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Finley Shaking myself out of my pity party for one, I force all thoughts of mates to the back of my mind, giving the growing threat to my pack all my attention. "I'll compile a comprehensive report from our findings in the cave," I say, redirecting my focus to the immediate tasks. "Celina, if you can begin documenting the defensive spells, we can incorporate them into our patrol protocols by this evening.""Of course," she agrees readily. "I'll need a workspace and access to your perimeter maps.""Use the conference room," my father suggests. "Bradley can provide you with territorial layouts."Bradley's smile doesn't reach his eyes as he nods. "I'd be happy to assist."As the meeting breaks up, I find myself strategizing how to avoid being alone with either Liam or Dane. My emotions are too raw, too complicated to navigate personal conversations while also managing this crisis.But Dane intercepts me in the hallway before I can escape, his expression strained. "I need to speak with y
LiamMaps, communication protocols, patrol schedules—organizing a multi-pack defense network is complex at the best of times. Doing it while exhausted, emotionally raw, and facing an enemy we barely understand verges on impossible. Yet here we are."Glass Lake's southeastern quadrant remains vulnerable," I tell the assembled team leaders, highlighting the area on the digital map. "The terrain makes it difficult to patrol effectively, but that same difficulty makes it attractive for ambush points.""We can redirect two squads from the northern border," Kaden suggests, leaning over the table. "River Run has that area heavily covered now."I nod, making the adjustment on the tactical display. Three days of intensifying attacks have forced us into unprecedented cooperation—territory boundaries temporarily dissolved as we create a unified defense grid across all allied packs. The joint command center established in Forest Trails' main hall has become the nerve center for our operations."Wh
Liam"They knew the patrol signs," adds another team member, a Mountain Ridge enforcer, as we try to sort through the chaos before us. "They even responded correctly to the challenge phrases. We had no reason to suspect them until they were within striking distance."Alpha Bennett's expression darkens. "Gather the team leaders. Now. If they're mimicking pack members, we need new identification protocols immediately."As the command center explodes into activity, I catch Finley's gaze across the room. The same realization passes between us—if these creatures can convincingly pass as wolves, no one is safe. Trust, the foundation of pack life, has become a vulnerability."What do you need me to do?" Ryleigh asks, pulling me back to the immediate crisis."Find Kaden," I tell her. "Tell him to implement security protocol Delta. Then report to Finley for evacuation acceleration."She nods sharply and moves off without hesitation, all personal history temporarily set aside in the face of imme
LiamAs the sounds of combat intensify outside, I move to the tactical display, tracking our defensive positions. The creatures are attacking with unexpected coordination, probing for weaknesses rather than committing fully at any one point."They're testing us," I realize aloud. "Looking for gaps in our defense.""Or creating a diversion," Finley suggests, studying the pattern. "The heaviest assault is north, but their numbers are thinner than expected for a full attack."She's right again. This feels like a feint, a distraction from their true objective. But what—A scream from the adjacent corridor interrupts my thought. Not a battle cry, but pure terror. Finley and I move simultaneously, rushing toward the sound with several warriors behind us.We find a young pack member crumpled against the wall, blood pooling beneath him from a wound to his throat. Nearby, a door stands open that should have been secured—the entrance to the records room where we've been storing all evidence coll
Finley"His temperature's still rising," I tell Celina, pressing a cold cloth to Liam's forehead. His skin burns beneath my touch, unnaturally hot even for a wolf's naturally elevated body temperature. The wounds across his chest have turned an alarming shade of black at the edges, dark veins spreading outward like poisonous roots seeking deeper soil.The witch examines the progression with supernatural focus, her fingers hovering just above the damaged tissue. "The containment spell is slowing it, but not stopping it. This isn't ordinary venom.""Can you help him?" My voice remains steady despite the fear clawing at my insides. Nova whines anxiously, distressed by Storm's weakening presence.Celina's expression is grave as she meets my eyes. "The poison is targeting his human side directly, trying to separate it from his wolf. If we don't stabilize it soon..."She doesn't finish the sentence. She doesn't need to. I've seen what happens when a wolf's nature fractures. It’s rare, but it
FinleyTo my surprise, Storm responds—not with submission, but with recognition. Wolf to wolf, Alpha to Beta. The grip on my wrist eases slightly, though Liam's eyes remain that uncanny blue."Finley," Celina directs, "remind him of pack bonds. Of human connections. His wolf is fighting, but his human needs anchoring."I lean closer, maintaining our healing circle while meeting Storm's gaze directly. "Liam, I know you can hear me. Hold on to Storm, but don't let him take over. Remember who you are. Glass Lake’s Beta. Kaden's second. The pack needs you. We need you."Something flickers in those wolf-blue eyes—recognition, determination, the human fighting to resurface. The black veins across his chest pulse once more, then begin to recede, the unnatural darkness gradually giving way to normal wound coloration.Celina's chanting reaches a crescendo. A final pulse of energy flows through our circle—from my connection to the territory, through Liam's wounded body, through Dane's stabilizin
