Hiding The Alpha King's Twins

Chapter 23: Chapter 23

The men flinched at the voice that cut through the night like a blade. Instinctively, they shuffled a step away from Fleur, unease rippling through the pack of hired thugs. Yet pride quickly masked their fear, and their expressions hardened once more.

The largest among them—a thick-necked brute who was clearly the leader—stepped forward and spat on the pavement.

"Which bastard has a death wish bad enough to come here and threaten Lucian Valore’s crew?"

Every head turned toward the darkness.

Fleur followed their gaze, her pulse stuttering. For a moment, she thought exhaustion and fear were playing tricks on her mind.

Standing beneath the dim streetlights was Christian. freēwēbnovel.com

The sight of him felt unreal, like a hallucination conjured by desperation.

Why would Christian be here? Why would the man who had shattered her life suddenly appear as her savior?

The answer came before she could make sense of anything.

Christian’s icy gaze swept over the men surrounding her. His Alpha aura rolled outward, oppressive and suffocating, making the air itself feel heavier.

"Who ordered you to lay a hand on Fleur Swann?" he growled.

The low, dangerous sound rumbled from his chest like a predator warning lesser wolves away from its prey.

"That’s none of your business, Alpha Wayne," the man called Lucian sneered.

So they knew exactly who he was.

Of course they did.

Christian Wayne wasn’t merely a powerful businessman.

He was the feared Alpha King of the Western world, a man whose name alone could send entire packs into submission.

Lucian forced a laugh.

"This isn’t your territory. No one here answers to you. Walk away while you still can."

The threat sounded weak. The tremor in his voice betrayed him.

Fleur’s confusion only deepened.

If these men weren’t working for Christian, then who had sent them?

And why was Christian risking himself to save her?

Christian’s expression remained unreadable. Without a word, he reached inside his coat and drew a handgun.

Behind him stood his Beta, Syrus, silent and deadly as a shadow.

The click of the weapon echoed in the stillness.

"Last chance." Christian raised the gun.

The muzzle pointed directly at Lucian’s forehead.

"Tell me who sent you after Fleur Swann."

Lucian barked out a dry laugh. "I’m not afraid of you, Alpha Wayne."

He glanced toward his men, expecting them to join in.

None of them did. Not one.

The wiser members of the group had no interest in mocking a monster whose reputation was written in blood.

Christian’s eyes darkened.

"Then listen carefully." His voice dropped lower. Colder. More lethal. "Release the lady and disappear within two seconds."

A faint smile touched his lips. "After that, whatever happens is on you."

Something flickered across Lucian’s face.

Perhaps desperation.

He lunged forward, seized Fleur’s arm, and yanked her violently against him.

Before she could react, cold steel pressed against her temple.

Christian moved immediately.

"Stay back!" Lucian roared. "Take one more step and I’ll put a bullet through this bitch’s head!"

Fleur froze. Her terrified gaze collided with Christian’s.

For the first time, she saw something crack beneath his usual indifference.

His jaw tightened. A muscle ticked violently in his cheek. Then he slowly raised his weapon.

"Drop the gun, Lucian."

The command carried the weight of an Alpha’s authority.

Several gang members immediately lifted their own weapons and aimed them at Christian.

Fleur’s stomach dropped.

What was he doing? He was hopelessly outnumbered.

Lucian grinned viciously.

"You want to see who shoots first?"

Yet despite his bravado, sweat gathered along his brow.

Christian’s stare never wavered. "If you’re smart, you’ll release her."

His tone remained calm. Deadly calm.

"Do that, and I’ll leave peacefully."

Lucian burst out laughing. "The nerve of you."

His grip on Fleur tightened.

"You’re standing here with one man at your back while I’ve got an entire crew. I can kill you and this whore before you even blink."

A dark, predatory growl vibrated from Christian’s chest.

The sound was enough to make several men instinctively step backward.

"I dare you." His eyes gleamed like those of a hunting wolf. "Try it and find out how slowly a man can die."

"You arrogant wolf bastard!"

Rage finally overrode Lucian’s caution. He shoved Fleur aside and swung the gun toward Christian.

That single moment was all Christian needed.

A gunshot exploded through the night.

Lucian screamed. The weapon flew from his grasp, clattering across the pavement as blood streamed from his shattered hand.

"SYRUS!"

Christian barked. "Cover them!"

Syrus reacted instantly. Moving with military precision, he stepped between Fleur and the attackers while returning fire.

Christian’s eyes found Fleur’s. This time there was no coldness in them. Only command.

"Run!"

The world erupted into chaos.

Gunfire tore through the silence. Men shouted. Boots pounded against asphalt.

Muzzles flashed like lightning beneath the moonlit sky. There was a wolf’s howl, too.

Syrus dragged Fleur and Lea toward the roadside, shielding them as bullets whistled past.

Fleur stumbled, heart hammering against her ribs.

Then she looked back... And everything inside her went cold.

Christian had dropped to one knee.

Another shot rang out.

His body jerked.

Then... he collapsed onto the pavement.

"No!" The cry escaped before she could stop it.

"Dammit!" Syrus shouted. "They hit the alpha!"

The color drained from Fleur’s face. The world narrowed to the sight of Christian lying motionless beneath the streetlights.

"Miss Swann!" Syrus grabbed her shoulders. "Get in the car. The driver will take you home."

He pointed toward a black SUV waiting nearby before sprinting back toward Christian.

Fleur couldn’t move. Her legs felt rooted to the ground. All she could see was Christian.

The man she hated. The man who had ruined her life. The man who had just taken a bullet protecting hers.

"Fleur!" Lea seized her wrist and pulled hard. "We have to leave!"

"He’s been shot!" Panic choked her voice. "Christian’s been shot with a silver bullet!"

"We can’t stay here!" Lea cried. "If those men come after you again, we’ll all be dead!"

Fleur allowed herself to be dragged into the vehicle.

Moments later, they were speeding through the sleeping city.

Yet safety brought her no peace.

The farther the car traveled, the more restless she became. Christian’s blood-covered body haunted her thoughts.

Again and again, she saw him falling. Again and again, she heard the gunfire.

She hated him. She should have hated him. So why did the thought of losing him make her chest ache?

Lost in turmoil, Fleur barely noticed when the vehicle finally stopped.

The driver opened her door. She immediately leaned forward.

"What about your alpha?"

The driver blinked, confused. "What?"

"Mr. Wayne." Her voice came out breathless. "Is he alright?"

The driver’s expression softened slightly. "The alpha was taken to the hospital." freёwebnovel.com

Fleur’s heart seized.

A long second passed before he added, "He’s stable. The injury isn’t life-threatening."

The tension coiled inside her finally loosened. Relief washed through her so suddenly it left her dizzy.

She lowered her gaze, disturbed by her own reaction.

Why did she care?

Why did knowing Christian was alive make it easier to breathe?

For the first time, Fleur found herself unable to answer those questions.