Page 153 of The Alpha King's Fate

He looked away from the rescued wolves and approached Chase and Ryker, sitting on the front steps with beers in their hands.

“Yes,” he answered.

He hadn’t told anyone where he was going but they’d have to be idiots not to figure it out.

“Then where is she?” Ryker asked.

“She’ll be home soon.”

She had to be.

“What’s going on? Why’s everyone outside?” he asked.

“Most of them didn’t want to be stuck inside with the doors closed,” Chase answered.

He looked back at the people walking in the fields. He could only imagine what being in the silver cages did to their heads. They would have to bring Diedre back as soon as it was safe, so she could start helping them.

“We’ve sent some scouts to check out a few Hunter bases,” Chase said. “We’ll be going after them as soon as we have a concrete plan. Will you join us?”

And leave Layla like that? His chest tightened at the thought. But he was still the King. He had other responsibilities.

“Tell me when you have a plan,” he said before walking past them to the front door.

He’d only taken a few steps into the house when he stopped. Rebecca stood in the middle of the hallway. Unlike Layla, her eyes didn’t lose their sparkle and looked as healthy as ever.

“Why did you cast my daughter out?”

What?

“I didn’t—”

Rebecca moved too fast. He was on his back with her claws around his neck before he realised what was happening.

“She gave up everything for you,” Rebecca hissed, “and this is how you repay her? Sending her out by herself when she’s still in danger?”

“I didn’t—”

“If you don’t bring Layla back here, I will kill you myself,” Rebecca growled.

He didn’t doubt that. Rebecca had been shielding herself, but with her threat, he felt the full force of her anger. And her pain.

“I will bring her back, Rebecca. But first, I will destroy the Hunters so Layla never has to be afraid again. She’ll come back where she belongs.”

Rebecca’s snarl left her face, and she looked into his eyes as if she sensed the truth in his words.

“You’re okay with that? You’re okay with the fact that her wolf is dead?” Rebecca asked.

He was about to answer when he sensed something in the air. Shock? Rebecca must have felt it, too, because she got off him and looked behind her.

Dylan and Brax stood with several other wolves in the doorway leading to the offices. The expressions on their faces confirmed they heard everything. The front door opened, and Chase and Ryker walked in with the same expressions.

“Did you just say her wolf is dead?” Brax asked. “Our Queen is dead?”

Shit.

Chapter 68

Layla felt like someone was hacking at her head with a chainsaw. She winced and rolled over, feeling the side of the bed for Jax.

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