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
Colt POVOnce we get out of hearing range of Z and A, 3111 looks at me, “We will take you down if you try to run, 1005. You will not be getting any of us in trouble.”I roll my eyes, “They almost killed me last time because 2010 got himself killed,” I lie, “You really think I would try to run? I am not even fully healed.” I say, glancing at my incision. 3111 smirks at her companions, “Is this your family group?” I ask her.“No, but even if they were, it wouldn’t matter. We have all decided that we just don’t like you and we may not be able to hurt you but I know how to tie a good knot. We will tie you to a tree and tell Z the same thing you told him last time, blah blah, disappeared.” 3111 grins at me.I shake my head, “Enough of this. Let’s find the Shadow Beings. Have the three of you ever been out of the compound before?”They all look at one another but say nothing and I chuckle, “You sure talk a lot of shit 3111 for someone who’s never left the brick.”She rolls her eyes at me,
Maddie POVI grin at Lucas and then sigh, “What about their pack now? And did you hear that? He said other slave women, but I didn’t see anyone, did you?”Lucas shakes his head, “No, but I have heard rumors they keep slaves in the basement.” I gasp and he sighs, “Maddie, it wasn’t our business before but now that Alpha Mock is dead, we should go back and tell what little members remain. Maybe if there are any decent ones, we can bring them back with us.”“Do you think Caleb would take them in or help them find a new pack?”Lucas laughs, “He took in a rogue and her fake mate.” He smirks.I smile and allow my bones to break, “Catch me if you can,” I mind-link Lucas. Lucas shifts and follows me through the trees again. Pouncing me and playing. We yelp and yip until we make it to Alpha Mock’s land, and I sigh looking at Lucas. We walk toward the house but this time, no one is around.We walk to the front door and Lucas shifts first and then me. He puts his hand on the doorknob but now bei
Colt POV I watch 3333 make the campsite and then 3111 makes a fire with the Firestarter we were given. I watch how she flicks the button as fire erupts and my memories take me back. Flashback. “Maddie, watch this!” I say, grabbing two rocks. Maddie watches me try to spark them together and she smiles as I fail miserably. I sigh and she shakes her head. “Here, let me try.” I hand her the rocks and watch as she hits them together hard and quickly. They spark and start a fire in the brush and leaves I have collected in our firepit. I watch how she blows on the flame, making it bigger. She concentrates so hard on the task and soon we have a roaring fire. “How about some marshmallows?” The big man’s voice comes. We both smile and nod, and he sits with us showing us how to make smores. “1005,” 3111’s voice has an annoyed tone and I look over, “What do you want for dinner? Canned beans with hot dogs already inside or instant mashed potatoes with beef jerky,” I look at her with my eyebr
Maddie POV“Maddie, where are you going!?” Lucas calls to me, but I am already headed toward the smoke I see in the sky. Colt is near and I can feel it. I run through the forest quickly. Jumping over fallen branches and puddles, even stumbling over a few and fall but I get right back up.It’s Colt! Colt is here!My heart races and the pull they talked about is stronger as I get closer to him. Finally, I see him down below on the ridgeline. His black wolf looks so different now. He is huge and healthy. His coat shines in the moon and he looks toward me.Did he see me? Is this it?I come down the ridge, losing sight of him but I run faster- this is it. This is the day I get my mate and best friend back.I finally see him, and he is running toward me. My wolf jumps into his and we collide into the ground together. My eyes lock onto his and I shift into my human form. His wolf gasps in surprise and then he shifts too, “Maddie?!” he says, stumbling to his feet.I throw my arms around his
Colt POVI walk back toward camp as the sun rises and my heart flutters but is also broken at the same time. Maddie and I are together; we are mates and destined to be as one but yet, I can’t be with her. The memories we made last night will have to hold me over until I can hold her in my arms once more.I sigh, washing myself in a brook that I found, getting Maddie’s scent off of me. I already have a plan for when I make it back- I’ll just tell them the Shadow Beings have taken what little resources there are left in this area. I bet the pack the lab has a treaty with is mainly housed on the other side of the compound and that truly is where most of the game is.Once I am clean enough, I gather all my stuff once more and walk back toward camp. The forest is quiet and I hear nothing as I walk until sudden screams come- come from my camp. I pick up speed running toward them until my eyes land. 3111 is surrounded by 3 Shadow Beings and the other two have climbed a tree to get away from
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