Page 32 of Night with a Gamma (Golden Strings of Fate #2)
HE’S BAACCKK…
Harrison
As the night drags on, my instincts scream at me to prepare, to stay alert. But as I glance at Wren, laughing with Poppy and Octavia, I also recognize the importance of this moment — the camaraderie, the unity of our pack.
“Hey, let’s play a game!” I suggest, my voice rising above the chatter. “How about a round of truth or dare?”
Wren’s eyes light up, and I can see her enthusiasm returning. “That sounds fun! We need to lighten the mood.”
“Alright! Who’s in?” I call out, and a few pack members cheer, their spirits lifting as they gather around the bonfire. I feel a surge of hope as laughter fills the air once more, and I know that this unity is what makes us strong.
As the game begins, we share secrets and laugh at silly dares.
For a moment, I can almost forget about the danger lurking in the shadows.
I watch Wren as she takes a dare to do the robot dance on the picnic table, her laughter infectious.
She moves with grace, her wavy hair swirling around her like a halo, and I can’t help but smile.
“Alright, my turn!” she calls out, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She points at me, and I brace myself. “Harrison, truth or dare?”
“Dare,” I reply, my heart pounding. I can feel the energy in the air shift, and I know she’ll think of something amusing.
“I dare you to howl like your wolf and then do your best impression of Alpha Wyatt,” she says, a cheeky grin spreading across her face.
The laughter erupts from the crowd, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Fine, but you owe me for this later!” I stand, taking a deep breath, and let out a howl that reverberates through the clearing. The sound echoes into the night, and I can feel the pack’s energy respond.
Then I drop to the ground, rolling my shoulders and adopting a low stance. “Grrr! I’m the Waterton Alpha! Fear me!” I growl playfully, eliciting more laughter from the crowd. I can see Wren doubled over, her laughter brightening the night.
“Okay, okay! Enough!” she gasps, wiping away tears of laughter. “You’re terrifying, Harrison!”
As the game continues, I can see the tension in the air begin to dissipate.
The pack finds solace in the laughter, and I know that these moments are what keep us together.
But as I glance toward the tree line again, I can’t shake the feeling that danger is still lurking out there, waiting for the right moment to strike.
The game winds down, and as the last of the laughter fades, I notice a shift in the atmosphere. The bonfire crackles, the flames casting long shadows, and I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. My instincts scream that something is wrong.
“Wyatt,” I say quietly, nudging him as he stands near the fire. “Can you sense anything?”
He looks out toward the woods, his expression serious. “I’ve got a bad feeling too. Everyone, stay alert. I want the patrols to double-check the perimeter again. Elderly and children to the pack house for lockdown.”
As Wyatt’s command echoes through the crowd, the festive atmosphere shifts once more. I can feel the tension rising, and I reach for Wren’s hand, pulling her close.
“Stay by my side, Little Bird,” I murmur, my voice low and steady. She nods, her expression serious but resolute.
The warriors begin to form up, and I can see Dalton rallying the others. “Let’s move out, keep your eyes peeled,” he instructs, his tone firm.
As the patrols head toward the perimeter, I can feel the weight of anticipation settling over us.
The laughter has faded, replaced by a sense of unease that hangs in the air like a thick fog.
I can’t shake the feeling that tonight is different, that we’re standing on the precipice of something we can’t quite see.
Wren leans closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “What do we do if they come?”
I look down at her, my heart aching at the fear in her eyes. “We stand together, Wren. No matter what happens, we protect each other.”
As the minutes stretch on, I keep my gaze fixed on the tree line, my senses sharp. The night feels heavy, as if the world is holding its breath. I can sense the tension in the air, a palpable energy that thrums beneath the surface.
And then, in the distance, I hear it — a low growl that sends chills down my spine. My heart races as I turn to Wren, who looks up at me, her eyes wide with fear.
“Did you hear that?” she asks, her grip tightening around my hand.
“Yeah, baby,” I reply, my voice steady despite the surge of adrenaline coursing through me. “Stay close.”
I scan the perimeter again, watching as the patrols move in, their forms silhouetted against the trees. The growl echoes again, closer this time, and I can feel my wolf rising to the surface, ready to defend what’s ours.
Suddenly, a howl pierces the night, sharp and haunting, and I feel a wave of dread wash over me. The Rogue King is here.
