Jason's POV Leaving my Father's office, I felt like I was going to throw up; my only saving grace was that I had not eaten anything yet! Nor would I have time now! Following my Father and Marcus down the stairs with Tommy silently at my side, I could feel the apprehension rolling off him. I knew he was picking up on the dread that was eating me up. Kicking myself for being unable to hide it from him, I didn't want to concern the pack with my suspicions until I had chance to talk to Abigail! Coming to stand beside my Father on the steps of the packhouse, I tried to steady my racing heart, locking my hands behind my back stoically. Tommy and Marcus stood to my right, my mother; the packs Luna appeared beside her mate. Taking his hand in her loving embrace, I knew my Father had linked her and asked her to come and address the pack with him; he wanted to show unity and strength. Marcus whistled to get the pack's attention, sensing their alpha had something to say; they all assembled
Maxwell's POV Staring into the sinister flames that danced around the once magnificent gothic church, a sense of unbearable sorrow washed over all who stood and observed the misery the hellfire unleashed upon these people's faith! Its ancient walls, composed of intricate sculptures and brightly stained-glass windows, crumbled dramatically around the glorious gold and stone altar as if a force protected the heart of the church. An overwhelming reminder of the last time I had witnessed these flames devouring our land played through my mind; Like now, the menacing flames left nothing in their wake but heartbreak and destruction. A neighbouring pack had crossed onto our territory under the pretence of looking for a rogue wolf who had apparently fled through our land after slaughtering one of their elders. We had agreed to help them search through our domain, not fully trusting them or their story. And we were right to have been suspicious because once they were within our borders,
Damien's POV "The cavalry's here", Ares chuckled discreetly to me; turning in the direction I had just come from, I quietly observed the scene before me. The washed-up alpha and his pack stood handing out aid to the town folk while boy wonder headed towards the source of everyone's anguish. "Let's see how Mr High 'N' Mighty fares against hellfire, shall we!" I retorted with a chuckle; staying in the shadows, I followed the turd to the church grounds. The horror that spread across his face as he looked up at the ominous flames was hysterical! "Call yourself an Alpha, yet you quiver and shake at the sight of a tiny fire!" I laughed to myself, watching him curiously. "How is this dude even a consideration for our angel? He couldn't punch his way out of a paper bag, let alone protect her," Ares huffed, watching the pipsqueak through my eyes cautiously. A low growl rumbled through my chest, seeing the pack's useless alpha come and stand beside his son. I could feel Ares's despera
Jason's POV "Jay, I need you to keep your composure! This imbecile is trying to finish what his damn Father started and get a rise out of the pack! They are looking for provocation- If you react, they will have just that." Marcus' voice resounded through my head firmly. I knew he was right; the logical thing to do would be to ignore the slurs, but this touched fool was getting on my last nerve. Talking about Abigail like she was no more than a common whore. How he dragged her name through mud proved too much for Archer, his temper running rampant through me; his brutal growl vibrated from my chest, shocking even me. "Archer, Marcus is right! Don't give in to these psychopath's taunts." I soothed, linking my wolf. I decided to open the link up to my Father and Marcus in case I couldn't control my wolf; I would have the backup I may need. Although given how my Father had lost his cool two minutes ago and almost faced off against this brutes Father, I was a little sceptical at hi
Abigail's POV Jolting up right from a deep sleep, confusion whizzing around my head: moments ago, I had been in a different realm made of glass towers, a realm so delicate I was scared I would shatter it with my clumsy feet. I wasn't alone, though; I was with... the darkness! Memories poured back into my mind of the heinous crimes I had inflicted on people. People of this town! On whim! Closing my eyes to hold the tears at bay, I realised that the thunderous banging I had woken up to was not in my dream but on my apartment door! "GO AWAY!" I grumbled, turning over on the sofa; a reminder of the night before played through my mind; I had fallen asleep with Damien! Curled up next to him! Looking around slowly, the banging had momentarily stopped; I gave my eyes a second to focus, hoping they would find Damien's confident grin, one I had grown to adore over the last few days. Maybe he had moved to sleep on the chair or floor or even had to pee! "Damien, can you get it? My body is
Jason's POV With my hand tightly grasped around Abigail's throat, I knew I had crossed a line! I watched the events I had set into action unravel around me in slow motion, lost in self-disgust and shame. Thinking Archer's incessant howling while clawing at the confines of my mind was clouding my judgement, I had pushed him so far down that it had blocked him out. I had tried to shut my feelings for Abbi off, wanting to act rationally, instead I had fucked everything up! Hindsight is a beautiful thing! I assumed his whining was because he was angry at me for how I had just treated Abigail! But looking at the crumpled body of my Beta and best friend, I realised just how wrong I was- he had been trying to warn me of the threat coming from behind. That error would cost me greatly. Looking between Damien and Tommy, thoroughly racked with guilt, I felt Archer roaring to the front of my eyes, fighting my human form for control, all care for the alliance gone- I had become a liability!
Abigail's POV "No deal," I hissed to the two testosterone-fuelled men currently measuring their dicks in my living room. "You're being ridiculous! Every minute you two bicker about me is another second your friend here gets closer to..." "Death," Damien added when I couldn't finish the sentence, making me nod, closing my eyes. "Yes I added quietly, not wanting to be harsh with Jason and Archer, but it was about time they took responsibility for this shit and stepped up. "Come on, Fuck Damien-" Sighing, I open my eyes slowly, focusing on Jason, ignoring the anger that seemed to be coming from Damien in waves. "I'm game if you are red!" Damien chirped up, making me grit my teeth, eyeballing him furiously. "Read. The. Damn. Room." I snapped angrily. "I am; he is dead or at least close to it; I say let him go out with dignity and stop blubbering over him." Damien declared his tone harsher than I think he meant it to be. "Damien, can you at least try to show some remorse?
Damien's POV This moron was starting to get on my last nerve! The muscles in my jaw twitched with the anger I felt brewing. He and his whole pack just needed annihilating once and for all. If this was the stress and drama they were causing after a few days, I hate to think what the next year or so had in store for Red and I. Looking at her petite hand, turning it over in my grasp carefully, not wanting to hurt her further, the beautiful ivory of her skin sullied with a bruise as black as night. Seeing the swelling forming on her delicate wrist, my expression hardened. Murderous rage blazed in my eyes. Pulling back from Red, manoeuvring her gently to straddle my lap, my eyes slowly pursued her body, checking for any other marks or bruises, not that it mattered. I was still going to rip the fuckers head off for hurting her, I was nothing if not a man of my word, and I was done playing nice! With the rest of her seeming OK, Ares seemed more at ease. My eyes settled on her beauti