* * * 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
* * * Eve’s POV * * * I can hardly believe that they have done it. There had been a huge bang and the candles had burst into purple smoke. The whole garden was filled with smoke, yet there was a powerful aura buzzing in the air. I know that Selene is here in the garden with us. Is she going to give us her blessing? “You fuckers. You will pay for this,” Charles sits up and glares at us, through the smoke. Rising to his feet, he lunges forwards as though he’s preparing to shift. Nothing happens and he hits the floor, his face landing in the dirt. I barely have time to react, Jasper has almost flown across the garden and punches Charles so hard that he’s unconscious. “I will take him to the cell and chain him up,” he says, and throws Charles over his shoulder and leaves. I’m surprised that his hit knocked Charles out. Does that mean he’s without a wolf? Does that mean he’s now human? I haven’t given much thought to what will happen to Charles without a wolf. I gasp when I see John s
* * * Eve’s POV * * *The elderly lady is still embracing my Mama, stroking her hair with tears running down her face and murmuring reassuring words to her. Telling her everything is OK now, that she is here and isn’t leaving her again. Whoever she is, she’s very dear to my Mama, who continues to rest on her knees and cry. “Mama, what’s happening?” I ask her, stepping closer towards her. Ready to protect her if I need to, but I have a feeling that everything is as it should be and there’s no threat here.“Evelyn. Is that really you?” The elderly woman asks me.Taken aback that she knows my given name, I cautiously step back, assessing her and what threat she could pose to myself and my pack. “I’m Evelyn Rose Jones, Alpha of the New Moon pack. I go by Alpha Eve. Who are you?” I ask her. “My dear, I’m a friend of Katie’s. I’m the Alpha of Katie’s pack. I received your letter from Alpha Paul, and I just knew I had to come. That you have been found. I’m your Grandmother Tabitha and the
* * * Max’s POV * * * I hold Eve as soon as I enter our home, and despite the calming influence of the mate bond, her emotions are still erratic. I cradle her to my chest, as her mother and grandmother sit in an embrace. It has been a lot for them all to take in. Eve has fallen to sleep, clutching my shirt, it won’t hurt to let her have a few hours of sleep. It’s still very early, and she certainly deserves it. Perhaps it will help her mind to process her family reunion. “How about you ladies, take the spare room for a few hours and I’ll let Eve rest in bed for a while before we begin our day. I’ll have breakfast brought for us,” I tell the ladies.“Thank you, Alpha Max, I like you. I’ll take you up on your offer, I’m beat from the journey here,” Tabby answers me.“We’ll make sure that you have your own accommodation, we are in the process of building more cabins, to enable all pack members to have a home,” I say as I stand from the chair with Eve in my arms. Carrying her up the s
* * * Eve’s POV * * * The cage doors continue to rise, while the wolves inside snap and snarl at the bars, while frothing at the mouth. This isn’t as we had planned, we were meant to kill them off one at a time while they were held within their cages. This will be a fight to the death. We have to make sure that we send them home to the Moon Goddess, no matter the cost. They can’t be allowed to leave this sanctuary. I see the moment they realise we’re there, their eyes lock onto us and their hackles rise as their snapping and snarling intensifies.“OK, everyone. This isn’t as planned, but I have an idea. Keep them distracted and hold their attention. Joe can strike them with lightning, and I will use my fire against them. If you’re able to get a clean kill shot, move in and straight back out. Work together and do not play the hero,” I instruct my group, while also mind-linking the other groups. There have to be at least 30 rabid wolves, just as Arthur had said, kept within cages so
* * * Max’s POV * * *The silent strength I receive just from her holding my hand, is all that’s going to keep me going now.Send me to war, send me to fight genetically modified crazed wolves and I’m fine. Nerves of steel. But ask me to walk towards where my mother is potentially buried. I could curl up and cry. I could sit in a corner rocking while repeatedly hitting my head against a wall. What if she’s not there? What if she’s there? What if she’s really dead? I need Eve’s strength more than I can express. And I greedily take every ounce of strength she offers me. We walk at a steady pace away from the nature reserve, the pack discussing the fight and the challenges they had faced within their quadrant. The rabid wolves had been extremely difficult to kill, and it had taken teamwork to take them down. “Will we be holding a funeral for our fallen pack members?” Keith asks.“Of course. It’s the least we can do for any pack member. Any fallen pack member will be honoured in their