Page 69 of The Alpha's Stolen Mate

“Oh, and I was the one who attacked your dad. I had help, but it was all my idea. I wanted to kill the Delta so it would be easier for us to take over WaterLock,” Axel revealed with a smug smile.

That was the moment my resolve broke.

“You asshole!” I screamed, and it sounded like a war cry the way it echoed around us.

I lifted my leg and kicked him in the chest, putting all of my strength behind the kick.

His eyes widened and he staggered back.

But when he recovered, a wicked smile spread slowly across his face.

“I’m going to have fun making you pay for that,” he said as he stalked toward me and raised his fist.

Chapter Twenty-two: Hope

Gabriel POV

“Here are the papers for you to sign,” my dad said, setting down a stapled contract on my home office desk. “I assume that’s why you’ve asked me to come. Please tell me that you've finally come to your senses?”

He rolled up the sleeves of his crumpled white button-down shirt and let out a tired sigh.

After Summer fell asleep in my arms last night, I checked my phone before going to bed, and my heart lifted with excitement.

The army was ready. My plan had worked.

Immediately, I sent my father a message asking him to come over to the compound as early as he could. Thankfully, he'd agreed, promising to bring the contract King Ezeikel had drawn up along with him.

Anticipation shot down my spine as my father sat down in one of the chairs behind my desk. I couldn’t wait to tell my father about the army. Not because I wanted to rub it in his face, but because I was proud. Proud of my kingdom—and the Kingdoms of Pyregate and Tideridge—for finding a way to fight against the Rogue wolves. And maybe a small part of me would always want to impress my father, too.

I took my seat behind the desk and swallowed thickly as an image of last night flashed into my mind.

Tasting Summer on this chair…

But she was gone when my alarm went off this morning. The side of the bed she had been sleeping on was still warm, and her pillow still held her citrus scent. After dressing quickly in jeans and a blue long-sleeved shirt, I went to the room she was staying in, but she wasn’t there.

I checked Grayson’s room next, only to find him fast asleep. I stayed in his doorway for a moment, gazing at my son. He was probably still exhausted from falling into the pool last night. I closed his door softly, wanting him to sleep in as much as he could.

With a growing sense of panic, I hurried down the stairs and into my kitchen, only to find Summer’s mom measuring sugar and pouring it into a big mixing bowl. When I asked where Summer was, she told me she went for a run in her wolf form. Her reply had been short and terse and she had given me a long, calculating look. It had felt like Summer's mom was assessing me and she didn't like what she saw.

But I was just relieved Summer was safe.

Now—an hour later—my leg was bouncing with anxiety since Summer wasn’t back yet. I knew she probably needed some time alone to think and process everything that had happened last night. And I wanted to give her the space to do so, but the threat of Axel and the Rogue army was still out there. The sooner I knew she was safe, the easier it would be for me to breathe.

“Son? Are you ready to make the right decision?” My dad’s voice startled me out of my anxiety-ridden thoughts.

I had to focus. If Summer wasn’t back when I was done telling my father about the army, then I’d go out and look for her.

“No, Dad. I actually have some news. Some good news,” I said.

“Gabriel…” He scrubbed a frustrated hand down his face.

“Just listen to me,” I said. “Remember when I told you that I had another plan to protect our pack from the Rogues?”

“Yes?”

“My plan is ready.”

“Gabriel, we don’t have time—“

---