Arlo It’s a fantastic feeling to finally be able to get moving. I need to ensure the safety of my mate and all the packs who trust me to be their Alpha King. For the first time since taking over this position I’ll get to act solely on my own instincts.Hilda looks incredible in her tight warrior’s uniform and it’s very difficult not to get distracted. Especially when she looks up and finds me staring at her lustfully. Fire immediately kindles in her eyes and her mouth curves up as she drags her teeth over her lower lip seductively, giggling when I have to adjust my pants. She’ll be getting a most thorough hiding for that later.She walks over to me with a bit of extra sashay in her step, getting on her tiptoes in order to whisper into my ear, “You can tan my backside when we get back and then kiss it all better,” as if she can read the inside of my head. “Then we’d best hurry this along. I’m looking forward to peeling you out of these pants,” I growl back at her, heat spiking in my c
SorenThe relief when we finally get going is immense. I saw King Arlo and his Beta scrambling to swop out guards and I know exactly why. I’m not an idiot, I’ve noticed the way many of his pack members glare at me suspiciously.Given a choice, this is the last place in the world I’d choose to be. As luck would have it, the only place I intend to be is by Cerelia’s side and she’s determined to help them. She should help them, I just wish she could do it from the safety of our pack house, surrounded by my own men.King Arlo made it very clear that none of them are to come here, especially not Damon. Given his history with Hilda, I get that. And the presence of my own army would stretch the already thin tolerance of his people to breaking point.I’m not here to make trouble. I want to make amends, protect my Luna and then go home. Maybe start a family. Cerelia would be an incredible mother. She’s different since she found her magic. More ambitious and assertive. I still love her just the
HildaWe’re traveling at an easy pace, more focused on stealth than speed, in hopes that Maelor and his companions don’t know we’re coming for them. The thought that by tomorrow this could all be over is exhilarating. I want my honeymoon period with Arlo. Uninterrupted and without any concerns that pull us out of each other’s arms.It’s good to see Cerelia and Soren bonding. He’s different with her than he was with me. Much gentler. Of course I was an incredible brat who was always courting trouble, but it’s more than that. I don’t know if it’s possible for the magic of the mating bond to make mistakes. It shouldn’t be. Yet, as content and in love as we were once, we’re both far better matched and happier now.Soren and I loved one another deeply, but I don’t think we were ever truly, madly, deeply in love. We would have been at peace together if I was never wounded and left comatose. I prefer what I have now, which is ecstatic bliss. I’m sure Soren would agree with that sentiment.Af
Hilda We push forward and the fog disappears as suddenly as it came. The relief at being able to see barely sets in when an arrow comes flying out of nowhere, straight into Arlo’s chest. Blood immediately starts pouring from the wound, dripping in thick splotches to the ground, forming a puddle in seconds.No! No, Arlo, don’t you dare die on me, hang on. Take some of my life essence. We’ll get you out of here and to a healer, I tell him, desperately attempting to share my animus with him. It should be possible, but no matter how hard I push, nothing happens.He sways on his feet, then falls heavily to his side, sending up a flurry of leaves as his large body hits the forest floor. I’m howling in agony, calling the others to us, but they’re nowhere to be seen. It’s just me and Arlo in the half-light of the forest and his eyes are starting to dim.I can’t. This can’t be happening to me again. I won’t survive this loss. Please Arlo, I beg again, but his eyes are wide open and blank. He’
HildaI’m not sure how close we are to Maelor and the other mages. Cerelia assured us they were all in the same area and I suspect it’s taking their combined power to send the illusions. If he was able to do this over a substantial distance, he would have tried to stop us earlier, or lure me to him when I was alone.The thought terrifies me. If Arlo hadn’t been here to stop me, I’d have run straight back into whatever trap Maelor had waiting. More proof that Arlo and I are stronger together. Hopefully strong enough to defeat a cabal of mages.I wonder whether Maelor figured out yet how I got away from him. The wards must have warned him that we’re on our way, but I’m sure he knew that we’d be coming for him sooner or later. Leaving them to continue plotting would be foolish and I trust he knows Arlo is no fool.We have to continue, Arlo says. Even if we can’t get to them, we have to give Cerelia and the others a fighting chance at freeing the women. He’s right. I have to ignore the tr
CereliaSoren’s true to his word, he doesn’t leave my side for a second and I’m very grateful. I know the others here have their doubts about me. I’m finding it difficult enough to reconcile being a mage and a werewolf, how can I expect them to simply accept it?The pull to the source of power is still strong and Soren and I take the lead, with Percy flanking my other side. “You’re sure we’re still on the right path?” he asks carefully as we’re struggling through a thicket of underbrush.Soren tenses next to me, ready to defend my honor from this perceived slight. “Yes, I can feel them and this is the most direct route, if not exactly the easiest to travel.” Percy smiles at me comfortingly, “As long as we find them, that’s all that matters.”“It would be easier if we could just travel as wolves, but my powers don’t seem to work when I change,” I continue apologetically. “That doesn’t matter,” Soren interjects forcefully. “You’re the only one who can find the women, you’re not inconven
