The Alpha and His Enemy Wolf: White Mountain Shifters 3
Page 12
“You’re quiet this morning,” Rafe pointed out.
“Just thinking.”
“About?”
Unless she worked up the courage to face her father, she might as well dismiss any chance of being with Rafe. Even so, the possibility that he’d let her be with him wasn’t just slim, it was pretty much nil.
Mila snorted. “Foolish ideas.”
She should forget about that unrealistic fantasy and just enjoy the time she and Rafe had remaining.
Rafe squeezed her hand. “That’s how dreams come to fruition.” He glanced at their surroundings. “If you don’t think big, you don’t have that picture of what you want to achieve—and what you need to do to get there.”
Mila exhaled. He had succeeding in building an empire here in the mountains. Although she’d once hated it, she was coming around, and she had to respect all the hard work he must have put in to accomplish his goals.
Maybe he was right.
Rafe led her down a path that led to the stream. They meandered along it for an hour or so. They stopped to admire an intricate spider web. A fly was trapped in it, still struggling to escape the sticky trap. She couldn’t help but compare it to her situation. In her pack, she might always be trapped. If she didn’t take a stand to avoid getting snared, she had no one to blame but herself.
After another magical night in Rafe’s bed, she woke in his arms. Reluctant to leave the warmth and safety of his embrace, she snuggled against him. He woke soon after and nuzzled her neck. Damn, she didn’t want to leave.
She had to summon courage if she ever wanted her life to change.
After a mental pep talk, she turned to face Rafe. “I’ve made a decision.”
He propped himself on one elbow and gazed at her from his blue eyes still droopy with sleep. “About what?”
Combined with his mussed hair, he looked adorable. Oh, she’d miss this. Miss waking up in his arms and starting the day having breakfast with him.
She took in a heavy breath and released it on a slow exhale. “I need to return to my pack today.”
His eyes widened. “What for?”
“It’s time I talk to my father.”
“Mila, are you sure?” Concern swam in his eyes.
“Yes. I have to try to get him to see that we are not enemies.”
His chest rose and fell with quicker breaths. His eyes turned haunted. “I’m afraid you won’t return.”
She cupped Rafe’s cheek. “I must do this to have any chance of us at being together.”
He searched her eyes and then kissed her. “My brave, wonderful mate.” Trailing his hands over her body, he added, “Give me one more hour with you.”
A lump clogged her throat, so she merely nodded.
He rolled on top of her and kissed her lips, her cheek, her neck. She savored every touch of his lips and hands as the threat loomed large over them—this might be their last time together.
Later that morning, Mila left Rafe with reluctance before she summoned the courage to trek back to her pack.
She’d gone through a lot of soul searching during her time with Rafe, especially during her walks to clear her head. So much had happened in less than a week, changing her for good. She’d come here to spy on him, but had fallen hard for him instead.
The change wasn’t just in her heart, but affected her future—which at this point remained anxiously murky. Was it possible to convince her father to change his mind about finding a way to live beside the Franconia pack?
She grunted. Unlikely.
Even if that was possible, he’d never let her live with one—especially the alpha.
Wait, she couldn’t think too far ahead. Step one was challenging enough.
As she approached his cabin, she trekked on heavy feet through the snow. She swallowed the fear that clutched her throat and forced herself to knock on his door. “Papa, it’s me, Mila.”
He opened the door and assessed her with questioning eyes. “You’re back sooner than expected.” He welcomed her inside and closed the door behind him.
She glanced at a chair, but was too tense to sit. “That’s because we didn’t need the full week.”
His heavy brows drew closer together. “Did you get us any valuable information?”
On a slow exhale, she shook her head. “It didn’t work out that way.”
His mouth pulled into a grim line. “I thought that was the reason you were going over there.” His voice lowered with undisguised displeasure.
“Yes, Papa, but…” She shrugged. “I went there to do so, but was wrong. The Franconia pack is not our enemy. I’ve talked to them and learned about what happened. It all stemmed from a misunderstanding about our intentions. They have no desire to fight and offered several times to make peace between our packs.” Surprised that she’d managed to get all those words out, she finished with, “We should drop this unnecessary quarrel with their pack and live in peace. It’s our best option.”
Her father’s mouth slowly widened into an angry O. “What the hell is going on, Mila? What exactly were you doing over there?”
She swallowed. “I talked to them and heard things from their perspective.”
He snorted. “A distorted outlook, of course.”
She slanted her head. “Just as ours can be considered if we only look at it from our point of view.”
He paced on heavy feet over his wooden floors. “Perhaps it was a mistake to let you go over there. You’re too young, too impressionable, and got in over your head.”
“No, Papa, that’s not true. Learning to be more open-minded doesn’t make me naïve.”
He shook his head. “I never should have allowed this. From now on, you stay out of it. We’ll get someone else who can finish the job they agreed to do.”
It was as she feared. He thought her unable to think for herself. If she didn’t stand up to him now, she’d be a fly fighting helplessly in a web until she finally tired out and accepted her dismal fate.
“Papa, I want to go back.”
