Page 24 of My Ruthless Alpha (Alpha Outlaws Club #5)

The sound of our mutual growling and snarling filled my ears, and our fight seemed to consume my senses entirely.

Between our teeth clashing and our shoulders crashing into one another, we were looking for every angle and opportunity to attack, hoping to wear the other out before we faced that fate ourselves.

Everything about it was brutal, and while I had faced other foes before, there was something different about that fight.

I had more on the line than ever before, and if I failed, I would lose everything and everyone I loved.

Given how he was fighting, trying his hardest to sink his teeth into my neck, I knew Colton wasn’t just looking to maim me. He was hoping for a kill shot.

It wasn’t uncommon for wolves to lose their lives over mate conflicts and claim disputes, and I had the feeling that if I were to slip up in any way, he would have no issue taking my life. From the force he put behind his movements and the way he was trying to read me so he could find my weaknesses, I knew he wouldn’t hesitate if given the chance.

That was enough of a reason for me not to give in. To push and return that force with more fury of my own.

Beyond wanting to keep my own life, I couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else having Faye. If he were to beat me, it would be his full intention to take her as his mate if he were to ever get away from the others or if they honored his victory.

I could only hope they wouldn’t. If I lost, then it would be my last wish for them to take Colton out for me, and I had every reason to believe they would.

After claiming Faye as my mate and establishing that bond between us, the mere idea of anyone attempting to lay that kind of claim on her made my blood boil. It set off every drop of fury within me, and I knew there was no way in hell I could allow that.

She was mine, and I had every intention of proving that to Colton and anyone else brave enough to try and take her from me.

Before, I didn’t have much else to lose besides my title, pack, and brothers. Aside from my family, I could lose the rest. I could give it all up if it meant having them. But everything changed after Faye returned to me.

In one fell swoop, I gained a daughter I never knew I had and a mate I thought I’d never see again. Suddenly, I had a world full of things I couldn’t stand to lose, which was why I vowed to myself in the moment that I wouldn’t let her go. I wouldn’t let Colton have his way.

Faye was the only woman I ever wanted, and I’d be damned if I lost my mate and the mother of my child.

With the weight of everything on my shoulders, I fought harder. Leaning into that anger, I pushed back against Colton’s offensive movements, snarling and biting at him.

We were a similar size, and we both fought with ferocity, but I knew Colton had a hell of a lot less to lose than I did.

He fought like someone who was used to facing little resistance, someone who got what they wanted and didn’t have to work for anything.

Seeking out quick, predictable attacks made him sloppy, and it left him open for my counterattacks. Every time he withdrew after landing a lesser strike, I hit him back tenfold, either scratching him, biting wherever I could find purchase or slamming my body against his.

With his cockiness and arrogance, I could only imagine he assumed the fight was already his. He aimed for my shoulders and neck, teeth just grazing me before I hit him with another fiercer attack.

Sinking my teeth into the meaty flesh of his shoulder, Colton yelped loudly and pulled back, forcing his leg to buckle slightly the moment he put pressure on it again. But despite his slight withdrawal, he shook his head and growled again, charging at me with everything he had left.

He fought hard and rough, but in his desire to finish me off quickly, he was burning up his energy too quickly. And while he barrelled toward me, it lacked the real punch it might’ve had if he hadn’t worn himself out already.

As he charged me, only for me to side-step it, maneuvering myself back around to catch him off-guard, there was a half-second where everything seemed to stop, and I saw the choices in front of me.

I could pull back and spare him, giving him the chance to either surrender or try and retaliate again, or I could end it all. With that opening in front of me, I could take full advantage of it and find myself victorious.

For a beat, I wanted to spare him. To give him the chance to make amends and move on, leaving my mate with me.

But, seeing his insatiable lust for more—for power, status, and whatever else he could think of, I knew he wouldn’t make any strides to be better or different. I knew he would only use my hesitation to his advantage. He would turn on me and kill me instantly.

It wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.

As he growled and lunged at me again, I sliced through the space between us with my mouth ready, taking his jaw between my teeth, and I crunched.

At once, the sound died down in his throat as the force of my bite ripped the soul right from him, and after a brief pause, his body went limp beneath me.

Letting go after I was sure that was the end, I looked down at him, finding his eyes glazed over and the trickle of blood that left his broken jaw.

It was over.

As I stepped away from his body, I felt a brief flicker of remorse. Not for protecting myself, my family, and my pack, but for his lack of restraint. For his inability to think critically and back down when he should have.

