5

ALARIC

The first one died too quickly. My jaws snapped shut around his throat, bone and flesh giving way beneath the force as a satisfying crunch echoed through the night. His body went limp almost instantly, collapsing beneath me like he had never mattered at all. I dropped him without a second glance, turning just as another lunged.

This one didn’t shift. He came at me in human form, a blade flashing in his hand, his movements faster than any normal human.But not fast enough.

I moved before he could strike. My claws tore through him like he was nothing more than paper, his scream cut short as I slammed him into the ground. Blood filled the air, the smell was warm and familiar.

Around me, my men fought as well, some in wolf form, massive and deadly, others still human, choosing speed and control over brute force.

A snarl ripped from my throat as another wolf charged me, its fangs bared, its eyes wild with desperation. Fool.It leapt, and I met it mid-air.

The impact shook the ground beneath us as I tore into it without hesitation, my teeth sinking deep, my claws ripping through muscle and bone until it stopped moving.

Everywhere went silent. The scent of blood soaked into the earth. A low, dangerous growl rumbled through my chest as I turned. One remained, barely alive.

He lay a few feet away, his body broken, blood pooling beneath him as he struggled to breathe. His chest rose and fell unevenly, it was obvious to see that each inhale was a fight.

I stalked toward him slowly. He failed as he tried to crawl back. I lowered my head slightly, my gaze locking onto his. Fear rolled off him in waves, as it should.

They had crossed into my territory. Attacked what was mine. There was only one person arrogant enough to make that move, Valen Varkas of Silver Bane Pack.

A flicker of something darker settled in my chest.

So he wanted to play. Fine. I would remind him why that was a mistake.

I stepped back and shifted. Bones snapped and muscles twisted. The change was fast, it was second nature. One moment, the wolf stood there, massive. The next, I stood in its place in human form. Blood dripped from my skin, streaking down my chest, my arms, my hands. I rolled my shoulders slowly, as if the violence had been nothing more than an inconvenience. Then I looked down at him.

“Go back,” I said, my voice low, carrying easily through the night. He coughed, choking slightly, his eyes wide as he stared up at me.

“Tell your Alpha something for me.” There was silence “If he steps into my territory again…” I took a step closer, watching him flinch. “I won’t be this lenient.” A pause. “I will destroy everything he has.”

His breathing hitched.

“Everything that he owns,” My voice dropped further, turning into something darker. “I will burn it to ash.”

His lips trembled, but defiance flickered in his eyes.

I let out a short, humorless scoff.

“This?” I gestured vaguely at him. “This is what he sends after me?” My gaze hardened. “Something this weak… dares to attack me?”

His jaw clenched, like he wanted to respond, to fight back, but his body betrayed him. He couldn’t even lift himself off the ground.

“I don’t want to see you on my land again,” I finished coldly. Then I turned, I was done with him.

By the time I stepped inside, the scent of blood still clung to me.

The door shut behind me, and my gaze landed on her immediately. Aria. She lay on the couch, completely still, her face was pale, her breathing soft and even.

“She saw me,” I said, my voice flat as I stepped further in. A few of my men stood nearby. One of them nodded.

“Yes, Alpha.” Then he paused. “She nearly lost her mind.”

Of course she did. Although this was not how I had planned on letting her know that beings like us existed.

A faint exhale left me as I looked at her again.

“That’s normal,” I said simply. “Humans aren’t built to accept what we are so easily.” Most of them broke, some adapted. We would see which one she was.

“Get two maids to prepare a room for her” I ordered. They straightened instantly.

“Tell then to clean her up, make sure she’s fed, and let her recover.” There was a slight hesitation.

“Why keep her?”

I finally looked away from her. “She is payment, her father couldn’t repay his debt, so I collected what he offered.” Understanding settled over them.

“Now move.” They didn’t hesitate again.

I turned and walked down the hall, each step echoing faintly in the silence. Valen. He had nerve, I would give him that. But nerve without power was suicide, and he had just reminded me that it had been too long since I put him back in his place.

I pushed open the door to my chambers, stepping inside, already thinking of my next move, because if Valen Varkas wanted a war, I would be the one to finish it.