Xavier POV One minute, we are training; the next minute, Tyler's face turns white, and he starts running toward the castle. I take off after him asking, “What's wrong, Tyler?” Tyler's voice is harsh and strained as he mutters. “There's something wrong with Lisha.” I mind-link Skyla, “What happened to Lisha?” Skyla seems puzzled as she says, “She was fine a minute ago.” I hiss, “Where is she?” “In her room.” Tyler has already reached their bedroom. He rattles the door handle trying to open the door, and growls, “The fucking door is locked.” I watch as he takes a few steps away, then runs at the door throwing his right shoulder against it. There's a sickening crack; I am not sure if the wood or one of the bones in his shoulder has cracked. He snarls, taking another couple of steps away from the door, and growls, “Help me get this fucking door open, Xavier.” We both run at the door, the door flies open on impact, and I hiss when I see the room empty. “Where i
Xavier POV I didn't have a plan when I entered Allana’s realm; the only thought in my head was to get Lisha to safety, then sit back and wait to see what would happen. However, now that I am here, there is no reason not to try and contact Mathew; there's no doubt in my mind that once he finds out Tyler is alive that he will help us. Mathew’s pack prefers to live in peace, but it doesn't mean they are cowards; having them fight with us against Allana will be a huge advantage. There's a small grove of golden bamboo just in front of us; their stems are close together the leaves are thick and heavy and hang over the sides of the plant; in the middle of the grove is a space big enough to hide Lisha, why I try and find Mathew. I had just laid lisha down on the soft grass and was pulling the leaves over her when a branch breaking behind me alerted me of danger; I turned as the wolf lunged for me, he was fast, but I was faster. I hiss, my fangs elongating as I crouch; there's no way this
Tyler POV I know I should get up and do something, but I can't; so many different scenarios are running through my mind. What if Allana finds Xavier and Lisha? What if Lisha doesn't return, and how will she feel about wearing my mark? My heart feels like it is breaking in two when the worst one flicks through my mind for the hundredth time since Xavier left. What will I do if Lisha dies? Skyla hasn't left me alone all fucking day; her pacing up and down the room is starting to annoy the shit out of me. She starts chuckling; I turn, glaring at her, and snarl, “What’s so fucking funny?” She grins, “Xavier, Mateo, and Lilly are on their way back.” The words feel like they are choking me when I ask, “What about Lisha?” Skyla shakes her head, “She is pissed you marked her.” I grin, “She’s alive?” Skyla beams at me, “Yes.” I jump up, embracing her; she squeals, “Let me go, Tyler. I can't breathe.” I run out of the bedroom; Skyla is following closely on my heels; sh
Lisha POV No one is surprised by Tyler's words, they all knew we were going after Cassandra, but I had hoped we had a little more time. I wait until Tyler stops speaking, look at Lilly, and say, “We need as many weapons made out of iron as we can get our hands on.” Lilly's smile is smug, “I asked the smith to start working on them as soon as we got here.” I grin. “Thanks, Lilly.” Mateo looks at Tyler, asking, “How many wolves are we taking to the Seelie realm.” Tyler stands up, places his hands on the desk, and replies, “No more than a hundred.” Mateo’s brow furrows as he frowns, asking, “Is that going to be enough?” Tyler inclines his head at me; I look at Mateo and say. “If we can get rid of Gabriel, it will be.” Skyla chuckles, “When he sees you, it won't be hard to draw him out.” Mateo smiles, “You're going to be the bait?” Tyler inhales sharply. His voice is harsh and angry when he growls, “No fucking way Lisha.” I turn to him, cupping his face wi
Xavier POV Keir met me at the castle gates, “Allana’s in the throne room.” I nod, “Did you keep an eye on her?” “Of course.” “Did she ask where I was?” “I told her you and Skyla were hunting down a few rogue vampires, and you would be back as soon as you could,” I smirk; well done, Keir! that takes care of me having to explain where Skyla is. Allana turns toward me when she hears me approaching and raises one eyebrow, asking. “Did you take care of your little problem Xavier?” I hug her and say, “Yes, Skyla is rounding up the last of them now.” Her eyes widen in shock as she asks, “By herself?” I shrug, “Yes, you know how stubborn Skyla can be, Allana.” Allana chuckles and pours a glass of red wine; screws her nose up at the taste, holds the glass up in the air, and asks, “Have you got anything better than this?” I chuckle and pour her a glass of whiskey before taking my seat on the throne. “I didn't expect to see you so soon.” She smiles, “I don't
Tyler POV I mind-link Amelia, asking her to send some coffee and a couple of sandwiches to my office. Xavier is sitting opposite me, and once our coffee and my food arrive and the omega leaves, he asks, “Have you got a plan?” I blow out a breath as I say. “Lisha has a pretty shitty one.” He chuckles, “Talk me through it; then we can see what we can do to improve it.” Xavier leans back on the chair; he doesn't interrupt or ask questions as I go through Lisha's plan; then he scratches his head, looks at me, and says, “I agree with Lisha; Gabriel must be the first to die.” My wolf Tristian growls inside me when I ask, “What's so special about that bastard.” “Gabriel has the respect of his warriors and Cassandra's loyal subjects; they will follow him to their death if he asked them to.” “How do you know all this?” “You forget Tyler; my father was a constant visitor to Cassandra’s realm, the only person he hated more than Allana was Gabriel.” “Why.” “Because he f
Lisha POVWe have had word that Mathew and Zane are waiting at the border for permission to enter our territory. I walked outside with Tyler and Mateo and waited until Tyler had left to meet his father, then mind-linked Lilly, “Meet me in the kitchen, Lilly. I need to speak to you.” I stayed where I was for a moment watching Tyler shift and run into the forest; Lilly’s hand touching my shoulder startles me. She laughs when I turn around, scowling at her, and say. “You scared the crap out of me, Lilly.” “I'm sorry, Lisha, I didn't mean to.”I should have known Lilly wouldn't be too far away; I take a breath, turn, and walk back inside, as she asks. “What’s up?” I motion for her to follow me to the kitchen; I want to organize food and beverages for Mathew and Zane's visit and a play area for Asher so he can finally meet his grandfather. There was something I wanted to ask Lilly in private, so once everything was ready, I took a seat at the table, patted the seat beside me, and wai
Tyler POV Most of my wolves and Xavier warriors separate from Xavier, Skyla, Lisha, and me. We keep twenty with us and head to the dungeons to release the prisoners. Every prisoner will have the choice to fight with us or leave; the guards are not so lucky they are to be executed immediately. After our warriors disappear into the dungeon, Xavier and I follow Lisha and Skyla past the dungeon and down a cobblestone lane. A row of run-down shacks line one side of the lane and behind them is the forest; Skyla stops at the first cabin, winks at Lisha, then enters the house. Xavier and I scan the surrounding houses while we wait for Skyla; I mind-link Lisha, “Who lives there.” She smirks, “No one of importance.” “Then why have we stopped?” She shrugs, “Skyla has a score to settle.” Skyla walks back outside, wiping the blood from her mouth, and smirks at Lisha as she says, “Athena’s blood tasted as I expected it would.” Lisha grins, “What do you mean?” Skyla chuckles.