Dane's POV
I had run into the warehouse to save Astrid without thinking about the outcome, without understanding that it was possibly still a trap set by Edmond.
Just as I had taken about five steps into the warehouse, Beta Ivar's voice echoed from behind, drawing my attention immediately.
“Alpha Dane!” Turning around, I saw several werewolves charging towards me, their claws glistening.
I tried shifting, but it wasn't possible. I found it difficult to shift into my wild form because I was still weak and cursed.
I couldn't believe I was going to die at this point just because I was cursed. They soon got closer to where I was standing, and with their hands lifted, they were going to kill me. They were going to slash me, but just then, my men charged into the warehouse, taking over.
They immediately shifted into their wolf form and, without hesitation, slashed the attackers from behind, bringing the men to the ground before me.
“Go ahead, Alpha. Get your Luna!” they urged, my eyes widening in shock. I couldn't believe I had almost died a few minutes before saving my mate.
What kind of Alpha was I?
“No, not yet. They are still here!” I declared, my eyes scanning the dark warehouse. I couldn't see them, but calming my nerves, I was certain that I could perceive them, sense their presence.
“What do you mean they are still here, Alpha Dane? We just killed them all!” Beta Ivar exclaimed as he walked closer to me.
“No, Ivar… you don't understand. Edmond will never let me take my mate this easily. It's too simple, and I should have noticed it the moment the doors were opened!” I asserted, a smile tugging at the side of my lips as I turned to Beta Ivar.
“He wants to play a game? Why don't he come get me himself!” I added, and just then, like my words were a password to reveal what was hidden, scary men in their wolf form began to emerge from their hiding spots.
They had been hiding in each corner of the warehouse, which was why I couldn't see them in the first place.
“Alpha Dane, we should get Astrid out immediately… she won't be safe!” Beta Ivar whispered, fear gnawing at his insides. I could sense the panic in his tone.
“Not yet, Ivar… they are watching and would attack when they find our weakness! We can't let that happen now!” I shook my head, trying to calculate and scrutinise them.
“But they are more than us. How do we finish them all alone? This is a risky move, Alpha Dane… we shouldn't be…” Just as Ivar was going to say more, I cut in, giving my orders.
“Kill them before they get to you. Break their bones and don't leave any of them strong! They must be weak or dead!” I declared, and immediately, the werewolves from my pack charged towards the rogues.
The fight between us started. Because I couldn't switch to my wolf form didn't mean that I was weak.
I charged towards each of them, avoiding their claws and using my bare hands to fight. I was an Alpha, after all.
I made sure I dealt with each of them that came at me, but one thing I couldn't do was kill them instantly.
After a few minutes, we were the only ones standing. The rogues were on the ground, two groaning in pain while others were dead.
“Die, you rogue!” One of my men was going to kill them, but just then, an idea came to my mind.
“Let them live. Bring them to the pack. We must find out who is really behind this and kill him before the pack members!”
“Yes, Alpha!” They bowed their heads, and without hesitation, I turned to Astrid. She was still uncomfortable, meaning she had been tortured for so long.
I untied her and immediately carried her into my arms in a bridal style. With Beta Ivar following me from behind, we headed for the car.
The second we got into the car, he turned on the engine and we zoomed off, heading back to the pack's mansion. Astrid needed to be taken care of at this point.
With her head resting on my lap, I couldn't help but reach for her hair before cupping her cheeks.
“Please, just a minute… please!” I whispered as the car kept moving.
After what felt like an eternity, we soon arrived at the pack's mansion.
Beta Ivar was going to help me get her out of the car and take her inside, but I didn't let him. I didn't give him the chance to do so.
“I'll take care of my mate myself,” I declared as I gave him a cold look. I carried her in my arms and took her out of the car.
“Call the doctor now! She needs to be taken care of,” I commanded, and he didn't hesitate to obey my commands.
I took Astrid straight to her room. Everyone, every maid, kept staring at me as I carried her. They hadn't seen me this way, and that was definitely the reason why they kept their eyes fixed on me.
Soon, I got to her room, and pushing the door open, I wasted no time in taking her to the bed and laying her in it.
She had bloodstains on her body and, even worse, looked malnourished. She had gone through a lot these past few days.
“I should have gotten you sooner… I should have come to help you out of that dirty place earlier… I'm sorry, Astrid!” I took her hand in mine as I whispered, staring at her.
Just as I was still trying to take in the fact that my mate was going through a lot, the doors were pushed open and Beta Ivar stormed into the room.
“Alpha Dane!” he called the minute he came in.
“What is wrong? Have you called the doctor?” I asked, still looking at Astrid.
“The doctor will be here soon, but the men are back and they returned with the werewolves that attacked us. They couldn't find anyone like Edmond, but they are sure the rogues will speak up!” Beta Ivar explained, making me nod my head.
Although I was looking calm on the outside, I was still angry. I was raging, and as it stood, those men weren't going to get peace unless they told me everything I needed to know.
“The doctor isn't here yet?” I turned to Ivar this time as I asked.
“He'll be here soon, Alpha!” Beta Ivar repeated, bowing his head to me.
“Fine, watch over Astrid… I'll be back, and make sure nothing happens to her! Is that clear?” I commanded the second I stood to my feet and walked over to where Beta Ivar was standing.
“Yes, Alpha Dane!”
I stormed out of the room and headed for the cell where the rogues that had attacked us were kept. The second I got into their cell, a disgusting smell wafted through my nostrils, making me halt for a second.
“Dane… you won't get anything from us!” One of them sneered as he glared at me.
Ignoring the smell, I walked over to where he was, and crouching down to his level, I forcefully grabbed his chin and lifted his face to me.
“I hope you cooperate and tell me everything that I need to know, because trust me, I don't take 'no' for an answer! Do as I say and you will be free to go… disobey me and watch your claws get ripped out of your fingers one after the other!”