bison’s head dipped, distracted.
Now!
With a feral snarl tearing from my throat, I lunged. Claws ripped through the earth as I sprinted–a white blur slicing through the trees.
The bison whipped its head around, bellowing loud enough to rattle the ground. It charged–a wall of muscle and rage, so real, so deadly.
And far too fast.
I veered sharply to the side, feeling the gust of air as its bulk thundered past, me, missing by inches. My paws scrambled against the torn–up ground.
Before it could turn, I launched myself onto a fallen log, springing off it in a burst of momentum and landing atop the bison’s massive shoulders.
My jaws snapped at its neck, but its thick hide resisted my fangs. The bison bucked violently, throwing me off with bone- rattling force.
I slammed into the dirt, pain bursting through my ribs, but I was already moving again, sheer will driving me forward.
As it charged once more, I darted under its swinging horns and raked my claws across its legs. Blood spurted. Not deep, but enough to stagger it
Wear it down–Bleed it. Then finish it.
Over and over, I struck and dodged, relentlessly. My muscles burned, my lungs screamed, but I did not stop.
Plana roared within me, wild and furious, reveling in the raw, primal hunt. This was what we were born for
Hunger surged through my veins, I wanted this bison crushed beneath my fangs.
Finally, the bison’s movements slowed, its breathing ragged, its sides heaving. Its steps grew sluggish.
Chapter 22 An Alpha She–wolf
This time, when I leapt. I knew exactly where to strike
-6 Pearls
With a trial powerful push. I sank my jaws into the vulnerable spot just behind its front leg, where even its thick hide couldn’t protect it I bit down, hard.
The boson let out a shuddering groan and stumbled, its massive frame swaying.
Victory was a breath away
I crouched low, gathering every last ounce of strength for the finishing strike–when suddenly, a sharp burst of scent and heavy pawsteps shattered the air.
Werewolves! Phina hissed inside me.
I whirled, heart hammering.
Shit!
It was too late for me to act or hide.
From the shadows, four wolves emerged, their eyes locked instantly onto me.
My stomach dropped.
Cassius, Reed, and two other Alphas 1 didn’t recognize.
The blood roared in my ears.
Why did it have to be them?
I took a step back, my body tensed to run.
My inner voice screamed at me. ‘Don’t shift. Don’t reveal yourself”
Cassius golden eyes gleamed with interest. Reed’s lips curled into a smirk as he effortlessly shifted into his human form, followed by Cassius.
“A she–wolf?” Reed drawled, raking his eyes down my form. “In this dangerous forest?”
He flicked a glance at the bison I would have claimed if not for their interference.
Panic clawed at my insides, but a sliver of relief pierced through the fear.
They didn’t recognize me.
Not yet.
“Fuck, man. An Alpha she–wolf?” Cassius muttered, his voice thick with disbelief. He took a slow, deliberate step closer, his posture lazy but his eyes razor–sharp.
Reed followed behind him, tongue flicking across his fangs like a snake savoring a meal.
“Such a rare beauty, Cassius murmured, inching closer. His gaze devoured me. “I didn’t expect to find a she–wolf in this forsaken forest”
“This is fate.” Reed grinned savagely, flashing his canines as the others crowded behind him, their excitement thick in the air like smoke. “The Goddess just sent us a feast.”
Achill raced down my spine as Reed’s histful gaze locked with mine, pinning me like a predator did its prey.
Cassius laughed low in his throat, his hand shamelessly stroking his manhood as he grinned ear to ear. “Our days of struggle are finally over”
“Yeah Reed agreed darkly, then barked out an order “Surround her!”
The other two wolves moved in, hemming me in on all sides.
+ Pearls
Chapter 22 An Alpha Shewolf
For a heartbeat. I froze paralyzed by the horrifying realization.
They didn’t want to kill me.
They didn’t want to fight me.
They wanted to violate me.
Disgust and fury exploded inside me, but I masked it under a veil of fear, letting them believe I was frozen in terror
Closer. Closer
They dropped their guard, thinking I was helpless
In a flash. I lunged–sinking my langs into the throat of the wolf blocking my escape. The coppery! mouth as I ripped through his flesh and spit the torn skin from my jaws.
of blood flooded my
Before the others could react, bolted into the forest like a lightning strike.
“Catch that bitch!” Reed roared behind me, in the next instant, the sound of pounding paws echoed through the trees as they shifted into their wolves and gave chase.
They hunted me like rabid hyenas, snapping and snarling at my heels.
But they still didn’t know who I was.
Notv
yel
That was my only advantage.
I could fight them. I wanted to fight them. I could kill them one by one if I had to. But it would drain me. And I needed my strength to reclaim the bison.
To survive.
Worse, if I fought back in my usual style, they’d recognize me.
Reed and Cassius were cunning bastards.
F
They’d been observing me for days at the Academy. They’d put the pieces together fast if they caught even a glimpse of my true power
Worst of all, they wanted to violate me.
I had to protect my dignity.
And my disguise.
No matter the cost:
I wove through the trees, heart hammering, searching for anything–anything–that could give me an edge.
Then, I saw him.
A massive black wolf, his jaws dripping blood as he pinned an elk to the ground. His piercing blue eyes locked onto me across. the clearing
My blood ran cold
Our gazes collided, recognition instantly flared.
Terror jolted through me. Before he could react, I tore my gaze away and sprinted past him in a blur.
Chapter 22 An Alpha She–wolf
Only to stumble into another nightmare.
Not far ahead, another black wolf loomed over a dead lion, his massive frame stained with blood.
I knew those eyes.
Violet Cold. Unforgiving.
Roman
My heart plummeted.
The last person, the absolute last person I wanted to see me…saw me.
The real me.
Seraphina.
