Freeing Starr

Zion’s POV

The air rustled with tension as many wolves approached the slope. Down below, you could faintly make out a large expanse of buildings in the distance.

“Everyone is familiar with what we have to do, right?” The question was broadcast to everyone by T’Niah who stood a foot behind me.

I remained silent, my eyes glued to the buildings as my heart raced with the anticipation of a new hunt. I felt antsy, like I wanted to sink my fangs into something and taste the blood that colored my tongue. Specifically, I wanted to taste her blood.

Starr.

She’s the one who did this to me. My mind was still in slight disarray at having our mate bond forcibly removed. I couldn’t think straight and had to depend on Ryan to help take care of the pack. Out of all the dominant Alphas that we had, he was the strongest, ironically.

He was also a nuisance. Knowing that he was related to Starr had my heart ready to burst in anger. It didn’t help that he proudly waltzed around like this pack was fucking his. The only reason I hadn’t sinked my fangs into his neck was because I needed him to help me deal with Starr.

The Alpha King.

According to our intel, the Alpha King came out to the public about finding his mate. Then three days ago, they had their mating ceremony and revealed Starr’s name to everyone.

She left me for the fucking Alpha King. Did I not do enough? Was I not strong enough? Was this her plan all along?

I didn’t care who she mated with. When I finally gain control of the kingdom and I sit on that throne, I’ll watch her grovel at my feet with a chain wrapped around her neck. Treat her like the traitorous bitch she was. The thought sent a shiver of excitement rocking down my spine. No matter who you run to or where you go, Starr, I was going to get my revenge.

But I needed more power. To go up against a big kingdom like the Alpha Kingdom, I needed to increase my numbers. I had already accomplished my task of taking over all the smaller packs around the kingdom and now it was time for me to stretch my arms into the larger ones. I was confident that we’d be able to win.

“Remember, don’t barge into their territory recklessly. We-”

A snort sounded, “we know what to do, mutt. Don’t think you can control us.”

A huff escaped Niah’s muzzle as she turned her head away and cursed, “fine, go out there and do complete jackshit and get yourself killed. I don’t give a fuck, just don’t ruin Alpha Zion’s plan.”

“What plan? Don’t think we don’t know this was Alpha Ryan’s idea. Alpha Zion’s authority is getting we-”

I didn’t waste a second as I quickly turned around and lunged at the man speaking, catching him by surprise as my mouth quickly closed around his neck and chomped down until a snap sound was heard. The scrawny wolf fell limp in my mouth and I dropped him, my tongue poking out to lick at the blood that got on my nose.

I then scanned my eyes across the crowd that stared in silence and asked, “anyone else has something to say?”

Complete silence.

My lips twisted as I snarled, “then shut the fuck up and do what I say. Target the women to weaken the males. I don’t care what you do. Kill ’em, torture em, whatever just fucking take control of the pack.”

“Yes Alpha!”

“Now let’s go.”

We immediately scattered, our paws kicking up dirt as we ran straight for the pack ahead of us.

The Draea Pack, known for their intelligence and wit. They were the pack who always managed to promote one of their own into a Cardinal Secretary for the kingdom. They were also the weakest out of the six large packs surrounding the Alpha Kingdom. They were the perfect prey.

I ran in the direction where I knew the pack house to be, certain that’s where the Alpha and his mate would be at a time like this. They were probably already aware of our presence but didn’t approach. I had no idea if they were being cautious, trying to hide or waiting for us to get closer but either way I didn’t care.

The taste of warm blood still lingered on my tongue and my eyes glowed with a ferocious light that craved more.

“Zion, something’s wrong.”

Niah’s voice broke me out of my haze and as I slowed to a light trot behind a cluster of trees, I asked, “what is it?”

“We should’ve ran into people by now but the area’s completely empty.”

“Maybe they’re all gathered at the center of the pack then.”

“Why? They wouldn’t have known we were coming unless someone told them beforehand. How are they prepared?”

I stopped in my tracks as my eyes narrowed ahead of me suspiciously, “you’re right.”

A feeling of unease gathered as I suddenly thought of something, “where’s Ryan?”

There was a brief pause.

Niah’s voice sounded anxiously, “I don’t know. I can’t find him.”

A growl rumbled up from my chest, “that fucking basta-”

“I found them! They were waiting for us! Kill!” Someone shouted over the link excitedly.

I didn’t hesitate and quickly changed directions, heading straight towards the sound of fighting. If they already knew we were coming then they’d have already vacated the pack. Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. We could still grab hold of their territory once we engaged and destroyed their army.

Growls, snarls and whimpers clashed as the two packs met individually and tried to tore the other apart. The smell of blood became pungent as I got closer to the fighting, and my eyes deepened in anticipation as my teeth itched to sink itself into someone’s neck. There was nothing else to do but kill.

“Shit! Our numbers are dropping too fast!” Someone cursed over the link.

“My fucking leg! Someone come and help me!”

“There’s too many of them. I won’t last long!”

“I found the Alp-!”

T’Niah’s panicked voice sounded, “Zion! Hurry up and get over here! I think their goal was to wait for us to separate and then kill us off in groups.”

