Chapter 9 - Breach at the Sacred Stones
The massive stone archway of the grotto exploded inward as a barrage of dark-furred elite alphas charged into the sacred sanctuary.
Leading them was Commander Victor, his face twisted into a vicious sneer. And right behind him strode Alpha King Dominic Valen.
Dominic’s golden eyes burned with incandescent rage. His chest heaved, and the aura of dominance rolling off him was so crushing that even the air in the grotto felt heavy enough to crack bones.
"Runaways," Dominic hissed, his voice echoing off the ancient runes. "Did you really think a dusty old cave and a rogue stray could hide you from the King of the North?"
Lena stepped back, instinctively putting herself between Dominic and the glowing silver pool behind her, her hand resting protectively over her swollen belly.
Cael stepped forward, planting his feet firmly in the snow at the entrance of the grotto, his broadsword gleaming in the dim red light of the rising blood moon.
"She is not your property, Dominic," Cael’s voice thundered, echoing with a primal authority that made several of the royal guards hesitate. "The bond is broken by her will, and her blood belongs to the free earth."
Dominic laughed, a cold, mocking sound that sent chills down Lena’s spine. "An omega has no will! She is mine to use, and her child is mine to ascend! Kill the rogue, and bring the omega to me!"
Twenty royal alphas surged forward in a synchronized attack.
Cael moved like a tempest. He parried a sword strike with his blade, pivoted, and drove his boot into an attacker’s chest, sending him crashing into the icy pool. But more kept coming. Victor lunged at him with a heavy battle-axe, forcing Cael into a brutal, grinding exchange of blows.
Lena watched in horror as Cael was slowly overwhelmed by sheer numbers. A blade caught his arm, drawing a fresh line of crimson across his skin.
"Cael!" she screamed.
Dominic ignored the chaotic battle around them. He walked slowly toward Lena, his golden eyes locked on hers with predatory hunger.
"It's over, Lena," Dominic murmured, closing the distance. "Submit to me now, and I might let your little protector die quickly."
Lena backed up until the edge of the glowing silver pool pressed against the back of her boots. There was nowhere left to run.
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As Dominic reached out his hand to grab her throat once more, the crimson light of the blood moon crested the highest peak overhead, flooding the entire grotto in a brilliant, supernatural crimson hue.
The ancient runic stones carved into the grotto walls suddenly flared with blinding white fire.
