The Alpha’s Fated Choice (Alpha's Fated Encounter Trilogy #1)

He leans his head back against the trunk of the tree, struggling to breathe. His color is actually getting better, but he’s still in unimaginable agony. “I considered telling you the truth so many times. But I was so afraid to lose you. Aside from Katie, you’re the only family I’ve ever known. I was scared you would turn your back on me. I’ve already lost so many people. All because of my foolishness. I couldn’t go through that again.”

I look over at Alex Stone and Robert Black. Neither of them seems to be winning or losing. They’re too equally matched.

Suddenly, Drew grabs my leg. “Sophia, you can help Alex!” His eyes are glistening with something other than tears now. “You can give him more power!”

“What are you talking about?” I glance at Alex again before locking eyes with Drew. “How can I help him?”

“Your fated mate bond.” Drew is still having a hard time speaking, and each word makes his chest wobble. “You can share your strength with him. Channel your power and send it through the bond.”

“I don’t know how to do that!”

“Look for the bond. Look for the thread inside you!”

Drew slides down the trunk of the tree, on the verge of unconsciousness.

Look for the thread? Channel my power through the bond? How am I supposed to do that?

It all seems too strange, but I close my eyes and search inwardly for anything that makes sense. At first, there’s nothing, but then, as the sound of the rain leaves my ears and all I hear is the battle taking place, I feel something within me. It’s a slight vibration.

My mind is beginning to empty, and I can feel a little bit of Alex inside me. I don’t know how I know it’s him; I just do, instinctively. Something is tying us together. It’s not tangible. I can’t touch it, nor can I see it, but I can sense it. But how do I send him my strength? I want to help him. I want him to come out of this fight unharmed.

I don’t know if I necessarily believe what Drew just told me about channeling my power, but it’s worth a try. I don’t want to be useless to Alex; I want to be an asset to him. I’ve had my eyes closed in this life for far too long.

My wolf stretches, and it takes over.

Calm and steady, it pushes itself into the bond that Alex and I share. There is a pulsing sensation inside me. I don’t know what it is, but I can hear Alex howl in delight. My eyes fly open.

Astounded, I watch as Alex becomes more aggressive, fiercer. The speed of his movements increases tenfold. His claws slash at his opponent’s ear, ripping it off. Alpha Black roars in pain. Alex is now forcing Black to retreat, and it’s becoming increasingly obvious who has control over the fight.

I watch with bated breath. My wolf is thrumming with excitement at seeing its mate fight for it, and I can’t help but feel the same way. There is something raw in the air. Alex’s determination to come out on top is steadily crushing any doubts I had. He has put his life on the line for me.

Alex grips Black’s neck with his teeth and shakes him. Then, he pins Black to the ground on his back. Alex’s powerful jaw is opening to deliver that final, crushing blow, when I scream, “No! You can’t kill him, Alex!”

My interruption is all the distraction the person hiding in the shadows needs. A slim figure darts out from the trees, a thin, sharp object in her hand.

“Alex!” I shout, already running toward him. “Watch out!”

But the woman is faster than me, and she jumps on Alex’s back, stabbing the blade into his neck.

Alex lets out a howl of rage and pain, trying to shake her off.

Alpha Black takes the opportunity to escape from Alex’s grasp. He turns around and sinks his teeth into Alex’s neck, tearing the flesh.

Alex goes limp.

I stumble to a stop, the realization of what has just happened dawning on me.

Alex is dead.

They just killed my mate.

My eyes slowly move toward the woman on Alex’s back, and I recognize her.

Eve.

“A couple of months ago, I sent someone I trusted to your town.”

Eve’s not the Silver Wolf; she’s Robert Black’s spy!