To protect what's mine (Amalie) novel Chapter 180

**TITLE: Guard 180**

**Chapter 180: Calyx**

The atmosphere was suffocating, thick with the remnants of chaos and sorrow that had enveloped our pack like a heavy shroud. It was a calamity that none of us had foreseen, a nightmare that had materialized with an unforgiving ferocity. The rogue attack had been staggering, an onslaught that left more than forty of our beloved pack members lifeless, their vibrant spirits extinguished in mere moments. Each loss reverberated within me, a sharp ache that pulsed through our pack link, severing the bonds that had once connected us all in a tapestry of shared experiences and love.

The grim task of clearing away the aftermath lay before us, a grim reminder of our vulnerability. I cast my gaze over the scene, nearly two hundred bodies littering the ground, a testament to the brutal violence of the night. The rogues had been disorganized, their reckless fury betraying them, yet they had managed to inflict a toll that we would carry for the rest of our lives. The cost was steep, and I felt the weight of our collective grief pressing down on me, a burden that threatened to crush my spirit.

With a low growl of frustration escaping my lips, I pulled another lifeless rogue toward the designated burn pile. Each step felt like dragging a piece of my soul along with me, heavy and laden with the gravity of our duty. Markus stood beside me, his presence a comfort, yet I could sense the turmoil swirling within him. Our thoughts were scattered, divided between the urgent need to stabilize our pack and the desperate search for Amalie, who had been taken from us in the chaos. We had to hold it together, especially after suffering such devastating losses. The ache in my heart was palpable as I recalled the faces of our fallen comrades, while the injured were too numerous to count. Uncle William and the nurses were swamped, working tirelessly to mend the wounds of those who remained.

“Any news?” I barked, my voice a low rumble as Markus approached, his features taut with frustration.

“No, there’s still no lead on Amalie,” he growled, desperation lacing his tone, a reflection of our shared anxiety.

Another growl slipped from my throat, a warning to him that Zviad, my inner beast, was not pleased with the hopelessness that permeated our conversation. Aziz, standing nearby, echoed my sentiment with a low growl of his own, the tension in the air thickening like a storm about to break. Since Amalie’s abduction, we had been on edge, our tempers fraying like old threads. Two hours had passed, yet it felt like an eternity, and we were spiraling into chaos.

“Daddy!” Rose’s voice cut through the gloom like a ray of sunshine, her small figure darting toward Markus, a beacon of innocence amid the despair.

I fought against the surge of irritation that threatened to boil over as I watched her seek comfort in her father’s embrace.

“Sorry, she keeps wandering off,” Kim panted, her breathless apology trailing behind her as she hurried to catch up.

Markus scooped Rose into his arms, settling her on his hip. He inhaled deeply, drawing in her sweet, innocent scent—a small comfort amidst the tempest of emotions swirling around us. I mirrored his action, letting her scent ground me in the chaos. We needed to remain united, especially for the sake of our pack and Amalie’s rescue.

“It’s alright,” I reassured Kim, forcing calm into my voice after taking a deep breath, determined to keep the peace.

“Mo-mommy?” Rose whimpered, burying her face into Markus’s chest, her tiny frame trembling with fear.

“We’ll find her,” he vowed, his hand soothingly stroking her back, a promise that resonated with both her and himself.

“Come on, sweetie, let’s head back to the pack house,” Kim urged gently, trying to coax Rose away from Markus’s protective hold.

A low growl rumbled from Markus, a warning to Kim to back off.

“Stay with Rose,” I commanded my twin, turning away to head toward the pack house, my mind racing with thoughts of what needed to be done.

“Where are you going?” Markus demanded, his voice sharp, mirroring my own frustration.

“Watch her,” I growled, dismissing any further conversation as I stormed into the pack house. A warrior attempted to catch my attention, but I brushed past him, knowing that if I paused, the anger boiling within me would unleash upon him.

I descended into the basement, irritation flaring as I faced the locked doors.

“Out,” I ordered the two warriors stationed there, my voice sharp and unyielding.

They flinched at my presence, compelled by my Alpha aura, and quickly scurried away. A tempest of rage surged within me as I approached the cell doors. Marie, Melissa, and Natalie recoiled at the sight of me, fear evident in their wide eyes.

