Chapter 25 Ambushed!
The leaves falling from the branches of the olive tree spread across the two tombs were consistent, piling up above them.
Mia stood before the tombs, both hands tightly gripped to the flowers she had plucked from the garden in the Hamilton Castle.
The wind blew on her black dress, causing it to move like it was about to fly away.
There was no tears in her eyes, just pain and resilience.
Russell stood by a corner, watching with his full attention.
He felt it, the urge to leave, but he felt he was responsible for her.
Each time he looked at the graves, the memories kept flashing in his eyes, causing him to look away at once.
His phone had been ringing, but he kept on ignoring it, taking glances at his pocket each time he felt the vibration.
Then he heard the rustling sound, causing him to look up.
Mia was walking up to him, her steps slow and steady.
The Alpha sighed heavily, turning to the grave.
He saw the flower kept right in their middle, his heart beating very hard against his ribcage.
Mia stopped right in front of him, her hands clasped in front of her.
“I am done.” She said calmly, her voice dry and low.
Russell nodded, his countenance etched with guilt.
“Do you need anything?”
“I am fine.” Mia retorted, walking away in a hurry.
Russell followed her at once, and in no time, he had already caught up with her.
Together, they marched out of the edge of the woods, heading toward the car.
Russell hoped to break the silence, but there was no idea what he was going to say to her.
The silent ride from the castle to the boundary of the Northern and Eastern Territories was already an intense torment, and he didn’t think that he was going to be able to endure much longer.
Mia walked faster, her silence intensifying.
Then she heard a snap behind her, causing her to turn.
Her eyes bulged, her breath became very unsteady as she scoured.
Russell was calm, but cautious as well.
He looked, but there was only trees, dry leaves, and the Greenland to see.
He took a deep breath, turning to Mia.
“Let’s go.” He brushed the feeling aside, turning to Mia slowly.
Mia sighed, but just when she was about to take a step, the snap resounded, and this time it was accompanied by a swoosh.
She gasped, looking around with her heart beating very fast.
She could see danger even when it was yet to appear, her feet sliding backward.
Russell stepped forward, spreading both arms.
“Stay behind me, Mia.” He whispered, and Mia nodded, unable to stop her breath from quivering.
"What was that?" Her voice trembled, her eyes moving from one corner of the woods to the other.
They waited silently, five seconds.
Ten seconds, yet there was no one.
But the Alpha knew not to be taken unawares.
“We are not alone.” He whispered, but that was not helping matters, especially when Mia’s panic was still simmering through her nerves.
A low growl erupted from the right, and then from the left.
They realized that they were surrounded when they heard another growl from behind them, and then in front of them.
Russell grabbed Mia without looking and pulled her closer.
He could feel her heart beating on his back, her hands trembling as they tightly held onto him, wrapped around him.
“I will protect you, Mia.” The Alpha assured, and as though it was a test for his words, five figures appeared from different corners.
Two in front of them, and the rest from behind, and both sides.
The Alpha could tell from their sunny eyes that they were not rogues, but they were certainly not friendly.
Their sharp canines flashed, hungry for blood, their steps thudding as they slid down the hill, jumping toward Mia and the Alpha.
They were close, close enough to attack.
Mia whimpered, holding onto Russell like her life depended on it.
“Who are they?” She asked, taking a deep breath.
Russell looked from one to the other, but he couldn’t recognize any of them.
“Who are you?” He asked, but there was no response.
They recognized the Alpha, but fear was missing on their faces.
“You are not supposed to be here, Alpha Russell!” One of them growled, drawing closer than the rest.
He was taller, looked more vicious with spiky brown hair.
Certainly, he was their leader, and he was taking charge at once.
“This is not your territory, Alpha Russell. What do you want from us?” He turned to Mia, but he could only see half of her face.
Mia hid the rest of her face behind the Alpha, but she still had to be wary of the others who could see her.
Their leader was still on the lookout for her, his eyes burning with evil desires.
He sniffed, shutting his eyes for a short while.
“I can smell her purity!” He sniggered, showing more of his canines.
His cohorts were close enough, withdrawing their claws as they enclosed.
“Craig will be so proud of us, Boris!” One of them said to their leader, cackling erratically.
Russell grunted, anger boiling deep inside him.
“You work for Craig?” He turned to Boris, his eyes burning with rage.
“Yes.” Boris gave a quick response, a sinister smile etched on his face.
“Gladly, we do.” He added, taking a step forward.
With just two meters gap between him and the Alpha, he snarled, attempting to see the face of his target- Mia.
“Out of the way, Alpha Russell. We need to feed.”
“Not on my watch,” The Alpha growled at them, clenching his fists tightly.
It almost felt like Mia’s heart was about to explode, and he could also hear her shaky breath.
“We were on our way home. Just let us go, and I will pretend this never happened.”
Hahahaha!
Laughter broke out into the air, Boris’s scornful tone louder than the rest.
He sneered at Russell, his eyes beginning to glow.
“It’s either we do this the hard way or the easy way, Alpha Russell. We want her, and we will have her.”
The others nodded in approval, their tongues sticking out as they smacked, clamoring to have a taste of Mia.