Realization hit me and I quickly broadcast to everyone, “band together. Stop wandering off on your own and find the others! The enemy is picking us off one by one!”

I ran into a group of five wolves who were recessive Alphas. As soon as they saw me, their eyes went wide and they turned to flee but I didn’t let them. I quickly sprung into action and leaped into the air towards the closest one, our bodies thudded to the ground and rolled as I quickly clamped my fangs into his leg and bit down mercilessly.

The wolf howled in pain and used his leg to forcibly kick me in my snout, causing me to loosen my hold a bit but not completely. Before I had a chance to attack again, something heavy fell on me and a growl escaped my lips as I felt a few pair of fangs sink into my back and legs.

The others had come back for their companion.

I quickly released the wolf’s leg and rolled over to throw the others off me, then quickly stood and shook off the pain. The four wolves stood in front of their injured partner and snarled, hackles raised and in a crouched position ready to pounce on me.

My lip rose as a snarl left my lips. I wasn’t angry at all. I loved this. I loved playing with my prey. There was no way they’d be able to win against me and yet they still chose to return to save their companion. Such sentiments I couldn’t understand. The weak deserved to be killed while the strong should be worshipped. That’s just how the world worked.

My eyes zeroed in on the wolf on the right who took a cautious step backwards. It was a female and probably the weakest of their group.

My injuries had already healed and so I wasted no time and quickly pounced in her direction, catching the other three off guard. They quickly jumped to intercept me but I was too fast. I slipped under one of the leaping wolves and quickly met the female, quickly grabbing a hold of her neck and crushing it, a chunk of flesh ripping out as I pulled away.

The taste of blood in my mouth had my eyes rolling as a satisfied growl escaped my lips.

The other three wolves growled in anger and pounced at me without hesitation but it was useless. In their blinded fury, they didn’t pay any attention to their injuries and so I quickly managed to finish them up.

I took a glance at the only survivor, who was now limping on his leg to get away from me. He looked back and caught my gaze, eyes burning in fear and despair. My excitement caused my body to shudder as I stalked towards him.

I loved this feeling the most.

Just as I pounced on him, he lifted his head and howled but his howl was cut short as I quickly tore out his jugular. He fell to the floor, limp and lifeless.

I turned my head, prepared to head off in Niah’s direction but froze. My hackles quickly raised as my nose picked up on the scent of another dominant Alpha in the vicinity.

My eyes narrowed at a cluster of trees as a large dark brown wolf trotted over, it’s lips raised as it snarled at me angrily.

I returned the growl and cautiously took a step back, my eyes focused completely on this other wolf’s body. I prepared myself for his attack.

I squinted my eyes and pulled my ears back when I felt a probing pressure in my mind and growled at the wolf threateningly.

The wolf growled back and stomped his paw, as if demanding I open the link.

I thought on it for a while before I let him in, wondering what it was that he wanted to say.

“Mutts like you dare have the courage to attack our pack? Do you think you’re worthy?” His voice invaded my mind and caused my eyes to narrow at his words.

“Whether I’m worthy or not, do you think you’re in a position to question me? Bring out your Alpha, let’s settle this.”

A snort escaped the wolf’s muzzle as he slowly began to circle me. I stuck my ears straight up and bared my fangs threateningly, my eyes following him, not once feeling threatened by his presence.

“You think you’re worthy enough for my Alpha to come out and meet you? Aren’t you underestimating our pack a little too much? Besides, you’re not our prey.”

“What?” I growled, my fur bristling in anger at his words. I wasn’t worthy of meeting their Alpha? “A little pushing papers pack like you dare look down on me?”

“Look down on you? You never caught our eyes to begin with. Now sit still like the good little bitch you are and wait for his highness to come and claim your life.”

I didn’t even register his last words as being called a bitch caused me to see red. I instantly pounced at him with my fangs aimed at his neck but he was ready for me. He pounced as well, disregarding his neck and aiming at mine instead. I shifted my head to avoid him and ended up causing his fangs to sink into my shoulder and tear out a chunk of flesh.

I growled as I landed back onto the ground with an oomph. I shook off the pain and got back up.

“You think going off instinct alone is enough to fight your way to the top? You’re not even worthy of entering his highness’s eyes and yet you had the audacity to covet his woman. No good ending comes to those who seek more than they could handle.”

My heart shook at his words and my eyes narrowed as I prepared to ask how he knew that information but before I could get the words out, my entire body stiffened in fear as this intense killing intent washed over me.

I couldn’t move....

I couldn’t think....

The wolf bent his head in a certain direction as a few people walked towards us leisurely.

My eyes locked onto one man in particular, who had my entire body trembling at the pressure that exuded from his body. That pressure was aimed at me and it completely caused my shoulders to creak and bend as I was being forced to submit under this man’s authority.

Fear struck my heart when I realized that I couldn’t do anything to resist. I’ve never felt fear like this in my entire life.

“Zion... it’s the royal army... we have to retreat.” Niah’s weak voice sounded over our link. It seemed that she had been dealt a severe injury.