“Cassian! Where are you going?!” Ryder's voice echoed through the chaos as he fended off an attacker with a swift shove.
Our eyes locked for an instant before I was forced to look away, dodging a wolf's sudden attack from the darkness. I stumbled, but quickly regained my footing, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws mere inches from my throat.
I grunted in effort as I grasped the wolf's head, forcing it back and then holding it in position with one hand long enough to sink my blade deep into its throat. The wolf recoiled with a pained yelp before stumbling back and then collapsed to the ground lifelessly.
“I need to get to the packhouse!' I shouted to Ryder, my voice piercing through the chaos of the battlefield.
"What in the world are you talking about, Cassian?! We need you here, right now!” Ryder's voice was laced with anger, frustration, and a hint of desperation as he repeatedly stabbed a hunter, his movements swift, deadly, and precise.
“Ivy and the pup are in danger!” I gritted out, my teeth clenched in frustration as I looked around with urgency. Ryder froze, his knife hovering in mid-air as he turned to me, eyes narrowing in disbelief while his brow furrowed in concern.
“What do you mean? They're at the packhouse. We have guards there,” he stated flatly, his confused stare pinned on me.
I swiftly dispatched the hunter who had tried to sneak up behind me, snapping his neck with a swift, brutal motion, before turning back to Ryder. “These bastards are trying to kill my mate and pup to get back at me!” I spat, my voice low and venomous as my blood boiled with rage.
"I have to get there, Ry - time is running out!" I urged again, my eyes locked on him. He only gave a curt nod, his expression tight.
"I've got this, Cass. Go!" he said, swiftly turning back to take down another hunter.
That was all the reassurance I needed at the moment. With a surge of adrenaline, I burst into a sprint, racing towards the small cabin where I had left my vulnerable mate and pup. Every step I took, my heart raced in my throat, pounding with anxiety. If I'm even a fraction too late, it could mean their lives.
___
The packhouse grounds were a whirlwind of activity, with warriors darting about like a well-oiled machine. The air was electric with urgency. Some warriors were gently ushering the elderly and pups to safety without inducing panic, while others were escorting omegas to the seclusion of their quarters. Meanwhile, the arsenal was being raided, its contents distributed among the pack's defenders as they prepared for battle.
There's no way a hunter would have infiltrated the cabin without being detected by them. There's no way…right?
"Alpha?" a young voice called out, and I turned to face the source of the sound, my eyes locking onto a confused-looking warrior. "Is the battle over?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
I shook my head, my gaze scanning the surrounding area before returning to the young warrior. "You're Alden, right?" I asked, and he nodded, his eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Listen carefully, Alden," I instructed, my voice firm and urgent. "I need you to head to the arsenal and inform the warriors to move south and aid Ryder and the others. They need backup, and fast. Take at least twenty warriors with you." The young beta's eyes widened slightly at the task, but he nodded immediately.
"You're not coming with us, Alpha?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise. I hesitated, my gaze drifting towards the cabin just a few feet away, my mind racing with a sense of unease. "I am," I assured him, "but I need to check on something first. You go, and make sure those warriors move quickly."
With a determined look, Alden nodded and took off towards the arsenal, leaving me to my worries.
I turned back to the cabin, my eyes fixed on it with a growing sense of unease. I quickened my pace, my long strides eating up the distance.
From the outside, everything seemed normal - the doors and windows were securely shut, the curtains drawn. But my instincts were screaming at me that something was off. The air around the cabin felt heavy and suffocating, and the silence was eerie.
I approached the door with caution, my senses on high alert. I knocked once. No reply.
Then I knocked twice, and suddenly a shaky voice replied, "Who's there?" My frown deepened. That wasn't right. Why couldn't they smell me? Do I stink of those disgusting hunters?
I looked down at my blood splattered body. Shit. Ivy is going to panic for sure.
Oh…Ivy…Maybe the cabin was overwhelmed by Ivy's pheromones, masking my scent. "It's me," I said, my voice firm. There was silence for a moment before I heard the sound of the doorknob turning, and my eyes narrowed as I watched the door creak open.
Wide, wet eyes of Lily were what greeted me first before the distressed scent of my mate hit me. My eyes widened in alarm and a soft growl escaped my throat before I could contain it. I pushed the door open quickly and a bit forcefully which made Lily stumble back.
I had to see my mate. My eyes scanned the cabin, trying to catch a glimpse of Ivy.
But as soon as I entered the cabin I felt something cold press against my head and the door behind me slammed shut. My instincts kicked in immediately, and I swiftly wrapped my hand around the neck of the person beside me, a low, menacing growl rumbling in my throat as I prepared to strike.
But all I could do was freeze when I saw the shaky form of Lia flinch. She took a step back and swallowed thickly, her trembling hands still holding the gun to my head as she looked at me in fear, her pale face drained of color.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I snarled, my voice low and menacing. But before she could respond, my gaze snapped to the side, and my wolf nearly burst free at the sight of an unknown man holding Ivy captive, a knife pressed to her neck, his disgusting hand covering her face as he leered at me with a sinister grin.
"Long time no see, Alpha Cassian,”