CHAPTER 8: SAVED BY THE ALPHA

Katarina

Luckily, I’m just in time to reach Dad as he’s about to drive out. I quickly jump into the passenger seat, and he speeds off. I look at him—he’s so angry, disappointed, and frustrated. None of his efforts have taken down the Alpha so far. I glance back at my phone. “Dad, there’s still time. You can still change your mind,” I say.

“Be quiet, Katarina,” he snaps harshly.

“Dad, can’t you see this is what he wants? This is why he mocked me—so I’d be the bait to lure you to him, and you’re giving him exactly what he wants. If you go there, he’ll kill you. He’ll kill us,” I plead, trying to make him understand.

But he’s too far gone. His anger is overwhelming, and his hatred for wolves burns stronger than ever. He’s not listening.

“Shut your mouth, Katarina,” he says, even harsher this time. “I’m ending this today. That damn Alpha will never take what’s mine. He’ll never take from me again. I won’t let it happen.”

I go silent, tapping my fingers on my lap, and slowly begin to understand. Dad’s not just angry—he’s scared. Scared that I’m going to end up like Mom. That’s the real issue here. He thinks history is repeating itself, and he’s desperate to stop it. I get it. But this is dangerous. There’s no way we’ll both make it out alive. Still, I keep my thoughts to myself as we pull up at the gate leading to the other side of the city—Wolf Zone.

It’s not called Wolf Zone for no reason. Real wolves, actual werewolves, live here. I haven’t been here in years, not since Dad was training me, and even then, we never entered the city—just stayed around the outskirts. But now we’re standing at the gate, and this place gives me the creeps. I’m scared to my core.

I look at Dad, giving him a look that says, “No, Dad. Let’s turn back. Let’s go home.” But his face is set. His mind is made up. He gets out of the car, walks to the back seat, and pulls out the two guns he loaded earlier. He slings one over his shoulder, holding the other, ready to fire.

“Dad, please. Don’t do this,” I beg. “We’re both going to end up dead.”

But he’s made up his mind. I subtly grab a silver knife from the back seat and tuck it into my jeans, praying I won’t have to use it.

We both look at the gate. No one’s in sight, but I hear footsteps getting closer. I glance up, and then I see them—werewolves. First two. Then four. Then more, coming fast.

“Dad,” I turn to him, desperate. “If we don’t leave now, we’re both going to die.”

“I’m no coward,” Dad says coldly. “I came here to kill the Alpha, and I’ll do just that. I’m not leaving until I put a bullet in his chest.”

I look back at the werewolves approaching fast, and I know I have to do something. I gather every bit of courage and grab Dad’s arms, holding them firmly to get him to focus on me.

“Dad. Those are werewolves coming, and none of them is the Alpha. You won’t even reach him. They’ll kill you, and you won’t kill the Alpha. You’ll be dead. I’ll be dead. We lose no matter what. We have to leave, now!”

I yell, and finally, he sees the danger. “Dad, we have to go.”

“Not without killing the Alpha,” he insists.

“You’ll get him another day! He’s not here, Dad. Look at them. If you stay, you’ll die, and the Alpha will still be alive.”

He glances at the approaching wolves and realizes I’m right. “Katarina, he’s not here. But it’s too late. They’re already here. Even if we try to drive off, they’ll chase us. “It’s best we fight, not run like cowards,” he says.

“Dad, we’re not dying today. Get in the car and drive. I’ll hold them off as long as I can.”

“Katarina, are you foolish? I won’t leave my daughter here to die! What kind of father would that make me?”

“Dad, you’re still recovering from your wounds. They’ll kill you! Please, go. Run!” I beg, but he hesitates.

“Dad, if the Alpha wanted me dead, I’d be dead already. He’s keeping me alive for some sick reason. I won’t die today, I promise. Please, just go!”

The wolves are getting closer. We both turn to look at them. “Go, Dad, now!” I scream.

