Colt POVThe SUV hasn’t stopped for hours but it finally does. A opens the back gate and he smiles at us both, “Anyone need a potty break?” He asks in baby talk. I stop my eyes from rolling and 2010 nods, “I do, sir.” A nods and 2010 comes closer to him and he unlocks his collar.“1005?” he asks. I nod and do the same and he unlocks mine too, “Hurry up. We are close to where we saw him on the cameras.” I nod and walk into trees behind 2010. I relieve myself and walk back to the SUV. A stands there waiting and hands us each a bag of beef jerky, “Get back in and eat up. We are going to need your tracking skills.”I look at 2010 and he climbs into the vehicle. A looks at me and motions, I nod and climb back in, and he locks us both back in tightly, “And 1005,” he grins, “You better not disappoint us. They left you to die. Remember that.”I nod and he closes the back gate. The SUV begins to move, and I eat my jerky, “They really escaped…” 2010 sighs. I nod, “They really did.”“But they le
Maddie POVI sigh as I look at Caleb and Lucas. How can I keep lying to them? Ryan said to tell Caleb and so I will. I haven’t seen Ryan in years, but he is my brother- he knows best.“I am running but not from what you think.”They both eye me and I continue, “Ryan and I grew up together, well for some of our lives.”“Ryan was found in the wilderness, and you said you were raised by humans after age 9. Ryan was part of your pack before?” Caleb asks, confused.I shake my head, “There was never a pack. We escaped..” I say but my voice breaks and Caleb looks at Lucas, “You escaped who?” he asks.“The big man..”“Is that like an Alpha?” Lucas asks.I shake my head, “No. Ryan, Julia, Colt, Andy, and I were made in a lab. Same as the Zobs.” Lucas and Caleb both stare at each other and Lucas begins to laugh but Caleb doesn’t.“So, you escaped the lab with all of them?” Caleb asks.I shake my head, “No, Colt was left behind.” I say sobbing, “We all thought he was dead but when Lila and I wat
Colt POV2010 and I bring the deer back to camp and I show him how to gut it. He watches closely and I smile- this reminds me of when Andy helped the rest of us learn how to clean a kill. I miss him so much.“So, now cut links like this.” I say showing him, “Did you find the sticks I asked for?” I say, turning around to 2010. He hands them to me, and I smile, looking at the sharpening he did, “This is good. Now we just puncture the meat on the stick and place it over the fire, like this.” I say, showing him how. 2010 grabs what I cut and places it on sticks. Soon we have a ton of meat cooking and the aroma of the deer fills the air as 2010 licks his lips.“This smells amazing,” he says. I smile, “Way better than those MREs huh, and you haven’t even tasted it, yet.” I say, checking over the meat.I grab a stick off the fire and hand it to him, “Try it,” I encourage him.2010 takes a bite of the meat and his entire face lights up, “This. Is. So. GOOD.” He groans, devouring every piece o
Maddie POVI am already feeling much stronger as we walk back to Caleb’s house. Pack members are outside and they all stare at me as I hear whispers, “She killed 7 Zobs and saved the Alpha’s life. She would make a fine Luna.” I look down as I hear their whispers and Caleb tightens his grip on my arm to make sure I don’t fall. We are leaning on one another and I admit- it’s kind of nice.I sigh as I look up at him and his eyes meet mine. Caleb is about 10 years older than me but he’s handsome. He opens the door, and we walk inside, “Are you hungry?” he asks. I nod and we walk to the kitchen as he opens the fridge, “Lila,” he calls.Lila walks downstairs and looks at him and then at me, “Yes, Alpha Caleb?” I look at her strangely and he smirks, “Would you like something to eat too?” Lila nods and Caleb begins to pull things from the fridge, but she stops him, “You two sit. You are the ones who almost died.” She says, glaring at me. I know she’s still mad but it really wasn’t my fault.C
Colt POV2010 is fast as he follows Ryan’s trail. I watch as he darts over logs and runs the forest terrain like he has done it a million times. This kid is fast, cold-hearted and the perfect machine-just like they trained him to be.He stops and sniffs the air and I hear water running. I look at him, “2010, wait.” I begin but he runs through the trees as fast as he can, and I follow him. Ryan said there were traps in this forest- this could be one.Once 2010 breaks through the thick tree line, we are standing in front of the river but at the top, looking over the waterfalls that cascade to the bottom. He stops and looks at me. His face is pink, and I can hear his heart beating at a wild pace, he is so excited.“YEAHHH!” he screams into the falls. I smile at him, and he smiles back, “I have never felt so alive!” he screams again. The water roars near us and then I smell Ryan’s scent again. We both turn around to find him standing behind us. His plan was to trap us against the falls
Maddie POVI sigh as I pat Lila’s back, trying to reason with her, “Lila, he is a werewolf, and you are a human. Don’t you want to date a human boy?” I ask her. Lila huffs as she rolls over on the bed, sobbing tragically, “But Maddie, did you see his abs and how brave he is!? He is a leader and so hot.” She says, with snot dripping down her nose.I hold in my chuckle and shake my head, “Lila, I can’t choose Caleb. Something is stopping me. My wolf says it isn’t right. I won’t stand in your way, but we will eventually need to find Andy and we will be on the road and I am sure there will be lots of boys on our travels.”Lila looks up at me sniffling, “You won’t choose Caleb?”I shake my head again, “No. I think my wolf is pulling me toward my mate.”Lila gasps as she sits up, “You think your mate is close by!? How do we know?”I sigh, shrugging, “I don’t know. Maybe we can ask Caleb?”Lila laughs, “Didn’t he just offer to like mate with you and have babies? Do you think he’ll want to te
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
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