Page 33 of Alpha's Hidden Gem

I nod, my body coiled with tension. "Let's do it but let’s meet back here before we act on anything alone."

As we move into position, I send a silent prayer to the moon goddess.

Please, let Lila and Elena be okay.

The thought of losing either of them makes my blood run cold.

I crouch low, hidden by the undergrowth, and watch the rogues. They seem agitated, pacing and snarling at each other.

Something's not right,my wolf whispers.Be careful.

I take a deep breath, centering myself. Then, with a nod to Ethan and Finn, I surge forward, ready to fight for the woman I love.

Mate in danger. Must protect.

My wolf's instincts surge through me as I lead Ethan and Finn through the dark forest, our senses on high alert. The acrid smell of smoke mixes with the scents of Elena and Lila, tainted by the presence of rogues. Fear for Lila's safety grips my heart, intertwined with a growing anger at those who dare threaten her.

She's not our mate,I snap at my wolf internally, trying to maintain focus.We can't think of her that way.

My wolf growls in disagreement.She is. You know it. I know it.

Ignoring the thought, I shift my focus to Ethan and Finn as we come back with our observations and a solid plan in mind.

"Ethan, create a diversion on the far side. Finn, you're going to come at them from the other side. You guys will attack from two sides. I'll slip in and get Elena and Lila out of the barn."

They nod in agreement, their expressions grim with determination.

Let me out,my wolf demands, pacing restlessly within me.I'm faster, stronger.

I hesitate, weighing the options. "We need stealth. Not brute force."

Wasting time, losing her,my wolf counters, impatience coloring his thoughts.

With a deep breath, I surrender to the primal force within me, letting the shift take over. My bones crack and reshape, fur sprouting across my skin as I transform into my wolf form.

Ethan and Finn follow suit, their human forms blurring and reshaping into powerful wolves beside me. The familiar rush of adrenaline floods my veins, heightening my senses and making me acutely aware of every sound and scent around us.

My muscles coil, ready for action, as I feel the raw power coursing through my body. The wolf inside me growls with anticipation, eager to protect what's ours.

As we separate to execute the plan, I lock eyes with Ethan and Finn one last time, a silent promise passing between us.

We'll save them. No matter what it takes.

No matter what,Finn and Ethan echo back.

Ethan's howl tears through the night air, a chilling prelude to the impending chaos. I watch as rogues peel away from the burning barn, drawn by his distraction, their attention momentarily diverted from their captives. It's my window of opportunity.

Finn's lithe figure engages the remaining guards in a whirlwind of fur and fang, creating a diversion on the other side. My heart thrumming in my chest, I take my chance, slinking into the shadows near the barn. The flames cast an eerie glow, highlighting the danger that awaits me within.

My wolf urges me forward, a primal hunger to protect coursing through my veins. The inferno crackles and pops, the heat licking at the barn's wooden walls, threatening to engulf the entire structure. Every instinct screams for me to charge in, to fight my way to Lila and pull her from the inferno. But reason holds me back. I need to be smart, not reckless.

My nostrils are filled with the bitter scent of smoke as I carefully maneuver through the darkness, ensuring that I remain hidden from view. I can hear the crackle of flames and the growls of the remaining rogues, but my focus remains solely on reaching Lila.

A moment of tension hangs in the air as I carefully approach a lone rogue guarding the entrance. The wolf's back is turned, its attention drawn towards Finn's valiant efforts on the opposite side of the clearing. My movements are silent, a blur in the night, as I take advantage of its distraction. I slip past it, my heart pounding with each step closer to Lila.

As I enter the burning barn, the heat hits me like a wall. Through the haze of smoke, my eyes scan the shadowy interior, desperately searching for any sign of her.

My heart races as I push deeper into the burning barn, the inferno raging around me. The crackling flames lick at the wooden beams, devouring everything in their path. Falling debris crashes to the ground, sending sparks flying in all directions. The intense heat sears my fur, making each breath a struggle.

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