“Thank you, Ekaterina,” Theo says once she’s done casting the silver shield spell. I move back and give Theo room to break down Mom’s cell door. We plan to rescue her tonight. I didn’t have a way to save her because it would’ve been hard to sneak her out since she can’t mask her scent like me. With Ekaterina here, we can teleport somewhere safe before the vampires realize what’s happening. Mason helped us knock out the guards and is on the lookout in front as we try to open her cell door. Theo walks forward and tries to pull open the door of Mom’s cell. He gets burnt badly while doing it. What is going on? Why did the cell burn him even though Ekaterina cast her spell on him? “That’s not supposed to happen,” Ekaterina says, looking shocked. “Is it possible you cast the spell wrong?” “I hardly doubt, but I’ll cast it again,” she says and does it. This time she also cast it on me. “Ana, try,” she says, and I walk forward to the cell. I put my hand on the bar and it burns. “Wha

“I’m cursed,” Theo says, once we’re sitting in our bedroom. “You’re cursed, with what?” “My mate will die if I mark her.” “What?” I say, shocked. “A witch cursed whoever my mate is to die once I mark her.” “Why?” “Because my mother killed her mate.” He must be talking about Leonardo’s mate “How did you find out you were cursed?” “You’re not my first mate.” He swallowed hard. “Oh, I’m not,” I say, surprised. I shouldn’t be because, if I remember correctly, I heard women talking about me being his second mate. “My first mate died when I marked her.” “How did you know it was because you were cursed?” “Before my mate died, the witch used her body to tell me. She carved the message on her belly.” “That must have been horrific. I’m so sorry, Theo . How old were you?” I’m guessing he was young since it’s not a lot of people who know he had a mate before. “Eighteen. I had recently ascended to the throne.” “You were so young. I can’t imagine what you went through,” I say, i

In the next few days, I helped the new werewolves in Theo ’s territory settle in. I make sure they have everything they need. They’re mostly women and kids, so they’re still shaken from what they faced. Theo and I are traveling to the most recently attacked pack in his private jet. It’s the Silver Moon Pack. Theo wants to find out if anyone else survived. We’re going in his jet so it’ll be easier to move additional survivors. The place they came from is far from Theo ’s territory. I can’t imagine how long they walked to get to us. It must’ve been an exhausting journey. “What’re you thinking about?” Theo asks, lacing our fingers together. “I’m thinking about how far the women and children from the Silver Moon Pack walked,” I say, looking out the plane windows. Theo nods his head in understanding. “Did I tell you how great you’ve been handling everything?” he asked. “Handling which things?” “The Silver Moon Pack.” “Oh, that. I wouldn’t call what I did amazing.” “I would. The

“Where did you put your clean clothes?” Theo asks as he steps out of the water. “I didn't bring any. I didn't plan to take a swim,” I say, standing beside him. “How did you plan to walk back to the packhouse?” he asks, arching his brows at me. “In your bloody clothes?” “I didn't think about that. I just wanted to get the dirty clothes and blood off me.” “It's fine. Raise your hands,” Theo says, and I do as he asks. He slides his T-shirt over my head. “Thank you,” I say, dropping my hands. “You're welcome. Let's go,” Theo says, when he’s done putting on his shorts. I start walking in front of him, but he pulls me back. “Not in front of me. Walk-behind me,” he says, pushing me behind him. “Why?” I ask, confused. “I need to block any unmated wolf from seeing your legs.” “Really? My legs?” I scoff. “Yes, your legs. You don't know what beautiful legs you have, mate. Stay behind me,” he says. “Okay,” I say, smiling at his compliment. Theo is one possessive werewolf. Theo and

“We’ll be leaving tomorrow,” Theo says as he gets under the covers as we’re heading to bed. “I can't wait to get back. I miss everyone,” I say, getting under the covers too. “We’re not going home.” “Where are we going?” “It's a surprise.” “A surprise?” I ask, giddy. “Yes.” “Where could we be going that would be a surprise to me? Hmm.” “You’ll see tomorrow,” he says, smiling. “Okay, good night,” I say, kissing him. “Good night, mate,” he says when our lips finally part. *** The following morning Theo and I leave very early. We spend about two hours in the air before landing. We’re in the car on our way to a place only Theo knows what or where it is. I look away from my window when I hear the driver talking to someone. I look ahead and realize we’re in front of a huge iron gate. It’s as big as the gates of the vampire king's castle. “State your business here,” the man inside the security post by the gate asks the driver. “The Alpha King has arrived.” “Oh, forgive me, my