MaddieHer body is cold as I touch It, and I jump back, “Ryan, she isn’t breathing!” I shout. Ryan quickly comes inside the tent, and I stand back as I watch him trying to revive her back to life.Andy was wrong! We should never have split up!Julia ended up an addict, indebted to the Mafia. I ended up in an orphanage where I was abused and felt unwanted and unloved. Ryan was the only one who found a good place to go. Now that we have discovered Julia like this- I wonder what Andy will be like when we find him.“1 2 3 4 5,” I watch as Ryan gives her a breath. Her chest rises and falls, and he’s back to compressions, but nothing changes. “1 2 3 4 5, “ he does it again, but still no change. My heart is racing, and I feel sick- are we too late?“Is she okay?” Ian asks, bursting inside the tent. His words are erratic, and his face is pale. He looks like his heart is breaking as he sees the condition of her body.And then I figure it out; Julia is his mate.“No, she’s fucking dead!” Rya
Ian I have a deep, dark secret I haven’t shared with anyone, not even Selene, but does she know? Does she know I am still working with the enemy? The lab did know so much about my gift; so much. I probably killed three people daily while hooked up to leads and brain scanners. The kiss of death; is a curse. They tried to bottle it, but it wasn’t working. My life after they left was hard, really hard. Selene wasn’t lying when she said she had to keep me going. There were several times when I didn’t want to keep going. Several times when I tried to check out. The first time was when Selene came to me. She told me I was special and to keep going. I knew she wanted something from me; they always do. She wants me to help them destroy the lab. I don’t have a problem with this, but I know it’s damn near impossible. There are over 100 in the US and 50 more in other countries. This thing stretches farther than any of them can ever imagine. Plus, what do you do with the wolves that you save?
MaddieJulia is weak, but she listens to everything we have to say as Ken drives to pick up Marge. It’s still dark by the time we reach the gas station she is waiting for us at, and we all watch as she and Ken embrace like they may never have seen each other again. I glare at Ian, and he sighs as he scoots closer to Julia like she’ll protect him.“How could you?” I ask.“How could I not? You have no idea what it was like after you guys left me alone.”“You were moved away from us when you were three, Ian. We all endured hell the same as you. We just got out. Not only did you fool us, but I marked you unintentionally due to that fucking tracking device.” I say, rolling my eyes. “I had even begun to feel sorry for you. I am such a fool.”Julia sighs, “The tracker made you mark each other?”I nod as I look at Colt, “Yes, and Colt is my fated mate, but now I am mated to your fated mate as well,” I growl, venom coating my words.“We should burn it off,” Ian blurts out, and pain radiates t
JuliaNine years ago, we escaped the hell of the compound, but we were just children; we had no idea of what the real world held and what would be out here. We were trained to be weapons, but that’s not how the real world works.You don’t kill or fight someone when things don’t go your way. Humans have prisons and even death penalties. Not to mention, a wolf can’t be in prison- no one knows we exist.My life has been so hard out here; I would prefer the lab. We were all scared the day we ran away, but it was Andy’s idea that we split up. I still think about how stupid that was several times a day. We were so much stronger together, and we could have figured out this world together, but instead, we were each sent on a path alone into a dangerous world with no help.The first day I walked for miles away from all of them; we all just split up. We had no idea where we were going or what was going to happen. I was hungry and cold, wandering the terrain, trying to figure out where I belonge
MaddieWe have been driving for hours now, and I know we are all exhausted. Ken says we should be able to make it to Denver by noon tomorrow, but we need to take back roads. Ryan says even back roads may have cameras, so we need to wear hooded sweaters and sunglasses the entire way to Denver; once we get there, we can find Andy as carefully as possible.I still don’t understand Julia’s gift or what Selene expects us to do. We knew there was more than one lab, but I didn’t realize there were over one hundred. I don’t understand how she expects us to take them down even though we desperately want to.How can six wolves with gifts like ours take out over one hundred labs? Especially when some are even out of the country.Colt snores into my ear, and I kiss his forehead gently. I can tell he feels somewhat relieved. He is happy Ian’s ions are gone, but the bond isn’t. It is still there because we are marked and mated. If Ian wants to burn his mark, he can. I will not stop him, but I am pr
RyanIs it wrong that I want to physically hurt Ian? I don’t think so. He ruined Marge and Ken’s lives when they wanted to help me- to help us. He doesn’t care about any of us. The only reason he dug the tracker out was because of Julia. I’ve heard finding your mate will make you do crazy things, but that could have been all for show too! What if there’s another tracker or has another way of communicating with them?We have no idea what he is capable of! If it were up to me, I would rip out his heart right here, right now. I hate him. He tried to hurt all of us for better treatment when he could have just had a better life, but I suppose that’s why he’s not a part of our pack anymore, anyway. He has always played into their games.I mean, he tried to kill Colt when he was three. That’s a toddler! Fucking sociopath.I put the lighter’s flame on the spoon, and it begins to heat up, and I look up as Lila’s eyes catch mine. I wish she could feel what I feel. I wish she knew how much I lov
