Chapter 34

Jax

It’s chaos. That’s the only word that fits. Rogues are charging at my pack, ready to rip us to shreds. And it’s all my fault.

I’d left Rose’s phone with my clothes when I shifted, so there was no way for Luke to warn me about the attack. I’d even asked the patrol to join us on the run, leaving us completely unprotected.

I’m such an idiot. I’d bet anything that there’s a text from Luke on that phone, warning me about this very attack. The blood of my pack members is on my hands.

I’ve failed them as an Alpha. I promised to protect them, and look what’s happened.

I whirl around to face the enemy, forgetting that Hayley is on my back. A wave of dread washes over me as I feel her tumble off and hit the ground. She could get seriously hurt if she doesn’t find safety.

I don’t have time to turn around and check on her, not with a rogue lunging at me, trying to take me down. Instead, I mindlink Axton, telling him to get Hayley to the bunker.

It’s the safest place for her. I trust Axton. He won’t let anyone hurt Hayley.

He responds immediately with a simple, “Yes, Alpha.” I know Hayley will be safe with him, but it doesn’t ease the heavy feeling in my gut. The thought of her getting hurt... No one is allowed to touch my mate.

After dispatching the rogue, I mindlink Dimitri and a few warriors, telling them to get the vulnerable members of the pack—the pregnant females, the pups—to the bunker.

Once they confirm they’re on it, I focus on the fight, doing my best to save as many of my pack as I can.

I attack the nearest rogue, not sparing a moment’s regret. I tear through them, one after another, using the strength I draw from Hayley and the pack to fuel my rage.

These rogues have invaded my territory, threatened my pack. I won’t stand for it.

As I leave a trail of dead rogues in my wake, I scan the battlefield for my next target. I spot a bronze rogue a few feet away and lunge, sending us both rolling.

We scramble to our feet, ready to attack again.

Aaron smirks as we size up our opponent, looking for weaknesses. Everyone has them, you just have to find them. As we circle each other, I realize this rogue is different from the others.

He’s strong. I’ve never encountered a rogue with this much power. That can only mean one thing.

He’s the Alpha of the rogues.

He’s responsible for all this bloodshed. He’s ordered his pack to attack mine not once, but twice.

I’ll gladly kill this bastard for what he and his pack have done to mine. He’s messed with the wrong Alpha.

We charge at each other, teeth clashing, snarls echoing through the night.

We twist and turn, each trying to prove who’s the stronger Alpha. The only way to settle it is for one of us to die...

Hayley

I hit the ground with a thud, not understanding what’s happening. I thought maybe I’d just lost my grip on Jax, but then I heard the growling.

Terrifying, evil growling. I was crouched on the ground, surrounded by my pack, when I saw them. Wolves. Rogues.

I staggered to my feet, looking for Jax. My breath came in short, shallow gasps as the wolves began to fight, blood splattering the ground.

Fur flew everywhere as wolves fell, lifeless. I felt like a rabbit caught in the headlights, panicking when I couldn’t find Jax. Where was he? Was he okay?

What was happening?

As I spun around, a wolf charged at me. I closed my eyes, bracing for the impact, but it never came. I opened one eye, assessing the situation. Standing in front of me was a familiar brown wolf.

Axton. He wasn’t trying to kill me, he was trying to save me.

Axton’s wolf nodded toward the packhouse, where the bunker was, then crouched down, signaling for me to climb on. I did, gripping his fur tightly.

I was no match for a wolf in my human form, no matter how much training I’d had. I was too weak.

Sitting on Axton’s back, I had a better view of the battlefield. Blood. Pain. Chaos. Bodies lay on the ground, both rogues and pack members. Was this because of me?

It was my fault. People were dying because of me. Innocent people. My breath hitched, panic setting in.

As Axton raced toward safety, my heart pounded against my ribcage.

Blood rushed to my fingertips, my pulse throbbing. I scanned the battlefield, looking for one person in particular. After a few agonizing seconds, I spotted Jax. His massive frame towered over the other wolves, making him easy to spot. He was fighting another large, tanned wolf, but I couldn’t tell who was winning.

They were a few hundred feet away, but I could see blood flying as if I was right next to them.

I tried to keep my eyes on them, but Axton was moving too fast. They were soon out of sight. I tried to tell Axton to wait, but he didn’t listen. We kept moving, passing wolves fighting for their lives.

Then I heard a scream. A voice I’d recognize anywhere.

Lily.

I twisted around, searching for her. A rogue had her by the foot, swinging her around like a ragdoll.

Everything seemed to freeze except for the horrifying scene in front of me. Acting on impulse, I jumped off Axton, landing hard on my back and hitting my head.

Dizziness clouded my vision, but I shook it off. I had to save Lily.

She won’t die. Not on my watch.

I haul myself up from the dirt, every muscle screaming in protest, and lurch towards Lily. The rogue releases her foot, but her screams don’t stop.

He turns, catching sight of me, and grins—a wicked, taunting smirk that sets my blood on fire.

Lily’s managed to crawl a few feet away while he was distracted, but he’s on her again in a heartbeat, pinning her to the ground.

