Page 87 of Forced Alpha Bride
Lunging towards her, I try to throw her to the ground, but she flips to the side and punches me in the face. Staggering against the impact, I shake my head, spraying blood from my mouth.
Breathing hard, I turn to face her, and we circle each other. The mad gleam in her eyes is worse than before, and as I feel the blood pouring from my wounds, I wonder for the first time if I can actually beat her.
Regina transforms, baying with joy as she lets her wolf take her over. She begins to pace around me, her tongue lolling out of her bloody jaws.
Her eyes still look frenzied, though. She’s nothing but a mad dog.
I shift, and she leaps at me the second I do, hoping to hit me when I’m vulnerable. I manage to jump out of the way, but she’s on me like a flash. Snarling, twisting, we wrestle together, trying desperately to get our teeth into each other’s ruff or throat.
When I feel Regina’s fangs sink into the flesh of my neck, I shake her off violently, throwing myself down and rolling to break her grip. She pounces, landing on top of me and going for my throat again.
This is it.
As Regina lowers her mouth towards my throat, I throw my front paws up towards her face—then I shift back to myhuman shape. I see panic flash through her eyes as she realizes what I’m doing. That she fell for my trap.
I grab both sides of her mouth with each hand and yank in separate directions as hard as I can, snapping Regina’s face in two. The move takes up all my strength, and for a moment, I just lie underneath Regina’s body, trying to get my breath back.
“Damon!” I hear a scream from outside the circle, and I know it’s Winnie. Gathering the last of my strength, I manage to push Regina’s body off me and struggle to my feet.
“Damon!” Winnie screams, running towards me. She barrels into me with so much force, she almost knocks me over. I rock unsteadily on my feet as she wraps her arms around me.
“Winnie,” I whisper. “I have to address the others.”
“Yes,” she says. “And we’re going to do it together.”
I take her hand, and we walk towards where the elders are gathered, with Kit and Galen on either side of them. All of them look shocked, and maybe even a bit scared.
“Regina has been defeated,” I announce. “And your positions will be examined to determine if you are fit to stand as council over Gryphon Eyrie. You have harbored this murderer, supported her, and allowed innocent lives to be lost.”
“We didn’t know!” Cora yells.
“So you say,” I reply. “That is exactly why there will be an investigation. I will also be making direct contact with Valentine Creek to see where they stand. This war has gone on too long.”
“Here, here,” Galen agrees. “If no one can remember why the war started, why are we still fighting it?”
Mitchell gives Galen a harsh look, but doesn’t say anything. None of the first families, warriors, or guards have any protests, so the council has no choice but to accept my orders.
Well, I did just win the alpha’s challenge—for the second time. Pretty sure no one wants to go up against me now.
“Are my orders understood?” I ask. “Elders will step down. My counselors will take control of the pack, and a full investigation will be conducted—with the help of Galen and Kit.”
“You have my support,” Galen says, followed closely by an affirmation from Kit.
“Then we are done for today,” I say before I gasp, grabbing my ribs as I stagger backwards. Winnie catches me as I almost fall to my knees.
“Damon. Oh my god, Damon!” she cries. “I thought I lost you!”
“I’m here, I’m okay,” I whisper, stroking her cheek. “I’m here, and I love you. There was no way I was going to die without telling you.”
Winnie’s eyes fill with tears, and her lip trembles. “I love you, too, Damon. Oh, my God, I love you so much.”
My heart swells in my chest, a feeling of such intense love, it makes my eyes sting and my knees weak. Wrapping my arms around Winnie, I let it flow through me, accepting it and finally believing I am worthy of it.
And I’ll keep earning it, my love. From now until eternity, I am yours.
Chapter 27 - Winnie
Standing on the shores of Redhorn Lake, looking up at the peak of the same name, I feel like Valentine Creek might be the most beautiful place in the world.
