Page 53 of The Alpha and His Enemy Wolf
Mila’s heart was about to burst through her chest. Not only had Lars just killed her father, but he now fought Rafe. They clashed and lashed at each other with tooth and claw, tumbling over one another in the snow. If she thought watching Rafe fight her father was bad, in a way, this was worse because Rafe was clearly affected by that fight. He moved slowly, and continued to bleed.
She desperately wanted to jump in and help him somehow, but pack law still stood and she couldn’t interfere. They were both alphas now, even though Lars had acquired that title by betraying the pack, but the shifters wouldn’t see it that way. They’d believe his twisted explanation that he was doing it to keep the Saccos free.
A traitor who would be admired for his betrayal. She jerked her head in disgust.
It might have been better had Rafe not given her father mercy. Rafe would have gained control of both packs and the fighting would have stopped—for the moment.
She knew why he let her father live—for her. Her heart swelled against her ribs, threatening to shatter into shards as delicate as melting snowflakes.
She’d lost her father tonight. Although still in shock, grief would follow. Despite how he’d treated her, he was still her father. What he’d said about her being right would circle in her mind for a long time. What did he mean specifically? About bringing the packs together? About being mates with Rafe? With him gone, she couldn’t ask him. It was up to her to interpret his words.
Rafe and Lars tussled perilously closer to the cliff. After they parted, Rafe stumbled, slipped, and fell on the side where he was wounded. He moaned in pain.
Lars coiled up to lunge—what was sure to be a death blow if he knocked Rafe off the edge as he had done to her father.
She lost someone she loved tonight. She couldn’t lose Rafe, too.
Look out,she warned.He’s coming.
He pulled himself up onto his paws and squared his shoulders as he turned toward Lars with jaw unhinged. He reached up and clasped his teeth on Lars throat a heartbeat before Lars gripped his throat. Lars wailed as he crumbled into the snow and then slipped. As he fell toward the edge, he dragged Rafe with him.
No!
Rafe removed his fangs from Lars throat and skidded to a halt while Lars tumbled over.
Surprised gasps echoed among the shifters as Lars fell in a certain fatal plunge.
His death was just. It was over.
She rushed over to Rafe.Are you okay?
He stood on wobbly legs.I am, thanks to you.If you hadn’t warned me, I might have been the one to go over.
She’d never been so relieved and grieved, let alone all at once. Her father was dead, but Rafe survived. She wasn’t supposed to have interfered with her warning, but she didn’t care. Lars exploited pack law and was a murderer. He deserved no respect, and she was glad he was dead.
You’re the victor,she declared to Rafe.That means you’ve won control of the Sacco pack as well.
Rafe shook his head.I don’t want it.
Shifters in both pack muttered questions about what he’d just said.
She questioned it herself. What alpha wouldn’t want more to rule, let alone one like Rafe who thrived on obtaining new land?
I want you, Mila, Rafe said.But most of all, I want you to be happy.
What was he saying? What was he doing?
Counter to what you may have heard,Rafe addressed the Saccos,we never wanted to take your land. We still don’t, despite what happened here today. Our quarrel stemmed over a misunderstanding that started when a shifter found his mate. As one who has found mine recently, I know how powerful that connection is. It’s one to be admired, appreciated, and nourished.
Some of the shifters murmured yesses and other sounds of assent.
He turned his attention back to Mila.As Kane’s daughter, I believe you should succeed as alpha of your pack. And as the victor of that fight, I give up all claims to Sacco land to you, my love and my mate.
A collective gasp echoed through the forest.
Mila was just as surprised. She tried to find a coherent thought in all the mind-blowing developments that had happened one after another, knocking through her like an avalanche following a blizzard.
Rafe, thank you for your kindness and your generosity.She glanced at her pack, and all who watched her waiting for her reaction.I believe what’s best is that we allow our pack to have a say in the future. We’ll talk it over.
