Free Web NovelChapter 200: Make An Enemy II
"Is that a threat, Alpha Burke?" Alpha Thorton asked.
He narrowed his eyes, glaring hard at the leader of Hornstead. In the shadows, the other wolves of Thunderstrike stood up and gathered around, their backs straightened with attention as they walked towards the center of the conflict. The doors to the cathedral opened and I could spot several other men standing outside and peering in, no doubt members of Thunderstrike as well.
"It’s not a threat," Alpha Burke said goodnaturedly. "After all, an observation is hardly the definition of a threat now, is it?" Despite the smile on Alpha Burke’s face, his eyes were grave and filled with just as much ferocity as the others. "It’s a warning. But only to those who are afraid of getting their backs stabbed when turned around."
Tension hung thick in the air, palpable and suffocating, as if the very atmosphere crackled with pent-up energy. The air itself seemed to hold its breath and every second felt like an eternity. Every last one of Alpha Burke’s words weighed with the gravity of the moment, and just like how Alpha Thorton had gathered the members of Thunderstrike to apply pressure on us, Alpha Burke’s words had also awoken something within the guests of other packs. freewēbnoveℓ.com
Thunderstrike was a plausible enemy. If a pack was any weaker, they would not hesitate to step over them to achieve their goals. No one was an ally, much less a friend.
One by one, the remaining guests stood to their feet. While they didn’t act, their eyes were kept tightly glued to Alpha Thorton, Dahlia, and the other members of Thunderstrike. Even Darach hadn’t been let off, kept under their scrutinizing gazes as he took a step back.
He tried to keep himself hidden as much as possible, wanting nothing more than to blend in with the shadows, but it was to no avail. No matter what, he was still Alpha Thorton’s son, and as such, in cahoots with Thunderstrike and its tyranny.
"I see that we’re not welcome here," Damon said, trying to keep his voice hidden. Despite that, I could feel his excitement nearly bubbling over the edge― he of all people couldn’t wait to leave Thunderstrike after being trapped as a prisoner here for so long. "Excuse us as we take our leave, then."
"Come on, Harper," Blaise urged, his voice a whisper.
I stood to my feet as Luna Cassidy cast me a grateful look, taking Milo into her arms. He was slowly but surely recovering― Dahlia’s claws managed to draw blood but it hadn’t gone deep enough to do anything of lasting damage. With a werewolf’s enhanced healing ability, he would be fully recovered in no time.
With my hand in Blaise’s, I was quickly pulled out of the cathedral. I could feel Dahlia’s eyes on me the entire time, but when I turned back to look, it seemed like Alpha Thorton had a hand out, preventing her from stepping forward and finishing what she started.
Nevertheless, I was the only one who offered a second glance. Damon and Blaise didn’t even bother looking back, and Luna Cassidy quickly brought Milo along, trailing behind us. Alpha Burke was the last to leave, and I could hear his voice even as I departed from the cathedral.
"Perhaps this is a lesson for the young miss of Thunderstrike, Alpha Thorton," said Alpha Burke. "It is not wise to toy with another’s heart. There will always be hell to pay should one defy the ways of the Moon Goddess."
With that said, Alpha Burke turned on his heel and left, following behind us.
We didn’t just stop outside the cathedral doors. Instead, we gathered our belongings and Damon quickly led us out to and past the borders of Thunderstrike. Soon enough, I discovered what it was he and Blaise had been conversing about before the wedding started.
"No wonder you guys didn’t want to talk out loud," I said, taking in a deep breath as I surveyed the fleet of armored trucks and cars parked just a short distance outside of Thunderstrike’s borders. There had to be at least a dozen, with the warriors sitting in the vehicles, holding their weapons that were looted from Ironclaw.
"Alpha Thorton would surely think you are preparing for war if he caught wind of this."
Blaise offered me a sheepish look.
"Damon was worried," he said.
"And with due right." Alpha Burke came up to us, smiling down upon me and the twins. "Alpha Thorton is a dangerous man in charge of a dangerously powerful pack. We are in his grounds― he won’t take this slight without a fight if we don’t come prepared."
"It’s a good thing these preparations weren’t needed in the end," Damon said. "Thunderstrike might have power and history, but if all the neighboring packs were to gather against him, Fangborne wouldn’t even have to step in to take them down. There is no way Alpha Thorton can handle everyone."
"I won’t relax so easily if I were you, Alpha Damon," Alpha Burke said with a frown. "Thorton Elrod will harbor grudges; that is a fact. Not to mention, his daughter bore a great obsession for you. Now that you’ve broken her heart so publicly, that fervent love might just turn into hatred."
"I can deal with hatred," Damon said with a snort. "As long as she isn’t plotting to worm a ring onto my finger every second for the rest of her miserable life, I would be thanking the Moon Goddess for her mercy."
Alpha Burke merely shrugged.
"Hornstead will send you supplies once we’ve returned and handled the logistics," he said. "Until then, it’s a pleasure working with you, Alpha Damon, Beta Blaise." freeweɓnovel.cøm
Alpha Burke then turned to me, smiling like a father I had never known. He glanced at Luna Cassidy and Milo, who were both a short distance away. Even though the injury was quickly patching itself back up, Milo was still much weaker than usual after having lost so much blood. They were near Elder Olive’s old truck, preparing to return to Hornstead.
"And Miss Harper, thank you for standing up for my son," Alpha Burke said.
As though he overheard his father, Milo turned over to look in our direction. I could see a small frown on his face, and when our eyes met across the distance, he straightened up and rapidly turned away. Luna Cassidy said something to him, and he shook his head, climbing into the seat of the truck before slamming the door shut.
"He will need to reject Dahlia Elrod," Blaise observed. "Otherwise, the bond will be torturous for him the longer he drags this on."
