After My Mate Killed Our Pup, I Wanted Blood

The pain was unbearable. Luna's howls tore through my mind as Dante's Alpha command crushed down on me, forcing me to my knees. His words echoed in my ears: "You were never anything but a means to an end."

I bit down hard on my lip, tasting blood. The physical pain was nothing compared to the agony of betrayal, but it was enough—just enough to break the hold of his Alpha tone.

"Willa, focus!" Luna whimpered, her once-strong voice now fragile. "We need to get out."

Dante loomed over me, his perfect physique no longer a source of pride but a monument to his deception. Five years of bathing him, dressing him, loving him—all for this.

"The Silverfang territories will be mine by dawn," he said, tossing the forged documents at my feet. "Your brother will never see it coming."

My fingers trembled as I slipped my hand into my pocket, feeling for the hidden distress beacon on my Luna ring. The small silver device was a gift from Reed—something I'd never had to use before.

"You should have just accepted your fate," Penny said, wrapping herself in a silk robe. Her eyes gleamed with triumph. "It would have been so much easier."

I pressed the beacon three times—our prearranged signal for immediate extraction. Then I activated the mind-link to Reed.

"Reed," I whispered into our private connection. "Training room. Now."

His response was immediate, his mental voice sharp with concern. "What's happened?"

"He's been lying. Everything was a lie." I couldn't say more—couldn't risk Dante hearing even through the link.

Dante bent down, his face inches from mine. "After tonight, no one will remember you as anything but a feral Luna who had to be put down."

I spotted the silver-infused vase on a nearby table—one of the decorative pieces Penny had brought to "brighten up" the training room. Silver was toxic to our kind, but in small amounts, it could incapacitate without killing.

"Such a shame," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "You really should have been more careful with your secrets."

His eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

I lunged for the vase, my movements fueled by desperation. Dante moved to intercept me, but I was faster—fueled by five years of suppressed rage and betrayal.

The vase connected with his temple, sending silver shards flying. He staggered backward, clutching his head as the silver burned into his skin.

"Now!" I screamed to Luna, and we ran.

I burst through the training room door, slamming it shut behind me. The heavy steel would buy me precious seconds. I raced up the stairs, my weakened legs protesting after years of sedentary caregiving.

"Willa!" Dante's roar shook the walls. "She's trying to escape!"

The pack house erupted into chaos. Footsteps pounded above me as guards responded to the alarm. I could hear the electronic security system activating—Dante had triggered the lockdown protocol.

"Stop her!" he bellowed from below. "The Luna has gone feral!"

I reached the main floor just as two Delta guards rounded the corner. Their eyes widened at the sight of me—the devoted mate they'd watched care for their Alpha for years.

"Luna Willa?" one of them hesitated.

"She's not well," Penny called from behind them. "Dante says she's dangerous!"

I didn't wait for them to decide. I bolted toward the kitchen exit, weaving between startled pack members. Luna pushed me forward with what little strength she had left.

"Faster," she urged. "We're almost there."

Behind me, I heard the training room door splinter as Dante broke through. The silver had only slowed him down—not stopped him.

"Capture her alive!" he commanded. "I want her in the silver cages by nightfall!"

The cool night air hit my face as I burst through the rear entrance of the pack house. The territory border was just beyond the clearing—if I could reach it, I might have a chance.

My lungs burned as I ran, each breath a struggle. Years of neglecting my own needs had taken their toll. I could hear the guards gaining on me, their stronger bodies closing the distance with ease.

"Stop in the name of Alpha Dante!" one shouted.

I pushed harder, my vision blurring. Just a few more yards—

A massive figure stepped out from the trees ahead, followed by a dozen others. Reed's familiar scent reached me before I saw him clearly.

"Get back!" he snarled, his Beta aura flaring protectively as he positioned himself between me and my pursuers.

His elite Gamma warriors formed a defensive wall around me, their bodies a shield against the approaching guards.

"Take her," Reed ordered two of his strongest warriors. "Get her to the safe house."

Strong arms lifted me as Reed faced down the Blood Moon guards.

"This is pack business," one of them said. "The Alpha has declared her feral."

Reed's laugh was cold. "Then your Alpha is a fool."

As I was carried away into the darkness of the forest, I caught one last glimpse of Dante emerging from the pack house, his face contorted with rage as he realized his prize was slipping away.

But it was too late. I was gone—and with me, his plans for the Silverfang territories.