Chapter 72

Chapter 72
Zade PoV

I didn’t expect to be fighting for my life only minutes after leaving the safety of the pack house, it was a good job I decided to take over ten men with me and Aria into the woods. I wanted to show her the beauty of nature, I didn’t expect to have to save her life several times in one day.

But I’d do it again and again. She was my little sister, it was my job to protect her.

I left Talia at the pack house, she’d gone to lay down, but now I was worried she was all alone whilst the enemy surrounded the territory. But I couldn’t get to her, not yet.

I must get aria to safety first, and that was proving more difficult than I had originally thought. We were surrounded, outnumbered and almost without hope.

But just because we were outnumbered does not mean that we are outmatched, these wolves are strong, that much is clear. But they are sloppy and careless. They make simple mistakes in fights, and that will cost them their lives.

They are very poorly prepared, and it was clear they didn’t have adequate training for this.

They were all young, barely eighteen, but they were loyal to their alpha and they would die for him, I could respect that. It wasn’t easy to gain that much loyalty from men, especially when they know they may die fighting for something they have no say in.

They may not win, but they will fucking try and I’m not sure which is worse. They’re practically still children and my men are having to slaughter them like sheep.

One of my men jog over to me, “they’re not good fighters, this should be over soon.” He says quickly.

I sigh, am I supposed to feel bad for them? Because I do. I really fucking do. They shouldn’t have to die because their Alpha is a monster and bullies' children.

“Try and see if some will surrender.” I say, keeping my voice free of emotion.

Emotions can get you killed, and right now, if I die, so does my baby sister. I can’t let that happen. She is more important than anyone else.

I just wish I knew that Talia was ok, I wish I knew is she was alive or not.

This battle needs to end so I can find her.

I turn to aria, the little girl clinging to my leg in fear. “It’s ok, little wolf, I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.” I promise her.

She looks up at me with wide eyes, it was clear she had never seen death before, and I would happily shelter her from it if I could. But our father made his choice, and I made mine. I will protect my sisters with everything that I have.

My men kill all the wolves, none chose to surrender, it’s upsetting, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.

I turn to my beta wolf, Tay. “Take aria somewhere safe.” I tell him, “and don’t come out until I contact you.”

“What about you Alpha?” He asks, concern clear in his voice.

“I have to go and finds Talia, I have to make sure she is ok.” I say, trying to keep Aria off me.

“I don’t want to go.” she cries, holding on even tighter. “I want to find red.”

I kneel down in front of her, gently taking her tiny hands in mine, “Aria I need you to be a big girl for me.” I say softly, “Talia could be in trouble, and I need to move quickly to help her, do you understand?”

She nods, “I’m scared.”

“I know that you’re scared, but you have to be brave for me, ok?” I say, pulling her close to me and holding her for several seconds. “Tay is my beta wolf and he’s going to take really

Good care of you.”

She takes a deep breath, the exact same thing Talia does when she’s facing something that makes her afraid, and then she nods her head again, with more force this time.

“I’m brave.” She says, her eyes fierce.

“You are.” I agree with a smile.

I hand her over to Tay and he gently takes her hand. “Come on little one. Let’s get you somewhere safe.”

I watch them go, and my heart aches with something I can’t describe. I want to be with her to make sure nothing happens, but I also know that Tay can handle anything my father throws at him, and right now, I need to find Talia.

I run through the woods, using the bond we share to track her down, but when I do, my blood runs cold. Silas, Tristan and Talia are surrounded by the enemy, and right at the centre is my father. The monster himself.

“What is the meaning of this?” I shout as loud as I can to make it over the noise, and everyone freezes.

Alpha winters turns towards me, and I see the exact moment he realises who I am to him, his eyes going impossibly wide.

“Who are you?” He asks, voice shaking.

“I’m Talia’s brother.” I say, not mentioning I’m his son.

Mainly because I’m not, I will never belong to him. I belong to the woman who sacrificed everything to save me from this man and who raised me in secret.

“I looked for you.” He says softly, “for years I searched for my missing child.”

“Did you?” I ask coldly, “before or after you started to abuse your other children?”

“You don’t understand.” He argues, “they’re girls, they’re useless.”

“You are the one who is useless, you couldn’t even love and protect your daughters, but I will.” I step forward, “I will protect them where you failed.”

“You don’t know what you are saying.” He snarls, stepping out of the crowd. “Don’t make me hurt you.”

“I know exactly what I’m saying.” I growl back.

He turns to his emotionless soldiers, “take him down, but don’t kill him, I want this one alive:”

I laugh, cold and quick. “Good luck with that.”

I know that I’m going to kill him, not for me, but for my sisters, and I might even enjoy it.