Colt POVI ring my clothes out and dry them next to the fire. I don’t want blood or the smell of blood on me at all. The bath I took in the river was refreshing and almost freeing, but I can’t get 2010’s voice out of my head, “If anyone killed me, I’m glad it was you.” His face is still flashing in my mind as he said those words.Tears fill my eyes as I think about everything that happened. When the knife plunged into his chest, and I felt his warm blood coat my hands- it made me sick. He was just a kid. Just like I was once. My family protected me until they left and then I was on my own, just like he was. That shouldn’t have been the way he was forced to grow up.2010 was forced to kill, maim, steal, and hurt his family group- just for fun. I truly do feel lucky that somehow, we had grace- even though it wasn’t much, it was a privilege no others got to have- a real family.We took care of each other when we were hurt, sick, or in trouble. We would sneak one another food if the punis
Maddie POVI stare at Caleb and wait for his reply. He has been silent for a few minutes now and I can tell he’s thinking. My heart is racing, and his mouth finally opens to speak, “Your mate is calling to you?” he repeats the last words I said- not very helpful.I nod, “Yes, I think so. I feel a pull, Caleb. Like it’s telling me he is near and not to give up hope.” Caleb places his hand on his chin, and he thinks over his next words, rocking back and forth on his feet.“When did you first feel this?” he asks me.“I think at the orphanage,” I admit. “My wolf began howling but I thought it was because they were torching it but now, I don’t think so…”Caleb sighs, “Maddie if that’s the case that means your mate was there.”My mouth opens in shock, “But the only ones there were the Lab people and...” I stop and Caleb nods, “Colt...”“If you felt a pull toward him then he is your mate.”“But why didn’t we know before?” I ask.Caleb smiles, “Werewolves can’t feel their mates until they are
Colt POV My entire body hurts so much, and I close my eyes as I hear voices, “He needs the morphine. Without it, he could die, and then you will have a harder time finding them. I am telling you, 1005 is the key.” I hear the big man grumble, “Fine, but no special treatment and no real food. Only the broth we talked about.” The nurse agrees and I hear the big man walk out of the room as she quickly walks toward me, injecting my IV with the morphine, “1005, this will help you feel better. I am also going to add the vitamins and protein powder to the broth. You aren’t going to be very hungry anyway, but you’ll need food. He’s refusing to give you a feeding tube. He wants you to know just how angry he is.” I nod but my throat hurts and she gives me a glass of water with a straw. I sip it, and look up at her, “Thank you,” I whisper. The morphine begins to kick in and I go in and out of consciousness all day. This nurse has worked here for a long time. In fact, I don’t remember a time s
Maddie POV“Are you insane? Why would you want to go looking for trouble? Maddie, you escaped the lab. Why would you want to track down Zobs? If the Zobs are from the lab, that means the people can’t be far behind. They could take you again.”I think over Caleb’s words, “Do you think there’s another lab nearby.” I ask, dumbfounded.“Where was the lab you came from?” he asks.I think, trying to remember, “I think North Carolina but I am not 100% sure. We are still in South Carolina, right?”Caleb nods and then sighs, “Maddie, there probably is another lab close by. There’s no way they sent them that far.”I nod, looking at the fence, “I want to know.”Caleb shakes his head, “It’s too dangerous. Now that we know a lab is behind this, is even more scary. You said that capture wolves like us for a breeding program. That probably means they even know about our pack being here. Ryan said they can recognize you with cameras. You shouldn’t be anywhere near the forest or outside world in human
Colt POVThe SUV travels down the road and I sigh as I look at the interior. The chain they placed around my neck isn’t too tight this time. Dr. Norm told them they couldn’t hurt me, and I am thankful for that but yet, I feel stupid. She was never a nurse and she played me the entire time.She was one of the geneticists that created my family group? How did I not know this before? She has been around since I was born but she is the big man’s wife?! That I would have NEVER guessed.I sigh, leaning against the back of the seat. We have been driving for hours and my surgery incision hurts. I close my eyes trying to sleep when the SUV finally stops. I hear the driver’s door open and close, and Z comes around to the back and opens the gate, “Do you need to potty?” he asks, holding as a leash as a joke.I nod, scooting closer to him and he unhooks my collar, “Good, now go and 1005, you’re bleeding. See 3111 and have them take a look.” I look down at my incision and sigh- it is indeed blee
Maddie POVCaleb and Lila follow Lucas and me to the gate. Lila has tears in her eyes as she pulls me into a tight embrace once more, “Maddie, you HAVE to come back. Humans don’t live in werewolf packs.” She teases with tears falling from her eyes. I giggle to hold back tears and smile at her, “I promise. We will be back in the morning.”I say this to put her mind and ease, but I don’t know what will truly happen. What I do know is Lila is safe with Caleb.Caleb shakes Lucas’s and then he turns his attention to me. I walk toward him, and he smiles, looking down at me, “Maddie, please be careful and look out for my Beta. When he sees Zobs, rage takes him over because they killed his mate. He doesn’t always think rationally.” He admits.I sigh, look at Lucas, and nod, “I promise, but you two have nothing to worry about. We will be back in the morning. Using the night as a cover is our best option.”Caleb nods in agreement and then pulls me into a hug. I am surprised but do not fight it
Colt POV.The SUV slows down and my body jumps as the wheels drive over several bumps. It’s like we are driving for a bridge or train tracks. I hear metal gates open and a buzz and know we have reached the other compound. The SUV stops and I wait for the SUV gate to open.I close my eyes and listen to the sounds that surround us and sigh in relief- we are definitely in a forest. I am not sure if it’s because I’m a wolf I love the wilderness or if it’s just me, but it’s my favorite place to be.The back gate opens and Z is standing there, wearing a smile, “1005, welcome to Blue Lab 633.” I nod and he smirks, “Our lab is Red 663,” he says motioning me to come closer. I crawl to him, and he unlocks my collar. I climb out of the SUV carefully and he points to the others. I walk over to 3111 and glance around as A walks to the front door and rings a bell.There are security guards out front, but they don’t speak to us- they look like statues.A man appears in a lab coat and opens the doo
Maddie POV. Alpha Mock leads us toward the pack house which looks like something from Halloween. The shutters are broken. The paint is missing; it looks terrifying. There are barely any pack members around and Lucas had said they were almost wiped out, but this was something I hadn’t expected. This place is a literal ghost town. Alpha Mock opens the front door and Lucas and I follow him in, “Please, have a seat.” Lucas smiles and sits on the living room sofa, and I sit beside him. “So, what is this news?” Lucas clears his throat, “The Zobs. They aren’t really lone wolves. They have been made in a lab.” Alpha Mock and his Beta look at one another and both laugh hysterically as Lucas and I sit there, saying nothing. “You can’t be serious Lucas. Did you hit your head on a rock out there?” he asks. Lucas shakes his head, “No. Seriously. I am not making this up.” Alpha Mock smirks, “Okay, then, and who is this?” he asks pointing to me. Lucas smiles, “This is my mate interest, Madd
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