Milo’s POV“I’m sorry, Elder Randall. We can’t disclose information about any cases we may or may not be investigating for confidentiality reasons. We aren’t the police. We’re a private organization hired by our clients. They entrust their personal information to us.” I coo into the phone at him. “You work with enough high-profile clientele. I’m sure you understand. Right?”“Beta Milo, this isn’t just a case. I’m responsible for Ryan Connors and all former members of Silver Moon who haven’t registered for asylum with other packs. It’s stated by the mandate under the Council to act as administrator for the pack. Well, until a suitable Alpha can be indoctrinated.” Randall whines into the phone.“Elder Randall, the last time this guy checked in with his employer was over a week ago. Did you know that?” I raise my eyebrows. Bronx leans over the table to listen closer and snuffs his cigarette, then gives me a thumbs up.“Y-yes, but I was already looking for him when Mr. Lemay hired MasonCo
“We can agree that was the cheesiest movie ever, right?” Leni rolls her eyes as we leave the theater room. “I mean, like, talking dogs and cats?”“Well, it was a cartoon for families. Not the most romantic date night, but Elle and my sister and her mate seemed to like it.” I nudge her, then slide my hand to the small of her back as we walk. “I saw you snickering, too.” “Hmm.” Leni twists her mouth at the accusation, trying not to smile. “I guess it wasn’t that bad.” As we climb the staircase, I see her scrunch her nose and make an annoyed sound under her breath. I take her hand and wait for her to tell me what the problem is. She hates when I try to guess . Especially now that she’s pregnant.“I probably shouldn’t have eaten those jalapenos.” She grimaces. “I still have heartburn.”“Want to try some milk? It helped last week.” I kiss her hand and unlock our apartment. “You put your feet up. I can get it for you.”“You’re the best, Babe.” She steps inside and gives me a kiss that mak
Lenora’s POVMilo takes off like a bullet out of the apartment.“Beta, sorry, but you need to stay here. We’re bringing the Gamma and Carly here so we can prep for lockdown.” I guard steps in front of me when I try to chase him.“What about the Luna?!” I try to push my way past him.The loudest wolf’s howl I have ever heard brings me to my knees, forcing me to expose my neck. A wave of rage flows over me from the hallway. Glass shatters in the distance. “Oh Goddess! It’s Elexis!” Justice howls. I sense her trying to shield me from the powerful emotion. “Run, child!”“Wh-what?” I look up and see the guards also bowing. “Kas! We have to help her!”“Elexis broke through the fourth-floor window!” James yells in the mindlink. “Alpha, Beta, Gamma are in pursuit.”“Block everything south and east of the packhouse!” Bronx growls in our minds. “We aren’t able to outrun Elexis. Let Dagger catch her scent. Push her toward the northwest. Corner him against the cliff of the Blood River gorge.”“B
Marco’s POV “Lenora!” I catch her as her knees give out and lower her to the ground. “Leni, you okay?” Leni looks like she’s screaming, but there ain’t no sound comin’ out of her mouth. She leans heavy on my arm and grabs my sleeve. Her wolf claws cut into my skin. I can’t pull away or else my arm will be shredded to ribbons. “Breathe, Leni.” I grit my teeth. “What’s goin’ on?” She shakes her head and tries to suck in a breath, but she can’t. I open a mindlink. “Beta Lenora needs medical assis- AHHHRR!!!” A hot poker burrows into my chest. Well, not really, but that’s what it feels like. Clash rolls around in my head and howls in pain. “Shit.” I want to grab my chest, but there ain’t no way I’m letting Leni go. I feel it building in my guts. The roar. I throw my head back and squeeze my eyes shut. Every muscle in my body fights to stop it. “Clash, no!” I growl at him. “Don’t do it, ese.” Clash and I agreed a long time ago we wouldn’t never roar. Most wolves can do it and i
Lenora’s POV“Elder Randall Smith’s office.” His assistant sounds so pleasant even though she has probably the worst job in the world.“Beta Regent Lenora and Milo Stone of the Blood River pack calling for Elder Randall.” Milo laces his fingers together and sets his hands on his desk. “We’re calling to report the death of a former member of the Silver Moon pack. The last time Lenora spoke with Elder Randall, he told her the guy was under his charge.”“Elder Randall is in a meeting, Beta Milo.” The girl says apologetically.“He was in meetings when our Gammas called three times yesterday and twice when we called this morning.” Milo smiles wide and uses his friendliest tone. “If you can’t pull him out of one of these critically important meetings to take our call, we’ll be happy to contact Elder Karthik to handle the matter.”“Oh, uh, no no!” Her voice goes up an octave. “Give me just a moment. P-please don’t hang up, Beta Milo.”“I’ll hold as long as I need to.” Milo says and puts the
“Hey Sugar, whatcha doin’?” Milo’s voice floats down the hallway.“I’m just thinking?” I hear myself say. I mean, it’s my voice, so I must have said it. “You wouldn’t believe what just happened, Babe.”“Lenora, you okay?!” He kneels in front of me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”“I-I felt the Moon Goddess.” My heart pounds in my chest, but I feel a little disconnected from it. “When Kas tried on her wedding dress. The Goddess was with us. I felt her. We all did. I think even Codi felt her.”“Leni, you’re not making sense.” He slides his hands onto my cheeks and looks at me with concern. “Holy shit. You’re burning up.”“Huh?” I lean into his hands while he presses them against my forehead and back of my neck. “Leni, you have a fever.” He sounds worried. I don’t know why, though. The Moon Goddess is with me. She’s still with me. “I’m calling Doctor Nolan to check on you and Codi.”“No, Milo, I’m fine. Really.” I look into his gray eyes and smile. “I don’t know how to explain it.
Justice’s POV My head throbs so hard that it wakes me up. Lenora feels like she’s still sleeping after the fever. The energy it took for her to fight it off was intense, especially with how difficult it was to protect Cordelia. It affected me as well. It was so powerful that I couldn’t block her from seeing my memories. I hope I can convince her it was a dream from the fever. Poor girl. I wish so badly I could tell her that the fever is the first sign. It doesn’t get easier from here. Cordelia will be born soon and our time together will be over. I will miss her tenacious spirit. I sit up with a groan and look around. I’m in the hospital wing. There are cool ice packs under my knees and the back of my neck. I run my hands over my belly. There’s a strap around my midsection. I assume it’s monitoring Cordelia. Technology still amazes me. Codi kicks one of my kidneys, trying to make room for herself. “Ah, take it easy there, Cordelia.” I rub my belly and smile. “We’ll be reunited soon
***TRIGGER WARNING - The next two chapters contain content related to pregnancy complications that could be upsetting to some readers. *** As a personal note, for those who have been personally affected by pregnancy compilations and/or loss of a child, I send my love to you and all of our angel babies. ’s POV “Leni, come on. Doctor Nolan said bed rest.” I turn her around to go back to the bedroom before she gets to the kitchen in our apartment. “That means you have to stay in bed unless someone is with you to help you get where you need to go.” “Milo, I feel fine.” She whines at me while she holds her belly as I lead her back to the bed. “I’m just a little achy. That’s all. I want a snack and I need to stretch my legs or something.” “If you need anything, I can get it for you. Including snacks.” I pull back the linens and help her back into the bed. “We can get Jorge up here to help you stretch while you stay in bed where you belong.” “This is so dumb.” She huffs and cro