Macon POVI stand behind the door waiting for Karen to come back inside the house. I warned her only to give Kate the information I told her or else I would kill Austin. I listened to the conversation. Kate does not want anything to do with her destiny. I need her to take her form so I can take mine. I will let her and Erick unite the packs, and then I will kill them both.Karen comes in through the door. “I did as you asked. Do not hurt Austin. He is just a child,” Karen says.I smile at her and grab her by the arms. I lean into her and kiss her hard on the mouth. “Thank you, sweetie,” I say to her. She pulls back from me. “Don’t you ever fucking touch me again, you filthy bastard,” Karen screams at me!“Oh, Karen, if I wanted you, I would take it. You have nothing I want, bitch,” I scream at her. Austin begins to cry as Karen, and I scream at each other. “Go check on that fucking kid!” I yell at her. I should kill him to put him out of his misery.Karen runs to the back to tend to A
Erick POV My morning has begun the same over the last six months. I wake up alone, and I look at the empty side of the bed where my wife should be; I forcefully pull myself together so I appear strong before my pack. I get dressed, and I go downstairs to help Cassie with Austin. Austin beams when he sees me every morning. It was hard the first month after his mother died. I took on the responsibility of Austin, my brother. He is just a child, and like me, he is alone in this world. After I make sure Austin eats and is ready for his nanny, I go to my office and deal with whatever pack business is on the agenda for the day. Then just like every day for the last six months, I begin my search for my wife, my love, my Kate. Lester’s pack joined my pack after his death. Overnight the Imperial pack and the Moon River pack become one pack. I took on a huge responsibility. Lester’s pack of Imperials is not as large as Macon’s pack, but the extra wolves help with protection and the search for
Erick POVAndrew and Shawn leave me to make arrangements; I have the responsibility of Austin and two packs now. I start making notes for Cassie. I try to think of every small detail that may come up while I am gone. What am I doing? Cassie is bright, and these notes make it look like I do not trust her. I throw the notes in the garbage.As I lean back in my chair, thinking when I should be running out the door to get my wife, Cassie knocks and enters my office. “Alpha Erick, Andrew said you needed to see me urgently,” Cassie says.I lean forward. “Yes, we are going to search for Kate. I have a lot of responsibility to throw in your lap on short notice, and I am sorry for this, but I need you to do this for me. You are the only wolf I trust to oversee the pack while I am away,” I say to her.“It is okay; I can handle it. Whatever you and the pack needs, I am willing to help,” Cassie says.“I can have someone come to help you with Austin in the mornings and at night. I know he has a na
Kate POVMacon and Angie took me six months ago. It has been the same thing every single day. I sleep in a locked room. Angie brings me a meal three times a day. Once a month, they take me to see a doctor in a town nearby. The city looks familiar, but my life was so sheltered growing up I have no idea where I am or how close I am to home.I lay my head down every night, and I dream of Erick. I miss his touch, his kiss, and his kind words. I would love to hear him say, I love you. I am afraid for him and the pack. Macon has hardly said anything to me since he brought me here. I refuse to speak to Angie. Her betrayal is one of the worst things another person could have ever done to me. I hate her.Angie tries to talk to me, but I refuse. I talk to my baby. I rub my prominent belly every night and carry on a conversation with the child growing inside me. I want out of here before my baby comes. I don’t know how but there has to be a way out.I have tried to communicate with the wolves. I
Alexander POVI wait anxiously for Erick and his wolves to arrive. We are ready for them. I have warned the others that he is hot-headed and pissed off at the world since Kate was taken. I hope he doesn’t come here starting anything with any of the younger vampires. They will not take too kindly to his attitude. The younger vampires do not understand the importance of having good relations with the wolves. The young vamps are like Erick, hot-headed and ready to fight for no reason.Erick needs to calm himself and let us help him. With or without him, we will raid the compound. If he wants Kate safely out, then he needs to listen to us. I have spent so much time trying to locate her and her miracle baby. The miracle baby, my grandchild, this child will be a powerful soul. Erick needs to understand that Kate will need the help of the vampires and the hybrids here to transition into her proper form. None of this will be easy for her or her child.Jacklyn and Desire wait with me. They bot
Erick POVI storm off of the porch. Alexander is a snide little fucker, and he pisses me off. The two vampire bitches with him pissed me the hell off too. I know I need to calm down. I keep telling myself that I need to calm myself. They do not realize where I am coming from or how I feel about Kate. My wife is missing. I have lived without her by my side for six months. Now I find out she is pregnant. I only want to bring her home. Don’t they get that?I do not want to storm into a wolf compound, killing innocent wolves, risking the life of my wife and unborn child. Killing another wolf for following the orders of their Alpha, how can I do that? I do not care about Macon and Angie; they can both die, but the wolves in Macon’s pack. They are only following his lead. They may not even agree with him and be stuck in the situation. I had seen firsthand wolves following their Alpha even when they knew it was wrong. The wolves in his pack may not have a choice in the matter, or they could
