* * * Eve’s POV * * * This morning is just too much to handle. It started with the revolting task of trying to make the guest wing clear of the backlogged drain smell. Then the visit from Beta Damian, who observed far too much and acted far too weird for my liking. Although the weirdness now has a reason. He could be Becca’s mate. Not only could he be Becca’s mate, but he may also have been around my mate. Me. With a mate. Of course, I’ve dreamt of what it could be like, but I’ve never dared to hope that it could happen. I mean, after all, I don’t leave the pack and I very rarely leave the packhouse. I don’t think I’ve ever met another wolf from another pack, in all my time here. The pastries and muffins have cooled enough to be placed on the tiered serving platters that we now have. It’s amazing, the lengths that Alpha Charles will go to, to make sure that his pack appears to be flourishing. That the pack appears to be well looked after and happy. The fact is the only ones who app

* * * Alpha Charles’s POV * * *That stupid Omega just had to come out of the kitchen and have her bruised jaw and head wound seen by the others. What was she trying to achieve? I’d forbidden her to come out, she could have made an excuse. But no. She had dared to defy my orders. I’d noticed the looks on their faces. She deserves her punishment. It feels good to punish her, it’s been far too long since I’ve shown I mean business. Maybe the others will now listen. That man and his wolf have come out of nowhere. I didn’t even see or hear him enter the kitchen. The first I know of his presence is his wolf’s teeth tearing into my shoulder and throwing me across the kitchen. It hurts like a bitch. It’s been some time since I’ve fought and even longer since I’ve been injured. Who is he to interfere with how I run my pack and how I punish insubordination? “Who the fuck are you to challenge me? You will regret this boy,” I tell him as I prepare to add another to my kill list.He’s edging t

* * * Max’s POV * * *The Nurse witch-wolf has mind-linked her husband, Walter, she says he’s called. She says she’s told him to gather all the visiting Alphas and councilmen in the meeting room at once. While Doctor Andrews has stabilised Damian and transferred him to a Hospital bed, I’ve called my pack to request a small team of my strongest warriors to attend the Mountain View pack urgently and without delay. They will be here within the next hour. I told to use their wolf form once they reach the national park. Travelling in wolf form over rough terrain is much quicker than travelling by car. I’ll deal with the damage limitation of possible sightings by humans at a later date. For now, my mate is my priority. Nate and I are crazy for this girl we have never met. Walking to the meeting room, in silence, beside Dorothy, my mind wanders. It’s as though my soul has stopped the search it’s been on for a time that feels like forever. As though it no longer sees nor seeks a path, yet

* * * Max’s POV * * * We’ve been searching, digging and following the damn concrete tunnel for bloody hours. Despite the valiant efforts of every single wolf here helping. Each wolf is determined to find my mate. The wolves in my pack, maintaining their focus and determination to save their Luna. Whoever had made the tunnel had known what they were doing. They had planned for the event that somebody could track it from above. It’s bought him a head start of multiple hours. A head start that could change the outcome of this hunt. It’s snaked around in direction multiple times, but it does have a general direction. That direction is away from the pack-land. Pity that we didn’t figure it out sooner, it would have saved us hours. Valuable hours that could have been spent saving my mate, valuable hours that I could have spent looking at my mate for the first time. But we’re now approaching the outskirts of the pack-land. The tunnel forms a T shape just outside of the Mountain View pack-

* * * Eve’s POV * * * We’re floating in the blackness. Only this time it’s different. I’m floating in my human form and in front of me is the most magnificent creature I’ve ever laid eyes upon. The creature's fur is a deep grey, almost charcoal. Its eyes are a brilliant sapphire blue, and it’s on fire. Small flickering blue flames cover its entire body. “Cora?” I question, quietly and in awe. “Yes Eve. This is me within my true form. Within our true form.” She tells me.“You are truly beautiful. You are majestic. I’m honoured,” I say.“The honour is all mine, my friend. It’s a pleasure to finally look upon you with my own eyes.” She speaks truthfully. “Why are we here? Are we dead? Can we go back?” I ask her.“No, we’re not dead Eve. In time we can go back, but first we must heal. It’s the price we must pay when we exert so much power. One can only use so much power freely, anything more and it costs us. Using the maximum amount can kill us. We are lucky. Our bodies and minds mus