* * * Eve’s POV * * * The wolf that’s standing over me is rabid, foaming at the mouth and twitching as though she’s unable to remain still. But there’s a war raging within her eyes, they keep altering between manic and wild to tortured and scared. I have never seen a wolf look this way before. Her muzzle creases as she snarls. I have to be hallucinating, wolves like this don’t exist. I’ve exerted myself beyond a manageable level, but I just hadn’t been able to walk away and leave people locked up here. The wolf is just a figment of my imagination, but I swear I can see tears falling from her eyes as a sorrowful look befalls her features. She’s watching me; her eyes are apologising, but for what I don’t know. She begins shaking her head, her eyes flickering from alert and aware to wild out of control. The wild and out of control eyes are winning the war, as the alert and aware eyes begin to lose control and appear less and less, until they are no more. The wild wolf is staring at me
* * * Max’s POV * * *I feel her chest lower to the floor as I remove my fangs, I lick her wound to seal it. “I love you”, I tell her in a whisper. Oh, Moon Goddess, how I love her so. I send a silent prayer to the mighty Selene, for her to help my mate pull through. I gently scoop her into my arms and lift her from the floor. I’m pleased to feel that she’s maintained her weight gain and that I can feel muscles forming where there had once been just bones. I close my eyes as I kiss her forehead, briefly resting my brow against hers. She has to be OK; her journey has only just begun.I’m confused as I felt Nate’s presence disappear from the front of my mind. He’s gone for a few moments. Without his presence I feel lost and alone. I don’t like it. ‘Where did you go?’ I ask him when he returns. ‘Cora called me. They are weak but recovering. They have asked us to find blood samples for somebody called Katie. She has a resistance to whatever venom the wolf contains; we may find a cure. T
* * * Max’s POV * * *I watch through the car window as two young pups come hurtling down the pathway, screaming for their Daddy. As Alpha Paul bends down to scoop them up in his arms, I feel tears leak from my eyes. There’s no malice here and he’s not a bad man, he’s simply a mate and a father who had been backed into a corner, desperate to protect his family. In all honesty, I would do the same in a heartbeat. From what I can recall, Alpha Paul’s pack is rather small, only 150 members, give or take. I assume that half of them are women, elderly, and pups. Which means that they wouldn’t have had the strength to put up a fight against my father, his rogues, and his vampires. He would have felt like he had no other choice. How my father could send a man picture of his pups with vampires' claws around their necks, is beyond me. But then, growing up, he had never had a paternal side. He had always been cold and brutal. I still have to ask him about my mother. I can’t help but wonder wh
* * * Max’s POV * * * Once we arrive outside the packhouse, I send Damian and Jessica to ensure that my father is appropriately restrained and locked away. They will then, with a handful of warriors, man the gap in the wall, while continuing to build. We briefly stand outside the packhouse. I’m cradling Eve in my arms and Becca has come out to greet Damian. I decide that Damian can fill her in while at the gap in the wall. I have taken him away from her far too much. They need time together. Once we catch a break, every pack member will be treated to a holiday over the course of the next year. “I will take Eve to the Hospital and then hold the pack meeting. Once it’s over, I will send appropriate replacements so that you can all get some rest. Thank you so much, once again for helping my mate and I,” I tell them, as I turn towards the Hospital to get Eve any help she might need. I rush through the corridors; I’ve become far too familiar with this building for my liking. “My mate n
* * * Eve’s POV * * * I sit and take a moment to recall my return to awareness. It sounds crazy, but I was acutely aware of how clean my blood now felt. I was able to sense the poison around my body, in my blood and seeping into my muscles and organs. I almost felt whole and healthy. I knew when I was nearly ready to wake up. I had heard Max asking for tests to be done, and I had prayed to the Moon Goddess that there were no long-lasting effects. Is it even possible for a person to feel if their blood is tainted or clean? ‘Perhaps we can ask the sisters if there’s a way to harness energy stores or to take energy from the Earth. We can’t keep doing this, it leaves us too vulnerable’, Cora tells me, when she has recovered enough to be present again. ‘Well, good morning to you too, sunshine. Aren’t you just a bundle of joy to wake up to?’ I greet her.‘I’m serious Eve; our whole life could have been over. We need to learn when to stop.’ She scolds me. ‘We shall speak to the sisters.
* * * Alpha Paul’s POV * * *The council members have questioned me to the ends of the Earth. I suppose it’s only to be expected, I had put people at risk. Sure, in hindsight, I could have spoken with Max alone and begged for help. I didn’t need to go through with it at all. But I had been scared for the safety of my mate and pups.I count my lucky stars and thank the Moon Goddess that Alpha Max has spoken highly of my assistance at the facility and my attempts to right my wrongs once I knew my family were safe. He has even admitted that he would have done the same if his family were held hostage. I have basically received a slap on the wrist and will have to have a council member live within my pack for the next few years to monitor me. I have happily agreed and even offered the Alpha wing should the council member want it. I’m currently housed in the guest wing of the packhouse, with my family, who are safe and well. I shouldn’t ask for any more than that. I shouldn’t, but I can’t
* * * Max’s POV * * * After the pack meeting, I meet with the council members to proceed with my father's questioning. I walk slowly, my feet feeling weighed down. I thought I’d gotten rid of him out of my life for good. I had thought I was free of his influence and the way he makes me feel. And now, here I am walking towards him. I’m 23 years old, yet I feel like my 10-year-old self. Fearing his judgement and punishment. “Max, you’re not your father. Your father doesn’t determine who you are. In fact, I’m surprised he even helped conceive you, there isn’t one ounce of him visible in you,” Fred says kindly, his hand patting my back.“Remember your place, councilman Fred,” councilman Peter says.“I remember it very well, but until we enter the room we aren’t on official business. So for now, I’m able to comfort a friend,” Fred snaps back.“He has a point, councilman Peter. There’s no resemblance, which is odd given that Robert is from an established Alpha line. Alpha Max, are you sur
* * * David’s POV * * *It’s been about a month since I’ve had control of this body, occasionally Charles’s conscience will reappear and I will pay the sisters another visit. It’s worked well, but I’m still miserable. The pack keep avoiding me. Despite knowing I have control, they can’t help their reactions to this body. And honestly, I can’t blame them, I even recoil from the reflection in the mirror. I’ve patiently waited for the sisters to find a solution, but I’m coming to the end of my tether, I’m isolated and alone despite being in a large pack. I need a way out of this torment.I’ve been building up the courage to ask Alpha Max to allow me to die, when Eve arrives to me to tell me they have an option if I’m willing. She tells me about John and Jack. John is nowhere to be found after his brain was hit by a silver bullet, and now Jack is fading away too. Without a host, a wolf can’t stay. I will be the host conscience and Jack could potentially be my wolf. I finally have hope, a