Wild at Heart
Chapter 53

“Get the civilians to the safehouse, now!” Nick called to an Omega. I could smell smoke and foreign wolves close by. Stefan was leading his pack towards us to battle. Great timing. Some of our Omegas were following Nick’s orders, others were shifting as they prepared for a fight.

I scanned the room, I knew Nick was beside me, but Chloe and Kyle were out of my sight and I needed to know my friends were safe. Nick’s hand gripped my elbow, and I tore my gaze from the crowd to face him.

“Is there any chance in Hell I can convince you to go to the safehouse?” I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face.

“None.” He knew me too well. I wouldn’t be able to leave him here to defend our pack without me.

“You better not die on me again, little wolf.”

“You better not start dying on me.” He pulled me into his arms and planted a deep kiss on my lips, but we knew it couldn’t last. War was breaking out, and Stefan’s pack was approaching fast. Omegas were already fighting off wolves that were getting into the firehall through the blown-out wall. Nick let me go and instantly turned to Daniel.

“Get the East here, now.” Daniel nodded and got to work on getting our allies to us.

“I have to replace Chloe.” I told him. Nick nodded at me.

“Find her and get her out.” He agreed. “I need to help hold them off and keep as many of them outside.” We parted ways and I pushed through the crowd to replace my friend. I grabbed Chloe’s arm the second I saw her. She screamed, not knowing it was me.

“I need you two to get to the safehouse.” I told her.

“It’s too far, Emma.” Kyle said. The safehouse was close to the packhouse, which wasn’t near the firehall. With the number of civilians and Omegas taking them to the safehouse, would there be enough room for everyone?

“Okay,” I said with a nod. “The bar is right across the street. There’s a cellar in the basement, it looks from the inside.” Chloe nodded at me and I turned to Kyle. “Get her there. Make sure everyone inside goes to the cellar with you and lock the door.”

“I will.” He said with an eager nod.

“Chloe,” I turned to my good friend. “Please, make sure my dad is with you.” I knew my dad was going to be in the bar. He was preparing for the guests who wanted to keep the party going after the ceremony ended.

“Emma, come with us.” She said.

“I can’t leave Nick here.”

“Please.” She begged.

“Keep my dad safe.” I ignored her begging and she finally nodded to me. Kyle took her hand and pulled her to the nearest exit. Now that my friends were safe, it was time to show the South pack why the North had the strongest army.

I grabbed the fabric of my dress at the slit and pulled until the slit grew to my upper thigh. I needed more leg room to fight. I grabbed the knife off the cake table and went to that blown-out hole in the wall. Some of my pack already shifted into wolves while others stayed in their human forms, the South pack was the same. I saw nor smelled any sign of Stefan. I lifted my foot and connected it with an Omega coming my way. He fell backwards and I jumped on him, thrusting my blade into his chest. I was yanked backwards from another who wrapped his arm around my neck. I lifted my blade and slashed it across his arm, and he cried in pain as he released me. I threw my elbow back and connected it with his face. Before he had time to recover, Nick snapped his neck so swiftly I was actually frightened a little.

“I had that.” I said with a grin.

“I had no doubts.” He smiled back at me, but our interaction was short lived as more Omegas were showing up. “We’re out numbered.” Nick said. “The West pack is already here with the South.”

“We just have to hold them off until the East get here.”

“And we will.” I wanted to believe we would be fine with no casualties, but the last time we went to battle, we lost two good Omegas, Nick lost an uncle, and I lost my best friend. I can’t lose anyone again. I just can’t.

We didn’t have time to talk, the Omegas were coming and coming fast, our warriors were good, but Nick was right, we’re greatly outnumbered without the East pack coming to our aid. I was beginning to wonder if Reginald would uphold his end of the bargain. Would he actually rush into war with us because a signed piece of paper told him he had to, or would he abandon us? Reginald has never been trustworthy, but Nick put his faith into this pack and I had to stand by my mate in his decision of that.

I heard someone cry out and I turned to them to see a wolf’s snout clamped down on Jake’s arm. I flung the knife I held as hard as I could, and the wolf yelped as it pierced its skin. Jake planted his foot on the knife to push it in harder and kill the attacking wolf. Jake would heal, I didn’t have time to make sure he was okay. There were too many South Omegas. As soon as one was killed, five more showed up in its place.

Suddenly, I was pushed back into the far wall of the firehall. I looked up to see Grayson holding me against the wall by my forearms.

“I don’t have much time, so you need to listen to me.” He said. I raised my eyebrows at him in confusion. “Stefan is coming, and he has more bombs. He plans on leveling your whole territory.”

“How can I stop him?” I asked.

“He wants to give you one last chance to change your mind.” Grayson looked pained saying it, like he knew I wasn’t going to change my mind.

“And if I say no?” I asked.

“He’ll set off the bombs, starting with your dad’s bar.” My heart sank. My dad was there, with two of my closest friends whom I just sent there to keep them safe.

“Why are you helping me?” I asked.

“Stefan will be vulnerable while he tries to change your mind. This gives you your one and only opening to kill him.”

“You’re helping me kill your Alpha?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” I questioned.

“I’m the Beta of this pack now. With Stefan dead, I plan to lead them to a better life and future.” I didn’t question him farther. I didn’t know Grayson very well, but what I did know of him, told me he would be a better Alpha than Stefan. Hell, anyone would be better than Stefan.

“Then I look forward to working with you in the future, Grayson.”

“Thank you, Emma.” He let me go and jogged off and I lost sight of him in the crowd. I had to get back to my pack, they still needed help. Where the Hell was Reginald?