Rowan “Mate.” That asshole said it with so much calm and confidence that Rowan had difficulty processing what he said. He couldn’t help but ask for clarification. When his hand moved to pull Elly behind him he knew Eris was coming back from the poison. Lies. It was one word but it was enough to confirm what Rowan was thinking. The more the rogue talked the more uncomfortable he got. Why did he seem so familiar? “I’m Dane, Alpha of the Blackcrest Pack. I can see you’re confused so I’ll speak in small words. Our pack is one of the oldest packs around. We were attacked over twenty years ago, our people either stolen or murdered. We’re taking back out people. We’re taking back our land. And I will be taking back my mate.” Rowan frowned at his words. His eyes darted around hoping some of the wolves had dispersed. Instead, it appeared more had shown up. Did you hear that Eris? He asked hoping his wolf had regained his strength. With or without him Rowan had superhuman strength. He could pr

Elly Elly’s heart was beating out of her chest. Every single nerve ending felt like it was being zapped with electricity. The two of them were still intertwined on the small cot when his eyes glazed over. She wasn’t sure how they made that small space work or even how it managed to handle their weight but she was glad. The longer the tether was on her arm the more desperate she was to get rid of it. She couldn’t have been asleep for long before Darren visited her in her dream. It was like he was in the cell with her. She could have sworn she felt his fingers on her skin. It was a true nightmare. Thrashing around in her sleep must have stirred something in Rowan. When she managed to pull herself from Darren’s grasp two hungry wolf eyes were staring back at her. Ready and willing to help her forget about her nightmare. When Rowan finally pulled out it sent a final jolt of pleasure through her. He stood up and went to the small window at the top of the cell. From the small slice of sky

Elly The shock of Darren’s breath on her face as he leaned in to kiss her snapped Elly out of her trance. She yanked away from him like she had just touched a hot stove. Before her arms could fully unwrap from around him Darren’s hand clamped down on her arm and pulled her back. He grabbed her by the chin and turned her head. “What the fuck is this?” Elly stared at him for a moment. Did he really want an answer? “The bite mark or the hickey?” His grip on her tightened. For a split second, she thought she saw hurt flash through his eyes. What was even more surprising was the fleeting guilt she felt in response. He lowered his mouth to her ear. “You know…I found a way to protect you from the Silver Moon Coven. They’d never be able to touch you again. But I think I just changed my mind.” He twisted her wrist behind her back and led her out of the trees. All around them were fighting wolves. There seemed to be too many bodies on the ground. She remembered Rowan’s people saying they did

Elly The moment Dane’s teeth pierced Elly’s flesh there was a moment of numbness and disbelief. He marked her, claimed her. A bond with a werewolf was nothing like the bond that she had with Darren. Granted, she never completed the ritual with him. They joined on a spiritual level but they were supposed to join physically to feel the full effects. The tether pulled her to him, it wanted to be completed so her need for him would get stronger the longer she resisted. That feeling was what drove her into Rowan’s arms before. What she felt from Dane’s bite took her breath away. The flood of emotions was indecipherable. A searing pain radiated inside of her in places she couldn’t identify. It wasn’t physical pain but it surpassed any she had ever felt before. When Dane finally withdrew his teeth from her neck he let her fall to the ground. Tears streamed out of Elly’s half-open eyes. She was frozen in place. Unable to think or move, all she could do is feel. Somehow the bond with Darren

Rowan “Is it true?” Rowans asked the second the door shut. “Were you going to use me as a sacrifice?” Elly’s silence put him on edge. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to hear. He mistrusted witches so much he would believe her no matter what she said. “Sort of.” His eyes glowed, it was clear he still did not have solid control over. His wolf again. Sweat dripped off her forehead and she was trembling in the chair. He knew he wasn’t the cause but he still chose to stay silent and wait for her to elaborate. “It was part of the agreement I made with him to save Amber’s life.” Rowan narrowed his eyes at her and searched her for any signs of deceit. Her heartbeat was uneven, he wasn’t sure how she was holding herself up at that point. Eris wanted to help but he was just as hurt and angry as Rowan was. She blinded him and endangered his pack in more than one way. He couldn’t forgive that. “Go on.” Eris pushed forward. He wanted to hear her full explanation. It didn’t matter, it couldn’t. The