The forest was unnaturally silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Hazel's scent had vanished hours ago, but Ryan could still sense the faintest trace—mixed with another, far darker one. His senses screamed that she was nearby, but not alone.
And then he heard it: a scream.
A shrill, desperate cry that made his blood boil. It was Gloria.
Ryan's eyes darkened. "Hazel… no. Gloria?" His voice was low, dangerous, carrying the weight of an Alpha warning that even the trees seemed to respect.
He sprinted through the underbrush, the ground shaking beneath his wolf form. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to reach the source.
Up ahead, he saw the scene. Gloria was surrounded by rogues—hulking, vicious creatures with snarls on their faces, claws extended, teeth glinting under the moonlight. Justin stood at the center, calm, composed, and terrifying in his human form.
"You've served your purpose well, Gloria," Justin said smoothly, his eyes cold. "But now… you are no longer needed."
Gloria froze, eyes wide, her expression finally cracking the calm facade she had maintained all these weeks.
"No—please!" she screamed. "Justin, don't!"
Justin waved a hand, and the rogues lunged.
Gloria's screams echoed through the forest as the creatures attacked, tearing into her, intending to feast on her. Her hands clawed at them, struggling, but they were too many.
Ryan's heart roared in his chest. A burning, uncontrollable rage unlike anything he had felt surged through him.
The forest seemed to tremble as he let out his Alpha call, a primal roar that sent birds scattering and sent the rogues into disoriented confusion.
"They're mine," Ryan growled, stepping forward, his wolf form materializing fully. The air around him blackened, shadows twisting as Venom—the darker part of his power—rose to the surface.
Gloria's cries reached him again. He could smell her terror, feel the cruel bites and claws tearing at her.
"Stay back!" he snarled, his voice carrying inhuman authority.
The rogues froze for a heartbeat, unsure how to react to the storm of power in front of them. Then Ryan moved. In a blur, faster than any normal creature could see, he struck.
Rogues scattered in all directions as he tore through them, claw and fangs leaving no survivor. Every rogue that dared to approach Hazel or Gloria fell instantly under his wrath.
He arrived just in time to see Gloria, half-eaten and barely conscious, lying on the forest floor. Blood matted her hair, her clothes torn. Her wide, terrified eyes met his, and for the first time, her calm, sweet facade shattered completely.
Ryan's wolf form shifted back into his human self as he approached, fangs retracting but the anger in his eyes still blazing.
"Gloria," he said, voice low, deadly. "You think your little games can harm my pack?"
She tried to speak but could barely form words, her voice trembling.
Ryan knelt and sniffed the air around her. He could feel every ounce of her fear, every deceit she had held hidden. His alpha presence pressed down, making it impossible for her to resist.
"Tell me everything," he commanded, his voice a growl that carried not just authority but an unspoken threat.
Gloria gasped, realizing she could not lie or hide under his Alpha influence. Her mind raced, trying to find a way out, but Ryan's dominance was absolute.
In the distance, the last rogue that had lingered dared to move. Ryan's eyes glowed briefly as Venom surged, and darkness swept over the forest. The rogue froze, then screamed as Ryan's wrath descended. Within moments, the creature was gone, leaving only silence behind.
Gloria shivered, half-conscious, her body trembling as Ryan's warriors began securing the area. Liam and Nick appeared beside him, helping to lift Gloria carefully.
"She's alive," Liam muttered, his voice tight.
"Yes," Ryan said, jaw clenched. "But she's going to answer for everything."
He looked back at the forest. Every rogue that had attacked Gloria or dared cross Red Moon was either dead or fled. The chaos was over.
Ryan turned his gaze back to Gloria, whose eyes now flickered with the faintest hint of fear mixed with despair.
"You will tell me the truth," he said quietly, almost calmly, "and you will suffer for every lie you've ever told my pack."
Gloria swallowed hard, blood dripping from her temple. Her lips quivered. She realized there was no escape from Ryan Smith.
And she knew, finally, that the Alpha had complete control.