99
KNIGHT
I lost her again.
Outraged, I cursed myself for being so weak. Though I could have done something, I trusted my mate’s plan. Still, it was extraordinarily difficult to think of anything other than Nirvana. My mind was with her all the time.
They could have just killed her, and why refused my offer?
“Alpha, I know this is not the right time, but Zack just reported that they are seeing two men closing their post.”
“They can shoot them if they post a threat,” I said sourly.
Luka nodded, reporting back to Zack.
“Any updates?” I asked Zander.
“None so far, Alpha. No one has breached the wall.”
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” I didn’t know why I suddenly questioned everyone’s capability when they could quickly throw their blame on me.
“You’re under a lot of stress-”
“Yes, Dylan.” I was hurt, furious, sick, ashamed, outraged, and I named it. Stress was merely my problem. “You don’t have to tell me that. I’m losing my shit knowing every werewolf in this country is coming to the vineyards to kill everyone who stands their way just to get to my absent mate. And Nirvana hasn’t called or come back. You don’t know what I feel right now. No one can.”This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
“I’m sorry, Alpha. If you want me to help the others, I will. Just tell me what to do.”
All I could do was throw him a glare.
“Alpha, I know you don’t wanna hear this, but we owe her our lives.”
I looked at Kailin, and we were both miserable. “You would do the same in a heartbeat.”
“Yes. I wish-”
“I don’t wanna hear blames, what ifs, and the things you could or couldn’t do. Let’s just pray she knows what she’s doing, and she will succeed.” I checked the time on my watch for the umpteenth time, and it seemed like the time just stopped working,
“Shit. James, say that again?” Luka said to the chappy message he received.
“I have eyes on a young woman and a man in his fifties. How do we proceed?” James quickly replied. “The man looks familiar. I’m not sure who, though.”
“Can you ask what they want?”
“Do you really have to ask them that? Tell them to shoot.” Dylan growled.
“Hold on.”
We turned to Zarah and waited.
Zarah aggravatedly asked, “Don’t they have binoculars? You guys have better visions and can’t recognize threats over friendlies?”
“What are you saying, Zarah?” Kailin crossed her arms over her chest impatiently.
“I have a positive feeling about this. We should go.”
We hadn’t gotten what she meant when a portal was ready before us.
“Where are we going?” I held Zarah’s arm.
“That’s Nirvana. She couldn’t get in the vineyards.”
“How can you be so sure?” Kailin asked, half-excited and half-amazed.
“We can talk here all day and waste time or enter the portal.”
“I’m going.” Dylan just followed Luka into the portal.
“Me, too.”
“You, techy.” I pointed at Zander sitting before three monitors. “Stay here and report to me ASAP if you notice a breach.”
“Got it, Alpha. Good luck.”
After Kailin, Zarah and I followed, and she brought us to where James was assigned.
“Alpha, you get here so fast.” He gave me the binoculars even if I didn’t need them. “About five hundred yards now, but they’re closing.”
“I hope you’re right about this, Zarah.” The moment I recognized the jacket, I almost had a heart attack, in a good way. I squeezed my eyes shut briefly as my hope rose beyond the sky. I said hoarsely, “That’s Nirvana.”
Zarah smiled. “I will open a small door so you can go and bring them in.”
“I’m going with him,” Kailin said.
“Me too,” Luka seconded.
“James, guys, watch our back. Shot anyone but us and whoever is with her. We’re going. Zarah?” I gave her a go.
Just a little wave of her hands, she gestured at me. “Now.”
We climbed up the wall and jumped down outside the territory. Once we were out, a lot of things could happen. There could be more waiting for us or already there, ready to grab Nirvana before we arrived.
“Careful with the traps,” Luka reminded Kailin.
“I know where they are planted, but we must hurry because Vana doesn’t know there are traps outside the wall.” She followed us, running through the woods, ducking traps, and jumping through wild grass.
A half-kilometer was nothing for me if I got to see my mate again.
She finally came into view and was about my arm’s length when a wolf suddenly appeared about to lunge at her.
“Nirvana!” My heart stopped beating, and time seemed to have stopped as I watched her jump and kick a wolf.
“What the fuck?” Luka just stood beside me as we watched the wolf thrown away like a rag, whining in pain.
“Another one behind you!” Kailin sprinted towards her. Just right, she was about to help. My mate just punched the man in his abdomen, and he flew away, hitting a tree.
“K!” She ran to Kailin.
“Oh, Vana. I’m glad you’re okay.” Kailin pulled her into a bear hug.
“Yeah, you too.” She saw me, and her eyes lit up before she sprinted toward me and threw herself at me. “I’m so happy to see you. You have no idea.” She cupped my head and kissed me hard, as if it were the end of the world in a few seconds.
I kissed her like I meant to, pouring my anger, frustration, and desperation into the kiss. I didn’t give a shit who was watching. I just needed this moment to appreciate and be grateful that I had her in my arms again.
“Guys, as much as I love you both to continue this reunion, a lot more is coming if we don’t move faster.”
I still wanted to ignore Kailin, but she was right. Once we were back inside the property, I could kiss Nirvana all I wanted.
I was about to ask who was with her when I recognized the man standing before me with a tie gagged on his mouth and a belt around his wrists. Before realizing what I had done, my fist landed on his face.
“You deserve more than just a punch, asshole. You put my mate in danger. Now you will pay for it. I will make sure I will tie you into a pole and burn you alive, painfully and slowly.” I hissed, outrage filling my chest again.
“We have to go.” Luka sniffed the air. Yeah, they are getting closer.”
“I will carry this piece of shit so we can get back faster.” I lifted him and threw him over my shoulder. He was heavy, but it was no biggie as long as I had my mate back.
We ran back to the property, and I could hear werewolves running fast on our heels. Nirvana ran faster beside me. Despite running out of time, she didn’t slow down or give up.
“Shoot those assholes!” Luka just gave the order to James.
We reached the wall. I threw Victor on the ground. He whined in pain, but right now, I couldn’t care less.
“Luka, help him get inside.” I went to help fight five more werewolves coming our way.
I was about to shift when Nirvana fisted both hands and punched the ground. The strong force from her fists shook the ground and blasted those werewolves far away, disappearing through the dust. The trees shook, branches rippled, leaves fell, and grass clearing wiped away.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” said Victor in awe.
Luka, Kailin, and I stared at Victor in annoyance. He was still staring at the aftermath. His gag was gone, but his hands were still tied, and he probably figured out if he lived or died after this.
My heart was still in my throat, but we finally managed to get back without werewolves on our heels.
“I want you to take down my name from the bounty. Tell them you have me, and the bounty is claimed.” Nirvana was hot as fuck as she talked to the head of the Werewolf Council like a boss and never looked intimidated.
“What is it for me?” Victor asked.
“Unbelievable.” She shook her head in irritation. “You keep your head attached to your body. Isn’t that good enough?”
He hadn’t said anything but a nod.
“Now, my five-hundred-grand question. Who put you up to this?”