DaneThe energy from the ritual still pulses through my veins as I make my way to Alpha Bennett's office. That moment of connection—Finley, Liam, and me forming a perfect circuit of power—has left Summit restless and contemplative. It felt right in a way I'm not prepared to examine too closely.But I don't have the luxury of dwelling on it. Not with what I discovered in the Mountain Ridge archives. Not with what's coming.Alpha Bennett looks up as I enter, the strain of recent days evident in the new lines around his eyes. "Enforcer Parker. Welcome back. I understand we have you to thank for assisting with Liam's healing."I don’t miss the way he takes every opportunity to use my current title to demean me the same way my father deos by insisting I work fro him. Assholes, both of them. Though now, with Finley in the picture, I’m no longer sure Alpha is a role I’m destined for. "I did what was necessary," I reply, standing at formal attention. "But that's not why I'm here."His express
Dane As I leave Alpha Bennett’s office, my phone vibrates with an incoming call. Father. Again. The twelfth call in as many hours. I've been avoiding him since returning to Forest Trails, knowing each conversation will just tighten the trap around me. But I can't delay the inevitable forever.I answer as I step outside, the afternoon sun offering no warmth against the chill of impending confrontation. "Father.""Where are you?" His voice is controlled but cold, tension vibrating beneath the surface. "The Silver Creek delegation has arrived. Aria is asking for you. The ceremonial preparations cannot proceed without your presence.""I'm at Forest Trails," I reply, keeping my tone neutral despite Summit's growing agitation. "There have been developments. Critical information about the entities attacking multiple packs.""Whatever territorial disputes Forest Trails is experiencing are their concern, not ours." His dismissal is absolute. "Your duty is to Mountain Ridge. To our alliance wit
Liam "Overwhelming responsibility is a Stone family tradition," Aunt Trista, Finley’s mom, says dryly. She and my mother have decided now is a good time to gang up on me. "Why do you think your brother takes everything so seriously?""I thought that was just Kaden being Kaden," I reply with a half-smile."Speaking of your brother," Mom interjects, "he requested you join him in the armory once your morning practice concluded. Something about specialized weapons for tomorrow night."The reminder of our impending deadline—less than thirty-six hours until the Night of Seven Stars—sends a fresh wave of anxiety through me that makes the candle flame surge alarmingly before I manage to steady my emotions."I should go find him," I say, carefully extinguishing the flame with a focused thought rather than blowing it out. Small victory, but I'll take it."One more thing," Mom says as I turn to leave. "About Finley..."I freeze, not sure I'm ready for whatever motherly wisdom (or warning) is co
Liam "Focus," Mom says for what feels like the hundredth time. "Intent without emotion. Direction without reaction."Easy for her to say. She's not the one trying to light a candle with her mind while simultaneously not burning down the entire training room."I am focusing," I mutter, staring at the unlit candle with enough intensity to melt it if the heat in my gaze was actually physical."No, you're glaring at it like it personally offended you," she corrects with that infuriating motherly patience. "Fire responds to emotion, Liam. Right now, you're feeding it frustration, which creates erratic, unpredictable responses."I take a deep breath, trying again to find that elusive balance she keeps talking about. Twelve hours of practice since my gift first manifested against the Skinwalkers, and I've managed to melt more ice sculptures, warm the room to uncomfortable levels, and accidentally set a practice dummy's hair on fire. What I haven't done is produce a single controlled flame o
Dane "Exile declaration stands," my father says, turning back to me with formal authority. "But Mountain Ridge acknowledges a potential external threat requiring our temporary cooperation."Translation: I'm still exiled, but he's not leaving me completely vulnerable while investigating the larger threat to allied packs. Political face-saving wrapped in tactical necessity—classic Alpha Parker strategy."Forest Trails appreciates Mountain Ridge's cooperation in addressing concerns that affect all territories," Alpha Bennett responds diplomatically. "Joint investigation of this specialist and his connection to recent supernatural events serves everyone's interests."As the leaders begin establishing parameters for this unexpected alliance, Aria approaches me, her expression a complex mixture of emotions."That couldn't have been easy," I say quietly, genuinely appreciative of her intervention despite our complicated history. "Going against your father's representative, potentially compr
