Chapter 0136
I gesture toward Nathan.
Zachary moves swiftly, yanking him upright from the ground. His teeth sink deep into Nathan’s throat, tearing it out effortlessly. He tosses the body aside like trash, spitting out the flesh. “The Rogues will collect him later.”
Zachary’s gaze lands on Sophia, who’s clinging to me. “Victoria turned someone this young?”
I nod. “Old enough to shift, though.”
“She deserved a bullet.”
“She’s already dead,” I reply.
“You killed her?”
“No. My mate. She ripped her heart out.”
He lets out a dark chuckle. “Smart woman.”
“She’s the Alpha,” Sophia whispers against my chest.
Zachary’s head snaps up, eyes scanning the cornfield. “You need to go. They’ve caught the scent of blood.” His attention shifts to Brianna. “Take them to the house. I’ll meet you.” He presses a kiss to her forehead before vanishing into the stalks.
“Sophia, go with Brianna. I’ve got Julian.”
I haul my brother over my shoulder. Zachary must have hit him hard to keep him unconscious this long.
By the time we reach the car, he’s starting to stir. “Sophia,” he slurs.
“She’s safe. You’ll see her soon,” I mutter just as he passes out again.
“Hurry!” Brianna shouts. “If they pick up your scent, I can’t hold them back.”
The car peels away the second I shut the door. Instead of turning back, Brianna drives farther north.
“He said take us to the house!” I snap.
“I heard him. He didn’t mean that dump you were hiding in.”
Sophia twists in her seat to look at me. Her blue eyes are wide with fear. “He kidnapped me! Alpha Nathan took me!”
“I know. I’m sorry. We were so focused on protecting Athena… I never thought you’d be targeted.”
“Why me? I didn’t do anything.”
“He took you for his brother.”
“Alpha Ethan?”
I nod.
Her gaze falls on Julian. “He really came for me?”
“Yes.”
“I’m still not accepting his rejection.”
“Then don’t. Maybe it’s time he learns he can’t always have his way. But these past two days showed me something—he does care. And he’ll wait.”
A small smile touches her lips. She turns back around, settling into her seat.
Brianna pulls up to a neat, well-kept house—nothing like the last place. Flower boxes line the windowsills. A white picket fence borders the garden.
“This is where you actually live?”
“The other spot was a base. This is home. Just because I’m a beast doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate nice things. Make yourselves comfortable. I need a shower.”
Sophia beelines for the fridge, muttering about starvation. I dump Julian on the sofa. His bruises have healed, but he’s still out.
The front door swings open. Zachary strides inside. He laughs when he sees Julian. “He needs to learn to take a hit. Where’s Brianna?”
“Shower,” Sophia mumbles through a mouthful of food.
“Right.” He shrugs off his jacket, revealing intricate tattoos crawling up his neck. “The Rogues know you’re here.” He sits across from me. “Once he wakes, you’re leaving.”
His eyes dart toward the stairs. He lowers his voice. “Take Brianna with you.”
“She doesn’t want that. She doesn’t want pack life.”
“He’s right!” Brianna descends the stairs, fresh clothes on, blonde hair tied back. “This is my home. And I’m not leaving without you, Zachary.”
“I have to stay. Keep the other Rogues in line. You don’t belong here anymore.”
“This is my home!” Rage flashes in her eyes, but it softens under his steady gaze. “They’re getting restless, aren’t they?”
He nods grimly. “Food is scarce. That one wolf won’t feed them all. They’re turning on each other. Three died last week.”
“Really?” Brianna whispers, sinking onto the couch. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Didn’t want to worry you. They’re close to turning on us.”
“You’re going to kill them?” I ask.
Zachary nods. “It has to be done.”
“This was supposed to be their safe haven. After what she did to us,” Brianna says bitterly.
“It was, once.” He moves to her side. “Go with the Wolf. See the female Lycan. Apologize. If I survive, I’ll find you. If not, you’ll need help stopping the Rogues.”