His drool splatters onto Lily, and her screams reach a new pitch. But no one comes to her aid. Everyone’s too busy fighting their own battles.

Her cries seem futile until a brown wolf blurs past me, heading straight for them. Axton. The rogue leans in closer to Lily, inch by agonizing inch.

Axton won’t make it in time. The rogue’s jaws clamp down on Lily’s arm, tearing it from her body and flinging it aside.

Her screams echo through the air, a chilling symphony of pain. He was too late.

Axton slams into the rogue, knocking him off Lily. They roll away, locked in combat.

I don’t spare them a glance. Axton can handle himself. I push myself to move faster, ignoring the protests of my legs. Lily needs me, and I’m almost there.

“Lily!” I shout, skidding to a halt beside her. I take in her mangled body, my heart sinking. I cradle her head in my lap, blinking back tears. Crying won’t help her now.

“Lily, you’re going to be okay. I’m here. I’ve got you,” I say, trying to convince both of us. Her face is ashen, her eyes rolling back as she slips in and out of consciousness.

I brush her hair back from her face, giving her a gentle shake, hoping for some sign of life. Nothing.

I keep murmuring reassurances, shaking her a little harder. Finally, a small grunt escapes her chapped lips. Blood gushes from her wound, staining the ground beneath her.

Her arm is gone. What do I do? She can’t lose any more blood. She’ll die. I have to stop the bleeding.

I lay her head gently on the ground and rip off my wedding dress, not caring that I’m left in my underwear. I press the fabric against her wound.

The once-white dress turns a deep, bloody red. Tears stream down her face as she drifts in and out of consciousness.

Seeing Lily suffer is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure. A deep, gut-wrenching sorrow fills me, but it’s overshadowed by a rage that’s building, threatening to consume me.

If I don’t get a handle on my emotions, I’ll lose control.

Who could hurt an innocent child like this? Who could think that’s okay?

They need to learn that actions have consequences. And I’ll be the one to teach them. That’s when I feel her.

Aurora.

My anger flares, hotter and fiercer than ever before. It clouds my mind, pushing my emotions to the brink until I lose control.

Suddenly, golden-brown fur sprouts from my skin, a sight I haven’t seen since I was a child. My claws extend from my fingertips, sharp and deadly.

I step away from Lily, not wanting to hurt her.

I don’t get far before I collapse, my bones breaking and reshaping in a process that’s more painful than I remember. It’s been years since I last shifted, and my adult body isn’t used to it.

After what feels like an eternity, my transformation is complete. I’m no longer in my human form.

I’ve shifted into my wolf form for the first time in over a decade, but Aurora is in control.

She tries to stand, but her legs buckle and we crash back to the ground.

She tries again, and again, until finally, she’s standing on shaky legs. She takes a few wobbly steps, looking for her first victim, despite my protests.

She’s not thinking clearly. All she wants is revenge. I beg her to focus on Lily, but it’s no use.

A yelp from behind us sends my heart into overdrive.

I spin around to see Axton. He’s killed the rogue that attacked Lily, but now he’s fighting off two more.

Axton can handle two, but when a third rogue leaps onto his back, knocking him off balance, it becomes a problem.

Aurora wants blood. She wants to make them pay for hurting Lily. No one hurts someone she loves and gets away with it.

She lunges at them, ready to kill. She knocks the rogue off Axton’s back, and they roll away, kicking and clawing at each other.

Aurora gets to her feet and charges at the rogue, catching it off guard. She slashes its side, drawing blood.

But we’re not quick enough to dodge its counterattack. It swipes at us, leaving a gash on our cheek.

Aurora dodges another attack, then does something I never thought she’d do. She lunges for its throat, biting down hard.

She tears away a chunk of fur, killing the rogue instantly. It’s the first time we’ve ever killed.

I fight back the bile rising in my throat and turn to Axton. He’s killed the other two rogues, and aside from a few minor cuts, he’s unscathed.

He’s a trained warrior. He’s used to this.

Aurora moves us back to the rogue we just killed. She’s filled with pride, but all I feel is sick.

Ending a life isn't simple, no matter how wicked the person might be.

I survey the scene around me, spotting the lifeless bodies of wolves strewn across the pack grounds. The fighting seems to have ceased, suggesting that the rogues have either been killed or have fled.

The battle appears to be over, but at what price?

I catch sight of Jax, tending to the wounded members of our pack. His gaze lands on me, his surprise evident at my transformation into a wolf.

A wave of relief washes over me at the sight of Jax, alive and relatively unscathed. But another person I care deeply for wasn't as fortunate.

Without wasting time explaining why Aurora has taken control, I make my way back to Lily. The distance between us feels uncomfortable, especially given her current state.

Aurora stands guard over Lily, warding off anyone who dares to approach. Despite the absence of immediate danger, Aurora refuses to relinquish control.

She doesn't believe it's safe enough for Lily and me. I attempt to wrestle control from her, but she's far more dominant, having had years to regain her strength.

She shoves me to the recesses of my mind until I'm rendered a mere spectator, watching as events unfold. She's in a wild state of mind, viewing everyone as a potential threat and trusting no one...