Chapter 120
The scene outside was chaos. The sunset’s golden light revealed at least twenty rogues, their half–shifted forms grotesque in the dying glow. They were filthy, clearly outlaws who’d been living wild for too long, their humanity eroded by isolation and desperation.
Alexander shifted partially, his hands elongating into lethal claws while maintaining his ability to use the gun. He fired twice in rapid succession, dropping two rogues before they could even react to our emergence from the vehicle.
“Alpha of Blackwood,” one of them snarled, a tall, gaunt figure with matted hair. “Your head will fetch a
fine price.”
“You’re welcome to try,” Alexander replied coolly, his voice carrying the unmistakable authority of an
Alpha.
They rushed us then, from all sides at once. Alexander moved with lethal grace, each strike precise and devastating. I stayed close to the SUV, firing when I had clear shots. My first bullet caught a rogue in the shoulder, spinning him around but not stopping him. My second hit true, center mass, and he dropped with a howl of agony as the silver burned through his system.
“Good shot,” Alexander called, pride evident in his voice even as he snapped the neck of another attacker.
The fight was brutal but mercifully quick. Alexander was unlike any warrior I’d ever seen–each movement economical yet devastating. He never strayed far from me, maintaining a protective circle even while dispatching enemies with terrifying efficiency.
I managed to take down three more rogues before disaster struck. As I aimed at an attacker rushing toward us, another grabbed my wrist from behind, twisting sharply. Pain shot up my arm as I felt my finger dislocate, the gun clattering to the ground.
I screamed, more in anger than pain, and my wolf surged forward. In a half–shift, I whirled around, claws extended, and raked them across my attacker’s face. He staggered back, howling, as blood streamed from
the deep gouges.
“Summer!” Alexander roared, suddenly at my side, putting himself between me and the remaining threats. His eyes blazed with fury as he assessed my injury.
“I’m fine,” I gasped, cradling my hand. “Keep fighting.”
Just then, the thunderous sound of vehicles approaching cut through the chaos. Ethan appeared with a squad of Blackwood warriors, leaping from their SUVS with weapons drawn, immediately joining the
fray.
The last few rogues, seeing their numbers dwindled to less than half, began to retreat into the surrounding woods. Alexander fired twice more, dropping two as they fled, before turning his full
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attention to me.
“Let me see,” he demanded, his voice gentle despite the Alpha command underlying it.
I extended my hand, wincing as he carefully examined the dislocated finger and the deep bruising already forming around my wrist.
“It needs to be set,” he said, his eyes softening as they met mine. “This will hurt.”
Before I could prepare myself, he quickly manipulated the joint back into place with practiced efficiency.
I bit my lip to stifle a cry, tasting blood.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, bringing my hand to his lips.
What happened next sent shivers down my spine. Alexander’s eyes locked with mine as he extended his tongue and began to lick the wound, his saliva spreading warmth through my injured finger. Alpha saliva had healing properties stronger than any other wolf’s, and the intimate gesture of tending to my wound this way–a deeply traditional act among mated pairs–made my breath catch.
“You fought well,” he murmured against my skin. “My brave, beautiful mate.”
“Who were they?” I asked, trying to distract myself from the intoxicating sensation of his tongue on my
skin.
“Hired guns, most likely,” he replied between gentle licks. “Foster must have put out a contract after our
visit.”
I stiffened. “That was fast.”
“He knows he’s cornered,” Alexander said, his eyes darkening. “Desperate men make desperate choices.”
As he finished tending to my wound, he didn’t release my hand. Instead, he pressed it against his chest, where I could feel his heart thundering beneath my palm.
“I could have lost you today,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “Before we even had a chance to
begin.”
“But you didn’t,” I reminded him, leaning forward to press my forehead against his. “I’m stronger than I
look.”
“You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known,” he whispered, brushing his lips against mine. “And when we get back to Blackwood territory, I’m going to show you exactly what that does to me.”
His promise sent heat pooling low in my belly, the mate bond between us humming with anticipation. Despite the danger we’d just faced, despite my aching hand and the bodies surrounding us, I found myself smiling.
For the first time in years, I wasn’t afraid of what tomorrow might bring. With my wolf restored and my
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true mate at my side, I was ready to face whatever came next–even Foster’s desperate vengeance.
“Take me home, Alexander,” I whispered against his lips. “Take me home.”
