LOGINMaggie’s POVMason was already in the room when I got back that evening. He came to me before I had even set down my bag, pulled me into a hug, and kissed me.We had been living together for a few days, and I was still getting used to it. The closeness was something I had wanted for a long time. Waking up beside him, having him there at the end of the day, all of it was exactly what I had hoped for. However, it still felt odd having someone around when I was sorting through my thoughts."You are quiet, tonight," Mason said as he kissed my forehead. "What happened?""You almost got me caught today," I replied. “That is what’s wrong.”“What do you mean?” Mason asked.“I went to study and I was standing outside the door working up the nerve to go in when Luna came down the hall. I had to tell her I was asking about lunch." I explained as I sat down on the edge of the bed."But she did not accuse you of anything," he said.“She didn’t have to. I could tell from the way she looked at me. S
Talia’s POV"Resume normal duties for now," I said. "Nolan will confirm the patrol schedule and tunnel assignments."Walden nodded and looked at Nolan."Before you go," Nolan said. "The men who worked on the tunnels did good work. Make sure they are rewarded well for it.""How would you like it handled?" Walden asked."Generously," Nolan replied. "It was a huge task and they delivered without complaint and without anyone outside finding out. I want them to know that we appreciate their efforts.""Understood," Walden said."Starting tomorrow, reduce patrols," Nolan continued. "We need two guards stationed near each tunnel entrance, but nothing obvious. They need to rotate every six hours. With the wall built, no one will think twice about the reduced patrols. Put the remaining guards into training.""I will have the full schedule to Marco before the end of the day," Walden said."Good," Nolan said. "That is all for now."Walden bowed to me lightly and left.Nolan was quiet for a moment
Talia’s POV"Do you genuinely believe it is possible?" I asked.Leslie was quiet for a moment before she answered. "No," she said flatly."Wait, what?" Della exclaimed. "What do you mean no?""The mad rogue toxin is not like wolfsbane. It is not even close. I have spent years studying wolfsbane and its variants and I thought I had a reasonable understanding of how strong a toxin could get. What I dealt with today was dozens of times stronger than anything I had encountered before. Without the blood purification, Landon would have died," Leslie explained, her voice tight with fear. "I went in knowing what I was dealing with and I still nearly lost him.""So, you are still going to try?" I asked."Of course. This threat cannot be ignored," Leslie replied. "Every pack out there is now aware that the mad rogues are active again. If anyone is wounded and there is no antidote available, people will die. So yes, I am going to try.""Then we will support you however we can," Nolan stated.Les
Talia’s POV"The Lonefur Ember is a gem," Solon said.“Clearly,” Della huffed. “But if it was just a simple gem, Leslie wouldn’t have responded like that. So, what’s so special about it?”"There are only three in existence and all three have been protected in the Lonefur pack. The gem has properties that work on the bearer over time,” Solon explained.“Can it heal her?” I asked.“Better than that. It’s the reason why Landon’s family has held onto the pack for so long,” Leslie interjected. “It calms the mind during stressful situations, offers protection, and it slows aging if worn consistently."“Giving one away is not a small gesture. These gems do not leave the Lonefur pack. That has been the rule for as long as the pack has existed. Landon gave this to Leslie to show his sincere apology,” Solon added.Leslie looked at the necklace again. She set it carefully around her neck with a smile."I forgive him," she said.Della stared at her. "You are forgiving him just like that?""Yes, j
Talia’s POVOnce the last of the visiting convoys had cleared Bloodmoon territory, Nolan took Solon to see the tunnels. It made sense to do it then. Solon was one of the few people we trusted with that information and with the appearance of mad rogues again, it made sense to show him.Della and I stayed behind and sat with Leslie in her room. She was still asleep even when Solon carried her back to their guest room. We kept our voices low and pulled two chairs close to the window, so we were not hovering directly over her while she rested."He deserved it," Della said.“What?” I asked. “Who are you talking about?”“Landon, he deserved to be hurt by the mad bear,” Della repeated.“Della, you can’t be serious,” I said."I am serious. The bear should have finished the job,” Della said firmly. She folded her arms and looked out the window. "Do you know that the Lonefur pack has not grown in six years? Members have been quietly leaving for other packs for years. Landon has spent a lot of t
Talia’s POV"Someone get a doctor!" I ordered, already moving toward the nurses' station."Stop,” Leslie said weakly. She tried to pull herself free of Solon’s hold, but he kept her upright and tight against him. “I’m fine, Solon. I do not need a doctor. Let go.”"What are you saying? You just fainted,” Solon responded.“You are far from okay,” I added.Leslie rolled her eyes. "You two are overreacting," she huffed. "I lost too much blood treating that idiot and my body responded accordingly. I do not need a doctor to tell me that. I need to rest."“Are you sure?” Solon asked."I am fine. I just need to lie down and I will be fine,” Leslie said firmly.I was not entirely convinced, but arguing with Leslie when she had already made up her mind was not a productive use of anyone's time. I looked at Solon, but he was focused on Leslie. It made sense. She was his mate. I remembered how Nolan was with me. It was a feat in itself that Solon hadn’t carried Leslie off to the doctor anyway.‘B
Talia’s POVJason and Michael’s banishment spread quickly.By sunset, the elders had already sent word to the neighboring packs. Some packs agreed while some seemed cautious about how the Alpha King intervened.Shadowclaw would finally have the opportunity to grow and thrive.I did not allow myself
Talia’s POVWhen I woke up that morning, I didn't know where I was. I began to panic until my wolf whispered, 'Calm down. You're safe.'The memory of the day before came back and I relaxed. It felt surreal that I was here. Weeks ago, I would have thought a person was crazy if they told me I would b
Nolan’s POVThe meeting dragged on longer than necessary. The Elders had so many questions about Silverfang and Talia. Every last one of them wondered whether I had ended the hunt for my father’s killer. By the time it finally ended, my patience was gone.The senior members filtered out one by one,
Viki’s POV“And what do you need my help with?” I asked her as I sat down on the old, stained sofa. I knew as soon as I saw her face that Talia had arrived. I just wanted Maggie to tell me.“You knew,” Maggie responded. “You knew he would bring her back.”“Bring back who? I don’t know what you’re t







