Colt POVTeeth knaw into my flesh. The smell is horrid and the pain is terrible. The Shadow Beings have me under the tree and all I can see is Maddie’s face as I take what I think will be my last breath.I gasp, sitting up in bed, and look at where my arm used to be. I have had this nightmare before and it’s the worst. Not because it’s scary but because it was real. This really happened and now I no longer have an arm. The Shadow Beings took something that I can never get back.I gently wipe the sweat off my forehead and touch the stump of my arm. It feels so strange. I am happy to be alive and to be with my mate but that doesn’t mean this isn’t hard. I grow stronger every day as I learn to use my body differently, but I am worried I won’t have enough time and when we leave, I may be a liability.I sigh, looking at Maddie’s spot and feel for her. She is happy and I know she is safe with Caleb. I know Caleb is happy he has someone to help while his Beta is down, but I also see the way
Maddie POVI know Colt is angry with me but what can I do? I don’t want to hurt Ian and it’s better to keep your enemies closer. After the sun rose, Ian and I watched the antelope play from the ledge and talked more. I told him stories about how I grew up and he told me about his childhood. He has been sick his entire life- they never cured him like they did Colt. He thinks me marking him is what really cured his illness. I think it’s probably because the medicine has been finally expelled from his blood long enough, but he flatters me.I sigh and Colt walks closer to me, and I look at Ian, “Go a few feet ahead of us but stay where I can see you.” I tell him. Ian grins at me as he walks a little faster, turning back to wink at Colt. I wish they would both stop this nonsense. They are BOTH trying to piss one another off.“This isn’t fair, Maddie,” Colt’s voice is angry, and I nod, “I know but I don’t want to hurt him on purpose.” I say and he shrugs, “Us making love and being a mated p
Maddie POVThe week has flown by so quickly and we leave tomorrow to find Julia. Ryan was the one to do the blood location this time. Julia is in California; in L.A. to be exact. It’s farther away than Denver but once we find Julia we can head to Colorado.“Is that all you got?” I hear Colt shout at Ian. Ian’s nose is bloody, and he stands back up.“No, I have all four of my legs- come at me, bro.” he taunts.This entire week, we have been training Ian and he has been getting better but I wouldn’t want to rely on him if we were alone. It’s like he lacks the instincts that are needed to survive but the one to mate is strong- go figure.Ian punches Colt in the gut and Colt sputters backward. Ryan is the ref in this match, and he looks at Colt, “Get up! You can’t let me beat you!” Colt smirks as he stands back up and Lila grabs my arm, “This is so exciting,” she whispers. I giggle at her and nudge her with my shoulder.I was skeptical about Lila and Ryan but they are cute together. Even
Colt POVI finish zip-tying Ian’s hands and push him into the car police officer style. Maddie watches from a farther distance and she sighs. I know she can feel both our emotions right now and it’s probably overwhelming.“She wanted it, Colt. Don’t be jealous,” Ian says as he grins at me but I slam the car door shut and try to ignore him.Maddie had to physically stop me from killing Ian yesterday; I have the black eye to prove it. She is quite the fighter but all I saw was red. He knows Maddie doesn’t want to mate with him. She has been open to the idea but once they got to know each other- I don’t like that at all but this situation isn’t normal or even close to it. It’s fucking weird and sometimes you have to just deal with what life gives you.Caleb places his hand on Maddie’s shoulder, and I bellow a low growl. It’s not that I think Caleb will steal my mate, it’s that I don’t want any male around her after what happened yesterday. Caleb moves his hand away and Maddie sighs. I ha
Maddie POVThe drive is boring, and Ryan ends up gagging Ian. He just won’t shut up. What hurts the most and what I feel shame over is, I was actually starting to get to know him and I liked what I saw or at least I thought I did but he tricked me.I hate this bond and I want it to be fixed but we don’t know how. I was hoping if I got to know him and liked him, then it wouldn’t be so bad. Ian could never take the place of Colt, but I do desire him and the pull is strong.Could we just mate and not have feelings? I don’t know. Probably but not when he tries to goat me like he did.I sigh as I look out the window. Ryan and Lila are fighting outside the gas station we have pulled into, and Colt is pumping gas. Ian moves behind me and I sigh as I grab the gag, removing it.“Thanks, mate,” he grins, and I sigh.“Why did you do it? Why can’t you just listen? Maybe if I got to know you, there wouldn’t be a fight. I have tried to tell you this all along. Why can’t you listen?”Ian’s smile fal
Ian POVI know I shouldn’t have done what I did but I crave Maddie- I want her. I realize that I probably shouldn’t have forced it, but it’s been a long time since we mated and the only reason she is able to hold off her desire is because of Colt. Her need gets filled through him but what about me?The Moon Goddess told me I have a mate and I should meet them soon but when? This isn’t fair. Every person in this car has a mate but me. They have someone they cherish and want to take care of. I have NEVER had that. Not in my entire life.I want that from Maddie. I should have that with Maddie. Even though, the ions make it more potent the desire is real on both sides. We marked and mated each other.I sigh and look at her as we pull into the hotel parking lot for the night. Ryan gets out of the car to check us in and I watch as he walks inside.“How many rooms did we get?” Colt asks and Lila yawns, “2. One of us has to bunk with Ian.”“We will,” Maddie’s voice is adamant and Colt stares
Maddie POVAfter I get out of the shower, I came out of the room to find them both sitting on the bed, talking. It was odd. There was no punching or yelling but they both stared at me and then turned away and finished their conversation and then turned back to me- that was when I realized they needed me to make a choice.“Maddie, Ian, and I have been talking and we have a question.” Colt’s eyes dart back and forth to me, and Ian and I hold my breath- what now? “Is it the mate bond that pulls you to Ian too or is it the ions?” I sigh as I sit in a chair by the wooden desk in our room.“It’s both, Colt. I did mark and mate him too. Maybe not on purpose but I did. I feel Ian’s emotions, but the ions make the mate bond harder to reach. They make it seem fake and I know that’s not true or fair to you. I’m sorry, Ian.”Ian sighs and looks at Colt, “That’s how I feel too. I am not sure we will ever be able to have a normal mat bond because of the ions. I am not sure what normal is, but I am
LilaI lay in bed with Ryan and thank the Moon Goddess he is mine, but I am also sad. I may have rushed into this relationship and breaking up with a wolf seems impossible- not that I want to.Ryan is handsome and rugged and only a year older than me but I’ll admit, he is so much more mature. He is so sweet and caring and the way he leads is a turn-on. He is second in command in his pack at only 18 years old- that’s quite incredible, right?I tell everyone when they ask me that I don’t remember my family, but I lie. I was the lone survivor of a family of 4 when the car crashed. I remember my father’s and my mother’s faces. I remember how my baby sister laughed; she was only 2 when she died.It happened so quickly. I remember listening to the radio and then a crunch that followed fire and ash. My body hurt everywhere but they were all dead and I was left alive. Emergency services were on the scene within minutes, but they could not save them- not one of them.My mother stayed home and
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