Mated To The Beastly Alpha
Chapter 60

Nicole's heart pounded in her chest as she looked around. She was alone. It seemed like no one had ventured into this unrecognizable part of the forest for years. Her senses heightened and were disoriented by the sudden change in her surroundings. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and foliage- a stark contrast to the adrenaline-filled atmosphere she had just left behind.

The dense canopy above cast dappled shadows on the forest floor, adding to the sense of mystery and disorientation that enveloped her. Her senses, normally attuned to the presence of her pack, now struggled to discern friend from foe in this uncharted territory. Nicole's footsteps were muffled by the thick undergrowth as she cautiously moved forward, her eyes scanning her surroundings for any signs of danger. The silence of the forest was unnerving, broken only by the distant sounds of battle echoing through the trees. She felt a sense of foreboding creep over her- a nagging feeling that she had stumbled upon, something far more threatening than she could have imagined.

She became worried about Liam. She couldn't feel him or anyone from the Dark Moon. It was as if she had been cut off.

The foliage grew thicker as she ventured deeper into the forest, the trees towering above her like ancient sentinels.

A sense of primal energy seemed to permeate the air, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. She had a nagging suspicion that she was being watched, that unseen eyes followed her every move.

The forest seemed to shift around her, the trees appearing taller and more menacing. Shadows danced on the forest floor, casting eerie shapes that seemed to taunt her from the periphery of her vision. Nicole's senses were on high alert, her wolf instincts urging her to remain vigilant and ready for any potential threat.

As she pressed on, the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive, as if the very air itself held secrets waiting to be unraveled.

Her heart raced with a blend of apprehension and curiosity, her mind racing to make sense of her surroundings. She had always trusted her instincts, but now they seemed to falter in the face of this unfamiliar territory.

In the distance, she heard a faint sound of murmuring voices, carried on a gentle breeze that rustled the leaves. Intrigued and wary, Nicole followed the sound, weaving through the trees with careful steps. The voices grew louder, their words becoming discernible as she drew closer.

Peering through a thicket of bush, she caught sight of a clearing bathed in soft, ethereal light. In the centre stood a group of cloaked figures, their faces obscured by shadows.

They huddled together, their voices hushed as they engaged in what appeared to be a ritual of some kind. Nicole's instincts told her to stay hidden, to observe from the safety of the foliage.

As she watched, her curiosity turned to unease. The air crackled with energy, and she could sense darkness lurking beneath the surface.

The figures moved with unusual grace, and their movements were synchronized and deliberate. Strange symbols adorned the ground, glowing with an ominous aura that sent a chill down Nicole's spine.

Unable to resist her urge to investigate further, Nicole edged closer, careful to avoid detection. Her eyes widened as she witnessed the unfolding scene before her.

The figures chanted in a language she couldn't comprehend, their words resonating with an ancient power that seemed to permeate the very fabric of the forest.

As the ritual reached its climax, a surge of energy erupted from the centre of the clearing, enveloping the figures in a swirling vortex of light and darkness.

Nicole's heart raced, her instincts urging her to flee from the scene. But her curiosity held her in place, compelling her to witness the outcome of this mysterious gathering.

Suddenly, the ground beneath her feet trembled, and the clearing was consumed by a blinding burst of light. Nicole shielded her eyes, her senses overwhelmed by the intensity of the spectacle.

When the light subsided, she cautiously opened her eyes, only to replace the clearing empty, devoid of any trace of the figures who had been there moments before.

A shiver ran down her spine as she realized the gravity of what she had witnessed. There was more to this forest than what had been seen- a hidden world lurking just beneath the surface. Determined to uncover the truth, Nicole inched forward. She had seen three figures and they looked very familiar.

Nicole's head spun as she found herself back on the battlefield, disoriented and unsure of what had just transpired. She blinked in confusion, trying to make sense of her surroundings. And then, out of nowhere, someone toppled onto her, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground.

The world seemed to blur as she struggled to regain her bearings, her mind reeling with confusion. Groaning, Nicole attempted to push herself up, only to freeze when she realized that it was Asha who had toppled onto her.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at her, her mind struggling to process the sudden appearance of someone who had been missing just before the battle started.

Nicole's puzzled expression must have been evident because Asha quickly spoke up, trying to explain her sudden appearance.

"I was hiding," Asha said, her voice tinged with urgency. "I saw you fall, and I couldn't just leave you."

Catching her breath, Asha offered Nicole a hand to pull her up.

Nicole's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. She couldn't trust her senses anymore, unsure of what was real and what was a trick of the battle or the witch's magic.

But Asha had been her closest friend, even though she had been behaving weirdly of late. Despite the doubts swirling within her, Nicole decided to accept her help.

"I... I thought you were gone," Nicole stammered, her voice filled with both relief and confusion. "Where were you? How did you replace me?"

Asha's eyes flickered with a shadow of something Nicole couldn't quite decipher. "There's no time to explain now," she replied, her tone urgent. "We must fight together, Nicole. The pack needs us." With a nod of determination, Nicole pushed aside her doubts and stood tall beside Asha. They locked eyes for a brief moment, a silent understanding passing between them.