Kate POVI sit alone in my small room. Angie did not bring me dinner; someone else did, which is odd. This entire day has been off—first a strange dream, then Angie acting stranger than usual. On top of all the days’ oddities, I feel so tired today. I have felt tired for a while, but today I feel exhausted. I touch my growing belly and hum to my unborn child. I wonder what Erick would think about you, little one. I look out the window as the night approaches. I should lie down and rest.I turn the covers back on my bed when I hear a faint voice. Is it the wolves trying to help me finally? I listen, but I hear nothing but silence. I must be going crazy from the isolation. I get into bed and pull the small blanket over me. I snuggle down and try to get comfortable. The lights go out on cue the same as they do every night when I lie down. Are they watching me? Maybe that is why the wolves do not talk to me. Perhaps the wolves are afraid of Macon?I close my eyes and try to listen. “We ar
Erick POVShawn is unusually quiet. He seems distant and almost sleeping as we ride with the vampires to the compound. Alexander has twenty vampires going with us. The plan is to park our trucks and walk up to the compound from the north side. Alexander believes Macon is holding Kate close to the Alpha’s house. Shawn agreed with him. I trust Shawn but not Alexander.“Shawn, are you nervous or something?” I ask him. It is freaking me out, he is being too damn quiet.Shawn opens his eyes and looks at me with the strangest look on his face. “I have been trying to communicate with Kate. I have tried for months but today is the first time I think I might have gotten through to her,” Shawn says.“I hope she does not wig out like before. When the wolves tried to communicate with her before, she had a hard time coping with it,” I say to Shawn.“No, I have been doing a different type of mental link with her. It is very subtle. It should not frighten her, but it will make her sleepy,” Shawn say
Kate POVI am laying in Erick's arms and watching as the white wolf moves closer to me. He is growling and drooling. He is not here to protect me or be on my side, he is here to kill me. He wants my life.I feel paralyzed with fear. Erick opens his eyes, feeling me shaking. "What is wrong, Kate?" Erick asks.Erick looks and sees the wolf coming toward us. I scream loudly. I am going to die. I am pregnant and I am going to die. Who will care for Belle and Chan when the wolf kills us both?Erick jumps from the bed, taking his wolf form. The wolf is ready for him. The two begin to fight. I have to move, I have to kill him. Isabella has said I am the only one that can send him back to hell, but I am so scared.I jump to my feet and take my wolf form. I begin to fight with Erick. "The baby, Kate, RUN!" Erick yells.I sprint down the stairs and into the front of the house. There has to be something here I can kill the white wolf with, the fireplace. I see the fire burning. I can push him in
Kate POVSix months after having Chan, Erick and I decide to renew our vows in front of the entire pack. It has been six months of peace and growth among the whole pack. There is no longer a threat from Macon or Alexander.I have taken my place helping Tibo as a midwife for the she-wolves. It gives me something to do and keeps my mind occupied. Between taking care of Chan and Belle, I needed an outlet. Something that was all mine and no one else. I try to stay as busy as possible, and it keeps the wolf away.Isabella is still with us, and I am so thankful. She works with Tibo when he does not have a nurse. The hardest thing for Isabella has been feeding. Tibo worked it out for her. He gives her blood bags. It is not as effective as getting fresh blood, but it keeps her going. I still need her. That is why when it gets really bad, Meaghan lets her feed from her.Meaghan has helped me plan my vow renewal to Erick, and I promised to help her plan her wedding. I knew she and Raven were ma
Erick POVI carry Kate up the stairs. Isabella takes baby Belle to Meaghan and then follows me up to the bedroom. I lay Kate on the bed. Isabella checks on her. Kate is screaming out. Every time she screams, I can hear baby Belle howl."He is here. He is here with me. He is talking to me," Kate is rambling on about the white wolf.I take her hand. Her eyes are turning black. "He wants me, he is trying to tell me... he is telling me.... he says you do not love me. He says it was your father that helped kill my mother," Kate rambles on.Isabella takes her hand. "Listen to me, Kate. The baby is coming fast. I need you here with us," Isabella says.Her eyes return to normal. "The baby, yes, the baby. Am I having the baby?" Kate asks.Kate is entirely in another place. She looks at me with love, then hate. Her emotions are all over the place. She labors. She screams with another pain, and then her eyes change back and forth from black to normal."They are all here," Kate says, fear vibrate
