The Alpha's Guardian

Francis and Liam are waiting for me on the outskirts of the woods when I land in front of them. Samuels's men are looking worried and pacing around, trying to decide if they should join the fight or stay where they are. A few of Liam's pack members show up and have a quick discussion and Samuel's men run off towards the smoke. I look over at Liam, who nods us forward, and we move across the grass as inconspicuous as we can.

"Alpha," the warriors say, nodding to Liam, who acknowledges them as we enter the door.

Ali's scent wraps around my heart, tugging me to her. That of her fresh blood and sweat mar her sweet smell. I ease down the hall knowing that there are at least two more guards here that we can't let see our faces, otherwise everyone is in jeopardy. The sound of muffled grunting and blows landing sends a chill up my spine as my feet carry me from slow and steady to full force sprint.

I break through the little opening, ready to take on guards and stare at Isaac, Ada, and Mason. All three of which have effectively taken down the guards in the cell holding. I breathe in relief and search for Ali. My nose carries me to a bloody mess with short, black hair. The same silver handcuffs that hold all prisoners string her up.

"The keys," I choke out to whoever is listening.

Liam walks over and holds out the keys for me.

"Unlock her. I will catch her." I say. My eyes are still scanning over her.

She is dressed in exactly what she was wearing the night she left. Her jacket is open and covered in her own blood and her chest is covered in bubbly burns. Tears sting my eyes in rage when I look at her bruised and swollen face. How can I hold her without hurting her? Every part of her looks to be worked over and painful.

I move to her side and scoop her up in my arms as Liam unlocks her from the chains and handcuffs. Her weight falls limping onto me and I nuzzle my nose into her neck as I hold her close, carrying her out of the cell. Fireworks explode across my skin as the bond makes itself known. I can't help but sigh in relief that not only do I truly know she is my mate, but that she still must be alive and thriving if they are this strong. Liam growls behind me, protesting how close I am holding her, and my chest rumbles with a possessive growl of my own.

"Mine," I state. My voice is raw as I hug her closer. Careful not to squeeze her and cause her more pain.

I look around and see Mason staring in shock at the revelation.

"Ali is your mate?" he breathes.

"Yes."

"How? She is my mate." Liam says, growing agitated.

"I don't know. I just know that she is mine."

"How long have you known?" Isaac asks,

"Not long."

"I don't understand," Liam says, shak ing his head. "This doesn't make sense. I can feel a bond between us."

"Now is not the time or place for this discussion," Francis says, peeking down the hallway.

"He is right," Ada says. "We need to get her out and to the edge of the woods."

"Ada, you and Isaac go check to see if we are clear. We will come up behind you. Francis, you go make sure Simon is ready. She needs medical attention fast,"

They both run off down the hall. We move towards the doorway, stepping over the guard's body when my leg twinges in pain, and I fall to one knee, screaming out in pain. I don't have the ability to look down to see what happened before two of the guards descend

on me.novelbin

Liam, who reaches out, immediately thwarts them, grabbing one by the throat and crushing his windpipe. The other lands a blow, but Liam is unphased. Standing back up, I can feel the trickle of blood running down my leg and I wince as I work through the pain, channeling my inner Ali and pushing all thoughts of the pain away until my job is done.

Mason lets out a grotesque scream in rage as he leaps onto the back of the third guard, who, on second glance, had buried his dagger deep into my old wound. He pounds on the warrior from behind, who slams him into the metal cage. I'm torn between saving my pack member and getting my mate out. But I know what Ali would do. I gently lay Ali down and she groans in pain, her eyes remaining closed.

"Hold tight, I'll be back for you," I whisper,

I turn and my face pales at the horror in front of me. Mason's face has gone white as he slumps to the ground, holding his bloodied stomach as the guard sneers at him. In his hand is a small second dagger, and that's when I realize. These are Ali's daggers. I reach to my leg and rip the dagger from my leg, groaning slightly at the intense pain. Stalking towards the smirking warrior, my mind only set on one thing. I'm going to kill this guy.

"You know we had a bet on who would rescue Ali." the guard says "Didn't expect you to have the balls."

The moment he is within arm's reach, I lunge for him, grabbing hold of his arm and pummeling my fist into his cheek. The crack radiates through my knuckles and I'm not sure if I broke his face or my hand. He stumbles back a few steps, using the metal poles of the cell to steady himself. I hear Mason groaning as he shuffles to stand.

"Mason, get to the healer. Now!" I say, using my alpha voice. A wolf will use the last of its strength to follow their alpha's order. Now I just have to hope he has enough to get himself, at least to Francis, Isaac, or Ada. Mason slowly stumbles his way down the hall, and I turn my full focus to the guard again. Liam, who has laid to waste the other two guards, steps up beside me.

"We have to kill them," he whispers.

I know he is right, and even though he injured Mason, I hate taking a life. It feels especially wrong when it feels premeditated like this. The guard chuckles when he hears Liam's words and looks me over.

"What? You a pacifist?" he spits. I say nothing, choosing to give him no response.

"You know she screamed an awful lot when Serge brought out the hot coals."

That was all I needed to hear to let my wolf take control of my mind as he lashed out furiously in vengeance for his mate. It is so easy for a wolf to develop a lvst for blood. The joy of the kill and the love of the fight. It's barbaric to the human mind, but that's what differentiates werewolves from wolves alone or humans alone. We have to constantly struggle to strike that balance between animalistic qualities and human tendencies. But right now. Right here. I'm all wolf.