Alpha Michael’s POVI leaned against the wall, a cigarette hanging from my lips as I watched Nicholas oversee the engineer's anxious work. The man was carefully placing explosive charges along the surface of the reinforced glass, sweat beading on his brow as he secured each one.Taking a long drag, I eyed the proceedings with a furrowed brow. "Are you sure setting off explosives in the packhouse is a good idea?" I inquired, blowing out a cloud of smoke. "We could just as easily get a glass-cutting laser to do the job."Nicholas didn't bother looking up from his job. "It would take hours to go out and get a laser," he replied briefly. "By then, James's wolf could have already murdered Emily, judging from the situation she is in right now."My gaze drifted to the glass, where I could see Emily's terrified body clinging to a window bar, the massive wolf snarling and snapping at her from the ground. My heart clenched at the sight, and I had to force myself to look away."I told her not to
Alpha Michael’s POVStruggling against the choking pain, I staggered down the corridor, still calling out Nicholas's name. But the sound that reached my ears was far more worrying—a chorus of tortured cries.Bracing myself, I pressed on, the strain on my lungs making each step a massive effort. As I reached the balcony overlooking the living room, the sight that greeted me sent a chill down my spine.Nicholas stood there, a gas mask obscuring the lower half of his face. The engineer cowered at his feet, his face swollen and damaged. Nicholas was yelling, his voice muffled by the mask, as he demanded answers."Tell me what you did, you asshole!" he roared, punctuating his words with a sharp slap that echoed through the hall.The engineer looked up, his lips curling into a twisted smile. "Aren’t you tired of barking? You are just wasting your time if you think I am going to snitch on my boss," he spat. "You were stupid to hire me in the first place, you were looking for an engineer, and
Alpha Michael’s POVAs I approached Emily's bedside, the doctor's words cut through the fog of my concern."Alpha Michael, remember that this is an airborne disease. We must practice strict social distancing and avoid any physical contact with the infected." He explained, his voice hoarse. "It’s the only way for us to keep the disease under control for now."The warning registered through the fog of my worry, and I hesitated, my hand hovering mere inches from Emily's. Nicholas, sensing my intent, reached out and firmly grasped my wrist, pulling me back."He is right," he said, his voice muffled by the gas mask. "You need to keep your emotions in check. Remember, Emily is still James's mate, not yours."I shot him an arrogant glare, my wolf struggling to surface. "Who says my brother can't share his mate?" I growled. "There's no rule against a she-wolf having two mates, or three as long as they can take care of her, and besides, if she is infected, then I am also infected, so why can’t
Alpha Michael’s POVI took another bite of the hastily assembled sandwich, my gaze drifting to the courtyard outside my window. A crowd of angry pack members had gathered, their faces covered by protective masks as they displayed placards, their demands echoing through the cold night air."We want our old Alpha back!""The temporary Alpha must step down!"With a sigh, I released the curtain, the fabric falling back into place. I didn't have the manpower to disband them—not with our warriors weakened by that damned toxin.A pair of slender arms encircled my waist, and I felt Jasmine's soft boobs press against my back. Her familiar floral scent filled my senses, but I found myself strangely unmoved, my focus trained solely on the discouraging job at hand.My phone chose that moment to ring, the screen lighting up with an unfamiliar number. Bracing myself, I answered, praying it was the Duskfall Alpha I had been trying to reach.To my relief, the gruff voice on the other end confirmed my
Alpha Michael’s POVA piercing headache throbbed behind my eyes, the sound of heavy footsteps assaulting my senses. Groaning, I tried to raise a hand to my temple, but found my arms bound tightly behind the chair."Wake up, Michael!" Nicholas's voice cut through the cloud, fastened with a note of worry. "They are already here!"I forced my eyes open, blinking against the dim light. As my vision cleared, I took in the sight of Nicholas, similarly restrained in a chair across from me. His face was contorted with deep sadness."We are doomed," he murmured. "Why did you have to fall asleep? We could have at least pretended the warriors were still here. If you had gone with my plan and set the traps, but no, you just had to fall asleep at the wrong time."I had no response, the weight of my exhaustion settling heavily on me. I'd spent the entire night carrying the incapacitated pack members, trying my best to bring them to safety. It had been backbreaking work, both physically and mentally
Emily's POVThe sounds of arguing and discontent filled the cramped space of the storage room, grating against my pounding headache. Try as I might, I couldn't block out their voices, each one rising in a loud noise."I can't stay here any longer!""The attackers want the Alpha, not us! We should leave this place, you can't keep us trapped in here like a bunch of prisoners!"Through the noise, a stern voice cut through, scolding the restless crowd. "Quiet! The walls aren't soundproof, they will find us here, if you guys keep making a lot of noise, like kids, the rogue alpha has already wiped out a large number of the pack residents."Mustering what little strength I had, I forced my eyes open, my gaze settling on the doctor, his face set in a grave expression as he addressed the gathered pack members. Many sat on hastily arranged mats, their faces obscured by medical-grade masks."What makes you guys think you are special? His henchmen are looking for us," the doctor continued. "We ca
Alpha Michael’s POV"Open your eyes, you coward!" Marcus shouted, his face mere inches from mine.I squeezed my eyelids shut, unwilling to watch the torture happening before me. The tormented screams of Jasmine and Carol pierced the air, driving my wolf to the edge of madness.I felt the sharp stab of Marcus's claws against my skin as he forced my eyes open, the bright afternoon sun burning my retinas. And there, in front of me, were the monsters that were torturing two of the people I had come to care about.Carol and Jasmine, their heads being shoved again and again into a large, steaming pool. The henchmen, their grip tough, kept their hostages soaked for longer than the human body could endure.Jasmine's muffled cries reached me through the water, her wolf's pain searing into my very soul. I could feel the razor-sharp claws bursting forth from my fingertips, my wolf howling for revenge.But I remained paralyzed, trapped in this waking nightmare, unable to act. Marcus's taunting vo
Emily’s POVThe storage room had grown dark as night fell, throwing gloomy shade across the confined space. Michael and Nicholas still had not returned, and an intense sense of unease had settled over the gathered pack members.I moved alongside the doctor, distributing water and canned foods to the anxious servants seated on the floor. As I approached the leader of the warriors, our eyes met, and I felt the kind of cold that had nothing to do with the weather. I wished I could avoid him, but duty compelled me to continue with my task.Extending a water bottle and can of food, I braced myself for another confrontation. The warrior snatched the items from my grasp, his expression consumed with anger."Is this some sick joke? You think just one can will be enough for me?" he snapped. "I'm not on the same level as these lowlifes. Give me more, now that I am asking nicely."I shook my head, forcing myself to remain calm. "We need to ration the supplies. As a leader, you should understand