MIKE I left the vault walking back outside with hurried steps, a new goal in mind. Through the hall where I could hear bystanders whispering; trying to guess who it was that had been murdered. Word traveled fast and I could only assume a member of staff had opened their mouth and now the guests were making their own assumptions. “And have someone tell the guests to stay in their rooms for the rest of the evening,” I said, needing the gossip mills shut down then walking out, letting my nose guide me. The scent led me outside side towards the forest line, towards the east gate. My footsteps hurried, and with no regard for my suit, I shifted into Duke. The suspect couldn’t have gotten that far but I should be able to catch up before the scent completely fades. Duke took off at high-speed weaving between the trees and bounding over dead branches and logs, through the light dusting of snow that tapered off the deeper we ran into the woods. Emitting a low growl occasionally as we tracked

MIKE “Alright. Then discuss them. Starting with, what the fuck was that I walked in on?” I gestured with my head to move back down the corridor. We followed Hunji into one of the conference rooms, finding Morgan, Hunji’s mate already in there waiting for us. With a huff, I pulled out a chair and flopped down into it. I could seriously use a drink right now or a bottle. Hell, a few bottles. Anything to make me forget tonight. “Make it quick Hunji I’m about done with tonight.” “You and me both.” Hunji grunts. He takes a seat next to Morgan but then pulls her onto his lap, burying his nose into her hair and taking deep gulps of her scent. My stomach tightened and coiled at the sweet display of affection. My wolf whimpered in loss and anger that Jonda and my murdering thief of a mate had evoked. “Rhett is already aware, and I have reported to Queen Lamia, but as you also know the Kodiak Kingdom was attacked a month ago. Before that Alpha Xander’s convoy was hit on the way to Riocht.”

LYRIC The green-eyed warrior had left me sitting here some time ago. It had to be the next day by now. I had no concept of time as I sat in the windowless cell. I stared at myself through the large mirror that took up a whole length of a wall. No doubt a two-way mirror. I had stated I would only speak to the Beta. Yet that was hours ago. I was running out of time and patience. I can admit to lifting the crown but I was no murderer. At least I didn’t take anyone's life tonight. Even then, the few times I had taken a life were in self-defense. I needed to get out of here. But not with these silver cuffs around my wrist. If they took them off or put me in their dungeons I might have a chance of breaking out. Somehow though, I figure their security would be beefed up just for me. The alternative was to come to clean. To try and bargain with them. The problem was I had no idea who was a spy for the Shadow Witch. The green-eyed man was nice enough but he was a hybrid. I had scented his

MIKE Like a drum, my heart begins to slowly beat faster. In my anger, I hadn’t realized she was even there. My sole focus was on the sight of Rhett ready to kiss Jonda. My wolf fumed that the woman we had planned to spend forever with was already moving on. Welcoming another male into her arms. We saw red. Fury, hot and untamable. And like wildfire, all we could think of was destroying the thing that fueled the rage inside of us. The ticking time bomb exploded. Only now did we register the female on the other side of the bars, Duke instantly calmed at her emotionless voice. A bored expression on her face as she regarded us all. Kellen steps up to the cell, his aura seeping out and filling the room. Stifling the air with his power. “Yet you are the one behind bars.” His demeanor is unpleasant and threatening and I see her shiver with fear under his commanding tone. Duke becomes defensive, not liking Kellen’s threatening manner toward his mate. “Kellen,” He holds up a hand to me in w

LYRIC 2 Days Later I sit holding the key card I swiped from my mate two days ago, twirling it through my fingers. Staring at it, debating if I should walk out of here. I would deal with the guards, hopefully, come up with a plan where I could avoid them. Yet every time I think I’m going to get up and try to escape, Note pipes up, urging me to stay and wait. Telling me she has a gut feeling. It’s been two days. The only people I have seen are the guards who have come to bring me food. I sit in the same shirt I was given by the man named Rhett. Dirt and grim coat my body and my hair is a greasy mess. Itch all over but as yucky as I feel, the anxiousness overrides my OCD. I have no idea if they got to Lizzy and Zane. If they picked them up from the safe house or not. I haven’t been told anything. I tried to ask the guards and requested to see the man they called Rhett or even my mate. They just told me to wait. I was becoming more and more frustrated, agitated, and worried for my so