LOGINElaraI didn't know how to leave the castle without being detected other than at dawn, but I knew it would be difficult for me to do so while I was sleeping with Aiden. He would notice somehow; he had become so accustomed to my closeness that when I moved away, he would look for me and call me.The connection was so strong that I was sure he would notice.So I had to resort to something I didn't like, which was to slip a sedative, one of the first ones I took for pain, into his dinner. It was subtle, but it would give me enough time to go to Louisa.So I gave him his food and waited for him to eat everything.Aiden looked at me with a frown.“Something's wrong with you,” my mate said. “You seem more anxious and nervous than before.”“It's nothing,” I said calmly and lay down with him as he turned on the TV. “It's silly.”“It's not silly if you're so tense,” Aiden said without hesitation.“It's nothing,” I said, and he frowned even more.“It's something,” Aiden said.At that moment, Br
ElaraBrayden immediately held me up.Jayden came over to shake my hand, so I sighed, but from the expressions on the Alpha's and Luna's faces, I knew there was more to it than that.“What's going on?” Jayden asked immediately.“We've extracted most of the dark essence,” the doctor explained firmly. “However, the poison has left a very deep mark. That's why Aiden is temporarily weakened. His strength isn't even at ten percent. He won't be able to transform or use his pure defense power for a while.”That shook me completely.It was a slap in the face for Aiden; I was sure of it.“How long will my son be like this?” Alpha Kaelen asked with concern.I was terrified that this would pose a much bigger problem for our safety."Maybe two weeks, or a little longer. It all depends on him and the reinforcements we make. But there must be no stress; Aiden needs complete rest. It is vital that his core regenerates without interference and that he feels good things that counteract the remnants of
ElaraThe journey from the forest to the Pack hospital was a blur of desperation and breakneck speed. Aiden's lifeless body lay in the guard's SUV, dark blood soaking through the fabric.All I could do was press down on his wound, while Luna Kate sat in the passenger seat, directing the driver with precise, cold commands. Alpha Kaelen, broken but functional, rode in the back vehicle with Brayden and Jayden.The magical poison that imbued the cultist's dagger was not only potent, but it also acted with terrifying speed, draining Aiden's strength and essence. Nira's Light struggled to neutralize the darkness, but it was like pouring water into a bottomless hole; the darkness absorbed energy faster than it could generate it.We arrived at the hospital.I was grateful that the medical staff had already been alerted by the Alpha, because everyone moved quickly.“It's dark magic! Essence-absorbing dagger!” he shouted to the doctor in charge.Aiden's body was immediately transferred to the e
Elara“They couldn't be more sectarian,” Louisa said fearfully.I prayed that wasn't the case.Not because I couldn't handle them, but because Theo and Louisa were really going to be in serious trouble. I didn't know what the cultists might do, and I didn't want to have to deal with any more crap.Just as I was about to say something funny, the roar of high-powered engines and the crunch of branches under heavy tires announced their arrival. Several armored trucks and SUVs that I recognized very well finally parked.It was the damn heavy cavalry of the pack.I felt relieved.Well, take advantage of the help and run after your mates, Nira said briskly.The first vehicle stopped with a screech of tires.The door opened, and Alpha Kaelen emerged. He was wearing his light combat armor, his face a mask of iron authority. At his side was Luna Kate, her expression one of horror at the sight of Louisa bound and the cultists unconscious.“Elara! What the hell happened here?” Alpha Kaelen's voi
ElaraIt was just after eight in the morning.The morning sun filtered weakly through the windows of the room. I was sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed and consumed by wakefulness.Beta David.Adrik.The Pack's money.The cold panic of the impending threat had replaced my need for rest.Aiden, Brayden, and Jayden were in the dressing room, putting on their academy uniforms. They were taking the matter very calmly, more than I could even understand, and I shook my head.“Elara, are you sure you’re okay?” Brayden asked, coming out of the locker room. He came over and put a hand on the back of my neck. His touch was warm, and I felt guilty about my secret. “You look tense.”“I'm fine. I just... I think the issue I discovered needs to be addressed sooner rather than—”The sharp, jarring sound interrupted the conversation. The triplets turned around, and Jayden handed me the phone with a frown.It was Louisa, and it was unusual for her to call me so early.I answered the call, m
ElaraIn the days that followed, my mates focused on securing the bond.Aiden, the strategist, designed containment and defense exercises against dark magic. Brayden made sure the pack was supplied and calm, focusing his energy on their well-being. Jayden, still recovering from his attack, stayed close to me, using his instincts to track any perceived threats.My own preparation was a juggling act.Gaining access to Counselor Aldric's computer was ridiculously impossible.I studied his routine, his visitors, and his materials, discovering that he spent 80% of his time inside the castle, leading the group of counselors who were increasingly at odds with the way Alpha Kaelen was running the pack.It sucked, but I had to keep quiet and stick to my research.It was the least I could do under the circumstances, but it was difficult until the day finally arrived. I discovered that the advisors would be having a night meeting that evening, so I could try to access the computer inside the cas







