Petra POV "Must set the mood," I chant to myself. "The atmosphere has to be perfect." I flutter around the main room of my cottage, flicking lights on and off and lighting candles. The shadows grow on the walls and dance in the candlelight. The room is dark but not too dark. The pillows are set up neatly on the floors, and there is nothing but embers in the fireplace, keeping the room warm. I place my hands on my hips and look around the room. Everything looks exactly like it should. Well, almost everything. I can't very well hold a seance by myself. There is a knock on my front door, and I rush to open it. Celeste never knocks on the door. She usually just barges on in. I swing the door open and find Willow standing on the other side door. I look around her for Osiris, but she appears to be alone. "Willow, Dear," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Did Osiris drop you off?" Willow looks to the ground and twists her fingers together. She is wearing gloves that

Willow POV The rest of the drive back to rogue territory is silent. I am still angry Osiris didn't let me teach Celeste a lesson. I can only assume Osiris is still upset that I have been using my magic. Laying my head against the cool window of the car, I try to remember my life before I found Osiris. Things were less complicated. I did my jobs and came home to my little cottage. I practiced harmless witchcraft in my downtime and thought about getting a cat. There was no fear of the dark magic taking over my soul. I only had myself to worry about. It has become clear to me that my connection to Osiris is what is leading me into the darkness. 'Are you sure that he is the one leading you into the darkness?' The voice speaks loudly in my mind. Being trapped in the car with Osiris, I refuse to answer her. I just roll my eyes and keep my eyes glued to the passing trees. 'Osiris didn't force you to make any of those decisions that led you into the dark. You have made all

Faris POV The mound of paperwork on my desk seems to be never-ending now that I am doing the work of both the Alpha and the Beta. I knew I shouldn't have let Chad go on the mission to kill Willow, but he was so intent on being the one who ended her life that there was no stopping him. She had embarrassed him one too many times on the training field. Now, questions about his whereabouts are being raised. But it isn't just his death I am having to cover up. The idiot took Lauren with him. Even though she wasn't well-liked, people are still wondering where she has been. Eventually, I will have to come up with some excuse as to why they are gone. I know Chad's mate had to feel his death through the mate bond, but if she cares he is gone, she hasn't let me know. I pull the top paper off of the stack and look at it. It is another Lycan City company asking for a bailout. Ever since my father died, companies have been going under left and right. I can't produce Chow fast enou

Willow POV My anger bubbles to the surface again as Osiris shakes his head 'no.' "Celeste wouldn't do that," he says in disbelief. "She has been a loyal friend." I push Osiris away from me and try not to lose my temper again. "I have told you what I have seen," I snap at him. "She has been giving Faris readings as well. She has been letting him run Chow through her business. She is playing both sides." "I trust her," Osiris yells at me. "She must have her reasons for helping Faris." My fingers flicker with flames as Osiris talks. It feels like he is choosing her over me. Jealousy courses through my veins, making my anger even worse. 'You don't want to hurt your mate,' the voice inside my head tells me. 'You need to calm your emotions.' "Shut up!" I scream aloud at the voice in my mind. I place my hands over my ears and drop to the ground in a panic. Osiris is talking to me, the voice inside my mind is talking, and there is no reprieve from the noise. Osiris plac

Osiris POV It has been a long afternoon. Hunting down all of the parents of the children who saw Willow's meltdown was a chore. Many of the children were still crying as I spoke with their parents, and they are claiming to be scared of their Luna. There is one family left to visit, and that is of the little girl who has looked up to Willow from the moment she stepped into this pack. I knock on their door, and a frail older woman opens it. I had forgotten that Liz was adopted. Her parents were killed in one of the raids by the Lycan King. They had fought and died bravely by my side, leaving Liz on her own at just two years old. An older couple who had not been able to have children of their own took Liz in immediately and treated her as their own. But now, as I look at the woman standing in front of me, I worry that Liz will be left to fend for herself again. "Alpha," the older woman says. "What do I owe the pleasure?" "Hello, Gretchen," I say softly. "I need to discus