CHAPTER 131: THE FULL MOON- ALPHA ANGELA II.

"I can’t let her leave," Alex said as he blocked her path. His chest tightened because he knew the risk he was taking. What if in her excitement she shoved past him or even hurt herself?

"Let her go and run wild," Stales insisted, his voice carrying the same urgency Angela felt. Her eyes burned with the pull of her mates calling out to her, and Stales could see how badly she wanted to answer that call. "If she doesn’t go, they’ll come here themselves. If I were you, I’d let her be."

"Don’t be stupid," Alex snapped, glaring at him. "My Alpha gave me one task, and that was to watch her. Did you forget? She can’t just roam around wherever she likes. Anyone could see her. Do you want to put her in danger?"

Stales clenched his jaw. Frustration ran through him because he didn’t understand why Alex was being so strict tonight. He had gone against Kaito’s instructions before, all because of Angela, so why now was he suddenly clinging to the rules? Was it really about protecting her, or was it something else?

As the thought crossed his mind, Stales exhaled heavily. Maybe Alex wasn’t worried about danger at all. Maybe he was jealous. Maybe he didn’t want Angela going to her mates because deep down, he wanted her for himself.

A knowing smile tugged at Stales’ lips. "It’s either you don’t want her to enjoy herself," he said slowly, "or you like her and you’re jealous."

Alex’s body went rigid, his face darkening as he stormed toward Stales. His voice came out rough, his anger barely held back. "What the hell are you saying? I’m trying to protect her, and all you can do is throw stupid ideas in my face?"

"If you don’t have feelings for her then why are you so pissed?" Stales asked as he stepped back. He knew the full moon made tempers dangerous, and provoking a Beta, even if it was his closest friend, was never a good idea.

Alex’s claws tore out, his fangs snapping into place as he rushed to Stales. He didn’t plan to hurt him, but flashing his power, watching fear spark in his friend’s eyes, gave him a twisted satisfaction.

For a moment he let that anger control him. He leapt on Stales, growling low, forcing him back in panic. But then it hit him—he couldn’t lose control, not tonight. He had a responsibility, and Angela came before everything else.

He pushed himself up, breath heavy, and turned to where she had been standing. His chest froze. She was gone. The space was empty as if she had vanished into thin air. His voice broke in frustration. "Where the hell did she go?"

"See what you caused?"

Stales scrambled to his feet, eyes scanning the shadows around them. His chest rose and fell quickly when he realized she was nowhere in sight. "I think you need to face the truth. You can’t stop her. One of them is going to claim her tonight. It was bound to happen."

Alex’s throat tightened, fear rushing through him like fire. "You’re right. But what about the others? What will happen to the rest when they find out she’s been claimed? Do you think they’ll let it go? They’ll tear each other apart."

Stales’ expression hardened. "Then we go after them and stop it before the worst happens." He didn’t wait for Alex’s reply. His body shifted swiftly, bones snapping as he transformed into his wolf.

Alex hesitated only for a breath, the weight of dread pressing on him, before he followed, his own form bursting into the night. Together they charged into the forest, running toward the danger, hearts racing with fear of what they might find Angela caught in.

**

Angela felt something she had never felt before. It was a rush of excitement mixed with freedom, like she had broken out of a prison that had held her for so long. Her paws carried her deeper into the woods, her heart racing with every leap.

She tried to avoid the other wolves, not wanting to be seen, but the night called to her, wild and endless. Everything happening to her was strange and new, yet thrilling. For the first time she began to understand why werewolves always longed for the full moon, why they looked forward to this night with so much eagerness.

"Do you know our mates are waiting?" Mighty Stormy’s voice echoed in her mind. The sound of her wolf filled Angela with joy. Stormy had returned, and this time Angela felt she wasn’t going to vanish again. She had told her once that when the first shift came, her wolf would remain forever. Tonight proved it was true.

Before Angela could say a word, Stormy pulled them in another direction. She could feel the change in her steps as they turned north, toward the place where the call of their mates was pulling.

"What are you doing?" Angela asked breathlessly, though her voice was weaker now. Stormy had more control, and in her wolf form, Angela found it harder to resist. Her body moved with Stormy’s will, every stride faster than the last.

"To our mates," Stormy answered, her tone filled with certainty as she raced like the wind itself. No matter how much Angela wanted to slow her down, nothing could stop her now. Stormy’s desire was stronger. She wanted their mates to claim her, and she had waited for this moment for too long.

They finally stopped at the foot of a tall hill. Angela lifted her golden head and froze. Four wolves stood there, their towering shapes marked with the strength of Alphas. Even though they were in their wolf forms, she knew who they were.

Her breath caught when she realized she could hear them clearly. Every word, every growl made sense in her mind. Communication was easier like this, wolf to wolf. But what she heard sent a sting of disappointment through her chest.

They were fighting. Arguing about who would claim her first. Angela’s heart sank. They had promised her they would not fight, that they would stand together for her. Yet here they were, their voices filled with anger, ready to tear each other apart.

Stormy let out a deep, powerful sound that shook through the night. At once the four Alphas stopped and turned toward her. Their eyes widened, and for a moment all the anger left them. Their jaws hung low, struck silent by the sight before them.

Her golden fur glowed under the moonlight, and in that instant Angela saw what they saw—her beauty had left them speechless.

Stormy moved slowly, her steps teasing, her tail swaying as if she wanted to tempt them even more. Then she gave a low sound, almost playful, and spoke to them. "Let the fastest Alpha claim me."

Angela froze, her chest tightening. She could not believe Stormy had said that. Why would she push all four of them into a frenzy, knowing they were already burning with the need to claim her?

"Take that back before they tear each other apart," Angela snapped, her voice sharp, but Stormy did not listen. Instead, she darted off in another direction, leaving the Alphas staring for a moment, caught between confusion and desire. Then, like fire catching the wind, they all charged after her, each one determined to be the first.

Angela shook her head, watching them. "The four Alphas are coming for us," she said under her breath.

Stormy only laughed. "Wouldn’t that be fun?" She suddenly veered west, her pace quickening.

Angela’s heart raced. "No. I don’t want them to claim me like this. It’s my first time and—"

"I know," Stormy cut her off, her voice softer now. "You can change to your human form anytime."

"That’s not the point. I can’t handle four Alphas at once."

Stormy chuckled. "Then don’t handle them. Let them handle you." Her laugh was wild, careless, before she shifted left, avoiding a pack of wolves that had appeared to the right.

But then it happened. She ran straight into someone. The scent hit Angela before her eyes confirmed it. Taros.

Angela gasped, and without thinking she shifted into her human form. She expected her clothes to return with her, but instead she stood bare in front of him. Heat rushed through her face as his blue eyes locked on her, searching her with an intensity that stole her breath. It felt as if he was seeing a naked woman for the first time, though she knew that wasn’t true. He must have had others before. All of them had. But deep down, she wished it would be different now. She wanted to be the only one.

"Angela," Taros said at last, his voice low, almost broken. He stepped closer, his body changing, shedding the beast until he stood before her as a man.

Angela’s legs trembled, but she did not move. She wanted to, yet something rooted her in place. Stormy was no longer pulling the strings. This choice was hers. And as his eyes burned into her, she knew she was waiting for him, ready for him to claim her.