I finished preparing, strapping silver knives to my thighs and slipping a third into my boot. The pendant warmed against my chest, somehow comforting despite my lingering suspicion of my father's motives.We gathered at the eastern edge of pack territory as twilight deepened into night. Silas, Liam, Eliza, and me—a small team, unencumbered by weapons except for the silver blades we each carried. Speed and stealth were our priorities."Lake Carson is fifteen miles east," Silas briefed us. "The resort sits on a peninsula jutting into the water. We'll approach from the forest side, using the trees for cover. Once there, we observe only. We're looking for security patterns, entrance points, and Angela's location within the complex.""What about hybrids?" Liam asked, nervously fingering the silver knife at his belt."Avoid them," Silas said firmly. "We're not there to engage. If spotted, retreat immediately to the rendezvous point." He pointed to a location on the map he'd brought. "Questi
We made it to the stairwell without incident, but as we descended toward the ground floor, a voice called out from above."Hey! Where are you taking them?"I turned to see a guard leaning over the railing, suspicious."Safe zone C," I replied, hoping it meant something.His eyes narrowed. "There is no safe zone C."So much for bluffing. "Run!" I shouted, shoving Liam and Eliza ahead of me down the stairs. Silas took up the rear as guards shouted and gave chase.We burst through the ground floor door into chaos—alarms blaring, security personnel rushing about, voices shouting contradictory orders. Perfect cover for our escape, if we could navigate through it."This way," Silas urged, guiding us toward a side exit. We were almost there when a figure stepped into our path.Logan.He looked different from the delivery room—back in his customary suit, composed and coldly amused. Behind him stood two hybrids, their unnatural forms partially concealed by loose clothing."Stella," he greeted
"We can't just storm the place," my father said, pointing to the satellite images spread across the council table. "The Blackwater Resort has one road in, three miles of shoreline, and Logan's people watching every approach."Four hours of sleep hadn't been enough. My body ached, my head throbbed, and the bond with Silas pulsed like an infected wound. I could feel him—alive, in pain, conscious now—but couldn't reach him."Then we don't use the obvious approaches," I countered, leaning over the map. "What about underwater? The east side of the peninsula?"Mason shook his head. "Too many cameras. They've set up a surveillance perimeter extending two hundred yards into the lake."The council room held every high-ranking pack member who could be spared from border patrol. Twelve hours since we'd lost Silas, and tension hung thick in the air. An Alpha in enemy hands was more than a tactical problem—it was a psychological wound."What about the old sewage tunnels?" Bella suggested, pointing
Mason and Liam returned with good news—the old sewage tunnels were intact, partially collapsed in places but navigable. Better yet, they showed no signs of surveillance or recent human activity."There's a junction box here," Mason explained, marking a spot on the blueprint. "From there, maintenance tunnels lead to the main building, the east wing, and the old spa complex. We found signs of recent activity in the east wing tunnel.""That's where they're keeping Silas," I said with certainty. Through our bond, I'd felt him being moved earlier, the disorientation and pain as guards dragged him somewhere.The rescue team assembled at nightfall—myself, my father, Mason, and six other wolves chosen for strength and stealth. Liam had wanted to come, but I'd refused. He was too young, too inexperienced, and had already risked enough."The objective is extraction only," my father reminded everyone as we gathered at the territory's edge. "We locate Silas, neutralize immediate threats, and with
"Blood calls to blood," he continued smoothly. "Bond calls to bond. Did you really think I wouldn't anticipate your approach? The tunnels were the obvious choice once we secured the perimeter."There was no point in continuing the charade. I pushed aside the ceiling panel and dropped into the room, landing in a crouch. My father followed a moment later."Right on schedule," Logan said, unfazed. "Allow me to introduce our investors. They've been most eager to meet you."The three visitors turned, and I realized with shock that they weren't human or wolf—their eyes had the same silver sheen as the hybrids, but their faces were fully human, their movements natural."Successful integrations," Logan explained, noting my surprise. "First-generation hybrids, now fully stabilized. They've been funding our research for years.""You're playing with forces you don't understand," I said, eyes fixed on Silas. His face was bruised, one eye swollen shut, but he was fully conscious, watching me inten
I wiped my clammy hands on my jeans as I walked toward my father's office. I was all nerves. My father had given me five years, and the deadline was almost up. My heart felt like it was beating outside my chest.I reached the office and hesitated before knocking."Come in," he called.I took a deep breath and opened the door. I slipped inside and waited for more orders. My father's green eyes were on me, hard and unfriendly."Sit," he allowed.I did as he asked.My father's voice always raised the hairs on the back of my neck. Today was no different. "Tomorrow night is the winter solstice," he stated.I swallowed nervously. "I know, Beta." My father never allowed me to call him 'Dad.' Only my sister, Angela, had the right to call him that. I was the murderer and disgrace; she was his pride and joy."You do know what that means, do you not?" he asked."I know.""Today is your final year of grace—not that you deserved it—but Andrea would have wanted me to be merciful."My heart skipped
