Jaxon’s POVThe warriors and recruits are gathered near the front of the packhouse. There's a mixture of fear and determination etched on their faces, but they wait eagerly for my command.My voice booms through the air, reaching the ears of each and every one of them, "I know you're all curious as to why I gathered you. The Council is under attack, and I need each of you to help defend them."Leo, the former rogue Mel saved, raises his hand. "Alpha, no offense, but why should we care what happens to the Council?" he asks in a quiet voice.I point to the giants behind me, and he shrinks back in fear. "Because if we don't, there are eleven Alphas that are prepared to burn down the world as we know it and raise chaos and evil from its ashes."He gulps. "I understand, Alpha. Thanks for not killing me for asking," he says, baring his neck.I realize they've been kept in the dark this whole time about what's really happening. So, I quickly explain everything regarding the Alphas and the Co
Jaxon's POVGroup after group is sent through until we're down to the recruits. I feel a tight knot in my stomach, thinking about anything happening to my warriors. But I know I have to stay positive, confident, and unwavering in my belief that they can do this. It's a promise I hold onto with all my heart. There's just this nagging sensation in the back of my mind that we're about to be thrown a curveball, and surprisingly, it isn't Shadow. He's tuned in on Melanie's emotions, searching for any signs of distress.Although Rubeus is focused on listening to Dusk, he looks at me when I call his name. "Melanie told me what you said a while back. Be honest with me, is Ayla's final objective to hurt her in any way?" I demand.He looks me in the eyes. "No.""Then, why tell her not to trust you?""Ayla rescued me, so I owe her my loyalty. If she asked me to do something to Melanie, I don't know if I could refuse. I haven't always been the best at that. The last time Ayla told me not to inter
Jaxon's POVBy the time he's done talking, Shadow is ready to tear through me and rip his throat out. They may not have to worry about Alpha Kellan anymore, I'm about ready to kill all of them myself.How could Dusk know that Ayla murdered his mate and still worship the ground she walks on? It shows they're both still too brainwashed to be trusted."Why shouldn't I kill you right now?" I snarl, stepping towards Rubeus.He calmly meets my gaze and says, "I get it, you have no reason to trust me, but I'm on your side now. I'll make sure Melanie is safely returned to you once this is all over."Should I even believe anything he says? He also knew what Ayla did, yet he still stuck by her side and didn't say shit about it until now.I narrow my eyes. "You just said you would never betray her. Why the sudden change of heart?""I was just thinking about how...complicated Ayla is. Melanie is safe with her as long as she is useful, but I feel as soon as she turns down another offer to stay wit
Mel’s POVAyla's blade digs deeper into my thigh, and although I know Jaxon can feel the pain too, I do my best to downplay it. Nina's howls echo in my mind, but I bite my cheek to suppress the urge to scream.How is Jaxon handling this so well? I feel like I'm about to pass the fuck out! "What are you doing, Ayla?" I hiss, frozen in place since she also has a dagger held to my throat."I will create a new world for us. I will be its ruler, and you will stand beside me, seeing into the hearts of my subjects. I will never be betrayed again!" she proclaims, loud enough for everyone to hear."Release her!" Jaxon growls. With his attention diverted, Kellan seizes the chance to escape, shifting and toppling him to the ground. I watch helplessly as he forces my mate to kneel and presses his sharp claws to his throat. "Should I kill him now or later?" he asks, glancing up at Ayla.What the hell is going on? She...asked him to do this?This is a betrayal that’ll never be forgiven. Ayla must
Mel's POVRubeus appears beside us, and she withdraws the blade before handing me over to him. The stench of my singed flesh lingers, blood continuing to flow down my leg, and it doesn't feel like it's healing at all.Nina, why aren't we healing? I ask worriedly.The silver is too deep. I'll need to focus all my energy to heal us.Fuck. I won't be able to fight Ayla like this. I have to find a way to distract her until Nina is finished."Ayla, don't you think we're entitled to know the details of how your plan fell into place?" I ask, still feeling the hot sting of the dagger against my throat."I supposed so since you can't run from your destiny anymore. I hired rogues to create the wolfsbane, knowing the Alphas wouldn't resist using it. Of course, I tampered with their memories, so they believed it was their own brilliant plan."Her smile twisted into a sinister grin as she continues. "Just before Kellan showed up, I promised to spare him and reward him with a pack in my kingdom if
Mel's POVI begin to dissociate through the rest of the murders. I wonder if these men were doomed since the beginning. They were already ruthless Alphas, and Ayla just took them to the next level of evil.As I reach Alpha Roman, the final Alpha, I'm shocked by the sight of a yellow band in his aura. Just a few days ago, at Dad's funeral, it was completely black. How did it change?As Dusk raises his hand to kill him, assuming there's no hope for redemption, I shout, "Stop!"Dusk takes a step back, and Ayla approaches him. She touches her fingers to his forehead. After a moment, she hums thoughtfully. "Swear your loyalty to me or die!"He gulps audibly. "Y-Yes, Queen Ayla."Ayla smiles with satisfaction as she turns to me. "You've done well, my child. I'll grant you the chance to bid farewell to your mate. Just remember, one false move and he dies," she warns.We're both released, and I limp towards Jaxon, eager to touch him. But Ayla's voice cuts through the air, "No touching! I won'
Mel's POV"B-But how?" Ayla stammers, still in shock."In a dream, the Moon Goddess granted me the Eternalbane dagger,” Dusk explains. “I never expected to use it, but she revealed the growing darkness within your heart. I was too blinded by love to believe it. It wasn't until Jaxon uncovered your role in my mate's death and you erased his memories, I knew that it was time. I would never let you do to Melanie what you did to me!"My mouth drops open. When did she erase Jaxon's memories, and how did I not notice?He quickly helps Rubeus to his feet. "You okay?"He winces, watching Ayla whither on the ground in agony. "I'll be fine. I thought she couldn't die?""The dagger only ended her immortality. Melanie will be the one to finish her off." There's a murderous intensity on his face as he hands me the blade. "Kill her and make it painful."Jaxon's fingers press against my waist, a gentle squeeze before he reluctantly releases his hold. "I can't argue with that," he mumbles.I draw clo
Jaxon’s POVIt's been three days since peace was restored in our world. We've got eleven packs without Alphas, but with Mel's help, Dusk and Rubeus are finding worthy replacements to preserve the peace we fought so hard for. Not only has she proven her worth to the pack, but she eliminated the most corrupt Alphas there were and prevented Ayla from literally taking over the world.Goddess, I can't even describe how thrilled I am that the bitch is dead. The moment she stabbed Melanie, she signed her ticket straight to hell. I'm grateful to both Dusk and Rubeus for being able to see past her bullshit and save me. They had me worried for a minute, but they came through in the end.Today is my mate's big day. She's combining her Luna ceremony and the recruits' graduation ceremony, and tonight we're having a huge feast to celebrate.After the recruits swear their loyalty to me and the safety of the pack, Melanie sinks into the water beside me. The thin material of her white dress hardly con