Page 52 of The Alpha and His Enemy Wolf
Rafe hesitated. He could take his victory and claim the spoils, but at what cost?
He’d lose his mate.
Kane turned his head, baring his neck for the blow to come, submitting to Rafe.Do it fast.
Rafe glanced at Mila and glimpsed the despair in her blue eyes. Kane was her father, her only family member. Even if she’d deceived him, Rafe couldn’t hurt her. Despite everything, he wanted nothing more than to protect her and make her happy.
He thought the worst of her by thinking she’d betrayed him, but he hadn’t given her a chance to explain. She’d shown him nothing but love and affection in their short time together in his house. If there was to be any sliver of a chance between them, he had to begin by trusting her.
He removed his paw off of Kane’s chest.
Murmurs of relief or surprise reverberated from the shifters surrounding them, but what stood out was Mila’s sigh of relief.
Thank you,she said.
What are you doing?Kane barked.Finish it.
No. I don’t want this victory,Rafe declared to all present.I’m in love with Mila. She’s my mate and I’m hers. We wanted to bring peace to our packs rather than more suffering.
Mila released a hopeful sigh.Yes, Rafe.
Those two words rewarded him more than any of his successes. That biggest risk might give him the biggest reward.
Stand.Rafe stepped back so Kane could rise.
Wounded, Kane stumbled to his feet, appearing a bit stunned by Rafe’s mercy.
Another shifter roared from the circle and rushed toward them. Lars. He shoved Kane to the edge of the cliff. Kane slipped over, but gripped the ice on the edge before falling. He held on with clawed paws.
Papa!Mila shouted and ran over. Lars stepped in her path and raised a paw, preventing her from reaching him.
Rafe growled in warning.Let her go. He brought his attention to this Sacco.
I’m sorry, Mila,Kane replied.
Papa,she cried.
You were right,he replied. His claws disappeared over the cliff and he with it.
No!Mila howled into the night, which was then echoed by the howls of all the Sacco shifters—except Lars. No one could survive a fall from that height.
Lars let her pass as he postured before Rafe with hateful eyes. He snarled,You haven’t won anything. I’m their alpha now.
Shit. That truth settled as hard and fatal as a drop off the cliff. Lars was right. According to pack law, Lars had assumed command of the pack no matter how vile and treacherous his act.
You betrayed your alpha and your pack, Rafe hurled his retort while preparing for another fight. The last one had taken a toll, especially with the loss of blood.
I saved them before we were defeated,Lars countered.By challenging you, we remain free.
Shit. If Rafe wanted any chance of a future with Mila and peace between their packs, he’d have to fight Lars. Even if he didn’t survive this, he’d have to give it everything.
You know nothing of pack loyalty.Rafe circled Lars and gazed his stance for any weaknesses.
I know we’d rather die than be ruled by a destructive Franconia and a traitorous whore,Lars replied.
Fury rose in Rafe so quickly at hearing Lars insult Mila that all the pain vanished in a surge of adrenaline. He lunged for Lars’s throat.
Mila