It always felt like a shame to take a life, but when mine and others I cared about were at risk, I wasn’t prepared to take that chance.

With the others surrounding me, acknowledging my win over Colton’s attempt to separate me from my mate, I threw my head back and let go of another howl—one full of body and purpose…of my intentions to never waver in what I believed in.

The others responded to me in kind, yipping and running in the distance.

While I took no pleasure in killing Colton, I allowed myself the chance to sit in that victory for a moment, to feel the rush of power and confidence that came with being an alpha and having the backing of my pack.

That was what set Colton and me apart—he led with intimidation and fear while I had the trust and faith of my pack. They looked to me for support and guidance… security, and the promise of having every need met. Colton preferred for his followers to live in constant uncertainty and panic, wondering if and when he might turn on them if they didn’t do as he wanted.

The guys and my brothers lingered in the woods when it was over. Then, without needing to be told, they began walking back through the trees in their wolf forms, their paws carefully padded against the grassy floor.

Eventually, they picked up their pace and left for my territory.

Alone then, I looked over at Faye to find her standing shakily on her own as she used the tree for support.

At once, I shifted back, forcing my wolf to take the backseat while I took full control again. Standing to my full height, I was on her at a moment’s notice, putting my hands on her sides to steady her.

“Faye…” I murmured, savoring the feeling of her warmth beneath my palms as I looked her over. Immediately, I could smell the substance in her bloodstream, making me bristle slightly. “Mountain ash?”

She nodded, still looking like she was recovering from its overwhelming effects. But through it, she held me in return, using my arms to support her while she faced me. “It’s subsiding…”

Nodding, the slight worry gave way to my relief, knowing Colton wasn’t a threat anymore, and nobody was trying to take Faye away from me anymore.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, gently cupping her cheek with one hand while my thumb grazed her skin. “I shouldn’t have gone out with the guys…I should’ve stayed with you and made sure nothing happened to you.”

But Faye shook her head. “No…you don’t need to apologize. You didn’t know this would happen.”

“I should’ve pieced it together,” I said, voice laced with remorse as I leaned my forehead against hers, drawing in her familiar scent and the comfort it gave me. “I should’ve been more alert and aware of what was going on. Given the situation, being around you should’ve been my only priority.”

“But it doesn’t matter now…it’s over, right?”

At the reminder, not wanting to ruin the moment, I swallowed hard and nodded as my thumbs gently caressed her skin. Soaking in our proximity, I let myself bask in it, aware that I could never take her presence for granted ever again.

“That’s right…we don’t need to worry about Colton or anyone else…neither of us is going anywhere against our will,” I reassured her, letting our noses brush as our breath mingled, tempted by the nearness of our faces. “You’re mine, and I’m yours…and nothing will change that.”

That magnetic pull between us was also so effortless…so natural, that there was no room for doubt in my mind. She was my mate…the one I wanted and the one I needed. Nobody else could possibly compare to her, and every day moving forward, I never wanted her to forget it.

I could feel Faye relax in my grasp, nodding gently against me. Her voice reached me almost breathlessly. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted…”

Unable to wait another moment, I leaned in and captured her lips with mine.

She didn’t need even a second to register the kiss but instead returned it with a softness that sent a warmth through my chest and reminded me of every reason I had to keep fighting for her and us.

Eyes tightly shut, I gently ran my fingers through her hair before gripping the nape of her neck and deepening the kiss, letting her know how much she meant to me. How grateful I was to be able to do exactly that.

Faye hummed into the exchange, but after a moment, she broke the kiss to suck in a breath. She gave me a sheepish smile as she met my gaze. “Sorry…I’m still a bit lightheaded.”

Remembering myself, I shook myself out of my reverie and nodded, mirroring her expression. “Right…that’s my bad. How about we go home instead?”

Her smile softened at the suggestion, and she nodded. “Please.”

Without missing a beat, I reached down and slipped my arm beneath her legs while the other supported her back. Easily enough, I scooped her up and started through the trees.

I couldn’t help but laugh at her surprised expression, having not expected me to do that.

“I figure this will be the quickest way.”

Regardless of her healing state, Faye smiled and leaned against me, humming her amusement. “You won’t hear me complaining.”

While I carried her through the woods, heading back home, she nestled her face against the crook of my neck and seemed to soak in my warmth, her features displaying a happy expression.

It felt right having her in my arms like that, and even if I was anxious to get her back home, I took my time moving through the woods, as I didn’t want that comfortable moment between us to end any sooner than it had to.