[Rosalie’s POV]Pain shoots through me, a piercing pain that radiates through my whole body, but the pain is slowly being washed away by a numbness that is trickling through my body. Along with this feeling is a deep rage that I haven’t felt in years.“Just die already.” Kate growls, shoving her weapon deeper into me. “And stay out of mine and Dieog’s lives.”“Rosalie!” Chanel gasps, attempting to move toward us but stopping as I shake my head.“Take the kids and leave.” I say slowly, understanding what is about to happen. “Get as far away from here as you can.”As I speak, I work to keep the rage I’m feeling at bay while Hana starts to snarl and claw at my consciousness.“But what about you?” Chanel asks, clearly not willing to listen. “I can’t just...”“LEAVE!” I repeat. “Get the kids and get as far away from this place as you can.”I knew once I snapped, I wouldn’t be able to control what happened, and because of that, I didn’t want them to be caught in the crossfire. Hell, I didn’
[Diego’s POV]I tear my gaze away from Kate and fix it on Rosalie again so I can watch her shriek and claw in an attempt to break free of Anthrose’s grip. If he were anyone else, I knew that she would succeed, but with luck, Anthrose was a true warrior, and his strength was almost on par with my own.“Are you going to just stand there?” He growls now. “Help me calm your fucking woman!”“She isn’t…” Kate begins, but stops as Rosalie’s glowing blue gaze comes to rest on her and a terrifying snarl escapes her lips.“I think it’s best you just shut the hell up.” I tell her while keeping my gaze fixed on Rosalie.Even from where I was standing, I could feel an unfamiliar energy radiating from Rosalie. It was dark, and it was powerful, causing even my lycan to want to bow down.This is her real wolf. I murmur inwardly, taking a few steps forward. The one that came forward and killed Jason and his underlings.Up until this point, I only saw the wolf that she allowed me to see.“It must have
[Diego’s POV]I hold Rosalie close as we wait for the elevator to reach its destination. Neither of us speak, and she doesn’t move to break free, confirming just how traumatizing what just happened to her was.“It’s going to be okay.” I murmur, kissing the top of her head. “I won’t let something like that happen again.”“Mhm.”It’s all she says, and I don’t push for anything more, not when I know that she’s probably still reeling. All I could do for now was stay beside her and give her silent comfort until she was willing to talk about it or go back to her normal self.When the elevator doors open in front of us, I prepare to move but stop as Rosalie remains in place, staring straight ahead with a pinched look on her face. And as I open my mouth to ask her what’s wrong, I notice who it is she is looking at.Standing just ahead are Landon and Geo. Just like Rosalie, they stare straight ahead with mirrored expressions of worry.Frowning, I let my gaze move from the boys to Rosalie and b
[Rosalie’s POV]He’s my brother.Diego’s words hit me like a ton of bricks as I realize that my assumption from earlier on about Landon was correct. He truly wasn’t Diego’s son. Kate was a cunning woman who even went as far as sleeping with Diego's father in an attempt to trap Diego.“It’s going to be alright.” I murmur, feeling my heart break for Diego. “Son or brother, he’s still yours.”“Mmmmm.”It’s all Diego says before he places a hand on my head and gives my hair a ruffle.“Since the fun is over, we should head back up.” He says, starting to move toward Chanel and Giddeon, who remain with the kids. “Giddeon,” he continues when he reaches. “I’m going to need you to go down to the station and file a report.”“On it, boss.” Giddeon announces. “You can count on me.”“Shouldn’t we all be doing that?” Chanel counters. “Will just one witness be enough to hold her in jail? You know that her parents won’t allow her to stay there, and neither will...”“Let someone try to free her.” I gro
[Rosalie’s POV]I squeeze Gil’s arm as he leads me through the crowd that has already gathered for the evening's events. Even without looking, I know that they’re watching, they’re curious and judgemental eyes taking us in as if they are predators.“Don’t worry,” Gil murmurs, patting my hand and leading me to the refreshment table. “They’re just jealous of how beautiful you look.”“If only it was just that.” I sigh, knowing that wasn’t the case.Even if I never attended things like this growing up since I was kept far away from the hierarchy of packs, I knew how these events went down. Everyone was competing with one another to be the best. When they weren’t doing that, they were attempting to make connections that would better their packs.Shivering, I try to not let the memories of my arranged marriage just for this very purpose.Shaking them and the slowly growing pit in my stomach, I reach out and grab a flute of champagne as a waiter walks past. Bringing it to my lips, I let my g
[Diego’s POV]I stare from across the room, watching as Rosalie makes her grand entrance with Gil. It pisses me off to see them together, knowing that she should be here beside me, but for my plan to work, this needs to happen.“Quit sulking.”Chanel’s voice is full of amusement as she speaks, and the urge to tell her to shut the fuck up hits me. However, I simply ignore her while my gaze follows Rosalie.It’s clear from the tension in her shoulders and her face that she is uncomfortable with what is happening, and that alone only adds to my anger. Had she been properly brought up as the future heir of her pack, she would be used to these things, but because her bitch of a stepmother kept her hidden and treated her poorly, this was a whole new world to her.At the thought of her stepmother, I begin to examine the rest of the room around me, taking in each and every person who is present until I find the bitch in question laughing happily with some pretty high-ranking alphas who just h
