Elizabeth POV Hearing someone clear their throat, I reluctantly released Carter’s lips stepping back slightly in his arms. My parents are both smiling, as I look at them and back to Carter. I do not let Carter go, having missed him so much. I am afraid I am dreaming. But I know from the sparks and his scent, that he is real. “We will leave you two alone,” my mother says as she nudges my father down the hall. We step into my mother’s office and shut the door locking the world out. I look at Carter and simply move into his arms again. His arms are open to receive me as he lifts me up. I wrap my legs around his waist, and he moves us back to the loveseat. Sitting down I am straddling him, and simply lock onto his lips once again. I move down slowly to kiss his mark. My mark nestled strongly between his neck and his shoulder. He groans, “I have missed you so much,” he murmurs as I move to kiss the base of his throat, “I think I missed you more

Alpha Carter POV Elizabeth jumps to her feet, screaming at her father. “What the hell are you talking about? You promised I would not have to give Carter up. You swore you understood what a mate bond meant to me,” she says as she starts to walk towards the door. “Where are you going?” the King bellows at his daughter. “As far away from you as possible,” she replies as she walks out the door slamming it shut behind her. “What the hell are you playing at, Ethan?” Queen Erin demands of her mate. “I am not playing at anything, Erin. You know damn well that this Kingdom is at risk. We need her to be focused on the task at hand,” he replies to his mate angrily. “Not this way. We never agreed that she would have to give up her mate,” the Queen says to her mate. “I will not do it,” I reply to them both. The Queen looks to me with respect in her eyes. “I cannot break the bond with Elizabeth. I will not break the bond,” I say to them both. The Ki

Elizabeth POV After our walk we head inside to get an early supper. We are expecting the witch the Council is sending in a couple of hours. Her name is Miranda. The Witch would be accompanied by her mate. I could appreciate why. It is risky coming into unknown territory particularly when spells are involved. I did not know a lot about witches, but I expected to learn a lot in the coming hours. My parents joined us for supper. It was a quiet meal. My father saying nothing and my mother offering very little to the conversation. Carter and I mostly spoke of what had been happening at the Crescent Moon Pack. He shared some funny stories that his Gamma had to deal with in our absence. And of course, we all talked about the rogue situation. “How do they not know where you are?” I ask Carter. “I took an alternate route when I left the Pack. Anyone following me was lost along the way,” he shares with us. “Well let’s hope you did not give up my

Elizabeth POV I watch as my father’s conflicted emotions fight to come through. He knows too many are watching and Miranda’s mate is a force to be reckoned with. Not that my father was without power, but with Miranda’s powers as well it would be difficult to fight them both. He stands taller, “Of course I want to know what is affecting my son. What a ridiculous question,” he replies trying to belittle Miranda. She is unbothered by his comment and moves back into the room. “We are going to remove the spell tonight,” she says as she moves to stand in front of Eric. “Tonight?” my father questions, “Why tonight?” he adds. “I believe evil is involved in this situation. Someone does not want Eric to wake … ever,” she says shocking everyone. “Why?” I ask confused. “That is a question for the person responsible to answer,” Miranda replies saddened by the situation. “For now, I will need space. You can wait in the hall, or you can go back to your r

Miranda POV I started working on breaking the spell two hours ago. I can feel Eric trying to help but in his current state he cannot move so he can’t see what I see. One wrong move and we would both be dead. It is painstakingly slow work. I have already taken multiple breaks using Rick to help me gain enough energy to continue on. This time I fall from Eric’s body and simply fall into Rick’s arms. “You need to take a break,” Rick murmurs as he holds onto me tightly. I nod, unable to respond. “I will see if we can get a cot brought in here. We do not have to leave Eric alone. You simply need to sleep,” he observes as he sets me down in the chair, kissing my forehead before he goes. Rick steps out of the room and I hear him call for Carter. I can hear them speaking softly but do not hear the words. I lean forward putting my hand on Eric’s. He quickly holds onto my hand, and I get the sense he is saying thank you. Part of his body has been