Page 80 of Rejected By The Alpha Heir

As I duck, I catch a glimpse of Yelena just as she takes down one of Paxton’s guards with a swift kick to the stomach and realize I needn’t have worried. My mate is strong. She has fire in her eyes, and it only makes me love her more. With the knowledge that my Luna can hold her own, I give in to my instincts fully and direct my focus to the fight ahead.

Soon she disappears into the darkness again. I have to remind myself that she is strong enough to manage her own fight as I dodge a knife-wielding Highland wolf, forcing him to his knees. Still, every time I get a chance, I scan the road for her.

She’s nowhere to be seen. I test the bond between us, sighing in relief when I find it thrumming and strong.

She’s not hurt or dying, at least I know that much.

I crash my fist into the face of the attacking wolf, returning each hit I’ve taken with twice the force.

It’s only when I remember what my father had promised me that I am able to return my focus to the fray.

Right before I addressed the men, he had pulled me aside. “I will not leave her. She will be protected. You are Alpha now, and you must stand strong,” he said.

Knowing my father has her under his protection is a relief. He’s the only one I can truly say I trust with my mate’s life. I know he can protect her.

He has to.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Yelena

My bond with Austin is flowing with power and adrenaline. He is fighting fiercely for our daughter and our pack. It fills my heart with pride. He’s a strong Alpha, and I know he will win this fight. After several minutes of fighting my way through the fray, I see my chance to slip away and run toward it. The darkness of the woods on the Highland side of the border welcomes me.

Malakai trails closely behind me. My hope is that the rest of the men will be distracted by the fight at the gate and give us enough time to find Cleo.

I won’t leave here without her.

She is part of me, a part of my very soul, and I can’t lose her.

“Quick, duck into those shadows and shift,” Malakai orders, gesturing toward a dense cropping of trees. “I suspect they are keeping her in the village, or possibly just outside. Trust in the Moon Goddess to lead us.”

I nod and move swiftly, doing as he said. It’s a relief to be in my wolf form while out in this strange environment.

I feel safer this way, more alert.

I look up at the moon shining high above us, praying that the Goddess herself is watching over all of us, but especially Cleo.

Malakai and I run through the Highland woods, our noses to the ground as we make our way in the general direction of the village. The woods are quiet, almost too quiet. There’s not even a hoot of an owl or the chirp of a cricket here.

It’s odd.

If I strain my ears, I can still hear the fight, but otherwise, the air feels heavy here. I don’t like it.

Finally, the first structures come into view.

Unlike our modern houses and cottages, the Highland Pack appear to be living in ramshackle huts, decrepit old cabins, and broken-down trailers.

I pause to sniff the air, sorting through the myriad of unfamiliar scents to find any trace of Cleo.

Malakai does the same beside me, his hackles raised in anticipation.

Suddenly, I catch it—the faintest whiff of Cleo's sweet honeysuckle scent. It's coming from around here. Somewhere.

I exchange a glance with Malakai, and we creep toward it, senses on high alert.

A rustling in the woods beside us makes us whirl around just in time to see two large wolves leap out at us. Malakai jumps in front of me, his teeth bared. Without waiting for the attack, he leaps out at them on the offense, his sharp teeth closing around the leg of one of the Highland wolves.

The wolf yelps and staggers back, blood dripping from the wound.

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