Her Savior Alpha
Chapter 35

I could feel my body grow weaker and weaker. But now was not the time to faint despite the blood seeping out of my leg. I continued loping through the rain-slicked trees, branches and brambling tugging at me. The vicious howls of wolves followed close behind me. Dark laughter filled my head through mind link, making Reily’s crew seem like a bunch of hyenas gone wild.

Suddenly, my paws slid on a particularly slippery patch of wet dirt and I skidded, tripping over a large rock. Unfortunately, the ground fell open into a small slope, and I fell. Losing control over my limbs, I felt my body bruise further with every flip down. Rocks nicked my body as I tumbled, scratching at my head and underbelly. I finally rolled into a solid slab of rock, and raising my head from the wet ground, I could see a slight cuff wall looming over me, the beginning of the mountainous region.

A threatening branch snapping made me whip my head. Reily’s group was already upon me, leaping down gracefully from the small slope. In fear, I frantically scrambled to stand, my legs shaking. Reilly headed the crew, his eyes into angry, cruel slits, but his large mouth curled into a horrible smile.

Oh, Vera, Vera, he mocked. How far did you think you could get?

I scooted back, but only hard, wet rock met me, and a swift glance at my right and left told me there was no where also to go. Reilly’s minions had already flanked me and surrounded me on all sides, leaving no open to slip through, had I had the energy.

Reilly, please. There must be a better way. Doesn’t the mate bond mean anything to you? I begged pathetically, not entirely sure if I meant what I said but certainly, I’d say anything to buy me more time to....do something.

Aw, the little bitch is desperate, Gina barked with laughter. Did you really think the mate bond would have any sway over him and his long-time girlfriend? That shit is just lust, girl, and you’re a really inexperienced slut if you thought it would change your position.

Pick Vera over Gina, one of the other wolves snorted. Ridiculous.

Vera, a voice within me echoed, not from mindlink, I realized, but from my wolf. It was a smooth, heavenly sound, a wise edge to the formal words. Allow me to take over. I can help you.

My Lycan! I cried in relief, Where have you been? I was glad someone finally heard my calls for help, but where had my wolf been this whole time? I slunk back further into the cover of rock from the cliff wall, as some of Reilly’s crew came closer, grinning toothily at me.

I apologize, my lady. I have been dormant.

Yes, you have! I’ve been trying to communicate with you while conscious but you never seem to hear me!

Please forgive me. I was bidding my time to replace your body in a state that could withstand me. Now that you have proven you can undergo a long time in your shifted form, I believe you are ready.

But how will you help me? Lend me your strength? I don’t know what to do. I practically moaned, losing it at this point. Something good that had took me thought and care into accepting as true had now completely crashed to the ground. The broken mate bond still rung with agony within me, an emotional turmoil like I had never felt. If only I could have been the one to reject him.

I can help you, but only through one way, and you may not be ready.

What is it? Please just tell me, I don’t have time.

I must take over the reigns.

So you want to control my body?

Yes, just as I do at times when you are weak and require sustenance, I force the transformation and lead you to hunt. Other times when you cannot help but get knocked out, it is because you are not willing to allow me to take control yet not ready to control your wolf yourself, either physically or mentally.

So you’re telling me that this whole time, I fainted after shifting because I was too frail to allow you to give me your power? That doesn’t make sense.

Close, dear Vera. Rather, you were physically too weak, but also mentally, too stubborn to provide me any sort of power upon shifting, unless you were completely unconscious.

Finally, I understood. After years of living under the control of others, I kept the little power I had close to me, so close I could not allow even my wolf to bestow some upon me. The soul relationship between werewolves and their inner wolves were a give and take; a balance of humanity and empathy for animalistic skills and resilience. I had to give up some of my control in order to allow my Lycan to provide for me, but that I could never do. I never believed I had any strength, and when I turned 18, I wanted to be the ruler of it, however little it seemed at the time. Within me, there was a need to never allow others to take any piece of me. Maybe I was right, maybe I should’ve listened to that principle, I thought, as Reilly stalked closer to me, now within a couple of meters.

