The Alpha King's Lost Mate

Ch. 9

Seven

I snapped upright in bed.

It wasn't unusual to hear wolves howl in the pack house. Pack warriors would sometimes get into fights, and every single wolf in the Blood Moon Pack would hear them growling and snapping at each other.

But this howl sounded different.

My stomach didn't flip, and my heart didn't drop at the sound.

I was so used to hearing wolves fight, most nights I fell asleep to the sound of the warriors getting ready for patrol. But this wolf didn't sound like them.

There were no shivers racing up and down my back.

I didn't feel as scared.

It didn't sound angry or upset like most of the ones I was used to hearing. This howl sounded almost heartbroken, laced with desperation.

I buried my head deeper into my pillow to try and muffle the growls.

But then another one rang out even louder than the first.

I hated the sound of wolves fighting, nothing good ever came out of it.

I heard the distant sound of running above me followed by startled screams and loud gasps.

I pushed myself to the edge of the bed, tucking the loose strands of hair behind my ear to try and hear better.

What in the Moon Goddess's name was happening upstairs right now?

My heart started racing faster.

I was internally screaming at myself to move, to go anywhere, to hide underneath my cot – to do something!

But my body refused to move.

You'll be fine, that little voice in the back of my mind spoke up. You don't need to run or hide anymore! No one is going to hurt you, you'll be alright.

The voice in my mind did nothing to calm my racing heart or the shivers running up and down my spine.

The screams slowly began to fade away, but the hurried sound of a wolf running only seemed to grow louder.

Was there some sort of threat near the front of the pack house? Had some of the warriors shifted inside to get there faster?

But the sound of running didn't fade away or stop as the wolf got closer to the front doors. Instead, the wolf's claws scratched the stone floors as they changed direction at the last second.

Oh no, was the threat inside of the pack house?

There was a crash of splintering wood as the wolf no doubt knocked through the door that led down to the servant quarters.

I pushed myself up onto my feet as I stared at my bedroom door with nothing less than pure dread.

The wolf's footsteps grew louder and louder until I was sure that they were only a few feet from my bedroom.

I had barely enough time to throw my arms up over my face before the door shattered, bits of wood flying out and cutting into my uniform.

The heavy, hot breath against my skin as the wolf drew closer was enough to send chills down my spine. I knelt on my cot.

Lower your arms, the little voice in the back of my mind spoke up. Trust me, you'll be fine. Just lower them and look.

I was practically shaking with fear, but still, I slowly lowered my arms just enough so I could see who was in front of me.