-THIRD PERSON’S POV- “What is this hustler’s name?” Seff engaged Jarvaldo with the business card in his hand. He rose from the chair and his foot knocked over the empty communion wine bottle. It clinked and rolled on the floor. “He goes by the pseudonym of Shekel Moneta,” Jarvaldo divulged. “Give him a call. Tell him that you’re my guy.” Seff stopped the bottle with his foot and bent over to steady it on the floor. When he straightened, he took out his new Android phone to make the call. He wasn’t in the bullshit today with Jarvaldo. He assessed the business card and whispered the contact details: 1 000 EZE BUCKS Looking back at his phone, Seff procrastinated at the dialpad section. Doubtfully, he punched the digits. He knew he got the first part right but where was the rest of the numbers to complete the standardized ten-digit contact. Seff grimaced, pursing his lips. “E. Z. E. ―” His crimson eyes narrowed as he searched the number keypad for the words to press. “Where are you ‘

-VALEN'S POV- “Alpha, we’re lock and loaded.” Theo’s perky voice bore into my head. “Good. Standby. I'm waiting for Dev.” I related, pulling at the black lace on my leather tactical boot. My black combat pants and shirt were already on. I dressed in a flash because I was hoping to have maybe ten minutes with Raina before we left. It was to tell her that I loved her. To remind her that I’m sorry about our baby. To pledge that I would never leave her. To assure her that I’d be closer to her when I got back. To comfort and hold her in my arms a little. Through the mate bond, she was troubled, angry, and ridden with waves of grief. The way she cried out for our child would haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. It was a deep, heart-wrenching scream that sounded like her soul was being ripped apart. This mission had me irked because it was taking me away at the exact time when she needed me to be there for her. The motherfucking Worgens. I will kill them all. “Dev, why haven't you

-RAINA'S POV- Her benevolent efforts to circumvent my will were non-effective. I decided to fill her in on crucial details, despite my desire to spare her the whole story. “A war is coming.” I kept it simple. “They want my wolf and I have been through too much because of who I am.” The priestess scratched her sweaty, brown forehead. Her fixated russet eyes pitied me. “Why not just hide her then? Your mate could do that.” “Valen won’t. He needs to bond with his mate, remember?” I mumbled and tucked the ring into my shorts pocket. “Well,” She thinned her lips and folded her arms, thoughtfully. “That’s a good point, but it seems that you are dragging me into your lover’s disagreement. He obviously doesn’t know what his little queen is up to.” A short silence fell over us. It wasn’t awkward or unsettling ― it was guilt-ridden. “I’m doing this for me.” I coaxed, squaring my shoulders and striving to remain deadpan. “Our bond is unfortunate, which means that Valen and I will eventuall

-RAINA’S POV- “I'm done,” I admitted, eyes getting misty. “If there's no Hera. The Worgens won't have a reason to come after me. They will remain at a disadvantage that might save thousands of lives.” I lowered my heel. “I did what was best for everyone. If giving her up means that you and I are over, then so be it.” “Raina, we could have done it differently,” Devin interjected on a sad note. He leaned his left forearm on the wall to support his bracing posture. I ignored him. “So you stole Devin's ring to do this wicked act!” Valen blasted. “You are heartless.” “It's not like that. You betrayed me first.” Although I knew he wouldn’t understand, I tried to explain. “Besides, Snow told me that I died. That's how you ended up with her. Your family is with her.” “It’s always Snow this and Snow that. Snow is not the fucking problem, Raina. She never was.” He bellowed, adding a palm to his forehead for a second and dropping it to his side. My heart throbbed as we stared at each other

-RAINA’S POV- Venus slammed the brakes. Tires screeched to a sudden halt because the cab driver in front had stopped unexpectedly on the one-way road. Venus rolled down her window, sticking her head slightly out, and yelled, “Asshole!” Her long black hair whipped in the gusty wind. She flicked the strands back as she pulled her head inside. The cab driver stuck out his middle finger. Venus growled and slapped the steering wheel. She tilted her head back and released a long sigh that took her anger away. Her tense shoulders slumped down. Vetting the scene of the town, long lines of bumper-to-bumper traffic were before us. Engines purred, angry horns beeped, brake lights were on, and green lights were up ahead of the blacktop road of stagnant hot wheels. Everything else seemed normal since the people on the street side pavement were going about their business. They were either loitering in deep conversation or going in and out of establishments as we impatiently sat in our vehicl