His apology sent a surge of heat through Maddie’s veins, as she thrashed in his arms. His hand muffled her screams, but it didn’t stop her from trying. In the evening, the nearby wolves might be able to hear her, so she’d make her throat raw before she stopped trying to warn them of what was coming. Michael clamped his hand tighter around her mouth. It was large enough to engulf the lower half of her face and didn’t budge when she bit into it, the assault gloves protecting him. However, she didn’t give up. She stomped on his foot and tried to kick at him, but he raised a knee to block her attacks, all the while keeping her locked in his grip. It was frustrating how easily he kept her attacks at bay, but she couldn’t stop trying. “Madeline. Madeline.” The Dark Night Alpha had to restrain his voice, while also trying to make her listen. The wolves behind him came forward to help, but he barked at them to stay back. An order they instantly obeyed. Even Erik halted his movements, solidi
“It’s over, Michael.” Lewis’ voice boomed loud and strong across the open cliff side, anger boiling beneath the surface. “All our Silver Moon warriors are aware of your attack and are fighting back. You’re outnumbered and have no chance to win. Surrender and let Maddie go.” A harsh laugh pulled from the Dark Night Alpha above her. Maddie stared up at him, her lips sealed shut at the venom in his eyes, but they seemed to be locked to Daniel. “My wolves have been at war for sixteen years. Compared to their experience, your warriors are pitiful pups playing a game.” As he spoke, his hand moved slow, taking hold of her Semhighan stone and slipping it back beneath her collar. She frowned; the move oddly protective despite him still pinning her in place. He placed his hand over the crystal, now hidden beneath her clothes and pressed his hand to it. The instruction was clear, but should she heed it? He had just begged for her trust but had also admitted to lying to her. His wolves were
“Maddie!” The new voice gave her a sense of relief, before anxiety gripped her. “Jess? What are you doing here?” Maddie’s voice was strained, her throat raw from all the screaming. Her body was limp in Daniel’s arms, fatigue weighing impossibly heavy upon her. Rather than answer, Jess glared at Daniel. “Shouldn't you be helping Lewis? Put her down.” Not being able to argue, Daniel lowered Maddie to the floor and moved to Lewis' side, ready to defend them too. Jess crouched at her side, throwing a look towards the Alpha standing off against the two warriors. Without being in the middle of them, Maddie wondered what was to come. They wouldn’t have to hold back anymore. They could shift and bite and claw at each other until all of them were hurt or worse. Michael had already shown his proficiency for battle. It was clear he would’ve won the Alpha Games should he not have decided to attack the pack. The thought should make anger boil beneath her skin but, instead, her stomach turne
Maddie sagged into Jess the moment Michael was out of sight. She felt him leave like he was taking a part of her with him. Her heat, her strength, her courage. She shivered, gripping onto her friend to stay on her feet. Thankfully the pain in her shoulder was dulling but it had sapped the lingering pockets of her energy. Over the past four weeks she had pushed herself to new levels of exhaustion, but she currently felt as if she had just done every stage of the Alpha Games all at once. Her body ached, needing support just to remain upright. “Are you okay?” Lewis rushed over, taking her weight from his sister. Maddie was just happy to sag into him to relieve the fatigue, but she’d rather him be someone else. With his arms wrapped around her, she felt like her choice to trust him over Michael was cemented. However, her mate’s pleas were hard to ignore. Honesty had burned in his eyes, and she had been close to admitting to leaning towards him than her pack. Jess sent him away before t
“Jess.” If Maddie’s throat wasn’t already torn to shreds by her screaming that horrible evening, her friend’s name would’ve come out as more than a whimper. She dropped to her knees, catching Jess before she toppled to the floor and eased her back against the tree. Her hand fretted over the wound. She needed to try and stop the blood flow, but there was so much. Her abdomen was already dye
Michael POV - Nothing was going according to plan. It shouldn’t be a surprise, things rarely did, but he was to blame for the stumble in taking Silver Moon. If Madeline hadn’t been dazed enough to take the drink he offered her, their attempt would’ve failed, forcing them to retreat or, worse, the Silver Moon warriors could’ve attacked. Thankfully Connor was on hand to help coordinate their wolves. Reports were coming in from over the island, announcing their success in subduing their opponents. Their warriors had been taken to one of two places, the packhouse or the docks, where they were being watched while Michael took the lead. With more of his wolves spread amongst the island, they claimed to have the civilians as hostages, keeping the warriors in check. With no idea of the number of Dark Night wolves on their territory, and most of their warriors under watch, they were locked in place. Though it appeared as though their plan was working, the crucial edge had failed, and i
Michael POV - Michael didn’t waste the opportunity he had created. The moment Alpha Jonathan became willing to listen, albeit grudgingly, he began to share the truth, just as he had done with Madeline. With her being true mate, she had accepted his words quite easily, but he didn’t fool himself to think it would be the same with her father. However, he needed to try. Michael shared his account of the last sixteen years, starting with the first attack. He recounted the war, the struggles, his reason for entering the Alpha Games and their alliance with Mountain Forest. With Erik leading their support, their involvement could no longer be kept secret. While he spoke, Michael watched Alpha Jonathan’s expression for any micro changes he could decipher. The man was like a rock. No information shared made him waiver in his neutral composure, leaving Michael unaware if any of it was sinking in. It made him uneasy, but he continued regardless. He didn’t know how long he’d get to keep t
Maddie kept her eyes closed as consciousness roused like a lazy cat in the back of her mind. Her body tensed, waiting for the onslaught of aches and pains, but they were dulled. In fact, everything was. A thick fog wrapped around her mind, making each thought sluggish as she tried to pull out of its grip. It was more than the sweet temptation of a deep sleep. Stronger, more forceful. It was probably some drug still in her system. It would wear off eventually. In the meantime, she stopped fighting its pull and allowed her body to sink into the relief of its waiting arms, while she kept her focus alive. It was a struggle, but it was easier than forcing her eyes open. A smooth surface was beneath her body, cradling it while it rested, but she knew it wasn’t the comfort of her own bed. The pillow smelled unfamiliar, musty and unused. It was the only thing she could smell in the room despite trying to focus. Rather than catching any other wolf’s presence or any nearby food, the air was t