Dane "What do you know of triads?" My father demands, momentarily dropping the formal script he clearly came prepared to deliver."Enough to recognize when someone is trying to deliberately disrupt one," I reply, watching the Silver Creek representative's reaction carefully. The flash of calculation in his eyes confirms my suspicions—this is no coincidence, no standard honor reparation.My father studies me with new assessment, as if seeing something unexpected in his disappointment of a son. "You believe Silver Creek's challenge is connected to supernatural matters beyond pack politics," he says, not quite a question."I know it is," I state with absolute certainty. "Just as I know their Alpha has been influenced by external forces since returning from the northeastern territories with certain... artifacts."The Silver Creek representative's composure cracks visibly at this, confirming Aria's information was accurate. My father catches the reaction, his tactical awareness never dull
DaneTwenty minutes until my exile becomes official.The countdown that's been ticking in my head all day is nearly at zero, and I still don't have a clear answer. Stay at Forest Trails, officially cutting ties with Mountain Ridge forever? Or accept Silver Creek's suspicious blood oath proposal and potentially compromise the triad right before the Night of Seven Stars?Talk about your lose-lose situations.I pace the length of my quarters, Summit restless beneath my skin. He doesn't understand the human complications, the pack politics. To him, the solution is simple: stay near our mate, protect the triad, to hell with everything else.If only it were that easy.A knock at my door interrupts my thoughts. I open it to find Malia, her expression more serious than usual."Your father is here," she says without preamble. "Just arrived with an official Mountain Ridge delegation. Alpha Bennett is meeting them now in the reception hall."My father. Here? Honestly, I thought, or maybe hoped,
Finley"I don't know," I admit, finally answering Liam’s lingering question. "I haven't thought that far ahead.""I have," he says quietly. "I've thought about nothing else since realizing what a colossal mistake I made two years ago."This is dangerous territory, emotional landmines I'm not sure I'm ready to navigate. "Liam—""Just hear me out," he interrupts, taking another step closer. "I know I screwed up. I know I hurt you in the worst possible way. I know trust doesn't magically reappear just because I finally realized what an idiot I was.""But?" I prompt, hearing the unspoken continuation in his tone."But I'm not giving up without a fight," he says with sudden intensity. "Not this time. Not again. I was a coward before, choosing the safe option instead of what my heart and my wolf knew was right. I won't make that mistake twice."The declaration hangs between us, genuine and raw in a way that catches me off guard. Nova responds instantly, pushing forward with hopeful recogni
FinleyI find Aunt Kat in the western training grounds instead of Dane, watching Liam attempt to channel his newly emerging gift in a controlled environment. The enclosed space has been cleared of flammable materials, protective wards established around the perimeter, and water stations positioned strategically for worst-case scenarios.Liam stands in the center, eyes closed in concentration, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool evening air. His mother circles him slowly, her voice calm and measured as she guides him through what appears to be a basic focusing exercise."Feel the heat within you," she instructs. "Not as something separate, not as something to fight against, but as an extension of your own nature. Your birthright finally awakening."I hang back, not wanting to disrupt what looks like delicate training. There's something mesmerizing about watching Liam like this—his usual cocky confidence replaced by intense concentration, vulnerability in his effort to contro
Finley"So your proposal is a blood oath instead of traditional combat?" I clarify, keeping my expression neutral despite the alarms blaring in my head. "That's... unusual."Alpha Blackwood smiles with practiced diplomacy, though something about it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "These are unusual times, Alpha Candidate Bennett. The traditional approach seems unnecessarily limiting given the current circumstances."We're back in the reception hall after the Skinwalker attack, the Silver Creek delegation having been kept in secure containment during the entire incident. Dad sits beside me, his presence both reassuring and tactically necessary—as acting Alpha, his authority supersedes mine in formal negotiations."And what specific terms would this oath entail?" Dad asks, his tone giving nothing away."Still to be determined through appropriate negotiation," Alpha Blackwood replies smoothly. "But focused on proper acknowledgment of the dishonor Dane caused my daughter, suitable reparatio
Liam "So much for maintaining human pretense. They no longer need it," Dane observes. "Which means they're done gathering intelligence and ready for direct engagement.""Engaging now," Finley confirms, and without further hesitation we move into a coordinated attack.I've been in plenty of fights before, but nothing like this. We move together like we've been training for years—Finley setting the foundation with direct central engagement, me somehow knowing exactly how to connect our movements, and Dane completing whatever strategy forms between us.The Skinwalkers are freaky-strong, bending in ways nothing should be able to bend, coordinating their attacks like they share a hive mind. But despite this, we're holding our own, maybe even winning.Then I notice their pattern—two targeting Finley at the front of our triangle, two focusing on Dane, and one specifically coming after me. They're trying to break our formation, targeting each position in the triad separately.They know what