Mated To The Beastly Alpha
Chapter 61

Grappling a rogue by its neck and snapping it, Liam looked around. Nicole was missing again.

They had destroyed a couple of magic spots, slitting the throats of all the witches who manned them, and he could feel the disgusting dark magic easing up, but where was his mate?

The battlefield raged around Liam, chaos and danger swirling in every direction. His focus wavered as he desperately searched for Nicole amidst the turmoil, his heart pounding in his chest. The urgency to replace her consumed him, clouding his judgment and leaving him vulnerable.

"Liam! Get your head in the game!" James' voice boomed, cutting through the cacophony of battle. Startled, Liam turned to James, his eyes narrowing in frustration.

"I'm trying, James. I just... I need to replace Nicole. She's out there somewhere," Liam replied, his voice strained with worry.

James gripped Liam's arm firmly, his expression stern. "We will replace her, but you can't let your emotions get the best of you. We need you focused on the fight. Stay alive, and protect the pack. Nicole can handle herself."

Liam's jaw tightened, his grip on his weapon tightened as well. He knew James was right, but the fear and love he felt for Nicole threatened to overwhelm him. He took a deep breath, steeling himself against the distraction, and nodded in agreement.

As they fought side by side, the clash of steel against steel and the roar of their adversaries filled the air. The enemy seemed relentless, waves upon waves of rogue werewolves and malevolent witches converging on their position.

With each strike, Liam fought with a renewed determination, the urgency to replace Nicole fueling his every move.

He could sense Nicole's presence, her power rippling through the chaotic battlefield. She was using her abilities as the witch bane, a force to be reckoned with.

It both relieved him and worried him. Relieved, because he knew she was capable of defending herself; worried, because he couldn't be by her side, protecting her as his mate.

As the battle waged on, Liam and James became a formidable force, their years of training and unbreakable bond evident in their synchronized movements. They fought with fluidity and precision, each strike calculated to take down their enemies swiftly and efficiently.

Despite their feat, Liam, as he fought, couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was going wrong. It seemed as though every enemy he took down was swiftly replaced by another- an endless wave that tested the limits of his endurance.

The tides of the fight shifted constantly, a relentless ebb and flow that kept him on his toes. Each blow he delivered was met with an opposing force, the clash of steel and the clash of supernatural abilities resonating through the air.

The scent of sweat and blood mingled, interwoven with the primal sounds of grunts and battle cries.

"Duck Liam!" Garrett called out, deflecting a blow that was aimed at his Alpha. Liam nodded in acknowledgement.

But his mind was still far away. Liam's wolf instincts urged him to search for Nicole to protect her at all costs, but he also knew he had a responsibility to his pack.

If he left his position, he knew certain things would go wrong. His loyalty was torn, caught between the urgency to replace Nicole and the need to lead and protect his fellow wolves.

With each adversary they defeated, it seemed like two more took their place. The enemy's numbers were seemingly endless, and the battle felt like an uphill struggle.

During the chaos, Liam's mind raced, searching for a way to gain the upper hand. The enemy's numbers were overwhelming, and their forces seemed to grow with each passing minute. He needed a strategy, a plan that would turn the tide in their favor. "James, we can't keep fighting like this. We're outnumbered," Liam said in frustration. "We need to regroup, replace a defensive position."

James nodded, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "You're right. We need to buy our pack some time to recover and rally. Let's fall back and gather everyone near the northern bridge."

"Then we'll implement the plan," Liam added, smirking.

Everything was making sense now. His secret plan had been to lure the enemy into a trap he had spent days setting with James. His trap would help him fish out the witch.

James smirked. "Okay, let's do this. Mind linking the pack members. Let them fall back and behave like they're losing."

Within the chaos, Liam glimpsed flashes of Nicole's power. Waves of energy rippled through the battlefield, signs of her abilities as the witch bane.

It served as a beacon, a reminder of the strength she possessed and the crucial role she played in their fight against the dark forces that sought to destroy them.

With each strike, each parry, Liam's mind raced, contemplating the best course of action. They needed to make sure that the witch was led into a trap. But what he didn't know was how to lure her out of the camp.

He had two options; leave it to Nicole, who knew little of his plan, or replace the witch himself. Time was of serious importance as dawn was approaching, and since his pack members weren't fueled by magic, they were getting tired.

Before he could come to a decision, another group of enemies descended upon him, their combined force threatening to overwhelm him.

Amidst the chaos of the battle, Liam's attention was abruptly drawn to the absence of Garrett. His brows furrowed in confusion as he scanned the battlefield, searching for any sign of his loyal pack member. The realization that Garrett was missing struck him with a sense of unease.

"Garrett!" Liam called out, his voice carrying an undertone of concern. He received no response, only the cacophony of screams and the distant cries of combat. His mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle of Garrett's sudden disappearance.

Had Garrett been overwhelmed by the enemy? Liam couldn't fathom the possibility. Garrett was a seasoned warrior, skilled and resilient. He was not one to be easily bested in battle. Liam's instincts told him that something else was at play.

As the battle continued to rage around him, Liam's thoughts churned with possibilities. Could Garrett have been targeted specifically? Was he being held captive or lured into a trap? The uncertainty gnawed at Liam's core, fueling his determination to uncover the truth.