MaddieThe pain is excruciating, and I grip Colt’s shoulder as it radiates through my entire being. Even my bones feel on fire. Ryan made it sound like it would be more painful for Ian, but this is the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life. It feels like part of my soul is literally being ripped away from my body.My stomach churns, and I hear Ryan say he has told hold the melted metal for two minutes, but this is beginning to feel like hours. Ian’s bond is being pulled from me, and even though that’s what I want, it hurts so bad. He removes the spoon from Ian’s neck, and I throw up into the dirt. The physical pain is no longer there, but I am left with a hole in its place.So- this is what it feels like when your mate dies? I can’t imagine losing Colt now, like ever.I wipe my eyes as I hear Ken speak, “Once everyone is ready to go, we can head toward Denver. We are only twelve hours away,” the words roll off me, but I am too weak to respond.“Are you okay, love?” Colt whi
ColtI watch as the wind blows through Maddie’s hair, and I smile. My mate is so beautiful and intelligent. I am so happy the fake bond is gone, but how can we ever trust my evil twin now? He almost had us all fooled. I want to kill him, but I know none of them will let me, but only because of Selene.Maddie’s body suddenly stiffens and begins convulsing. Shit, what is it now?“Pull over,” Ryan shouts through the truck window. Ken stops the truck, and I cradle her head in my lap to save her from banging it against the metal sides. The convulsing only lasts a few minutes, and then her eyes fly open.“They are coming!” she shouts.“The lab? They found us?!” Ian asks, and Maddie shakes her head, trying to sit up.“The Mafia, Drive!!!” she screams.Ryan bangs on the window, and Ken begins driving as she looks at Julia, “A man with dark hair and dark eyes wants you back. I saw a tattoo of a hawk.”“That’s Antonio,” Julia’s voice is almost a whisper, “But don’t they all think I’m dead?”“Y
Maddie I hug Lila goodbye as she has tears in her eyes, “We will be back, you know that,” I whisper into her ear. She wipes her eyes as she sighs. “I know, and I understand why I can’t come, but I will miss all of you. Even Ian,” she says, and I chuckle as I wipe the tears that fall from my eyes. Then, finally, I release her so Ryan can hug her next. “It’s only for a few days,” Andy reminds us both. We are going to kill the Norms and be home by Saturday.” He says with confidence. We both nod, and Lila sighs, kissing and hugging Ryan. I watch them as Colt grabs my hand, “She is safest here, you know.” He reminds me. I nod, “I know. I am glad she won’t be alone here but still.” I say, looking at the staff that will stay with her. She is my sister, and I will miss her dearly. “Is everyone ready?” Andy asks, and we all nod. Even though we have to leave Lila and I can’t see into the future like him, I know I am ready. This has been a long time coming, and I am prepared for it to end
ColtIt’s been three days since Andy showed us the basement where we would be training, and we have been down here every day ever since. There is so much equipment down here that it’s insane. When he said he had unlimited resources, he wasn’t kidding.“Duck!” Ryan shouts to me, and I do, avoiding Andy’s fist. We have been down here not only learning to control our powers but also learning to fight at the same time.“GO, Ryan!” Andy shouts, and Ryan closes his eyes, twisting into a twister. Everything in the basement gets windy, and Andy claps his hands, “See! You got it,” he says, and Ryan twists back into himself.“I still can’t believe I can do that,” he admits, and I nod, agreeing. Yep. None of us ever imagined he could become a twister. Even though he can do the things that Andy does, he is still not as powerful as him; none of us are.Ian walks down the stairs carrying a dead bunny, and I know it’s my turn. He grins evilly, and I roll my eyes. Andy’s sense of humor is sick. He
RyanI have never seen anything like this in my entire life. This house is massive, and there are so many rooms. My entire pack could live here. As we walk inside, we are greeted with a grand staircase, but there are two more entryways in either direction to explore the house.“This way first,” Andy says, pointing up the stairs. “I’ll give you the grand tour after dinner.” Lila smiles as she grabs my hand, and we begin to climb the stairs. I can hear her heart beating and feel her excitement through the bond. I know this must be exciting for her. By becoming Maddie’s friend, she was thrown into an extraordinary life.When we reach the top, there’s a long hallway and a vast living area. Complete with a traditional kitchen and a living room. It looks as big as Caleb’s packhouse. “Each of you will have a room up here on this floor. Mates, of course, share,” he says, winking at Colt and Maddie, and I mind-link her, “He’s weird, right?” Maddie chuckles and covers her mouth as he shows us
