Untamed - Book 2

Alpha Jordan

Watching Cora obliterate Altier and the council was nothing like I had expected. Unlike when she killed Laurent, I felt no fear. The monster within my mate rained down hellfire on them all and the only thing I felt was pride. As I watch her address the Haven Crest Pack, that feeling only grows. I can see the faces of these men who have lived under Laurent’s rule for the last century and the relief they feel at being told they are free is thick in the air. I was sure that some would choose to leave, but to my surprise, every single one of them drop to their knees, baring their necks to my mate, my luna, and as it would turn out, their queen.

I watch as Darius stares at her with an almost fatherly pride in his eyes and I realize that I had actually been worried that he had died when the witch attacked him. I never in a million years would have thought I would find myself hoping that one of his kind could cheat death, but that is exactly how I felt. Feeling Cora’s fear and heartache was nearly my undoing and I realized that, as much as I hate to admit it, I would miss the bloodsucker if he had gone.

Seeing her with Luca warms my heart, feeling her love for her brother pulsing through our bond and a weight I had not realized was there was lifted the minute his eyes opened. Danny seems to be unsure about Luca, constantly staring at him as if he is going to turn on us at any moment, but there is something more in his eyes that I can’t quite make out.

“Alpha Jordan, you need to come see this.” Alex, one of men from Darius’s group shouts as he rushes toward us. He leads us through the town and into an old brick building then down a set of stairs into a basement. When we walk in, the smell of urine, sweat and sickness permeate the air, making it difficult to breathe. Alex shines his flashlight into the room and We are all left stunned by the sight of more than two dozen women and children huddled against the walls. Each one of them is covered in dirt and filth, many are marred with bruising and lacerations that are in very stages of repair.

“My name is Alpha Jordan. Are you prisoners, or members of this pack?” There is a long silence before an older woman slowly stands with her hands held out in plain sight.

“We are both. Alpha Laurent locked us down here nearly a month ago. Some of us are from this pack, some are captives taken from other packs.” My wolf bristles at the thought of taking women and children prisoner, but the growing rage is for the fact that some of these people are members of his own pack.

“Alph Laurent has fallen. You are all free to return to your packs if you choose, or you may return with us to ours. We will take you in and give you a home.” I feel her approaching before I hear or see her, but quickly Cora steps up beside me. I feel her heartache as she takes in the sight of everyone in the room. She raises her hands up in front of her with her palms facing out toward the room. Everyone can feel the shift in the room as the air becomes slightly warmer and a white light engulfs her hands, slowly growing brighter until we are all forced to close our eyes. A strange, warm, tingling sensation washes over us just before the light fades and her hands drop down to her side.

“What was that?” The older woman asks in a breathy voice.

“My name is Coralie Velsire.” The older woman takes a staggering step forward, a look of awe and disbelief on her face.

“It’s not possible.” Her voice is soft, but her eyes are examining Cora closely. Cora takes a step toward the center of the room and I smile as I realize her intention. When she is sure she is a safe distance from everyone, she shifts, her beautiful giant opalescent white wolf stands in the center of the room and I watch as many of the women shift their bodies until they are kneeling before her with their necks bared.

“We seek to bring down the were council. We have more than four hundred soldiers among us. The vampires, witches and wolves fight together as one, united for the common goal of freedom. We will help you get safely back to our pack lands and from there, we can help those of you who wish to return to your former packs.” I announce in a firm, but calm tone. No one moves, their eyes still firmly locked on Cora.

“Rise.” Cora growls out the word in her feral wolf voice and everyone quickly stands to their feet. She shifts back to her human form and everyone slowly approaches her.

“You…you are the Lycan queen?” The older woman asks, though it comes out as more of a statement.

“Yes.” I feel her displeasure in admitting to her title, but she must know how much these people needed the hope that her presence gives them.

“We need to head out.” Danny calls out from behind me. We lead the women and children to the center of town where our men have gathered. We all form a protective circle around them before heading away from this hell. With the extra people and the slower pace, it takes us nearly three full days to reach our pack lands. We give our men a few days to rest and for those from our pack to spend time with their families while we come up with the plan for our upcoming battle. The leaders of each group meet in the meeting hall and it quickly goes from peaceful discussion to sheer chaos.