chapter 9

Talis’s POV

The farmhouse kitchen smells of antiseptic and blood, my wounds burning under Dayne’s careful bandages, but his touch steady, warm grounds me through the mate bond. The red-eyed wolf’s howl still echoes in my mind, a chilling promise of more danger, and Glynn’s escape twists my gut with dread. My wolf paces, silver-blue eyes flashing, urging me to fight, to claim my place, but the weight of Savannah’s betrayal and the boy’s tear-streaked face keeps me tethered to this moment.

Dayne’s ice-blue eyes meet mine, his jaw tight, the bond humming with his unspoken fear for me. “You need rest,” he says, his voice low, rough with worry. “You’re pushing too hard.”

I shake my head, wincing as pain shoots through my side. “We don’t have time for rest. Glynn’s out there, and that rogue wolf whatever it is it’s not done.”

Luka steps into the kitchen, his lean frame tense, his knife still in hand. “The house is secure for now. Patrols are doubled, but we need to talk about Savannah.”

I nod, my wolf snarling at her name. “She’s in the basement. We need answers, but I want to see her son first.”

Dayne’s hand pauses on my bandage, his eyes narrowing. “Talis, she’s dangerous. You saw what she did.”

“I know,” I say, my voice sharp, meeting his gaze. “But her kid’s innocent. I need to know he’s okay.”

He hesitates, then nods, his fingers brushing my cheek, the bond flaring with heat. “Fine. But I’m with you.”

We head to the living room, where Regan’s sitting with the boy, his small frame curled on the couch, his dark eyes wide but calm. He’s maybe six, his clothes torn, his wrists red from the ropes. My heart clenches, memories of Glynn’s cruelty flashing his fists, his lies, telling me I was nothing. This kid doesn’t deserve that.

“Hey,” I say softly, kneeling beside him. “I’m Talis. What’s your name?”

He blinks, his voice small. “Eli.”

I smile, ignoring the pain in my side. “You’re safe now, Eli. We won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Regan’s eyes meet mine, soft with gratitude. “He’s tough,” she says, ruffling his hair. “Like you.”

Dayne’s hand rests on my shoulder, his presence a steady anchor. “We need to move,” he says, his voice low. “Savannah’s waiting.”

I stand, my wolf restless, and follow him to the basement door, Luka and Jenna trailing behind. The mate bond pulls tight, Dayne’s strength fueling mine, but doubt creeps in. Can I face Savannah, knowing she’s Glynn’s sister, knowing she sold us out?

The basement is cold, the concrete walls damp, the single bulb casting harsh shadows. Savannah’s tied to a chair, her blonde hair tangled, her face streaked with tears. Her eyes darted to me, then Dayne, guilt and fear mixing in her gaze. My wolf growls, wanting to lash out, but Eli’s face holds me back.

“Start talking,” I say, my voice cold, alpha-strong. “Why did you text Glynn? What else do you know?”

She flinches, her voice shaking. “I told you, he has Eli. He said he’d kill him if I didn’t help.”

Dayne steps forward, his voice deadly calm. “You gave him our weaknesses. The map, the attack points. How long have you been feeding him information?”

Savannah’s head drops, her sobs quiet. “Since I joined the pack. Two years. He forced me, Dayne. He’s my brother, but I hate him.”

My claws twitch, anger surging. “You could’ve told us. We would’ve helped you.”

She looks up, her eyes pleading. “I tried. But he always knew. He had spies, even here.”

I freeze, my wolf sensing the truth in her words. “Spies?” I ask, my voice sharp. “Who?”

Savannah hesitates, her eyes flicking to Dayne, then away. “I don’t know names. Just whispers. Someone close.”

Dayne’s growl shakes the air, his hand gripping my arm, the bond pulsing with his rage. “You’re lying,” he says, his voice low, dangerous. “Give me a name, or you’re done.”

She shakes her head, tears falling. “I swear, I don’t know. But the red-eyed wolf Glynn didn’t control it. It’s something else, something he fears.”

My blood runs cold, the memory of those glowing eyes haunting me. “What is it?” I demand, stepping closer, my wolf’s power seeping through.

Savannah’s voice drops to a whisper. “I heard him call it a wraith. An old alpha, cursed, bound to no pack. It’s hunting, Talis. For you.”

The word hits like a blow, my wolf recoiling, but I hold her gaze, refusing to show fear. “Why me?”

“Your bloodline,” she says, her voice trembling. “It’s ancient, powerful. The wraith senses it, wants it.”

Dayne’s hand tightens on my arm, his eyes blazing. “Enough. You’re not touching her.”

I pull free, my heart pounding, my wolf roaring. “If it’s after me, I need to know everything. What else did Glynn say?”

Savannah’s eyes darted to the floor, her voice barely audible. “He said your parents weren’t killed by hunters. The wraith took them. Glynn used it to weaken your line, to keep you submissive.”

The world tilts, my breath catching, memories of my parents strong, loving, gone too soon flooding in. Not hunters. A monster. And Glynn unleashed it. My claws extend, my wolf pushing to shift, but Dayne’s arms wrap around me, his warmth grounding me.

“Breathe,” he murmurs, his voice soft, urgent. “We’ll face it together.”

I nod, my eyes burning, but my resolve hardens. “We find the wraith,” I say, my voice steady, alpha-strong. “And we end Glynn.”

Savannah’s head snaps up, her eyes wide. “You can’t. It’s not just a wolf, it's death.”

Before I can respond, a crash echoes from upstairs, followed by Luka’s shout. “Wolves! They’re back!”

Dayne’s eyes meet mine, the bond flaring with shared determination. We race upstairs, leaving Savannah tied, her words ringing in my ears. The wraith, Glynn, spies in the pack it’s all closing in, and my wolf senses the truth: this fight isn’t just for survival. It’s for everything I am, everything we are. As we reach the living room, the red-eyed wraith’s howl splits the night, closer, hungrier, and I know it’s coming for me.