“Jess.” If Maddie’s throat wasn’t already torn to shreds by her screaming that horrible evening, her friend’s name would’ve come out as more than a whimper. She dropped to her knees, catching Jess before she toppled to the floor and eased her back against the tree. Her hand fretted over the wound. She needed to try and stop the blood flow, but there was so much. Her abdomen was already dye
Michael POV - Nothing was going according to plan. It shouldn’t be a surprise, things rarely did, but he was to blame for the stumble in taking Silver Moon. If Madeline hadn’t been dazed enough to take the drink he offered her, their attempt would’ve failed, forcing them to retreat or, worse, the Silver Moon warriors could’ve attacked. Thankfully Connor was on hand to help coordinate their wolves. Reports were coming in from over the island, announcing their success in subduing their opponents. Their warriors had been taken to one of two places, the packhouse or the docks, where they were being watched while Michael took the lead. With more of his wolves spread amongst the island, they claimed to have the civilians as hostages, keeping the warriors in check. With no idea of the number of Dark Night wolves on their territory, and most of their warriors under watch, they were locked in place. Though it appeared as though their plan was working, the crucial edge had failed, and i
Michael POV - Michael didn’t waste the opportunity he had created. The moment Alpha Jonathan became willing to listen, albeit grudgingly, he began to share the truth, just as he had done with Madeline. With her being true mate, she had accepted his words quite easily, but he didn’t fool himself to think it would be the same with her father. However, he needed to try. Michael shared his account of the last sixteen years, starting with the first attack. He recounted the war, the struggles, his reason for entering the Alpha Games and their alliance with Mountain Forest. With Erik leading their support, their involvement could no longer be kept secret. While he spoke, Michael watched Alpha Jonathan’s expression for any micro changes he could decipher. The man was like a rock. No information shared made him waiver in his neutral composure, leaving Michael unaware if any of it was sinking in. It made him uneasy, but he continued regardless. He didn’t know how long he’d get to keep t
Maddie kept her eyes closed as consciousness roused like a lazy cat in the back of her mind. Her body tensed, waiting for the onslaught of aches and pains, but they were dulled. In fact, everything was. A thick fog wrapped around her mind, making each thought sluggish as she tried to pull out of its grip. It was more than the sweet temptation of a deep sleep. Stronger, more forceful. It was probably some drug still in her system. It would wear off eventually. In the meantime, she stopped fighting its pull and allowed her body to sink into the relief of its waiting arms, while she kept her focus alive. It was a struggle, but it was easier than forcing her eyes open. A smooth surface was beneath her body, cradling it while it rested, but she knew it wasn’t the comfort of her own bed. The pillow smelled unfamiliar, musty and unused. It was the only thing she could smell in the room despite trying to focus. Rather than catching any other wolf’s presence or any nearby food, the air was t
“Easy there.” Daniel placed a hand on Maddie’s shoulder, keeping her sat on the bed. “You’ve only just woken from such a long sleep.” From the way he drawled, his smirk sickly sweet, she knew they had given her something. Though she was begrudgingly grateful she was no longer overwhelmed by pain, she snatched her arm out of his hold, and glared. Or, at least, she tried to. Her eyelids were still protesting being open, drooping every few seconds, and she only managed to lean away from him, almost causing her to flop back down. Daniel chuckled as he guided her to lean back against the wall. Maddie got her first good look of the room. It wasn’t a cell like she had expected, though only the open door and bed took away that impression. The grey stone walls looked wet and, as she slowly woke up, she could make out the lapping of waves through them. No wonder she could smell the sea. She could almost feel its presence on the other side of the wall. Where the hell had they taken her? Red
“Lewis?” Maddie gasped, hope fluttering in her chest to hear his voice, but it died just as quick as it rose as she shuffled towards him. The sharp tang of blood surrounded her Beta, cutting through the thick, salty air. There was a sizzle of flesh as she moved closer, turning her stomach but she swallowed against the bile that threatened to rise. She could only see his silhouette shadowed against the stone wall but kept her eyes on him, waiting for them to adjust to the dim lighting. She edged closer. Finally, her foot nudged against something. She crouched down and touched his foot, almost yanking her hand back at the ice-cold chill of his skin. Maddie had to bite back a growl at the extra punishment he was facing sitting on the cold stone. In a t-shirt, joggers, socks and shoes, she should have been grateful that they hadn’t stripped her as bare as him but only anger grew within her. Making quick work, she pulled off her socks and yanked them onto Lewis’ feet. They were too sh
