Alaya's POVThe Alphas and Lunas of neighbouring packs piled into the grand dining hall of White Castle. Their ballgowns and cheap satin suits glittered under the candlelight. Laughter filled the room. Pups raced between the tables, all as wild and undisciplined as the three mutts in the throne room.They all appeared to respect the young Maddox Mason, at least. Even the older ones submitted to his will if he suggested a game. The younger ones clung to him, hanging on his every word. He was a true born leader, that much was obvious. It was a shame that his father raised him to be weak and show respect to those who did not deserve it, like the runt Lena and the Omegas serving his dinner.Princess Serena was passed from werewolf to werewolf-like a howling game of pass the parcel. They all admired the thick crop of flaxen hair covering her head and the intense blue eyes staring out of her doll-like face.My job, as always, was to stand at th

 Alaya's POVWe trudged back to the witch's cabin in silence the crickets teasing us with their happy song, the moon low in the sky as the sun threatened to break dawn from behind the mountain. Maddox Mason, the annoying pup from the throne room held Lycan blood in his veins. It would be a mercy to take it from him. Everyone knew Lycans lived a tortured existence, barely able to control their own wolves.  I pushed open the door to the witches cabin. She lay where we left her, tethered to her bed, sweat covering her body. Henry snatched the grubby sock from her mouth and she heaved in a massive breath of air."Did you get it?" She sniffed. Henry shook his head. She exhaled. The deep creases in her forehead smoothed as she unfurrowed her brow. Her shoulders slumped. "Would half breed blood work?" I demanded. She shook her head. "Can you make it work?""Alaya," she pleaded, "the spell is already dangerous and it's never

 Alaya's POV A week passed before news of attacks on human camps and settlements reached White Castle. The celebration ended the day before leaving the army tired and hungover. Henry, Casper, Nicholas and Nate all crowded into the office at the side of the training hall. A large map filled the table with red dots marking where humans were slain. Two pale-faced scouts trembled in the corner of the room, tears staining their face."There was nothing left," one rambled as he ricked back and forth on a wooden dining chair pilfered from the dining hall. "Not even bone. Nothing but blood." His fellow scout shuddered closing his eyes as if to block out the memory. Henry turned to me with widened eyes. He knew better than to say anything. My wolf wasn't just hungry for human flesh, she craved the chewy, muscular flesh of her fellow wolves. "They're so weak," she teased as she watched their fear and sorrow play o

 Maddox POV Gage helped me to my feet. My legs shook. Cuts and grazes covered my battered body."Hey," Gage said as I frowned down at my injuries, "better being hit by a few rocks than burned to death in a fiery explosion, right?"I nodded, smiling at Kayla. She wrapped herself around my body, sobbing into my chest. Gage's men finished rounding up the escaped prisoners, including Graham. They were all carted back to Greystone Mansion. Will helped me into the back of the remaining truck with Lena, Blake and Kayla. Will and Gage climbed into the front. The engine roared beneath us. The truck jolted as it sped over the disturbed ground bumping over rocks and uprooted trees. "Did you really do that?" Blake asked, his eyes wide and fixed on Kayla. Kayla shrugged turning her head away, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed quietly into my ches

 Blake POV "What do you mean there there?" I asked my stomach twisting. Vomit rose in my throat. I balled my fists, digging my nails into my palms. Maddox looked at me with tears in his eyes and pain etched into his face. Lena threw herself into my arms sobbing."Blake, I'm sorry," Maddox told me trying to take my hands. Lena stroked her hands down my back."No," I whispered, "my dad is dead. He died. He was murdered. He just wouldn't...""He was there," my wolf whispered, "and deep down I think you know it."He'd been torturing me with this devastating truth since we left the woods. I tried to block him out, focusing on Kayla's new powers but he still whispered to me in the back of my mind-crushing my world and everything I knew. Tears built behind my eyes. My throat tightened. The massive bedroom started closing in around me. My eyes scanned the room seeking an escape. The sobs and heartfelt pi