Roman POV - His skin crawled as they stepped out of Ashbourne Forest and into the territory beyond. It wasn’t as if Roman hadn’t been beyond the land he considered his family’s borders, but it was usually for quick trips to neighbouring packs and old allies. This was different. A group of Clear Blue warriors waited for them at the edge of the trees, standing far enough away from its trunks to keep clear of potential blind spots. For a friendly escort, they were sure on edge, eyes to the trees as if they knew his family lurked among the shadows. They had all insisted on coming to greet the escort meant for Mini, to look upon the faces of the wolves that might’ve betrayed their Luna. Roman stood strong with them at his back, but stronger still with Allie at his side. Neither of them had talked on the way to greet the escort. Betrayal stung in the air, harsh and sour. It was a bitter pill to swallow to know his previous pack had sold out their Luna, but it must’ve been harder for Allie

Mina POV - Of all the warriors chosen to keep guard, Mina was certain Blake would be one to stay awake the entire night. He had been watching her like a hawk all day, but her moaning had seemingly got the better of him. When the escort announced the guard shifts split between three wolves, he wasn’t among them, and merely grunted his approval before leaving them to deal with setting up the campsite. Not that they had to put much effort in. They built a small fire, handed out some food, and then found a place on the path to settle. Most of them glared at her. She supposed she was the one keeping them from their homes and beds. Not that she cared. They had literally taken her from her nest. They were only feeling a sliver of the discomfort she was.Mina made sure to lay so that she was facing Blake. There were a few wolves between them, already sound asleep, but she resisted the same pull. She had to escape the group before they reached the pack. It’d be far harder, if not impossible,

Mina POV - As soon as Blake finished carrying her back to the makeshift camp, he dumped her on the floor, and announced they were continuing on to the pack. The warriors already looked pissed, but she endured their glares with an easy smile. She had fooled them and they all knew it. Before anyone could comment, silver cuffs were slapped around her wrists, her chain passed to a random wolf, and they were off. Blake didn't even bother to look at her as he led the way.Each step was arduous. Though Mina was given some spare clothes, her feet were bare. They felt every stone and dip in the path, but it was the incessant pulling of the chain that pissed her off. For wolves that claimed that she was their Luna, they didn’t care to treat her like one. However, none stepped over the line. They kept their distance, content to throw her glares or ignore her entirely. She didn't know where the hostility came from, but she just wished they would leave her be. If they did she could go home. Her m

Roman POV - It had been two days since his mate had been taken, and Roman felt every hour weigh heavy on his shoulders. The urge to buckle beneath it, to crumple to the ground and let it swallow him whole, grew with the burden, but he stood strong against it. Breaking now wouldn’t save Mini. It wouldn’t support Allie, or his family. It would be accepting a situation he was raging against. It was that drive to save his mate and protect Allie that fuelled his ability to keep going, and he held onto it with both hands as they made their first move against Blood Mountain. There was no doubt in his mind that they were behind his mate’s abduction, but without proof there was no way any other wolf would stand beside them. Clear Blue was another dead end. After their meeting with the escort Sam sent, he was certain there were traitors among the pack, but who they were wasn’t clear. If the wrong wolves gave their aid, they could lure Roman and his family into a trap or, worse, their deaths.

Mina POV - The slick red of her silk dress was uncomfortably tight. It clung to Mina like a second skin, bearing parts of herself she would usually cover. As a Luna, she often didn’t choose the clothes she would wear to formal events, however they were always tasteful, if a little old fashioned. She didn’t feel like herself in those clothes, but they did hold a regal air that helped solidify her presence. This dress was obnoxious, a pleasure for those perceiving her but entirely uncomfortable for herself. A shiver crawled her bare shoulders, the thin straps threatening to snap if she moved the wrong way. “Here.” Luna Evelyn pressed a thick black shawl over her shoulders. It hid her body from prying eyes, a barrier that was fixed in place with a brooch in the shape of an Acer leaf. It stood proud, a golden shield protecting her. Tears pricked her eyes, her thank you caught in her throat, but a knock rung through the room, stealing her words, settling a heavy dread in her gut. “No.