He jerked his head and gave her a hard stare. “What?”
“My future is there with the Franconia pack.”
His expression contorted with a mixture of disbelief and fury. “What is wrong with you? What happened over there?”
“Something wonderful.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “I met my mate.”
Her father’s eyes widened as round as two full moons. “No.” He squeezed a hand into a fist at his side. “Impossible.”
“Yes,” she declared.
“Not a Franconia shifter.”
“Yes, Papa. It’s true. I hope you’ll find a way to accept it and be happy for me. After all, weren’t you and Mom happy together?”
His lips curled into a scowl. “Of course. We weren’t from enemy packs.” He stepped closer and cupped her face, tipping her chin up so she was forced to look into his eyes. “Tell me. Which one?”
She gulped and summoned all the courage she could muster. “Rafe.”
Her father’s face turned from red to purple and he appeared to vibrate with rage.
“Come with me.” He grabbed her by the forearm and dragged her out of his cabin.
“Where are you taking me?” She attempted to wiggle out of his harsh grasp. “Why are you doing this?”
He led her toward a shed where they stored wood and yanked her inside. “Keeping you from interfering as we deal with them.”
He left her there in the dark and slammed the door closed.
“No, Papa!” Mila pounded on the door and attempted to open it. No luck.
“Please,” she begged. “It doesn’t have to be like this.”
The sound of a lock clicking sealed her fate. Then it was silent.
Chapter 14
Rafe
The Saccos are coming, Damon warned the pack. At least a dozen of them are charging in wolf form in my direction.
Shit! Cover him, Rafe commanded the enforcers stationed along the borderline to the Sacco la
nds. Rafe had to get as many shifters into position as possible—and quickly. He couldn’t leave Damon to defend against them all.
What about the enforcers on the other borders? Rafe debated pulling them as well, but that could open them to an ambush. If the Saccos surrounded his pack, Rafe would be setting them up as prey as they were trapped in the middle.
He told the other enforcers to stay wary and wait for any command if needed.
Grayson, meet me at the border.
On my way, he responded.
Although it was barely dusk, Rafe rushed out of his home and shifted to wolf form. As he ran toward the border, he thought of Mila. Was she all right?
Another possibility twisted his gut. She was one of the Saccos headed toward them. Why else would they be attacking now after she’d returned?
No, he couldn’t worry about that now. He attempted to shove that poisonous thought away as the pads of his feet pounded through snow. What he needed to focus on was protecting his pack from the Sacco attack.
He sprinted through the snow toward the border. When he arrived, he skidded to a stop on four paws.
The battle had already begun.
It was Sacco versus Franconia in a battle of fangs and claws. Snarls and howls echoed in the air. Wolves rolled, kicking up snow as they gnashed at each other and spattered blood across the surface.
The Franconia shifters were outnumbered. Rafe would need all of their enforcers to fight.
He communicated to the enforcers patrolling the other borders. Come to the Sacco border. Now!
He scanned the rolling land, now a battlefield. They still wouldn’t have enough. It appeared the Saccos had brought all their packmates over.
What about Mila?
Rafe didn’t have time to search for her. He reached out to his pack. We need all who can fight at the Sacco border immediately. They have attacked.
Then he launched himself into the battle and fought off three Saccos, leaving them gouged, before he searched for one in particular.
Kane.
He found the Sacco’s alpha and demanded, Where’s Mila?
They circled each other away from the others.
Kane’s nostrils flared. He raised his snout. My daughter is safe away from here.
Rafe exhaled with relief. At least he didn’t have to worry about her being hurt in this fight.
Why do you think we’re here? Kane replied. She came back and told me everything. He snorted. My loyal daughter came over to your pack to spy for me.
No. Rafe’s heart echoed with a hollow thud. She couldn’t have. Not Mila.
He blinked. His mate betrayed him?
His world turned bleak. He should have known better than to let his wolf convince him to be with Mila. She was his enemy’s daughter after all. That’s what he got for thinking with his dick.
Still stunned, he was taken off-guard when Kane lunged at him.
Mila
Rafe, can you hear me?
Mila attempted to reach out to him, but her message didn’t get through. Was she that far from him?
Yes, she might as well have lived on another planet.
She paced in circles through her prison, searching for a way out. With a tiny window and a heavy lock on the door, her attempts were futile. This was the second time she’d been locked up in a week.
How could her father have done this to her? She was his daughter.
We need to get out of here, her wolf insisted. We must return to our mate!
As if Mila wasn’t aware of this. She searched for an escape from her dire situation. She couldn’t warn Rafe and couldn’t get to him. Her father could take Rafe’s pack by surprise—and kill him.
She sank down onto the floor of her dank prison and tapped her head against the wall. No, no, no. There had to be a way.
Right, she couldn’t give up hope yet.
Footsteps echoed from somewhere nearby. Mila jumped to her feet. It was Victoria.
Mila groaned. That duplicitous shifter wouldn’t be any help. Still, she pounded on the window. “Victoria! Victoria, please help me!”
Victoria rushed over to the window, her expression distraught. “There you are, Mila. I heard what happened and came looking for you.”
