Chapter 148
Carter’s POV
The moment I opened my eyes, I knew this wasn’t a dream. What does Rachel mean by this? Did she betray me?
No way, right? Wasn’t Nathan always treating her badly?
Through the impenetrable darkness, I could discern only the gleam of Nathan’s vicious, predatory eyes, their familiar malice sending ice through my veins.
And he was pressing a silver hunting knife against my throat.
The blade was so sharp that the slightest movement forward would end my life. The musty smell of the cave mingled with Nathan’s scent–pine and winter mountains–filling the narrow tunnel.
I remained perfectly still, evaluating my options while the cold metal pressed against my skin.
“Long time no see, dear bother,” I said, my voice hoarse but dripping with sarcasm. “I’ve been wondering when you’d show up. I must say, your patience is impressive. Alpha of the Ironjaw Pack, have you missed me?”
“Don’t move, Nathan’s voice was cold as ice.
I laughed softly, the sound echoing in the darkness. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Do you have any fucking idea what you’ve been doing?” he growled.
“Of course I do! My tone was deliberately provocative. I wanted to rile him up, make him lose control.
“Then stay out of this border war. It’s none of your business.”
Anger flared within me at being dismissed so easily. “What do you mean it’s none of my business? Can’t you see? They need me.”
“They? Dylan?” Nathan’s voice lowered dangerously. “Carter, you and I both know he’s just using you.”
“So what if he is?” Bitterness crept into my voice. “I’ve gotten what I want. At least he respects my Alpha status.”
“You’re committing atrocities against your own kind. Do you fucking understand that?” Nathan’s voice was quiet but lethal.
*Surprise! I bet you didn’t think about this day when you took my territory from me.” My wolf was snarling inside, years of resentment bubbling to the surface. “Why don’t you just kill me in my sleep, you coward?”
“Shut up, Carter!” he snarled, pressing the knife more firmly against my skin. I felt it break the surface, a trickle of blood sliding down my neck, the iron scent filling the air.
“Why should I listen to the Alpha of Ironjaw?” I continued pushing. “What are you waiting for, Nathan? Just kill me! All your troubles will disappear.”
‘I don’t want to kill you in this underground tunnel, Carter. There was a hint of hesitation in his tone that intrigued me.
“Why not? You dragged me from your breeder’s warm, comfortable couch to this miserable place. Why not end it here?” My mind was racing, calculating. Nathan knew something, needed something from me.
*Because you know killing me won’t really solve your problem, right?” I continued. “My warriors will still carry out my orders. You’d find that my death doesn’t help much with this territorial dispute, does it?”
He retorted, ‘Shut up and fight me. Like a real Alpha.”
I smiled. “I’m not interested in that, bro. If you want to kill me, then do it.”
“Carter, come back to Emerald City with me to meet King Jason.”
1/3
Chapter 148
A harsh laugh escaped me. “Who the hell do you think you are? On back to Emerald City so Jason can lock me up for the rest of my life? The vis suggestion was insulting. After all these years, you still think every Alpha should bend to your will? You’ve done this to Raymond, to Dylan and me, eens your Luna. How fucking arrogant you are!”
I noticed how Nathan’s eyes flashed gold at the mention of Rachel. Interesting. Time to push harder.
“What makes you so angry, Nathan? Is it because I’ve been taking care of your pregnant breeder? Is that all she means to you? Just a vessel to produce your offspring?
He stated, “Shut the fuck up!*
de
“Don’t I? You never saw her as more than a tool, an object to be discarded
when
you’re
done
her.
My words were as venomous as I could make them.
“Carter!!” His control was slipping.
“If she’s so important, why is she on my territory? Why has she been living with me for months? Dining with me, playing harp for me, singing to me with
that sweet voice of hers?”
I noticed how carefully Nathan was controlling his anger. He didn’t want to wake Rachel upstairs. This realization surprised me. The mighty Alpha of Ironjaw actually cared for the woman.
“Who’s been escorting her to her room every night, kissing her forehead goodnight?” I continued my
provocation.
“Lying won’t help you escape from here.” His voice was low and dangerous.
“Nathan, you know you’ll never win this territorial dispute, right?” My mind was formulating a plan, finding Nathan’s weakness–Rachel.
“Carter, I’ll give you a chance to fight me,” he said, his voice calming, regaining his Alpha authority.
“An Alpha duel?” I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself.
‘Yes, a duel. But if I win, you pull your warriors back from Phantom Island and the western border.”
“Fine,” I smiled slyly. “But not here. Let’s go outside where our wolves can see the moonlight, and the victor can howl to the Moon Goddess.”
I was surprised Nathan knew about my alliance with Dylan. My wolf yearned for this fight, but my mind had other plans.
Outside, moonlight poured over the forest clearing like water. Nathan quickly stripped off his clothes, shifting into an impressive black wolf. His muscles gleamed in the moonlight, intimidating and powerful.
“Good things take time, bro,” I said, deliberately taking my time undressing, my eyes never leaving him.
Nathan’s wolf form was several inches larger than mine, his black fur gleaming, eyes flashing dangerous gold. I knew in a pure Alpha fight, I wasn’t his match, but I had other advantages.
Once shifted, I kept low, using my slightly smaller size for agility. It worked initially–I landed a few bites on his neck and shoulders.
But Nathan quickly adapted. His powerful jaws caught my hind leg, then
flank, inflicting serious damage.
I managed to bite deep into his left foreleg, drawing blood that stained his fur red. Nathan roared in fury, using his right paw to send me flying
against an ancient oak.
I let out a loud howl–not from pain, but deliberately to attract Rachel’s attention. My plan was working.
Through our mind link, Nathan growled, “You’ve lost, Carter. Pull back your warriors, or I’ll have to-
“You think you’ve won, don’t you, Nathan?” My wolf mouth pulled into an eerie smile.
Just then, the scent of spring rain filled the clearing. Rachel, in her nightgown, pregnant with Nathan’s heir, rushed toward us.
2/3
Chapter 148
ded through or mind link
te to berak away from Nathan, collegning dramatically on the ground, appearing gravely imured.
Tare finally understand 1 laughed weakly, my eyes gleaming with triumph.
A Barbe s toward as, showing particular concern for my imuries, my wall hummed with satisfaction.
Chapter Comments
6 LIKE
POST COMM