Soren POVPercy turns around to call for torches and to warn his soldiers. “We don’t know what’s lying in wait down there, keep your eyes and ears wide open and use the mind link if you notice anything that may warrant further inspection. You can rather be the wolf who cries danger when there’s nothing, than ignore a possible threat.”Most of the squad are still in wolf form, with only a handful changing human again to carry torches. We have excellent night vision, but it’s impossible to see in pitch darkness and there’s obviously no natural source of light underground.The steps are narrow and high, leaving me wondering what kind of creature they’d originally been made for. Undoubtedly something with very long legs. It’s not exactly a comfortable climb and the darkness seems to be doing its best to swallow our light.When we finally reach level ground, I’m sure we’ve descended at least 2000 feet. The air is freezing cold and musty, but the worst thing down here are the faint whispers
Hilda POVThis place is creepy as hell. Being lost down here on your own would be a nightmare. We catch up to Soren and Cerelia, who seem to be unable to stop smiling at each other. We obviously missed a special moment between the two. I’m in no position to judge where they find joy in each other, considering Arlo and I didn’t make it out of the caves without ripping each other’s clothes off.“We only got four of them and Maelor got away,” I tell them, briefly filling them in on what had happened to us. Cerelia looks at me wide-eyed, “I should have stayed with you. What if Arlo hadn’t been able to catch you in time?”“He did, so we’re not going to fret about what ifs. This was more important anyway. Percy let us know how difficult it was to find the entrance and if Maelor and the others decide to chase after us, I’d rather we have a head start on saving these women’s lives.”Cerelia smiles at me and it’s the first time there’s no hesitation in her eyes. I can’t explain why it means so
HildaThe scent of blood and gunpowder thickens the air as we charge through the compound’s outer defences.My wolves move as one, a force of fangs and fury tearing through Malcolm’s men before they can react.Gunfire erupts, the sharp cracks echoing in the night, but it’s already too late for them. They are human. Fragile. Weak. Slow. And they thought iron bars and bullets would be enough to keep us out.Idiots.I weave through the chaos, claws tearing through the throat of a man who tries to take aim at me. He gurgles, choking on his own blood, before he drops. I don’t stop to watch him die.There are more ahead. All of my warriors are locked in their own battles, cutting down anything that stands in our way.We take hits, wounds that would kill humans. It takes us time to heal and some of my wolves stay down, but I know they’ll rise again after a period of rest. We’re not invincible, or immune to injury, but we’re vastly more formidable than humans can comprehend.I trust my warrio
HildaThe map Percy drew is spread across the table, its edges curling from being rolled and unrolled too many times. Every mark, every note, every calculation has been pored over again and again. There’s no room for mistakes.I press my hands against the wood, leaning forward, feeling the weight of every decision settle into my bones. He’s been gone for a week and each second feels like an eternity. Now it’s time to move and I’m terrified of failing Arlo.“We have to leave soon, Hilda,” Nixie says quietly, pulling me out of the vortex of indecision I’m drowning in. “I know.” My voice is rough, frayed at the edges.I haven’t slept much, and when I try, it’s filled with Arlo. His pain, his anger, the sheer willpower keeping him alive. I feel it all through our bond, and it’s like an iron chain around my ribs, pulling tighter with every passing hour.Soren’s fingers tap against the hilt of his knife. “We have enough warriors. We’ve gone over every possible way in and out. You’ve made a
ArloPain is a funny thing. At some point, your body gets so used to it that it fades into the background. Becoming just a dull, constant throb that you learn to live with.The cold metal of the cage bites into my skin and the bars are slick with my blood. My wrists are raw from the chains, but I barely feel it anymore.I would sell my soul to be in bed next to Hilda’s luscious, warm body right now, listening to Scarlett’s deep breathing from the other room. For a moment I allow myself to believe I’m there, but the presence of pure evil is too distracting.Malcolm leans against the wall across from me, arms crossed, looking as smug as ever. I despise the way he stares at me like I’m an animal in a zoo. Some rarity who’s already dead and he’s just waiting for my body to catch up.“I thought you’d be easier to break. Most men don’t last this long,” he comments quietly. I smile, bloody and sharp. “Most men aren’t me.”Malcolm chuckles, “So you’ve finally decided to speak. I’m honoured. S
MalcolmArlo won’t break. Or die. I’ve tried everything. Shooting him in the head. Riddling his entire body with silver bullets. An axe thrown straight into his heart. Nothing sticks. He regenerates time and again.I’m very keen to cut his head off, but nobody wants to get in the cage with him, not even when he’s unconscious. I killed two men for disobeying a direct order, before I decided it was futile.They’re less afraid of my bullets than his fangs. None of them have dared to point out that I haven’t dared enter the cage myself. He’s developing a tolerance for the tranquilizer darts. It takes 6 to bring him down now and he wakes up faster every time.I’m not risking my own life. These darts bring down elephants. They’re the strongest thing on the market. Are they all this strong, or is he special? I thought we’d take them out without any trouble. Wasted a fortune on having silver fucking bullets cast and they do nothing!It should have been easy. It was easy with Milo. A
TaraScarlett is a menace. An adorable, sharp-witted, completely unstoppable menace and Ash has no clue what he’s up against.I lean against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching Ash lose yet another argument to the tiny tyrant. He doesn’t stand a chance, and I think deep down, he knows it. Even if he isn’t quite ready to admit defeat yet.“You can’t just order me around like some lackey,” he protests, running a hand through his already-messy dark hair. Scarlett tilts her head, considering. “Yes, I can. What’s a lackey?”Ash exhales through his nose, a muscle in his jaw twitching. “You’re two. And a lackey is a servant.”“I’m almost three,” she corrects primly. “And you already swore loyalty to Mr. Tibbles, which means you have to listen to me.”I press a hand to my mouth to stifle my laughter. It doesn’t help. Ash glares at me. “You think this is funny?” I shrug. “A little. Did you really bend the knee to Mr. Tibbles? I’m afraid she has you dead to rights then. She’s he’s envoy.”
