I follow Arnold’s scent, slipping around to the side of the pack house to find him standing there, his hands clasped together like he’s nervous about something.“Arnold!” I cry, running to him to give him a big hug. “I’ve missed you so much. I’m glad you got my message, but I didn’t expect you to actually come!”“I am happy for you, Sarah, on the occasion of your marriage, but I actually came here for a different reason. Can we go inside and talk?”“Sure thing,” I say, curious about what he’s going to tell me. “Let me go grab you some snacks.”I send Arnold inside, then run down to the beach to pick up some grilled shrimp for him. Nash has started a beach volleyball game, and several people shout at me to come join, but I tell them that I need some alone time before rejoining the festivities.Carrying a plate of food and a glass of champagne, I head back into the pack house, where Arnold is sitting on the sofa in almost the exact same spot where Nash and I sat during the

At first, I can hardly process what I’m seeing. A battalion of shifters, some in human form and others in wolf form, are surrounding our pack house, baying for blood. For an instant, I’m frozen to the spot, taking in the horrific sight. Then, I hear cries of alarm and shouts for help, and I spring into action.Completely forgetting about Regan and her nonsense, I race toward the house, shifting as I go. I see Nash, his golden brown fur flying and his sharp teeth snarling, as he fights against the first assault, defending the house. I see Miranda, her dark hair tied up in a no-nonsense military style bun, and attack her. She’s all rage and no strategy, flailing and fighting me, and soon I’ve tossed her far from me, seeing her land on her back in a cloud of sand. Even though I’m pregnant, I still feel as strong and fast as ever, and I push my way through the onslaught, biting and clawing as I search for Malcolm and the Rogers Lake Alpha. If I can take out their leaders, I hope, I

When I wake up, it feels like my head is going to split open. I lift my head, blinking the sleep from my eyes and trying to get my bearings. My stomach is nauseous and I know it’s not just pregnancy symptoms. It almost feels like the ground is moving underneath me.I’m exhausted and drained, but I need to get back to Nash. I try to get up, but I hit my head on something hard. It’s dark, and I wait a few minutes for my eyes to adjust. I see bars in my vision, like I’m in some kind of cage.Horror grips me as I realize that I actually am in a cage. I throw myself against it, but nothing happens. I shift into wolf form, my body cramped in the small cage, and try to wrench my way out. Even though I know I’m very strong when I shift, there seems to be nothing I can do to even scratch or bend the metal. Tired and frustrated, I shift back to human form, if only to give myself a bit more space in the cage. As I do so, I hear sinister laughter coming from somewhere nearby, and turn to

NASHIt’s been over twenty four hours since the Arizona shifters attacked and my Luna disappeared. I’ve been doing my best to regroup and get things back together, with my ex girlfriend, Regan, at my side.She isn’t exactly my first choice for a partner right now, but Sarah is nowhere to be found, and I need someone. Regan has never served as a Luna, and as a stand in, she’s doing her best.Fortunately, most of the injuries sustained by our pack were minor. Whatever magical weapon or spell they were using to put us to sleep might be a terrifying prospect, but it also meant that they didn’t have to do all that much damage in order to render us helpless.I’ve decided, as the Alpha, to mount a search and rescue mission for Sarah. If she’s been taken against her will, or if she’s trapped and hurt somewhere, we need to find her, and fast. I hate knowing that my unborn child, and my wife, could be alone and in danger, and I know we need to move as quickly as possible in order to

I’m tired and worn out from my failed escape attempt. All I can do is stumble along after Brandon as he takes me to his quarters below deck. It’s a relatively simple room, and it feels more like a hotel room, except for the fact that there are clothes and a few weapons strewn about. I sit down on the bed, studiously avoiding looking at any of the weapons. I don’t want Brandon to think I’m getting any ideas.The truth is, I already have one. And it’s a pretty good idea, as far as I’m concerned.Brandon gave himself away with the comment about wearing moon rabbit armor. It means he thinks he’s invincible, but he’ll lose all that power once his clothes are off.I sit quietly, playing up how drained I feel. Brandon can’t think I’m any kind of a threat. “Now,” Brandon says, locking the door behind us and sauntering into the room, “I know you’re carrying some mangy pup, but once that thing is born, you’ll be all mine. Do you understand?”I nod, my hands protectively resti