Chapter 8 Attack

Valrik caught Zariah just before she hit the ground, her body limp in his arms. Her silver curls spilled over his forearm like moonlight, and the faint scent of sunflowers clung to her, warm and golden despite the chaos of the night. He glanced down at her, his golden eyes narrowing as he muttered under his breath, "Thank the Moon Goddess I can keep my clothes on after shifting.

Would've been awkward explaining that." Draeven huffed in his mind, a sound that was almost a laugh. *Priorities, Valrik.* Valrik ignored him, adjusting his grip on Zariah as he scanned the forest for threats. The rogues were still out there, and he couldn't risk leaving her vulnerable. With a low growl, he took off at a sprint, his powerful legs carrying them through the forest with ease. The packhouse loomed in the distance, its grand structure illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. Valrik didn't stop until he reached his private wing, pushing through the doors with a sense of urgency. His room was spacious and luxurious, with a large bed draped in silken sheets and a fireplace crackling softly in the corner.

He laid Zariah on the bed, his movements careful, almost reverent. She looked so small against the expanse of the mattress, her silver curls fanned out around her like a halo. *She's ours,* Draeven whispered, his voice filled with awe. *Protect her.* Valrik clenched his jaw, his golden eyes darkening. "I know," he muttered. "But this complicates everything." Before he could dwell on it further, a voice echoed in his mind-Jarek, his Beta. *Alpha, we've got a problem. Rogues are attacking the southern border. They're more organized this time.* Valrik's jaw tightened. *I'll be there.* He turned away from Zariah, his mind racing. He couldn't leave her alone, not like this.

With a sharp exhale, he mindlinked the head omega, a woman who had raised him after his parents' deaths and one of the few people he trusted implicitly. *Elena,* he called, his tone firm. *I need you in my room. Now.* Within moments, Elena appeared at the door, her silver hair tied back in a neat bun, her sharp eyes taking in the scene. "Your Majesty," she said, her voice calm but laced with concern. "What's going on?" Valrik gestured to Zariah, who lay unconscious on the bed. "She's my mate. Take care of her. Make sure there's food by the bedside when she wakes up." Elena's eyes widened, but she quickly schooled her expression. "Of course, Alpha.

But... are you sure? She's-" "She's my mate," Valrik repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Be discreet. No one else needs to know-not yet." Elena nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at Zariah. "I'll take care of her, Alpha. You have my word." Valrik gave her a curt nod before turning on his heel and striding out of the room. The moment he stepped into the hallway, his elemental energy surged around him, crackling like a storm. Fire licked at his fingertips, and the ground beneath him trembled faintly, responding to his earth powers.

He was a force of nature, and the rogues would soon learn why they should never have crossed into his territory. --- The southern border was chaos. Rogues-wild, feral, and mindless-tore through the forest, their eyes glowing with a savage hunger. Blood stained the ground, the metallic tang sharp in the air. The cries of wounded pack members mingled with the snarls of the rogues, creating a cacophony of violence. Valrik arrived in a blur of motion, his golden eyes blazing as he surveyed the scene. Without hesitation, he unleashed his elemental powers.

A rogue lunged at him, its jaws snapping. Valrik raised his hand, and a burst of fire erupted from his palm, engulfing the creature in flames. It let out a guttural scream before collapsing to the ground. Another rogue charged from the left-Valrik didn't even turn. With a flick of his wrist, the ground beneath the rogue cracked open, swallowing the creature whole before sealing itself again.

The forest fell silent for a moment, the rogues hesitating as they realized who they were facing. One by one, the rogues fell. Fire consumed their flesh, and the earth itself seemed to rise against them, trapping them in crevices or crushing them under boulders. Within minutes, the battlefield was silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of the surviving pack members. Valrik stood amidst the carnage, his chest rising and falling steadily.

His golden eyes scanned the scene, landing on a rogue who had been captured alive. The creature struggled against the binds of earth holding it in place, its eyes wild with fear. Valrik approached, his movements slow and deliberate. "Who sent you?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The rogue spat at him, but Valrik didn't flinch. He raised his hand, and flames erupted around the rogue, close enough to singe but not burn. "Answer me." The rogue snarled, its voice rough and broken. "You think you're untouchable, Alpha King. But you're not. You're going to lose everything." Valrik's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening. "Is that a threat?"

The rogue laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "It's a promise." Valrik's jaw tightened, and with a flick of his wrist, the flames engulfed the rogue, silencing its laughter forever. He turned to Jarek, his Beta, who stood nearby, his expression grim. "Double the patrols," Valrik ordered. "And find out who's behind this. Now." Jarek nodded, his eyes hard. "Consider it done, Alpha." Valrik turned away, his mind racing. The rogue's words echoed in his skull, a chilling reminder of the danger closing in.

But as he made his way back to the packhouse, his thoughts drifted to Zariah. She was his mate, his salvation-but she was also a vulnerability he couldn't afford. *Protect her,* Draeven growled, his voice filled with urgency. Valrik clenched his jaw. "I will," he muttered. "No matter what it takes."