Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Matteo:
For the Goddess’ sake, why the hell can’t they let me enjoy one day with my woman?
And now Dylan’s planning an attack on my pack today?
What the actual fúck?
My jaw tightens, heat surging through me as I crouch to the boy’s level. In one swift move, I grip his chin, forcing his gaze to mine.
“I have a feeling you’re lying to me.”
“I’m not… Alpha, I’d n-never lie to you.”
“You came all the way from your pack just to tell me this? Why?”
His teeth chatter. “You… you might not remember me, but you once helped my sister.” He swallows hard. “And I… I just couldn’t stand by and watch Dylan destroy your pack.”
“Very well then.” I release his chin, my voice low and cold. “But if I find out you’re lying—” I lean in just enough for him to feel my breath, “—I won’t waste a single second snapping your head clean off.”
He trembles, shaking his head frantically. I want to doubt him, but something in his eyes forces me to trust him.
Besides, I know Dylan. He’s a rotten excuse for an Alpha to his own pack.
I push to my feet.
Then, I feel Anika step up beside me, her hand curling around my arm. “What are you going to do, Matteo?”
“You don’t need to worry,” I tell her. “I’ll strike first and I’ll kill every last one of them before they get anywhere near here.”
Without another word, I open the mindlink, reaching for Damon.
‘Damon?’
Silence.
Then-
‘Yes, Alpha?’
‘Dylan and five other packs have joined forces, and..they’re planning to attack us soon.’
Damon gasps through the link. ‘What the hell? How-‘
‘Get the warriors. All of them. Meet me at the borders. We’re striking his pack now.’
‘W… what?’
‘You heard me, Damon.’
‘No, not that,’ he cuts in. ‘But both of us leaving the pack at the same time? That’s risky as hell.’
I exhale slowly. ‘Gamma Brian’s here, isn’t he? He’ll take charge. Besides, my source is solid. They can’t make the first move—that’s why we need to hit them before they regroup. And send a few warriors to the pack hospital, Anika might be there.’
He’s silent for a moment.
‘…Okay, Alpha.’
I sever the mindlink in an instant.
I turn to Anika, her gaze still fixed on the boy crouched on the floor.
Softening my voice, I brush my fingers along her cheek. “Like I said, you don’t need to worry, alright? Just head to the pack hospital—in case… you know, we’ve got a few injured warriors coming in soon.”
She nods, her eyes glistening. “I love you, Matteo. Please, be safe.”
“Oh, I will,” I promise, leaning in to capture her soft lips in a kiss. Every part of me wants to spend the day with her, but keeping her safe means doing this first. “I love you too.”
I escort her to the hospital myself, making sure she’s inside and a few warriors are posted there for protection. Only then do I head back toward the borders, where Damon waits with a sizable force of warriors.
And of course, I’ve brought the boy along. He insists he doesn’t want to return..claims Dylan will kill him first if he finds out he came to me. But I’m not letting him out of my sight just yet.
So, I told him not to worry. He’ll stay in the car until I decide otherwise. If he hates his old pack as much as he says, then he can put that rage to good use for mine when the time comes.
It takes us a few tense minutes to reach the MoonCrest’s borders. Every second feels heavier, my wolf restless beneath my skin. The moment we stop, Damon and I leap from the car, shifting into our wolves in one smooth motion.
‘Attack!’ I roar through the mindlink.
Our warriors surge forward, a wall of fur and fangs crashing into their defenses.
Snarls fill the air, Bodies collide, and the scent of blood hits my nose almost instantly. I watch as enemies fall, one after another, while the rest of our pack pushes deeper into their territory.
We don’t need to slaughter the innocent..just capture them, strip them of their resources, and leave them powerless.
The only one who needs to díe is their worthless Alpha.
Damon falls into step beside me, and together with a squad of our strongest warriors, we sprint for the packhouse—the exact place the boy said they’d be gathered.
I’m going to rip them apart. And if Hunter’s in there too?
I’ll tear his throat out without hesitation.
Sorry. Not sorry.
My whole body trembles with rage as I charge toward the packhouse, cutting down every warrior foolish enough to cross my path.
Claws slice.
Teeth tear.
Anyone who lunges at me doesn’t last more than a heartbeat.
I burst inside, snarling, my eyes locked on the spot where they should be waiting.
But… nothing. No Dylan. No Alphas. Not even the buses that should be parked outside.
Could it be—
No. They’re here. They’re hiding.
A sudden movement behind me.
I spin instantly, catching a warrior mid-lunge. My hand clamps around his throat, lifting him off the ground as he chokes and claws at my grip.
He winces and I can see his eyes wide with fear.
I bare my teeth, my wolf straining to tear into him, my claws itching to rake across his face. “Where is your fúcking Alpha?”
The warrior only chuckles as though I’ve just said a joke.
“WHERE IS YOUR FÚCKING ALPHA!?”
“Uhm.. they’re not here.”
I freeze. “W… what?”
“Don’t be a stupid Alpha, mmh? Why the hell would you even come here when they left—oh, I don’t know—about twenty minutes ago? Heading straight to your pack.” He clicks his tongue. “Tsk, tsk… you are—”
I don’t let him finish. With a snarl ripping from my chest, I rake my claws across his cheek, the strike deep enough to tear skin. Blood spills hot and fast, dripping onto the floor.
My entire body shakes with fury as I release him, letting him crumple to the ground like the worthless piece of shit he is.
And then, I blink.
Twice.
That fúcking bàstard tricked me!