Rose’s POV Willow was trying to communicate something but it wasn’t coming through properly and now I had a headache. All I knew was that she was with Brandon. Whether that was good or bad I couldn’t decide. Worrying would only unsettle my pups and I wasn’t up to seeing Jessie again. Adam told me how she’d suddenly expressed remorse for her part in it all. I still didn’t trust her, remembering how she’d seemed so vulnerable initially; she’d really played me for an idiot. “What will you do with her?” I asked as we strolled through the corridors. This was the only exercise I got these days owing to the need to keep me safe but I wasn’t complaining. Being around him was priceless, especially now we weren’t enemies. “I haven’t decided yet.” I shot him a sidelong look. “Is that because she’s potentially a fertile female?” “Why are you pleading her case, Rose?” “Believe me, I’m not,” I said. “Jealous?” “Should I be?” “No." He took my hand. "Maybe I can cash in on her virgin status

Rose’s POVIt was such a relief to hear my sister’s voice on the phone which had finally been returned to me by Connor himself from wherever Alpha Lewis had secreted it. He said he’d added me to his contacts as well. A bit intrusive, I thought. And he was probably hanging onto that sack containing my belongings. Oh, well. You couldn’t have everything.She seemed to be choosing her words with care. Was Alpha Connor listening? If so, he was probably right not to trust her, but we couldn’t use a code. He knew all about the nursery rhyme thing.What was I thinking? Lolo didn’t have anything to fear from him. Did she?“When will I see you?”The words were out before I could stop them.“I don’t know, Rose. Alpha Connor has asked me to be his Luna.”“What?”I almost shrieked the word, causing Adam to glance up from his paperwork.“It’s only pretend, sis.”Should she have told me that? I decided I wanted to hear it from the horse’s mouth.“Put him on.”I heard her say quite clearly, “Alpha, s

Rose’s POVI knew it, there was an infection among the Lycan pack, possibly brought here by Luna Simone. She was in a bad way, apparently, and not expected to survive. I was only glad I didn’t have to see her, though I felt for those poor pups, however they’d been conceived.My sister was missing, again, and now it seemed Connor had disappeared, disrupting Adam’s plans to combat this worrying outbreak. In fairness, he couldn’t have known and he obviously had troubles of his own.It didn’t improve my mate’s temper any when Alpha Horace picked up the phone. I couldn’t believe it when I heard he was planning to annex Red Riding. Was he delusional? An older shifter who didn’t even command all of his own werewolves. Or so the rumour went. Shortly after that I learned he was asking we be returned or that he receive compensation. Adam assured me I was going nowhere.“Could he have Willow?” I asked.“He says not.”“And you haven’t heard from Niall?”I didn’t like bringing that up but it had t

Rose’s POVI couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about. I’d only ventured to the kitchen for a glass of water. Michaela was nowhere to be seen. I wouldn’t have known what to say to her anyway.Without his mark I felt incomplete.Adam’s relief on seeing me soon turned to the inevitable anger.“I told you to stay put, woman.”“And if I had this apparition might have taken me.”He’d been telling me how the mysterious visitor had simply vanished. Could there be a new threat in the form of a vengeful witch? I doubted it. But maybe Alpha Lewis had inherited some of Brandon’s magical qualities.If so, he needed taking down once and for all.Poor Seth came in for a roasting but anyone would have fallen for it. And Adam himself had taken the bait.Marcus had news for us as we ate later. It seemed Alpha Connor was acting strangely, his cousin’s cruel side coming to the fore in him. Rumours were rife that Alpha Horace was about to step in.He said he’d already informed Erica who was going

Willow’s POVWhere did it all go wrong? When I saw Alpha Lewis’ face at the window or was it because I didn’t immediately say so to the Lycan?The bloodsuckers were out in numbers, up for a feeding frenzy, and the blonde woman I’d seen before was among them.“Jason will be pleased,” she said, flexing her fingers.I cringed to see the elongated nails, painted green.“How did you get in?” I blurted.“One of my little friends invited me,” she gushed. “Now, all you have to do is submit to your Alpha. Beckon him, or I’ll slit this one’s throat.”“No!” I shrieked.“Don’t do it, Lolo.”Niall looked so determined, so heroic I almost swooned.Jane removed the knife from his neck and pierced his skin with a fingernail.“So fresh,” she purred.“Run, girl!”I wanted to stay and watch the fight but for some reason I felt compelled to obey him. Mom had often told us your true mate would condition you to follow his lead. Had I found him? Alyssa was in no state to know. And it may be different with a