Page 158 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

Colt nods, his jaw set with determination. “I’ll call Raskogr and Ariana,” he says, pulling out his phone.

I watch as he dials their numbers, my mind racing with worry for Selene. She could be anywhere in this maze of darkness, and it feels like time is running out.

Unable to contain myself, I slip away as Colt continues his phone calls. My footsteps echo in the silence of the mansion as I move through the corridors. My senses are on high alert, searching for any sign of Selene, but she’s nowhere to be found.

Where is she?

Finally, I reach a locked door, which makes my gut churn with dread. The air is thick with the metallic tang of blood, and I know, deep down, that this is where Selene is.

With a surge of adrenaline, I throw my weight against the door, and the wood splinters, forcing it free. As it swings open, my worst fears are realized. Selene lies before me, pale and unmoving, her skin cold to the touch. Beside her is the lifeless form of a young woman.

I rush to Selene’s side, and with trembling hands, I lift her limp body into my arms. Panic grips me as I struggle to rouse her, but she remains still.

Frantically, I slice my arm with my claw, drawing blood that drips onto her lips. “Wake up, Selene. Please, wake up.”

She is deeply unconscious, her chest barely rising with each shallow breath.

Suddenly, Colt bursts into the room, his eyes wide with alarm. “Liam, what’s happening?”

“She won’t wake up,” I manage. “I don’t know what to do.”

Colt gently reaches out to touch Selene’s cheek. “We need to get her out of here. The council members are on their way.”

“We have to save her,” I whisper fearfully. I can barely hear myself think over the pounding of my heart.

I lift Selene’s unconscious form into my arms and follow Colt out of the room.

Outside, the night air is cool against my skin as we hurry through the darkened streets. When we arrive at the rendezvous point, the council members are awaiting us.

Ariana’s face is drawn with concern as she approaches, asking, “What happened?”

I swallow hard, my throat tight. “We found her like this. She won’t wake up.”

“I can’t help you, Liam. I am here for the humans.”

I hold Selene closer to me, willing her to wake up. “Please. She has been nothing but helpful to us, and now she needs our help.”

“But her brother…”

“Her brothers are the reason she is like this right now. She is on our side, Ariana. Please. I have been looking for her for way too long. This cannot be it. This cannot be the end.”

Ariana nods solemnly. “Alright. We’ll need to get her back to the council chambers.”

“Okay, but why can’t we just do it here?”

“We can, but it would be slower. I have a supply of Elderwood in the chambers. It will help amplify my powers. We will need to act fast since I’m assuming you don’t know when this was done to her?” Ariana asks.

I shake my head.

“Then we don’t know how much time we have,” she says.

“Thank you so much, Ariana! I appreciate your willingness to help!”

Ariana’s gaze softens with sympathy, but her expression remains resolute. “Liam, she’s a vampire. Her kind is dangerous… but I can see that she is important to you.”

“Yes, she is. She’s my mate, and I can’t let her die like this.”

Ariana’s eyes widen with surprise, and for a moment, I see a flicker of understanding in her gaze. “Very well,” she says, her voice softer now. “Raskogr, Colt, round up the humans and follow us. We’re taking Selene to the chambers.”

---