POV. Alec Tassara. Once we plan what we will do, we begin its execution. Isabella and Sophia went to their room to talk, while Eric, Claire, and Peter agreed to choose the fastest and most intelligent warriors to take part in the operation. Except for those who called and those of us who were in that office, no one else knows about this. And that’s how we want it to stay, because the more people who know about the plan, the more likely it is to fail. Therefore, we make sure to keep everything as secret as possible. After agreeing on names, Claire and Peter leave to finish preparations for the operation. I didn’t want Adair to come, because I don’t want to lose anyone in my family. With Akil, we are on edge with the uncertainty that nothing will happen to our mates and now to my brother. I just hope that Azahara imp doesn’t come, otherwise I will be continually worried. Will this be what it will be like when I have my children? May the goddesses save me from having daughters! As posse

POV. Alec Tassara. After Mathias’ interrogation with Eric, we were totally intrigued by what happened. We both looked at each other, knowing nothing at all. Immediately, we heard screams coming from the continuous cells. We went out to check on the prisoners when what we saw left us completely speechless. They are all dead, the same way Mathias died. Eric enters two of the cells and I enter the third and we see that none of the men have a pulse. “Shit!” That’s all I can manage to yell. Completely frustrated. I leave the cell and my eyes meet Eric’s. He sighs and says, “What the fuck is going on, Alec? It cannot be that four people die simultaneously, with seizures. These smells bad.” I examine him, and I agree with his thinking. It is impossible for four men, notoriously in good health, to fall to the ground dead simultaneously. I nod and tell him. “You’re right. Someone has planned this in advance. It is impossible for four obviously healthy men to fall to the ground, dead. There’s

POV. Alec Tassara. The three of us stare at each other, then I react quickly, standing up, while I tell him. “Wait a minute, Adair. Isabella is naked.” “Alec!” Isabella yells at me, placing her hands over her face. Eric and I laughed at the same time. Then I heard him say. “Alright. I’ll wait downstairs. Please don’t be late.” And so I heard him leave. “Why did you say that to your brother?” says Isabella. “Because I know him. He is very uncomfortable with everything that comes with being with a mate. I knew that by telling him that, he would run out of here.” Eric smiles and tells her, “Calm down, baby. Adair is harmless. I think the stick stuck in his butt will come out once he finds his mate. But in the meantime, we will have to put up with his eccentricity.” I smile at his words because that’s basically how it is. Then he added, “Let’s go shower and get dressed. I think we need to have a bigger bed made.” Eric says. “Yes! Baby, you kicked me all night! Damn, you were restless.”

POV. Isabella Di’Giotanno.After the conversation with the doctors and Scott, Mom and Peter went to look for the general. With everything discussed, it has become clear to us that dad, once again, is involved in everything. I don’t know why he hates me so much, to the point of seeing me dead. Every day I think about it, the less meaning I can give to everything. If he didn’t want to be my father, why did he have me? Or maybe what he hates is the fact that I was a woman. Mom thinks he’s envious of my powers and wants to have them for himself. But if that were the case, why kill me? Does he think he can take away my powers while I’m dead? I just don’t get it. There are too many contradictions in this entire story.I watch as the doctors leave the office, while I sit there, uncomfortable with my thoughts and the dark place they take me. Sparks ran through my hand, bringing me back to reality. I open my eyes and see Eric holding my hand, caressing it tenderly. He smiles sweetly at me, as

POV. Eric Lafallete. We knew this day would come, but none of us expected it to be so soon. When Alec realized Isabella was feverish, I felt my blood run cold. I understood immediately that her heat had arrived. We got into the car and while Alec took care of her, placing cold compresses on her body, I drove at full speed. For the first time, I can sense everything about her, since, in this state, she cannot block us. Thankfully, we could prevent her scent from being detected almost the entire trip to the royal pack. “Alec, her scent… I’m so unfocused. I don’t know if we can reach the royal pack and if that weren’t enough, she doesn’t block us. I’m feeling everything about her, and I don’t know if it’s my aroused or Isabella’s.” A moan coming from Isabella’s lips leaves us puzzled. “Oh shit. I have such a painful boner, Eric.” I look at him in the rearview mirror and I can see the internal struggle that Alec is having. I also carry out my fight, trying to keep Anouk under the line