The Alpha's mate

The Clash of Alphas

Matthew's POV

The rogue alpha's challenge echoed through the air like a sinister promise, shaking the pack to its core. I could feel the tension ripple through the wolves as they gathered in the clearing near the border. Every muscle in my body was taut, every nerve on edge, as I stood beside Raphael. His posture was commanding, his dark eyes burning with fury. The rogues had crossed the line, and this time, it wasn't just about territory-it was personal.

My bond with Raphael pulsed like a second heartbeat. Despite his earlier order to stay behind, I'd insisted on coming. This was my fight too, and I refused to let him face it alone. Beside me, Alice's aura shimmered faintly, her power humming in the air like a shield. My best friend was ready for battle, her eyes scanning the forest with sharp precision.

"I told you to stay back," Raphael growled under his breath, his voice low and dangerous.

"And I told you I'm not a damsel in distress," I shot back, my gaze locked on the shadowy figures emerging from the trees. "This is my pack too, Raphael."

He didn't argue further, but his hand brushed mine briefly-a silent promise of protection.

The rogue alpha stepped into the moonlight, his presence menacing. He was tall and broad, his golden eyes gleaming with an unholy mix of lust and malice as they landed on me.

"Ah, my beautiful prize," the rogue alpha purred, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Did you enjoy the little gift I sent your mate? That pathetic excuse for a rival was hardly worth my time."

Raphael snarled, his body vibrating with barely restrained rage. "You've made a grave mistake coming here," he growled, stepping forward. "You won't leave this territory alive."

The rogue alpha smirked, clearly unfazed. "Oh, but I didn't come to leave. I came to take what's mine." His gaze shifted to me, and my stomach churned with disgust. "You belong with me, not some spoiled alpha who can't protect you."

Before Raphael could lunge, I stepped forward, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "I belong to no one. And if you think you can take me, you're delusional."

The rogue alpha's smirk faltered for a moment before he barked a laugh. "Feisty. I like that."

Raphael wasted no more time. With a deafening roar, he shifted into his wolf form-a massive black beast with piercing eyes that seemed to glow with fury. The rogues responded in kind, and the clearing erupted into chaos.

I shifted as well, my training taking over as I charged into the fray. My wolf was sleek and agile, a blur of motion as I dodged and struck with precision. Raphael fought like a force of nature, tearing through the rogues with terrifying efficiency.

Alice held her ground at the edge of the battlefield, her hands glowing with magic as she sent waves of energy to knock back the attackers. Beside her, Carlos, now fully mated to-Felix- the beta of Raphael's pack, fought alongside his mate, their movements synchronized in a way that only true bonds could achieve. Despite the chaos, I couldn't help but notice the way his mate protected him, their connection a beacon of strength.

The rogue alpha made his move, charging straight for me. His golden eyes burned with madness as he snarled, "You're mine!"

I met him head-on, my claws raking across his chest as he tried to pin me down. He was strong-stronger than you'd anticipated-but I was faster. My training had prepared me for this, and I refused to back down.

Raphael caught sight of the rogue alpha attacking me and let out a furious howl, breaking through the rogues in his path. He lunged at the rogue alpha, his jaws snapping with lethal intent. The two alphas clashed, their snarls filling the air as they fought for dominance.

Despite his strength, the rogue alpha was no match for Raphael's fury. With a final, brutal move, Raphael sank his teeth into the rogue's throat, ending the fight in a single, decisive blow. The rogue alpha's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

The remaining rogues, seeing their leader defeated, scattered into the night. Raphael stood over the rogue alpha's body, his chest heaving as he turned to me. His wolf's eyes softened slightly as they met mine, and I knew he was checking to make sure I was unharmed.

The battlefield fell silent, the air thick with the scent of blood and victory. I shifted back into my human form, my body trembling from the adrenaline. Raphael approached me, shifting as well, his arms immediately wrapping around me.

"You're safe," he murmured, his voice raw with emotion. "That's all that matters."

I leaned into him, my heart still racing. "We're safe," I corrected, my voice firm. "We fought together, Raphael. And we won."

He cupped my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine. "I'll never let anyone hurt you. Never."

The bond between us pulsed stronger than ever, a tangible connection that left no doubt-I were his, and he was mine. Together, we were unstoppable.