Killed him. She had killed him. She had brought a human-made gun to our world, and Patrick had never called for backup, and she was going to kill us all, and—“Calm,” Chris sent through our mate bond. “We can get out of this. Breathe, Ava. Breathe.”I sucked in a shuddering breath, a pitiful attempt
“Olivia, stop! Please! She’s pregnant!”Olivia didn’t falter. If anything, Chris’s words just fueled her. The heat of the fire seared my skin, my hair, my dress, and I closed my eyes, a sob escaping my throat. I was going to die here, and my child—our child—would never even have a chance at life.Bu
AvaChris and I stumbled out of the burning Packhouse, coughing and sputtering as we were engulfed by the surging crowd of panicked pack members. The cool night air was a stark contrast to the intense heat we had just escaped, but it offered little relief as smoke continued to billow around us.I tu
Chris, however, tensed beside me. “And Olivia? Elise?” he asked, his voice tight.The Elders exchanged nervous glances, their faces falling. Finally, Elder Paul shook his head. “We have searched the crowd for them, but there is no sign of them.”“If they made it out of the building,” Fatima said qui
AvaThe morning sun cast long shadows over the ruins of the Packhouse as Chris and I picked our way through the debris. The acrid smell of smoke still hung heavy in the air, making my eyes water and my throat itch. Charred wood crunched beneath our feet, and here and there, small wisps of smoke stil
We pressed our foreheads together, savoring a moment of peace amidst the wreckage. But it was short-lived.A faint sound caught my attention—coughing, coming from somewhere nearby. Chris and I exchanged a glance before following the noise. It led us to the Packhouse cellar entrance, which had been h
AvaGolden sunlight streamed through the enormous windows, shafts of warmth spreading across the large meeting hall. A fire crackled merrily in the hearth, and a long oak table had been placed at the center of the room. Soft piano music played from a human-made record player in the corner, and counc
“As you should, Alpha Edward,” Chris said, clasping the Alpha’s forearm. “As you should.”It was heartwarming to see how everyone seemed to be thriving. The bonds between the packs were stronger than ever, and there was a palpable sense of hope in the air.Finally, it was time for the meeting to beg