Lycan, I get it now, I announced, my mind calm for the first time during the entire ordeal. Whatever it is you are going to do, now is the time. I surrender to you.

There was a tiny moment of silence, then: Yes, Vera. I hear you. And then the world turned blissfully dark.

***

The group of Reilly’s cronies slowly approached the shaking white wolf in front of them, taking such sweet enjoyment from the absolute despair and the suspense they were creating by drawing out their punishment. Vera legs nearly caved in, trying to support her trembling, injured body. Rain continued to fall in sheets, matter her glorious white fur down. With every passing moment, she seemed distracted by something, her wolf eyes glazed, perhaps too fatigued to focus. That is what Gina assumed, and she said as much. Tired already, you dumbass girl? Keep going for a bit longer, we’re not done yet. She snickered, taking another step forward.

Vera didn’t respond. Instead, her large body swayed slightly, as though every droplet of rain was putting more and more weight on her. Then, almost in slow-motion, Vera tipped over, landing with a wet-thud on the sludge, grass, and rocky ground.

Is she seriously down? Trevor wondered aloud in a hushed voice.

No fucking way, we’re not done here! Reily bellowed.

Gina tentatively moved forward, closer to the once white wolf, now grayish in the rain, streak with mud and blood. She was about to poke with a paw, but before she could, a halo of white light surrounded Vera. Frozen, the chocolate brown wolf stared as the wind blew around all of them, tree branches rustling with more ferocity, as though a beast of nature was awakening. The crew that stood threateningly around the prone, glowing wolf had they maws hung open in caution, unsure what was going on. Then, Vera’s eyes snapped open and her majestic head raised. Her green eyes were vivid and bright, like green glass spheres that rotated from one wolf to the other, lingering on the one with pale strawberry-blonde fur like champagne. The stare sent a hot feeling of danger shooting through Reily’s body. Vera slowly and languidly rose up from her position, her body growing stronger in power, her muscles seeming to steady with energy, and her fur brightening. She took her time rising to full height until she stood tall like a reigning monarch glowering down at her enemies before they would be crushed. The old cowering, cold, scared Vera was gone. In an instant, a deep feeling of unease filled each and every wolf standing in opposition. Some thing ha happened and they weren’t sure what.

We meet for the first time, a loud, queenly voice made the wolves’ minds rumble with its gravity. My dear opponents, who have done all they could to destroy my human. You have all enraged me, and I’ve had enough. I will end this.

Who that fuck is that? Kory hissed, emotion in her usually deadpan voice.

Uh, guys, that does not sound like the Vera we know, Mathew whimpered, scampering back a little.

Who are you? Reily demanded, keeping his voice brave and solid.

Who am have been for millennia does not concern you. All you need to know is who I am now: an avenger.

Not wanting to continue the discussion, Vera’s wolf took a lightning fast swipe at Gina. With a cry, the latter fell to the side, and Vera jumped at her with the smooth reflexes of a true animal in hunt.

Someone stop her! Reilly bellowed, not daring to go forward. The group hesitated before Kory’s wolf bounded forward, slamming onto Vera’s back and hooking her claws into her. More confident, Reilly’s other crewmate, Zion, zoomed forward to help. The wolf beneath them paused, then with a roar, they both flew in high arcs away from her back, as though she was shaking off a few bugs.

With quick swipes of her front claws, blood spurted into the air, leaving Gina screaming from the affliction. She tried to roll away from the white wolf that was certainly no longer Vera, but her lower body was pinned by its weight.

I have no remorse for all those who joined in on Vera’s suffering, the cold, yet dignified voice echoed, a stark contrast from the callous violent with which she injured Gina. Then, lifting her back leg, she pressed down, and a resounding crunch could be heard over the sound of wind, rain, and trees groaning under the storm’s pressure. A piecing, mewling scream arose from the chocolate brown wolf, now a mess of blood, dirt, and wet matted fur.

