LYKOS' POV I felt a sharp jab delivered to my rib, followed immediately by a soft whimper, something else like a low mumble. I became awake, waiting and listening for anything like it. All of my predatory senses wide and receptive like a funnel, I caught Neilla's troubled breathing next to me even as she turned. Once more, she struck me hard as she fought with an invisible force.The cool night breeze instantly became polluted by the choking smell of her fear -coupled with a strong sense of sadness.Filled with dread, I sat up in a bid to rouse her from her troubled slumber. "Neilla? Baby c'mon, look at me." My voice was not without the extra deep huskiness that accompanied the early morning rise.She didn't hear me. She turned again, this time missed smashing my balls with her knees by a few inches. I was still able to save myself at the last minute. Still, that was the least of my heartaches."Babe?" I tried again in a barely contained whisper. When it seemed like that didn't wo
NEILLA'S POV"What do you mean?"The urgency in Lykos' voice startled me out of my faux concentration. My eyes followed to where he sat on the bed and when he met my eye, rose out of bed and eased his way out to the balcony.The anxiety I'd managed to tape down with a morning run in my wolf form, swirled once more in my chest, turning my still heart to pick up in anticipation.Like the calm before the storm, I was waiting for Lykos to walk back in and drop the bombshell.His earlier exclamation hadn't been for nothing. In the short four years I'd been with him, he wasn't one to fret over things other werewolves normally would.His state of calmness was unmatched.However, now that his agitation rolled off him in turbulent waves, it launched me into fresh confusion.Would it be a thrilling idea to meet him now? Do I just wait until he was done with the call?I willed myself to exercise the patience I knew I lacked and wait for him to come back inside. Whatever the news might be, it pro
NEILLA'S POVThe words sent a familiar ringing to my ears- a shrill tone that only hinted on impending danger. I sent Lykos a brief glance from across the room. I was filled with relief to know he was looking at me too. He nodded slowly to show he heard what I did. Sapphira continued, "I am from Bloodtrail pack, far back towards the North of New Zealand. All my life, it's all I've ever known. The people, our ways, my friends, my family. Then one day we woke up to see it was all... gone."I scooted closer to the edge of the seat, an unwelcome gnawing sated deep in my belly. "Gone?"There was no reply. Only a brooding pause that hung over the atmosphere thickening with the ever growing curiosity. Then she said. "Our Alpha and Luna had been brutally murdered, their pups' throats slit clean," Her eyes met mine suddenly, "it was a night of terror. Nobody knew how it happened or the moment it did... or why. Some strangers had come from the pits of hell to exert their dominance over us. I
RYLAN'S POVThe following night and the night after that, Venn deliberately avoided our bedroom, insisting on staying in one of the other guest rooms. In her words, 'I can't sleep comfortably in the same room as someone who doesn't trust me'. Did that tick the vein in my forehead? Of course?Was there anything to be done about it? None. In fact, it was for the best that we stayed in separate rooms until I got to the root of the madness happening under my nose. First was Zadik's claims of Venn working hand in hand with the enemy to rid the pack of me and exert dominance. Similar to the usurping that have been taking place in the surrounding packs.I had known Zadik for more than three centuries, not just as a beta but as a brother. There was never a single report of insanity or delusions on his part. All of a sudden, he had disturbing truths about Venn which I became too thick headed to listen to.Could it be true that Venn was instrumental to those attacks on packs? Could it be p
RYLAN'S POV A few more seconds after, I remained outside the door wondering what in the hell had happened just now.Finally, I found the will to break out of my frozen posture and move. I needed to see the next person who might be able to offer words of explanation to this. It wasn't Zadik.It was Neilla. She didn't come all the way from Greece if she didn't have an inkling that the triplets were here. Who would even go through the trouble of kidnapping children from such distant place? The question, baffling as it was, lingered in my mind. There had to be a motive behind the kidnap. If the abductor had to cross several seas to perpetrate their crime, then there was a reason for that. The only reason I could think of was to draw Neilla out of Greece but for what purpose? I might have been the trashiest male to ever roam the earth, treated my former mate with so much disregard, however, I wasn't going to deny the fact that she deserved better than me.For her endurance, the godde
NEILLA'S POVHe knew her? The first question that popped into my head at his words. I knew there was something suspicious about her and so I thought drawing her close would help me unravel that. Turned out, I was merely delusional.Rylan's face reddened with anger. "If you had good intentions, you wouldn't be hiding in a maid's gimmick to work in the pack house. You needed a way to infiltrate my pack and this was the easier route, isn't it? Now tell me, is this Alpha Vlad's doing?"Infiltrate? I thought to myself.She shook her head rapidly side to side. "I'm certain he doesn't even know of my departure in the pack. He doesn't care so much for the subjects." Her head remained bowed low. What was she so terrified of? Who? Rylan? I almost scoffed at that. I'd known him long enough to be able to tell if he would do anything in this case. Rylan was mostly bark and least likely to bite.Although, it would have been a different case if Venn was here as well because he'd want to portray
LYKOS' POV"Rylan has been soul swapped." Neilla announced in a grave tone."Soul swapped?" I echoed after her, refusing to believe it was what she said. If soul swapping was the case of Rylan, then we were dealing with a bigger enemy.The last time any news of soul swapping was heard was centuries ago and it was performed by none other than witches.Not just ordinary witches but the ones who practiced demonology."How do you know this? Don't you think you might be too hasty in that conclusion? As far as I know, soul swapping represents the highest form of witchcraft. This exercise is carried out by the most powerful witch or warlock." Axel voiced out the thoughts in my head. "Using demons, and it is borne out of demonology which is the most dangerous form of knowledge to be exposed to." I added for clarification. "How is that possible?" Neilla shrugged. "I'm amazed myself at how widespread my powers are beginning to get. I now know deep things which I didn't before." "So what is t
LYKOS' POV There was a dispersal, silence ensued thereafter and I was left alone to my thoughts. For the first time since we embarked on this dangerous journey, it seemed as though the good goddess was beginning to smile down upon us.Marcello followed Sapphira right on her tail, moments after she left to get the book. Axel and Annabella slipped out as well. For a while, they both seemed to be at odds with each other.Whatever the issue with them could be, they better have it resolved before the main war comes. We needed all hands not only on deck but in sync.I dialed my aunt's number, pausing for it to ring. She picked up on the second dial, her voice filled with bubbly excitement filtering through."Is there something else you need, Lykos? It's so hectic here in the pack with trying hard to locate the triplets. Everyone wants nothing more than for the triplets to be found and brought back. Fear not however, I've gotten a new spell to handle that. Now, you were saying?" I held ba