Stefan’s POV I wake up naked, on a cold floor. The smell of blood permeates the air, and I wriggle my nose. What happened? Where am I? I press my hand to the ground to help me sit up, and that’s when I notice the person lying next to me. My blood freezes in my veins as I see Mari, blood matted in her long dark hair, lying a few paces from me. What did I do? I crawl over to her on my knees. I see it instantly. The bite on the juncture of her neck and shoulder. I press my fingers to her throat. She has a pulse, but it’s faint. “Andreas!” I scream, gathering her into my arms. A door bursts open and Andreas appears. Where the fuck are we? “You’re back!” He runs down the stairs. “Is she alright?” “What happened? Who did this to her?” “You. You…” he looks up the stairs. “Let’s get back to the mansion first.” “Where are we? I don’t remember getting here.” “Your mother’s basement. We need to get her to the healer quickly! I’ll explain the rest after we get to the house.” My min

Mari’s POV When I wake up, the first thing that registers is the soreness between my legs. Between my legs, in my hips, waist, and just about every other part of my body. The second thing that registers is the naked man lying next to me. Stefan. My heart thrums in my chest as images flash through my mind. Me, Stefan. Having sex. No, scratch that. Having sex is putting it mildly. We fucked, like animals. I press my hand to my mouth as a sick feeling fills my stomach. Why did I… Why would I… All I remember is that I was so incredibly horny, and the moment he showed up, I felt like I would die if he didn’t take me then and there. Heavens, what’s wrong with me? Since when have I been so desperate to be fucked that I fell into bed with the nearest available man? I push the sheets covering my lower half aside and swing my legs from the bed. Before I can stand, a strong arm wraps around my mid-section. Then hot, wet lips press to my shoulder, and a warm torso presses to my back.

Stefan’s POV “The Alphas of Crimson Star pack and Night Hunters pack request an audience with you tomorrow. From what I gather, they intend to surrender,” Max briefs me. We are in my briefing room—me, Levi, Andreas, Hanna, and Max. It’s Wednesday evening, right after I had my conversation with Mari. “Really? Where did their pride go?” Andreas questions, flipping a pocket knife in his hand as he leans back in his chair. He is right. Alphas don’t give in so easily. Most would rather fight a losing battle than willingly give up their sovereignty. But then again, I’m not just some invading Alpha who wants to take over their packs. They can keep them. As long as they realise they now have someone to answer to. “Crimson Star and Night Hunters aren’t exactly the strongest packs around,” Hanna comments. “They are being wise. They know they can’t handle an invasion.” “I’ll see them,” I tell Max. “Look into them. Just because they surrender doesn’t mean I’ll keep them in charge.” Hanna i

Mari’s POV I sit in the passenger seat next to Hanna. I remember her well, she was there that night at the club. She’s hard not to remember, with her short haircut, the nose piercing, and the abundance of studs and hoops lining her left ear. About an hour ago, she showed up at my door and said that Stefan had instructed her to take me to town to get whatever I needed. Given I hadn’t brought much, I was happy to oblige. Of course, I had made it clear that I had no money to speak of, of which she assured me he got it covered. I’ve never been one to accept free things—because they usually are not—but I’m making an exception for this one. After everything he has put me through the past few days, I believe I have gained more than enough right to spend some of his money. “You’re taking this quite well,” Hanna comments, her dark brown eyes giving me a cursory glance before focusing on the road. “Am I?” She nods. “I figured you’d freak out and be in denial or something. I have never met

Stefan’s POV “Can we talk now?” I ask my mother, looking down at her as she leisurely sips a glass of wine. “You look rested enough.” When I released her last night, she insisted that she wasn’t ready to talk until she cleaned up, fed, and rested well. It’s now almost evening on the next day and I’m finally able to get her. But I know she’s capable of dragging this thing into tomorrow just to spite me. “Sit,” she instructs, indicating the armchair nearest to the couch she’s sitting on. I’m not in the mood to sit around and chat with her, and I make that known right away. “Why is my wolf that way?” She leans forward, two fingers holding her wine glass daintily. “Can you tell me exactly what ‘that way’ means? Any antics to narrate of?” Hah! She’s dreaming if she thinks I’m about to list down all my weaknesses to her. She doesn’t need to know that. “I’m the one asking the questions here,” I grit out. She waves her hand in dismissal and straightens back up. “I’m sure I’ll find out