Page 59 of Nick
As Vincent rallied, teeth bared for a counterstrike, Nick prepared to fight, hoping it would give Sarah enough time to get to Javi.
With a thunderous howl, Nick summoned the full extent of his strength, his protectiveness morphing into a relentless offensive.He was the shield and spear, guarding Sarah while simultaneously striking out at Vincent with a series of powerful blows that sought to drive the cruel alpha back.
Vincent’s rule was over.
At the sound of a cheer, Nick’s gaze swept across the mesa, where some Sunburst Pack members, previously onlookers to the conflict, stepped forward.They were joining the fray, their bodies tensing as they sized up their former alpha’s dwindling forces.
Vincent roared, spittle flying from his lips as his eyes darted to the new combatants.His command, once absolute, now faltered, its edges fraying.
With a snarl, he launched himself at Vincent, claws extended, teeth bared.The rebel pack surged around him, a coordinated maelstrom of fur and fury.
Vincent met him head-on, claws clashing against claws, the impact reverberating through Nick’s bones.There was no finesse here, only the raw power of two alphas.Around them, the battle crescendoed.
Nick ducked under Vincent’s lumbering strike, using the alpha’s momentum against him.
The alpha stumbled, his footing unsure on the shifting sands.Nick seized the opportunity, his anger lending him both strength and speed as he barreled into the alpha.Their bodies collided again with a thunderous crash, sending a cloud of dust spiraling into the air.
It was the opening the rebels needed.Vincent, momentarily off-balance, was vulnerable.
Nick didn’t hesitate.With a roar that echoed off the mesas, he lunged, his jaws finding purchase on Vincent’s throat.
The taste of victory was the taste of blood, bitter and metallic.
The alpha went limp, his reign abruptly over.
In the end, his death was as brutal as he had been.As Nick stepped back, Vincent’s former pack members surged in and tore his body apart.
Nick stood watching, chest heaving, his protective instincts slowly ebbing away as the realization of their victory sank in.
The Sunburst Pack was free.
Chapter 25
NICK GLANCED AROUND THESunburst Mesa.Now all that mattered was finding Sarah and Javi.
Sarah emerged from behind the massive rock where Karla had disappeared.Her dark hair blew wild in the wind.But it wasn’t just her presence that commanded his attention—it was the sight of her hand firmly clasping Javi’s.
“Javi!”Nick’s voice bounced off the rocks.
Sarah glanced up, meeting Nick’s gaze.She was covered in blood, a chilling crimson stain splattered across her clothes.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
The betrayal that had once poisoned his bond with Sarah dissolved in the face of the undeniable truth—she had saved their son.
Nick’s legs propelled him across the rocky terrain.
“Are you both okay?”he called out, voice edged with the remnants of fear, even as relief flooded through him.
Sarah’s weary nod was all he needed.He reached them, dropping to his knees to envelop Javi in his arms.His hands roamed over Javi, searching for injuries but finding none.
“I’m okay,” Sarah said.“No new injuries, anyway.”
“Thank goodness,” Nick murmured.
With a gentle motion, he lifted Javi into his arms.Javi’s arms wrapped around Nick’s neck with a trust and affection that tightened something deep within Nick’s chest.
“Gotcha, buddy,” Nick whispered, pressing his lips to Javi’s hair.