MaddieSilence ensues in the limo, and I eye my pack as Andy scrolls on his phone. “Do you really think we can trust him?” Colt’s voice comes through the group mind link, and Ian and Ryan begin to talk over one another.“No, why, how, where, no,”“STOP!” I shout. “One at a time,” I say as I eye Ryan; he is our leader; he should go first.“I don’t know, and look at this- a freaking limo, what the hell?” he responds, and I notice Andy’s eyes dart between us all- he knows were mind-linking, but of course, he would; he has a pack.“If there is something you guys want to ask me, just ask. I promise, I am an open book,” he says, placing his hands in his lap. I look around the limo at our pack and clear my throat. We definitely have questions.“How do you have money?” I ask. This is valid. Most of us ended up barely getting by.Andy chuckles and lifts his hands up as he speaks, “I was found by a pack after we all split up. I am now the heir to the pack and future Alpha. My adoptive father is
AndyIt has been nine years since I have seen any of them, but they look the same as they do in my visions. I know where they have all been- I keep tabs on my OG pack. Pack.That’s a funny word. One I didn’t know until I was in the outside world. I often wonder if I made the right decision leaving them. I have seen some of the stuff they have all been through, and I know it’s horrendous.I have watched all of them closely over the years struggle, but I have gained money and power. My powers are all of theirs but mixed. I have visions of the future, much like Maddie, but mine are more in-depth, and I can control when they come.I can bring people back to life, like Colt, and even kill them like Ian, but not with a kiss but with the flick of my wrist.Like Ryan, I can control the weather, but the elements, too: Wind, Earth, Water, and even Fire.I can manipulate feelings like Julia and feel them, but I don’t allow them to eat me like she has. She has no idea what she is truly capable
ColtI watch as the wind blows through Maddie’s hair, and I smile. My mate is so beautiful and intelligent. I am so happy the fake bond is gone, but how can we ever trust my evil twin now? He almost had us all fooled. I want to kill him, but I know none of them will let me, but only because of Selene.Maddie’s body suddenly stiffens and begins convulsing. Shit, what is it now?“Pull over,” Ryan shouts through the truck window. Ken stops the truck, and I cradle her head in my lap to save her from banging it against the metal sides. The convulsing only lasts a few minutes, and then her eyes fly open.“They are coming!” she shouts.“The lab? They found us?!” Ian asks, and Maddie shakes her head, trying to sit up.“The Mafia, Drive!!!” she screams.Ryan bangs on the window, and Ken begins driving as she looks at Julia, “A man with dark hair and dark eyes wants you back. I saw a tattoo of a hawk.”“That’s Antonio,” Julia’s voice is almost a whisper, “But don’t they all think I’m dead?”“Y
MaddieThe pain is excruciating, and I grip Colt’s shoulder as it radiates through my entire being. Even my bones feel on fire. Ryan made it sound like it would be more painful for Ian, but this is the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life. It feels like part of my soul is literally being ripped away from my body.My stomach churns, and I hear Ryan say he has told hold the melted metal for two minutes, but this is beginning to feel like hours. Ian’s bond is being pulled from me, and even though that’s what I want, it hurts so bad. He removes the spoon from Ian’s neck, and I throw up into the dirt. The physical pain is no longer there, but I am left with a hole in its place.So- this is what it feels like when your mate dies? I can’t imagine losing Colt now, like ever.I wipe my eyes as I hear Ken speak, “Once everyone is ready to go, we can head toward Denver. We are only twelve hours away,” the words roll off me, but I am too weak to respond.“Are you okay, love?” Colt whi
RyanIs it wrong that I want to physically hurt Ian? I don’t think so. He ruined Marge and Ken’s lives when they wanted to help me- to help us. He doesn’t care about any of us. The only reason he dug the tracker out was because of Julia. I’ve heard finding your mate will make you do crazy things, but that could have been all for show too! What if there’s another tracker or has another way of communicating with them?We have no idea what he is capable of! If it were up to me, I would rip out his heart right here, right now. I hate him. He tried to hurt all of us for better treatment when he could have just had a better life, but I suppose that’s why he’s not a part of our pack anymore, anyway. He has always played into their games.I mean, he tried to kill Colt when he was three. That’s a toddler! Fucking sociopath.I put the lighter’s flame on the spoon, and it begins to heat up, and I look up as Lila’s eyes catch mine. I wish she could feel what I feel. I wish she knew how much I lov
MaddieWe have been driving for hours now, and I know we are all exhausted. Ken says we should be able to make it to Denver by noon tomorrow, but we need to take back roads. Ryan says even back roads may have cameras, so we need to wear hooded sweaters and sunglasses the entire way to Denver; once we get there, we can find Andy as carefully as possible.I still don’t understand Julia’s gift or what Selene expects us to do. We knew there was more than one lab, but I didn’t realize there were over one hundred. I don’t understand how she expects us to take them down even though we desperately want to.How can six wolves with gifts like ours take out over one hundred labs? Especially when some are even out of the country.Colt snores into my ear, and I kiss his forehead gently. I can tell he feels somewhat relieved. He is happy Ian’s ions are gone, but the bond isn’t. It is still there because we are marked and mated. If Ian wants to burn his mark, he can. I will not stop him, but I am pr