A Dangerous Obsession
Chapter 35 - 34

Chapter 35: Chapter 34

The hall felt too long as I walked down it, my mind still churning from Ryker’s taunts, each word still echoing in my head. I tightened my grip on my cane, grounding myself with the cool feel of the carved wood under my palm. Ryker could shove his arrogance and his fool’s mission. I was here for one thing—to secure this alliance.

I made my way to the waiting room, where Chlorendia should be waiting, but as I reached the door, I was greeted by a young guard instead. "Where’s my daughter?" I asked, my voice calm but firm.

The guard shifted nervously. "The Alpha ordered her for... a test, my lord," he mumbled.

A test? My stomach twisted. "And what kind of test would that be?"

"I... I’m not sure. But I can show you where they went."

He led me down another corridor, the polished floors and tapestries lining the walls a poor cover for the uneasy silence that hung in the air. My instincts were already flaring, that primal sense that something was wrong clawing at the back of my mind. I gritted my teeth, urging myself to stay calm.

We reached a large set of double doors at the end of the hall. "They’re in there," the guard whispered, almost reluctant to go further.

I pushed past him, ignoring the sudden chill that settled over me as I stepped inside. And that’s when I saw it.

Chlorendia—my daughter, was sprawled out on the ground, her wolf form broken, blood pooling beneath her from fresh wounds that marred her fur. I froze for a split second, my brain refusing to register what I was seeing. But the rage kicked in almost instantly, sharper and more brutal than anything I had felt in years.

She was pinned, struggling weakly, her eyes filled with terror as she was held down by the so-called "Alpha", the brute I was planning on selling her off to. He had his claws sunk into her, one paw wrapped around her throat, squeezing the life out of her as she gasped and choked.

"Alaric!" I roared, my voice echoing through the room as I stormed forward, my own wolf snarling beneath my skin, desperate to be unleashed.

He looked up, a sick grin twisting his mouth as he met my gaze. "Ah, Alpha Elaxdor. You’re just in time to see how weak your pup really is." He sneered, pressing down harder, making Chlorendia’s strangled whimpers pierce the air. "How could you expect me to take in such a weak mate."

That was the final straw.

I felt the transformation rip through me, my bones shifting and snapping as my wolf emerged, claws extending, muscles coiling. I didn’t hold back—I launched myself at him with everything I had, my vision tinted red as I tore into him, fangs bared.

Alaric barely had time to react before I slammed him back, my claws ripping into his shoulder. Blood spattered across the floor as I sank my teeth into him, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone beneath my jaw. He roared in pain, his own wolf form struggling to meet my fury, but I was faster.

I ripped my teeth free, watching as blood poured from the wound, staining his fur as he staggered back. His eyes widened in shock, but I didn’t give him a chance to recover. I lunged again, my claws tearing into his side, shredding flesh and muscle. The scent of blood filled the room, thick and metallic, mixing with his pained snarls as I tore into him with a ferocity I hadn’t felt in years.

He managed to swipe at me, his claws catching my shoulder, but I barely felt it. Pain was nothing compared to the rage that burned inside me. I sank my fangs into his throat, feeling the rush of blood as I bit down harder, my wolf relishing in the taste, in the power of bringing this monster to his knees.

"Not so strong now, are you?" I growled, my voice a low, deadly rumble as I released him, watching him stagger back, his body crumpling under the weight of his injuries. He gasped, blood spilling from his mouth, his eyes wide with shock and fear as he realized he was losing.

That he couldn’t win against me.

But I wasn’t done. I lunged again, my claws sinking into his chest, tearing through skin and muscle, feeling the sickening squelch as I ripped him apart. Blood sprayed across the floor, splattering across my face, but I didn’t stop. I tore into him, piece by piece, until he was nothing but a broken, bloodied heap on the ground.

When I finally stepped back, my breath heaving, I looked down at what was left of him—his body torn and mangled beyond recognition. There was no satisfaction in it, only a hollow rage burning even brighter as I turned my gaze to Chlorendia.

She lay still, her breaths shallow, her body trembling from the pain. Shifting back, I knelt beside her, gently brushing my hand over her fur. "You don’t start a fight you know you’ll lose. It’s not weakness; it’s being smart." I looked ahead, locking eyes with Ryker, but he turned and walked away.

I gathered her up, cradling her in my arms, feeling the warmth of her blood seeping into my clothes, the scent of iron thick in the air. I looked up, and felt my fury reignite—hotter, darker—when I saw a line of guards forming a wall in front of me, each one with a weapon at the ready, all eyes trained on me.

They were Alaric’s guards, no doubt—loyal to that brute. I took a slow, measured breath, my grip on Chlorendia tightening as I pulled her closer, her limp form still trembling in pain.

"Move," I said, my voice low, carrying all the weight of the rage simmering beneath my skin.

One of the guards—a young male, maybe in his early twenties—raised his spear, his hand shaking though his gaze stayed steady. "We have orders to detain you, Alpha," he said, his voice barely holding steady. "You’re not leaving with her."

I bared my teeth, feeling my wolf surge forward, the beast within desperate to tear them all apart. "I’m not asking."

Another guard stepped forward, leveling his sword. "Drop her. Now."