She growled, stomping her foot, but grabbed my hand and practically ran with me all the way to the top floor where the Alpha suite was. "You mind lin the second we're there. We're not hiding away. We're looking for him." “Jeez. Where’s the fire?” Cortina grumbled. “She’s scared for her mate. You would be the same way,” I reminded her. Cortina was about to spit out some smartass retort, but all of a sudden, my entire body went hot and at the same time, a chill traveled down my spine. As we stepped through the doors to our bedroom, it got so much worse. Lenny moved to lock down the room, but I stopped him, putting my hand over his. “Wait,” I said cautiously, my eyes traveling around the dark room in search of the threat I was feeling. Estel and Lenny caught on to my change in alertness. “What is it?” Estel asked. Lenny started to examine the room too, his eyes glowing as his beast pushed forward. “I don’t know,” I whispered to Estel. “Something feels off.” “Probably because it

The snake screamed a sickening, hissing scream, uncoiling around Boyd just enough for me to pull him under me, shielding him with my body as the fire raged inside of his mind, burning away the dark magic that had been poisoning him. The snake was still screaming, slithering to find an escape. There was no escape. The violet flames were everywhere, purifying every corner of Boyd’s mind. Soon, the fire overtook him, scorching him alive in this prerogative inferno. Then, I heard another voice, like nails on a chalkboard. It was a woman’s furious cry. “You better not fail me! You better not!” Everything was in flames, except myself and Boyd, who was still unconscious, but safe under me. I looked around everywhere and couldn’t find the source of the woman’s cries. “We’re waiting! In the spot at the edge of the pack. Bring her to us, and do not fail,” her screeching wails were possessive, demanding, and I could feel the weight of a Luna’s command in her tone. It had no effect on me.

Unknown POVMy hand involuntarily flew to my mouth when I heard what was just said. What our dear little tramp of a Luna said to the others.“Are you saying you purified him of dark magic?”The question from Rodger hung in the air, and I wished I could risk looking in the room to see her definitive answer.But she already said she had burned the snake away, whatever that means. I assume it meant she burned away his magic. Since a snake was the symbol of his that found me. A snake seems to be his signature for his magic. If that isn’t a confession to a deeper source of magic than what she claimed to have before, I don’t know what is.I need to tell him. This was the sort of thing he wanted to know.I wish I could wait around and hear the rest of their exchange, but my nosiness wasn’t the priority right now. I needed to make a call. I’m sure this new ability will change things for what he has planned next.~Chloe POVI was feeling spent, but not from exertion from using too much magic.

Rodger POV I stood pacing outside of the pack house, waiting for Chloe’s return. She wouldn’t listen to anyone, even her mates, as they all urged her to stay home. No one except Estel was for her going on this mission, but she stood her ground until the end. I’m sure Estel’s suggestion that just she and Chloe take care of the problem was enough of a threat to keep Mick and Miles from pressing their point further. Chloe had proven twice now that she was capable of protecting herself. I’m sure she could put her foot down in the most uncomfortable places if she wanted. When I heard the rumbling of engines, I stopped my pacing and turned towards the forest. Several four-wheelers emerged from the overgrowth, followed by the warriors in wolf form. In the center, there were the two Alphas, one with my daughter on his back. The four-wheelers were the first to reach the pack house. One had a wagon-like trailer attached to its back. Inside was a giant man, with red hair and his body twiste

“I think there’s a big misunderstanding,” he whispered softly, “because not once, not ever, did I think you were disgusting. Not once did I not think you weren’t the prettiest woman I had ever seen in my life.” “Bull shit.” “It’s true. Even when the darkness inside me was violently fighting it, I was attracted to you from the second I opened my eyes in that basement. You are the most… the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He had to be lying. “I’m the complete opposite of Chloe and your ex.” A sad smile moved on his face. “That’s what makes you even more beautiful to me.” “SEE!” Ada huffed with a haughty air in my mind. My heart wanted him. My wolf did too. Every fiber of my being wanted this man, but my mind just wasn’t there yet. There was so much pain from before. “You said either,” I whispered numbly. “You said you didn’t want me either.” “No. I said you didn’t want me either,” he said slowly, like he was talking to a two-year-old. “I have never been the first ch