MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 55: Stunned Everyone

Chapter 55: Stunned Everyone

As if sensing their leader’s uncertainty, the pack instinctively closed ranks around Reana, forming a protective circle with her safely at the center.

"Awoool!!!" The wolves erupted into a collective, defiant howl, their voices echoing through the night air as they prepared to defend themselves against the monstrous threat looming above.

As if it had derived sufficient pleasure from toying with its prey, the creature abruptly ceased its stunt flying and descended, swooping down with alarming speed, its wings beating the air with a deafening whoosh.

And without warning, the creature descended upon a black wolf, its razor-sharp claws extended like gleaming scimitar swords. The wolf, caught off guard, let out a pained yelp as the creature’s talons sank deep into its flank, intending to ascend with the wolf.

Reana’s eyes widened in horror as she watched, frozen in shock and dread, her mind screaming for her to react, to defend her pack member, who was being lifted off the ground.

And that, she did.

With a fierce howl, Reana’s wolf launched herself at the creature. She leaped into the air, her claws slashing through the air with deadly precision as it managed to rake across the creature’s scaled arm, leaving long and deep gashes that oozed a noxious, black ichor.

The creature let out a deafening screech, its grip on the black wolf snapped as it recoiled in pain, flying away from the group.

The injured wolf fell with a loud bang, unable to move as it shivered on the ground, blood seeping from its wound.

The rest of the group rushed forward with urgency, swiftly forming a protective barrier around the wounded wolf as they closed ranks beside Reana. Their eyes blazed with a fierce determination, their hackles raised and their teeth bared.

United, they stood firm, a wall of bristling fur and snapping jaws, prepared to lurch at the creature the moment it made its next move.

But suddenly, another deafening cry reverberated through the woods behind them, sending a chill down Reana’s spine. Her blood ran cold as it dawned on her that the monster didn’t come alone. The pack’s formation faltered, their eyes darting nervously towards the darkness behind them.

Meanwhile, the monster’s gaze remained fixed on Reana who’d managed to hurt it, its eyes burning with an unholy fury as it licked its wounds. The creature’s malevolent stare seemed to bore into Reana’s very soul, and she could feel its hatred and anger coursing through her veins like ice.

Just then, the creature let out one final, ear-piercing screech, as if to signal its location to its unseen companion. Then, with a burst of speed, it charged towards Reana and her pack, its massive wings beating the air with a deafening roar. The ground shook beneath its feet as it hurtled forward, its claws extended and ready to strike.

At the same time, the companion arrived, perched behind the group. Reana’s heart sank, knowing they couldn’t win this fight. But she refused to give up without putting up a fight. If she must die, she’d do so as a warrior, not a coward.

Summoning every last ounce of strength and defiance, Reana steeled herself for the battle ahead.

Just as she stretched, pressing her paws into the ground as she prepared to leap at the monster in front of her, a figure swept in from the shadows, like a ghost - agile and fast.

In a blink, he was perched on the back of the monster, his movements fluid and deadly. With no second wasted, he tore off the monster’s wings from its back, the sound of ripping flesh and crunching bone echoing through the air.

The creature let out a blood-curdling scream as it stumbled, its body crashing to the ground with a deafening thud. The wings, now severed and limp, lay twitching on the ground, their dark membranes quivering like living shadows.

"Kill it," Ryder ordered, his eyes glued on the second monster. One of the wolves ambled forward with fear, but upon seeing that the monster was powerless and was still twitching on the ground, the wolf clawed the monster’s throat.

Seeing this, the second monster screeched so loudly that a human’s ears could have bled. Enraged by its companion’s fate, it hurled itself at Ryder with unbridled ferocity. The monster’s eyes blazed with a maddening fury, its jaws wide open in a snarling snout. It wanted to kill Ryder, to sink its fangs into Ryder and drink his blood clean!

The air was heavy with the stench of death as the monster closed in, its claws extended, ready to strike.

But Ryder wasn’t waiting for it to come to him. Like a reaper, his lips curled ever so slightly as he made a dash for the monster. His movements were swift and deliberate, his eyes locked on the creature with an unnerving intensity.

Reana’s stomach churned with anxiety as she watched Ryder hurtle towards the monster to fight with. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized that Ryder was either incredibly brave or utterly reckless – perhaps both. She turned, ready to run after him, to save him if need be.

But he stunned her when Ryder’s nails suddenly elongated, transforming into razor-sharp claws that gleamed in the moonlight. And with a swift, deadly motion, Ryder swiped at the monster, his claws slicing through its scales and bones with ease, striking true with a precision that left Reana breathless.

The monster, who had barely swiped at Ryder, suddenly felt its knees sliding off its hind legs, its massive body beginning to crumple. Ryder’s claws had cut through his kneecaps, severing its legs from its upper body.

Pain shot through it, but just as it was about to let out a painful scream, Ryder’s claws sank into its neck and yanked out its throat.

The monster’s eyes bulged in shock, its body thrashing wildly as it stumbled, then collapsed to the ground, its massive form crashing into the underbrush with a deafening impact as life drained from it.

Everyone’s gazes were transfixed as they watched Ryder stand tall, his back to them, claws still dripping with the monster’s dark blood.

For a moment, no one dared to breathe. Then, as if snapping out of a trance, Reana shifted, her human form wrapped in white fur took a step forward, eyes locked on Ryder’s back.

"Ryder?" a faint quiver ran through Reana’s voice as she spoke his name.

Ryder’s claws retracted, his muscles tensed as fear flashed in his eyes. He didn’t want to reveal this powerful side of him, but he had no choice. If he didn’t, they would have died. His Reana would have died.

"Ryder, turn around and look at me!" Reana barked, her voice firm but laced with a hint of trepidation.