Wolf-less Omega Luna novel Chapter 73

Axel’s POV


I thought I cared enough for the pack before now. I thought I was gritty when it came to my pack. That I would do anything for them. And in that moment, with Derek and his men surrounding the pack, I was willing to. 

But when I heard what Jake had said about Alana, something popped inside of me. Call it being protective, but I was moving on something entirely different. Alana was the goal. The only goal.

I realized that I’d been wasting time with Derek. The longer he roamed around with that detonator in his hands, the lesser our chances of getting out of this, and the more Alana was in danger.

I easily fought my way through the crowd that was now filled with bodies fighting for dominance till I laid eyes on him. The coward. A handful of my men had fallen and he was going to pay for it. He had threatened what was mine and he was going to pay for it.

As quickly as I could, I made it through the pandemonium and crossed over to Derek who pointed the detonator right in my face the moment he sensed me by him. “Stay back, you bastard!”

“You’ve always been a coward. A dummy. Never one to get your hands dirty by actually fighting. I’m done playing games with you, so let’s put an end to this right now. A battle of fists. You know what happens.”

Derek looked around in hesitation.

“I know you care very little about your pack members or the men you brought here to fight to their death, but before you know it, there’d be nothing left of this pack, just like yours. If the pack is what you want, then fight me for it. Save yourself the trouble.”

Simultaneously, an explosion fired from a distance, shaking the earth beneath us. Smoke quickly rose to the sky. It wasn’t from the safe houses. It wasn’t a bomb. Maybe a grenade, but my claim was happening nonetheless.

It must have been the explosion or the idea that he still had a chance with my pack that did it, but Derek instantly shoved the detonator in his pocket, tossed the blade he was holding, and unsheathed his claws.

It was sad that he thought he would stand a chance by fighting me. Sorry, Derek, no time to waste.

Before he attempted to make his first move, stiff and stretched fur replaced skin. Claws and canines bared as my beast roared and pushed out of me as fast as lightning struck. Four caught Derek’s neck in between his fangs and with a furiously quick, sharp snap, his head came undone.

And just like that, Derek’s selfishness had gotten the better of him within seconds.

Strutting to the nearest rock that oversaw the entire commotion, Four placed a firm paw on top of his prize and let out a vicious, dominating snarl. A victor’s sound. An Alpha’s roar. 

The pitches of growling, groaning, and huffing were replaced with whimpers as Derek’s men caught sight of the outcome of the battle and ducked their tails far in between their legs.

It was over.

————
The captives were being rounded up as I assessed the extent of the damage they caused, still with four in control. 

A few of my men had fallen. It was going to be hard, the next few days in the pack. These men had families. Some, mates, some, pups.

Alana.

As I snapped my head towards the safe houses to find her, my eyes caught something stuck in between two bodies. Familiar strands of hair. No. 

I knew the owner damn well. Coral. 

As quick as lightning, I switched forms and fished her from the pile of bodies she was in, praying silently that she was still alive. I listened closely for her heartbeat but even before I could confirm that she was gone, a loud and pained groan from my best friend, Tyler, gave me the confirmation I needed.

Coral was gone.

My limbs lost strength and my body went numb. Derek might have been dead, but we had lost more than we won.

I squeezed my eyes shut as my body shook silently and violently, and the pain coursed through me. Giving space for Tyler to wrap his arms around his sister’s frame, he looked up at me with pain in his eyes, pointed in the direction of the safe house, and muttered, “Alana. Go!”

I whipped my head in that direction and made my way half-consciously to find Alana as a million thoughts crossed my mind. What could have happened to her?

My heart missed beats as I ripped the first shirt I could find off a fallen fighter and threw it on. Soon, I could smell her. Covered in blood. I broke into a run as I screamed her name. Had they succeeded in taking her away from me?

Pack members formed a straight line coming out of the safe houses, unharmed, but that wasn’t my main concern. My eyes scanned the floor for my mate as my heart rattled furiously against my chest. Then I laid eyes on her. Side by side with Jake, a shotgun wrapped around his hand.

Alana wasn’t moving. My hands cupped her face and I shook her gently. A glossy film formed a shield in front of my eyes and the image was no longer clear. “Alana. Please look at me. No! No! No! Look at me. Open your eyes, Princess. Axel’s here.”

She wasn’t responding. “Get me a fucking doctor! Anyone!”

“Let me take a look, Alpha, “ someone said behind me. In all my years, I had never been so lucky or happy to find someone in such a crucial moment. Dr Keith impatiently motioned for me to get out of the way as she knelt beside Alana’s cold and pale body, felt her pulse from her wrist, her temple, then her neck, and swiftly started a resuscitation procedure.

“Please tell me that she’s alright.” My breaths had become quick, shallow, and uneven in a span of seconds. “Tell me she’s alright, Doctor. Please!”

The fear was different. It wasn’t for just Alana anymore. It was based on the fact that there could be another inside her. The fear was for Alana, myself, and our future. My fingers dug into my palms and blood trickled down my hand as I took in quick gasps and more shallow breaths.

We hadn't even gotten a chance to talk about what happened before she left. I hadn't gotten the chance to tell her that I loved her. I hadn't…

“She’ll be fine. We need to get her to the infirmary. As quickly as possible.”

I released a breath in relief and a lone tear rolled out from the corner of my eye. Both covered in crimson, I lifted my mate as gently and quickly as humanly impossible and made a beeline for the pack clinic.

She’ll be fine. She’ll be fine. She’ll be fine. I just needed to chant it as many times as I could and she’d be fine.