Page 51 of My Possessive Alpha

Our jaws clashed as I returned that energy to him, pushing and pushing, ebbing and flowing through the unmeasured steps of our mutual wrath.

I could sense Lydia nearby.

I couldn’t risk opening myself up for Jack to land any damning hits by searching for her, but as I focused on holding my own, I felt how the tether warmed—the same sensation as when she reached out to me.

That swell of powerful emotions seemed to reach every corner and crevice of my body, reminding me that I had someone to return to, that I had my mate to fight for, and that she was depending on me to save us both.

That warmth coursed through me, rushing into my veins like a shot of the most potent drug imaginable. It flooded me and brought a swiftness to my movements. It almost seemed to fortify me like an unmovable fortress.

Even if Jack was quick and more cunning than I imagined, I was a wall—unshakable and determined as I took each one of his attempts to strike me down. I accepted those bites and scratched, and even as he threw all his weight at me.

I did it all and waited for him to tire, hoping that sooner rather than later, he’d succumb to that exhaustion.

With Lydia’s support flowing through our connection, I became the impenetrable force—the unwavering sentinel sworn to protect that which was sacred.

Lydia, pregnant with my child and waiting for me to follow through on my promise to keep them both safe, was my guiding light—the divine being at the end of it all who made my life worth living.

Even as Jack landed his assault on me, I kept my stare firmly fixed on him, patient and waiting for the chance.

His accuracy waned as he went to pull back, revealing how the constant movement was wearing him down.

Locking in and seeing it as my one chance, I growled and extended my jaw, latching onto the soft flesh of his neck.

Jack yelped as I bit down, crunching in a brutal display of that raw, unfettered strength.

Forcing my body to follow through with it, I slammed him down to the ground, pinning him with a heavy paw.

I held that grip even as he struggled, snuffing the light out little by little.

When it was done, Jack stilled, and I released his limp neck.

Pulling away, I swung my head, shaking off the lingering effects of those injuries I sustained. But despite the pain, that win was too great for me to ignore.

As I turned to gaze at Lydia, her look of relief reflected back at me like a balm to every bloody wound.

She was the cure for everything, and I knew that without a doubt.

Gaze softened as she looked at me. Lydia was quick to hurry over, wrapping her arms around my neck. At ease, I leaned against her as my fur tousled in the light breeze.

My heart squeezed as everyone else faded into the background, not mattering in that moment. It was only us—the way my heart wanted it to be.

With her hold on me, I took the reins and willed myself to shift back. With ease, everything returned to normal as I closed my eyes through it, easing into the embrace as my arms wrapped around her.

I caught the contented sigh that escaped her as she tightened her hold and buried her face into my neck.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, tears wetting my skin. “I’m so sorry I let myself fall for their lies again…that I caused this.”

“Don’t apologize, Lydia. You didn’t know. You hoped you could trust them, and that isn’t on you,” I said in return, palm pressed against her back firmly as I breathed her scent. “What matters is that you’re safe, and this is over now. You don’t need to worry about him anymore.”

Lydia took a shaky breath and nodded. Despite her emotions, the relaxation of her body against mine was the only reward I needed.

Eventually, she pulled back enough to look up at me with those damp eyes as she studied my features closely. “I don’t want to be separated from you ever again…”

Gazing down at her as my features softened, I shook my head and smiled faintly. “I don’t intend on ever letting you go, Lydia. You’re mine, and I am yours. Nothing can get in the way of that.”

With a mutual peace between us, her warm expression cracked through that previous worry and pain, and she pulled me back in for another tight embrace.

Even as the others moved around us, handling what remained of the situation, I was in no hurry to part. We had both experienced enough panic and upset to warrant spending a little longer in each other’s arms.

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