Mila’s brows drew together. That didn’t make sense. Why would Victoria care about Mila?
“Is there anyone on guard outside here?” Mila asked.
“No. They’ve all gone over to fight.”
Mila’s heart panged. She pictured Rafe and closed her eyes. She had to do something. “Please—let me out of here,” Mila begged. “I have to warn them.”
Victoria shook her head. “It’s too late for that. Your father has commanded all to fight.”
“No.” Mila covered her heart. “This can’t be.” She pressed her hand against the window. “Please, Victoria. You have to help me out of here. Rafe—” Mila swallowed. “Rafe is my mate.”
Victoria’s mouth opened wide. “Rafe? No way.”
“It’s true,” Mila admitted. “Please. I have to go to him. If anything happens to him…” Her voice cracked. She took a sharp inhale before she crumbled. “I couldn’t live with myself.”
Would she turn into a cold, bitter shifter like her father?
Victoria nodded with an understanding expression. “I’ll try to get you out.” She walked away from the window.
Seconds ticked like hours as Mila paced near the door. The sound of Victoria’s grunts and something crashing against the door repeated.
Impatience drove her to ask, “What’s the issue?”
“I don’t have a key. I’m trying to break the lock. All I have is a rock and it won’t budge.”
Mila tried to think of how she could help while stuck behind these four walls.
Her eyes widened. It might not work, but maybe with the two of them working together…
She had to give it a try. “Let me know when you’re about to hit it next. I’m going to use my energy to enhance the pressure on the lock.” She’d never attempted to do any magic like that before, but knew it was possible. Mila had to try it if it would help her get to Rafe. What she had to do was concentrate and project it.
Victoria exhaled with a doubtful sound. “Okay. I’ll count down.”
Mila took a deep breath and gathered her energy within, visualizing it as a glowing bright light that she’d send to Victoria to amplify her strength.
Victoria counted, “Three. Two. One. Now!”
Mila directed her energy to the lock and then held her breath.
Stone clanged against metal followed by a whoop of victory. “It worked!” Victoria exclaimed. “We broke the lock.”
In the next moment, the door flew open.
“Thank you!” She gave Victoria a quick hug and then shifted to wolf form.
As she ran back to Franconia land, the sound of paws hitting the ground caught up beside her. Victoria had shifted and was running with her.
What are you doing? Mila asked.
Trying to make amends for my mistakes, Victoria replied.
What exactly did that mean? Mila prodded, Victoria?
I let my jealousy and wounded pride hurt us all, Victoria replied in a rueful tone. Hearing how your father and Lars planned to ambush my former pack woke me up. Many may die today, including those I care about. I have to do whatever I can to prevent it.
Mila had distrusted Victoria from the second she’d stepped on Sacco land, but now she could kiss her.
They ran together across the rolling plain. The sounds of battle echoed in the air with wolf howls before her worst nightmare came into focus. Wolves had formed a circle as two fought in the center—her father and her mate.
Because of her.
The heavy tang of spilled blood loomed. Wounded or dead wolves lay scattered across the snowy plain. Her grief clashed with despair.
Mila’s breath came quick. She desperately yearned to leap into the middle of them both, but pack law prevented it. That was why wolves from both pac
ks weren’t fighting. The Franconia shifters lined up on one side of the circle, mirroring the Saccos on the other side. A battle between two alphas demanded respect. Wolves were not permitted to interfere since the battle was so decisive—and to the death. Whoever won assumed control of the other’s pack.
Each time her father or Rafe swung fierce claws or bared fangs at each other, her heartbeat jolted. Only one of her loved ones would survive.
She couldn’t root against either of them. Even if her father had locked her up, he was her family—her only remaining close relative.
And yet, she’d fallen for Rafe. He was her future. Her mate. She loved them both, but in different ways. How could she choose between her family and her heart?
Only one wolf made her feel wanted, needed, appreciated. Only one had showed her true love. Only one was her future, even if it was considered treasonous by her pack.
She chose Rafe.
The second she decided in her heart, a weight lifted from her shoulders. The familial yoke she’d felt with the pressure to please her father was lifted.
She trekked around the outside of the circle and took her place with the Franconia pack. Victoria remained back, away from all.
Rafe must have sensed her presence. He stole a quick glance at her. Mila, you’re here?
Her heart pounded. I came as soon as I could.
With his gaze pinpointed on her father, Rafe asked, Is it true? Was it all a game to spy on me?
No, she cried. Well, only at first.
Rafe turned to her with haunted eyes. In his distraction, her father plowed into Rafe’s side, knocking him over. Red gashes spread Rafe’s fur, and blood spilled into the snow.
No! Her wolf howled in despair.
Mila’s knees buckled. What had she done?
Chapter 15
Rafe
Emotions as rash as Kane’s claw’s tore through Rafe. He roared in anguish, but rolled away before Kane could reach his throat.
Mila was safe. She’d admitted to what Kane had said—she’d spied for him—at first. Hell, what did that mean? Rafe couldn’t speculate on the reasons. He wouldn’t be able to until the fight was over.