Chapter 0478

Alexander

The pack surges forward.

Standard procedure.

They hunt first.

I allow them the initial tracking before joining.

Athena’s blue eyes flick toward me.

She is vibrating with readiness.

‘Let them have their moment. His fate is sealed.’ I link her.

She gives a sharp nod.

Howls and snarls erupt from the forest depths.

Birds scatter into the sky, fleeing the coming violence.

I count silently to ten.

Blair rushes to Athena’s side. “Please, let me go after him!”

“You have your abilities restored. Can you shift without turning Rogue?” Athena questions.

Blair remains silent.

“Then I suggest you remain here,” Athena states firmly.

‘Our turn.’ I link Athena.

She runs beside me, then shifts.

Her clothes shred as her body expands.

It amazes me every single time.

Doing it while pregnant is even more remarkable.

She tears through the trees effortlessly.

Her movement is nearly silent.

She pauses occasionally, altering course repeatedly.

I allow her to lead.

She hasn’t hunted like this before, but her rage toward Levi is palpable.

I am eager to watch her unleash it.

‘He’s injured himself.’ Athena murmurs, halting at a bush smeared with fresh blood. ‘Trying to lead us somewhere.’

‘Trying to survive.’ I reply, nose to the ground. ‘It’s fresh. He’s close.’

Howls echo nearby.

We weave through the trees to find two Wolves standing over a dead female.

She’s shifted back to human form.

A sharpened branch protrudes from her chest.

‘She was one of mine.’ Athena growls.

‘There’s more.’ One Wolf mutters.

They nudge her onto her stomach.

The number two is scrawled on her back in Levi’s blood.

‘Two?’ Athena asks.

‘He’s killed another. Eliminating us one by one to seize control.’ I inform the Wolves and Athena. ‘He’s tallying his kills.’

‘Stay together.’ I add.

Splitting up is dangerous. Anyone alone becomes a potential victim.

Athena and I take a different path.

Soon, another link reports a dead Wolf found.

The number three is marked on this one.

Casualties were expected, but three this quickly is alarming.

His tally enrages me further.

There could be more.

We haven’t even located the first victim.

Deeper in the forest, his tracks diverge.

He attempts to confuse pursuers.

But the scent of his blood is potent here.

He must be close.

Athena watches, alarmed, as I shift back to human form.

I step into a small clearing.

“Levi!” I shout.

No answer, as expected.

“I know you’re near. I smell your blood.” I address the forest. “Your tricks are transparent. You are close.”

“Killing two pack members was bold, Levi. Your turn will come. The pack will collect payment for the lives you took. Perhaps we start with your feet. A few toes first. Then we move to your fingers. Removing them one by one.”

Movement catches my eye.

It’s just the Wolves and Lycans signaling their positions.

They’ve all deduced the same thing.

“Are you frightened, Levi? You cannot escape this.” I wonder if he realizes my border is lined with guards. He can run the length of this forest, but he will never leave.

‘You don’t need to go far.’ Zachary links me.

Levi drops from the trees, landing hard on his back with a groan.

He’s inches away.

Healing bruises mark his chest. This is him, not a projection.

I look up.

Zachary perches on a branch in Lycan form.

He gives me a casual wave.

Levi lies on the ground, then begins laughing. “You still don’t understand, do you?” he muses.

“What is there to understand?” I step on his ankle.

He tries to kick me with his other leg. “You murdered three pack members.”

“They intended to kill me. Your rules never forbade killing. You should be clearer, Alpha Alexander.”

I apply my full weight to his ankle.

He grimaces in pain.

“Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps I should have been clearer.” I mock, removing my foot.

I signal everyone forward.

Panic flashes in his eyes as he realizes escape is impossible.

“I was saving them!” he shouts as several Wolves seize his limbs and begin pulling.

‘Pull until the joints separate.’ I intend to savor every second of this.