He finally jumps into the car, and as he speeds away, I turn back toward the approaching werewolves. They’re almost here. Panic grips me, and I’m terrified of what’s coming next.

The guys finally approach, opening the gate and coming out to meet me. There are about seven of them. One of them whispers, “Look who we have here. A little human,” and they all start laughing. Now, fear grips me.

I raise my hands to show them I’m not holding anything. “I’m just passing through. I mean no harm. I just want to leave,” I say.

“Leave? But you just got here,” another one says, his voice mocking. “We’re about to have some fun.”

“Listen, I don’t want to hurt anybody. I just want to go. Please let me go.” My hands are still raised, shaking slightly now.

They look at each other, silent for a moment, then burst into cruel laughter. “We’re not worried about you hurting us. But you should be worried.”

“Worried? About what?” I ask, starting to feel afraid.

“About what we’re going to do to you,” one of them sneers. Their eyes begin to glow, and I hear their wolves growling. I’m panicking. Seven of them, and just me.

“Please. Let me go,” I beg.

“Why should we let you go? What’s a little human doing in Wolf Zone?” one of them asks, glaring at me. “Weren’t you just with… that wolf hunter? Augustine? What? He left you to face us alone?”

He laughs coldly. “Oh, he knew what was coming. That bastard should’ve stayed away.”

Another one steps forward. “You came with him, right? You came here to attack us?”

I shake my head quickly, backing away. “No. My dad and I were just passing through. We meant no harm, I swear.”

“Your dad?” They exchange looks, then one of them glares at me. “You’re Augustine’s daughter. That man killed my mother,” he growls. “And now his daughter is here. The moon goddess is on my side.”

“Not your bloody moon goddess… my dad’s stubborn heart,” I mumble under my breath.

“What?” the man snaps. “Did you say something?”

“Nothing. Just… please, let me go.”

They start to advance, and I instinctively move back. “I’ll rip out your throat and throw your lifeless body to your dad as payback for what he did to my mother,” the man threatens.

I gasp in fear, retreating even more. But then, I summon my courage. Katarina, you don’t have much of a choice, I tell myself. You have to fight. You have to defend yourself.

It’s been years since I trained with Dad, but I never stopped practicing when I lived with Aunt. Now, I have to remember everything he taught me about fighting werewolves. His first lesson always echoes in my mind: They have the strength. Don’t try to match it. Move with skill. Aim for a weak spot.

The huge guy comes at me, throwing a punch. I dodge his first move, then the second. I duck to avoid his fists and find my opening. I quickly pull out my silver dagger and slice his leg. He screams in pain, staggering back, and I see the shock on all their faces. They weren’t expecting that.

“I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just want to leave,” I say, stepping back, still holding the silver dagger.

They glance at the guy groaning in pain, and one of them growls, “It’s too late for that now.” They all start coming at me at once.

But then, a heavy, dangerous growl rumbles from behind them. A sound I recognize too well.

I start to feel nervous. They’re all in my face, ready to attack, but when that growl sounds again, they stop. I see the fear in their eyes as they part, creating space in the middle.

It’s Alpha Zane.

I knew it was him before I even saw him. They all bow their heads in submission, murmuring, “Alpha… Alpha Zane.” The guys step aside, bowing lower with every step he takes. They fear him as he walks toward me.

My heart is pounding uncontrollably.

“What is going on here?” Alpha Zane growls as he walks towards me, his cold eyes fixed on mine. I stare at him and it seems like I’m looking at an infallible god. I feel like I’m suffocating. I can’t move. I can’t breathe.

He stops just inches away from me, his tall presence standing right in front of my trembling body. His gaze fixes on mine, and for a moment, I think I see something dark, something dangerous, hidden within in it.

He leans in close, his voice ruthless and cold. “Tell me, Katarina… why shouldn’t I kill you right now?”

I feel my face grow faint as his words suffocate me.