Whatever had happened before, whatever secrets Asha held, they would deal with it later. Right now, their focus was on the battle raging around them.

The clash of bodies, the breaking of bones, the thundering footsteps, and the snarls of wolves filled the air as the fight raged on.

Nicole and Asha moved in unison, their movements fluid and coordinated. They fought side by side, their trust in each other overriding the lingering doubts that lingered in Nicole's mind.

Nicole's training kicked in as she engaged in combat, her body instinctively responding to the ebb and flow of the battle.

She weaved through the chaos, dodging attacks, and delivering swift, precise strikes. Her movements were a dance of strength and agility, each blow aimed with lethal precision.

Asha fought with a fierce determination, her skill evident as she dispatched enemies with calculated efficiency.

She moved with a grace that belied her true strength, her every strike purposeful and deadly. Despite Nicole's reservations, she couldn't deny the power and skill Asha possessed.

As they fought side by side, their synchronicity became apparent. Their movements complemented each other, creating a seamless harmony that allowed them to overcome their adversaries with ease. They communicated through glances and subtle nods- a silent understanding.

Amidst the chaos, their voices mingled with the sounds of battle.

"Stay close, Nicole!" Asha shouted, parrying an enemy's attack.

"I've got your back!" Nicole replied, her voice filled with determination.

"Nicole, watch your left!"

"Cover me, I'm going in!"

But something wasn't right, and the nagging sensation disturbed Nicole. She sought Liam and tried to reach out to him, but he seemed too far.

She had just snapped a rogue's neck when an unexpected blow landed on her back. She spun around to see Asha preparing for another attack.

The sudden change in Asha's demeanor caught Nicole off guard, and before she could react, Asha launched a vicious attack.

Blow after blow rained down on Nicole, each strike carrying the weight of Asha's training and strength. Nicole's body absorbed the punishing hits, the pain surging through her.

The force and strength behind Asha's blows were overwhelming, leaving Nicole reeling from each heavy impact. It was clear that Asha's training had made her a formidable opponent, and Nicole struggled to defend herself against the onslaught. "Why are you doing this, Asha?" Nicole gasped, her voice strained as she parried another strike. "We're friends!"

Asha's eyes burned with a madness that sent shivers down Nicole's spine. She screamed accusations, her voice filled with venom and rage. "You think you can come for my position as Luna? Do you think you're worthy?" Asha's words sliced through the air, landing like bitter daggers in Nicole's heart.

Nicole's mind raced, trying to comprehend the sudden turn of events. She had never anticipated such a brutal betrayal from someone she had considered her closest ally.

Pain and confusion intertwined within her as she fought back, desperately attempting to defend herself against Asha's relentless assault.

"You're wrong, Asha!" Nicole's voice cracked with anguish.

"Shut up bitch! How clueless do you think I am? You've come to steal everything from me- the position of Luna, Liam's love! Before you came, everything was going my way! Everyone knew that I was going to become Luna!"

Nicole's heart sank at the accusations hurled her way. The pain of Asha's words cut deep, but she couldn't let it distract her in the midst of the battle. She focused on defending herself, her training and instincts guiding her every move.

"Stop this, Asha. If we continue like this, we'll aid the witch in defeating the pack!"

But her words fell on deaf ears as Asha's rage consumed her. She was driven by jealousy and a distorted sense of entitlement. Nicole's heart ached at the sight, but she knew she had to fight back to protect herself.

Summoning the strength within her, Nicole tapped into the primal power of her wolf. A surge of raw energy coursed through her veins, fueling her resolve and sharpening her senses.

With a primal growl, she met Asha's attacks with renewed ferocity, each blow carrying the weight of her frustration and hurt.

Their clash echoed through the strange forest, a symphony of grunts, yells and drawing of blood.

As they battled, their words intermingled with the sounds of combat.

"Why, Asha? Why are you doing this?" Nicole's voice strained with a mix of pain and confusion.

"You think you can take everything from me!" Asha's voice dripped with venom. "I won't let you!"

Nicole's wolf roared within her, urging her to defend herself and to show Asha the consequences of her betrayal. She unleashed a series of swift and powerful strikes, aiming to subdue her adversary.

Each blow carried the weight of her hurt and frustration, but also the determination to protect herself and those she held dear.

However, just as Nicole gained the upper hand and was on the verge of delivering a decisive blow, everything shifted once again. The strange forest seemed to warp and twist around her, and in an instant, she found herself back in the midst of the strange forest. Confusion and disorientation flooded her senses, the sudden transition leaving her breathless. She scanned her surroundings, searching for any sign of Asha or the remnants of the battle.

But there was no trace of her former friend or the fierce conflict they had just engaged in. It was as if it had all been a twisted illusion.

Nicole's heart raced, her mind grappling to make sense of the bewildering experience. The doubts and questions that had plagued her throughout the battle were now amplified.

Was any of it real? Or was it all part of a larger scheme, a web of deception spurred by the witch and her allies?