Turning his attention back to the fight, Liam's senses heightened as he searched for any clues or signs that could lead him to Garrett's whereabouts.

His focus was split between the immediate threat of the enemy and the underlying mystery of Garrett's disappearance. Then, there was the matter of Nicole's presence.

"Where are you, Garrett?" Liam muttered under his breath, frustration lacing his words. He knew he couldn't allow himself to be consumed by worry, not in the midst of such a crucial battle.

But even his wolf was uncomfortable. His eyes darted from one adversary to another, seeking out any hint or clue that could lead him to his missing pack member.

The minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity as Liam battled on, his determination unwavering. But as the battle raged, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that time was slipping through his fingers. Every passing moment increased the urgency to replace Garrett and ensure his safety.

Just as Liam was about to give in to a flicker of despair, a flash of movement caught his eye. Amidst the throngs of combatants, he caught a glimpse of a figure, unmistakably Garrett. Relief flooded through Liam's veins, momentarily overriding the chaos of the battle. "Garrett!" Liam called out, his voice carrying a mixture of relief and urgency. He fought his way toward Garrett.

But he was shocked to see that it was another pack member. His appearance was disheveled and battered, his clothing torn and bloodied.

It was clear that he had endured his own struggle amidst the chaos. Liam's mind raced, questions tumbling through his thoughts.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" Liam asked, concern lacing his voice as he reached out to support him.

"I managed to break free, Alpha," he replied, his words punctuated by ragged breaths. "There's something... something bigger at play here, Alpha. We're being targeted. I feel weak."

Liam's heart sank at the realization. The missing pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.

James's voice cut through the clamor, commanding Liam's attention. "Liam, focus! We need to execute the plan," he urged, his eyes filled with determination.

Liam nodded, his mind refocusing on the strategic manoeuvre they had devised. Falling back was a calculated move, intended to lure out the mastermind behind the attack and expose their true intentions. They intended to use the information the witch had against her and discover who she was.

Back at the designated area, they were taking count of who was present and who wasn't. Plus, if the witch was from Darkmoon like they had suspected, he or she would know exactly where they were retreating to and try to get there before them. The trap was that they had surrounded that part of the forest with magic deflecting stones, which would render whoever it was powerless and vulnerable. But then, Nicole was very important to this plan.

He gritted his teeth, pushing aside his concerns for Nicole and Garrett for the moment, knowing that their safety relied on the success of the plan.

"Everyone, fall back! Maintained formation and make them think we're retreating. Liam's voice boomed across the minds of his pack members, carrying the weight of authority. They swiftly adjusted their tactics, retreating in a coordinated manner. As they moved, Liam's eyes darted around, his gaze scanning the battlefield for any signs of their elusive adversary. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, even amid their tactical retreat.

The enemy forces, sensing what they believed to be weakness, pressed forward with renewed aggression, their shouts of triumph echoing through the air.

"They're taking the bait, Alpha," James reported, his voice steady despite the urgency of the situation. "Stay focused. We'll lead them right into our trap."

Liam clenched his fists, his mind consumed with a mix of determination and worry. The plan was risky, but they had to take this chance to uncover the true orchestrator of the attack.

Nicole's safety weighed heavily on his mind, her well-being intertwined with the success of their ploy. Garrett's unexplained absence only fueled his apprehension.

As the enemy forces closed in, Liam rallied his pack, their movements calculated and precise. They skillfully maintained the appearance of a strategic retreat, drawing their adversaries further into their carefully laid trap.

Every step brought them closer to their goal but also heightened Liam's concern for Nicole and Garrett's safety.

"Stay vigilant, everyone! We need to keep them focused on us," Liam called out, his voice commanding as he fought alongside his pack.

The battle raged on, their forces weaving a complex web of feints and manoeuvres, all with the ultimate objective of drawing out the puppeteer behind the attack.

Amidst the swirling chaos, James stood by Liam's side, his unwavering presence a reassuring anchor. "Keep your head in the game, Alpha. Trust in the plan," he reminded Liam, his voice laced with steady confidence.

Liam nodded, the weight of responsibility pressing upon him. He couldn't afford to let his worry for Nicole and Garrett cloud his judgment. Their safety hinged on his ability to lead, to make decisive choices amidst the turmoil.

They continued their strategic retreat, the enemy forces growing more emboldened with each passing moment. Liam's heart raced, his mind teeming with a mixture of anxiety and determination.

He knew that they were on the cusp of a critical turning point, where the true mastermind would reveal themselves, and the fate of their pack would hang in the balance.

As the enemy closed in, their forces stretching thin, Liam's eyes narrowed with steely determination. The moment had come. "Now!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the din of battle.

Their plan swung into action, their forces shifting with precision and unity. The tide turned, and what appeared to be a retreat transformed into a calculated counterattack. The enemy forces found themselves ensnared in a carefully orchestrated ambush, their confusion palpable.

Liam fought with a renewed ferocity, his every strike fueled by his unwavering resolve. He was both a protector and leader, fighting not only for the survival of his pack but for the safety of the ones he held dear. Then, like someone ripped it off, his connection to Nicole was severed.

Almost immediately, it was communicated to him the names of the people that were missing. It became clear to him who was after him and his sanity.

Pain and anger swept through him as he let out a terrifying roar. He automatically changed to his wolf form and unleashed fury.