Page 54 of My Ruthless Alpha

But, seeing his insatiable lust for more—for power, status, and whatever else he could think of, I knew he wouldn’t make any strides to be better or different. I knew he would only use my hesitation tohisadvantage. He would turn on me and kill me instantly.

It wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.

As he growled and lunged at me again, I sliced through the space between us with my mouth ready, taking his jaw between my teeth, and I crunched.

At once, the sound died down in his throat as the force of my bite ripped the soul right from him, and after a brief pause, his body went limp beneath me.

Letting go after I was sure that was the end, I looked down at him, finding his eyes glazed over and the trickle of blood that left his broken jaw.

It was over.

As I stepped away from his body, I felt a brief flicker of remorse. Not for protecting myself, my family, and my pack, but for his lack of restraint. For his inability to think critically and back down when he should have.

It always felt like a shame to take a life, but when mine and others I cared about were at risk, I wasn’t prepared to take that chance.

With the others surrounding me, acknowledging my win over Colton’s attempt to separate me from my mate, I threw my head back and let go of another howl—one full of body and purpose…of my intentions to never waver in what I believed in.

The others responded to me in kind, yipping and running in the distance.

While I took no pleasure in killing Colton, I allowed myself the chance to sit in that victory for a moment, to feel the rush of power and confidence that came with being an alpha and having the backing of my pack.

That was what set Colton and me apart—he led with intimidation and fear while I had the trust and faith of my pack.They looked to me for support and guidance… security, and the promise of having every need met. Colton preferred for his followers to live in constant uncertainty and panic, wondering if and when he might turn on them if they didn’t do as he wanted.

The guys and my brothers lingered in the woods when it was over. Then, without needing to be told, they began walking back through the trees in their wolf forms, their paws carefully padded against the grassy floor.

Eventually, they picked up their pace and left for my territory.

Alone then, I looked over at Faye to find her standing shakily on her own as she used the tree for support.

At once, I shifted back, forcing my wolf to take the backseat while I took full control again. Standing to my full height, I was on her at a moment’s notice, putting my hands on her sides to steady her.

“Faye…” I murmured, savoring the feeling of her warmth beneath my palms as I looked her over. Immediately, I could smell the substance in her bloodstream, making me bristle slightly. “Mountain ash?”

She nodded, still looking like she was recovering from its overwhelming effects. But through it, she held me in return, using my arms to support her while she faced me. “It’s subsiding…”

Nodding, the slight worry gave way to my relief, knowing Colton wasn’t a threat anymore, and nobody was trying to take Faye away from me anymore.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, gently cupping her cheek with one hand while my thumb grazed her skin. “I shouldn’t havegone out with the guys…I should’ve stayed with you and made sure nothing happened to you.”

But Faye shook her head. “No…you don’t need to apologize. You didn’t know this would happen.”

“I should’ve pieced it together,” I said, voice laced with remorse as I leaned my forehead against hers, drawing in her familiar scent and the comfort it gave me. “I should’ve been more alert and aware of what was going on. Given the situation, being around you should’ve been my only priority.”

“But it doesn’t matter now…it’s over, right?”

At the reminder, not wanting to ruin the moment, I swallowed hard and nodded as my thumbs gently caressed her skin. Soaking in our proximity, I let myself bask in it, aware that I could never take her presence for granted ever again.

“That’s right…we don’t need to worry about Colton or anyone else…neither of us is going anywhere against our will,” I reassured her, letting our noses brush as our breath mingled, tempted by the nearness of our faces. “You’re mine, and I’m yours…and nothing will change that.”

That magnetic pull between us was also so effortless…so natural, that there was no room for doubt in my mind. She was my mate…the one I wanted and the one I needed. Nobody else could possibly compare to her, and every day moving forward, I never wanted her to forget it.

I could feel Faye relax in my grasp, nodding gently against me. Her voice reached me almost breathlessly. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted…”

Unable to wait another moment, I leaned in and captured her lips with mine.

She didn’t need even a second to register the kiss but instead returned it with a softness that sent a warmth through my chest and reminded me of every reason I had to keep fighting for her and us.

Eyes tightly shut, I gently ran my fingers through her hair before gripping the nape of her neck and deepening the kiss, letting her know how much she meant to me. How grateful I was to be able to do exactly that.

---