Chapter 5: my fate (II)

Axel’s POV.

“Alpha, I think we should attack tomorrow when all their alpha's are together and finish them off,” Jace, my beta suggested as he walked into the room.

I leaned back in my chair, contemplating his words. It was a sound plan, yet something felt off. A strange unease settled in my chest.

“No, I feel uneasy," I finally said as I sat upright. "I need some air. We'd check out how to get into the pack house later.” I stood up from the seat with a small grunt and walked out the door, Jace following closely behind me.

The night was dark and eerily quiet in the territory of the Moon launch Pack. As the fierce and dominant Lycan alpha, I moved through the dense forest with precision and keen eyes, my guards walking by me. Jace flanked behind, scanning the forest for any sudden movements.

"Alpha, everything seems calm tonight," one of the guards reported, his voice breaking the silence of the night.

I scanned the area with my wolf vision before nodding in acknowledgment. "Stay vigilant," I replied firmly. "We have an attack to launch." 

Exhaustion ate at my bones and deep down, I longed to rest. But I knew there was no rest for me until I got rid of all the corrupt alpha's-and I would see it through. 

Everyone knew me as the most feared alpha, though I never saw myself in that manner. Compared to my best friend, Peter, I was calm. He, on the other hand, could kill without thinking twice. 

Just then, the most beautiful scent hit me— rain and earth. I shook my head, trying to ignore it but I couldn't. My wolf stirred violently in my mind, yelping with unrestrained excitement as it recognized the scent as that of my mate. 

"Mate! Mate!" he howled, urging me forward.

I followed the scent without hesitation. My usual predatory stride slowed, my heart pounding in a way I had never felt before. I only walked like this when I was with Peter—any other time, I was locked in battle.

As I walked following the scent, My eyes fell upon the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. 

She stood in the middle of the forest, wearing a strapless red gown that accentuated her curves in all the right places. The deep shade of her emerald green eyes shimmered in the light, illuminating her smooth skin. With each movement, her hips swayed sensually, causing me to want to walk to her and claim her immediately.

She stopped, her eyes tightly closed like she was trying to shift. What was she doing? Was it her first time? What about her alpha? Weren't her pack members supposed to see her shift... 

I frowned at the thought that my mate was not being treated right.

Suddenly, she began to shift as she groaned softly in pain. I wanted to go to her to show her that I was there with her but I also didn't want to scare her off.

My breath hitched as I saw her wolf's form. 

A white wolf, a sigil with crescent moons and stars emblazoned on her forehead. It was a symbol that could only be given powerful Luna's by the moon goddess.

Dread settled in my guts. Why would the moon goddess mate me to a powerful Luna? They always brought disaster and could be used for pure evil.

I had made a deal with the moon goddess to get rid of them as they were getting out of control. So why would she bind me to one?

“You looked beautiful just now,” I muttered under my voice. I couldn't stop myself. The pull was something I never thought could control me so easily.

Upon hearing my voice she turned to see who it was. “Who... who the hell are you?” She shivered as she asked.

Was she scared of me?

“You don't feel anything?” I asked, my brows raised, as I frowned.

Didn't she feel the mate bound too?

“Are you from this pack?” I pressed. 

She swallowed hard, as if trying to process the situation. Then, as if realization struck her, her eyes widened further.

"My mate—"

Before she could finish, she bolted.

"Damnit," I cussed under my breath as I watched her disappear into the night. 

"Prepare for the attack," I commanded as I turned back to my men. "No harm should come to my mate."

With that, we returned to our camp, where preparations for battle began in full force.

But even as we armed ourselves for war, my thoughts refused to leave her.

~~~~

The moon sat high, in silver light over the fight as we readied to launch our attack.

"Attack!" I roared.

Our ranks spilled forward, splintering the enemy gates with ruthless speed. Chaos erupted—growls and snarls, snapping jaws and crashing fangs.

Then a mangy wolf attacked Jace.

My instincts took over.

Before Jace had a chance to answer, I moved in front of him, my black eyes blazing with fury. The scarred wolf growled at me, his matted fur bristling with aggression.

"You think you can protect him?" he sneered. "I'll rip him apart and make you watch."

Arrogance. Even standing in the shadow of death.

A growl pounded deep in my chest. I didn't think, I launched myself forward, claws flashing in the light. Our bodies collided with bone-jarring impact, teeth snapping, fur flying.

Jace was my Beta—my responsibility. And I would not allow this filth to touch so much as a claw to him.

The scarred wolf fought brutally, but I was more powerful. Faster. Deadlier. With one crushing blow, I sent him crashing to the ground. His body twitched once—then lay still.

There was silence.

I turned to Jace, prodding him with my snout. Jace let out a shuddery breath, his eyes pale. "Thanks, Axel. I owe you. Again."

I huffed, transforming back into my human shape. "Anytime, Beta. That's what Alphas do."

The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.

I sighed. Whatever. I had more pressing concerns. I needed to find my mate.