The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf
Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Astrid

Focusing, like Ryker, told me to. My body shifts back into human form. I open my eyes to see myselflying in Ryker's arms. I lock eyes with him, but this time, I see him through my wolf's eyes. “Mate!’ Isay, and the world around me disappears. I feel a magnetic rush of endorphins and dopaminesweep through me-the attraction and lust I have for Ryker increase dramatically. I want to touchhim, hold him, mark him and tell the world he is “mine’. My arms wrap around his neck.

“Ryker, I missed you so much! I'm so sorry for leaving.”

He wraps his warm, masculine arms around my waist and presses me to his chest. He cups my facein his hands.

It's okay, babe. I know you didn’t want to leave. I'm here now, and that's all that matters.” We stareinto each other's eyes, and our mouths smash together. My body ignites with the intensity of ourpassionate kiss. It sends overwhelming, hot shivers down my spine. We eventually part from the kissand pant.

Ryker lets out a little growl and nips at my neck.

“As much as I want to stay like this forever, we need to destroy Alpha Zenith. He brings me back toreality with his words. I stand up quickly, and my eyes change into my wolf's.

“Alpha Zenith is mine to kill’ I growl, instantly shifting.

Ryker shifts, and we're almost the same size. I'm only slightly smaller. We let out a loud, majestichow! in unison, warning Alpha Zenith that we are coming for him!

Bolting out of the cell, up the stairs and out of the packhouse, I see we have a lot of badly injuredwarriors. There are wounded wolves everywhere and many dead warriors and pack members fromShady Crest. Sprinting around for Alpha Zenith, I catch his scent. I follow it away from the battlethrough the long grass and creep through the trees. I can tell he is close. Ryker isn't far behind me,watching my back.

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Hearing a ferocious growl on my right, I turn to see Alpha Zenith in his wolf form lunging towardme. We roll a few metres, with Alpha Zenith pinning me down. My hind claws tear into his stomach.He emits a whimper and claws into my chest. I roll out from underneath him, then leap onto him,ferociously biting the back of his neck, and tear a piece of flesh off him. He howls in pain and thenfalls backward, almost crushing me beneath him.

Unable to move from under him, I rip into his ribs and listen to the sounds of bones breaking. Herolls off me, and we snap and snarl at each other, blood dripping from our muzzles. Alpha Zenith'sneck is exposed briefly, so I lunge forward, biting as hard as possible. I Remember how he bit mymother’s neck and shook her around like a rag doll. I show no mercy. Adrenaline rushes throughme. Blood spurts

everywhere, and I shake him around feverishly. I know he is dead, but I don't let go. Increasedstrength surges through me as my wolf grows larger. Having Killed Alpha Zenith, I now have thepower of an alpha, and his pack members now belong to me. I'm not finished with him yet, and Irelease all my anger by ripping more flesh off him.

“Astrid! Enough! He's dead! Ryker says, slowly approaching me. I let out another growl, warningRyker to back off. He freezes on the spot, shocked by my response.

“Astrid, you killed him. You can let him go now. It's over," he says.

So much anger is boiling up inside of me. Alpha Zenith killed my mother! He murdered my wholefamily and pack in Moonstone Crest! His death hasn't satisfied me. It isnt enough compensation forwhat he has done. I growl ferociously, still tearing his flesh off in strips. Masculine arms instantlywrap around me.

“Astrid! You need to stop! You need to shift into your human form. This isn't you, Astrid. Don't bethe monster he is. Please! I'm begging you!" He pleads. I cringe at his words. What am I doing? Hekilled my mother. I got my vengeance by killing him. But I continue to violently rip him apart like amonster. Finally, I let go of his body. Ryker can see the pain in my face. In my dazed reverie, I tumbleinto his lap. I'm severely injured and have lost too much blood from my wounds. I must haveblacked out because I opened my eyes to stare into Ryker's

smooth jawline. He carries me bridal-style towards our pack members. Shady Crest pack membersfelt Alpha Zenith's death immediately and ceased fighting.

Approaching Shady Crest, the pack members see us, fall to their knees and bow their heads.

“Why are they bowing for us?’ I ask Ryker.

“The moment you kill an Alpha, his pack becomes your pack, he explains.

“But I'm not officially part of a pack yet," I say, confused. Ryker looks at me passionately.

“All you have to do is accept me as your mate, Astrid. And take your place by my side as my equaland Luna,’ he smiles. I cup his face in my hands as he cradles me.

'l, Astrid Moonstone, accept you, Alpha Ryker of Shadow Crest, as my mate and your Luna. Rykerstares into my eyes. He is fending off tears of happiness with my words.

A strange warmth courses through my body. I feel an immediate sense of power and authority.“Astrid, you have made me the happiest Alpha in the world, Ryker says, mind linking me for the veryfirst time. I freeze at his voice in my head,

“I just heard you. In my head. Is that the mind-link?’ I ask excitedly

'Yes, think of me in your mind. I will hear your voice in my head, he says.

“Okay. Ryker, if we didn't have hundreds of werewolves staring at us, I would kiss you passionately.Ryker lets out a chuckle.

I'm sure they wouldn't mind a show, he says mischievously.

"Ryker!" I say, slapping his chest playfully.

I'm only joking, babe,’ he says, kissing my forehead.

Amelia and Leon run up to us, holding hands. Amelia is blushing and smiling. I smile back at her,happy she has found her destined mate, who has accepted her unconditionally.

'So, Amelia and Leon, hey?’ I say, smiling. “So, what happens now?’ I ask Ryker.

“Now we tend to the injured. First, we will use the Shady Crest packhouse for all the wounded. Afterthat, the warriors will bury the dead, and we'll return to Shadow Crest. Pack members from here arewelcome to come with us. Or they can stay here and resume their lives, but this land is now ourterritory, he explains.

Doing my best, I help tend to the injured. Everyone calls me Luna. It's foreign to me, but I figure I'llget used to it,

"How are you feeling now?’ Ryker asks, looking me up and down.

I'm completely healed from all the injuries I received. I can't believe how quick I heal now, I smile."You will always heal quickly now that you have your wolf, he smiles. “I think it's time we all gohome.” We hold hands, keeping our eyes only on each other. Everyone else is ready to leave to gohome.

“Ryker? I was wondering if we could catch up with everyone later? My wolf is begging to be let out,and I thought we could go for a run together?

I'd like that very much, he smiles and kisses me passionately.

“Ready to go, Alpha and Luna?’ Seth asks. Our eyes remain locked on each other. Without turningaround to look at Seth, Ryker waves his hand.

"You all go home. We will catch up later, Ryker says. Seth smiles and nods, leading everyone back toShadow Crest. I pull my dress off and shift into my large white wolf. Ryker shifts, and I bolt towardhim. We play-fight a little. I nip at his ankles and neck. He purposely falls over, feigning weaknessand whimpers. I haven't had the strength to knock him to the ground. It is charming to watch: toplay with his wolf is a gratifying experience.

We race through the woods to see who's faster. Our speeds aren't very different. The full moon isout in full view. We sit on a cliff edge near the packhouse and let out majestic, powerful

howls together.

The pack members respond to us, howling together with joy and enthusiasm. Ryker's wolf sitsbeside me, resting his head on mine. He gives me a nip and a nuzzle every so often. We return tothe packhouse when everyone is asleep and shift into our human forms. Before entering the frontdoor, Ryker scoops me up and carries me upstairs to bed.