Next day *Jonas* I feel the weight of my new responsibilities as we step inside the pack house, the scent of aged wood and memories filling the air. Typhon stands beside me, his presence a steadying force against the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. I glance around at the familiar yet distant faces, some of whom I once called family. Now, in the wake of Connor’s betrayal, everything feels different. ‘This is our home again, Jonas,’ Cana whispers in my mind, his voice a low rumble. ‘It’s time to reclaim what’s ours.’ “Right,” I reply silently, taking a deep breath. “We’re back.” The pack members trickle in behind us, a mix of relief and uncertainty marking their expressions. I can see some of them still struggling to accept the changes that have swept through their lives like a storm. I want to reassure them, but I know it’s going to take time. As we make our way through the entrance hall, I notice a few new pack members, from Thyphon’s pack, have already begun to se
*Typhon* Standing at the edge of Jonas’s old pack territory, I feel the weight of what’s about to unfold. The scent of pine and earth fills the air, mingling with the tension that crackles between us. I glance sideways at Jonas, and my heart swells. He’s come so far, and today, he’s ready to reclaim what’s his. He’s ready to lead. “Remember, I’m right here with you,” I murmur, squeezing his hand as we approach the clearing where the pack has gathered. ‘You better be,’ Cerberus huffs, his voice echoing in my mind. ‘This is a pack of fools, and they need to be reminded who they’re dealing with.’ ‘Trust me, I’ll remind them,’ I send back, trying to keep my own confidence high. As we step into the clearing, the atmosphere shifts. Eyes turn toward us, some filled with respect, others with skepticism. Jonas’s mother, a fierce woman with wild hair and eyes that could cut glass, stands at the forefront, flanked by his sister Kara, who looks like she’s ready to leap into action at any m
*Jonas* “I need to tell you something.” Typhon says, but as I look up at him, waiting for him to talk, he starts kissing me instead. The warmth of Typhon’s body pressed against mine, and the sound of the ocean is a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. As we lie tangled together on the beach, I feel the weight of his emotions pressing down on him, even as he smiles. “Typhon,” I urge gently, “you said you need to tell me something.” My heart races, not just from the thrill of our reunion, but from the uncertainty looming over us. What could he possibly reveal that I don’t already know? His eyes flicker with hesitation, but then his resolve shines through. “Jonas, I…” he pauses, looking out at the waves that roll in and out, as if searching for the right words. “I need you to know about Connor. He is my first mate.” “What?” The word escapes my lips before I can stop it, disbelief flooding my senses. “Connor? My old beta Connor? The same Connor who just tries to kill us?” “Yes.” Ty
*Typhon* When my feet hit the gravelly beach, it’s all I can do not to race into the ocean and yank my husband to safety. But I’ve chosen the steeper path so as not to lose the element of surprise, and I know I have to proceed with care and caution. Fire Moon lands softly next to me a moment later, and together we survey the scene. Carlotta seems to have gone positively unhinged, waving her fist and screaming curses at the receding boat, and Jonas is inching slowly backward, edging ever closer to the beach. But just when he’s managed to go far enough so that he might possibly be able to run to safety, Carlotta whirls around and levels her hand,A hand crackling with magic, at Jonas’s midsection. Cerberus is growling in my head, eager to rip the witch limb from limb. "You’re not going anywhere," she says in a deadly voice. "Couldn’t we at least get out of the water?" Jonas replies. "I can’t feel my feet any longer." Carlotta nods curtly. "Move slowly. One false move an
*Jonas* I know I’m running out of time. Davenport has no pressing reasons to keep me alive. He clearly only intends to have what he considers a little sport with me. He probably thinks it’ll be exciting to have his way with the husband of a Rogue Alpha. Carlotta, on the other hand, is motivated by bigger reasons, most of which involve the collapse of the werewolf society and killing of packs. And it’s obvious that the witch believes passionately in her cause. My two captors are bickering over my fate, and I have no doubt that the argument is going to escalate into a full-scale shouting match before long. I also have no doubt that Carlotta will emerge the victor. It’s a simple enough outcome to predict; Davenport can always find another someone to pester. Carlotta just want me out of the way. And that means I’ll end up very dead if I don’t do something soon. ‘We should do something’, Cana mumbles. ‘But I still believe our mate will come save us.’ I’m still held firmly in
*Typhon* My first thought upon hearing the shot is that my life is over. My second thought is exactly the same, although not for the same reasons. As soon as I realize that I’m not dead, and that Fire Moon has managed to bring down the villain who’d been attempting to shoot me with a well-placed blow to the head, it occurs to me that the shot I’d heard was not nearly loud enough to have been fired up on the cliff. It came from down on the beach, and that can mean only one thing. Jonas is dead. And my life is over. I slip down to my knees, and for a moment I’m completely limp, unable to move. Out of the corner of my eye, I see one of Connor’s men charge toward me, and it’s only at the last moment I regain enough presence of mind to whirl around and hit the man in the stomach. He goes down with a grunt of pain, and I jump up to stand over him, my mind still ringing with the sound of the gunshot on the beach. Dear Goddess, I did not tell him often enough that I love him.