Chapter 38

Adam.

The wolves came out of nowhere and were more vicious than any he had encountered before. They snarled and chomped at the air as if they were rabid. There was no doubt that these wolves were from Orion’s Pack - the Moon Blood Pack was infamous for their bloodthirst and ferociousness. Thankfully, Adam’s warriors were well-trained and strong. They fought back against the wolves.

With everyone else occupied, Adam zeroed in on Orion. His eyes burned with hatred as he bounded toward him, closing the distance between them within seconds. His ebony fur seemed to increase his size, making him tower over the other Alpha. Orion was no match for Adam, and he knew it.

But Orion couldn’t afford to show weakness now amidst the battle. So he squared his body and attacked Adam right back, with as much ferocity as he could. His claws raked against Adam’s shoulder, but he hardly noticed as he knocked Orion over with the full weight of his body. He snarled and bit at the werewolf who had taken his children. He was glad Ella wasn’t there to see him rip into the smaller Alpha.

Adam grabbed chunks of fur with his teeth and yanked them out, causing Orion to howl out in pain. Two of his wolves noticed the distress and came barreling over. Adam dodged the first easily, but the second sunk its large canines into Adam’s hide, refusing to let go. Adam yelped but refused to falter. He swung the wolf around, knocking it into a tree, causing it to cry out and release Adam.

Orion and the other wolf stalked over to Adam. While Orion caught Adam’s attention in the front, the other wolf tried to skirt around to attack from the rear. But Adam was experienced enough to know that he would have a hard time defending himself if he allowed that to happen.

He pounced at the other wolf, sinking his teeth in and flinging him right toward Orion, who leaped to the side to avoid it. The wolf hit the ground hard, skidding to a halt about a dozen yards away. Adam wasted no time; he closed the gap, raking his enormous clawed paw down on Orion’s face, drawing blood that seeped into the wolf’s eyes. Disoriented, Orion tried to shake the liquid away. But Adam was already on him again, taking a bite out of Orion’s flank. He continued his attack, batting away anyone who dared get in his way. Orion was going to die, and he would die today!

After brutally tearing Orion apart, Adam stared dead into his eyes before slashing his throat, ending Orion’s life. A hush came over the clearing as Orion’s body fell to the ground. Wolves quit fighting and stared at the fallen Alpha. Adam’s warriors bowed in respect. Orion’s wolves, no longer with a leader to follow and fight for, ran off toward their own pack.

Those left standing from the Rising Moon Pack shifted back into human form, cheering their victory. Adam silenced them with the raise of his hand.

“Should we chase after them, Alpha?” the warriors asked.

“No, leave them.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Let us clean this carnage up. Enough lives have been shed today. I do not care which pack each fallen wolf belongs to - each will be given a proper burial.”

The warriors hesitated a moment before replying, “Yes, Alpha.”

Adam mind-linked to Preston. 'The battle has ended. Orion is dead.'

'What would you have me tell Ella?'

'Tell her it’s over. But make sure she stays there until I can come in person.'

'Yes, Alpha.'

He disconnected the mind link and surveyed the clearing. Equal portions of wolves from both packs lay strewn across the ground, painting the grass crimson. Adam sighed. So many lives were lost for the greed of one stupid Alpha. He knew Orion would have done whatever it took to overtake the Moon Rising Pack - he had been trying to become the most powerful Alpha in the country. But his greed had blinded him.

His eyes filled with tears as he wandered over to his fallen Beta. He laid his hand on the wolf’s head, silently wishing the man wasn’t truly dead. But no reaction came from Clint’s body. The mind link connection had been severed, concluding to Adam that his Beta was truly gone.

With renewed anger, Adam shifted again and began scraping the dirt with his claws, trying to dig a hole for his friend. The earth gave way to his powerful paws and he soon had a sizeable hole. He turned back toward Clint, transforming back to his human form. He gathered the wolf into his strong arms and hefted him gently into the hole.

Adam shifted once more and shoved the piles of dirt back into the hole, covering what remained of his fallen comrade. He lifted his head to the sky and let out a mournful howl. His warriors stopped in their tracks and followed suit. The air rang with howls of sorrow.

Ella

Her head perked up as she heard Adam’s howl ring out. Something must have gone wrong for him to sound so heartbroken. Her heart pulled her toward the sound, wanting to comfort her Mate. But Preston had been adamant that she stay put. Ella knew that she would have to fight Preston if she wanted to get to Adam. She didn’t want to discover if she could overpower him - she wasn’t sure she’d even have a chance.

Instead of running to him, Ella shifted and lifted her head, adding her voice to the cacophony of mournful howls.

Ella could sense Adam nearing and she ran to the front to greet him. She ran into his arms, wrapping hers around him. His body sagged into her embrace, exhausted physically and emotionally.

After a few minutes of comforting him, Ella asked Adam what happened.

“Clint is dead,” he said, his voice trembling once again.

Ella hadn’t liked Clint much, and she knew the feeling had been mutual, but she knew how much the Beta Wolf meant to Adam. She stroked her hands through his hair soothingly. “I’m sorry.”

Adam took in a deep breath, enjoying the moment, but knowing he had work to do still. He pulled apart from Ella, holding her at arm’s length.

“How are Aaron and Emme?” he asked. He knew they were safe, but he wanted to know how they were doing.

“They’re shaken up, but safe. They’re resting now.”

Adam nodded. “Good.”

Preston stepped out through the doorway, nodding to Adam.

Adam moved toward Preston, stopping him in his tracks. "I need a new Beta,” he said bluntly. “I’d be honored if you’d accept the position.”

“Adam, you know I–”

Adam held up a hand, cutting him off. “It’s in the past. You are loyal, my best friend. You’ve watched after Ella without a second thought. You’re exactly who I need.”

Preston stared at Adam in surprise for a second before his face grew into a grin. “Yes, Alpha. I would be honored to become your Beta.”

Adam smiled, placing a hand on Preston’s shoulder. “Good, ‘cause I need your help.”

Preston raised a curious eyebrow.

“With Orion dead, I am the rightful head of the Moon Blood Pack now. I’ll need yours and Ella’s help to merge our two packs.”