“I understand.” I whispered. “What are we going to do?” “Well, first we are going to finish this night. We’ll go back up.” He nodded toward the hill. “You’ll thank your mates for coming to save your skinny ass.” His voice dropped as he whirled me around to the front of him. His voice dropping as his hand slid to my lower back. “And thank us well...” “I will.” I nodded. Understanding very clearly his meaning. He does for me what I wish. But I will be his slave tomorrow. To do with as he wishes. “Come tomorrow, in the haze of the descending Mating Moon, when we are sated, and other wolves are not. We will bait you as your so keen on doing yourself. And we will decimate as many packs as we can through the day, building your little army.” I felt tears leap to my eyes at the relief I was feeling. He’s going to do it! And we all knew that where Vanquish went. So did Hunter and Racer. I have them.

“Stop.” Hawk called weakly to her. Lifting a staying hand. “She may prove useful yet.” Mary looked over her shoulder at him but didn’t let go of the old woman. Her blue eyes still swirling as if reflecting an infinite pool. “Besides,” He added. “I need you.” He waved her over and that was the moment Mary let go. Dropping Marta to her knees as she rushed back to Hawk. “What can I do?” She looked at him pitifully. Terror on her face. “Magus?” I said to the man standing a distance away by the door. He sat in the doorway, his feet resting on the ground outside, looking worriedly at Hawk. “Yes?” He lifted his head. I headed for him. “You’re worried about him?” “Mages can’t usually heal themselves. He certainly can’t.” “So how can we help him?” “We need a healer.” Rebekah. I chewed my cheek. I couldn’t spare any of them. Not right now. I’m going to need them all to fight wi

Headed back in the direction we were coming from, was a nearly invisible creature. Her small hands trailing over the bark of the trees as she moved furtively. Like a wood sprite, made of the earth and wood itself. Like something ethereal. She glanced over her shoulder, long brown hair whipping as she evaded the number of wolves that had caught her scent. She knew she was crossing dangerous ground. Wolves that had picked up the smell of a she-wolf in these woods were cutting the distance to her heels. Huffing as they moved downwind to follow her. The night of the Mating Moon was coming, and they were lusting for the feel of a female. But it wasn’t the first time I had evaded males under a Mating Moon, and no one knew that better than my mate. He trusts me to make it back to the Asara Camp. And ever since my mate had marked me, and shortly thereafter, I him we had built a trust deep enough that it meant I would not let

When I pushed open the door of the shack, the Alpha was waiting inside. Crouched near the fire and watching the door intently. “I smelled you coming.” His eyes were hooded. His scarred face showing his interest. “You have the most delicious scent.” His gaze was thoughtful on me. “But I smell males on you.” I’d thought he might. So, I had an excuse prepared. “It is nearly the Mating Moon, Alpha. Males have been musking me at every opportunity.” “Mmm.” He rumbled. “I want to musk you.” I nearly shuddered at the thought. Almost angry that another male would dare touch me. But I reminded myself that this was how I wanted him to think. I needed him not to know I was already marked. I had my hair covering my shoulders and neck for just that reason. Mary stood quietly behind me. Her hands linked demurely before her. A distance away. “Who is she? She doesn’t smell of wolf.” Keen senses. Most males were so lust

“Mmm.” Rebekah murmured. Liking the sound of that.“Don’t let it go to your head, she-wolf.” He pointed to a hazy shape ahead. “You’ve a task just ahead.”The bleary outline near them moved forward and stepped from the grass. Turning to a bare leg slipping between bits of leather as her foot touched the ground. Drawing the immediate attention of the three wolves surrounding Marta, as they awaited a chance at her.One lunged, growling at the woman, materializing from shadows.Another woman, who’d been entirely invisible moments ago.Startling the animal as she took form.She swung her head toward him so quickly, that her thigh length brown hair swung out around her, mimicking the leather straps forming her skirt. She outstretched her palm and met the snout of the lunging wolf. Sending out a blooming white light. A hot current that touched through the animal.He whimpered and fell. W