Grabbing the large stag by the back of its neck, Eric bit down on the hindquarter. As they dragged it back to the pack, Adhara frowned at picking up on an unknown scent. Dropping the stag, she took off running towards the pack. Something was wrong. She couldn't sense the pack anymore. Before coming to a clearing, Eric pulled her back behind a large boulder.
Poking her head around the boulder, she gasped in horror. "It-it's going after the wolves." Trying to make a run towards them, she was pulled back again. "I need-"
"We can't take her on." Eric growled.
Looking back she flinched at seeing the large hand falling over Angel. "She's killing them all. I can't just stand here and hide like a coward!"
"That thing isn't like the others." Eric said. "Look, it's covering all its vital points. We won't make it past a few steps before it spots us."
She listened as her pack was killed one by one. It was like the pits of hell as they howled and yelled for her. And just like that, it was suddenly quiet, not even the birds chirping could be heard. Looking around the boulder she nearly threw up at what she was seeing.
The entire forest was soaked in the blood of her pack. There was nothing left of them, not even their scents were present. As they turned tail to run, a small movement by the tree caught her attention.
"Eric." Adhara squinted her eyes to make out the figures. "It's-"
"Kate!" Eric gasped out a happy chuckle.
"Please, take my son." Kate whimpered. "I can't move, that thing took out my back legs."
"Kate..." Eric fought with his inner self. He wanted nothing but to hold his mate one last time, but his son needed him. "When I make a run for it, you take Aaron."
Adhara gapped at the male wolf. "No, I am the alpha of this pack. If anyone is being the bait is me. Besides your son needs you right now. Not me. You."
"Adhara listen to me." Eric sighed. "You and I both know we won't outrun her. If Aaron and I somehow get away, it will be for nothing. We wouldn't survive without an alpha. We will truly be the end of our kind. Only you can bring us all back to our glory days. Back when we had nothing to fear."
Nuzzling into her neck, they stood like that for a moment. Adhara closed her eyes, cherishing the last moments with her best friend. "I will watch and care for Aaron as if he were my own."
"I do not doubt that." Stepping back he glanced at his mate and pup. "I love you both."
"And I you." Kate cried.
Taking in a deep breath, he stepped out into the open. Howling deeply he grinned at catching the titan's attention. "That's it!" Seeing her stagger towards him he took off running with another howl. "Let's see just how smart you truly are!"
Once the titan had turned her back on them, Adhara rushed towards Aaron and Kate. "You have my word, I will protect him with my life."
"Thank you, Alpha." Kate tilted her head to the side, giving the alpha female a clear view of her neck. "Please, don't leave me like this."
Adhara glanced down at the pup, budging him towards the bolder. "Don't look back."
Aaron nuzzled his mother before obeying his alpha. Adhara rested her forehead against the fallen wolf. "Forgive me, I wasn't able to save you."
"You are saving my son." Kate gasped through her short breaths. "That is all that mattered to me."
Pulling Adhara ended Kate's life in a swift bite to the neck. Letting Kate's head fall slowly to the ground, she stepped back and bowed her head. "You are free from this hellish life. Say hello to my parents for me." Turning away she grabbed Aaron by the scruff of his neck and took off. She needed to find a place they could rest for the night. Keeping Aaron safe was her priority, then she can worry about their next move.