The white wolf spun with wicked speed, darting over to Trevor, who stood frozen and trembling to the point of almost stumbling without tripping over a thing. In a flash, Vera’s wolf sprang at him too fast for him to even shield himself, the little it would do. They fell into a roll, and not missing a beat, the white wolf tore into his shoulder, drawing blood and chunks of flesh. Trevor could only howl, pawing weakly at her.

A growled reverberated through the forest. Darren stepped forward, his large burly body perhaps strong enough to overtake the wolf. At least, that was what he hoped. At least give us a fair fight. He said, running at the white wolf at fullest speed, snapping his maws at Vera’s wolf, barely managing to scratch at her before she whirled around like a spinning top, kicking out her back legs with such force, Darren’s giant body soared back, crashing into a tree, causing it snap nearly in half from the force of the throw and Darren’s weight combined. His body slid down, falling in a pile on the ground. He did not get up.

Darren, answer me! Reilly yelled. No answer; his comrade was knocked out.

I can’t take this anymore, Mathew whimpered, turning around and bounding back the way they came. Before he could make it even a few meters, the white wolf gained on him, a blur in the air, leaping onto Mathew’s back and clamping her jaws around him. He screamed as the white wolf rung him around from with her head, before letting go. He fell in a thud and tried to scoot away, blood matted his light fur. A powerful paw sprang out, nicking him on the side of the head, and Reilly’s final crewmate flew like a tennis ball, hitting the rock formation at the cliff wall.

I sense fear, Vera’s wolf suddenly announced, her head in the air. This is a message to all of the Mount Hunter Pack. Her voice projected across miles of the pack territory, mental communication hitting all the onlookers flocked far from the scene like a grip around their heart. I am a Lycan, and I have lived lifespans. I am also Vera Hunter’s wolf, and all the suffering you have lent her, I promise to pay back in double, if provoked.

Her words boomed within the minds of all the present and far off wolves, like an angry queen stomping into her kingdom’s warzone.

The great white wolf, the Lycan, as they knew now, stepped closer to Reilly her coat glittering anew in despite the rain, looking like polished ivory. Her mouth was stained with blood, with paws tinged red from the streams of flesh her claws tore into. Horrified, Reilly couldn’t move, froze at the sight of his fallen group. Gina lay at a distance, close to the cliff wall, her dark body splayed across the ground. Rain washed her blood into the dirt below. His other crewmates lied prone in various positions, with gashes and wounds decorating their hides. His body couldn’t help but quiver, a deep fear gnawing at him from within.

Wait, wait, let’s talk about this, he tried to bargain. I can explain...

I need no explanation, young Reily. I knew you were wretched since before Vera’s 18th born day. As I lay dormant within in her soul, I witnessed the terrors you filled her life with. I felt the pains, emotional and physical, that you inflicted upon her. I would not even wish such torment on my worst enemy. No, I would be merciful, and slay them quickly. Just as I am to do with you now.

At the reality of the words, it sank into Reilly’s mind that this might be his last moment.

Vera’s wolf stepped forward, eyes a glowing verdant color, like emerald. In a flash, her paw shot out and Reilly was tossed like a stone across a lake of still water several meters, until he finally was stopped by the trunk of a wicked looking tree. If not for it, he would have kept going. Groaning, he tried to pick himself up, seeing the white wolf approach in her peripheral vision. Her stride was smooth, like a relaxed, unhurried ruler walking between a sea of her followers.

After I realized you were my mate, I honored the bond, giving you the benefit of the doubt. Despite the warning signs you provided, I knew that if you made one wrong move, I would be unforgiving. That is why I allowed things to unfold. For Vera, as well, it was necessary for her to learn the truth of this dark, dishonorable pack.

The great wolf now stood before Reily, and with a giant paw, she hooked her claws around Reilly’s neck, lifting him up and pinning him against the bark. Reilly whimpered in fear, his facade breaking. He was going to die die die - he could feel his end reaching for him as he could only look mesmerized into the wolf’s - Vera’s - cold green eyes.

Your days of terrorizing Vera are over. You have broken the mate bond and sullied the Moon Goddess’ name. This is you end.

With that, Vera’s wolf dropped Reilly to the ground and pounced, mouth wide with fangs ready to sink into his throat and rip it out.