6- Finn


    The scene around us descends into utter chaos. Kennedy still clutches Amy tightly in her grasp. The fierce warrior standing beside me leans in close, his voice low and fierce as he growls, "Don''t make me regret this, warrior. Prove to us what you''re truly capable of."


    Before I can fully process his words, my cuffs suddenly fall away, and without hesitation, she darts headfirst into the melee. She actually freed me—just like that. What the hell?! I don''t linger on the shock for long; I push myself up and dive into the fray. ude''s men are here, but these fools couldn''t fight their way out of a paper bag, at least not against me.


    I nce back at my mate onest time. Her eyes plead silently for my help, but I feel nothing but cold indifference. She''s selfish, and if I save her, she still wouldn''t choose me. Despite her ims of epting my rejection, I can''t deny the lingering pull she has on me. Maybe my rejection didn''t fully take, or perhaps there''s some residual effect—I don''t know. Whatever the case, that''s thest thought I give her as I sprint toward the battle, ready to stand with the Dark Moon pack against these wannabe warriors.


    ude must be desperate; his usual right-hand woman is actually fighting alongside us instead of clinging to him like always. I zero in on Rick. That arrogant little prick has been the bane of my existence for far too long, strutting around like he''s better than everyone else, barking orders whenever ude isn''t around. Nobody dared challenge him—until now. Now, all bets are off.


    "RICK! You''re mine!” I shout as I charge straight at him.


    His eyes widen in shock, and he throws his hands up whether to block me or surrender, I can''t tell. Either way, he''s had thising for a long time. Ind a solid right hook to his jaw, snapping his head back and sending it flying over his shoulder. His body follows, but one hit won''t do. I drive a punch into his stomach, then rain down a series of blows wherever I cannd them. He crumples into a ball on the ground. I grab his head, forcing him to look up at me at the one who''s about to send him to the Goddess.


    “Don''t do this, Finn. You''re better than this. Better than him. Don''t do this,” he begs, his voice trembling. He should''ve thought twice before being an abusive jerk who blindly followed a tyrant. "I can help you."


    “You should have helped before,” I say coldly, snapping his neck and letting his lifeless body drop.


    I stand up and immediately take down two more of ude''s fighters who are battling Dark Moon warriors. Suddenly, a searing pain ignites in my body. My wolf growls in agony as if my skin is being ripped from my bones. My breath catches, and I copse to the ground.


    I''m paralyzed, unable to move or escape the torment. My wolf howls in pain, and I feel everything crashing down at once-then nothing. All my senses shut off. Someone stumbles over me; I catch a glimpse of them hitting the ground in my peripheral vision, but everything is hazy. My head pounds, my body numb. What the hell is happening? I try to stand but falter. I''ve never been drunk, but I''ve seen a few of the guys after they''ve had too much.


    "Get up and move your ass, warrior! Learn to take a hit." The voice is familiar. I search for the fierce Dark Moon woman I saw earlier with Calvin, but my tunnel vision keeps me from tracking her before she disappears.


    Slowly, I regain enough control to move and jump back into the fight. My movements are awkward and clumsy, but I can at least defend myself and help thin out ude''s ranks. One by one, his men fall. Our best fighters have all rallied to the pack we''ve formed. These idiots came with ude, and now I understand why he lost his pack. They relied on rank and status without real leadership or effort. As I send my opponent crashing lifeless to the ground, a cheer erupts.


    I whirl around, taking in the excitement. Everyone is celebrating, but I can''t bring myself to care. I lost my mate-she finally epted my rejectionpletely. I feel shattered. I''ve always felt broken, but this is different. She was supposed to be the one thing in my life that was right.


    "FINN!! Finn! We did it! Well, we didn''t do it-Alpha Ryker did—but ude is gone! We''re free!!!" Sammy rushes over, his enthusiasm infectious. I force a smile, as I always do. This is how we cope-grin and fake it until we make it.


    “About damn time, man.” I sp his hand and pull him into a brief hug. “Did the Alpha give any orders, or are we just supposed to take off?"


    "Goddess, please let them stay," I think silently.


    "He left with his Luna. She killed Amy, and I think she might be in shock from it. He told his warriors to check on anyone injured and make sure we all have what we need to clean up and rest. That''s all I know."


    "Well, that''s something at least. I thought maybe we''d be told to hit the road."


    "I don''t think they''re like that, man. Alpha Ryker''s taken over so many packs now. This is probably how he handles all of them. Do you think he''ll let us stay?"


    His hopefulness mirrors my own. We''ve wanted to belong to a pack for as long as I can remember. Sammy''s old enough to recall losing his pack; I have no memories before this rogue camp. Nan was good to us-like that crazy aunt who never let you talk your way out of trouble but loved you fiercely.


    I shake off the memories. Dwelling on the past won''t help. We have to keep moving forward. "I hope he lets you all stay. Me? I was mated to the enemy, and I led this whole group. I had the Luna taken, and she was hurt under my watch. I doubt I''ll get the same consideration."


    He opens his mouth to argue, but another voice cuts sharply through the night air.


    "Let''s move! We need to get everyone checked and settled in quarters. The Alpha and Luna will conduct an inquiry tomorrow. For anyone harboring ill intentions toward our pack, we are offering shelter, food, and care. Please maintain peace today. As you''ve seen, we have zero tolerance and show no mercy to those who threaten our members. For now, everyone here is under our protection."


    I can''t help but wonder how long will this protectionst?