The next couple of days passed in a monotonous blur as the rain persisted in falling from the sky, and the shifters were all showing signs of discomfort by this point. Not to mention, the food was running out in a hurry, leaving everyone concerned about the toxic weather going on outside. We’d met as a group yesterday to discuss the best course of action moving forward, having vowed to ensure all the human females had a choice in the direction of their futures, but not a single one had argued against venturing underground. Moreover, the males that had unquestioningly trailed after Gage in the old silver mine had elected to undergo the change in physiology while we were stuck, and most of them were recovering from the transformation now. I could see the benefit in having more wolves on our side should Blaze and his pack catch up with us, but a part of me was slightly bitter at them being able to make the decision I couldn’t, regardless of the fact that I knew my mate had made the rig

I was the last of the humans left, and I hurriedly shoved as many of the discarded clothes as I could into my backpack before I climbed astride the massive black wolf. My hood was pulled low over my eyes, and I ducked my head as Silas darted out into the downpour, wincing as I felt the stinging ache emanating from my mate as he sped through the dying forest surrounding us after the rest of our group. Although I was grateful for the barrier between us and the Desert Moon pack, I would have preferred we’d made it to safety before the caustic water had begun falling from the sky once more. I wasn’t certain why I was able to feel the pain my other half took on, but I knew the other wolves would be feeling similar sensations, making the time seem to crawl by as Silas moved steadily through the forest. Risking a glance around as I detected the precipitation from above slowing, I realized we had managed to catch up to the back end of our group, and I struggled to see where we were heading

There was instantaneous chaos surrounding me, and I sprung up onto my feet as I scanned the area, unable to see further than a foot or two in front of me. It was still dark outside, but I knelt down once more, fumbling around for my bag as I registered the females’ cries and the wolves scampering towards the exit. It took me a minute, but I was bolstered by Silas’s determined aura radiating back to me through the connection we shared. I didn’t question anything for now, simply grateful when my hand came into contact with the familiar worn canvas of my backpack, and I dipped out of the way of a shifter who’d nearly bulldozed over me in his haste to cut off the assault before it’d truly begun. A fleeting jolt of fear rocketed through me as I grasped that we were on our own, and I silently said a prayer that we could manage to keep the enemies at bay without Katya and Slade. I knew Silas was strong, and the other guys I’d been travelling with had proved they could take care of themsel

All thought ground to a halt in my mind; then, my brain kicked into overdrive, and I was blurting out the first thing to pop into my head, “Blaze was down. I got him with my daggers. There’s no way he was going anywhere.” My denial was prompt. Gage couldn’t be missing. It just couldn’t be true. Saint exchanged glances with Kat as he moved to put his arms around Mira, whom had tears leaking down her face for some reason. Silas pulled me in closer to his body, wrapping his own burly arms around my shaking frame. “I don’t know what happened between when you saw Blaze and when I did, Zoe, but I’m positive it was him that Gage was tracking. Maybe he was able to resist the poison longer due to him being an Alpha, but Gage and Atlas can handle him, regardless. Your uncle went out looking for him, so he’ll guide Gage back to our pack.” Woodsy oak and damp moss invaded my nostrils as Silas pressed my face against his chest, the coarse hair tickling against my cheek providing another sensati

Notwithstanding the relatively uncomfortable lack of furnishings and creature comforts in the cave, I thoroughly enjoyed my respite from reality with Silas as we took the time to solidify our relationship, but I knew our escape was drawing to an end. I felt the same soreness from when my canines had made an appearance, only the feeling was emanating from my whole body. It’d been hours since I’d claimed my mate, but it seemed the rest of my body was determined to catch up now. Silas was slumbering peacefully at my side as the pain woke me up, and I’d moved away from his body in an effort to not rouse him. Yet, he was awake a minute later, his familiar voice soothing some of my frayed edges as he explained what was happening, saying, “It’s time to shift, Bell. The pain will stop once the first transformation is complete. I’m here, baby. Let your wolf guide you.” The anguish deepened, and I writhed on the ground as my body splintered apart, an inferno razing its way through me, leavin