Page 32 of Rebel for Claws
Vivian drew her second sword, the steel ringing clear as it cleared the sheath. Her enhanced senses tracked everythreat and every movement, while the mate bond allowed them to anticipate each other's actions with supernatural synchronization. They moved together as if they'd been fighting side by side for decades instead of days.
This is what we were meant to be. Warriors. Partners. Mates.
Alaric's sword work was devastating—controlled brutality honed by decades of traditional Alpha training and recent captivity-fueled rage. When an operative aimed at Vivian's back, Alaric was already there, his blade deflecting the rifle barrel just as the trigger pulled.
Vivian flowed around his defense, her sword finding the gap in another attacker's tactical vest. Her enhanced speed made her nearly impossible to track, her blonde-silver braid whipping behind her as she danced between threats.
"Left side!" Alaric's voice cut through the chaos.
She spun, her blade singing as it met an operative's knife thrust. The man's eyes widened in shock at her strength and speed before Alaric's pommel strike dropped him unconscious.
We're unstoppable together.
Around them, the battle raged with primal intensity. Maya's russet-gold wolf form worked in perfect harmony with Kieran's massive midnight black wolf. Damon and Elena moved like a lethal unit, their tactical precision cutting through the human operatives' formation.
But it was Zoe who surprised everyone. Her smaller wolf form moved with supernatural speed, her honey-patched fur a blur as she used her enhanced agility to confuse and disorient their attackers. Logan stayed close to her, his protective instincts on full display as he eliminated any threat that came near his mate.
"The elders are retreating!" Malcolm's voice carried across the pavilion.
Vivian caught a glimpse of Thorne's silver-streaked hair disappearing through a hidden exit behind the elevated table. Several other High Council elders followed, abandoning the human operatives to face the consequences of their corruption.
Cowards. Running when their own plan backfires.
"We need to go!" Alaric's Alpha command cut through the din. "More reinforcements incoming!"
Alaric appeared at Vivian's side, his grey eyes still blazing with protective fury. Blood splattered his torn formal shirt, but none of it appeared to be his own.
"Follow my lead," he commanded gently, his free hand finding her waist.
"Always," she replied, sheathing her sword across her back.
They moved as one unit toward the pavilion's rear exit, the others forming a protective formation around them. Logan and Damon brought up the rear, their tactical experience evident as they covered their escape route.
The December morning air hit them like a slap as they burst from the ancient stone structure. Vivian's enhanced hearing caught the sound of vehicles approaching through the forest—Thorne's reinforcements arriving too late to contain the truth that had already been unleashed.
"This way!" Alaric guided them toward the dense tree line.
They ran through the forest with supernatural speed, their wolf shifter genetics allowing them to maintain a pace that would have been impossible for humans. Vivian's tactical gear moved with her like a second skin, her weapons secure but accessible.
Ten miles. We need to put ten miles between us and Moon Hollow.
The mate bond surged between her and Alaric as they ran, their breathing synchronized despite the brutal pace. Behind them, the sounds of pursuit grew fainter with each mile,Thorne's human operatives unable to match their enhanced endurance.
When they finally stopped, Vivian's enhanced senses detected the cave before she saw it—a natural shelter carved into the mountainside by centuries of wind and water. The opening was concealed by branches, making it nearly invisible to casual observation.
"Here," Alaric guided her toward the entrance, his protective instincts still on high alert.
Inside, the cave opened into a surprisingly spacious chamber, dim but dry. Vivian slumped against the stone wall, her tactical jacket rising and falling with her rapid breathing. The adrenaline was finally wearing off, leaving her aware of every scrape and bruise from their narrow escape.
We did it. We exposed Thorne's corruption to everyone who matters.
Alaric stood near the cave entrance, his eyes scanning the forest beyond for any signs of pursuit.
"That was..." she began.
"Remarkable," he finished, turning to face her. "You were remarkable."
The mate bond roared between them, even stronger now after their shared battle. Vivian felt the pull toward him like gravity, her body responding to his proximity and the raw Alpha power still radiating from his large frame.