There was no mistaking the venom in the Wild Shore wolf’s eyes. Maddie had last seen it the day of the weapons trial. If having a barely trained Luna-to-be beat him in a one-on-one spar wasn’t enough to make Jason hate her, then kicking him off her territory while he snivelled on his knees did the trick. It was his own fault for attacking her after she won the match, but she had relished feeling the strength of standing above his cowered kneeling form, Silver Moon warriors at his side ready to act on her wishes. It twisted the knife that beating him had already thrust into his gut and was worth it at the time. Now, that same look had contorted into a burning hatred. The unusual glow of green in his blue eyes reminded her of the darkening sea as a storm rolled in, but she now wondered if the storm had already arrived. Her body stiffened as she angled it to stand between Lewis and Jason, her defensive stance strong, but there was no flicker of concern in the Wild Shore wolf’s expressio
Before Maddie could find her words, Jason appeared at the door, a slumped Lewis in tow. All her thoughts of arguing left her as her friend was thrown to the floor. She was moving before she realised, cupping Lewis’ purpling face in her hands. Only one of his eyes was open, the other swollen shut, his breathing haggard, but he was alive. She pressed a gentle hand to his forehead and then his chest. The thin film of sweat on him did nothing to show the heat of his skin. He was feverish to the touch, but she hoped the cold cell would help calm its intensity. “Here’s your dinner.” Jason looked displeased to be serving them, as he held out two trays, refusing to venture past the door. The smell of the soup made Maddie’s stomach clench. She didn’t know how long it had been since she last ate, and her lips were parched for a drop of fresh water the bottle on each tray boasted. “Come on, Darling, I don’t have all day.” Her feet were unsteady as she pushed herself to stand. Though a lot
Inga POV - There had been few moments in Inga’s life when she had stopped to simply observe the world around her. There had always been something she needed to do, every single action having a purpose towards her goal to liberate Grey Stone of their leadership and break free from Red Dawn. Each step forward she had carried that responsibility, that burden, but it was finally gone. Eleanor was dead, Autumn was the Grey Stone Alpha, and she was no longer a Beta. Well, she was in name, but she was free of the role’s duties during her and Connor’s break. The moment she had recovered from the war, Silver Night had been their first stop to confirm their decision with Alpha Michael, and then they were off. Connor didn’t waste any time taking her away from everything, carving out a small piece of the kingdom just for them. He took her to the one place he knew better than anywhere, a place where they could be alone. Dark Night was beautiful in a tragic way. The years of battle had scarred t
Nala POV - “Do you give up?” Nala growled in Autumn’s ear, nipping the soft flesh beneath it. Her mate squealed and wiggled beneath her. Nala smiled as she managed to squirm her legs free and wrapped them around her waist, giving her the purchase to roll them over. She could’ve stopped it, but why would she when it gave her such a great view. Autumn sat astride her waist, pinning her arms to her side with her thighs, a victorious grin on her perfect mouth. Her chest heaved with each pant, and she watched a bead of sweat fall from her chin and slide into her cleavage. Nala's tongue flicked across her lips, a pang of heat swelling in her core. “Ha!” The Alpha shouted, letting her head fall back, her red hair falling around her in wave after wave of beautiful curls. Nala’s fingers twitched at the memory of their softness. “I did it. I finally pinned you.” She laughed, the sound spreading across the empty training field. Nala took the opportunity to look over her mate’s form, gr
Michael POV - “That could’ve been us.” Nala snorted, elbowing him in the gut with a force that almost winded him. It was almost horrifying to picture being mated to his friend. He thought as much as he rubbed his side, already feeling a bruise forming, but didn't get a chance to respond as she turned back to Alpha Autumn. The Grey Stone wolf leaned in to hear Nala's whispers and immediately bloomed a stark red. She fumbled for something to say and ended up thrusting their pup into the warrior's arms instead. Nala lifted the pup to her shoulders, letting him wave widely at the couple on the stage, though it didn't stop her from leaving a hand on Autumn's thigh.Michael chuckled. It was a good thing she had vehemently denied becoming his mate to broker a stronger alliance between their packs. He shuddered to consider it now, but it was easier to laugh about it when they both sat beside their mates, watching the rightful leaders of the pack take their positions.“Mountain Forest, I giv
Inga POV - When one closes their eyes for what they think will be the last time, it’s odd when they open them again. Though everything was blurry and bright, Inga was sure it wasn’t a dream or her imagination playing tricks on her. The pain lancing through her skull could attest for that. Sound came first. The rustling of material beside her, followed by a few sharp shouts that were blaringly loud, as if right beside her ear, but far too muffled for any word to be clear. Her frustration bubbled like hot water beneath her skin, her drive to understand what was going on far greater than her submission to the pain or fatigue trying to pull her back into slumber. She blinked open her eyelids, wincing through the blur of colours that moulded into oddly shaped blobs. One particular blob leaned in close, too close, and her body reacted on its own. Her arm jerked up; her fist semi clenched as her muscles ignored her instincts. She punched the blob, or more like tapped it with her fis
