Prologue

Veronica's POV

I couldn't breathe! Smoke clouded my vision and lungs.

"Dever! Where are you?!"

No response.

"Dever!!"

"I'm right behind you, love." I felt his hand graze my back, before squeezing it. “Stay close by."

I did as he instructed, my eyes stinging as I tried to keep them open. Smoke covered every inch of the building, blurring my vision. Soot littered the ground as he guided me blindly through the hallway. I heard a child wailing from a distance, the crackling of fire licking up the house, screams and howls.

My pack was under attack.

An arrow sizzled past my ears as we made it outside the building. I screamed.

"Hey, it's okay Vee. It will all be over soon," he whispered, nudging me towards the woods surrounding us. "Go over there and wait for me."

My legs refused to move. "You’re not going back there. It’s too risky. "

"I have to help others. Blackmoon warriors have surrounded the entire place." He kissed my forehead. "I have to protect the pack. That's my duty to them."

Fear numbed my body and every sound around me. I knew he had a duty to our people, as their alpha, but he had one to me as his mate—to stay alive.

"What of your duty to me and your unborn child?" I choked out, letting my fear evident through my voice.

"You'll be safe there, Vee. Stay behind the woods and out of sight. If you sense any danger, run."

"No!" I yelled, grabbing his hand. "If you must go, I'll come along and fight beside you."

"Do you want me to worry? Watching and worrying after you?" He kissed me once more. I hated the taste of it like he was saying goodbye. He tugged on his arm. "I'll be back, I promise."

I held on tight, refusing to let go. His gaze rested on me, pleading. I felt my resolve weaken just as a soft gasp escaped his lips and slowly his eyes dropped. I followed his gaze and let out a scream as I saw an arrowhead protruding from the right side of his belly.

He slumped into my arms, his mouth open in surprise. I stared, dazed as his blood coated my hands.

“Run Vee,” he whispered, pulling me out of my state. “Please.”

His head rolled off my arms. I felt my bloodied hands drop to my side as I stood mechanically and turned, letting my feet hit the ground as fast as they could.

An arrow flew past me, grazing my ear. A round of them went off, raining down and littering my path. The woods stretched out before me, only a few feet away.

Two more steps… one.

A piercing pain raked my back, spreading quickly like molten lava all over my body. I howled just as another struck my leg. I stumbled forward, falling to the ground as my legs failed me. My head fell to the side and I pushed back the darkness trying to engulf me, letting my half-dazed eyes search for him.

I’m sorry my love… I failed you.

My eyes rested on his form, still sprawled on the ground. A man stood over his body and kicked its lifeless form, depositing one more arrow into his body.

I whimpered, finally letting the pain within me sing freely before giving in to the darkness behind my eyes.