LOGINLydia’s POV
“Are you sleeping?”
Wendy’s voice was quiet, drifting into the stale motel air. I lay still on the bed, my eyes squeezed shut. I was great at pretending to be asleep.
“I brought you food.”
That second part worked like a key in a lock. My eyes snapped open. I was starving.
“What did you bring?” I asked. I had stormed out of the diner earlier. It was a good dramatic move, but it left my stomach empty. The cheap motel didn’t have room service. I had been planning to drink a gallon of water until morning. I hadn’t wanted to speak to Wendy, but if she had food, I would take it.
“I packed your burger and fries,” Wendy said. She stepped fully into my view. “I got extra ketchup packets, and I added a chocolate milkshake. Tristan and Victor and I all had one. It was the best part of dinner.”
I watched her set down the styrofoam clam
Victor’s POV“She has to wake up. I don't care how you do it, just make it happen.”I was staring at the small, flashing screen of my tablet. It was counting her heartbeats. Too slow. Much too slow.A decade of work. Ten years of grinding, of pretending to be a loyal dog for the very man I swore to kill. All of it hinged on a clean exit. If Alpha Gregory found out I let his daughter get drugged on my watch, I would be finished. He didn't care about effort or results. Only success. I’d seen him drop men for smaller mistakes. I’d lose my rank, and my position as commander. The mission would be over.Lydia had to wake up.I knew Wendy was vile, but I thought she was at least smart enough to avoid an obvious setup. I was wrong. Now her stupidity had become my problem.My mind raced. Werewolves heal faster near their fated mate. It was a common saying, a fact buried in the legends I
Victor’s POV“She needs a doctor, Victor. Now.”I stood two steps from Lydia’s bed. Her pulse was too slow, a drag against the rhythm I knew. Wendy had drugged her. From the doorway, I’d thought she was just deeply asleep. Up close, my worry tightened into a cold knot.Should I risk a human hospital?No. They’d be shocked by her quick healing. Most human drugs wouldn’t even work on a she-wolf. Besides, what would they do? Pump her stomach? The poisoned food Wendy served was over an hour ago. The drug was already racing through her system.If something happens to Lydia…I ran a hand through my hair, gripping tight enough to feel the scrape of my nails. This wasn't just the mate bond tearing at me. It was my duty. I spent years clawing my way up, trading blood and sweat for rank. Now I was one step from my goal, and my life flipped the second I met Lydia. She was my mate.
Wendy’s POV“Commander Victor, can you come to our room for a moment?”I put the empty food containers into the hall trash and slipped back inside. Lydia’s breathing was slow and deep. I clapped my hands softly, right above her head, just to be sure. Nothing. The crushed pills were working perfectly. She wouldn’t stir for hours.My eyes went right to the suitcase tucked under her bed. Lydia had been guarding that thing like it held gold, so how could I not look?I pulled it out and flipped the latches open. Designer clothing, high-end European toiletries. Everything smelled expensive. I mentally noted all the brands. But it was the jewelry that made my stomach clench. Several small, plain boxes were stuffed between sweaters. Inside were necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. I was sure I could take three or four pieces, and Lydia wouldn’t even notice they were gone.Not yet. I forced myself
Lydia’s POV“Are you sleeping?”Wendy’s voice was quiet, drifting into the stale motel air. I lay still on the bed, my eyes squeezed shut. I was great at pretending to be asleep.“I brought you food.”That second part worked like a key in a lock. My eyes snapped open. I was starving.“What did you bring?” I asked. I had stormed out of the diner earlier. It was a good dramatic move, but it left my stomach empty. The cheap motel didn’t have room service. I had been planning to drink a gallon of water until morning. I hadn’t wanted to speak to Wendy, but if she had food, I would take it.“I packed your burger and fries,” Wendy said. She stepped fully into my view. “I got extra ketchup packets, and I added a chocolate milkshake. Tristan and Victor and I all had one. It was the best part of dinner.”I watched her set down the styrofoam clam
Lydia’s POV“How about you tell us what is available?” Wendy’s voice snapped.The middle-aged woman just refilled Victor’s coffee. She didn’t even flinch. “Sweetie, I recommend the house special. Burger and fries.”Before that, we tried to order everything. Steak, pot roast, chicken skillet. I even watched Tristan risk a question. “What about the fish platter?”The woman had grimaced then. “Fish isn’t fresh. I wouldn’t recommend it.”Victor, Wendy, and I had already taken our coffees. Tristan ordered a soda instead. The woman leaned a hip against the table. “We send all the lunch stuff to the town kitchen at five sharp. Chicken wings, soup, salad. All gone now. You want omelets, come back early morning.”Lydia sighed and put the menu down. It was thick, b
Lydia’s POV“Is it time for dinner?”The word tasted dry on my tongue. I rubbed my eyes hard, the neon 'Motel' sign outside burning a red imprint onto my vision. It took a long, slow moment for the world to settle. We were not at the Stonebrook Pack yet. We had stopped moving somewhere dark in Oregon, and the air was thick with the scent of old gas and pine.I was cramped in the back seat. My brother, Tristan, was slumped beside me, his headphones a wall between us and the world. Up front, the sweet, heavy scent of Victor—my rejected mate—was a constant, maddening presence. And the worst part: Wendy was in the passenger seat. My ex-best friend, who was now my father’s mistress and the woman who slept with the man I should have married. A perfect road trip from hell.We had left the Silverwood Pack after lunch, much late







