Page 11 of The Alpha's Daughter
Chapter Ten
GUNNAR
Finally, things wound down enough that we were able to begin our journey back home. Lou had been quiet ever since we left her bedroom. I felt bad that we had to leave so quickly after having sex, but I tried my best to make it up to her. As soon as we climbed into the car, I pulled her over next to me and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. My heart nearly burst when she snuggled into me without even the slightest hint of hesitation.
We chatted for at least an hour about the Wild Ridge pack, my family, our pack traditions, and what she could expect when we arrived. Her eyes were huge as she gazed out the window, admiring the changing landscape. It seemed she had never actually set foot outside Bravemaw pack grounds, so this was sure to be an interesting adventure for her. It was not long, however, before the steady hum of the wheels had her eyes drooping. I turned and kissed the top of her head, taking a deep breath of her woodsy floral scent as she slept.
“Sir, Bravo Team has reported an attack on our compound. About twenty or so assailants. They are working to identify them now,” Declan turned to look at me from the front passenger seat, his face unreadable.
“Rogues?” I kept my voice low.
“Not sure. Could be, or might also be another pack. Retaliation, maybe.” He glanced again at his phone, typing out a message before returning his attention to me.
“Casualties?”
“None so far. A couple of minor injuries. Our boys were prepared. What do you want to do?”
I frowned and looked out the window. “Let’s keep going, and get information as quickly as possible. Alert our whole caravan in the meantime to be on the lookout.”
“On the lookout for what?” Lou sat up suddenly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her hair was a bit disheveled from where she had been snuggled against my chest, but it only made her look more gorgeous. I fought the urge to lean over and kiss her pouty lips right then and there. Still, I hesitated. I didn’t want to worry her.
I reached for her, tugging her back into me. “It’s just a precaution. In case someone is not happy that we came out today.”
“You mean like my father?” she swallowed. “I’ve never seen him that angry before. I don’t even really understand why. You don’t think he would send someone after us, do you?”
I didn’t even have time to respond before a loud explosion somewhere ahead of us shook the SUV. I looked down and checked to be sure Lou was okay, cupping her cheek before I turned back toward Declan and the driver. Grabbing onto the driver’s seat, I pulled myself forward and squinted through the front windshield. Flames lit up the dark, night sky and I swore under my breath. I grabbed Lou by her shoulders and looked deep into her wide eyes.
“Stay here. Lock the doors.” I ordered before jumping out of the car and slamming the door behind me. Two steps later I had shifted and ran full speed toward the front of the caravan and the car that lay in pieces across the road. From the looks of things, an explosive had been planted in the road and detonated under the front of the vehicle.
Declan,I barked through my mind link,get to the rear of the caravan and report immediately! Echo one, set up a perimeter. Echo two, —“
They came out of nowhere, easily two dozen wolves, descending on us from all sides. This was a setup. It had to be. My mind went back to the look of fury in Titus’s eyes when he realized that his only daughter would be my mate. I grimaced, dirt flying behind me as I pushed forward. Surely he wouldn’t continue with a plan to blow up our convoy with his daughter in tow. I crashed into the frenzy, fighting off everyone I could sink my teeth into alongside my team.
There had been wolves everywhere, but we had finally turned the fight to our advantage and the few that remained were quickly being dealt with. As I surveyed the overall damage, I caught sight of two final wolves circling my SUV. It only took half a heartbeat for me to realize what they were after. I took off at full speed, with no thought to anything except getting to my mate.
