[Danica’s POV]The room around me was quiet, and all that could be heard were the sounds of Bryllie breathing and Xavier cooing. I was rocking my son alone at the time, and my mind wandered to how it would feel to return to where I belonged.I knew that things would be fine since Mason would be with me, but I still felt anxiety flare again and again every time I couldn’t locate my memories."Mommy," Bryllie murmured, drawing me out of my head. "Do you hear that?""Hear what?"Standing up, I placed Xavier in his crib and crept towards the window. Just beyond the glass, I could make out an odd glow, but hadn’t thought much of it. However, now that I was listening intently, I could hear what sounded like many paws hitting the ground."Bryllie," I hissed, turning and rushing towards my daughter. "I need you to take Xavier and get to the safe room in the attic."By this point, I knew something wasn’t right and I wanted to make sure my children were safe before I went out to investigate."W
[Mason's POV]Rage rips through, spurring me to increase my strength as I fight to get through the barrier that is separating me from Danica. "LET HER GO!" I roared, managing to finally burst through."Gladly." Danica’s brother responds, opening his hand and allowing Danica to crumple to the floor. "But you’re too late." He continues while cackling madly.Though everything in me screams to attack him, my only concern is the woman laying on the ground at his feet."See you later, brother-in-law." Danica’s brother called before turning and diving through a window, followed by his men who hadn’t been killed."Don’t let them leave!" Dax called as the enemy disappeared from sight.The room around me exploded with motion, but I couldn’t focus on it. "Danica..." I murmured, kneeling down and pulling her into my arms. "Hey!"The injury on her stomach was already beginning to heal, but where it sat was turning a dark purple and looked almost festered. What the hell was this?"What’s wrong?"
[Mason's POV] I stared blankly ahead as Killian examined the marks that were now scattered about Danica's body. I just couldn’t seem to wrap my head around the grim reality right in front of me. How could this be possible and why couldn't I have protected her? She would still be here if I hadn't agreed to her assisting in the fight. "Could you help me?" Killian asked, drawing my attention from Danica. "Do what?" I ask numbly. "We need to take a count of the injured and fallen." Killian responded, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I…" I stopped as a knot began to build up in my throat. "I can’t..." A sob escapes me as reality finally hits. Danica is gone. My mate is gone. What am I supposed to do from here on out? "I’ll leave you to be alone." Killian murmured, clearly realizing that I needed some time. "I’ll go check on the kids and break the news." "Not yet!" I gasped, fixing my wild gaze on him. "Just... wait." When Bryllie was told, I wanted to be there. I couldn’t possibly
[Mason’s POV] The next day came much too quickly, and it was time to prepare to travel back in time. So far, I hadn’t told Bryllie about Danica’s passing, simply because I didn’t want to upset her if things could be changed. But as the time to leave her came closer, I found myself wondering if that was the best of ideas. Letting out a sigh, I began to make my way towards the room that Bryllie currently shared with Xavier. I wanted to see them, especially since I wasn’t sure what the future would hold once I completed the task that I set out to do. Many questions raced through my mind as I walked down the empty hall. Would I still be the father of these beautiful children once this was done? Would things be like they were before the harpies attacked? There were too many what-if’s and even though I knew I shouldn’t dwell, I couldn’t stop myself from doing just that. When I arrived at Bryllie and Xavier’s room, I found both of them still fast asleep. Although I was awake, the sun wa
[Mason's POV]I stood and stared into the glowing portal that Talon and the others had created. Despite telling myself everything would be okay, I couldn't stop the sense of dread that overcame me."You're wasting time." Talon snapped, stepping beside me. "I've already told you that your time is limited.""I got it." I sighed, bracing myself. Taking a deep breath, I dove forward into the portal. Immediately, bright balls of light began to swirl around me, growing closer and closer until they were encasing my body. It felt like my very flesh was being burned where they touched.Biting back the curses that wanted to escape, I endured until finally, the lights released me.When they cleared, I found myself standing on the all-too familiar training pitch of my packgrounds. It was scattered with bodies and feathers. It didn't take long for me to realize just when this was and spurring me into action.Up ahead, I could just make out Danica's light exploding from her wolf. Next to come wou
[Mason's POV]"Brother," Danica repeated, furrowing her brow. "Did you just say I have a brother?""That's right. He was the one that sent all the rogues after you. ""So that is who they meant." She murmured, a frown playing across her face."Who?" My younger self asked in confusion."That brother-sister duo that found me at Martha's." Danica explained. "They said their boss didn't want me dead."At her words, a wave of anger rolled through me. Why hadn't I bothered to ask more questions?"What's wrong?" Danica's worried voice asked, drawing me from my thoughts. "You look like you want to kill someone.""That's an understatement." I chuckled. "Anyway, did they happen to say where their boss was?"Frowning, Danica shook her head."Nothing." She admitted."Then we are back at square one with him." I muttered."Are you saying we will have to hunt down her brother and the harpies?""I know where the harpies went." I responded with a smirk. "They're on the Arcadian islands.""How do you k
[Mason’s POV]I gave Danica and my younger self one more look before turning and making my way out into the night. The sooner I found a way to locate the enemy, the better. Though I felt a stinging discomfort by having to leave Danica’s younger self, I have to do what needs to be done.Outside, the world around me was alive with members of the pack cleaning up the aftermath of the harpies' attack. I found that none of them paid me any mind as I moved, and I find myself wondering if that is a good thing or not.Deciding to not think too hard about it for now, I continue to move, exiting the packgrounds and making my way onto the road beyond. From what I remembered, the house Danica shared with Martha in the past wasn’t too far from my packgrounds, and I didn’t need a vehicle to get there. Hell, even if I did, I wouldn’t be able to use one since I didn’t have the keys to my old jeep anyway.As I made my way down the street, I took in the dark houses that I passed. A feeling of loss rus
[Danica’s POV]My heart raced as I waited for Amy and Heather to process what I had just told them. Would they believe me or would they think that I was insane? Hell, I felt like I was going insane when Mason first introduced me to this world too.As Mason popped into my head, I took a quick peek at the older version of him as he stood guard by the door. I had to admit, even though I thought my Mason was sexy as hell, his older self was just much more... mature.Seeming to realize I was watching him, Mason shot me an amused smirk, causing a fierce blush to begin to spread across my cheeks. Shit, could he hear my thoughts right now? Or worse, could my Mason hear them?"Let me get this straight." Amy said, saving me from falling into a deep hole of embarrassment. "You want us to believe that werewolves exist and that you actually are one." As she spoke, I didn’t miss the hint of disbelief behind her words. "I’m sorry, but you could have come up with a better excuse for your disappearanc