~ CAIN ~
A hard no is Alex Zander’s answer as he folds his arms over his chest. “She has enemies because she left the Crimson Court, abandoned Blackthorn, and went headfirst into bounty hunting—just so she could collect vampire heads like trophies. Along the way, she took out anyone in her path—most of whom have families with long memories and deep grudges. Catherine isn’t stupid. She knows if anyone finds out what she can do, she’s a dead hybrid walking. Death by touch? Yeah, that’s not something immortals are fond of.” A sudden knock slams against the door, and I’m on my feet in an instant, a snarl rising in my throat. I didn’t survive everything to lose her now. I need to get her out of Alex’s apartment. Fast. I’ve already checked in with a few members of the Hollowbane Pack. When I let them know what’s going on, Ronan told me not to worry. The Hollowbane Pack has some safe houses where Catherine can be kept. Once she~ CATHERINE ~ It takes everything in me to drag my thoughts from Cain and concentrate on the matter at hand. “I wouldn’t if I were you,” I say in response to Zarek's threat. It’s difficult, but I manage to speak over the gut-wrenching sounds my mate is making, digging deep to find the strength to remain calm. “If you take my head, you’ll start a war with the Werewolves. Neither of us wants that.” Arching a blond brow, Zarek questions, “Are you offering to forget that ridiculous vow of yours? Can and will you walk away from me? Honest answer now. No lying.” I clench my teeth. The bastard already knows the answer. “No.” Zarek snaps his fingers and a vampire rushes to his side. He grips the hilt of the sword extended to him with his long, pale fingers. He gives it a practice swing. “Then war is a risk I’m willing to take. I want your life’s blood cascading on the stones at my feet. I’m going to watch as the light fades from your eyes. It was here, wasn’t it? That I killed your friend
~ CAIN ~ I’m still pacing in circles, torn between rage and hopelessness, when a shadow slides over my cage. It creeps across the metal floor like long, bony fingers, curling around the thick silver bars. Then the smell hits me—sweet like roses, but sharp with the tang of blood. My muscles coil as I shift my weight forward, readying myself to spring at the man outside, even though I know I’ll never reach him. Zarek Noctis crouches down, tilting his head as if studying a strange animal. “All of this. And for what? To rot in a cage?” He reaches for the bars and I lunge so fast my muzzle slams into the silver. Fire sears my skin, the smell of my own burning flesh filling my nose, but I don’t stop. He jerks his hand back, his face tightening for a moment before settling into that cold, flat look I hate. “I knew she’d come,” he says calmly. “Emotion is her weakness. You should’ve taken my deal when you had the chance.” He steps closer and I snap my jaws, aiming for his hand. My
~ CAIN ~ Everything is covered in a thick, dark haze, making it impossible to comprehend what’s happening around me. I try to focus, to think of a way to break free, but each thought snaps like a thread as the animal inside me takes control. My cage I'm in rattles, no doubt kicked by one of the guards stationed nearby. I try to summon anger, to find strength in rage, but their taunts of torture and death no longer matter to me. I’m beyond communication now. The shift happened hours ago. The moment the moon slipped from behind the clouds and touched my skin, I changed. I tried to resist it because it was too dangerous to transform. I needed to keep my mind clear. Unfortunately, I wasn’t strong enough. The moon called to me, demanding I let the beast out and I had no choice but to answer, allowing it to claim me fully. To make matters worse, the forced change I experienced came with something more dangerous. The need to claim my mate at all costs. Unfiltered desire has been
~ CATHERINE ~ “Stop!” I yell as I quickly move between them. Facing my friend, I soften my voice, imploring him to listen. “Don’t make this harder on me than it already is, Alex. This is my decision. Not yours.” “Like hell,” Alex whispers. Scraping noises draw my attention, and I turn toward the doorway just in time to see the couch rise into the air. Nearby, the kitchen table and chairs do the same. Power oozes from my friend, burning like fire along my skin as lights flicker and cabinets slam open and shut. God help us. Alex has only lost control once in my presence—and that was when he faced the lich who murdered his lover. I saw his fury, his strength, his grief. He wasn’t a man then. He was something more… something terrible. A god in warlock skin. Before that, I underestimated what he was truly capable of. “Stop,” I whisper, moving closer despite the painful electricity crackli
~ CATHERINE ~ "I said, where the hell is Cain!" I demand again, louder this time, unable to hide the edge in my voice. I’m starting to lose it. “He went to meet West,” Ronan finally answers, stepping back to give me some space. “Why would he do that?” I shoot him a look, my heartbeat climbing. “What happened?” “That’s what I’d like to know,” Ronan growls, his irises shifting to a burning shade of gold. “He was supposed to find you, claim you, and bring you back to the pack. But he never made it back.” Fear hits me so hard it knocks the breath from my lungs. “How long has he been gone?” “He left three nights ago,” Alex replies softly. “Three nights ago?” I stumble out of the bed, not caring that I’m only wearing a skimpy black T-shirt. “Why the hell did you wait so long to wake me up? And why would you let him go alone?”
~ CAIN ~ Alex doesn’t display fear—only pure, bristling anger. “So be it. It’s your funeral. I can’t force you to pull your head out of your arse. But know this—I won’t let you take Catherine down with you. I’ll do whatever I have to if her safety is on the line. Once you leave, you’re on your own.” He lifts a hand and points across the room. “The phone’s next to the sink just behind you. Go make your call. Good luck in the afterlife.” I turn and move to the counter, snatching the cordless from the base. Alex has the right idea, but there are a few enormous problems. Forming a new pack takes time—time Catherine and I don’t have. And I can’t just take control of the Blue Hill Pack without their consent. Not after how I left. Emotions had been high, words were said, and I know if even one wolf rejects my ascension, I’d have to fight for the position. A fractured pack is a vulnerable one. I swore I’d never be