Page 155 of Alpha Awakened
“Fight!”
Ice and Cortez lunged at each other, teeth snapping, snarling deep in their throats. Blood lust rose within Ice, his primal Instinct telling him to protect his mate and his pack by killing the enemy. But this wouldn’t be an easy win. Cortez was just as big and strong as him. And the other alpha fought hard, equally determined to win.
When Cortez clawed down Ice’s side, his followers howled their approval for their leader.
In a flash, Ice returned the favor, raking his claws across Cortez’s vulnerable belly. The 448 howled even louder to cheer him on.
Cortez shuffled back to regroup. Blood dripped from his wounds onto the leaf covered ground beneath him.
Ice arrogantly gave the other wolf time to recover.Finished licking your wounds?he asked after a few moments.
Cortez snapped his head around to Ice and snarled.
The brown wolf leaped back into the fight. They went at each other with deadly intent — the scent of blood in the air drivingthem into a near frenzy. Teeth and claws tore at flesh, ripped out fur floating in the air around them.
It took all of Ice’s strength and effort, but he eventually gained the upper hand. He had Cortez down in the dirt, with his jaws locked around the other alpha’s throat. Cortez thrashed wildly, trying to get free but Ice held on tight. The fight was nearing its end. Ice spoke to the rebel leader one last time before he killed him.
You nearly killed my mate.
It was war,Cortez replied. It wasn’t personal.
It was to me.
He was about to tear out Cortez’s jugular vein when Ortiz sharply called his name.
“Ice! Don’t kill him!”
Ice almost ignored his unit leader’s order. He wanted to kill Cortez for what he’d done to Hazard. His mate had nearly lost his life because of that bomb. But he knew that they needed Cortez alive for questioning.
Ice snarled. However, instead of severing Cortez’s jugular with his teeth, he eased up on the bite.
You’ve lost.
Yes,Cortez admitted. I yield.
Forcing back his blood lust, Ice released his jaw’s grip on Cortez’s throat. He stepped away from the downed wolf and shifted back to human form. Steam rose up around him when the cold air met his heated, sweaty, bare skin. His wounds ached, but Ice pulled his shoulders back to stare down at Cortez in triumph.
The other wolf lowered his gaze and turned his head to show his neck, signaling that Ice was the dominant alpha.
His blood thrumming with victory, Ice turned to look at the Vengeful Claw side of the circle.
They too lowered their gazes. The armed soldiers placed their weapons on the ground. Those who were in wolf form shifted back to human. The entire group kneeled on the ground, and put their hands behind their heads.
The support team swarmed them to get them in restraints while his squadmates came over and surrounded the rebel leader.
“Shift back, motherfucker,” Ortiz ordered.
Cortez staggered up on to four paws. It took him a minute to change back to human, no doubt due to the pain and blood loss. He was in sorry shape. His face was marred with scratches and bruises. There were bloody bites on his arms and throat. And claw marks ran down his torso from collar bone to navel.
Once Cortez was steady on two feet, Ortiz whistled to get one of the support team member’s attention.
“Bring him his clothes.”
“Yes, Major.”
The soldier quickly brought over Cortez’s shirt and pants. Ortiz kept her gun on him as he dressed then directed Jax to cuff him. Hazard brought Ice his uniform and gear.
“Thank you,” Ice said as he accepted the clothes and began to dress.