Hunter’s face grows rigid, “What?” He instantly turns to me, his eyes enraged, “Are you still spreading that lie, you -“ “Answer my question!” Tina says, sharply.As the pack healer, Tina does have some level of authority. At times, it can exceed the Alpha’s authority. “Did she tell you that she was poisoned with wolfsbane and did you leave her to die rather than bring her to me?!”Hunter’s lips press together into a thin life and I can see that he doesn’t like Tina using her authority on him. His voice is tense, “She was lying-” “And how do you know that?” Tina demands. “I would know if she had been lying! Because I know wolfsbane. I know the symptoms of wolfsbane.”Another maternal female steps forward, her voice heavy with disapproval, “she claimed that she was poisoned instead of alerting the pack healer, you exiled her to die a miserable death alone? The same child that you grew up with? You were that heartless?

Lucas’s voice is grim, “He didn't leave her alone to d

“Lucas,” I murmur.“I know.”Hunter doesn’t approach us, just watching the two of us leave, a cold look in his eyes.“We should move faster,” I say, quietly. “I don't have a good feeling about this.”As we go deeper into the forest, Lucas stops me, looking around.I strain my ears to see if I can pick up on any sound out of the ordinary. I can hear the insects, the birds, the small wildlife, and the faint sound of soft crunching of leaves.“Change,” Lucas, says, grimly. “Now.”I drop my bag and transform.Bag in my mouth, we both begin running.A few minutes later, I hear the sound of someone chasing us. A few someones.‘We’re being followed.’Lucas’s voice in my head nearly makes me stumble in shock.I know that wolves can communicate in this form but it’s strange hearing a voice in my head.‘Run faster.’ Lucas urges me. ‘We have to lose them.’Aliya’s home is quite a number of hours from where we are. Previously, it's taken me a long time to

“What?” The common room bursts into activity.Wolfsbane.My eyes flit towards Valerie who is looking concerned.Hunter is on his feet, “Who did it?!”“Are the pups okay?” I make my way towards Tina.“I’m trying to stabilise them,” She says, her hands unsteady. “But they’re so young. It’s not working. I need some herbs from the forest.”“I’ll get them!” I say, urgently. “Give me a list.”“How did wolfsbane get into the nursery feeding supply?” One of the sentinels demands, fiercely. “Are you sure-?”“Of course I’m sure!” Tina bursts out and I can tell that she’s frightened, frightened by the idea of not being able to save those tiny lives. “I know what the initial symptoms of wolfsbane are! I don’t know how it got there! The pack nanny brought them in!”“Give me the list of herbs,” I tell her, forcing my voice to remain calm. “Lucas and I will go get-““No, you won’t,” David’s voice comes from behind us. “You two are not leaving the den. How did wolfsbane g

I ram myself into Hunter’s body, pushing him back as Lucas falls limp to the ground.The wolves create circle around us and I hold them back. I can’t let them attack Hunter. Not till –I can see Hunter’s wariness as they see them, surrounding us, snarling.I glance at Lucas, my heart beating painfully.He has to push out the poison himself.I know that but it hurts nonetheless, knowing that he’s hurting.Hunter gets to his feet and I stand in front of my mate whose breathing is unsteady. He’s stronger now so even as it kills me inside, I have enough faith in him to know that he will survive.I see some of my pack mates try to step in to intervene, but I snap at them.Stay back.This is my fight.Hunter lets out a howl, his wolf sneering at me.I can feel a smaller figure approach me from the side and without missing a beat, I lunge at Valerie, my teeth closing around her right arm which is holding the knife.She lets out a scream as there is a loud cru

“Where did they go?Ted shakes his head, “Their quarters are empty. Some of their belongings are gone.”Valerie hisses, “Grandfather wouldn’t leave me behind! You’re lying!”Her eyes are red with tears but I wonder if it’s because of Hunter’s death or because of pure anger at being beaten. “Well, he did,” I say, coldly. “He left you out to pay for his crimes too.”I can see the dawning realization in Valerie’s eyes and despite my hatred towards her, I can sympathize at the grief in her gaze. Her grandfather had raised her after the death of her parents since she was a child. To be abandoned by him, the one who had doted on her, is a blow she won’t recover from. However, Valerie doesn’t isn’t heartbroken for long, her anger rising to the surface once again.“You think you’ve won just because –““Won?” I cut her off, my voice chilling. “You nearly killed our pups. You put wolfsbane in the feeding supply in the nursery. This isn’t about winning. I don’t know w