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
Mina POV - It was a sizzling ache that woke Mina. She jerked from a sleep that was anything but restful, her eyes flying wide, her hands launching to her neck. They were smacked away as easily as a fly. “Stop it, you’ll ruin all my hard work.” The woman standing over her huffed. Mina relaxed as gentle hazel eyes fell to her, narrowing with suspicion, but calm. They were a similar colour to Alastor's, but didn't hold the same sharpness. Instead, they were paler hazel, a unique softness to them that boasted a strong presence beneath the surface. She pushed her glasses up her nose, sending a spark of recognition through Mina. “Haven’t we met before?” “So, you remember me?” The woman grinned. “I must say, I was surprised to see Clear Blue’s next Luna in my home. Or, I suppose you’ve taken the title now, right? You’re what, a year older than me?” Mina’s head throbbed as she tried to place the woman. She absentmindedly reached for the ache in her neck again, just to have her ha
Mina POV - With his forced marks still bruised and swollen on her neck, Mina didn’t want to be walking at Castriel’s side, but she didn't have a choice. The summons to accompany the Alpha on a tour of his pack had come with a messenger. She would’ve preferred food to a letter, but the cells only got one meal a day. Instead, she was carted off to her room, forced to leave Taylor behind, to quickly change and become presentable for the Alpha. Castriel had insisted she wash off the filth of the cells, but Mina was thankful for the time. She took a hot shower and examined the marks. It was a relief that they still bore red and angry on her skin. Unlike her mate's silvery marks, his had been rejected and would soon heal.It was Luna Evelyn's horrified gaze that made Mina grab a scarf on her way out. It didn't quite compliment the gaudy floor length gown that Castriel had chosen for her, but she was glad for it. She got a heady satisfaction when his eyes first narrowed on her scarf, pierci
Mina POV - “What did Castriel mean by a ‘bite’?” Mina asked, as Blake led her back to the packhouse, her two plates of leftovers in his hands. She felt a pull to walk back through the streets of Blood Mountain, to feel the warmth of their home touch her again, but the Issacs wolf made a bee line for the town’s edge before working his way around its perimeter. “I suppose our Alpha means to invite her to dinner.” He clipped. “You and I both know he doesn’t.” “Then why ask?” He whirled on her, the growl on his voice supposed to make her shut up, but it only stoked a fire in her belly. “Because of these." She ripped off her scarf, freeing the angry bites to his gaze. His eyes widened, something dangerous flashing within them. “Luna Evelyn’s still haven’t healed. They injected her with silver to try and weaken her into accepting Castriel’s mark. If he tried again now... If he used... She can’t...” Mina’s breath held tight in her upper chest, refusing to fill her lungs. She