ELLEN These babies were going to kill me, between the complete exhaustion and not being able to keep anything down. I could hardly conjure up some orange juice. I was sneaking my way down the stairs to get anything to settle my stomach. When I heard a voice in one of the offices. I had a bad feeling, but I snuck closer to the door. It was Alpha Ben Bennet. He was arguing with someone on the phone. I checked my watch. It was past midnight. Nothing good ever happens past midnight. I tried to get closer to the door to hear better, but the floorboards creaked, and he stopped talking. I quickly tiptoed down to the kitchen. I snuck into the fridge. I remember Axel made a double chocolate cake for Lanie. "You okay?" "AHHHHH" I screamed! "OMG Axel, what are you doing up?""Couldn't sleep." "Twins keeping you up?" "No, this thing with Killian, Damon and Lucy keeps replaying in my head over and over again," h

LUCYThe drive to the airstrip was only a few hours, but the whole drive, I couldn't stop thinking if I had a little sister. The vision I had was of Lanie and myself sitting at a table colouring and Laura at the stove, pregnant, cooking something. Maybe I don't have a sister out there. Maybe she died, or maybe the Academy took her. I leaned my head against the window while Damon held my hand, rubbing circles on my thumb. How had I only met him a few short weeks ago? I feel like I've known him my whole life. I guess that's why they are called soul mates. The other half of your soul. Victoria took her motorcycle to preserve her magic for the fight. I wish she were here so I could ask her about finding my sister or brother. Did Bennet wolves even have boys? I was pulled from my thoughts as we pulled into the airstrip. We were taking Damon's pack jet to colorado to set up a base of operations. Killian was in the SUV behind us. I don't know how I feel seeing him again

VICTORIA  I knew I should have told Damon and Lucy sooner about Oliver. He just didn't want to add to their pain. Knowing the academy sold him to an assassin's guilt as an infant. Trained to murder and kill for their own selfish gain. Pawns and assets, headshots and blood spatter. We were all damaged and carried our own baggage. I remember my first forced kill. It was what ultimately shattered me—fracturing my relationship with Zarina, my wolf, damning me to a life-alone laser focus on protecting my family. Zarina tried to tell me we didn't have to kill, that we could survive without doing as they were told. I was just a child, eight years old. Everyone thought it was Zarina who was unhinged, but it was me. I used my magic to hurt people. I was no better than dark witches.  We only had a few hours before the Delta team headed out. I needed to shake off these feelings. I was normally much better at controlling my emotions. Nothing ever distracted me, but the

VICTORIA Once we narrowed down the exact location, I mobilized the teams. I had to admit the drama with Oliver and Lucy was distracting, but I am happy to have him on the mission. We had been on a lot of assignments together. Aside from Matice and Amon, there wasn't anyone I trusted more. I linked Ellen and my magic before I left to draw on her power if I needed it. I needed her home safe taking care of those precious babies. How strange it was Axel and Ellen both having twins in the same year. I felt a pang of jealousy, knowing I would never have that. I broke my chance at having a mate, having a real connection, when I chose the guild over my soul. My soul mate did not deserve my heart's broken mess even if I did let them in. I would never do that to them, and I would never bring a child into this evil world. War and hate, evil had seeped its way into every aspect of today's world. I heard Oliver and the other archers pull out of the compound. I sat on my bik

LUCY I came to, and my legs and arms were chained in metal this time. I was still naked from shifting, and there were more hunters—two with guns on either side of the door. The guy I headbutted and kicked in the head was sitting in one of the chairs at the table. He had a glass of some amber liquid and an ice pack on his face. The other guard sat in the chair across from him twirling a silver blade between his fingers. He looked deranged. I slowly moved my head upright, trying not to draw attention to the fact I was awake. As soon as I did, I felt hot breath on my neck from behind. "Ah, she wakes." The voice comes out like a snake. It gives me chills. Everyone is now looking at me. Great, what am I supposed to do now? I felt a blade run down my arm, not cutting me but burning as it was dragged down my arm. I bit down so I wouldn't scream. Just think of Damon, fishing or dancing. Remember all you have to live for. The twins, Axel Lanie, if she wakes. The family I always w