Chapter 0349

First, I can't even support Isolde financially. Now she's the one sustaining the pack because I've failed. I must be the most pathetic Alpha in existence. At least she still believes in me, which means I need to meet with Sebastian and Adrian immediately. With the Alpha challenge over, I'll arrange a meeting today.

I head to the dining hall to meet potential new patrol members. Bringing one of the patrol leaders along, we discuss current security rotations. It hits me—I should join patrols myself to assess our border weaknesses. I would've done it sooner, but bonding with Isolde took priority. Being newly mated makes every second apart unbearable.

We're wrapping up when a howl pierces the air. The patrol leader tenses. "Someone's at the border, Alpha. Should we check?"

"Let's move."

We jog toward the sound. "How do you know it's not an attack?" I ask, noting our steady pace instead of shifting.

"Different warning tones. A pack link would make this easier. We've adapted to wolf-form communication, but it's not ideal."

When we arrive, I see a woman—Lillian—kneeling, clutching an infant. A patrol member crouches beside her. "Alpha, this is Lillian and her child."

She looks up, face bruised, the metallic scent of blood clinging to her. "You're the Alpha?"

"Yes." I kneel before her. "You're safe now."

She collapses into my arms, sobbing. I hold her until she regains composure.

"Can you walk?"

She nods.

Arm around her, I guide her toward the packhouse. "How old is your baby?"

"One month."

"Who did this to you?" I ask as the packhouse comes into view.

"Hunters. They're getting reckless. I barely escaped—they might've followed me. I'm sorry."

I glance at Tobias, the patrol leader. He bolts to alert the others.

Entering the packhouse, a furious growl echoes. Isolde stands there, Aurora blazing in her eyes at the sight of me touching another she-wolf. Then her nostrils flare—she smells the blood. Her eyes soften, and she rushes forward.

"What happened?"

"Lillian was fleeing hunters," I explain, relieved she understands instantly.

"Summer! Where's an empty room?" Isolde asks.

Lillian suddenly stiffens, inhaling sharply. "Mate."

I follow her gaze—Leopold stands frozen, staring at her.

Isolde blinks, then recovers. "Okay, let's get you settled in a room near Beta Leopold's quarters." She shoots me a wide-eyed look. "Summer, which one's ready?"

A young woman checks her clipboard. "The one beside Beta Leopold's."

"Come with me," Isolde says, then turns to me. "Do we have a pack doctor?"

Leopold's still entranced. "Leopold. Doctor?"

He snaps to attention. "You're hurt." His gaze drops to the baby. "And you have a child." His voice cracks, hope deflating.

Isolde intervenes smoothly. "Let's focus on her injuries first, okay?" She guides Lillian upstairs.

Leopold clears his throat. "No doctor, but we have someone with medical training."

"Bring them," Isolde orders.

"Rosalind, prepare a meal. Have Leopold or Donovan deliver it."

"Yes, Luna."

"Donovan, help Victor unload the car. I bought two computers—one for you and Leopold to share, one for pack logistics."

I grab the food tray, but a new howl erupts—this one screams danger.

I shift mid-turn, leaping through the door. Victor follows. Another howl cuts off abruptly.

Thirty to forty hunters armed with silver and wolfsbane weapons are attacking. Magnus snarls—how dare they invade our territory? Pack members lie wounded, some mid-shift, silver poisoning their veins. Bullets whiz past as I lunge into combat.

A bullet tears through my shoulder. Magnus eviscerates a hunter. Wolfsbane arrows pierce my flank, slowing me. I rip an archer's arm off, but our numbers dwindle.

Aurora streaks into the fray. An arrow strikes her, but she barely flinches. Grace never trained to fight, but Aurora's Guardian instincts are lethal—decapitating hunters with terrifying precision.

I fight on, strength fading. The wounded aren't healing. How many are dead?

The hunters' weapons made this unfair. Aurora finishes the last one. Limping to her, I scent wolfsbane—she's favoring her injured leg. Magnus whines, licking her face before darkness claims me.