Page 72 of Alpha's Hidden Gem

Axel pushes me behind him, his body a solid wall of protection. "We're not sneaking anywhere. The reception is over, and we're leaving. Just like you should be."

The rival wolf laughs, the sound harsh and mocking. "Oh, we'll leave. But not before we settle a few things."

"There's nothing to settle," Axel growls, his voice low and dangerous. "This is our territory, our pack. You have no business here."

The other wolves spread out, circling us like predators stalking their prey. I feel my own wolf rise to the surface, my muscles tensing in preparation for a fight.

"That's where you're wrong, Axel," the leader sneers. "You see, we have a new alpha now. And he has big plans for this little town of yours. Oh, by the way, did you like the present he left for you? I hope that no one got hurt by it."

A chill runs down my spine at his words. A new alpha? What happened to the old one? Why would they want to expose us using the wolfs-bane?

Axel's eyes narrow, his stance shifting subtly as he prepares for an attack. "I don't care who your new alpha is. This is our home, and we will defend it with our lives if necessary."

The rival wolves exchange glances, cruel smiles twisting their lips. "We were hoping you'd say that," the leader chuckles darkly.

Without warning, they lunge at us, their bodies shifting in mid-air as they transform into their wolf forms. Axel leaps forward to meet them, his own transformation rippling through him in a heartbeat.

I don't hesitate, letting my wolf take over as I rush to my mate's side. The parking lot erupts into a whirlwind of snarling, snapping jaws and tearing claws as we clash with the rival wolves.

I lose myself in the primal dance of battle, my wolf reveling in the chance to finally let loose, to protect what is ours. I vaguely register the sound of fabric ripping, the feel of fur and flesh giving way beneath my claws.

A yelp of pain cuts through the haze of violence, and my heart seizes in my chest as I see Axel stagger back, blood matting the fur on his flank. The rival leader lunges for his throat, his jaws open wide in a vicious snarl.

"No!" The scream tears from my throat as I leap between them, my teeth sinking deep into the enemy wolf's shoulder. He howls in agony, thrashing wildly to shake me off.

We tumble across the pavement, a tangle of fur and fury. I can hear the rest of our pack joining the fray, their snarls and growls mingling with the yelps and whimpers of pain.

I don't know how long we fight, time seeming to blur and stretch in the heat of battle. But finally, the rival wolves break away, limping and bleeding as they slink back into the shadows, defeated.

Panting heavily, I turn to Axel, my heart in my throat as I take in his battered form. He shifts back to his human shape, his skin pale and slick with sweat.

"Axel," I whisper, my voice trembling as I rush to his side. "Are you alright?"

He pulls me into his arms, burying his face in my hair. "I'm okay, love. Just a few scratches."

But as we survey the damage, the gravity of the situation sinks in. This was no random attack, no territorial dispute. There's something bigger at play here, a new threat looming on the horizon.

Ethan emerges from the building, his expression grim. "We need to call a pack meeting, Axel. This cannot go unanswered."

Axel nods, his eyes hard as flint. "You're right. We need to find out who this new alpha is, and what he wants with our territory."

I shiver, pressing closer to my mate's warmth. Whatever is coming, I know one thing for certain. We'll face it together, as a pack, as a family.

But for now, as the adrenaline fades and the pain of our wounds begins to set in, all I want is to go home, to curl up in Axel's arms and forget, just for a moment, the battles yet to come.

Chapter 24

Love Today, Fight Tomorrow

Axel

As I oversee the final preparations for our mating ceremony, I can feel my wolf stirring within me, eager to formally claim Lila as our mate. The anticipation is palpable, and I find myself constantly drawn to her side.

"Hey, Vanilla Bean," I say softly, coming up behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist. "How's it going over here?"

Lila leans back into my embrace, a smile playing on her lips. "Everything's coming together nicely, Axel. The pack has been so helpful."

I nuzzle her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. "They know how important this is to me, to us. You're already a part of the family, Lila."

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