Page 46 of Alpha's Hidden Gem

The traitor! Rip him apart, hurting our mate!my wolf snarls, his fury a white-hot blaze within me.

My words seem to hit Lila like a physical blow. The color drains from her face as a tumult of emotions storms across her countenance - shock, fury, and utter desolation. Her eyes flash with an almost feral rage and I can sense her wolf clawing to the surface, howling for vengeance against those who stole her beloved truck.

A low, menacing growl rumbles from deep in Lila's throat as her body begins to tremble and shift. In a blink, she's lunging forward, halfway transformed, her features a blend of human and wolf. Her eyes blaze with a feral intensity, the hazel consumed by glowing amber as her wolf surges to the surface.

I quickly wrap my arms around her, pulling her tight against my chest as she thrashes and snarls, her claws raking against my skin. My own wolf rises in response, wanting to protect, to soothe, but I push him back.

"Lila, shhh, breathe," I murmur urgently in her ear, stroking her hair as she snaps her jaws, her wolf lashing out in a maelstrom of grief and rage. "I know, baby. I know it hurts. But you have to stay in control. Come back to me..."

She lets out a howl of anguish, the sound tearing at my heart as she struggles against my hold, her wolf desperate to hunt, to exact vengeance upon those who have hurt her. I can feel the fury radiating off her in waves, a palpable force that threatens to consume everything in its path.

Our mate needs us,my wolf insists, his own instincts screaming to join her in the hunt, to tear apart those who have dared to harm what's ours.

But I know that's not what Lila needs right now. She needs me to be the calm in the chaos, the steady presence that guides her back from the brink of losing herself entirely to the beast within.

I keep whispering soothing words, pouring every ounce of my love and strength into our bond, coaxing her back from the edge. I let my own wolf wrap around hers, not to restrain, but to comfort, to remind her that she's not alone in this pain.

Gradually, her struggles subside, the feral light in her eyes dimming as she begins to regain control. She collapses against me, her wolf receding as sobs wrack her body, the human side of her re-emerging to process the overwhelming emotions.

I just hold her close, letting her tears soak my shirt, my own heart fracturing at her anguished cries. I rock her gently, murmuring words of comfort and love, even as a cold rage simmers in my veins at the thought of those responsible for her pain.

"We'll make this right, Lila," I vow fiercely, my wolf's growl echoing in my mind, a promise of retribution. "Gio will pay for what he's done. I swear it."

She looks up at me, her face streaked with tears, but a flicker of determination sparking in her eyes. "I want to rip him apart," she whispers, her voice raw with emotion. "I want to make him suffer for what he's taken from me."

I cup her face in my hands, my thumb brushing away a stray tear. "I know, love. And we will. But we have to be smart about this. We can't let our wolves' desire for vengeance cloud our judgment. We need to find out what Gio's planning, and stop him before he can hurt anyone else."

Lila takes a shuddering breath, nodding slowly as she leans into my touch. "You're right. We have to be careful. But Axel, I... I don't know if I can control my wolf. She's so angry, so hurt. I've never felt anything like this before."

I press a gentle kiss to her forehead, my wolf rumbling softly in reassurance. "You're not alone, Lila. I'm here, and so is the pack. We'll help you through this, every step of the way. Your wolf is a part of you, and together, you'll learn to navigate this new bond. I promise."

She buries her face in my chest, her arms tightening around me as if I'm the only thing keeping her tethered to her humanity."Don't let me go," she whispers, her voice muffled against my shirt. "Don't let me lose myself."

"Never," I vow, my own arms a protective shield around her. "I'll always be here to bring you back, no matter how far you go. You're my mate, Lila, and with more practice you will be able to control your wolf even when you are angry and wounded."

I inhale deeply and shift my focus to the entire pack assembled before me.

"But for now I need to tell everyone," I continue, my voice grave, "what we've uncovered about Gio and his plans... it threatens everything we hold dear. Our pack, our way of life, the peace we've worked so hard to maintain."

I look out over the sea of worried faces. "We have a lot to discuss, and decisions to make."

As I prepare to delve into the details of our discoveries, I pull Lila closer, offering what comfort I can. The pack draws in tighter, their solidarity a tangible force in the face of this new threat.

Chapter 16

Building Trust

Lila

I bolt upright in bed, my heart pounding as the vivid images of my nightmare fade away. The sight of my beloved food truck engulfed in flames, with Gio's sneering face looming over the destruction, lingers in my mind. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but the intensity of my new wolf senses overwhelms me.

The soft rustling of the sheets beneath me sounds like a roaring cascade, and the faint scent of pine and earth from the open window is almost suffocating in its potency. My thoughts race as I try to process the sensory overload, my mind struggling to reconcile my human understanding with my newfound werewolf instincts.

The door creaks open, and Axel enters the room, his presence both soothing and intensifying the chaos within me. His scent, a heady mix of cedar and wild musk, envelops me, and I find myself simultaneously comforted and on edge.

"Lila, are you alright?" Axel asks, his voice low and gentle as he approaches the bed.

I nod, not trusting my voice to remain steady. As Axel sits beside me, his warmth radiating through the thin fabric of my shirt,my phone buzzes on the nightstand. I reach for it, my hands trembling slightly as I see Sophie's name on the screen.

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