Page 28 of Coveted By the Alpha Pack

I watch as a subtle twitch betrays Nicolai’s composure, my head tilting to the side, taking in every nuance of his reaction.

“I would hunt to the ends of the world to get you back,” he growls, closing the space between us with purpose. His hand finds my throat, the grip gentle yet firm, tilting my head back to meet his gaze.

My eyes narrow, meeting his with defiance as the rage within me burns hotter. I feel the primal urge rising, my canines breaking through my gums in response to the intensity of our exchange. “So you would hunt for me?” I hiss, the words heavy with accusation. “But not allow me to hunt for our greatest ally? To help the male that protected me and my mates while they saved me?” Pushing back against his grip, I rise to my feet with a growl of my own, catching Nicolai off guard with the force of my defiance.

“I just want to keep you safe,” Nicolai growls, his voice a low rumble vibrating through the tense air. His eyes, usually warm and gentle, now glint with a fierce protectiveness that sends shivers down my spine.

“Then fight by my side,” I snarl back, feeling the primal urge of my wolf clawing at the surface, eager for the challenge my mate presents. His defiance sparks a fire within me, igniting a battle of wills that threatens to consume us both.

Around us, our other mates stand in silence, their presence a palpable weight in the charged atmosphere. They watch, neither intervening nor taking sides, a silent testament to our pack’s belief in resolving our conflicts internally.

Nicolai’s gaze pierces mine, his anger simmering just beneath the surface, ready to erupt at any moment. “I will keep you safe,” he declares, his growl resonating with a fierce determination that refuses to yield.

But I stand my ground, refusing to cower before his dominance. “I am your mate, and I am your equal,” I assert, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. “He deserves his happy ending,” I gesture towards Ambrose, my heart aching for his pain. “I will not allow him to suffer any longer.”

The tension hangs thick in the air, charged with emotions and unspoken challenges. Nicolai’s jaw tightens. His expression conflicted as he grapples with the weight of my words. But deep down, I know our bond is stronger than any disagreement, and together, we will find a way to protect what matters most.

Chapter 17

Ethan

-I don’t wanna stop- Ozzy Osborne-

As I watch Grace rise, her transformation into the woman I always knew she could be is nothing short of breathtaking. Emotions swirl within me as I witness her strength, and I can sense the calmness of her inner wolf, mirroring the tranquility within myself. The bond she forged with Lorcan, choosing him as her sixth, seems to have brought us both a sense of peace and stability.

I watch Grace, as I often do. I’m so fucking proud of her. Her defiance against Nicolai fills me with pride, and I can feel a warm bloom of affection for her in my heart. Her prioritization of Ambrose’s needs over her own desires speaks volumes about her character.

As Grace exits the room, she taps my elbow, silently beckoning me to follow her, and I comply without hesitation. We navigate through several twists and turns until we arrive at her garden. Standing amidst the rose bushes, Grace pauses by the slab at the center, inviting me to join her. She hops up onto the slab and she swings her legs.

“Before you say anything,” Grace interrupts, lifting her hand to forestall any words from me. “We owe Ambrose so much. I can see the pain in his eyes when he sees us together. He longs for his mate, just as I do for all of you.”

Drawing closer to her, I step between her parted legs, feeling the warmth of her presence enveloping me. “I know,” I murmur softly, gazing deeply into her eyes. “It pains me to see him suffer. Do you believe you can find her?” I inquire, my fingers gently threading through her hair as I await her response.

“Let me show you what I saw.” I can feel the determination pulsing through my veins as I absorb every word she speaks. The image of her trapped wolf, confined in a zoo, ignites a fiery resolve within me. I can almost see the bars casting shadows across her fur, the curious gazes of onlookers, and the wild longing in her eyes.

Her gaze meets mine, and I sense the weight of her certainty. Still, I can’t help but tilt my head, studying her closely, searching for any hint of doubt. “Are you sure?” My voice is soft, tinged with concern.

Her response is unwavering, filled with a mixture of anguish and conviction. “Positive,” she affirms, her words laced with a sorrow that pierces my heart. “I saw it all through her eyes. The confinement, the struggle. She’s slipping away, consumed by the beast within.”

I reach out, gently cupping her cheek, desperate to offer comfort in the face of such despair. “How long?” My voice cracks with emotion, betraying the ache in my soul.

“Months, maybe a year,” she murmurs, her eyes closing as if to shield herself from the pain of reality. I can feel the weight of her sadness pressing down on us both, threatening to suffocate our hope.

But amidst the darkness, there’s a flicker of light. “Does she know we’re coming?” I press, my lips brushing against her forehead in a tender gesture of reassurance. “That we’ll do everything in our power to bring her back to us, to her mate?”

Her response is a fragile whisper, a tear tracing a path down her cheek. “Yes,” she murmurs, her voice thick with emotion. “I told her. I begged her to hold on, to fight for her humanity. And I shared memories of Ambrose, of us together.” Each word is a testament to the depth of her love, to the lengths she’s willing to go to save her.

I nod, my mind whirring with thoughts as I listen to my mate, Grace. Her words carry weight, and I find myself mentally mapping out our next moves. The shadows of our remaining foes loom large in my mind, unseen but ever-present, a constant source of concern.

Grace’s touch breaks through my calculations as her fingers glide over my head, grazing the stubble there. I feel a faint tickle, a sensation that brings a small smile to my lips despite the seriousness of our conversation. Her eyes gleam with a hint of mischief, a spark that ignites something within me.

“I have an idea.” Her feral grin sends a shiver down my spine, but I can’t tear my gaze away from her. She studies me intently, her gaze piercing as she seeks to unravel my thoughts. I tilt my head, watching her with equal intensity.

“What are you thinking?” I ask, curiosity lacing my words.

“I think it’s time you grow your hair out. As twins, you can trick our prey into striking.” Her response is unexpected, yet it carries a dangerous allure. The wicked glimmer in her eyes grows stronger as she speaks, and I can sense the strategist in her emerging. The realization sends a chill through me, mingled with a strange sense of admiration and fear.

“They fear you, Wolfie,” she says, her voice low and calculated. “If they believe you’re absent, occupied elsewhere, they’ll come for me. And that’s when you strike.”

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