MasukRAINA’S POV Betrayal burned, but it was nothing compared to the icy, vice-like fear clawing at me.A riot of growls, snarls, and the clang of tools filled the air, thick with the scent of iron and sweat, as dust motes danced in the lights.Apparently, we made it to the secret chamber, but the enemy’s presence was about to hinder us from achieving our goal, jeopardizing everything.Watching them closely, our guns remained raised and leveled on the Worgens and their rogue laborers as they spread out across the chamber, blocking any way forward.Aw heck. There were so many of them.Azara leaned her head sideways to whisper to me. “They don't smell foul like regular slay-loving rogues. Isn’t that strange? They are more coherent and stronger than the average warrior.”“You’re not wrong,” I told her after sniffing the air and picking up on that crisp, woody scent and predatory aura. Strategic. Controlled. Lethal. Not wild. Not reckless.“They radiate Gamma-like energy. If they aren’t rogue
RAINA’S POVThe air fizzled around us. So much anger.These two…good grief, I groaned internally."Don't worry, Rai," Azara offered, full of optimism. "In the long run, they’ll put aside their differences when they realize it’s what they need to do to protect you. They will eventually see eye-to-eye.""Sweetness," Theo beckoned to his mate. He twirled Azara around to face him and Thaines rested his chin on top of her head as he spoke, "We could teach komodos how to hug before that happens."When she frowned in disappointment, he kissed her nose lightly and hugged her.Gustav hesitated for a mischievous moment and leveled Valen with a hard look before saying, “This is Selene’s way of keeping intruders from proceeding to the navel of the temple. Without me, you’d be walking in circles and can’t get out.”My stomach dropped. “You mean another earthquake is going to hit again?”“Yes,” Gustav admitted, darting his eyes to me, “And an earthquake here means another earthquake for your pack.”
RAINA’S POV“This was where they killed Selene. Before this temple was ever constructed, the Worgens fought Selene here,” I whispered and turned my gaze to my mate. “That crazy battle.”“You're recurring dream,” Devin mentioned quietly from down the line.Valen’s hand closed around my arm before I could take a step. “Stay with me.” His tone left no room for argument, full of the Alpha’s edge that made the others instinctively fall silent. “Don't go anywhere.”“I’m not wandering off,” I grumbled, but he didn’t let go. “You don’t have to hover.”“I do and I will.” Valen dipped his head so that I couldn't miss the hard defiance in his expression, or the dark possessiveness in his emeralds. “Do not forget our agreement.”He was referring to the fact that I had to stick to his side like glue, so he wouldn't lay another finger on my guardian. No matter what Gustav did, they still saw him as a walking, talking bomb waiting to go off. What's worse is I have no idea how to help or fix it.Trus
RAINA’S POV“Are you okay?” Valen asked as soon as we teleported to Zannos while he cradled me in his arms in the darkness. “Are you cold?”Several round lights swept across the temple as the gang switched on their helmet lights. The smell of parched dirt mixed with dried corn pervaded the air, leaving me unsettled, but I had to hide that from my clingy mate.“I’m good,” I replied, trying to get him to put me down. “Valen, I can stand.”I didn’t want to be treated like dead weight, and now that he was doing exactly that, it reminded me of all the harsh things he had said.Glowing vermillion stared down at me as I pushed against his massive chest. I looked up at him with a pout.His white hair, partially braided and flowing behind him, was messy, his eyes narrowed, his lip quirked, then he said, “Don't be hard on yourself. I’ll carry you.”Oh, em gee. There was no arguing with this sourpuss.No matter how many times I told him I was okay, he just won’t believe me. I was aware of how mu
VALEN’S POVPlagued by his words, Theo and I exchanged an unsettling look.That's not right, though. But then again, Werewolves enjoyed traveling, and our species would naturally be drawn to anything Selene-related. So I dismissed whatever he was hinting at with Elder Jacob as him trying to stir up conflict, probably to turn us against each other and distract us from him.In no time, I had Gustav violently thrown into a chair in Penn’s basement. Thaines and Jason were there when I arrived with Theo. Devin joined us right after, and we formed a semi-circle in front of the brute.Penn acted quickly, flicking her wrist to work her magic. Belts burst from the backrest and the seat to strap him down.Gustav smirked, his eyes burning with arrogance. “Your little spells won’t do much for you, witch.” He shifted his gaze to Devin, his brows raised, and he taunted, “Is she your tight squeeze or just a bed dribbler?”“Say that again, bastard,” Devin growled, moving to swing a fist at his face.
VALEN’S POVDelicate, warm fingers wrap around mine, drawing my attention back to Raina. The pained expression on her face gutted me."Go," Raina whispered, tilting her head up to offer a tired smile. "It's important."I took her hand in mine and brought her fingers to my lips. "Baby, you're important too.”She shook her head while guilt and sadness floated back through the bond. "No, Valen, this is different."Another sense of dread filled me, seeing her so sombre. I felt like a spider behind the eight-ball, knowing that something very bad of epic proportions was on the horizon.“This place feels full of ghosts.” Her distressed blues connected with mine, and she took a deep, panicking breath before whispering, "Hidden energies are everywhere.”“What news do you have that couldn't have waited, Devin?” I gritted my teeth once we left Raina’s hospital room and stood in the corridor, letting my exasperation show.Thankfully, overall, she's back to normal, and Azara and Venus dropped by i







