Page 25 of Alpha's Hidden Gem

Sophie grins, pulling me into another hug. "That's my girl. You've got this, Lila. And no matter what happens, I'll be here for you. Always."

I nod, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. "Thanks, Sophie. I can't imagine what I'd do without you."

We finish cleaning up the kitchen, chatting and laughing as we work. And as we walk out into the warm evening air, I feel a sense of excitement and possibility.

I walk Sophie to her car. “See you later, Sophie.”

But then, in an instant, everything changes.

The feeling of danger hits me a split second before I see the shadowy figure across the street, watching us with an unnerving intensity. My heart leaps into my throat, adrenaline surging through my veins.

But before we can take a step, the figure is moving towards us with inhuman speed, closing the distance in a blur. I freeze, terror rooting me to the spot as the threat draws nearer.

In my panic, my phone slips from my trembling fingers, clattering to the ground. I don't have time to retrieve it before the attacker is on me, their grip like iron as they yank me towards a waiting car. I struggle, kicking and clawing, but it's like fighting against a brick wall.

As I'm dragged towards the trunk, I catch a glimpse of Axel in the distance, his face a mask of panic as he sprints towards us. Our eyes lock for a heartbeat, a thousand unspoken words passing between us. My phone lies abandoned on the pavement, a lifeline just out of reach.

Then the trunk slams shut, plunging me into darkness. The car lurches forward, tires screeching against asphalt as it speeds away.

I scream, pounding against the unyielding metal, but it's no use. I'm trapped, helpless, hurtling towards an unknown fate.

And all I can think is:Axel, please find me.

Chapter 8

Fierce Protector

Axel

As I drive back to Millfield, my mind is still reeling from the tense meeting with my pack and the disturbing photo on my phone. The road stretches before me, a ribbon of asphalt cutting through the darkness. I'm only a few miles outside of town when a sudden, gut-wrenching sensation tears through me like a bolt of lightning.

Mate, real danger,my wolf growls as he pushes to be released.

Lila. She's in danger.

The realization hits me with such force that I nearly lose control of the wheel. My heart pounds against my ribcage, a frantic, erratic rhythm that echoes the rising panic in my veins. A cold sweat breaks out on my skin, and my hands tremble as I grip the steering wheel tighter.

"No, no, no," I mutter under my breath, my voice raw with fear. "Not Lila. Please, not her."

My wolf stirs within me, a restless, agitated presence that demands action. It claws at my insides, urging me to drive faster, to reach her before it's too late. I can feel its desperation, its primal need to protect our mate at all costs. The feelings of mywolf are so intense, as if a wild creature is imprisoned in my chest, desperately battling to escape.

I press down on the accelerator, the engine roaring as I push the limits of the vehicle. The landscape blurs around me, a haze of greens and browns that barely register in my peripheral vision. All that matters is getting to Lila, to ensure her safety. Everything else fades away except for that one goal.

"Hang on, Lila," I whisper, my voice cracking with emotion. "I'm coming for you. Just hold on."

My mind races with terrible possibilities, each one more horrifying than the last. Images of Lila hurt, scared, or worse flash through my mind, fueling the urgency that consumes me. I can't lose her, not now, not when I've just found her. I feel like my worst nightmares are coming true, with no ability to intervene.

As I speed towards Millfield, my senses are on high alert, attuned to any sign of danger. The scent of the forest fills my nostrils, but I push past it, searching for anything out of place, anything that might lead me to Lila.

"Please be okay," I plead, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't do this without you, Lila. I need you."

The miles fly by in a blur of asphalt and adrenaline, my entire being focused on reaching her. I can feel the bond betweenus, the invisible unbonded thread that wants to tie our souls together, and I cling to it like a lifeline.

"I'm coming, Lila," I promise, my voice fierce with determination. "I won't let anything happen to you. I swear it."

I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. She is my mate, my destiny, and I will fight for her with every breath in my body. It's not just about protection anymore – it's about preserving a part of myself, the other half of my soul.

As I screech into Millfield, my heart pounds against my chest, a frantic rhythm that threatens to burst through my ribcage. I park the car, step out, and begin sprinting towards the coffee shop. The city assaults me with a cacophony of scents—exhaust fumes, greasy food, and the sweat of countless humans.

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