“I am done with your mates,” I growled at the two mothers, my voice low and dangerous. “Their reckless actions led to an attack last night that claimed nearly fifty of my pack members, and the injured are in the hundreds. That’s nearly a third of our pack, either dead or grievously wounded.”

Marie’s voice trembled as she attempted to defend herself. “We didn’t have anything to do with that attack.”

“I’m not finished,” I interrupted, my patience fraying. “Not only did they attack and kill former pack members, but they also stole my mate!”

“You conspired to make Molly our Luna,” I growled, my voice dripping with disdain.

‘I crave to feel her flesh tear between my jaws,’ Zviad growled, his primal instincts taking over.

In a flash, Zviad lunged forward, seizing her outstretched hand. He shook his head violently, ripping her hand free from her body. Blood sprayed, and Zviad spat out the severed appendage as Natalie clutched her bloody stump to her chest, her screams a jumbled mess of agony and incoherence. But Zviad was far from satisfied.

He lunged again, sinking his teeth into her shoulder, and we could hear the sickening sound of flesh tearing. Zviad continued to pull, digging his claws into the floor for leverage, relentless in his pursuit to remove her arm from her body.

He didn’t stop until Natalie’s body finally gave way, and we were able to sever her arm completely. This time, there were no screams; she fainted from the pain and blood loss. Zviad spat out the useless limb, growling at the dying woman, a predator reveling in its conquest.

‘Get up here, now,’ Markus ordered through the link, urgency in his voice.

‘Busy,’ I growled back, contemplating whether to inflict more damage.

“A witch showed up, claiming that she can help,” Markus informed me, his tone shifting to one of hope amidst the chaos.

As the dust began to settle from the chaos that had engulfed our pack, a somber realization washed over me. The brutal loss of our members weighed heavily on my heart, each name a reminder of the lives we had fought to protect. Yet, amid the grief, a flicker of resilience ignited within us. The presence of Rose, innocent and untainted by the darkness surrounding us, served as a beacon of hope. Her small form nestled against Markus reminded me of what we were fighting for—our family, our unity, and the promise of a future free from the shadows of this nightmarish attack. The pain we endured would not be in vain; we would rise from the ashes, stronger and more determined to reclaim what was lost.

The witch’s arrival brought a glimmer of possibility, a chance for redemption and the retrieval of Amalie. In that moment, the anger and desperation that had consumed me began to transform into a focused resolve. I understood that vengeance alone would not heal our wounds; it was the love for our pack and the bonds we shared that would ultimately guide us through this darkness. As we prepared to face the unknown, I felt the collective strength of our pack rallying behind me. Together, we would confront the challenges ahead, and I vowed that we would not only find Amalie but also honor the memories of those we had lost. The path forward would be fraught with trials, but I was ready to embrace it, fueled by the unwavering spirit of our family and the unbreakable bond that connected us all.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the forthcoming chapter, we can anticipate the tension to escalate as the pack grapples with the aftermath of the brutal attack and the urgent need to locate Amalie. The emotional turmoil will deepen, with Calyx facing the haunting memories of their fallen comrades while wrestling with the overwhelming responsibility of leadership. As he navigates the delicate balance between rage and duty, the stakes will rise even higher with the mysterious witch’s arrival, claiming she possesses the knowledge to aid in Amalie’s rescue. Will her intentions be genuine, or will she bring further chaos to an already fractured pack?

Moreover, the dynamics within the pack will shift as Calyx’s actions in the basement reverberate through the ranks. The brutality he displayed towards Melissa and Natalie will leave an indelible mark on his leadership and relationships. As whispers of dissent and fear spread, Calyx will have to confront not only the external threats but also the internal fractures that threaten to tear the pack apart. With the witch’s arrival, new alliances may form, and unexpected betrayals could surface. The chapter promises to thrust Calyx into a whirlwind of decisions that could either solidify his position as Alpha or plunge the pack into further despair. Will the witch be the key to saving Amalie, or will she unleash even darker forces upon them? The anticipation is palpable as we prepare to dive deeper into this tumultuous saga.