HildaI knew Percy and Nixie would come through for me, but they really outdid themselves. Maps. Schedules. Weaknesses. Everything I need to get Arlo back is spread across the heavy oak table in front of me.Of course I’ve always known that they’re efficient and reliable, but what they’ve gotten me goes above and beyond.When they arrived, Nixie’s face was flushed from the cold, her red hair wild in the wind, but there was triumph in her green eyes and I knew things were finally looking up.Percy quietly handed me the bundle of documents. I’m sure he’s better than a human CIA agent it was all so thoroughly set out. Now it’s up to me to take the information and find the best way to get my mate back.I’m only interested in quick results right now. Finesse means nothing in the face of Arlo’s suffering. I won’t allow anyone from outside the compound to be hurt, but those within the walls where Arlo is being tortured, will not be spared.Malcolm is feared but not liked. That much is cle
AshI wake up cursing, tangled in my sheets like some kind of deranged marionette. The brat did it. She actually did it. Pulled me right into whatever bizarre little web of magic she has, and now, no matter how much I’d like to ignore it, I can feel the pull.Fuck.I rub a hand over my face, groaning. There has to be a way to sever this ridiculous connection. I don’t do attachments. I don’t do obligations.The tiny, tyrannical nightmare in pigtails just yanked me straight out of my perfectly pleasant existence and into something I do not want to be a part of. First of all, werewolves can probably kill me now.Secondly, they don’t have clubs and bars and theatres in the sticks. They have testosterone and family values. I think I’m allergic to the latter.“No, no, no.” I squeeze my eyes shut, as if that might undo whatever ridiculous connection just dragged me into this mess. Of course it doesn’t. Because my luck is absolute shit when it comes to that kid.Groaning, I grab the nearest b
ScarlettDarkness stretches in every direction. Not the scary kind, not the kind that makes my heart race and my hands clutch at the blankets, but the nice, quiet, endless kind.Like a sky without stars, but you know they’re just out of sight. Like the moment before a secret is whispered and you’re all excited.I know I’m dreaming. I always know when I’m dreaming, but this is one of the dreams that isn’t just a dream.I need to find Ash. I know it’s important that he has to come and help us fight the bad man who has daddy. I’m not sure why yet, but that doesn’t matter.Usually it’s easy to just see what he’s doing, but tonight I have to talk to him and I think that’s why it’s more difficult. Mommy says I can talk the hind leg off a donkey, so it shouldn’t be too hard.“Ash,” I call his name, letting it ripple through the nothingness. I can feel the shape of it as I say it. Short and sharp, like the snap of twigs beneath my feet when I walk barefoot next to the creek.There’s no answer
PercyThe city hums with life, humans hurrying through the streets, wrapped in their own worries, never once considering that wolves stalk among them. Which makes my job so much easier. They also have no reason to fear us, since we’ve never actually hunted humans.Nixie moves beside me, her steps careful, gaze sharp as she studies every car that passes, every figure that lingers too long.She’s more comfortable in the wild, where the air is fresh and the only noise comes from insects, animals and us. Here, the air is thick with gasoline and rot. The smell of so many people pressed together makes tracking damn near impossible.But impossible isn’t in my vocabulary. I have no idea how some of us manage to live in the city. The constant assault on my senses is disorienting.The bastards didn’t even try to cover their tracks this time. The tire marks leading into the city were fresh, and the scent of Arlo’s scent clings to Malcolm’s men like oil on water.We followed the trail for miles