Page 40 of Cursed Wolf

Twisting around, I count six wolves spread out around the woods, blazing eyes on us. Anger spears through my veins to think so many pricks have been chasing us. Each one of these soon-to-be-dead Alphas had their eyes on my Omega—my Narah—and for that, they will fucking die, just like their buddies.

Glancing at Stone, his head is low, ears plastered to his head. Works for me. Three for each of us to destroy sounds like good odds.

In a heartbeat, we charge the wolves, fury dancing in my mind that they will pay for ever thinking they would touch my angel.

13

RAGNAR

My father used to say when it came to battle, you should avoid the strong and target the weak. He also said to defeat your enemies on the field before they reach your home and rise for battle before the sun to seek victory.

I hated the man, but sometimes, he offered gold nuggets of wisdom that surprised me. Even though he failed miserably as a father and husband, he excelled in warfare.

His words came to mind the moment I stepped foot into the Bane Wolves’ pack territory. Standing inside Mihai’s home, the heavy stench of death assaults my nostrils.

Dead bodies.

Blood splashed on the walls.

Broken limbs.

The echo of screams seeming to linger on the whistling wind outside.

Mihai was lying on the bed on his back, one leg hanging off the edge of the mattress as though he was mid-struggle when someone came in and murdered him, driving a blade into his heart. The black hilt of a standard dagger protruded from his chest, surrounded by a wide patch of dried blood. The poor fucker has been killed in cold murder. His mate lay near the door, face down in a pool of blood.

Since arriving at the pack minutes ago, we’d found bodies strewn everywhere. Mostly Alphas.

My heart squeezes at all the useless death.

Drawing in a sharp inhale, the coppery smell reveals another scent—wet fur infused with heavy perspiration, something I recognize instantly. Curling my hands into fists by my side, I growl, the deep sound cutting across my chest.

These poor men died at the hands of a fucking piece of work who came here searching for Narah, my men, and me. It fucking burns me up with fury.

An Alpha has also been building his army, and he’s just declared full-out war.

Martell.

Guilt claws at me at the destruction he caused to this pack. He ripped them apart, removed their leader, Mihai, and eliminated their warrior Alphas. With war comes casualties, but fuck. Mihai was an asshole, but I wouldn’t have wished him such an undeserving death.

Grinding my jaw, I stand there, feeling useless and knowing my attempt to take over the Savage Sector had led to this massacre. But would it have gone any other way—with or without my intervention—if Martell intended to take over the territory?

Who the fuck knew, but that didn’t diminish the mountain of anger surging through me.

I move over to Mihai’s side and gently close his eyelids, whispering, “Maybe the gods take pity on your soul and find you a place in Valhalla.”

We leave the home behind just as Nikos marches toward me across the open land, his face sour and his brows pinched together.

“Only a handful survived,” he growls. “The survivors said it was Martell. That shithead needs to die, Ragnar. He’s killed so many fucking men in this pack. Only saving grace was most of the Omegas and children escaped with Alphas, who got them out to safety. They’re hiding in nearby mountain caves.” He moves closer, roughly running his hand through his hair. “To be honest, I know we need to help the pack, but I’m even more petrified for Narah, out there with Martell’s men on the loose.”

“You think I don’t feel the same way?” An invisible hand fists around my heart. “With her carrying our child, she’s our priority… even over claiming the Savage Sector.” I’m partially surprised to hear my own words, but Nikos nods in agreement.

For years, I’d had one goal—take over the Savage Sector, finally show my father I wasn’t the waste of space he’d labeled me, and provide a safe haven for my sister after I collected her from her forced marriage.

“We’re still taking ownership of Savage Sector,” I reconfirm. “But it’s taking a backseat to Narah. Then we’ll hunt down that bastard and make him and all his supporters pay, even if I have to do it with my bare hands.”

“Agreed,” Nikos growls, his upper lip curling over sharp canines. “I’ll be right there by your side, cutting those fuckers down. Martell will hurt for everything he’s done to Narah.”

With a raspy intake of breath, I turn to the land around us, to the dead, to the few stragglers coming out of homes, looking devastated.

---