Page 8 of Alpha's Hidden Gem

A howl pierces the night—a shrill, unnatural sound that vibrates through the trees.

There it is.

We burst into a clearing, and the rogue is waiting. It's worse than I imagined—its body is a mangled mess of fur and bones, twisted unnaturally. Glowing red eyes burn with a hatred that doesn't belong to any normal wolf.

It doesn't hesitate—launching at us with a speed that defies its ragged appearance. I barely have time to sidestep before its teeth snap where my throat was a second earlier.

Fast. Too fast.

Ethan circles, his growl low and menacing as he looks for an opening. The rogue is all over the place—its movements jerky, erratic, but somehow precise. It spins toward Ethan, and I seize my moment. I lunge, claws extended, aiming for its hind leg.

But it's ready. It whirls, faster than I expect, and slashes at me with claws sharp enough to cut through steel. Pain explodes in my side, but I don't stop.

Can't stop.

I go low, biting into its leg and dragging it off balance. It howls, a terrible, unnatural sound, twisting its body to claw at my face. I release just in time, narrowly avoiding having my eyes gouged out. Blood drips from the wound in my side, but the adrenaline pushes it to the back of my mind.

This thing isn't going down easily.

Ethan charges in, his massive wolf form barreling into the rogue from the side. They tumble across the clearing in a blur of teeth and claws, rolling over and over until they slam into a tree. The rogue snarls, slashing at Ethan's chest, but Ethan bites down on its shoulder, pinning it in place.

I don't wait. I launch myself at the rogue's exposed throat, jaws snapping shut with brutal force. It thrashes beneath us, wild and desperate, but I hold on, tightening my grip.

I'm not letting this thing escape.

Suddenly, the rogue bucks with unnatural strength, throwing both Ethan and me off. I hit the ground hard, my vision blurringfor a second. The rogue snarls viciously, "You pathetic mutts think you can take me down? I'll rip you to shreds!"

I shake my head to clear it and push myself back to my feet, baring my fangs.This bastard is tougher than I thought.

Ethan circles around, hackles raised and eyes blazing. "You're outnumbered, rogue. Surrender now and we'll go easy on you."

A grating laugh rips from the rogue's throat. "Surrender? To the likes of you? Never!" It lunges at Ethan again, claws slashing.

I leap forward with a roar, slamming into the rogue's flank before it can reach Ethan. We tumble across the forest floor, a whirlwind of snapping jaws and tearing claws.I won't let this thing hurt my packmate.

He bucks me off a second time.

What the hell? How is it this strong?

I'm on my feet in a second, shaking off the impact. The rogue is already up, its red eyes glowing brighter, more furious. It snarls, baring teeth that are far too long, far too sharp for any wolf I've ever seen.

This is one tough rogue.

It comes at me again, faster this time, aiming straight for my throat. I duck under its attack, slashing at its side with my claws, but it barely flinches.

Damn it!

The rogue spins and rakes its claws down my back. Pain flares, white-hot and burning, but I grit my teeth and keep moving. I can't afford to go down now.

Not yet.

Ethan growls, blood dripping from his own wounds, but he charges again, this time from the side. He slams into the rogue, teeth sinking deep into its side. The rogue howls, flailing wildly as it tries to shake him off.

I see my chance. I leap forward, my jaws snapping around its throat, just as Ethan holds it.

This time, I won’t let go.

The rogue fights harder, its claws slashing at my sides, my face, but I hang on, squeezing tighter and tighter. I feel its windpipe collapse under my bite, feel the strength leaving its body. It’s slowing down, its struggles weakening.