The stench of blood was a familiar smell I had become used to. My childhood days were filled with hardcore training from my father, the previous Alpha, who ingrained in me the necessity to spill blood.

Blood was spilled for retribution.

Blood was spilled in anger.

Blood was spilled to teach a lesson.

Blood was spilled in the name of love.

The true worth of a warrior during battle was not only determined by his efficiency and ferocity of his movements, but also the amount of ways he could make his enemies bleed.

And I have bled thousands.

Which was why the overwhelming stench that emanated from the healing quarters did not bother me. Rather, I was more concerned with the extent of my warriors injuries.

Although the attack on my Clàn was unprecedented, my warriors fought with as much brutality the attackers displayed.

If not for the grueling training I had put my warriors through, we would have succumbed under the massive force of the attackers.

Their movements were much more articulated and deadlier and their Wolfés were like nothing I have ever seen.

They were bulkier in size, sturdier in weight and they seemed much more wild, like they could not be controlled by their owners.

They were Unhinged.

And that was what worried me.

Unhinged Wolfés were the most deadliest of Wolfés because they have simply lost touch with their souls. They were much more in tune with their animalistic nature and tended to act on their carnal tendencies.

Fortunately, we were able to defeat them and they backed off in retreat. But I had a feeling that that was not the last we would be seeing of them.

A number of my warriors sustained multiple injuries with only a few of them currently bedridden. None of us came out unscathed in this battle aside from the women and children placed in the shelter.

My chest tightened with emotion as I saw my men, bedridden and helpless as they each battled with their pain.

The Healer was in her den, tending to the more serious injuries of my warriors which left her apprentices to tend to the rest of the injured warriors.

The apprentices were everywhere trying to help as much warriors as possible but from the looks of it, were seriously understaffed.

A pained grunt led my feet further into the quarters until I finally reached the source.

It was Ladi, a juvenile warrior from Tamark's old Clàn.

Well, my Clàn now.

His youthful face was scrunched in unmistakable pain as he clutched his right arm over an open wound on his abdomen. Blood still dribbled through his palm and no one presently attended to him.

I spotted a bowl of clean water and fresh linen beside him and instantly knelt down to help.

The moment I reached for the linen, a shocked protest reached my ears.

''A-alpha! By the moon please s-stand up,'' Ladi protested.

How he managed to talk despite the multiple, deep wounds that littered his body amazed me.

''You are severely wounded,'' I dipped the linen into the warm water and squeezed it out. ''And in deep pain. Allow me to help.'' I replied, softly.

Ladi shook his head so hard I started to worry it would fall off. His large green eyes widened in horror as if the thought of me cleaning him was strange.

''Alpha, you can not please, I am not in pain anymore. Please rise to your feet,'' Ladi tried to tolerate the pain but a pained whimper slipped through.

His confidence and boldness impressed me and not many juvenile males his age expressed such vivacity.

As I pried his arms slowly away from his abdomen, I gently placed the damp clothing on his open wound.

''Unless you want to bleed out to death I suggest you shut the hell up and let me help you,'' I gave a warning growl in his direction no longer playing the gentle nurse maid.

That instantly shut him up. The extent of his injuries, though deep, was not life threatening. For that I was relieved.

I cleaned him up as best as I could until one of the Healer's apprentice rushed to his side to tend to his wounds. By that time, Ladi had already passed out from the pain.

She literally froze and gasped in shock when she saw me bent over Ladi still tending to his wounds.

Though childish, I glared at her and got up to see to the next warrior.

It was finally a couple of hours before the apprentices were able to treat all the warriors.

A herbal incense laced with medicinal properties were each placed beside the warriors to put them into a deep and painless sleep to allow their bodies heal faster.

Once I was assured of my warriors' health from the same frightened apprentice who tended to Ladi's wounds, I stepped out of the quarters and exhaled a deep, lungful of air.

As much as I liked the smell of blood, I loved the sweet smell of fresh air more.

It sure has been a long day.

The night air was quiet and chilly, a huge contrast to how it had been few hours ago. As I slowly walked back to the compound, my mind was plagued with questions.

Who were these intruders?

What do they want?

Why did they attack out of the blue?

Most importantly, who was that white Wolfé that saved my life?

I was so distracted with the safety of my Clàn and Tara's that I did not think to remember this.

Tara, my Rose.

The thought of her propelled my legs to move faster. I had intended to check in with my Beta but discarded the thought.

I wanted to see my Rose.

Never in my life had I felt so much fear as when I saw that Unhinged Wolfé's jaw close to Tara's neck.

I remembered how I felt.

It felt like my heart was about to rip into two. A shroud of fear gripped my heart and instantly paralyzed me deep to the bones.

All that went through my head was, I can not lose her!

Her fearful eyes reached into my soul and pierced through the haze of fear that overcame me. My whole being instantly came alive with raw and unbridled fury when I heard her cry of plea.

I was determined to get to her and rip that scum off his bones but the multitude of intruders that blocked my path made it impossible.

I fought like a crazed man with everything to lose as I tossed their bodies without care, worried that I would not get to her on time.

I was so lost in the battle that I became distracted and did not notice movements behind me. The instant I did, it was too late, almost at the same time I heard Tara's warning.

I did not know how, but suddenly, my face was smashed to the ground with the sound of an arrow passing over my head.

My confusion was thrown aside for a moment when I raised my head and saw my Rose running towards me.

The relief I felt was palpable the moment I had her safely in my arms. Everything blended into nothing, like the world around us did not exist.

It was just Tara and I.

It was then the realization of my feelings crashed down on me with full force.

I did not want to admit the words yet, but I was completely enamoured and bewitched by my female.

I finally reached the compound and briskly made my way to my den without preamble. I barely responded to the greetings of the Clàn, so anxious about seeing my female.

The moment I stepped into my den, tension I did not know was in my body instantly washed away.

There she was, my Rose was safe.

Her petite body was protectively enshrouded in a thick blanket to cover her frame. Her soft, cute snores came out in short successions and her small button nose twitched every now and then.

The sight of her in my bed brought a fleeting smile on my face.

I was about to join her in bed when I noticed how filthy my body was. I was so busy looking after my warriors that I did not bother to clean myself up.

A groan of frustration rumbled through my chest. I spotted a large bowl of water to the right of the fireplace and proceeded to clean the little dirt I could off my body.

Though I could not care less if I slept with filth since I had done it before, but still, I wanted to make the effort for her.

Once I was done with the clean up, I quickly rushed to my bed and got under the covers.

I gently wrapped my arms around her body to bring her flush with mine careful not to wake her. She instantly curled into me, buried her head into my neck and hooked her left leg over my right hip.

The feeling of content filled me as I snuggled her closer. Tonight I will enjoy holding my female close within the safety of my arms.

Tomorrow, I would deal with the fools who dared to invade my land and attack what was mine.

Thoughts?