Mason, Kane, Lillian, and Celia made their way through the tunnels toward the ritual circle. Lillian and Celia placed their supplies on the floor. They used chalk to draw a circle with symbols and placed candles at four points. Lillian lit the candles around the circle with the flick of her hand. “I think I’m going to…guard the door,” Kane said. “Didn’t think a little magic would scare you, Kane,” Lillian said with a smile. “What kind of Beta are you?” “The kind that knows when he’s out of his depth, witch girl,” Kane growled while walking away. “How long is this going to take?” Mason asked, shifting on his feet. There was something in the air, and he didn’t feel like leaving Xenia for too long for some reason. The woman was wise, and with Nova attached to her, there was no telling what else she would get up to. “Don’t worry, Alpha,” Lillian grimaced. “We’ll have you back with your mate in no time.” Mason huffed at Lillian while she carried a board with pieces of the broken mi
Jane stepped into the light so Delilah and the princesses could see her. They stared at her wide-eyed, and she couldn’t blame them. “It doesn’t feel as bad as it looks,” Jane said, regarding the bruises all over her body. “But we don’t have much time. If you want to escape, we have to go now.” “Easier for you to say,” Carla growled while yanking the chain on the wall. “Some of us are stuck.” “I can help,” Jane said, walking to the cell. Jane pulled a device from her apron and pointed towards Carla, who stepped away.“Woah there, human,” Carla protested. “First bombs and now mysterious devices. Who’s to say what that thing does?” “This will release you from the brace around your neck,” Jane said. “Or at least I’m pretty sure it does.” Carla looked at Delilah, asking if they should trust her. Jane noticed the look and stepped toward Delilah. “Please, we don’t have much time.” Carla didn’t make a move to accept Jane’s help, so Delilah grabbed the device from Jane and lifted it towa
Mason was pulled out of his trance and braced the altar to break his fall. He saw Lillian and Celia on their hands and knees around the circle. They were panting like him, and Mason knew they could feel the same pain. Something was definitely wrong. The only solace was that Mason knew it wasn’t Xenia, but still, it bothered him. “We still need to make sure our mate is safe. Now,” Rodin roared in his head. Mason tried linking Xenia but got nothing. Now, he was worried. “My brother is getting closer,” Mason said to Lillian. We need-” “I already saw to it,” Lillian interrupted. “That’s the least of our worries. Someone’s-” “I know,” Mason said before linking to Kane. “Kane?” “I’m already on it, Alpha,” Kane reported. “I think it is in the dung-” The link was severed when they heard an explosion nearby, and Mason felt another pain in his chest. He didn’t waste time, leaving the area as soon as the tremors stopped with Lillian and Celia behind him. He ran down the tunnels until he c
Micah opened his eyes to see Laurie leaning over him. A worried expression on her face matched his Beta’s, Spencer’s, and Lottie’s faces. He sat up, massaging his chest, where he felt a slight ache. He could only think of Xenia and wondered if she was hurt. “Could you sense anything?” Micah asked Laurie. “Nothing much,” she said with a disappointed sigh. “My sister must be working with another witch. That’s the only way she could be powerful enough to contact you and block their location. Though, thinking about the last time Nova contacted you, I know they’re by a body of water, and I saw a bridge between a crevice.” Lottie sighed. “That could be anywhere along the waterside.” “But that tree with the purple leaves is only found in the eastern region,” Cristobal suggested. “I’m sure of it. Well, seventy percent sure.” “If we keep going, we can make it to my village before first light,” Lottie said. “Maybe the fishermen there can help us.” “Then let’s move,” Micah said. He was itc
Mason’s heart raced when he saw Xenia holding a small bomb in her hand, ready to throw. He moved to stop her when their eyes connected, and Rodin pushed through. “No!” Rodin roared. “I will not let you hurt her.” “Rodin, I’m not going to hurt her!” Mason snapped, pushing him back down. “That much, at least.” Mason held up his hand to stop Lillian and Celia, who were coming up behind him. He kept his eyes on Xenia as she moved to the tunnel’s center, blocking their way. She paid no attention to Lillian and Celia. She kept her eyes trained on Mason. “Xenia-” “Don’t come any closer, or I will bring this place down,” Xenia said, holding the bomb above her head. “Bullshit,” Lillian said. “Your mother is not that far, and an explosion would collapse this entire tunnel and kill everyone. Her included. I know you don’t want that to happen.” “I would rather her die here than be your prisoner,” Xenia countered, momentarily glaring at Lillian. “Xenia, I don’t want to fight,” Mason said a
Two warriors grabbed Xenia’s arms, holding her back. Do it. Do what? Xenia wondered as her eyes returned to the boat her mother was on. Delilah’s silhouette was visible along the moonlit waves as she rowed away. She has to be too far away, right?“Nova, is there anything you can do?” Xenia asked, practically begging.“I can’t get to Rodin, Xenia,” Nova said solemnly. “Mason’s blocking meXenia refused to give up. She had to distract them. But how? She wondered as she saw Lillian raising her hand.“No!” Xenia yelled, taking Lillian’s attention. She pulled against the warriors’ hold, feeling a sense of power flowing through her from within. “Let me go,” Xenia said through her teeth.Surprisingly, they dropped to their knees, baring their necks to her. Xenia ran toward Mason, pushing Lillian out of the way and stepping in front of him. She placed her hands on his chest.“I said stop!”Mason looked down at her. The air was tense as they stared at each other, but she was determined to see