You will definitely shift," Bella assured me enthusiastically.I wanted to hope, but each failed year flashed in my memory like a bad dream. What if it didn’t happen? My stomach flipped at the thought of being sold to those creepy middle-aged men my father called friends.It was the day, and we were heading out to the woods. The Shifting Grounds were the highest land in the pack. It was where the Solstice full moon was the biggest and brightest, and where the Alpha would guide new shifters through their first shift. I just hoped I would be one of them this year.I got dressed as Bella went on. “You have the best odds this year.”“Why is that?” I asked.“You’re twenty-two this year. The Moon Goddess’s daughter was twenty-two when she shifted. They say she was a late shifter, but her wolf was the most powerful. Almost as powerful as the Moon Goddess herself.”Bella adjusted her glasses as she continued to fill me in on the werewolf mythology she loved to read. Bella, my geeky friend, wa
As werewolves, Jacob, Aaron, and Marcus were able to heal to an extent, despite their extensive injuries. I was basically dragged back to the shifting grounds.With the amount of blood on me and the boys, the moment we walked into the clearing, people began to gasp."What is the meaning of this?" Alpha Lucas demanded.I struggled against Silas' hold. It was humiliating. I could feel my father's eyes on me, the ghost of their obscene touches still on my skin."Alpha, she just went berserk and—"My ears were ringing, and I blurted out the truth like it was poison. "They tried to rape me!" I yelled.There was heavy silence."You are a fucking liar!" Gamma Ryan, Aaron's father, spat. "My son would never—""I am not lying, I swear. They... they held me down... in the dirt." It hurt to speak, but I knew that I had to. "They took Bella.""I'm here," Bella's voice came from behind me, and I snapped my head to where she now stood, unharmed. I took a breath of relief."Don't lie, Stella," my fa
"Blood calls to blood," he continued smoothly. "Bond calls to bond. Did you really think I wouldn't anticipate your approach? The tunnels were the obvious choice once we secured the perimeter."There was no point in continuing the charade. I pushed aside the ceiling panel and dropped into the room, landing in a crouch. My father followed a moment later."Right on schedule," Logan said, unfazed. "Allow me to introduce our investors. They've been most eager to meet you."The three visitors turned, and I realized with shock that they weren't human or wolf—their eyes had the same silver sheen as the hybrids, but their faces were fully human, their movements natural."Successful integrations," Logan explained, noting my surprise. "First-generation hybrids, now fully stabilized. They've been funding our research for years.""You're playing with forces you don't understand," I said, eyes fixed on Silas. His face was bruised, one eye swollen shut, but he was fully conscious, watching me inten
Mason and Liam returned with good news—the old sewage tunnels were intact, partially collapsed in places but navigable. Better yet, they showed no signs of surveillance or recent human activity."There's a junction box here," Mason explained, marking a spot on the blueprint. "From there, maintenance tunnels lead to the main building, the east wing, and the old spa complex. We found signs of recent activity in the east wing tunnel.""That's where they're keeping Silas," I said with certainty. Through our bond, I'd felt him being moved earlier, the disorientation and pain as guards dragged him somewhere.The rescue team assembled at nightfall—myself, my father, Mason, and six other wolves chosen for strength and stealth. Liam had wanted to come, but I'd refused. He was too young, too inexperienced, and had already risked enough."The objective is extraction only," my father reminded everyone as we gathered at the territory's edge. "We locate Silas, neutralize immediate threats, and with
"We can't just storm the place," my father said, pointing to the satellite images spread across the council table. "The Blackwater Resort has one road in, three miles of shoreline, and Logan's people watching every approach."Four hours of sleep hadn't been enough. My body ached, my head throbbed, and the bond with Silas pulsed like an infected wound. I could feel him—alive, in pain, conscious now—but couldn't reach him."Then we don't use the obvious approaches," I countered, leaning over the map. "What about underwater? The east side of the peninsula?"Mason shook his head. "Too many cameras. They've set up a surveillance perimeter extending two hundred yards into the lake."The council room held every high-ranking pack member who could be spared from border patrol. Twelve hours since we'd lost Silas, and tension hung thick in the air. An Alpha in enemy hands was more than a tactical problem—it was a psychological wound."What about the old sewage tunnels?" Bella suggested, pointing
