Mina POV - The screech of the beast and the fear in its eyes barely registered as Mina fixed her attention to her mate. Her third mate. Most Lunas got two, others only one. She had never heard of a woman with three mates before. And yet, there he stood, between her and the danger, a snarl on his lips, his pheromones pooling wildly around them. The beast veered back as if the scent promised its death and bolted, only a whisper of noise following it into the dark depths of the mountain side. All fell silent again apart from their laboured breaths. Relief should’ve flooded her, but her body was alive with adrenaline, the sudden surge of dopamine still trying to fight it back. It tried to coax her forward, to stand at her mate’s side, but she stayed put, her feet rooted. Neither of them moved for one breath, two. Not until the last hints of the beast’s presence was long gone and they had recovered. Still, neither moved. Why was he hesitating? Mina realised the answer when her mate tu
Mina POV - As soon as Blake finished carrying her back to the makeshift camp, he dumped her on the floor, and announced they were continuing on to the pack. The warriors already looked pissed, but she endured their glares with an easy smile. She had fooled them and they all knew it. Before anyone could comment, silver cuffs were slapped around her wrists, her chain passed to a random wolf, and they were off. Blake didn't even bother to look at her as he led the way.Each step was arduous. Though Mina was given some spare clothes, her feet were bare. They felt every stone and dip in the path, but it was the incessant pulling of the chain that pissed her off. For wolves that claimed that she was their Luna, they didn’t care to treat her like one. However, none stepped over the line. They kept their distance, content to throw her glares or ignore her entirely. She didn't know where the hostility came from, but she just wished they would leave her be. If they did she could go home. Her m
Mina POV - If Mina thought the packhouse was cold and hard, the rooms in its belly were worse. Two warriors guided her lower and lower into the mountain's depths through winding corridors that peeled off from the packhouse. She was lost after the second turn, the pain in her hand stealing her attention with every throb. She didn’t think it was completely broken, but it was red and swelling fast. She curled it into her chest, blinking back hot tears. She wouldn’t cry in front of these men; they didn’t deserve to see her pain. They stopped before a large set of double doors, taking a guard either side of them. Mina bristled; they were acting as if they were merely escorting her to her room, as if she was a welcomed guest and not a prisoner. She thought they were going to announce her to the room by the way they paused before it, but neither made a sound. Nor did they open the door for her, their role as her jailers fixed to the spot outside her cell. With nowhere to go but forward,
Roman POV - It had been two days since his mate had been taken, and Roman felt every hour weigh heavy on his shoulders. The urge to buckle beneath it, to crumple to the ground and let it swallow him whole, grew with the burden, but he stood strong against it. Breaking now wouldn’t save Mini. It wouldn’t support Allie, or his family. It would be accepting a situation he was raging against. It was that drive to save his mate and protect Allie that fuelled his ability to keep going, and he held onto it with both hands as they made their first move against Blood Mountain. There was no doubt in his mind that they were behind his mate’s abduction, but without proof there was no way any other wolf would stand beside them. Clear Blue was another dead end. After their meeting with the escort Sam sent, he was certain there were traitors among the pack, but who they were wasn’t clear. If the wrong wolves gave their aid, they could lure Roman and his family into a trap or, worse, their deaths.
Roman POV - The force of his kiss pushed Roman back against the tree, but his own desire surged to meet Allie’s. His hand tightened around his jaw, lips parting to get a first taste of his mate. Their tongues clashed, desperate to explore each other, to give and take exactly what they needed. A low rumble built in his chest, as Allie sucked his lip between his, nibbling on the flesh. Roman just knew if his mouth wasn’t busy, he’d be smirking at the response he’d elicited. But he wasn’t the only one who could play games. In a sharp, sudden turn, he swapped positions with his mate, bearing down on him as he took control. His tongue lolled wet and heavy around Allie’s, leaving a trail of spit joining them as he pulled back. The flush on Allie’s face was addictive and dipped far beneath the collar of his shirt. Roman ached to see if it tasted as sweet as it looked. With tongue, teeth and lips, he trailed a hot path over Allie’s jaw and down his neck. He nipped and sucked hot flesh, the
Mina POV - The slick red of her silk dress was uncomfortably tight. It clung to Mina like a second skin, bearing parts of herself she would usually cover. As a Luna, she often didn’t choose the clothes she would wear to formal events, however they were always tasteful, if a little old fashioned. She didn’t feel like herself in those clothes, but they did hold a regal air that helped solidify her presence. This dress was obnoxious, a pleasure for those perceiving her but entirely uncomfortable for herself. A shiver crawled her bare shoulders, the thin straps threatening to snap if she moved the wrong way. “Here.” Luna Evelyn pressed a thick black shawl over her shoulders. It hid her body from prying eyes, a barrier that was fixed in place with a brooch in the shape of an Acer leaf. It stood proud, a golden shield protecting her. Tears pricked her eyes, her thank you caught in her throat, but a knock rung through the room, stealing her words, settling a heavy dread in her gut. “No.
Alastor POV - Alastor jerked awake, his hand flying to his mark. Searing pain built under his skin, fiery and cutting. He was on his feet in moments, racing out of the tent without bothering to stop for clothes. He slammed into a hard body and reflexively grabbed it. “Mina.” It was all he could say. Roman nodded, his eyes blown, wild. They darted to the mountain, his lips curling into a snarl.As one, they both moved.Desperation fuelled them. Mina's fear raking hot and heavy across his chest. It was all he could think about, all he could focus on. He had to save her. They left the makeshift camp behind without a word and charged forward, their only goal to get to their mate. Alastor shifted mid step, his four paws launching him forward. Roman followed his lead, their fur brushing with each step, a small comfort that didn't stand a chance against the panic gripping him.Without a plan, without back up, they bolted to the base of the mountain and didn’t stop there. They took the pat
Blake POV - The shadows cloaked him as he watched the Hayre and Lynn wolf retreat. Blake was impressed they had managed to take down one of the creatures so quickly. They were strong wolves, reacting quickly to the danger. Though he couldn’t decipher their strategy to get up the mountain. It had merely seemed like brute force and ignorance. Surely, they had thought it through before they tried to infiltrate Blood Mountain. Their movements had been easy to predict, his warriors stationed on the path long before they made a move, and yet they hadn’t even made it past their first line of defence. He huffed his disappointment. If this was the calibre of wolf the Moon Goddess thought was appropriate to support the Luna of an original three pack, he wasn’t surprised his Alpha saw fit to correct it. Deity or not, their behaviour was rash and undeserving of their mate. She should've chosen better.Blake pushed away another mindlink as the other creatures closed in. Alpha Castriel called th