Kate POVIsabella takes off at vampire speed to see what is happening at my house. I am terrified as I sit with Meaghan and the babies. The white wolf is here. I can feel her, not him, but the female counterpart of the wolf. Is she circling the babies to protect them? Yet, the male white wolf is toying with me and putting images in my mind.Meaghan looks scared. She holds Levi close to her. "We will be okay, I promise," I say to her.I reach out and take her hand. For a moment, I believe my own words. Then another loud noise coming from the direction of my house. I cling to baby Belle. Meaghan and I hold each other and our children."Should we run?" Meaghan asks me."I think we are better off here, waiting. I am scared too," I say to her.Meaghan and I huddle together with our babies for hours until Raven comes for us. Raven comes into the house, and he looks defeated. His clothes are torn and he is dirty. He pulls himself together to help us."Raven, what is happening?" I ask him.Ra
Kate POVI awake in the arms of Erick. He is sleeping so soundly. I cannot remember the last time he was actually sleeping when I woke up. He must be at peace for the moment. Austin is home, Cassie is here not exactly willingly, but she is here. The house is complete and operating.The pack has been pretty quiet. Several of the she-wolves have been by the house with food for us and gifts for the upcoming baby. Things feel normal, and it is terrifying.I roll over to Erick. I kiss his lips softly and let my fingers run through the scruff of his bread. He smiles and opens his eyes."Goodmorning," I say to him. It takes him a moment to become completely awake."Goodmorning, Kate," Erick says.Erick moves closer to me, holding me tightly. His hand makes its way to my baby bump. He rubs my belly, and our baby begins to move about inside me."He is awake," Erick says."Or her," I say."Or her. I do not care as long as our baby is happy," Erick says."I cannot believe you slept so late," I s
Cassie POVI drive all night to take Austin to see Erick and Kate. I am not happy about this, but John made it clear if I want to keep Austin, I had better bring Austin to see Erick. He assured me that Kate is doing good and not a threat to Austin or myself. John also told me Erick would not give me any problems about leaving with Austin after the visit. I am not sure if I can trust him. I know I cannot trust Kate or her damn white wolf. I only want to do what is best for Austin. I know he misses Erick. Erick should see him. He needs to be a part of his life, but he has to keep Kate under control.I pull into the Alpha's house and wait a moment before I help Austin out of the truck. I left Liz with Archie. I did not want her to be in any kind of trouble, just in case, there is trouble. I have a feeling this is not going to go smoothly. Besides, Liz only did all of this to help Austin, and she did not want Austin to be harmed by the white wolf or Kate. I feel like only Liz and I are lo
Erick POVKate falls to the floor. I scream out to her. "Kate! Kate! Kate!"Isabella takes baby Belle from me and places her in the playpen. She touches Kate. "It is okay, and you are okay, Kate," Isabella says to her.Kate's eyes are fighting to open. She is struggling. "Kate!" I call out to her again.Meaghan rushes to the babies to make sure they are okay, then comes to help us with Kate. Meaghan goes to the floor with Kate."She is breathing," Meaghan says. Meaghan touches Kate's forehead."She is so hot! We need to move her, now," Meaghan says.I scoop Kate up from the floor and carry her upstairs. I lay her on the bed. She is so hot. "Call the pack doctor, Meaghan," I say to her as she comes into the bedroom."NO, that is not what she needs," Isabella says. She reaches out to stop Meaghan."She needs a doctor, Isabella," I say."No, she does not need a doctor; she needs to rest. She has seen the white wolf, and it is getting close for her to have the baby. There is nothing the d
Kate POVI am finally starting to feel like myself. I seem to be growing rapidly with this pregnancy. It is odd to think I carried baby Belle to full term, and now this baby will come so quickly. I am still tired, but not like I was last week.Isabella and Meaghan have been with me all week, caring for baby Belle and me. I do not know what I would do without their help. There is no way I could tend to a baby, this house, and be this exhausted.Erick is driving me insane. He watches my every move and makes sure I have everything I need every second of the day. I try not to lose my mind because he did not get the opportunity to baby me when I was pregnant with baby Belle. When this is over, the waiting on me stops."Breakfast, Luna?" Meaghan asks me."No, I am fine," I answer her. Erick rushes into the kitchen now that I am awake and moving around."Yes, she will have breakfast. Sit down, Kate, and eat," Erick says, pulling out a chair at the kitchen table."I am not hungry," I say to h
Erick POVIt has been almost a month since Kate and I have started to reconnect on every level. The past week has been frightening for all of us. She is tired and not getting out of bed. There is no sign of the wolf. I do not think that is what is wrong with her, and it has to be something else.Meaghan stayed overnight with us last night to help with baby Belle so I can tend to Kate. I have not slept much. I watch her sleep and worry for her. I have had enough today. I am taking her to see the pack doctor. I am afraid there is something wrong with her.I sit in my office with baby Belle while Meaghan cooks breakfast for us. Levi is playing in the playpen, and baby Belle is sleeping. Trip will be by later with John. I have a long list of business for the two of them to tend to for me today.I am trying to let up on Trip at Kate's request. She thinks he has learned his lesson. I am not so sure I can trust him again. I am not sure I want to trust him again. The thing with Cassie leaving