Colt POV“1005, what the hell do we do?!” 3333 screams. I look down. They are panicking but I’m not-not yet anyway. There has to be a way out of this and not just any way but a way where none of us get hurt or die. I just need them to calm down so I can think.“Calm down, you screaming like a girl isn’t helping!” 3111 screams back at him.“No, but you screaming like one is what started this whole mess!” he shoots back and he’s not wrong.I listen to them bicker as I look around the forest, “SHUT UP!” I yell. Everyone is yelling because the hungry growls below us are so loud. Oh, and the terror too. I have counted 25 Shadow Beings. She told me 20 were missing but she lied. Maddie said they killed 9 and we killed 3. There were over 30 that we know about for sure now. How many did they really set lose out here?They all stop and look at me, “Stop fighting! We are a team! We are going to get out of this together, do you hear me!?”They all nod but I can see how scared they are. Truth be t
Maddie POVThe jeep races as I tell Lucas where to go. My heart is beating so fast, and I’m terrified we won’t make it in time- what would I do without him? We barely just found each other again. I can’t lose him so soon.I hear growls up ahead and Caleb looks back at me, “What’s the plan?”“Lead them away with the car! I’ll get to him.” They both at me like I’m insane but nod- they trust my skills even if I don’t yet fully. I have and always would give my life for Colt’s and today, that doesn’t change.Caleb gasps from the front seat and I look up. There is a massive herd of Shadow Beings around the tree that I saw in the vision, and they are already attacking something; I know it’s Colt.“HONK!” I scream as I jump out of the car and climb a tree farther back. I can hear screams from the tree Colt is under but most of the Shadow Beings take after the car and then I see him. He is bleeding badly and my heart stammers. It feels like time slows down as I see how bad of shape he is in, b
Maddie POVCaleb sighs as he walks back inside the hospital, “They are locked up in the cells below the packhouse. I got a few members to help me ensure they are secure, but is this the best option? Won’t the lab come looking for them?” he asks in a serious tone.His point is valid, and I rub my hands together nervously, “The mission wasn’t time-based. We have time but they will eventually.”“Time for what, Maddie? And what happens if Colt...” he trails off but I know what he’s going to say.“If Colt dies?” Tears stream down my face and I try to keep my breath steady, “I don’t know, Caleb but 3333 pushed him from the tree. He wanted Colt dead, and he can’t be trusted.” I say, wiping my eyes. Caleb nods as he pats my back, “I know, Maddie. I just think we all decided this a little hastily. We need a better plan.”I sigh and take a deep breath, wiping my eyes again, “Let’s see if Colt lives and we will go from there.” The words literally break my heart and Lila burst into the hospital,
Colt POVEverything hurts and I want to open my eyes, but I can’t seem to manage that. I begin to see a slideshow of pictures in my head, one is my first memory.I had gotten a cold and that’s when my bad health started. I was around 3 and it all went downhill from there. Mrs. Norm is at my bedside and she’s giving me medicine but now I know it was actually poison, “Drink this 1005, everything is going to be fine.”I look at the hospital room door and there’s a window. I see all of my family group 1001, 1002, 1003, and 1005 but there’s another too. He places his hand on the door and Mrs. Norm smiles, “1006 misses you. He wants you to get better too.”1006? He looks a lot like me, and I feel like I know him, but I can’t get to the memory. It’s all hazy.My mind flashes again and we are outside in the yard. I still have that cold, but we are eating lunch while Mrs. Norm reads us a book. We all giggle and hold hands in a circle while she asks us what the book was about and who are favori
Maddie POVDr. Wayne looks broken as he looks at us and my heart feels like it’s in my throat. I can feel my heart beating in my brain, and I am terrified of his next words.“Colt is...” he pauses, “Alive but badly wounded. We had to amputate his arm.”“It was that bad? It didn’t try to regenerate?” Ryan asks, dumbfounded.Dr. Wayne sighs, “They ate most of the tissues and even through the bone. I promise you; I didn’t have a choice. It’s rare that limbs need to be amputated but, in this case, we had no choice.”Ryan puts his hand on my shoulder, “It’s okay Maddie. He’s going to be okay. He’ll still be able to shift he’ll just need to adjust.”I nod and Caleb smiles, “We can also talk to Peak Mountain Pack. They have a specialist that makes prosthetics. It’s going to be okay.”I finally release the breath I have been holding and sob. Ryan holds me close and I cry as he pats my back, “He’s okay, Maddie.” He keeps saying. It doesn’t feel real- how could this happen?“Can we see him?” Ry
Maddie POVI quickly grab the clothes and run back upstairs to the packhouse and out the door. Lucas has the jeep ready and Dr. Wayne walks over with three blood bags, “Is this enough?” he asks. I nod, taking the bags and put them inside the jeep.“Thank you,” I smile. He smiles back as Lila comes running. She hugs me tightly, “Be safe.” She whispers. I hug her back and then release her slowly, “No matter what,” I smile, looking into her eyes. She nods and I climb into the jeep next to Ryan.“So, where are we getting bodies from?” he asks.I look at Lucas and he nods, “Moon Beam. Maddie may have killed a few members there last night.” He eyes me.I shrug, “Maybe they shouldn’t treat women as slaves.”Ryan grins at me and I smile, “It was deserved, right Lucas? Amber agrees.” Lucas bellows a low growl and Caleb smirks.“Yes, I am glad we killed those bastards.”Ryan looks at Lucas, “How are things with her? I know it hasn’t been long, but I’ve heard once a mark is burned off and the te
Colt POVMy eyes open again, and I look around, but the room is empty. Everything is hazy and I breathe deeper, “Maddie..” my voice strains. I hit the call button and a man in a lab coat appears. For a moment I forget where I am.Did they drag me back to hell?“Maddie,” My voice says strained once more. The man in the lab coat hands me a glass of water and I sip it slowly.“Maddie will be back soon. She and Ryan are trying to get 1006 as you said. I am Dr. Wayne- the pack doctor.” I look at where my arm should be and he sighs.1006- My twin brother I thought I murdered in cold blood.I sigh and he smiles wearily as a girl appears in the doorway. I recognize her from the photo Z had. She looks at the doctor and smiles, “Can I sit with him for a while?” she asks. This is Maddie’s human companion. The one she told me so much about. Not just her friend but her sister.“Yes, but let me know if you need anything,” The doctor says walking out of the room.She walks over to me, a smile on he
Maddie POV The growls are gaining and I can smell their fowl smelling breath as they gain on me but I won’t give up. My claws dig into the ground as I speed through the forest, ducking trees and branches, keeping away from my demise. Just a little further- I am almost there. I need to figure out how to ditch them. I have to lead them to the trees and by my calculation of where the sun was in the vision, the search party should be making their rounds to the two trees where we planted the bodies any time now. I leap into the air and as I get closer to them, bounce off trees until I am safely on a branch. The Zobs keep going, not realizing I am gone- I know they smell fresher meat nearby and then I hear the search party, “More are coming, we need to go.” The leader states -Just like the vision. I have a clear view from this tree, and I watch as the Zobs run at them. It’s a whole herd and I feel guilty- the numbered are made machines, they have no choice in their sins, but the handlers
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