Page 50 of The Alpha and His Enemy Wolf
Would she turn into a cold, bitter shifter like her father?
Victoria nodded with an understanding expression. “I’ll try to get you out.” She walked away from the window.
Seconds ticked like hours as Mila paced near the door. The sound of Victoria’s grunts and something crashing against the door repeated.
Impatience drove her to ask, “What’s the issue?”
“I don’t have a key. I’m trying to break the lock. All I have is a rock and it won’t budge.”
Mila tried to think of how she could help while stuck behind these four walls.
Her eyes widened. It might not work, but maybe with the two of them working together…
She had to give it a try. “Let me know when you’re about to hit it next. I’m going to use my energy to enhance the pressure on the lock.” She’d never attempted to do any magic like that before, but knew it was possible. Mila had to try it if it would help her get to Rafe. What she had to do was concentrate and project it.
Victoria exhaled with a doubtful sound. “Okay. I’ll count down.”
Mila took a deep breath and gathered her energy within, visualizing it as a glowing bright light that she’d send to Victoria to amplify her strength.
Victoria counted, “Three. Two. One. Now!”
Mila directed her energy to the lock and then held her breath.
Stone clanged against metal followed by a whoop of victory. “It worked!” Victoria exclaimed. “We broke the lock.”
In the next moment, the door flew open.
“Thank you!” She gave Victoria a quick hug and then shifted to wolf form.
As she ran back to Franconia land, the sound of paws hitting the ground caught up beside her. Victoria had shifted and was running with her.
What are you doing?Mila asked.
Trying to make amends for my mistakes,Victoria replied.
What exactly did that mean? Mila prodded,Victoria?
I let my jealousy and wounded pride hurt us all,Victoria replied in a rueful tone.Hearing how your father and Lars planned to ambush my former pack woke me up. Many may die today, including those I care about. I have to do whatever I can to prevent it.
Mila had distrusted Victoria from the second she’d stepped on Sacco land, but now she could kiss her.
They ran together across the rolling plain. The sounds of battle echoed in the air with wolf howls before her worst nightmare came into focus. Wolves had formed a circle as two fought in the center—her father and her mate.
Because of her.
The heavy tang of spilled blood loomed. Wounded or dead wolves lay scattered across the snowy plain. Her grief clashed with despair.
Mila’s breath came quick. She desperately yearned to leap into the middle of them both, but pack law prevented it. That was why wolves from both packs weren’t fighting. The Franconia shifters lined up on one side of the circle, mirroring the Saccos on the other side. A battle between two alphas demanded respect. Wolves were not permitted to interfere since the battle was so decisive—and to the death. Whoever won assumed control of the other’s pack.
Each time her father or Rafe swung fierce claws or bared fangs at each other, her heartbeat jolted. Only one of her loved ones would survive.
She couldn’t root against either of them. Even if her father had locked her up, he was her family—her only remaining close relative.
And yet, she’d fallen for Rafe. He was her future. Her mate. She loved them both, but in different ways. How could she choose between her family and her heart?
Only one wolf made her feel wanted, needed, appreciated. Only one had showed her true love. Only one was her future, even if it was considered treasonous by her pack.
She chose Rafe.
