Page 117 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

Soon, however, the tension loses as we find a beautiful picnic place further away from the busier pack grounds, and settle down there. Once there, we catch up on all the pack gossip.

“How did the pack react when you came home with Julianus?” I ask.

“They were shocked.” She laughs. “But also happy that I’d stay. Cassian immediately announced me as his beta. I am so happy, Benji. I was terrified I’d need to leave my pack, but Juli… he is great. He is all I’ve ever wanted. I can’t believe this is how my life has turned out.”

“I can’t believe it either,” I admit. “If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I would have never believed that this would be my life today.”

“You were so different when we met,” she admits. “I instantly liked you, but it was obvious you still struggled.”

“And now?” I ask curiously.

“You still struggle, but you do it in a more constructive way. And you are the born Gamma.”

“I think it’s slowly starting to sink in,” I say. “How is Alpha Cassian doing?”

“He is still on cloud nine.” She laughs. “Flo already moved in with him, and they have already marked each other.”

“No way!”

“They didn’t waste any time,” she grins. “And for some juicy detail…“ She smirks at us. “Should have seen Isla’s face when Cass returned with his mate.”

“I can only imagine,” Lori grins.

“I swear, her jaw almost hit the ground,” Nova says, before shaking her head. “I don’t want to sound overly mean, but she messed up a lot. I told Cass what she did during the party, because I had to; he is the alpha. But don’t worry, Lori, I told himyou didn’t wish for her to be punished. He obliged but did have a talk with her. Her father wasn’t too happy either. I hope she learns from this. I really do.”

“We all know a thing or two about second or third chances,” Lori says. “I also hope she will learn something.”

While Lori and Nova talk about Isla, I let my gaze wander over the landscape, noticing how a car moves from the pack and over the road leading to town. That has to be Sheila with Maddie. While I stare at the slowly moving car, I notice how eerily quiet it is around us.

“Shouldn’t we hear something? At least the birds chirping.” I ponder more to myself than to anyone specific.

Nova and Lori look up, both of them frowning. “There is no wind either,” Nova says. “But I don’t sense any danger.”

“Me neither,” I agree.

“But you are right, something feels off,” Nova says, following my gaze. “Is that the car with Sheila and Maddie?”

“I think so,” I say, slowly getting up.

“Is there someone who can move without making any noise?” Lori asks. “Without giving off any trace or signal or anything?”

Nova and I exchange a glance. I can almost see how the realization slowly settles in. “Yes,” she whispers before suddenly taking off. She shifts and rushes towards the car.

“Royal vampires can do that,” I tell Lori. “Get on my back!”

I shift, waiting for Lori to climb onto my back before I rush after Nova. The distance between us and the car gets smaller and smaller, and I almost think that Nova and I are being paranoid, when there is a sudden rustling sound around us. To my shock, the car suddenly weaves, as if the driver lost control. It turns and rolls over before it lands on the top and halts abruptly. There is a dark fog around the car, all of a sudden, and a figure amidst it.

“Goddess,” Lori mutters.

I try to push myself to my utmost limit, to run as fast as possible. The figure in the fog seems to grab something. I swear I can hear a child crying. That’s Maddie!

Someone has Maddie!

When Nova and I arrive, the fog and the figure are gone. One spot inside the car shows me that Maddie is missing. Meanwhile, both Sheila and our warrior are unconscious, blood is dripping off Sheila’s forehead, and out of the warrior’s ear.

Lori, look after them!I say while she jumps off my back.I can still sense the attacker! I am going after him.

Before Lori can say anything, I dash off in the direction I sense the vampire has taken off. Right behind me, I can sense Nova’s presence; obviously, she understood my plan.