Mate by Fate, Bound by Love

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Ethan’s POV

“Look around, Adrian. I have more men than you. It’s over,” I said coldly.

“It’s not over until it’s over,” he replied defiantly.

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“We need to be sure she’s really still alive, and exactly where she is in Adrian’s pack. Before storming in blindly, we have to strike when they least expect it,” Sophia said, her tone measured.

“You’re right. But what do we do about that? At least now we know Adrian is the Alpha who took her, but we need to confirm she’s still alive… and well.” I paused, lost in thought, searching for a solution.

“What do you think we should do?” I asked my former beta, turning to him.

He let out a deep sigh. After a few moments of thinking, he finally spoke. “We could send in our trained spies to gather the information we need. That way, we can strike at the right time.”

“That’s a good idea,” Sophia chimed in, “but Adrian can’t be underestimated. He’s a strong Alpha. He’ll sniff them out.”

“My lady, do not worry. We have spies for situations just like this-well-trained, invisible. No one catches them unless they want to be caught,” he assured her.

“Bring me the best,” I commanded my current beta, urgency lacing my voice. “Two of them, preferably.”

Within moments, he returned with two spies-one of whom was a woman, which surprised me.

“Are these the best of the best?” I asked, studying them.

“Yes, my lord,” my beta confirmed.

“Have you been briefed on why we need you?” I inquired.

“No, my lord, we haven’t,” they answered in unison.

“Alright. We need you to infiltrate a neighboring pack-Adrian’s pack. You need to be fast and discreet. There’s no time to waste.”

“Is there something specific we should focus on?” the female spy asked.

“Yes. Pay close attention to Adrian’s strength, the number of warriors he has, and-most importantly-find this woman.” I handed them a picture of Lena.

“Lena?!” they both exclaimed.

“You know her?” I asked, my tone sharpening.

“Who doesn’t? She’s the Alpha’s rejected mate,” the female spy replied, almost too casually.

The urge to throttle her was strong, but I kept my composure. I was the first Alpha in centuries to reject a fated mate. Of course, it had gone viral.

“Yes,” I said, my voice strained. “That’s who we’re saving-from Adrian’s pack.”

Sophia noticed the tension in my face and gently placed her hand on my back, grounding me.

“Do not get caught,” she warned the spies. “The fate of this pack lies in your hands.”

The spies left immediately, and by dawn, they returned with grim news. Lena was indeed in Adrian’s pack, locked away. They had spoken to some pack members while disguised as a couple. The pack was planning to execute Lena that very day, but they were waiting for Claire to return with a black witch. The plan was to transfer Lena’s unborn child into Claire’s womb.

Upon hearing this, we began to strategize, spending hours devising the best way to take down Adrian and rescue Lena. Sophia wanted to join us, but I refused. She was too weak, and I couldn’t risk her being used against me.

BACK TO PRESENT

“I admire your confidence, Adrian,” I sneered. “Surrender, and I’ll spare your life. Hand over Lena, and no one else has to die.”

Adrian threw his head back and laughed. “Do you take me for a weakling? A pushover? And Lena-for some *thing* you can just hand over? Like a piece of property?”

“Cut the bullshit and do what I say!” I roared, my patience wearing thin.

“I’m not going down without a fight.” He raised his hand, signaling he was ready for battle.

I signaled to the spies and two other wolves to head for the place they had found Lena.

“You won’t take my child!” Adrian growled, his eyes blazing red.

He charged at me, and the battle began.

Meanwhile, one of my fiercest warriors had engaged Claire. I watched out of the corner of my eye as the warrior lifted her and threw her to the ground. Claire landed hard, but she wasn’t done yet.

Adrian and I circled each other, both of us searching for an opening. I knew he was skilled in battle, but something felt off. He seemed… distracted. Was it Lena? Did he still care for her?

The thought of Adrian still wanting Lena only fueled my anger. I had to kill him.

He lunged at me, but I dodged and grabbed the back of his shirt, flinging him into the wall with my wolf strength. The impact was brutal.

“What a sloppy move,” I taunted.

Adrian emerged from the rubble, furious. He grabbed a broken brick and hurled it at me, but I shattered it mid-air. Another followed, and I destroyed that too-only to realize too late that it was a distraction. He was already close.

A blow landed on my face, followed by his claws slashing my stomach. I looked down, blood pouring from the wound. He had drawn first blood.

That was all I needed to push me over the edge.

I charged at him. Our fists collided, but I quickly switched up my strategy. As he focused on blocking my punches, I swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground.

I didn’t let up. With lightning speed, I grabbed him and slammed him into the walls of the palace, dragging him around in a vicious circle before flinging him through the wall.

He landed outside, but I wasn’t done. I leaped through the opening and landed on top of him, my fists raining down. Each punch felt like justice.

“Noooo! Adrian!!” Claire’s scream tore through the chaos. Somehow, she had subdued my best warrior and was now charging at me with a weapon.

Without turning, I caught her by the throat. Still sitting on Adrian, I held Claire up, strangling her as I looked Adrian in the eye.

“Watch me take her life,” I growled.