LIHUA POV 50yrs ago This is the price. EVERYTIME. We protect them over and over again, but we receive nothing. Our lives are nothing but loss. We live tell we die... For them. It will never end until either all the Lycans are gone or all the humans are gone. For 1,500 years I have known nothing else. Fight when they need us. Protect when they need us. Then I found my mate after a short search I began to feel invincible. I thought it was worth the heartache and our mates were our reward for protecting humans. But then... Feng died. Escorting stupid humans! But I still had Chun and the pack. They needed me. I still felt like I had a purpose. But... "Luna, we are ready carry him back," Mei whispers as she crouches down next to my son's still body. My eyes don't move from the pool of blood that has grown cold. My son's black fur is caked with it.... My Chun is gone. My mate is gone. My bloodline has stopped. My pack was hit again because we had to rush to the aid of humans. T

LIHUA POV "Luna Lihua, I only allowed you and your soldiers to visit because you expressed that the situation was urgent. I do not want to hear about how much better your pack is since you slaughtered your human city," Alpha Akim snarls and I hold back my own growl. His Luna's scarred face grows defensive and I know the warrior inside of her is begging to be released. Compared to the 6'6" blonde I am petite and easily broken, so I keep myself respectful even though I wish I could attack both of them. "I only mentioned our peaceful situation because I fear what is to come, Alpha Akim. I have heard distressing news from my second," I reply, and the burly male sends his mate an icy glance before glaring at me with his pale blue eyes. "You have traveled far so I will hear what you have to say, but know this Luna Lihua I still disagree with your blatant disrespect for our Creator. Humans are meant to be a part of this world. Just as we are... Just as the thirsty ones are. We a

TAYLOR POV I press my forehead against the warm soil and sigh in utter exasperation.Beads of sweat and clumps of semi-moist dirt are covering every inch of my exposed skin and I have done nothing but fail. Cora hasn't said a word about how badly I suck, but I can see the concern in the depth of her kind gaze. Turning into a creature that is similar to a Lycan won't keep me safe. Thirsty-ones will still be an issue. If I can't defend myself I could die or put someone else in danger... Mostly my mate. I have to do better or something bad might happen. "Just say it," I mumble as I slowly climb back to my feet. She gives me a weak smile before dropping her stance and placing her hands in front of her waist. She regards me in a rather calm manner which only adds to my frustration. "You aren't very athletic. But that's to be expected," she says calmly and I nod. "That's relatively obvious," I reply almost sarcastically but I manage to soften the tone before the words leav

TAYLOR POV Riding on Dom's back is both thrilling and erotic. The world around me is zipping past just as fast as it did the first time I was in Dom's arms, but back then I didn't have my gaze focused on his back or his overpowering presence. With every movement he makes, his muscles contract and expand causing his fur to pull tight. And with every glance at his tempting body, I grow hotter and wetter between my legs. There isn't a single part of him that isn't calling out to me. I need him and I can't wait anymore. "Dom," I whisper urgently, and he growls deep down in his throat causing another ripple of desire to shoot through me. "Too dangerous," Dom grunts with a tone of finality that makes me want to whimper like a small dog.He knows what I want and he is saying I can't have it not now anyway, but that answer doesn't seem to make sense in my hormone-controlled mind. What does make sense is the fact I want him. He is mine. I can have him... Because I want him.I sniff a

TAYLOR POVMy panic is paralyzing as Alessia takes off with me clutched in her arms.I can't scream or fight against her. All I can do is stare at the black and dark-brown Lycans charging toward my milk chocolate mate and his golden sister.My heart feels almost lifeless as I stare at his perfect back poised to defend. I want to go back to him. I want to protect him but I know I can't. Out here I would be a hindrance to him and anyone who tried to protect me.Too quickly my mate is out of view and I realize a small group of the pack is running behind Alessia and Giulia. The group consists of the leaner less muscular lycans. Which confuses me.Why are they coming with us?... Probably the younger ones. Fighting other lycans isn't like fighting weak thirsty ones. Dom probably wants them safe my mind thinks and I calm myself before looking back toward the area I know my mate is at. Please. Please don't let anyone get hurt... My mind and chest convulse with pain as I think about my mate g