My eyes widened and I shook my head. No way. When they removed the gene, they said it would go to the next werewolf born. I knew Auri was chosen to be my Luna Queen, which was what made this Alpha King different, but she wasn’t with the pack anymore. “I thought it was the Nova! I thought it multiplied my power and allowed me to shift werewolves now. I watched them unable to defy me.That wasn’t it. It wasn’t the Nova. I’m the fucking Alpha King.” The look on her face was a mix of horror and amusement. It twisted her face and her eyes closed. ‘What do you mean you? Only his…you’re his mate. You’re that packs Luna, aren’t you Astra?’ Before she could answer, Auri started to cough again. I ran and jumped onto the stage and she fell over. Her cough causing her to gag and I watched as blood poured out of her mouth. I was horrified. She pushed off me though. The electricity I felt was cut off. ‘Astra, take the damn drugs before you just die alone on

I sat on the floor of the bathroom, taking controlled breaths. The day had started much like every Sunday did. Walking up screaming, having a couple cups of coffee and a couple hours later, the emotions rushed me like a tidal wave. I was sorrowful that there was no piano to play in this house. I did sing softly until the coughing started. This time it had gotten bad enough I had to go to the bathroom. It felt like I was getting rid of important parts of my body but I needed to wait more time though. I had managed to go the whole week without waking up with nightmares. Pipsqueak had called. More than once but I didn’t want to get off the cool bathroom floor. I leaned my head back against the tub and sighed. I had a couple more coughs but I just spit out the blood. The front door suddenly slammed open and I lifted my head up, trying to listen. “Auri!” I groaned and leaned my head back. Logan stomped up the stairs and stood in the doorway of the bathroom.

“Queen Logan does have a hilarious ring to it though.” This time Auri blew smoke in my face, smiling, breaking the long silence that had stretched between us. I chuckled but my voice turned serious. “I never wanted to involve you with this. I don’t think even Micah could account for what happened. It passing to you.” “Talk about being unworthy.” She smiled. “If anything I’ve done nothing but compound wrong decisions that I thought were right at the time. Well…” she paused, putting the cigarette to her lips. “…some of them I would still make again. Even knowing the outcome. I guess that makes me an even worse person that you.” She had a goofy gin as she looked at me. “Would you stay?” I looked at her, seriously. “Stay?” “Here. In the pack after the battle. This house can be yours. Do whatever you want with it. Though I wish you would move back to the pack house. At least on Saturday nights.” She shook her head. “You’ve got enough proble

“Auri, it’s time.” Captain Lila opened up the tent flap.I nodded. I had been been standing, slowly adding my weapons. Making sure each one was where I needed it and I had the same freedom of movement. I folded my boots over my silver shackles on my ankles, the protection already there. Moving the shackles on my wrist, I felt the burn against my hand but it just made me take a deep breath, feel in the air. Kai would have been proud fighting with our pack again.One final check of my back and one last check of my body, I opened up at the flap. Captain Lila had waited for me, but the rest of the camp was lit up in bright white lights. Everyone was running, moving to their positions. It was so bright I reflexively closed my eyes.“Alpha said he wanted to talk to you before we started but they killed a few of our scouts.”I shook my head. “We don’t have time. We need to go.”We walked together and I notic

“I gotta hand it to you Alpha, I didn’t think you had it in you but you did as we agreed. Though, I wonder if it should count since The Huntress was the one who got the final kill.”I stood up slowly my eyes locked on the group. Logan stood up as well, someone passed him clothing and he was throwing on pants.“You don’t need to worry Micah, it counts.” I stepped up. Reaching to my gun halter, I pulled out the two guns I had. The magazines were special, the bullets were made to explode with the same compound as the anti-vampire grenades. One shot and a vampire would burst into ash. I felt my heart pound, my throbbing in my arm dulled. Anger, more anger than even when I had attacked Morgan, seeped into me past the Nova.“Well, Huntress I would love to know how you got acquainted with our little Alpha here.”I snarled. “Astra, The Huntress, Miss Hunt.” I looked over at Logan. “Little bird, Aur