Page 47 of The Alpha's Hunter
“Gather the wounded,” I ordered. “And take them back into town. The rest of you help secure the perimeter. Round up the traitors that are still breathing. We don’t want any surprises.”
The group nodded, springing into action.
“The prisoners!” Rebecca exclaimed, her face paling as she suddenly remembered. She turned to rush toward the staircase, but before she could take a step, Peter emerged.
In his wolf form, he trotted up the steps, carrying one badly injured human on his back. Behind him, the rest of the emaciated prisoners followed, their eyes wide with fear.
“Easy, easy,” I murmured as we approached the group slowly, trying not to scare them any further. “You’re safe now. We won’t hurt you.”
Peter shifted back into his human form, his youthful face filled with a mix of pride and horror. “These are who survived, Alpha. Some of them… There are only pieces down there.”
My body froze as anger threatened to bring my wolf back out. But I kept it at bay and placed a hand on Peter’s shoulder. “You did well, Peter.”
Joanna stepped up from behind me. “We need to get them out of here. They need a doctor.” She turned to Jeffery and the other hunters nearby. “Can you help?”
The hunters nodded, moving forward to assist the freed prisoners. They were gentle, their touches cautious as they guided the traumatized humans out of the building.
Joanna rested her head against my arm and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Her pulse raced, and her hands balled into fists, trembling.
I wished I could make her pain disappear. I pulled her closer and embraced her with everything I had left, wrapping my arms around her as if I could somehow absorb the grief.
“Maya,” I called over Joanna’s shoulder, “make sure those fucking dogs are bound and gagged. I don’t want any of them talking to each other.”
Maya nodded, turning to carry out my orders.
I pulled away from Joanna, placing a kiss atop her head. “We’ll make them all pay,” I reassured her.
It was a promise, a solemn vow that we would make them suffer for every life they’d taken, every innocent they’d hurt, every tear they’d caused to fall. She tilted her head to meet my gaze, her hands gripping my arms tightly as if drawing strength from me.
“Wolf,” Malik called, approaching us in haste. There was a look of concern etched on his face, but unlike his usual self, it didn’t appear that the sight of Joanna in my arms was the cause.
“What is it, Malik?” Joanna questioned.
Malik looked from me to Joanna, then back at me, unsure if he wanted her to know what he had to say.
“What is it?” I repeated with impatience.
Malik stood before us, his eyes still darting between Joanna and me. “A captive says she needs to speak to Joanna. She’s demanding it.”
I felt Joanna tense beside me, her grip on my arm tightening. “A rogue wants to talk to me?” she asked, her voice laced with anger.
Malik nodded, his gaze shifting to me.
Joanna mirrored his nod for my sake, and I signaled Maya from across the room. She was overseeing the binding of the captives, but she looked up at my summons. “Bring the rogue forward,” I commanded.
Maya barked an order to a nearby enforcer. A moment later, they emerged from the crowd, dragging the captive behind them. Head bowed, hands bound behind her back. And… her scent…
The air in the warehouse was thick with rot and death, but this traitor’s scent cut through the cloying aftermath of battle. Subtle, but distinct. Exhilarating—a wild and intoxicating fragrance that sent a shiver down my spine.
As they neared, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. There was something about this rogue, a pull I couldn’t ignore. Joanna must have sensed it, too, because she stepped closer to me, her hand slipping into mine.
Maya shoved the captive forward. The rogue stumbled, catching herself just before being forced to her knees. She looked up, her face streaked with dirt and blood, but her eyes… her orange eyes held a defiant fire that was eerily familiar.
And unfortunately, I soon learned why.
Joanna’s face blanched as she took in the sight before her. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her breathing became shallow and rapid. Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a cry that threatened to escape.
The rogue smirked. “Hey, little sis.”
