The Apocalyptic Queen's Werewolf Journey (Thora and Darius) novel Chapter 144

**Shadows Hearts by Joseph King**

**Chapter 144: The Alpha Takes the Hit**

This time, the silence fell upon Thora like a heavy fog. Her expression transformed, becoming a mixture of confusion and contemplation. After a brief moment of hesitation, she delved into her jacket pocket, retrieving the colorful candy that Shirley had gifted her earlier. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it to Tristan, who caught it with effortless grace.

“Thanks, boss!” he exclaimed, a wide grin stretching across his face, illuminating his features with genuine delight.

Without lingering for another word, he turned on his heel and strode out, leaving Thora in a state of mild bewilderment.

As she watched his retreating figure, a question flickered through her mind. It was certainly not unusual for girls to have a sweet tooth, but what was it about a grown man’s fascination with candy that struck her as odd?

The following day unfolded as planned, and Thora made her way out of the base, her destination set on Skybound Group. Given the company’s location in a bustling part of the city, she opted to abandon the military vehicle. Instead, she jogged towards her destination, considering it a chance for light training while maintaining a low profile.

However, fate had other plans. As she navigated through the city, she unexpectedly found herself in a deserted area on the outskirts, where the unmistakable scent of gunpowder wafted through the air, sharp and acrid.

Her expression hardened, instincts kicking in. Just moments later, the sharp crack of gunfire shattered the stillness around her.

Without a second thought, she veered into a side alley, vaulting over a wall with precision, landing silently on the other side. Ahead of her, a high-end car she recognized was the focal point of chaos, with two groups locked in a fierce firefight.

One group, their faces obscured by masks, revealed only their piercing eyes, clearly the aggressors in this deadly dance.

“Protect the Alpha!” Carl shouted, his voice low yet commanding, his focus unwavering as he unleashed a barrage of bullets from his handgun.

“Understood, sir!” came the prompt reply from his team.

The air was thick with the sound of gunfire, a relentless rhythm that echoed through the street. The attackers, growing increasingly frustrated, bombarded the car with bullets, but its bulletproof armor held firm against their assault.

Meanwhile, the defenders had transformed the vehicle into a makeshift fortress, using it as a shield to maintain their ground and push back against the onslaught.

Inside the car, Darius glanced at his watch, irritation flashing across his features. Today was supposed to be his meeting with Thora, and of course, trouble had to erupt at this very moment.

In the depths of his mind, Lorcan, his inner wolf, stirred restlessly. “Why are you keeping me cooped up? With our strength, we could obliterate them in a heartbeat. This is a total waste of time otherwise.”

Darius understood the sentiment but maintained his composure. Through their mental link, he responded, “Not unless we’re left with no alternatives. Revealing our power now could lead to exposure. And if we eliminate them all, how will we uncover who orchestrated this attack?”

Just then, Thora arrived at the scene, her brow furrowed as she took in the unfolding chaos.

Darius? Why on earth was he being ambushed out here?

Suddenly, a red laser dot swept across the battlefield, landing squarely on Darius’s head inside the car.

The moment he registered it, Darius’s eyes narrowed in focus. He shifted his body instinctively, moving just in time as a bullet shattered the window beside him, slamming into his seat with a force that sent foam and debris flying.

His gaze darted to a nearby abandoned building, where a sniper was perched, steady and poised, wielding a portable anti-materiel rifle. The tungsten steel round glinted menacingly as it prepared for another shot.

“Get down!”

The urgent shout came from both Carl and one of the bodyguards, both diving instinctively for cover. Darius flung the door open just as Thora sprinted toward him, her speed akin to a bullet. His eyes widened in recognition. “Thora?” But before he could process the moment, the second sniper’s shot was already in flight.

“Watch out!”

Thora shot him a quick glance, adjusted her aim, and pulled the trigger.

The bullet sliced through the air with almost eerie silence. A heartbeat later, the sniper on the far side crumpled to the ground. Only then did Thora lower her weapon, her heart racing.

“Damn, Thora. That was beautiful,” Darius said, a wide grin spreading across his face as he gave her a slow, silent clap, unbothered by the chaos that had just unfolded.

Thora felt a tightening in her chest.

Why had she come to save him? The Alpha of the Nightclaw Pack should have been more than capable of handling a few assassins on his own.

And yet, despite that knowledge, she had thrown herself into the fray without a second thought.

Joining Carl and the others, every shot fired from her silver pistol glowed faintly with a bluish wolf power, each bullet finding its mark with precision. The attackers, sensing the shift in momentum, hesitated, their confidence wavering.

From the shadows, another sniper quietly adjusted his aim, this time setting his sights on Thora. He had witnessed Darius’s protective instinct earlier and planned to use Thora as bait.

Just as he anticipated, Darius sensed the impending danger. Without a moment’s hesitation, he stepped in front of Thora again, his voice low and urgent, “Watch out!”

At that very moment, the sniper pulled the trigger.

Thora barely opened her mouth to warn him when she heard a sharp thud, and Darius collapsed to the ground with a grunt.

From his hidden vantage point, the sniper allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.

“Darius!” Thora cried out, immediately dropping to her knees beside him, her hands moving to assess his wound.