Aries pov;
The moment gunshots rang out, instinct took over.
Julian and I moved as one, ducking behind trees for cover while making sure the girls were safe.
"Alpha, I can smell silver. It's definitely hunters," Julian said, his usual playful tone replaced with cold seriousness.
"I know." My jaw clenched. Why today? The timing was too convenient, but there was no time to dwell on it now. We needed control over the situation.
Judging by the gunfire, they'd be running low on bullets soon. That was our opening.
As expected, the shots slowed, hesitation seeping into their attack.
"Lily, get Rose and Rexxona to the pack house!" I barked. "Julian and I will handle the hunters."
The moment Lily confirmed, Julian and I broke from cover, shifting mid-sprint.
My wolf surged forward, muscles stretching, bones shifting seamlessly into form.
Nobody attacked my pack and got away with it. Not again.
We tore through the hunters with ease. Blood splattered the ground as claws ripped through flesh, fangs sank into throats. I barely registered it, my focus singular—eliminate the threat.
The pack fought well. Despite being ambushed, they weren't breaking. I saw warriors subduing armed hunters with ruthless precision, proving that our training hadn't been in vain. Pride swelled in my chest, but I didn't let it slow me.
Within minutes, the battle was over.
Too easy.
Julian's voice cut through my thoughts.
"Alpha, all clear here. They were a small group."
"Something's off," I muttered through the link. "We'll talk later. Meet me at the pack house—I want to check on the girls first."
The scent of blood thickened as I ran back. Bodies littered the ground, but more of theirs than ours. A small comfort, but not enough.
Anxiety gnawed at me.
I needed to see them safe.
Shifting back, I grabbed a set of clothes from a stash near the tree line, pulling them on quickly. Then, I sprinted toward the pack house.
I wasn't prepared for what I saw.
Rexxona lay motionless on the ground, her eyes closed. Rose knelt beside her, shaking her desperately, her sobs echoing in the eerie silence.
My chest tightened.
"Rex!!!"
Julian's shout snapped me out of my daze. He rushed past me, dropping to his knees beside her, fingers pressing against her neck.
"What happened to her, Rose?" His voice was sharper than usual, but Rose just kept crying.
"She's alive," Julian announced.
A breath I hadn't realized I was holding escaped me.
"She is?" Rose choked out between sobs. "She saved me… but then she just collapsed, and I—I didn't know what to do."
"We need to get her to the clinic," I said, finally finding my voice. "I already mind-linked my mother. She's waiting for us."
"Alright, Alpha." Julian moved to lift her, but before I could stop myself, the words left my mouth—
"I'll take her."
Julian hesitated. "Aries—"
"I said, I'll take her." My voice left no room for argument.
Owning my decision, I turned to him. "You take care of Rose. Get in touch with Lily and gather the pack. I'm holding a meeting as soon as I return."
He gave a curt nod before helping Rose inside.
Before disappearing, she looked back at me, eyes red-rimmed. "Take care of her, Aries."
I nodded once.
Then, I lifted Rexxona into my arms.
She was light. Too light. A frown tugged at my lips. Did she even eat properly?
I pushed the thought aside and hurried toward the clinic.
My mother stood waiting at the entrance, her expression unreadable.
"Bring her in, son."
I followed her inside, laying Rexxona down gently on an empty bed before stepping back to let her work.
A few moments passed before my mother straightened, offering a small smile. "She fainted. But other than that, she seems fine. I'll give her some fluids for now and run more tests when she wakes up."
Relief hit me like a wave.
"Thank you, Mom," I said, pulling her into a quick hug.
"You can stay with her while I prepare everything. I know you have a meeting to hold."
I nodded, watching as she left.
Settling into a chair beside Rexxona's bed, I finally allowed myself to look at her.
For the first time since she arrived, I took in the curve of her face, the way her dark hair contrasted against the white sheets, the soft part of her lips.
Something stirred in my chest.
Before I could process it, her eyes fluttered open.
Bright. Blue.
And staring straight at me.