Inga POV - It may have only been two stories, but after the day she had had, the week, hitting the ground felt like hitting a wall that punched the words of giving up to her tongue. Inga swallowed them, her mouth dry, clawing to hold onto her surrender. Every inch of her ached. The impact jarred through her body, making her head ring and her vision dizzy. At least she had managed to push Luna Eleanor off her while they fell. Inga didn’t want to think about the additional pain she’d be in if that bitch had landed on her. If luck was with her, hopefully the Luna had fallen on her face or, better yet, a knife. The night sky was a blanket of black spread out above her, dotted with stars, like glitter threaded into a plush blanket. She was so tired that the paved road at her back felt comfier than her bed back at Grey Stone. Just thinking of that bed made her remember her last night in it, cuddled at Connor’s side, in disbelief and awe that he was there. He made her feel safe, he made h
Inga POV - Inga didn’t so much as flinch when the door cracked hard enough against the wall that it dented the plaster. She didn’t blink when six wolves barrelled inside. She didn’t hesitate as one of the warriors felt gutsy and charged her before the others. She didn’t give him the chance to attack. He had asked for her attention; he had unknowingly drawn the short straw. She lunged. Her body protested as she forced it to shift, but it obeyed. The glare she pinned to the wolf as she moved towards him, made him freeze with the instinct of prey already caught by the predator. It was his lack of discipline to refine his reflexes that was his downfall. The warrior didn’t so much as jerk as her jaws latched onto his arm, her canines digging deep into his flesh. The familiar warm, metallic, taste of blood pooled on her tongue, a wave of feral victory washing through her. With no time to bask in its glow, she twisted her head until she heard the bone snap, before letting the wolf go and re
Inga POV - “Okay. Just stand back, there’s wounded in here.” Lewis raised his voice through the door, then waited, listening for the slow shuffle of feet. Inga listened too, trying to catch any small whispers of deceit among the crowd of Red Dawn warriors waiting for them. “We’re coming out.” The trio shared one final nod, before the Beta twisted the handle and the door swung open. Her stomach was in knots looking out at the wolves watching them, waiting, their eyes predatory. There were at least six; enough to block the corridor that stretched directly from the door towards the stairs, but Inga was certain there were others. She spotted the Red Dawn Alpha and Daniel standing behind their warriors, the leadership safe except for Luna Eleanor. She had the balls to stand at the front. Inga didn’t have to fake the way her face paled as she locked gazes with the Luna. The gleam in her eyes was malicious, her lips lifting as she took in Inga’s hunched form, leaning so far onto Jami
Inga POV - Clawing at Lewis’ arms did nothing. The man was pure muscle and resilience, ignoring her cries for Connor, ignoring her curses, ignoring her pleas for him to stop. Against the Red Dawn warriors, she doubted she’d be much good anyway. Her body felt heavy, like her veins were filled with lead, every muscle protesting her orders. She couldn’t even lift the arm where Luna Eleanor had stabbed her. Even wiggling her fingers sent shooting pains all through her body. Inga had been stabbed before, most warriors had, but it felt different. Her energy, her strength, was sapped. It was like the blade was draining her. However, none of that mattered. Connor was her mate; she couldn’t leave him behind to face all those warriors alone. She had to try and help him. Again, Inga pounded on Lewis’ chest, each impact jarring her, but none of them made the Silver Night warrior even flinch. It was like she was a fly bumping against a window, the force hurting her and not even smearing his s
Connor POV - He was sure his heart stopped, freezing time for the span of a breath, as Inga tipped on the stairs. Her body shifted backward, falling with only the hard stairs to catch her. The silver blade in her shoulder caught the light as she became airborne. Its flash shot through Connor’s mind, jerking him back to his body, forcing a fresh dose of adrenaline through his system. He charged forward, reaching with desperate hands to catch her, to soften her fall, to protect her. He wasn’t sure if it was a miracle, or a divine gift from the Moon Goddess, but the moment he felt her back push against his fingertips, the panic eased, relief chased it away. He was allowed a breath, but the brief moment of calm was crushed as Inga crashed into him. Connor was off balance. His only goal had been to soften her fall, but he didn’t have time to catch her. Her weight pushed him back, forcing him to join her fall, but he wrapped his arms tight around her, curling into her, protecting he