Michael POV - The harsh floors and narrow stone walls made silencing his footsteps almost impossible. Michael was a master of stealth but in the damp hallways, the slightest scuff of his shoes would echo in every direction. He kept his breathing shallow and ears pricked for any movement beside his own. If he couldn't move silently, he doubted anyone else would be able to. It was the only good thing about the situation; like he had an early warning system for any approaching enemy. However, no one came. Despite the many warriors he knew were stationed at the front of the packhouse, he had come across no one inside. Maybe it was because he was on one of the lower levels, but there was a prickle on his nape that suggested otherwise. Even though unease was his constant companion, Michael pushed forward. He followed the corridors, finding the paths of the building formed a spiral around its edge rather than having stairs between the different floors. His instincts drew him down, and
With a grunt, Michael twisted the key in the lock and opened the door to her cell. Maddie immediately charged out of it and flew into him, wrapping her arms tight around his waist. It took a few moments before he reciprocated, but once his unharmed arm wrapped around her and he tucked his head against hers, she felt right for the first time in too long. Given that the last time she saw him, she had been standing against him, at Daniel and Lewis’ side, she couldn’t blame his hesitation. She had doubted him then, convinced his lies went beyond protecting his own pack into harming hers. She had been wrong, and it had cost them so much. “I’m so sorry.” She whispered into his chest. Even in the cold, his presence warmed her. Just being in his arms felt like safety, like home, and she never wanted to let go again. “I should’ve trusted you.” Michael drew her back, just enough to meet her gaze. The furrow of his brow, the pain in those dark eyes, they cut Maddie deep. She was the cause o
Despite Michael’s hours of collecting intel on Wild Shore, it was Maddie’s knowledge of the pack that they used to devise their next move. As she told them, the pack used their packhouse as a last line of defence for civilians in case of a serious breach. Not only did that mean it was heavily fortified, but it also was stocked with plenty of supplies; food, water, clothes and weapons. That’s where they were headed. With only a knife between them, and thread bare clothes, they needed more supplies before they escaped. The stock room was on the upper floors and Michael took the lead as they began their way up the outer slope of the building. Lewis brought up the rear, watching their backs in case there were other wolves lurking in the shadows, while Maddie walked between them. Despite being in the safest position, she was certain her heart was pounding the hardest. With her makeshift bandages already soaking through red on her mate’s arm, and Lewis barely moving his injured wrists, she
They waited until all the Wild Shore wolves had moved into their assigned positions. Maddie held her breath as warrior after warrior rushed up the sloped hallway of the packhouse. They didn’t know exactly how many wolves would be stationed to guard the broken window but from the moment they attacked, the other warriors would all converge on them. They’d have barely a minute to escape. She didn’t know if it would be enough, but they had to risk it to be free. Maddie watched Michael, his hand up to keep them steady, Lewis behind her, ready to protect them both. Her breaths were shallow puffs trying to keep time with her pumping heart. Her muscles were bunched, an energy coursing through them, needing her to run, but she waited for the signal. Then, the Alpha dropped his hand. As one, the three of them propelled themselves into the sloped hallway, racing up towards the surface levels. The water was running faster now but their footsteps were hidden by the shouts throughout the building
Maddie faded in and out of awareness as they travelled. Michael coaxed her along, caring for her as they made their way back to Silver Moon. They stopped more often than they needed to, giving them both a chance to recover. He had stashed a bag of supplies a short way from the Wild Shore territory and set up a small camp for them when they were far enough away that the chances of the enemy finding them were slim. They got some clothes, ate some ration bars, drank water and Michael cleaned up his wound. Maddie sat close to the fire and watched him stitch the gash in his shoulder, her own hands still trembling too much to help. Instead, she turned her eyes to the flame, loosing herself to their dance. At some point, her mate had wrapped an arm around her and cuddled close but, by then, the sun was starting to rise. Neither of them had got a wink of sleep, and exhaustion weighed her down as they continued on their journey home.Michael stayed close, holding her hand when he could and br
Maddie parted with Michael at the packhouse, leaving him to talk to her father and their combined forces. Though she wanted to be a part of the team, hearing everything her mate had learned about the enemy so far and planning the next moves to counterattack, she had a promise to keep. Her throat was thick as she walked the familiar halls of the pack hospital. There was more movement around her than she expected. There had been a few minor injuries from the faux attack, but it was odd to see Dark Night and Silver Moon wolves recovering side by side under one roof. It gave her hope that her father’s trust was extending to the rest of the pack. It gave her hope that the future she envisioned at her mate's side would come to fruition. Her father had told her where she needed to go but, now that she had arrived, she couldn’t take the last step into the hospital room that Jess was in. Not only did she have to face what Daniel had done to her, but she also had to share what had happened to
Michael POV - The office was loud with discussions. Everyone had something to say, and they weren't shy about airing their doubts. However, Michael shared a look with his wolves, keeping them silent as the Silver Moon warriors processed everything they had just heard. He understood. It must be hard to hear their beliefs about one of the most traumatic attacks on their pack were all wrong, and the wolves they hated because of it were innocent. He was under no illusion that all their history would be forgiven and forgotten by one simple conversation, but he needed everyone to put their doubts aside, accept their new comradery and work together to start fighting back. Alpha Jonathan wrangled his upper ranked wolves, while Michael sent looks to any of the Dark Night warriors who looked like they were about to speak out. His wolves’ anger was justified too. With Silver Moon turning their backs on the alliance sixteen years ago, all their other allies did too, leaving Dark Night to
Michael POV - Madeline’s soft breaths were slow and rhythmic. They soothed Michael as he sat at her bedside, keeping watch over his mate as she slept. He knew he should get some sleep too, it had been two days since he last rested, but with the decision made to attack Wild Shore the next day, he wanted ever spare moment to be spent with her. Erik was beside him, his gaze fixed to Jess. Where Michael relaxed with his mate’s breath, Erik watched the rise and fall of Jess’ chest as if any hitch in it would make him snap. After almost watching her die, Michael couldn’t blame his friend. If he had seen Madeline bleeding out, death’s cold hand reaching for her, he too would obsess over her every breath. It was hard enough that she had been taken from him and he’d soon be leaving her again, entrusting her safety to the pack that almost lost her the first time. He felt more at ease knowing Erik would be staying on the Silver Moon territory whilst they enacted their plans. Erik didn’t wa