[Diego’s POV]“I’m getting back at you for being such a smug bastard.”The words repeat themselves again and again, adding to the anger I’m already feeling over the condition my sister is in.“Diego,” Chanel whispers, touching my arm. “Don’t forget the most important thing here.”“Right,” I say, taking a calming breath.Right now, the most important thing is getting Annemarie to a doctor. I didn’t know exactly what that bastard Bernard did to her, but I had a feeling it had something to do with her baby. If I didn’t get her help, there was a good chance she would most likely lose it and follow it shortly after.“Take her,” I tell Chanel, gently passing Annemarie to her. “And when I say run, you fucking run.”“But…”“No, buts.” I growl, straightening out again and fixing my gaze on Bernard’s. “What?” I ask, focusing only on him. “Are you too fucking weak to face me head on, so you decided to bring my sister into this? I see that you’re still the little chicken shit that I remember.”As
[Rosalie’s POV]I look around, taking in the familiar space around me. Why was I back here, and what did that mean about my physical body?“You’re here,” a deep, soothing voice calls, drawing my attention behind me where Diego’s lycan is making his way toward me. “I’ve missed you.”Feeling a war beginning to rage between my heart and my head, I narrow my gaze and clench my fists.“Why?” I demand, remembering everything that happened before I found myself here. “Why did you do that?”When I felt Diego’s distress rush through me earlier in the night, I didn’t hesitate to move, leaving not only Gil but even my stepmother and sister to go to his side. How was I to know that I wouldn’t find Diego at all when I reached, but instead a terrifying beast that was neither wolf nor man?It was the first time I ever actually saw Diego in his lycan form since he never changed, even in the most dire of times. I was certain it probably had something to do with the need to remain in control while figh
[Chanel’s POV]I stare on, watching as Anthrose and the rest of his group surge forward, attacking the guards who were just sneering at me, and I can’t help but laugh at the difference in their demeanors.“Cowards,” I spit, sitting up and snapping my thumbs back into place. “Acting all high and mighty until actual danger appears.”As I speak, I grab the chains that are holding my ankles and begin to pull while ignoring the pain that shoots through me. Fuck, they were strong, but I was stronger. Soon enough, they begin to crack and then break apart, allowing me to finally get up and move to Gil’s side.“Just hang in there a bit longer, alright?” I tell him, clutching his cuff and starting to fight with it. “Then we will get you out of here and…”“No!” Gil gasps before breaking into a coughing fit. “We can’t just leave!”Frowning, I take in his words, trying to make sense of what it is that he is saying, but I don’t get to question him further before pain shoots through me and my body a
[Anthrose’s POV]The next morning we move out the minute the warm sun begins to paint the ground that we sleep on. After a quick breakfast, we head out with me leading the way since I’m the only one who can get a feel for the location that we are searching for.Together, we silently move across the island while keeping our senses alert in case of a surprise attack. However, the expected never happens, and by the time we are close to our destination, I can’t help but feel like all of this is too easy, and by the tension I feel from my companions, I know that they’re feeling the same.“Up ahead,” Sam murmurs, coming to my side. “I can see it.”Nodding, I take in the shining figure that I’m certain is the temple, noting the dark aura that radiates around it. Even from here I could tell that the things residing within were something the normal wolf wouldn’t want to approach, but given what we were fighting for, I wasn’t going to let it stop me.“Prepare yourselves.” I announce, letting my
[Anthrose’s POV]For the rest of the day, I search the island for a sign of where Chanel and Gil may be, but come up empty. And when my group can’t seem to move anymore, I have to call the search to a halt. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t continue to keep my connection with the earth, searching while dinner is made.It’s a silent ordeal, as I’m certain that the entire group is feeling the weight of what is at hand and what we may encounter when we find the ones we are searching for. I could only assume that a fight was waiting for us, and it was because of that that I even agreed to res.Sighing, I close my eyes and let myself slip deeper into a trance, searching until I feel something press against my consciousness that snaps me to alertness as hope flares through me along with a longing that I’ve never felt before.‘Chanel,’ I whisper, not daring to truly believe that I’m feeling what I am. ‘Is that you?’For a moment, all I’m met with is silence, causing me to believe that
