Chapter Fifty-ThreeAverson’s POV When Vitandi approached me with his plan, all of the anger I have been pushing down for years came bubbling back to the surface. I told myself that hating the Katasan, everything they stand for and what they did to me, would do nothing but make me bitter, so I bottled it up. I tried to get on with life as best I could, and told myself I wouldn’t let them take any more of my life from me.My world ruptured when Imelda told me my mate had died and my son was missing, but I pushed through the heartache and grief and told myself that one day the Katasan would pay for the years they stole and the loss of my family. Some days I let out a little bit of that pent up rage, like opening a faucet, it was the only thing that got me through the hardest times.I never really believed I would be able to punish them the way I wanted, I am only one man, so when a dragon and one of the Betas of the most notorious warrior pack asked me to join them, I didn’t need much
Liberty’s POVThere was a frosty look on Imelda’s face when I showed her the necklace Marcel gave me. She tried to hide it but I could see and feel all kinds of pissed off pawing to get out of her. I’m not as naive as I once was and know beyond doubt that a can of worms has been opened.“I’m not angry with you Liberty.” The old woman takes hold of my hand as we walk towards the hospital. Sometimes I forget that I’m not the only one around here who can see beneath the surface. It’s easy to get lost in my own head or other people’s thoughts, sometimes I’m not even sure what’s real anymore.“You are angry with Marcel?” I ask.“He is one of my oldest friends, and he has been lying right to my face.” She explains in a measured tone that tells me how hard she is struggling with the betrayal. I can feel the two emotions tugging at her. Anger in her head, betrayal in her heart.“I’m sure he had his reasons Imelda. Marcel would never betray you lightly, your friendship means far too much to hi
Esme’s POV “Doc Wood needs you now. Liberty is in labour, he needs blood, towels and blankets. There is no time for that, come on, we need to get the blood and back to Gabe’s spot.” I yell at Imelda. I can’t believe that whilst I’m telling her all this, she is gathering up potions and candles and daggers from her alter like she hasn’t a care in the world. “Imelda. Did you hear me? Liberty needs you.” I walk over and shake her shoulder but she is engrossed in her task. “You go ahead, I’ll be right behind you. There is something I must do first and it can’t wait.” There is no arguing with her, I can hear in her voice that whatever she needs to do is something she will not be dissuaded from. Whatever it is, I hope and pray it doesn’t cost us our Luna and her pups. “Whatever you are planning, make it quick, she didn’t look good when I left.” The image of the blood and panic on Liberty’s face won’t ever leave my mind. I don’t usually listen to my gut, I don’t have to, I have always been
Imelda’s POVI had already pretty much made up my mind that Liberty is the logical answer to the question which keeps me up at night. I had only ever considered Hunter to be the person I could pass my deathless gift to. That is how it has always been done, passed from mother to daughter for generations. My own daughter’s premature demise meant my grandson was the next in line. The first male, the first hybrid and to be honest, a bit of a wild card.Finding out Liberty is unaffected by Aadhya’s stone changed things and made me question everything I thought I had already decided. I can’t escape the feeling that she is the one everything revolves around. The pack has two Alphas, Dragons, hybrids, but the amount of magic inside Liberty is unprecedented. The fates have stacked the deck in our favour but having their hands tied behind their backs and the need to maintain balance means that every advantage we have is encapsulated in one being, Liberty.She can communicate with the first witc
Gerald’s POVLiberty’s body lies limp and unresponsive against mine as Doc Wood carefully holds the first born pup in his arms and desperately rubs it vigorously, all over.“A boy!” he smiles for a moment before his expression is taken over by concern. This isn’t right, he should be crying out with life, something is terribly wrong and there is nothing I can do to help. Liberty’s arm falls from her chest to her side and slaps the cold, hard stone.“Doc! Something’s happening. Her breathing, it’s different!” Unmistakable alarm creeps into my voice, and all eyes fall upon Liberty as I speak the words I had hoped never to utter. It is like something out of a horror movie, the way time seems to freeze and everyone stares at her in fear, scrambling to figure out what was wrong and what to do to help. All of the colour has drained from her face, her lips are turning violet and her chest is barely moving. Her breaths are shallow and so far apart, and the Doc is wearing enough of her blood fo
Uriel’s POVPlanting the explosives is turning out to be the easiest part of this suicide mission. Getting out of this labyrinth in the next few minutes is proving harder than you might think. The whole base is like damned a maze. Every corridor is just like the previous one. There is no signage and the map is all but useless now. We have been turned around a few times, choosing to avoid oncoming soldiers rather than waste precious time fighting.“How long?” Averson calls ahead to me.I glance at my watch and know it is going to take a miracle or an act of the fates to get us out of here.“A minute and change.” I call back as I skid around the next corner, not putting on the breaks hard enough and slamming sideways on into the wall.“Move your arse.” Averson catches up, grabs me by the back of the neck and forces me forward with him. Hitting the wall at high speed stunned me for a moment but I’m alright now.The next, seemingly endless, corner we turn brings a welcome sight. There, la
Marcel’s POVI like to think that in my long life and varied experiences, I have seen pretty much everything there is to see in this world. Since coming to Pine Lake, my belief in my own wisdom has been put into question on many occasions, as has my mastery of my emotions.Alma, Lena and Grace are another anomaly I can’t explain. Their power and knowledge rivals that of Imelda, which should not be possible, not unless they are all connected in some way, by blood or by magic. I can’t explain it and they won’t, not yet anyway. There is no denying the energy of the three of them individually, but when they come together you can feel it in the air like static electricity.By the time we reached the bunker I was certain that Alma is indeed a high priestess, and far older than her appearance portrays, and that she has taken the other two under her wing to teach them the ancient magic that has been all but forgotten. I was excited to introduce Alma and Imelda, the two of them are so similar,
Liberty’s POVI stand and watch as flames engulf the three carefully built pyres, and I feel completely numb. I can’t tell any of them how I feel or what happened when I saw Aadhya again the night I had the twins. Emotions in the pack are high, the loss of two of our warriors and Imelda has rocked the pack to it’s core.I couldn’t tell them I wasn’t coping or that I had died, no matter how briefly it might have been for them, it felt like a life time for me. Aadhya came to take me home with her and that feeling has not left me. She talked about all of the good I would be able to do on the other side, she told me my pups would be loved and cared for by the entire pack and they would never walk alone, but all I could think was that I’m not done.That is when I realised it was over. My life, everything we had been fighting for, the future I had grown to want and cherished the idea of. The pack would have to carry the burden without me. Lottie, Imelda, Esme, Hunter, Christian, Zander and