Chapter 47: Escaped!

When I finished fighting another warrior, I tried to get close to Zander. He was still running towards Maurice.
Suddenly, a few of Maurice’s lackies blocked Zander’s path. Maurice was going to get away. I had to help Zander out. Maurice didn’t deserve to escape.

He needed to pay for his crime. I would gladly help Zander to bring him down.

Someone came running at Zander and pushed him to the ground. He was held by his hair, and I rushed to be at his side.

I smacked the warrior with my wooden staff in the back. He lost his grip on Zander’s hair and fell to the ground.
Zander didn’t waste time in pounding the guy. I searched the area but didn’t see Maurice around. Had he already run away? I hoped I was wrong.

More and more warriors came towards us. It seemed like the fighting would never end with how many of them there were.

For some reason, I checked to see if Megan was around. I hadn’t seen my friend around for a while. Was she okay?

A few seconds later, I spotted Megan and she was fighting Candice. I think she was winning with how many kicks and swift punches she made towards Candice.

Where was Ash though? Last time I saw, he was near Candice. Had he escaped with his dad or was he hiding amongst the chaos of the battle?

When I spotted Ash, my blood boiled and I ran at him. Ash smirked at me.

“Cleo, you must’ve missed me to be running towards me like this. I’m flattered.”

“This isn’t because I’m happy to see you, Ash. I want to make you hurt like you did to me.”

Ash said, “Bring it on!”

I lunged at him and he quickly avoided my attack. Next thing I knew, he gave me an uppercut to my jaw.

I crumpled to the ground and tried to stand back up. Ash rushed to grab me by the shirt collar and pulled me to face him.

“Not so strong without your mate, are you?” Ash gave a devilish grin at me and continued, “It didn’t have to be this way. You shouldn’t have left your pack and gone with Zander.”

I struggled against his hold on me and attempted to kick him where it hurt the most. Ash laughed as I couldn’t quite kick him in my disadvantaged state.

Ash let go of my shirt collar and roughly shoved me to the ground.

Suddenly Zander sprinted out of nowhere and spotted Ash. He looked really enraged and tackled Ash to the ground.

Slowly, the fighting around us was dying down except for a few smaller fights happening. I watched as Zander punched Ash in the face a couple times.

They started rolling around on the ground. Ash cursed when I heard something snap loudly. I wondered if Zander would kill Ash along with his father. Did I really want him to kill Ash as well?

Guilt struck me at wanting to defend Ash. He had greatly wronged me and lost all my trust.

Ash wasn’t even who I loved anymore. I pushed thoughts away, as I saw Ash get an advantage towards Zander.

I pulled Ash off of Zander using my wolf strength and grabbed him tightly by the shirt collar. My fist connected with his nose, making blood squirt out of it.

“You bitch,” Ash sputtered out.

I punched him once more in the mouth before letting him go. Ash sprinted away from Zander and me.

I fought one more warrior and looked around the area. Maurice wasn’t in sight still, and it seemed Candice had disappeared too. Zander scanned the area and seemed to be searching for Maurice as well. Ash also seemed to have gone from our sight during our fighting.

"I think Maurice, Ash, and Candice are all gone.”

“They can’t be. I’ll make sure to hunt them down.”

Zander shifted and quickly sped off. I could’ve helped him but thought he’d like to find them on his own.

When Zander came back to me, he walked with his tail down. I looked away as he shifted back.

The fighting had completely stopped. Maurice’s side had retreated quickly. I was sure this wouldn’t be the last battle between our packs. I was now a sworn enemy of Maurice and his son.

“Wait here, Zander.”

I didn’t wait for him respond and went into our headquarters. I headed for Zander’s room and took a pile of his
clothes from his dresser.

When I got back, Zander walked up close to me. I tried to remain calm with him so close to me. He purposely brushed his hands against mine when taking the clothes from me.

I turned around, as he got dressed. Why was I avoiding looking at him? I had seen him naked before, and it wasn’t like he was shy about it.

Zander joined my side and said, “Cleo, may I treat your wounds?”

I inspected Zander and noticed his wounds. He had a split open lip, black eye, and open cuts and scrapes. It made me mad that someone had done those things to him.

We walked into our pack’s cabin and back towards my room. Zander gently picked me up and set me on my bed.
My breathing quickened at his touch. He looked at me so tenderly that my heart swelled.

Zander got out some gauze and antiseptic, along with other first aid materials. He tended to my wounds in a sweet way.

“This is going to burn a little,” Zander said when he took out rubbing alcohol for my open wounds.

“I can handle it.”

The alcohol stung my wounds, and I held back from yelping in pain. I was strong enough to go through the treatment without a sound.

He finished treating my wounds, and I prepared myself to treat his. I motioned for Zander to lay on my bed.

Zander teased, “You sure want me on your bed, don’t you?”

My face flushed and I told him, “This is the only good place to treat your wounds. Nothing more.”

“Okay. If you say so princess.”

I wanted to whack him and kiss him at the same time. Why did he always have to tease me?

I treated his wounds faster than he had treated mine. Zander motioned for me to join him.

“No, I won’t join you. Nice try.”

Zander pleaded, “Please, Cleo. I just want to lay beside you and hold you a while.”

My heart rate sped up with his words. Without thinking, I laid beside Zander. His strong arms gently embraced me. I felt safe and at ease in Zander’s arms.

Seconds later, he let go of me. I moved to face him, and we stared into each other’s eyes. Love was clear in his eyes, and Zander stroked my cheek. I slowly got closer and gently met my lips with his.