DAMIEN.“Did you find anything?” I ask Lucas the moment I walk into the study.Since I and Natalie came to the realization that the corpses might be a distraction, the gang and I, as well as a few of the discreet wolves have been examining every inch of the borders.“No, nothing yet,” he answers. “You?”“Nothing. Where is Natalie?” I ask.“She went with Fredja to examine the corpses. She, that is Fredja, thinks there is some clue there,” he answers.“And the vampire?”“Alaric went with them.”“He did? Why? Why would you let him anywhere near Natalie?” I demand.“Well, how was I supposed to stop him? Chain him down? Would that even work? Why would you even bring someone like that into our home?”“You presume I had a choice in this matter,” I say as I turn around to leave.“Story of our lives I guess,” he remarks. “Hey, where are you going?”“To find my mate, the one you let a vampire tag along with.”“I didn't let him do anything!” he snaps as he follows me. “If you think it is so easy
DAMIEN“Damien! He is getting away!” Natalie’s voice brings me as well as the others out of our stupor.Without a second thought, I initiate the mind link to the warrior wolves as I hurry over to the windows, trying to catch sight of him.No such luck.“All wolves on alert, Alpha Tobias is on foot trying to escape. The last sighting was from the windows of the grand hall. Lock down all exit routes, initiate the blockade protocol, and hedge him in. Do not engage. Report when you have him.”Within seconds, a blaring alarm tears through the ground, this one signaling all non combatants to remain behind locked doors because there was an enemy within the grounds.“We need to get him to the healer… the pack clinic. Come on, lift him up,” I hear Natalie's voice.Turning from the windows, I see Natalie on the ground beside Alpha Maddox, her hands trying to slow down the gushing blood from the wound in his neck.I didn't even see the dagger that he threw.“Damien,” she calls.“Hmm, what do yo
DAMIEN.“I won't lie to you, Alpha Varon-”“Please, call me Damien.”I am walking along the trails with Alpha Maddox, not too far from the pack to seem suspicious but far enough to be unheard. “Okay, Damien. What you have revealed is a little too much to hear,” Alpha Maddox says. “The thought that there is a traitor among us, one that would help in destroying our fellow wolves is hard to bear.”“Elias was one such wolf," I tell him. “Willow worked with him to attack my father. Is it too much to believe she would have another ally like that? One who is jealous of other Alphas? Or one who wants to be as powerful?”“No, but to suggest this to the Alphas will not look well on you.”“Which is why I am telling you.”“Yes, why me though? If you suspect that there is a traitor amongst our ranks, how are you sure it is not me?”“I am not,” I answer.“Then why? Why tell me all this? It is a risk is it not?”“It is. And maybe you are the Alpha I am searching for, do you not think I have a plan
DAMIEN.It is like everything has lost all sound. My vision is tunneled and only focused on Lucas and his hanged body.Everything is just numb.And quiet.I can't bring myself to move.All I can hear is his dripping blood and my own frantic pants.If I move… if he is really… dead…I don't know what I would do.I notice as Natalie hurries over to him, gently pulling his body down to check on him.I see her mouth moving, her head turning to me and she is saying something but I can't hear her.All I hear is the drip… drip… drip that drops from the blood stain on the banister.“DAMIEN!”I feel a wave of energy hit me in my face, pushing me to my butt as her voice echoes in my head.I move my gaze to her face and see her eyes glowing silver.“I need Eric, now. Hurry!”“ERIC!” I roar.The force behind it rates the windows and pictures on the walls, a true show of how violent my emotions are right now.Whatever Natalie did, caused the numbness to go.Now…now I am mad.With rage.But I manage
NATALIE.READERS’ DISCRETION: THIS CONTAINS ANOTHER SEX SCENE. IT BEGINS AT “Take me then,” I gasp. AND ENDS AT We remain there. I watch as Damien paces the hallway of the pack clinic, terror in every footstep.Seeing Lucas like that… well, it shook him.It shook all of us.Most surprising of all, Fredja.I had no idea that those two had gotten so close.We had no idea that Willow would launch an attack on any one of us.Her target has always been me.I guess, calling her out like that pissed her off.Which was what we wanted.“So,” I begin quietly to Fredja. “We are back at square one? Willow is back in her body and gone.”“Not gone,’” she answers. “Remember, we had her body sequestered in a cave and had it booby trapped with all kinds of spells. She will not be foolish enough to break out of it until she is sure of what the traps are. All we need now is for both you and Damien to go to her and take her head off. Then the first is over.”“And then we focus on Grandpappy Void,” I say
DAMIEN.“Don't tease,” I crouch as I arrange our clothes properly. “It's not nice.”I take her hand and together we get to our feet. I notice some leaves in her and begin pulling them out.Really, though.What had come over me?I have never behaved like that in my whole life.“Well, you have never had a wolf in your whole life,” my wolf whispers.“You shut up.”“You make it easy to,” Natalie says once I am done with her hair. “You looked so shy after, I couldn't help it.”“You are not mad?” I ask.“Mad? At what?”“At my behavior. I behaved like an animal,” I say as I look into her eyes.“Well, technically we are animals. Wolves, remember?”“Yeah, I suppose. But still…”“No, Damien. I am not angry. I actually liked it, really. Maybe next time, we should really take our time.”Goddess, I love her.“Yeah, sure.”“So, are you calm now?” she asks as we begin walking back to the mansion.“I think so. I don't feel the murderous, red hazee anymore.”“Good. We need to be in control when interr
DAMIEN.I pull in my wolf as I struggle to stay in control.We have him now, we can take our time.“Turn on the camera,” I tell the guard through the mind link. “Have it broadcasted to the mansion.” I want everyone to see how this investigation goes. One, to satisfy their questions and two to make sure everyone knows what will happen to them should I be crossed.“You two, stay out here,” I tell them as I put on the mask. “You can listen from here and if it gets too much for you, you may leave.”“Why would it get too much for us?” I hear Natalie ask, as I walk into the cell.“This is a torture chamber,” Freeja answers. “Have you ever seen anyone tortured for answers before?”“No, I can't say I have.”Tobias’ gaze is fixed on me as I approach him. It is calm and watchful as if looking for a weakness to exploit.He won't find one.As I reach for the silver rod, I run my gaze over his body.I had given the order to not have him beaten, that delight should be reserved for me. But the prot
NATALIE.I watch as Damien smirks at Tobia's terror stricken face before turning away from him to walk toward us.“On normal occasions,” he continues to Tobias. “I would have already killed you. But this concerns the entire werewolf community, so your trial and execution will be made public. You will serve as an example to all, about what happens to those who threaten the stability of oy world.”“Don't walk away from me!” Tobias snarls. But Damien doesn't even look at him, instead, he walks out and pulls down the lever and we watch as the food closes.“DAMIEN!”His roar and the clanking of the chains are the last thing we hear before the door slams shut.“Come on,” he says to us as he begins leading the way. “Let's go hear what the witch has to say.”Our walk out is quiet and contemplative.I won't lie, the callous way Tobias responded and his ideals were shocking but most shocking or well, surprising of all was Damien’s behavior.He enjoyed it.Putting fear in his enemies. He relish