Chapter 14 Flash of Anger
The aftermath of the storm left the ground wet and muddy when the group arrived at the outskirts of Rain Hill Village.
Austin ordered one Hunter Lycan to infiltrate the village, while he and the other lycans rested by the river.
Seara opened her rain-soaked supply bag as she calmed Austin down. She had to dry the leaves wrapping the meat pies, waving them in the air until she decided they were still edible.
She distributed the meat pies to every member of the pack, including Austin and Nolan.
Nolan, who was happy to be given one by Seara first, immediately acted silly and showed it off to Austin.
Austin, fed up with his cousin's behavior, responded with a wink to Seara.
"Thank you, Seara." Austin held Seara's hand longer, teasing Nolan.
"Alpha, there are still members I have to give bread to. Can you let go of my hand?" Seara pulled her hand harder until it came loose.
"Nolan can touch and even kiss your hand. Why can't I?" Austin asked with an annoyed look.
"I told you he's polite. Unlike you, who likes to flirt."
Nolan burst out laughing. He enjoyed the scene in front of him. Meanwhile, Austin snorted rudely after swallowing his piece of bread.
"Are you satisfied, cousin?" Austin grumbled.
Seara didn't want to get involved in their rivalry. For her, the physical and mental health of the members was more important at the moment.
She walked a few steps behind Austin, still distributing the remaining bread to the others.
In her mind, she still remembered the lingering warmth from Austin's previous embrace, the calmness that soothed her nerves, like natural oxytocin that held back her anxiety.
Seara couldn't deny that Austin's touch had stirred her heart, even if it was only for a moment, or fleetingly.
Shortly after the food was distributed, a shadow moved from behind a large oak tree.
Hunter Lycan had appeared and gave a hand signal. Austin understood immediately.
"The old warehouse at the end of the road," whispered the soldier. "Five young she-wolves inside. Guarded by seven or eight Rogues."
There was no discussion.
Austin turned to Alex, giving brief instructions with just a glance.
"A surprise attack. Secure the hostages first." His voice was low, deadly. "The rest of you, don't let anyone breathe."
"Wait, Alpha."
Nolan interrupted with a casual tone that felt inappropriate in the tense situation. "If you go in blindly, they could use the girls as shields."
"And what advice do you have, amateur lycan?" Austin folded his arms across his chest.
Nolan smiled thinly. "Let me go in through the roof."
Austin snorted. His golden eyes flashed dangerously.
“Do as you please, cousin. But if you get in my way, you’ll end up like them.”
They moved silently. Seara stayed behind with the backup medical team, but her eyes never left Austin’s back.
When the signal was given, Austin sprinted forward.
Its movements were too fast for the human eye to catch. It didn't change completely, but its claws lengthened and fangs protruded behind a low growl.
The warehouse door was destroyed with a single kick. Screams erupted inside.
Austin stormed in like a hurricane. He dragged a Rogue out and slammed its head against the stone wall until it cracked.
There was no grace in the Alpha's movements. Only brutality and rage reawakened from his past trauma.
The warriors began to secure the girls who were trembling in fear.
Seara stepped closer and that's where she saw him.
Austin faced the Rogue leader. A giant body. A face full of scars.
Blow after blow struck, hard enough to crush bones.
Austin let the claws tear his shoulder, just for position. Then with one savage movement, he ripped his opponent's throat.
Blood splattered on his face. He didn't stop.
Seara was too focused on Austin to notice the danger behind her.
A Rogue crept out from the haystack. He moved silently, closing in on Seara.
"Seara, watch out!"
A shadow flashed. Nolan appeared in front of Seara.
His movements were different from Austin's, smooth, precise, deadly. He grabbed the Rogue's wrist, twisting it.
The sound of breaking bones. Seara winced at the sound. She cringed and bent over, not wanting to look.
In one elegant movement, Nolan slashed his claws across the Rogue's chest, leaving an open wound that made Seara cover her face.
It was all over in seconds.
Nolan turned around. His expensive suit was clean, almost without a trace of blood. He straightened his collar before approaching Seara's ear.
"Are you okay, Seara?" Nolan asked as he helped Seara to her feet.
"I'm fine. Thank you, Nolan."
"See?" he whispered softly, provocatively. "Your Alpha was too busy with anger. Your life almost disappeared from this world."
Seara was silent. But her eyes didn't stay on Nolan for long.
She looked back at Austin, who was now standing in a pool of blood, breathing heavily, his shoulders rising and falling heavily.
Austin raised his head. When he saw Nolan standing too close to Seara, his jaw tightened.
He walked closer. His steps were heavy. Blood flowed from the wounds on his shoulder and arm.
Austin looked chaotic. Physically, he was exhausted, but he didn't want to show it in front of Seara.
Instead of fear, Seara felt a strong urge to approach him.
"Are you okay?" Austin asked hoarsely. His eyes scanned Seara's body, looking for even the smallest wound.
"I'm fine," Seara replied honestly. "Thanks to Nolan." But she immediately stepped past Nolan and approached Austin.
She felt his disbelieving gaze on her back, which she completely ignored.
"Sit down," Seara commanded firmly. "Your wound is deep."
Austin glanced at Nolan briefly, his gaze arrogant, triumphant, then sat obediently on an old log.
Seara took out her medical equipment. A dim green light appeared from her palm as she touched Austin's shoulder.
Austin closed his eyes. The healing energy calmed his nerves, dampening the anger that still raged within him.
"He's right," Austin murmured softly. "I lost control. I almost put you in danger. I'm sorry, Seara."
"Be quiet," Seara replied without stopping the healing. "You are the Alpha. I am the Healer. Focus.”
Austin grabbed Seara’s left hand and held it tightly.
At that moment, to Seara, Austin didn’t look like a feared leader, but a wolf in need of protection.
In the distance, Nolan stood frozen. His jaw tightened, looking defeated because, in the end, Seara was only paying attention to Austin.