“Everyone, get ready!” Wyatt shouts, his voice cutting through the growing panic. “Stay together! Protect your pack”
The pack springs into action, warriors moving to form a protective barrier around the non-combatants. I can see the fear in their eyes, but I also see the determination. We’ve fought together before, and we’ll fight again.
“Wren, I need you to stay behind me,” I urge, my voice low but firm. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She nods, her expression resolute. “I can help. My magic?—”
“No,” I cut her off gently but firmly. “You’re too valuable to lose. I need you to stay safe.”
As the growls grow louder, I can feel the tension in the air thicken, the anticipation hanging like a taut string ready to snap. The patrols move into position, ready to defend our territory.
And then, from the shadows, they emerge — dark forms slinking between the trees, ruby eyes glinting with malice. The rogue wolves are here, and I can feel the darkness in their presence.
“Get ready!” I shout, my wolf roaring to life within me. “On my mark!”
The pack shifts, warriors taking defensive stances as the rogue wolves advance, their snarls echoing in the night. My heart pounds in my chest, the adrenaline surging through my veins. This is it — we’re about to face the darkness head-on.
“Together!” Wyatt roars, his voice echoing through the clearing. “For the pack!”
With a deafening howl, the rogue wolves charge, and I feel my wolf take over completely.
The world narrows to a singular focus—protecting Wren, protecting our pack.
The shift rips through me and white fur sprouts all over me.
My wolf's voice is even clearer in my head now, “Protect her. Fight for her. Defeat enemy for her.”
As we charge forward, the chaos of battle erupts around us. I can hear the snarls and growls, the sounds of bodies colliding, and the cries of my pack members as they fight to defend what we hold dear.
I lock eyes with Wren one last time, her determination shining through the fear, and I know we’ll fight this together. The bond we share is a fierce flame, and it will guide us through the darkness.
We surge into the fray, a united front against the chaos, ready to face the Rogue King and his minions. We are the Waterton Pack, and we will not back down.
The battle rages on, chaos surrounding us as the rogue wolves clash with my pack.
The sounds of snarling and growling fill the air, punctuated by the thudding of bodies hitting the ground.
My wolf is alive within me, urging me forward, and I can feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I leap into the fray.
I spot Dalton’s black wolf fighting valiantly to my left, his muscles straining as he takes on two rogues at once. I can see the determination in his eyes, and I feel a surge of pride for my friend. We’ve trained for moments like this, and now it’s time to show our strength.
“Hold the line!” I shout through the pack link, attacking a rogue that lunges at me. My wolf howls in response, and I feel the power of our bond fueling my strikes. I dodge to the side, using my momentum to strike at the rogue’s flank, forcing it to stagger back.
“Watch your back, Gamma!” Dalton shouts, and I turn just in time to see another rogue barreling toward me. I sidestep, feeling the rush of air as it passes by, then counter with a swift kick to its side, sending it crashing into a tree.
As I fight, my gaze flickers to Wren, who stands near the bonfire, her aura shimmering with power. I can see her concentrating, her hands raised as she channels her magic. The flames flicker and dance around her, and I know she’s preparing to unleash her blazing element powers.
“Wren, be careful!” I call out in our bond, my heart racing. I know she can hold her own, but my instincts scream at me to protect her.
“I will!” she replies, her voice steady despite the chaos. “I’m ready!”
Just as I turn back to the fight, I see a group of rogues breaking through the ranks, making a direct line for her. My heart drops as I realize their target — Wren.
“Wren!” I roar, my voice filled with urgency as I push through the melee, shoving aside any rogue that stands in my way.
But before I can reach her, I see her eyes flash with determination. She raises her hands, and flames erupt from her fingertips, swirling around her like a protective barrier. “Get back!” she shouts, and with a fierce flick of her wrist, she sends a wave of fire toward the advancing rogues.
The flames engulf the first rogue, and I watch in awe as it howls in pain, incinerating from the blue and orange heat. The other rogues hesitate, fear flashing in their eyes as they realize the power Wren wields.
“Stay back!” she commands, her voice fierce and unwavering. The fire circles around her, a testament to her strength, and I feel a surge of pride for my mate. She is a force of nature, and together we are unstoppable.