This shouldn’t be possible. Something doesn’t feel right. What the hell is going on? Thoughts raced in Mason’s mind as he watched a fully transformed Nova stalk toward Lillian. Her white fur shone in the moonlight, and all Mason wanted to do was run to her. He wanted to feel her fur through his fingers and greet her the only way mates knew how. Even Rodin shared his wants. Mason felt himself moving towards Nova, reaching out his hand. He wanted to make sure he was seeing what was in front of him. He heard words being said and saw Lillian’s desperation, but his mind was far gone. Nova was here, in wolf form, and he was...speechless. How?“Mason!”Lillian’s scream pulled him from his trance as he watched Nova lunge for Lillian. Lillian dodged with enough room to shift herself and dart into the woods. Nova was fast on the rebound and ran after Lillian faster than Mason expected. He quickly shifted into Rodin.“Rodin, follow her.”“Maybe we should let her do what she wants,” Rodin said
Mason laid Xenia on the bed, wiping away the bead of sweat forming on her forehead. The moment he moved away, she whimpered. Her eyes squeezed tight and her arms curled around her legs until she became a ball. He felt the pain she was still in from the transformation, and all he wanted to do was ease it. Mason moved to the bathroom and started a bath filled with a calming balm. He moved back to Xenia, picking off any remains of the forest floor that was stuck to her body. He lifted her, and a minute later, he guided both of their bodies into the water. Mason knew all too well what the first shift felt like, and if it hadn’t been for his brother, he might have gone mad from the pain, too.FLASHBACK Mason’s body tensed with an otherworldly energy. He didn’t tell anyone he was shifting and didn’t want to do it in front of the entire pack. Everyone was so impressed with Micah’s white wolf when he shifted six full moons ago. Mason could see the disappointment in their eyes when it came
Lillian and Rick exchanged glances as Mason stormed into the dining room, his jaw clenched and fists, bloodied and balled at his sides. Lillian knew that meant he was in the dungeons with their shipwrecked guests. Still, she said nothing as he sat down at the head of the table with a force that rattled the silverware on the table. Normally, Lillian would offer him an alternate way to release his tension, but it looked as if even the sound of a fork scraping against a plate might set him off. So, to be safe she was careful with her movements and words.Lillian cleared her throat. “Everything is in place for tonight, Alpha,” she began. “The preparations are nearly complete. The altar has been set, and the ceremonial items are ready.”Mason didn’t respond immediately. His gaze was distant, lost in thought. He reached for a glass of water, his grip tight. Lillian glanced at Rick, who avoided eye contact and focused on his plate. He had seen Mason in these moods before–volatile, unpredicta
The morning of the Red Moon came quicker than Xenia had hoped. She had barely slept through the rest of the night after Mason practically dragged her from the dungeons. She had a bit of solace when something urgent came up and he left her for a while. It wasn’t until later when she felt him enter the room, smelling of earth and blood until he went into the bathroom.Xenia prayed he would leave but that went out the window the moment he climbed into the bed. She moved only for him to grab and pull her into his arms. Xenia pushed against him but he only tightened his hold.“I have to pee,” Xenia lied, preparing to bolt from the bed the moment he let her go.“You lie,” Mason grumbled, his voice drifting off as Xenia sighed into his hold.I’ll just wait until you’re asleep. She thought as she stared at the ceiling, waiting until the shadows in the room seemed to stretch long in the early light, wrapping around her like chains she couldn’t break. What was worse than having a psychotic kidn
Mason walked into the woods far from the packhouse. It was already late and he didn’t like being away from Xenia for too long. His instincts warned him that leaving Xenia alone was a mistake, even if the threats of her friends’ lives kept her in place for now. She was clever, and desperation could make her even more so.Mason paused in his steps, his eyes scanning the darkness ahead. He knew they were close. Lillian and Rick had found something important and refused to let him know until they got back to the packhouse, but Mason was impatient. It was too close to the Red Moon to be left out of the loop.A flicker of movement to his left caught his eye as Lillian emerged from the darkness like a phantom, her eyes blazing with fury. Rick trailed behind her, his expression stoic.“What are you doing here?” Lillain spat with irritation in her voice. “You left her alone.”Mason didn’t flinch under her glare, though her anger was palpable. He knew what she was really angry about. He expecte
