Page 98 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
The oath took hold of my being, its solemn commitment echoing within the chambers of my heart. I could feel every eye on me, every ounce of expectation.
“Today, I take this oath not just as your alpha but as a protector, a guardian for every soul within Boldercrest. For those here, and those who cannot be here.”
When my declaration ended, the silence was palpable. Then, as if on cue, the pack erupted into howls and cheers, making the ground vibrate at my feet.
Without another word, I turned, feeling the change ripple through me. Bones reformed, muscles shifted, and fur sprouted across my skin. The transformation from man to wolf was second nature, a relief almost. The wolf was simpler, driven by pure instinct and need.
As my paws hit the earth, my father’s wolf joined me, his gray coat a contrast to mine. One by one, the pack followed suit, their human forms giving way to their wolves.
We ran.
The forest blurred past us in a kaleidoscope of green and brown. We raced through the trees, our paws thudding in unison, a drumbeat to a new era. With each stride, I pushed the boundaries of our land, marking it as ours. As mine.
With each breath, I carried Zoey and Ro with me, along with the promise of safety and a life free from fear. This run was for them. For us.
We were many, but we ran as one. We ran as the Boldercrest pack.
I walkedthrough the front door of the alpha house, still panting from the run, and headed straight for my father’s study. He’d returned early to deal with some paperwork for the transfer of alpha.
“Need to talk to you,” I said as I barged in, not bothering with formalities.
He looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What is it?”
“George. I’m challenging him. I want it set up as soon as possible.” My voice was like gravel, the words leaving no room for discussion.
My father leaned back in his chair, a deep sigh escaping him. “I thought that might be the case, so I sent two of my betas to issue the formal summons.”
“Good.” I spun on my heel and left the room, my mind already plotting George’s downfall. One way or another, I would make sure that bastard died.
I’d only gotten as far as the back door when my father’s roar had me running back. I stormed back into his study. “What is it?”
“Jake just called from George’s place.” His face was grim as he turned from the window. “We have a problem. Your challenge can’t be issued.”
“What do you mean?” I demanded, frustration boiling beneath my skin.
“The place is empty. No sign of him.”
“Empty?” My fists clenched involuntarily. “He’s running?”
“Could be,” my father muttered, scratching his chin. “Or it’s a ploy. That fucker loves playing games.”
“Games.” The word tasted like poison. Zoey and Ro were in danger, and the asshole was playing games. “If he was after Zoey, he’d have gone there first. We can’t sit on our asses and hope George just strolls back into town,” I snapped, pacing the length of the study. “We find him.”
“Agreed.” My father stood, a rare hint of urgency in his movements. “We mobilize everyone.”
“Good.” I pulled out my phone and dialed the beta who was on watch duty. “Give me a report, Brian.”
“Nothing out of the ordinary here,” Brian said. The sounds of the night whispered in the background. “Heather’s house is quiet, Zoey and…”
Suddenly, a muffled scuffle erupted over the line, followed by Brian’s grunt of pain. A moment later, an unmistakable howl tore through the connection.
“Brian?” I shouted into the phone, adrenaline coursing through me. But there was only silence, save for the ominous echo of that howl in my ears.
“Fuck!” I cursed.
My father was beside me in an instant, his own face full of alarm. “Go!” he barked.
I bolted out the back door, heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. The cool night air slapped against my skin as I burst out into the open, the moon overhead a silent witness to the urgency that propelled me forward.
