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Chapter 246
~Snow’s POV~
"Shit, we’ve been compromised."
As the rogue Lycans muttered warnings about the disturbance, Melvin’s smirk deepened, a twisted amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Find out what’s causing the disturbance," he ordered, his voice calm yet laced with venom, "...and deal with them."
Zade struggled against the chains weighing him down. "You wouldn’t dare!" he growled, his tone raw with defiance.
I pushed forward, intent on stopping him, but Melvin’s claws dug into Zara’s shoulder, eliciting a scream that sent a bolt of rage through me as I froze.
"Aahhh... I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Snow."
"Enough!" I snarled, but my voice only seemed to fuel his sadistic glee.
One of his guards rushed in, panting heavily. "Boss! The Lycan King is here. He’s causing a rampage outside!"
Melvin froze for a moment before his expression darkened further, the smirk wiped clean.
"The Lycan King wasn’t who I expected to see here," he muttered, his voice dropping into a growl. His gaze flicked between Zade and me, assessing the situation.
"He is here with his beta."
His eyes dimmed. "Things have gotten... more complicated."
I groaned, the weight of the wolfsbane and silver dragging me down. "That reckless Lycan," I hissed under my breath so only Zade could hear. "He’s going to get Zara killed with his grand entrance."
Zade’s grim expression mirrored my frustration. "Sometimes I wonder if he is using his head."
"No. His ego is making him use his head and brute strength."
I caught Melvin’s lip curled in disdain. "Change of plans," he snapped at his men. "Kill off the Alphas and evacuate immediately!"
My breath hitched as he tightened his grip on Zara.
"And Zara?" I growled, pushing to my feet despite the chains pulling me down.
Melvin’s smirk returned, cruel and mocking. "Oh, Zara... her death is merely postponed. You’ll watch me feed her to the sharks another day, Alpha Snow."
Rage boiled over, and I surged forward, pulling against the silver chains. But before I could take another step, one of Melvin’s lackeys drove his foot into my back, forcing me to the ground.
"You’re strong, I’ll give you that," Melvin taunted, his gaze flicking to Zara’s trembling form. "But strength means nothing when you’re helpless. Your love for her is your weakness."
He turned back to his men, barking orders. "Move it! The Lycan King is coming."
Zara’s eyes darted between Zade and me, her tears glistening in the dim light. I caught her whispering under her breath, a silent plea for us not to do anything before the two rogue lycans blocked our path.
Melvin yanked her to her feet, his claws digging into her arm. But before he could take another step, the sharp crack of gunfire filled the room.
Two rogue Lycans dropped instantly, the smell of blood mingling with the acrid scent of silver.
All heads snapped toward the source of the shots.
"Sniper!" one of the remaining rogues shouted, panic creeping into his voice. "Protect the boss!"
Melvin’s eyes darted around the room, his sharp gaze narrowing as it landed on me.
"So, you brought backup after all," he sneered. "A sniper? Clever. I suppose I’ll just have to kill Zara now. Better this way."
My heart skipped a beat. There was no way I’d let him escape with my Zara. I narrowed my eyes, gathering my strength and challenging Glacier’s power through me.
He raised his hand, claws gleaming, poised to drive them into Zara’s chest.
"No!" Zade and I roared simultaneously, struggling against the chains.
Another gunshot followed as the bullet pierced Melvin’s raised hand. He howled in pain, his grip on Zara loosening momentarily. She staggered back, free from his grasp.
The moment Zara was clear, I acted on instinct. My wolf surged forward, lending me a final burst of strength. I rushed Melvin with my head lowered, slamming into him with all the force I could muster.
The impact sent both of us hurtling through the doorway, the air knocked from my lungs as we crashed to the ground floor.
"Arrgh!" Melvin’s growl of pain echoed in my ears as we tumbled onto the cold, hard surface and I heard bones crack.
Dazed but determined, I rolled to my feet, my vision swimming from the wolfsbane. Melvin was already rising, his injured hand cradled against his chest, but his fury burning hotter than ever.
"You’ll pay for that," he snarled, his eyes flashing with rage.
"I’m not the one paying today," I shot back, crouching low, ready to strike again.
Above us, chaos erupted as more gunfire rained down, scattering the remaining rogues. I caught a glimpse of Zade breaking free from his chains with sheer brute force, charging forward to protect Zara.
Melvin lunged at me, his claws swiping dangerously close. I dodged, but my movements were sluggish, the wolfsbane slowing me down. His next attack caught me across the shoulder, searing pain ripping through me as I staggered back.
"Is this the best you’ve got, Alpha?" Melvin taunted, circling me like a predator.
"You talk too much," I growled, lunging forward. My claws raked across his side, drawing blood, but he barely flinched.
"You’ll regret this, Snow," he hissed, his grin returning despite his injuries. "This isn’t over."
With that, he leapt back, retreating toward the shadows as his remaining men scrambled to follow.
"Get back here!" I roared, stumbling forward, but my legs buckled under the weight of the wolfsbane.
I staggered back, summoning all my strength as I broke off the chains, ready to chase after Melvin and end him.
"S... Snow!" Zara’s voice called out weakly, pulling my focus. I turned to see Zade lifting her into his arms, his expression grim.
"We need to get her out of here," he said sharply. "Now."
I nodded, staggering to my feet. "This isn’t over," I growled again, my gaze fixed on the shadows where Melvin had disappeared.
As we moved toward the exit, I made a silent vow: I would end Melvin Maverick Devereaux no matter what it took.
Just then Kaid punched one of the men, sending him flying to where Snow was. In anger, I caught him by the collar and threw a heavy punch in his face.
"Fuck off!"
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