We made it to the stairwell without incident, but as we descended toward the ground floor, a voice called out from above."Hey! Where are you taking them?"I turned to see a guard leaning over the railing, suspicious."Safe zone C," I replied, hoping it meant something.His eyes narrowed. "There is no safe zone C."So much for bluffing. "Run!" I shouted, shoving Liam and Eliza ahead of me down the stairs. Silas took up the rear as guards shouted and gave chase.We burst through the ground floor door into chaos—alarms blaring, security personnel rushing about, voices shouting contradictory orders. Perfect cover for our escape, if we could navigate through it."This way," Silas urged, guiding us toward a side exit. We were almost there when a figure stepped into our path.Logan.He looked different from the delivery room—back in his customary suit, composed and coldly amused. Behind him stood two hybrids, their unnatural forms partially concealed by loose clothing."Stella," he greeted
I finished preparing, strapping silver knives to my thighs and slipping a third into my boot. The pendant warmed against my chest, somehow comforting despite my lingering suspicion of my father's motives.We gathered at the eastern edge of pack territory as twilight deepened into night. Silas, Liam, Eliza, and me—a small team, unencumbered by weapons except for the silver blades we each carried. Speed and stealth were our priorities."Lake Carson is fifteen miles east," Silas briefed us. "The resort sits on a peninsula jutting into the water. We'll approach from the forest side, using the trees for cover. Once there, we observe only. We're looking for security patterns, entrance points, and Angela's location within the complex.""What about hybrids?" Liam asked, nervously fingering the silver knife at his belt."Avoid them," Silas said firmly. "We're not there to engage. If spotted, retreat immediately to the rendezvous point." He pointed to a location on the map he'd brought. "Questi
I stood, needing to move, to process what we'd seen. "The Blackwater Resort. You're sure?"Silas nodded. "Positive. My father considered buying it a few years ago. I visited the property with him.""Then we know where they are," I said. "We need to move fast, before they relocate.""We need a plan first," Silas countered. "That place is massive—multiple buildings, underground levels, surrounded by water on three sides and forest on the fourth. And now they know we've found them."He was right, damn him. Rushing in would be suicide, especially against Logan's hybrids and whatever other security they had in place."Reconnaissance," I said reluctantly. "Small team, minimal footprint. Get the lay of the land, assess their numbers and defenses.""I'll lead it," Silas volunteered."No," I said firmly. "You're still recovering from the silver poisoning. I'll go.""Absolutely not," he objected, standing to face me. "You're their primary target. If Logan gets his hands on you again—""I'm not
Sleep didn't come easy. I tossed in my bed, thoughts jumping between Marie's silver-eyed baby and whatever the hell we were planning to do tomorrow. Using our bond to find Angela sounded good when I suggested it—now, in the darkness of my room, it seemed like inviting trouble.I woke before dawn, abandoning the pretense of rest. The quiet hours belonged to me anyway, had ever since New York. I pulled on jeans and a sweater, slipped out of my room, and headed for the training grounds. Physical exertion might clear my head.Frost covered the grass, crunching under my boots. My breath formed clouds in the pre-dawn air. Winter was settling in hard, earlier than usual. The cold felt good against my skin, still too warm from the renewed bond. Like I was running a perpetual low-grade fever.I started with basics—stretches, then push-ups, sit-ups, mountain climbers. The routine felt familiar, grounding. In the human world, I'd discovered discipline through training, building strength when I'd
I woke to the taste of bile in my mouth and the worst headache of my life. My body felt wrong, like my skin had been removed, flipped inside out, and put back on. Every nerve ending screamed. Every muscle ached. And my mind—my mind was the worst. Thoughts that weren't mine flickered at the edges of my consciousness, emotions I didn't recognize washed over me in waves.I barely made it to the edge of the bed before vomiting violently onto the floor. Someone rushed forward with a basin, but it was too late."Easy," a voice said. Zeta Ruth. "The bond shock is normal. It will pass."I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, trying to focus through the pain in my head. "Silas?" My voice was raw, barely a whisper."Next door. Recovering, like you."Relief flooded me, immediately followed by a burst of foreign emotion—confusion, disorientation, concern. His emotions, bleeding through the renewed bond."Make it stop," I gasped, clutching my head. "It's too much."Zeta Ruth handed me a cup of
The elders agreed to my terms, of course. What choice did they have? Silas would die without the ritual, and the pack needed both of us.The ceremony room was deep beneath the pack house, a circular chamber carved from bedrock, walls decorated with ancient symbols of the Moon Goddess. Moonlight filtered in through a shaft in the ceiling, illuminating a raised stone platform in the center. Behind it stood a carved altar bearing ceremonial knives, bowls, and herbs.Zeta Clara, the oldest of the pack elders, supervised the preparations. Pack members laid Silas on the platform, his body covered only by a thin sheet. The black poison lines stood out starkly against his pale skin, like veins of obsidian beneath the surface. I could see how they pulsed with each labored heartbeat."You understand what this ritual entails?" Zeta Clara asked me as I changed into the simple white shift they'd provided."Bella explained it.""Not just physically," she pressed. "Spiritually. Emotionally. You will