All Chapters of Alpha’s Blood Mate: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Seeing the dead body in the back of the SUV was among the most startling experiences I had ever endured. Those fixed, vacant eyes seemed to be staring directly at me. The image ought to have been terrifying, yet my wolf felt a sense of satisfaction.​I recognized him instantly, his features had plagued my nightmares for months. Realizing that he and the others who had assaulted me were gone filled me with a peculiar blend of joy, relief, and sorrow.​I heard Leo consent to collaborate with Javi, and I went along with it. It made sense to have additional support. I remained in the vehicle, however. Striking a pact with the devil didn't mean I had to get friendly with him.​Leo contacted Atlas and Rowan, who had been pushing their vehicle to the limit to arrive in time. He clarified the situation, and once they pulled up, he paired them with Javi to begin drafting strategies. Leo even phoned his father to give him a warning. When we eventually drove off, Atlas had Leo’s father on speake

I cradled her for several hours. The agony she endured must have been fierce. She shifted between shivering and burning up. There were screams, followed by hissing breaths drawn through clenched teeth. I moved her to the bathroom so she could purge. I was becoming concerned that a hospital visit might be necessary. I had never witnessed anything quite like this. ​I ran a finger softly over her cheek. “Lyanna?” ​“Ugh… ugh.” That was all she could manage. The cords in her neck stood out as she clamped her jaws together in pain. ​I had a suspicion about what was occurring. I wanted to see if she sensed it, too. “Are you attempting to shift?” ​Lyanna jerked her head in a frantic nod. I exhaled. This was not the way it was supposed to happen. The initial shift is usually a bit uncomfortable, but it tends to occur so rapidly that any ache or unease vanishes in a second or two. ​But this had been dragging on forever. Her wolf wouldn’t emerge for some reason. ​“Lyanna?” I inquired again

I could see he was consumed by remorse. He stared at the dirt, unable to meet my gaze. I didn't hold it against him. His father had made the same choices my parents had. They’d buried truths they believed would shield their children.​I patted his leg. “Kenneth. It’s okay. I don't blame you. There was no way for you to know.”​He gave a nod, brushing at his eyes. “Well, regardless, I give my word I won’t fail again. I’ll do what is required.”​We sat in that peaceful silence for a few more minutes before returning to the cabin. We found Leo pacing the porch, looking distressed and clutching his phone.​A faint voice came from the speaker. I hurried to reach him, and only when I was close could I tell the voice on the other end belonged to Valerian.​“Are you alright?” Leo asked.​“Yeah,” Valerian answered. “They ambushed me, but I slipped away. I’m in Norway. I’ll tell you, it was a close call. I barely made it out.” Leo appeared to visibly relax once Valerian confirmed he wasn't inju

I gestured toward the sleeping quarters. “Lyanna, grab your stuff. Let's go.”​Before she could even head for the room, Kenneth leaped from his seat and backed himself against the main entrance. He yanked a pistol from his coat and pointed it in our direction. “You aren't going,” he stated. The snout of the weapon shook in the air as he aimed it.​Lyanna exhaled a breath that was more like a sob. “Kenneth? You?”​“Be quiet, Lyanna, just be quiet. Okay? I can't permit you to depart. Not until the royalty arrives.”​“Why?” Lyanna shrieked. The word functioned as both a query and a formal charge.​He winced as if he were in physical distress and let out an angry grunt. “You have no idea what it was like. I was the first son, yet I was always second-rate in my father's sight. I was the product of some intoxicated hook-up. Something to be ashamed of. David was my favorite. I was less than a half-breed to my father. Neither of us could shift, but at least he recognized David was a full-bloo

A few hours later, we reached the airport, and as expected, the jet was there for us. Leo didn’t dash toward it, however. We spent nearly an hour observing and scanning the surrounding vicinities for any trace of the royalty. Once Leo was as certain as possible, we finally steered onto the asphalt and boarded the aircraft as fast as we could manage.​The trip was slated to last nearly ten hours. I was completely drained and drifted off in one of the fold-down bunks. I slept through the entire journey. When I stirred, it wasn’t because I’d rested enough. I woke because my wolf was frantic and scratching at my chest, desperate for me to awaken.​I sat up and rubbed my eyes. “Is something the matter?” I inquired. It was then that I noticed the aircraft wasn't moving. We’d touched down.​Leo was peering out the window. “I’m not certain. Come on. Stay at my back.”​I walked over to him. A peek out the pane revealed what had him so concerned. A woman was positioned on the runway, gazing at