Page 125 of The Alpha King's Fate

The Hunter looked at her before leaning close to his leader’s ear as if that would stop her from hearing him.

“We have a problem,” he whispered.

“Well, fix it. We can’t afford to have delays today.”

“There were calls from town. I need to speak to you in private,” the Hunter said, looking at her again.

And just like that, she knew the problem was something to do with her. Her heart started to race again. Was it Jax? Had he found her? But hundreds of Hunters were on the base—Jax would never make it!

The Commander wasn’t pleased as he led the way out of the room. She sensed them walking back the way she came to the main doors of the restricted areas. Her ears picked up everything—their footsteps, the Hunter’s elevated heartbeat. She sensed his fear.

“They have found us,” the Hunter whispered again. “They attacked the town. I’m not sure how many, but the reports have come from most of the families.”

“Then what is the problem? This is our turf, soldier. We don’t bow to those animals.”

“Should we reinforce our gates?”

“No. We do what we were born to do. Let's go hunting.”

No! Jax!

Her breathing was harsh as she turned to face her mother.

This was it. It was now or never.

Chapter 56

Layla’s rage boiled over. No longer hidden behind her panic and worry, a white-hot fury left everything else in embers. Her fists clenched again, but she wasn’t trying to contain herself anymore.

‘Don’t, Layla,’ Rebecca said through their mindlink. ‘You don’t know what it will do to you.’

Her mother rushed up to the glass and put her palms against it. She hadn't noticed it before, but there were bags under her mother’s usually vibrant face, and the undeniable strength she always sensed from her mother was gone.

The Hunters did that.

They took a woman who once shielded a whole packhouse full of wolves, calmed them during the war and reduced her to just a shell of herself. A wolf rumoured to be stronger than anyone.

They took scouts, the bravest and most skilled fighters out of all the packs.

They took Gavin and Faith.

They took children.

She approached the glass that imprisoned her mother and placed her palm against it. Behind her, the mood shifted. The tension in the Hunters who’d kept her prisoner rose.

‘This is our only chance, Mum.’

“Step back from the cage and get down to your knees. Hands where I can see them,” the man behind her growled.

‘Listen to him, Layla. I don’t know what they’ve done to me; I can’t help you,’ Rebecca insisted.

Her mother’s beautiful emerald eyes filled with tears, and her lips trembled.

‘I’m not afraid anymore, Mum. When you make it out, head back home. Take care of Hope and Britney.’

‘Layla!’

“I said down on your knees!”

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