Se connecter~ Harvey ~ Darkness. Silence.I can't feel my body. I can't feel Zev, either.Where am I? What's happening?A light wind brings a chill, and for the first time in my life I'm glad to feel cold at all — cold means I'm still something.The darkness fades, like white poured slowly into dark liquid, and I see Alpha Knox sprawled in the mud, caked in blood and dirt, laughing hysterically."Do you think you won? Insolent fool. You did exactly what he needed you to do."His body is already dissolving, and I can't quite grasp the meaning of his words. As I try, a terrible headache splits my skull.Gina runs toward me in a bridal gown, ready to lunge into my arms."You did it — you merged our territories, and now you're the most powerful Alpha in the realm. And you're mine."I flinch from her touch and step back — and her sweet face twists into a malicious grin."Do you think you can escape me
~ Harvey ~My heart hammers in my chest as the SUVs roll out from the pack. It won't be a long drive, but my nerves are already stretched wire-tight."I wish I could step straight to a person instead of a place," Lazar mutters, his jaw tight. "If I could, Maya and Vincent would already be home. But our kind can only cross to ground we've walked before — and even then, a witch of real strength can ward a place shut against us. I can get us to Blackthorn. I can't get us to wherever they're keeping her — not until I've laid eyes on it myself.""I'm just glad you can teleport at all," I reply, staring out the window as the line of SUVs splits, each group peeling off toward a different border of Blackthorn.Our group arrives first. The plan is for the vampires to teleport in to scout once everyone's in position — but I can't wait a second longer. The waiting is killing me; any second could cost me my mate."Let's start," I tell Lazar the momen
~ Maya ~ I'm restless. In a few hours, Jasmine will come to help me escape — or maybe it's all a test - and Alpha Knox will stride in laughing at how naive and easy to fool I am. I don't have high hopes, and still my heart clings to the sliver Jasmine handed me, the way someone sinking into the ocean clings to the first thing that floats. Instinctively, I move to rub my stomach, but the clink of metal reminds me exactly how cruel my situation is. The door creaks open, and I flinch, then exhale in relief to see Jasmine slipping inside. She looks different — none of her usual tight, skimpy outfits. Black pants, a black long-sleeved shirt, a silver dagger, and a gun at her belt. Her hair is pulled into a high ponytail, and without the thick layer of makeup, she looks sharper, somehow older and wiser. "We're heading out earlier than planned," she says coldly, unlocking my handcuffs. I exhale again. Jasmine wouldn't take this risk if she didn't truly mean to help. I rub my wrist,
~ Harvey ~The last regroup before we invade Knox's pack. Everyone in the room looks weary, and the smell of old parchment taints the fresh air. My father folds his arms across his chest, brows knitted, looking deeply sceptical."Do you know what you're doing? The Council hasn't issued a permit to enter Knox's pack," he says, narrowing his eyes as I spread a map across the table."They won't issue one. The bracelet isn't enough grounds for a permit. Knox could simply claim that one of the warriors who came with him touched it and dropped it back on the ground. The sly fox would wriggle out of it." I plant my hands on the table. "So what would you have me do — leave my mate his captive?"My father shrugs. "I say we gather more evidence before you do something reckless.""Maya is there — which justifies our entry, and the Council will have nothing to say against us," I reply firmly, taking up the highlighter."And what if she isn't
~ Maya ~Alpha Knox enters the room dressed in a business suit, wearing the smuggest smile I've ever seen.And as much as it sickens me to see him, I have questions, and he has the answers — so I swallow my fury and disgust, as hard as that is, and pretend I'm fine with his presence."Looks like you're getting used to me, my dear," he purrs, loosening his tie and sinking into the armchair."I don't have many options for company in here," I reply flatly.He smirks. "Good girl. The sooner you realise your place, the better."Then he adds, "I've just returned from Bloodmoon."My heart skips, and it takes everything I have not to show how badly I want to hear about Harvey, about my pack."Your fool of a mate sold himself for a few scraps tossed his way. He had my daughter sitting in his dungeon — and instead of punishing her, or pressing me for answers, he rolled over like a dog that falls quiet the moment you throw
~ Harvey ~I sit at the head of the table, keeping my face unreadable while a storm brews inside me.The council members have already arrived; Brian and Yanita greet and welcome them while the Omegas serve refreshments. I can't waste energy on small talk — not when I need every scrap of focus I have. Every word spoken at this table today will carry weight, and any one of them could bring victory or ruin.Footsteps echo against the walls, and as the attendant opens the door, they file in: the Beta couple, the Gamma couple, my parents, and five council members — one of them Elder Marcus. He gives me a supportive glance and a soft nod. Marcus knows exactly what I'm going through right now.Last comes Alpha Knox, strolling in with a coffee in hand, wearing the expression of a man who's just stepped in filth with his best shoes.A murmur of greetings passes through the room, and once the formalities are done, Alpha Knox speaks first.