[Anthrose’s POV]My body screams at me, begging me to stop, to take a break, but I can’t stop moving. Behind me, I can hear noises of complaint and exhaustion escaping my companions, making it clear that they’re feeling the same thing as me. However, I can’t stop moving; I won’t stop moving; just the thought of stopping makes me so damn anxious I want to fucking destroy something. I can’t stop the feeling that if I stop looking even for a second, Chanel will vanish completely.Shivering, I try not to think of a world where she doesn’t exist somewhere. Sure, it was one thing to keep my distance and allow her to live the life that she deserves, but to even think of her not being somewhere alive and happy damn near kills me.‘Chanel.’ I call to the darkness, hoping and praying that by some miracle she will respond to me. ‘Where are you? Why aren’t you answering me?’“Anthrose.”I immediately freeze as the voice reaches me, but I realize a moment too late that it wasn’t Chanel’s voice, it
[Chanel’s POV]I look around me, taking in the stone walls around me, noting how they’re cracking, allowing vines to grow through them while my intrusive thoughts try to get the better of me. They’re screaming things like what if this place were to collapse. What if you find yourself at a dead end? What if you run out of air? It’s irritating as fuck, and even though I keep telling them to shut up, they just won’t.“Hey,” I call to Tyson, who leads the way in hopes of distracting myself. “Are you certain that we are going in the right direction?”Since he was the one to choose our path and take the lead, I could only hope that he somehow could track the way out of this place, but what if he was just leading us deeper into this underground labyrinth?“Hey,” I repeat when he doesn’t respond to me. “I’m talking to you.”Frustration growing, I move forward and grab his shoulder, forcing him to turn and look at me, but I’m not met with the same gaze that I was used to. Instead, I’m met with
[Anthrose’s POV]We spend the rest of the day searching for any sign of Chanel or Tyson, but all we come up with is nothing. It’s almost like neither of them existed or were somehow spirited away from earth.“We should rest.” Henry, one of Ulrick’s warriors, suggests later that evening. “We will be useless in helping them if we are exhausted.”“Are you saying that this little bit of action exhausts you?” I demand. “If that's the case, you are more than welcome to rest, but I’m going to keep searching.”“But, sir…”“I said I was going to keep searching!” I growl, not giving two fucks if I came across as argumentative or defiant. “There’s no fucking way that I’m going to stop until I find her.”Even though only a couple of hours had passed, I couldn’t help but feel like days, even weeks, had already gone by without Chanel’s presence. It was fucking maddening, and I was beginning to feel like a crazy man. How the hell did I manage to stay away from her for so many years in the past?No.
[Chanel’s POV]I watch as the crevice above me grows farther and farther away until my body is hitting the wolf beneath me, who takes most of the impact. Together, we lay there, watching as the ground slowly begins to close once more, eliminating the little bit of light around us until we are plunged into darkness.Snapping out of it, I jump up and then look to the wolf beside me, taking him in while wondering what exactly he was thinking. And once I shift back into my human form, I wait as he stares at me.“What?” I demand, my annoyance flaring. “Don’t look at me like that.”Letting out what sounds almost like a huff of annoyance, he begins to shift until Tyson is lying on the ground in the wolf’s place.“What?” He asks as I narrow my gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that?”Why? Because he was the reason we were here right now. He wasn’t paying attention to where he was going when he saved me.“Do I really need to answer that?” I sigh, beginning to look around, taking in the tun
[Chanel’s POV]“Right.”I give Anthrose one last look before turning my gaze toward the creatures that are slowly making their way toward us. They’re different from the beasts that we’ve encountered until this point, but they’re also the same.These look almost like worms, but they have legs and buglike faces. I guess if I had to compare them to anything, it would be centipedes. Just watching them move gave me the heebie jeebies, but I wasn’t about to let them stop me from getting to what I wanted.Giving Anthrose one last look, I begin to shift, and once I’m in my wolf form, I move, surging forward and attacking the creepy crawly closest to me. When we clash, it immediately attempts to roll its body around me, but I leap out of the way.Landing on top of it, I watch as the rest of our group joins in the fray, beginning our first official battle since arriving on the island.‘Don’t get yourself killed.’Anthrose's voice reverberates in my mind, causing my heart to race and giving me t
[Anthrose’s POV]I don’t speak as Chanel’s question flows over me, settling into the deepest pits of my soul along with the loathing and disgust that I’ve felt since the day the thing she is asking about happened, and as much as I would like to say, I know that I can’t.“The plague.” I respond instead, deciding that was a good enough explanation. “It affected my eyes.”“You’re lying.”Chanel’s response is firm, and I know that due to our bond, there was just no way that I would be able to get away with lying to her.“How did it really happen?”How? That was an easy fucking response, but again, I knew that if I were to speak it out loud, then there was a good chance it would dig out the skeletons that I was trying so hard to not think about anymore.“Anthrose,” Chanel’s voice drifts through my muddled thoughts. “You can tell me anything. You know that, right?”I did. But this was something that didn’t only involve me. It also involved her, and I knew if I were to open up about it, then