Things were coming together. We had a strong plan. Thirteen out of the seventeen packs in the region were willing to back up our plan too. The possibility of the end to this war was too enticing to not want to help. They wanted to help however they could. And, amazingly, I had the support of two larger packs on the outskirts of our region if it was needed. They were unsettled by the constant conflict in their neighbouring region, and it had affected their businesses, plus we had long been their allies, and enemies to Night Shade, so they were more than willing to join in our defensive attack against Night Shade Pack once I explained the plan, and the reasoning behind our attack. Saying they would be there if we were needing additional assistance. I was feeling hopeful that we had the strength and power we would need now to bring them down... The Gammas of all the packs involved were regularly meeting discreetly in various locations in different towns across the region so as

      I wandered through the quiet paths of the pack. Everyone was likely at their workplaces or in their homes. Though why they would not be out enjoying the sunshine I did not know. It was the middle of the day, so I knew many of our pack children would be in school, so that would be why they were not out enjoying the sun. No doubt in another hour or so once school finished the pack would be busier as the children enjoyed their time outside with their friends before the end of the day like they so often did.       ‘Warrior Team change over.” A mindlink came through which was likely for myself, Jackson and Ryder, the warriors sent a general link out as they came back into pack to let us know of any relevant information to make us all aware. ‘Nothing of interest. Night Shade quiet as per usual. Although Alpha Blake exited for three hours. He was monitored, only went to local town and returned. No

I sit and savour the coffee as it hits my tastebuds. I needed this today. I am sleeping even less than usual of late. Aiden is smiling at me. “Anyone would think you were lacking in coffee, Jackson. Your blood need a top up, did it?” He jokes. I shake my head at him. “Don’t you start lecturing me on my coffee intake too.” I warn him, I have enough of that with Cayden. He grins. “As a man who appreciates many a coffee myself I would never dream of doing such a thing, just don’t ring me, or when we all live together wake me, if I am sleeping. That can continue to be his role, being there for you on your coffee-induced sleep absent nights.” I find myself laughing. I was just about to reply when Cayden’s voice came through the mindlink, clear but distressed. ‘Jackson!’ he almost shrieks, as my head jerks to look at Aiden. ‘Get up here.’ Cayden continues. What on earth had happened? He had gone to Ariella’s home had he not? I know she could be a challenge at times,

      I stand with my mates. Well, most of my mates. I can feel their pain through our bond, and they feel guilt, pain, loss. And I can understand that. This woman, from what I understand, played a huge part within their pack. An elderly woman who had clearly been a much loved member of their community. I could sense their struggle the moment I saw Cayden, and then the reaction from Jackson as his eyes settled upon Ariella in Cayden’s arms.     I knew in that moment I needed to take charge. Helping by calling the doctor. Checking the home for any hint of suspicion that this was anything more than an unnatural death. But I could see nothing that raised my suspicion. Ariella’s home was tidy, organised, and undisturbed. It seemed evident to me that nobody had been here. She appeared unharmed too when I did a brief observation over her as I checked her pulse.     As we stand and

I sat within my room, cross-legged upon my bed staring at the wall opposite me, my hands trembling upon my knees. Aiden has long since gone, telling me it was not safe for him to stay longer than necessary to pass along the message he had come to give me. My mind was now swimming with the things that now lay ahead for me. I cannot believe the moment is now so close. The moment we had spoken of for so long. The thing that had brought me and my mates together. When Alpha Blake had taken me in as his apparent prisoner and I realised how this was going to happen, I thought it could take time, I thought we could be here for months, years even… Ariella had never truly given a time frame when she spoke of this to us. She simply said it could take time, so, perhaps naively, I believed we had time. Though, in truth, I don’t think there would ever be a time that I would feel prepared for what lay ahead. What shocks me still though, is that Ariella certainly never showed a weakne