Delilah hit the water hard, the icy shock of it stealing her breath. Panic surged within her, a flashback to the last time she had been submerged in the waters from an explosion–a time when death had nearly claimed her. The relentless grip of the ocean, the surrounding darkness, and the crushing weight of the water threatened to drown her in panic. I just have to swim up and I’ll reach the surface. She thought, but her body refused to move. The water was ready to drag her under. Then, in the midst of the chaos, she thought of Xenia. The image of her daughter’s face, strong and resolute, filled her mind, anchoring her in the present. She couldn’t give in to the fear. Not now. Not when they still had a chance to save her baby.Kicking furiously, Delilah forced her way to the surface, gasping for air as she broke through the waves. Her eyes darted around, searching for the others amidst the chaos. Pieces of the boat floated around, and she could barely make out the figures struggling ag
Xenia’s breath hitched as she took in the sight of Lacey, bruised and broken, barely clinging to consciousness. Next to Lacey, sat Frieda in the same condition. Xenia’s nails bit into her skin as her fist tightened from the fierce anger that had been burning inside her. She tried to look away but something wouldn’t let her. The air around her was thick with the scent of blood. She took one shaky step forward, keeping her gaze on Lillian, who had a sickening smile on her face. I want to kill her. I want her dead! Was on repeat inside Xenia’s mind as she got closer to the cell door. I could do it, she thought. I was fast enough to dig my nails into that pretty face of hers. Nova’s power flowed through Xenia and out into the room. She felt Nova pushing her, urging her to act, to tear Lillian apart limb by limb. Every muscle in her body tensed, ready to spring into action.Lillian’s smile was gone now, replaced by a wary glint in her eyes. She had felt the shift of power, the surge of e
The cannon ripped through the side, sending vibrations through the ship and rattling the planks and bolts.“What the hell!” Micah yelled over the noise. “Did you signal them to attack us?”“No,” Archie responded, looking just as confused as the panicked crew. “This is all wrong.”“Maybe they attacked because we’re onboard,” Eric suggested.“How would they know?” Archie asked. “This is a civilian ship with King Gerald’s flag colors.”Another cannon exploded above them. Gunpowder filled the air and like before Micah could taste the silver. Before he called out to Laurie, she already created a whirlwind to keep it away from the crew, especially the wolves.“I think your notion that they don’t know werewolves are on board is wrong Lieutenant,” Micah growled.“I don’t understand,” Archie said in disbelief.“It doesn’t matter what you don’t understand,” Laurie yelled. “Just know right now we are being attacked!”The crew sprang into action, each member knowing their role as Micah and his te
Lottie paused mid-pace, her glare sharp enough to peel paint. “Just great. Now we have two lovesick puppies on this boat.”“Better two puppies than one seasick alpha, amirite,” Spencer quipped, trying to lighten the mood. Silence greeted him like an old, unfriendly acquaintance. “Tough crowd,” he muttered, looking around for a lifeline, None came.The boat swayed gently as the crew exchanged uneasy glances. Delilah emerged from the cabin, stepping right into the middle of the Micah-Cris showdown brewing on deck. Micah, who swayed in perfect time with the boat, looked both determined and like he might hurl at any moment. Despite Eric steadying him like a weary mother holding up a toddler, Micah’s glare at Cris was unwavering.Cris’s laughter broke up the tension. “You can’t be serious, right?”His arms crossed, voice dripping with disbelief. “You realize we’re still together. Have been for a while now. You can’t think you can just come in and break up something as real as what we have.”
Micah stood at the edge of the pier, watching the water lap at the edge of the boat. Sweat was building across his forehead as he took a deep breath, steeling himself to walk across the plank leading up to the boat. The salty tang of the sea filled his nostrils, and the sound of the water was anything but comforting.“Alpha, we have to go!” Laurie’s voice rang out from the haul, carrying a note of urgency. Her usual calm was slipping. “Just pretend it’s a moving house!”Micah growled low in his throat, frustration evident in his tone. His usual bravado was faltering, replaced by a rare vulnerability. “Wow, thanks for that, Laurie. Super helpful. If I hurl, it’s going to be your fault.”“Can’t believe the big bad Alpha is afraid of boats,” Cris laughed, his amusement clear. “This is priceless.”Lottie, standing beside him, quickly hit him across the shoulder. “Said the guy who once jumped on Xenia’s back in the dead of night, screaming like a banshee,” Lottie shot back, a smirk playing
Xenia’s heart pounded as she narrowed her gaze, locking onto Mason’s intense expression. What are you playing at? Xenia wondered as she stared at Mason, searching for any signs of deception. But all she found was a raw mixture of lust and determination.“You can’t be serious,” she scoffed, hoping her laugh would push him back. But instead, Mason smiled, a slow, predatory grin that sent heat pooling low in her stomach.“I think you know me well enough to realize I’m very serious,”he replied, his gaze flickering down to her lips, making his intentions crystal clear. “You realize every time we’ve kissed it was Rodin who was in control. I can’t help but feel a bit…”“...jealous,” Xenia replied.“...left out,” he finished, his eyes darkening as he moved closer, closing the gap between them. She felt her pulse quicken, her body betraying her mind. His nearness was intoxicating, and that made her furious. She tried to fight the rush of heat flooding her, swallowing hard as she placed a hand