Chapter 0059

The rogue wolves burst through the clubhouse entrance like a tidal wave. Warriors around me scatter in all directions, their bodies twisting mid-air as they shift into their wolf forms. Evander surges forward, eager to transform, but I grip his arm tightly. Our partially shifted state gives us the advantage here - extended claws and fangs ready for battle.

I position myself as a living shield between the attackers and our most vulnerable - the pups and those unable to fight.

Alpha Alistair's command rings through the mindlink like a thunderclap. He orders the non-combatants to safety and establishes a defensive perimeter. A private message follows, tasking me with leading the protective circle around our pack's weakest members.

Without hesitation, I begin carving a path toward my assigned position, dispatching rogue wolves with brutal efficiency.

Chaos reigns among our warriors when I arrive. They're scattered, directionless. My voice cuts through the confusion like a blade. "Form ranks! Protect the inner circle!"

The warriors snap into formation. Evelyn appears suddenly, shoving a terrified pup behind our defensive line.

"Get back to Alpha Adrian!" I command. "He needs you more than we do."

The haunting howl signaling the rogues' retreat echoes through the air. Evelyn leaps through a shattered wall section, her warning howl confirming our worst fears - we're vastly outnumbered.

I eliminate one last rogue attempting to slip past our defenses before assessing the damage behind our lines. The mindlink connects me to Dr. Whitmore instantly. "We need medical assistance immediately. Pups and pregnant females require attention."

Outside, the battle rages on. Our warriors refuse to let the attackers escape unscathed.

Then Evelyn's panicked mindlink shatters my focus. "Adrian's been taken! I'm going after him - it's a trap, but I have no choice!" The connection snaps shut before I can respond.

I attempt to reach Alistair, but his mental shields are up - undoubtedly engaged in combat. My teeth grind together. I should be fighting beside him.

As I maneuver toward an exit, a rogue wolf flies toward me. My left hand catches its throat while my right tears its head clean off. Orion's blood-streaked muzzle grins at me from across the room before he hurls another enemy in my direction.

We establish a deadly rhythm - warriors knock them down, I finish them off.

When the dust settles, Alistair approaches, clapping my shoulder. "Told you we still needed you, old friend."

"Alistair, listen-" I interrupt. "Evelyn linked me earlier. Adrian was captured. She went after him and I've heard nothing since."

"Location?" he demands, his Alpha persona taking over.

The answer dies on my lips as Evelyn's mindlink reactivates. "Adrian's unconscious in western territory. I traded myself for him. Send retrieval immediately. They're taking me somewhere... our bond is stronger than they realize." The connection fractures again.

Evander howls internally, overpowering my control. His massive wolf form erupts from my body, dragging us across the floor with powerful forelimbs despite his useless hindquarters. 'Our daughter needs us!'

Alistair grips Evander's scruff. "What happened? Talk to me!"

Through the mindlink, I relay Evelyn's message. Alistair barks orders for Adrian's retrieval before turning back to us. "Evander, we'll get her back. I swear it on my Alpha blood."

Sebastian steps forward. "Who's taken Evelyn?"

Alistair's gaze hardens. "Adrian was captured. Evelyn exchanged herself for him. He's unconscious; she's been taken."

Turning back to me, Alistair speaks with iron conviction. "Evander, yield to Gregory. My word as Alpha - we will bring your daughter home."

With visible reluctance, Evander recedes. As I regain human form, warriors bring my wheelchair. Alistair and Sebastian lift me into it with care. Someone drapes a towel across my lap, the mundane gesture absurd amidst the carnage.

The battle may be over, but the war has just begun.