CallaThe walk back to the main hall felt like heading to my own execution. Pack members had already assembled by the time I got there- Marcus was gripping his weapon like a lifeline, Thomas positioned near the windows with his jaw set, Rex and Finn flanking the doorway like sentries. Their collective dread crashed into my skull like a freight train.Through the windows, I could see the Broken Howl Cartel spreading out with glee. Two black vans had followed their bikes, packed with armed members who looked way too happy to be here. This was most definitely not a friendly visit.Lucien Vale strolled through our front entrance without invitation, his smile widening when he spotted me. Every strand of his oil-slick hair was perfectly styled despite the ride, and his leather jacket had fresh bloodstains that definitely weren't his."The infamous Calla Hart," he drawled, stopping right in front of us. "You look... exhausted."Something in his tone made my skin crawl. Not just smugness, bu
Calla"Derek didn't send any messenger."Stefan's words hit me real hard and my legs almost gave out as the implications crashed over me. Someone had orchestrated this. Someone had known exactly how to lure Axel away from the compound when we needed him most.But who? The questions spiraled through my mind - was it the Broken Howl Cartel trying to weaken us? Blake's political connections reaching further than we'd imagined? Some other enemy we hadn't even identified yet?I pressed my hand against my chest, searching for the warmth of our mate bond. What I found made my blood run cold. The connection felt distant and muted. Not the devastating emptiness that would surely mean death, but something almost worse - a chill that whispered of pain and separation."We need to gather everyone," Jace said, already shifting into crisis mode. "Emergency assembly."Word spread through the compound like wildfire. Pack members emerged from everywhere - bedrooms, the garage, training areas. I could h
Jace nodded, running a hand over his face. "It's like we're trying to assemble a puzzle while someone keeps setting the pieces on fire." "And now Calla's suffering because we don't understand what's happening to her." I looked between them. "During the pack meeting, she could barely function. The emotional input from everyone in the room was physically painful for her." "That level of empathic sensitivity..." Eden frowned. "That's not normal, even for moonkeepers." "Can Ysara help?" "Maybe. She mentioned an unbinding ritual before, something that could stabilize Calla's developing abilities." Eden moved to her dresser, pointing to the mirror there "I can try to contact her through this. She contacted me once with this." Jace cleared his throat. "Should I leave?" "Stay," I said. "If this works, I'll need you to help coordinate whatever Ysara suggests." Eden traced intricate runes on the mirror's surface with her fingertip. The glass shimmered, reflecting something other than our
Axel The warm weight of Calla in my arms should have brought comfort. Instead, it filled me with desperate purpose. She'd finally fallen asleep after her breakdown in the shower, but her breathing was still uneven. Even unconscious, her face carried tension from the emotional overload she couldn't control. Every few minutes, small whimpers escaped her lips like she was trapped in nightmares. I couldn't fix this alone. Not when her abilities were developing faster than either of us understood. Professional help. That's what I'd promised her a month ago, and that's what she needed. I eased out of bed carefully, making sure not to wake her. She stirred slightly, reaching for my warmth, but settled back into restless sleep when I tucked the blankets around her. Eden. If anyone knew how to contact Matron Ysara, it would be her. --- The hallway was quiet as I made my way to Eden's room. Most of the pack was either on patrol or trying to catch up on sleep after the chaos of recent da
CallaSleep came easier than expected after breaking down in Axel's arms. His presence wrapped around me like a warm blanket, blocking out the emotional noise that had been drowning me all day. For the first time since the forest massacre, I felt safe enough to let my guard down completely.But...of course, the universe had other plans.The familiar tug of a dreamwalk dragged me under just as I was finding peace. I groaned internally as consciousness shifted, my soul separating from my sleeping body.Oh, for crying out loud. Really? Right now?This was getting ridiculous. Every time I managed to catch my breath, another vision demanded my attention. I was starting to feel like some cosmic entity's personal entertainment system.The transition felt different this time - more violent and urgent. Instead of floating above a scene, I slammed into awareness like hitting cold water.I stood in what looked like an underground medical facility. Sterile white walls, harsh fluorescent lighting,
AxelThe main hall felt really intense right now.Thirty minutes had passed since the cartel left, and the weight of their ultimatum hung heavy in the air. Pack members filled every available seat, sprawled against walls, and clustered around the weapons racks. The tension was so thick, it felt like you could cut it with a knife.I stood at the front, looking out at faces that showed exhaustion, worry, and barely controlled fear. These people had been through hell in the past week. Human military attacks, Calla's collapse in the forest, my own tranquilizer-induced unconsciousness. Now this."Before we discuss the cartel's... offer," I began, keeping my voice steady despite the chaos in my head, "Calla has information from her latest dreamwalk that changes everything."All eyes turned to her. She sat in a chair near the front, looking smaller than usual. Her hands rested in her lap, fingers twisted together. The confident woman who'd torn apart nine professional soldiers seemed to have