The freezing air outside the packhouse hits me like a wall of ice. The firefighter sets me down near the back of a firetruck. A medic replaces the firefighter’s face mask with one of their own. Fresh air floods my lungs creating a floating sensation in my brain. Someone drapes a blanket over me. People are poking and prodding, but don’t notice it. I feel numb.“Justice, our mate still hasn’t replied to my mindlink.” I can’t tell if the pain in my chest is because of the smoke or the mate bond breaking. Are the tears because of the fire or because I’m crying? I don’t even know. “Have hope, child.” Justice soothes me, but she sounds just as worried as I feel. “Our pup is safe. That’s the most important thing right now.”“Leni, look at me, honey.” Ashley is in front of me. The ends of her hair are singed. I take her hand and squeeze it tightly. I’m a heartbeat away from freaking out, but I need to hold my shit together in front of the pack. “Leni, you need to stay here. The medics are g
“How’s she doing?” My foot bobs under the desk as I look at James and Marco’s report. It’s supposed to be a schedule of what Kas has been up to, but it really just shows her going from her apartment to the butler's kitchen every day to meet Delilah. Sometimes she goes to the dining room, but even those couple of things are happening less and less often. She’s only let Lex out a couple of times. I can imagine even that isn’t satisfying if she’s by herself.Her search history is mostly wedding related. There are a few things related to running a business. What catches my eye is a search called ‘how do you stop being lonely’. She only clicked on three links from the search, then shut her computer down for the night.“She’s having meals sent to her apartment?” I look up at them.“No. She’s been cooking herself. She cooks for the Alpha too, but he’s never around to eat with her. I don’t know how much more she can take, honestly.” James says with a frown. “Marco and I ask her every morning
“Is someone in the room with you? Do you have your blade?” Milo barks into the phone. “Get out of there! I’ll leave for the airport right now!”“No you will not, Milo. You need to stay at Blood River. Bronx and the pack need you more than I do right now.” I warn him with a whisper. “MasonCo runs this hotel’s security. Mindlink Reggie. Have him send guys up here. I just need to clear the bathroom and closet.”I pull my dagger out of the sheath and turn it in my palm while I sniff the air. If there is someone here, I would never know. The scent of blood is overpowering everything except the faint smell of overripe bananas. It must be from the fruit basket the hotel provided. I stand still and listen closely. Codi’s heartbeat is the only one I hear besides mine. It doesn’t mean there isn’t a vamp hiding out. I place a hand over my belly protectively at the thought.“If there’s someone here, security is on its way up. They’re armed and they’ve already called the police.” I call out into t
Milo’s POV“I’m sorry, Elder Randall. We can’t disclose information about any cases we may or may not be investigating for confidentiality reasons. We aren’t the police. We’re a private organization hired by our clients. They entrust their personal information to us.” I coo into the phone at him. “You work with enough high-profile clientele. I’m sure you understand. Right?”“Beta Milo, this isn’t just a case. I’m responsible for Ryan Connors and all former members of Silver Moon who haven’t registered for asylum with other packs. It’s stated by the mandate under the Council to act as administrator for the pack. Well, until a suitable Alpha can be indoctrinated.” Randall whines into the phone.“Elder Randall, the last time this guy checked in with his employer was over a week ago. Did you know that?” I raise my eyebrows. Bronx leans over the table to listen closer and snuffs his cigarette, then gives me a thumbs up.“Y-yes, but I was already looking for him when Mr. Lemay hired MasonCo
“We can agree that was the cheesiest movie ever, right?” Leni rolls her eyes as we leave the theater room. “I mean, like, talking dogs and cats?”“Well, it was a cartoon for families. Not the most romantic date night, but Elle and my sister and her mate seemed to like it.” I nudge her, then slide my hand to the small of her back as we walk. “I saw you snickering, too.” “Hmm.” Leni twists her mouth at the accusation, trying not to smile. “I guess it wasn’t that bad.” As we climb the staircase, I see her scrunch her nose and make an annoyed sound under her breath. I take her hand and wait for her to tell me what the problem is. She hates when I try to guess . Especially now that she’s pregnant.“I probably shouldn’t have eaten those jalapenos.” She grimaces. “I still have heartburn.”“Want to try some milk? It helped last week.” I kiss her hand and unlock our apartment. “You put your feet up. I can get it for you.”“You’re the best, Babe.” She steps inside and gives me a kiss that mak
Lenora’s POVMilo takes off like a bullet out of the apartment.“Beta, sorry, but you need to stay here. We’re bringing the Gamma and Carly here so we can prep for lockdown.” I guard steps in front of me when I try to chase him.“What about the Luna?!” I try to push my way past him.The loudest wolf’s howl I have ever heard brings me to my knees, forcing me to expose my neck. A wave of rage flows over me from the hallway. Glass shatters in the distance. “Oh Goddess! It’s Elexis!” Justice howls. I sense her trying to shield me from the powerful emotion. “Run, child!”“Wh-what?” I look up and see the guards also bowing. “Kas! We have to help her!”“Elexis broke through the fourth-floor window!” James yells in the mindlink. “Alpha, Beta, Gamma are in pursuit.”“Block everything south and east of the packhouse!” Bronx growls in our minds. “We aren’t able to outrun Elexis. Let Dagger catch her scent. Push her toward the northwest. Corner him against the cliff of the Blood River gorge.”“B
Marco’s POV “Lenora!” I catch her as her knees give out and lower her to the ground. “Leni, you okay?” Leni looks like she’s screaming, but there ain’t no sound comin’ out of her mouth. She leans heavy on my arm and grabs my sleeve. Her wolf claws cut into my skin. I can’t pull away or else my arm will be shredded to ribbons. “Breathe, Leni.” I grit my teeth. “What’s goin’ on?” She shakes her head and tries to suck in a breath, but she can’t. I open a mindlink. “Beta Lenora needs medical assis- AHHHRR!!!” A hot poker burrows into my chest. Well, not really, but that’s what it feels like. Clash rolls around in my head and howls in pain. “Shit.” I want to grab my chest, but there ain’t no way I’m letting Leni go. I feel it building in my guts. The roar. I throw my head back and squeeze my eyes shut. Every muscle in my body fights to stop it. “Clash, no!” I growl at him. “Don’t do it, ese.” Clash and I agreed a long time ago we wouldn’t never roar. Most wolves can do it and i
Lenora’s POV“Elder Randall Smith’s office.” His assistant sounds so pleasant even though she has probably the worst job in the world.“Beta Regent Lenora and Milo Stone of the Blood River pack calling for Elder Randall.” Milo laces his fingers together and sets his hands on his desk. “We’re calling to report the death of a former member of the Silver Moon pack. The last time Lenora spoke with Elder Randall, he told her the guy was under his charge.”“Elder Randall is in a meeting, Beta Milo.” The girl says apologetically.“He was in meetings when our Gammas called three times yesterday and twice when we called this morning.” Milo smiles wide and uses his friendliest tone. “If you can’t pull him out of one of these critically important meetings to take our call, we’ll be happy to contact Elder Karthik to handle the matter.”“Oh, uh, no no!” Her voice goes up an octave. “Give me just a moment. P-please don’t hang up, Beta Milo.”“I’ll hold as long as I need to.” Milo says and puts the