LOGINI wanted to let Rhonen take over the patrol but decided against it. The snipers were going to struggle to tell the packs apart once we all started shifting. The longer we held off, the more accurately they could identify their targets.The air felt stagnant around me as I walked through the trees. The fading light of the sun casting shadows that somehow seemed more silent than usual.It was the calm before the storm. I could feel it in my bones.Every sound pulled my attention. I was more aware of my pack members around me. There was anxiety and fear flowing through the tethers that connected us. But there was conviction and determination as well. It was a morale that was as good as an Alpha could hope for, but it was still a heavy weight to bear.“We’ve got vehicles approaching,” a voice sounded over the radio on my hip. It was one of the human snipers. “Coming in fast. They’re going to use the sun against us.”I lifted the radio. “We need to get them into the trees,” I told him. “Ca
I let Lucas sleep. I could tell he hadn’t gotten much in days. He would need it before the fight. I should have gotten up but I wasn’t able to drag myself from the bed. Instead, I just watched Lucas sleep. Watched his chest rise and fall so calmly. It was the most at peace I’d seen him in months. It was a little strange… Knowing what we were facing.Lucas’ words sat heavy with me. Whatever hope we now had, it was just that—hope. It was no guarantee of victory. It certainly wasn’t a guarantee of our survival.My chest tightened. The weight of the coming hours finally hitting me as I was forced to imagine Lucas’ lifeless body. My breath hitched in my throat and I forced the image away. I pressed a hand to his chest. Needing to feel the rise and fall of his chest. The beating of his heart.An alarm started to sound from outside. The volume causing both of us to shoot up in the bed. We shared a look before jumping up, grabbing our clothes and pulling them on hurriedly.“It’s almost sunset
We went back to the farmhouse. When we went inside, I was surprised to find Hunter, Tarvyn, Amos, and Tarrah in the living room with Max and Uncle Rodney. They had arrived with Sutton and the human envoy. Sutton told me Helene was here too. Apparently, her and Jaden’s secret was out. So, it was no surprise when Tarrah said Jaden had dragged her off somewhere. Something I was dying to do myself with Sutton. But we had too much to do.Sutton insisted on getting my shoulder wound checked out and cleaned up. When that was dones, she and I made a point to walk through the rest of the camp, making sure everyone was getting fed, getting supplies, and getting rest where needed. I was constantly checking in with all the patrols and scouting parties. I wanted to make sure we knew every Dawn Stalker move we could. I was checking to make sure the medical supplies the humans brought were being allocated properly when I heard familiar raised voices around the barn.“…don’t get to order me around,”
I took a few steps forward. Again trying to make out what I was seeing through the hazy light of the sunrise. I heard footsteps come up behind me but I couldn’t be bothered to see who it was. My eyes stayed fixed on the vehicle coming towards us.Vehicles. Yes, there was definitely more than one. It was a motorcade of black buses and armored trucks.My heart started to race again. My chest tightening. Rhonen’s hackles raised. These were coming down our road. From the direction of Wildmore. This couldn’t be the Dawn Stalker advance. How could they have gotten past our defenses? And with such an arsenal. Pistols and rifles were one thing but armored vehicles?My feet remained planted. The lead vehicle, a truck with a large rifle attached to the roof, approached. More people had come to gather behind me but I couldn’t bring myself to look at them.As the vehicle came to a stop, the back door opened. A breeze picked up. Carrying a familiar scent toward me. A scent that almost had me fall
I took Raphe up to our apartment and got him cleaned up. Luckily, one of Lucas’ suits fit him well enough to be presentable. Soloman had said he fought hard to help them escape. You could hardly tell. He was only left with a few scrapes and scratches. Most of which were well into the healing process. It was a testament to his bloodline. His power had always been evident since I had met him. While that had waivered today, it was coming back.“So, who is it that I’ll be speaking with?” Raphe asked as he tugged on the cuff of the suit jacket.“The mayor of Dranfort—Mayor Goodwin,” I instructed. “The human territory only has one major city. That city governs all of the territory. He governs the city. He has control of their military.”“And he has two companies already marching through Silverstreak territory?”I nodded. “Yes, but he won’t give the order for them to fight with us until he is sure the lycans won’t retaliate. Under other circumstances, he is breaking some serious treaties doi
I rushed back to the packhouse. We came up near the gardens, not far from the back entrance where several vans had groups gathering around them. Somewhere within the throng, I caught sight of Tarvyn near the packhouse entrance as he ushered people out. I pushed my feet to move faster. Breaking out into a full run as I closed the distance.The closer I got the more I could see. The more I saw the harder my heart pounded. The smell of blood hit me just before the sight of blood stained clothes and bandages. People were being carried out of the vans. I started to believe the worst until Soloman’s face broke through the mix.“Soloman…” I called out, rushing in his direction. He turned just in time to see me flying at him, my arms going around his neck. “Thank the goddess.” I fought back tears. Not realizing just how worried I had been about losing him. “What happened? Are you hurt?”“I’m okay,” Soloman assured me. “Just some scratches. We were attacked on our way to the rescue vehicles at
“Are you sure I should be here?” Sutton asked nervously. “I don’t know if I should be here. He’s probably not going to want to see me. I should go.”I grabbed her before she headed for the door. Taking her by the shoulders and planting her on the couch.We were in the apartment my family stays in w
“You don’t think that would cause trouble?” Max asked.I raised an eyebrow. “Any more than we’re already in?”“I mean from them,” Max said. “If Mason got to Hannah, how do we know he didn’t turn the others?”“Because I’ve spoken to her stepfather,” Soloman offered. “He still shows an interest in he
It was a four-hour flight to the national capital of Lycuria. I had been surprised to hear the Alpha’s Summit would be hosted by the Royal Council in Moonhaven. However, it made sense when you considered the short notice of the typically lavish event. The capital would be the only place with the fu
I decided to focus my attention on the garden venue until Soloman returned. I was already feeling guilty that I kept being pulled away from the project so much as it was. The least I could do was give it my full commitment when I was able to. Besides, we were getting close to finish







