Novel-novel oleh Akorede Olamidotun

They move to positions, Elena at the front door, Dante and Sera at a broken window facing the back. Through gaps in the walls, Sera sees figures moving in the darkness. The Order came prepared, dressed in tactical gear, carrying assault rifles.Hunters who know how to kill supernaturals."Ready?" Elena calls softly."Ready," Dante confirms.Elena throws open the front door and runs, shifting into a silver-gray wolf mid-stride. Gunfire erupts immediately, bullets tearing through the night.Sera and Dante burst through the back window. Sera's rust-colored wolf hits the ground first, immediately attacking the nearest hunter—her jaws close on his arm, making him drop his weapon.Dante's alpha wolf is right behind her, massive and deadly. He takes down two hunters before they can react, his supernatural speed overwhelming their human reflexes.But there are too many. For every hunter they take down, two more appear. Silver bullets whiz past Sera's head. One catches her shoulder, burning li

Two weeks pass in a blur of planning, training, and desperate diplomacy.Sera stands in the conference room of the Chicago vampire court, trying not to fidget under the cold gazes of five master vampires. They're old, centuries old—and they regard her with the barely concealed disdain that ancient predators reserve for younger species."So the wolves want our help," Master Valentina says, her accent thick with old-world Italian. "How interesting.""We're asking for an alliance," Sera corrects carefully. "The Crimson Order threatens all supernaturals, not just wolves.""The Order has been threatening us for centuries. We've survived by staying in the shadows." Master Chen—no relation to David Chen, apparently vampires just really like that surname—leans back in his ornate chair. "Why should we risk exposure now?""Because the shadows won't save you this time." Sera pulls up the intelligence Elena provided, projecting it onto the wall. "These are Order operations planned for vampire ter

Sera's mind reels. Dante's mother has been dead for fifteen years. Everyone knows the story—she died in a car accident when Dante was eleven. There was a funeral. A grave.But she's standing right in front of them."This isn't real," Dante says, his voice hollow. "You're dead.""I'm very much alive." The woman, Dante's mother, takes a cautious step forward. "I know this is a shock—""A shock?" Dante's laugh is bitter. "You died. I buried you. I mourned you for fifteen years.""You buried someone else. A woman who looked enough like me to pass a quick inspection." Her voice is gentle, sad. "I'm so sorry, Dante. I never wanted you to believe I was dead.""Then why?" The pain in Dante's voice breaks Sera's heart. "Why let me think?""Because I had to disappear. The Crimson Order was coming for me. For all of us. If they'd known I survived, they would have used you to find me." Dante's mother's eyes shine with unshed tears. "I did it to protect you. To keep you safe.""Safe?" Dante's hand

Dawn breaks cold and gray over the inter-pack council building.Sera watches from the hotel window as transport vehicles arrive, guards, officials, and witnesses. Today, Victoria Silverclaw will die for her crimes."You don't have to go," Dante says from behind her. He's already dressed in formal black."Yes, I do. As Luna, I need to witness this.""As my aunt, I wish you didn't have to."Sera turns. Despite everything Victoria did, she sees the pain in Dante's eyes. He's about to watch his last living relative die."We could stay here," she offers. "Send Marcus as our representative.""No." Dante's voice is firm. "I need to be there. The pack needs to see their alpha standing strong, even when it's hard."They dress in silence and head downstairs. The hotel lobby is full of wolves from various packs, all here to witness the execution of a traitor. Some look satisfied. Others look troubled.Agent Morrison meets them outside. "Ready?""No," Dante says honestly. "But let's get this over

The inter-pack council building looms like a courthouse from another era, all marble columns and imposing architecture designed to make wolves feel small.Sera adjusts her borrowed suit jacket for the fifth time. "I hate this.""I know." Dante straightens his tie, looking equally uncomfortable in formal wear. "But we need to make a good impression.""We're testifying about murder and corruption. What kind of impression is that?""The honest kind." He takes her hand. "Come on. Morrison's waiting."Inside, the building is all polished floors and echoing hallways. Agent Morrison meets them at security, looking official in her Task Force uniform."You ready?" she asks."As we'll ever be," Dante says.They're led to a hearing room that looks more like a courtroom. Five alphas sit behind an elevated desk—the inter-pack tribunal. Sera recognizes Alpha Morrison from Montana (Sarah's father, apparently), but the others are strangers.Victoria sits at a defendant's table, flanked by lawyers and

Sera wakes to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar windows and Dante's arm heavy across her waist.For a moment, she panics. Years of sleeping alone, always ready to run, have trained her body to react. Then memory floods back. The mill. Victoria's confession. The pack vote.Dante. Finally, completely, undeniably hers.She turns carefully, not wanting to wake him. In sleep, he looks younger, the weight of alpha responsibility smoothed from his features. There's a scar on his collarbone she doesn't remember—one of many changes five years have carved into both of them."Stop staring," he mumbles, eyes still closed."How did you know?""I can feel you. Always could." He opens his eyes, and the heat in them makes her breath catch. "Morning, Luna."The title sends a thrill through her. "Morning, Alpha."His hand slides up her spine, pulling her closer. "We have three hours before the tribunal.""Then we should probably get up.""Probably." He kisses her neck. "Or we could stay here."Sera