Mina POV - Her head thumped with a throb that echoed through her entire body. Mina swore her bones were pulsing with the force, its beat hammering as she attempted to open her eyes. She groaned as a sharp pain sliced through her skull, spearing down the back of her neck when she tried to lift her head. Hands were on her, easing her, and she thought she heard someone talking, but the sound was so distant amongst the whirling in her ears, that she could’ve imagined it. However, Mina gave into the incessant pushes, keeping her lying down on her side. She didn’t think she’d be able to do much anyway if she tried to sit up. Well, except maybe vomit. While she waited for her body to heal, she reached for the memory of what happened. She had been searching in the packhouse, talking to the other Lunas, then went to speak to Sam in the office. He wasn’t there, no one seemed to be, but when she turned to leave there was a blinding pain, and then nothing. Someone had knocked her out from behin
Mina POV - If she didn’t feel like she would’ve passed out if she tried, Mina would’ve lunged for him. Owen walked right up to the bars of the cells, wrapping his hands around them as if it was something else keeping them apart. The keys at his belt told her different. How dare he apologise to her. How dare he look at her with pity like she was merely a wounded animal in a cage. How dare he think one word would change everything he allowed to happen. “I suppose you're not here to let us go.” She spat, growling when he shook his head. “Then what are you doing here, Owen? Standing by again? Doing nothing while I’m hurt?” “I...” The justification halted before it started. Owen just turned from her, keeping his back to her as another wolf stepped closer. He held a dart gun, fully loaded, but there was nowhere to run. “Look at me.” She roared, ignored the raw rub of her throat. “You’re the one allowing this, so look at me.” Owen turned back to her just as the warrior fired, his e
Mina POV - Mina’s feelings toward Owen had changed over the years. When they were pups, she had adored him, following him around, happy that she could always spend time with her best friend. Romance had bloomed between the pair when they hit adolescence, developing into strong feelings as they continued to grow together and share their lives. The night her mother had been killed; his behaviour had disgusted her. She had thought on it many times after, feeling gross that he had almost been the one she had mated, hating him for betraying her trust, but she had never been scared of him. Not like she was now. Owen hovered close, a gleam in his eyes that made her flinch, wearing a grin that made her squirm. She wanted to be as far from the man as possible. She pressed back into the table, turning her face away, moving her gaze to Chloe. She still hadn’t moved, though she cried more freely now. Her bottom lip wobbled, her small sniffs echoing in the dank room now that Owen had stopped ra
Blake POV - For once, Blake struggled to keep up with his unit. He moved half a second after them, Alastor and Roman charging for the packhouse cells, towards Willi. Blake didn’t know the way, and was happy to follow, but his legs burned at the pace they set. He forced himself faster, his strides longer, his breaths harsh pants clouding the night air. The wolves that had attacked them and Luna Jade had gone down easily after being caught unawares by Alastor’s immunity and Roman’s ability to spread it through touch. Blake was still shocked at how efficiently it destroyed the silver in his body, leaving him without any aftereffects of its poison. Their search then switched from finding evidence to finding Willi, only pausing to send Luna Jade for the Blood Mountain wolves, waiting just beyond Clear Blue’s border. Blake’s confidence rose knowing back up was on the way and climbed even more when their clever mate broke through the mindlink block. As soon as her position left her lips,
Roman POV - Roman had never heard Blake’s voice so weak. It made his stomach twist and squeeze so painfully he winced. He quickly finished off the wolf who was snapping at his heels and moved towards the door of the room. Before he could step a foot within a large body crashed into him, knocking him into the wall. His head rebounded on the hard surface, a spike of pain lancing through his skull. He snarled at the warrior but cut off when he saw the torrent of wolves filling the corridor, coming for them. Whatever these warriors had been told, there was vengeance in their eyes, death on each growl. They’d fight to kill, and he would do the same. He shared a look with Allie, a desperation in his eyes that he felt in his bones. Something was wrong with Blake, and they needed to get to him. Allie ducked his head towards the room, then positioned himself at the corridors centre, growling low and thunderous at the incoming enemies. It was a small opening, one Roman had to take to save th
Alastor POV - Roman’s reassurance that Blake was okay washed over Alastor in a cool relief. He sagged against the door, his muscles burning from the strain of keeping it closed, but the doors in the cells were made to stay shut. No one was getting out, but it also kept the Clear Blue warriors from getting in. He could still hear a few of them puffing on the other side of the metal, but most had left. It was no mystery where they were going. There was more than one way into the packhouse basement, and they’d be blocking off the exits, trapping them. If the unit were to get out, they needed to leave and leave sharpish. Alastor took a breath to centre himself, then shifted. Mina and Chloe laid strapped to metal tables and though both were pale, neither looked too hurt. He moved to his mate’s side first. “If you wanted to try bondage, you could’ve asked, Princess.” He tried to ease her with a smirk but winced at the strain in his voice. They had almost lost her again, they still coul
Blake POV - Though a heavy weight riddled his body, Blake stood tall behind Willi. His canines were bared and he stared out at the mixture of Clear Blue and Diamond Ridge wolves that came to do Chelsea and Sam’s bidding. Though their presence was a threat, he was more concerned about Willi. She was still standing strong, challenging the enemy, but he could feel her through their bond. A deep, welling ache was growing beneath her composure as she faced the betrayal of her brother. Blake hadn’t known her when she had been close to Sam, but he knew how it felt to be discarded and used by family. He hadn’t even liked his, yet their betrayal cut deep. He couldn’t imagine the pain she was forcing herself not to feel in that moment. “So, you want to cut me off? You’re doing all this, so I won’t rely on you?” Willi called out. “Rely on me? You did more than that. I was your support for everything and what did I get for it? A whiny sister who didn’t know how good she had it and no credit
Mina POV - As Sam and Chelsea whipped around to face the oncoming threat, her unit pounced. As one, they charged forward in a blink, hitting the front line of the enemy wolves. They moved so fast, no one reacted before three throats were torn out, the first blood of this battle splattering across the floor. Mina winced. Two of those wolves were Clear Blue, but she hardened against the discomfort, knowing they were choosing to side with Sam. If they hadn’t known the truth her guilt would’ve eaten her alive, but she couldn’t feel bad with her unit protecting themselves. These wolves would kill them if given the chance and she knew her mates would give them the same consideration. However, they were trained wolves and wouldn’t go down easily. Alastor, Roman and Blake only took out one wolf each before the others reacted. They pulled around the closest member of her unit and battle ensued. The clash of warriors was a grating sound, the stench of blood slicing through the air immediat