Page 37 of Alpha's Heir

Preston's face twisted into a mask of hatred. "Weston is nothing. He's always been nothing. I'll crush him and anyone who stands in my way."

As we continued through the forest, I realized the full extent of Preston's madness. He was lost in his own delusions of grandeur, his soul corrupted by the dark magic of the forest.

I had to escape, to warn the others, to save my baby. As Preston's attention focused on navigating the treacherous paths, I finally felt the ropes around my wrists loosen. With a surge of adrenaline, I pulled my hands free, ready to fight for my life and the life of my unborn child.

Chapter eighteen

Weston

Thechaosaroundmewas a cacophony of pain and destruction. The aftermath of the battle lay heavy in the air as I moved through the compound, trying to help where I could. My hands moved almost mechanically, shifting rubble, checking for injured pack members, and trying to salvage anything from the charred remains of what were once homes. The acrid smell of smoke filled my nostrils, a constant reminder of the brutal attack we had just survived.

My heart was pounding, not just from the exertion, but from a deep, gnawing worry. Cora. I hadn't seen her since the battle began. With every injured pack member I helped, every piece of debris I moved, her absence gnawed at me, a relentless ache that wouldn't subside.

Then, it happened. A sharp, inexplicable twinge through our mate bond, a sensation that screamed that something was wrong. It was like a jolt of electricity, an alarm bell ringing in my soul. Without a second thought, I bolted towards our house, my wolf instincts in overdrive.

As I reached our doorstep, a sense of dread washed over me. The door was ajar, the frame showing signs of a struggle. My heart sank. Cora. She was in danger.

I stepped inside, calling her name, but the silence that greeted me was like a punch in the gut. The house was empty, too still. I could sense the residue of fear and panic in the air.

My eyes caught sight of something near the front door – a scuff mark, a sign of a struggle. My pulse quickened as I crouched down to inspect it. Cora had fought someone here. But who?

I followed her scent, a trail of fear and determination, to the edge of the woods. The forest loomed before me, an ominous wall of darkness and secrets. Cora's scent was strong, but there was another, one I knew all too well – Preston's.

Rage boiled inside me. Preston. That bastard had taken her. My fists clenched at my sides, my body tensing with the urge to storm into the woods after them. But I hesitated. The woods were dangerous, especially now, with the Unseen Pack's dark magic permeating every inch of it.

I had to be smart about this. Running headlong into the woods would only lead to more disaster. I needed backup, a plan. With a heavy heart, I turned away from the forest, my mind racing with strategies to save Cora.

As I ran back to the compound, the urgency of the situation fueled my steps. We had to act fast. Cora's life, and the life of our unborn child, depended on it.

The compound was a scene of devastation. Burned homes, injured pack members, and an air of defeat hung heavy. I stood among my people, the burden of leadership weighing down on me like a mountain. I cleared my throat, my voice carrying across the crowd.

"Cora's been taken," I announced, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "By Preston, the Unseen Alpha. I need help getting her back."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. Faces turned to me, some etched with exhaustion, others with disbelief.

One wolf, his arm bandaged and his face soot-streaked, shook his head. "There's been too much loss already, Weston. We can't risk more for one person."

Another spat bitterly, "If our Alpha can be taken so easily, maybe we're better off without her."

Their words were like knives, but I couldn't let them deter me. My gaze swept over the crowd, searching for any sign of support.

That's when Winnifred stepped forward, her eyes resolute. "Weston, I'm with you," she declared. A few others, including former Unseen Pack members, nodded in agreement.

I turned to Winnifred, remembering how the forest's magic had affected her last time. "You know what might happen in there," I warned, my concern for her safety as clear in my voice as it was in my eyes.

Winnifred squared her shoulders, her voice unwavering. "You and Cora saved me, Weston. I owe you both. I'm willing to take that risk."

Their loyalty, in the face of such danger, fortified my resolve. I nodded, grateful for their bravery. "Then let's go. We don't have much time."

We ventured into the forest, a small band against a nightmare. The woods had transformed into something twisted and malevolent. The trees seemed to bleed shadows, the air thick with a sense of malevolence.

Every step felt like moving through a thick, suffocating fog of magic gone awry. Sounds of unseen creatures echoed around us, sending shivers down my spine. The former Unseen Pack members flanked us, their eyes scanning the darkness, ready for whatever horrors awaited.

I could feel the forest's magic tugging at the edges of my consciousness, trying to disorient me, but I pushed through, my thoughts focused on Cora. Each rustle in the underbrush, each whisper of the wind, had me on edge, expecting an attack at any moment.

Winnifred moved with a grace born of familiarity with these woods, but I could see the strain on her face. Every so often, her form would flicker, hinting at the shadow wolf she once was. She caught my eye, a silent promise that she wouldn't let the forest claim her again.

We pressed on, deeper into the heart of darkness. The farther we went, the more surreal the landscape became. Trees twisted into grotesque shapes, and the ground beneath our feet seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

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