Cole took my hand gently as he saw my sadness, lifting it to press his lips to my knuckles, while Finn reached over to stroke my cheek gently, before taking my other hand. "It was just another facet in our decision to remove our father," Cole continued quietly, "It wasn't just Thane getting hurt like this, but so many. And her jealously, over those she'd consider hers.." He trailed off again, shaking his head sadly, and Finn continued, his voice wavering with the pain he still felt. "We suspected her involvement in our mothers death," he said softly, and I stared at him, stunned, "There was never any proof, but.." he paused, and Cole continued for him, anger in his tone now. "Our father would never have allowed it to happen, without Samantha's corruption affecting him," he said heavily, and Finn nodded agreement. "She had power like that, even over a Lycan Alpha?" I asked, both horrified and impressed, and they nodded sadly. "How did you overthrow them then?" I asked, wondering if t

"They've been spreading rumours that it was Laila who hurt Elsie," Cole said, his annoyance clear in his voice, and Dorian hissed angrily. "Oh my, those vicious little.." he began, but Thane raised a hand, silencing him. "Apparently they all saw the same.. dream, or vision, or something, of Elsie repeating the words, 'She did this,'" he said, and Dorian frowned. "I just checked her a few hours ago, there are still no signs of brain activity," he said, sounding thoughtful, "Should we assume this is the work of Samantha, attempting to sow discord?"Thane nodded, and Dorian sighed deeply, "She is persistent, that's for certain," he said, then moved past Thane and into Elsie's room checking her over once more, "Still the same," he said, shaking his head sadly. "What did you tell them?" he asked Thane, who shrugged casually, "I told them we were all there, that we know Laila didn't harm her," he said, then sighed, "They didn't want to hear it, of course." Dorian shook his head, looking ann

"Dad.. do you have any idea what those things actually do?" Jake asked him, sounding hurt. Heath only stared back at Finn defiantly, not meeting his son's eyes, "They do what she says they do, boy," he said angrily, and Jake shook his head sadly. "Then why did they leave Elsie an unconscious, vacant shell?" Jess asked angrily, looking furious as she realised what was happening. Heath rolled his eyes again, the colour rising is his face more, "Foolish girl," he muttered, "Quentin always said you wouldn't catch on to what was actually going on, even if it was right in front of you." She snarled angrily, looking about ready to launch herself at him, just as Thane came around the corner, "Jess, go and get Elyanna please. Tell her there's more of them." She turned her attention to Thane, and gave him a short nod, glaring at Heath once more before heading down the stairs quickly, two at a time. "Get Laila away from those," Thane quickly said to Finn, as he came over, grabbing Heath's arms

We headed out from his room, finding Cole waiting outside for us, looking every bit as handsome as his brother. He smiled as he saw us, reaching over and pulling me close to him, holding me close as he kissed me tenderly. I returned both, and heard the sound of a door opening nearby, and turned to see Thane stepping out of his room, also looking incredible in his full-black ensemble. He also greeted me with a tender kiss and a smile, along with a look of reserved excitement, seeming to be full of anticipation for tonight. It caused a rush of nervous flutters in my stomach, and I looked at each of them uncertainly. Finn and Cole gave me encouraging smiles, while Thane put his arm around my waist as he began walking, leading me down the hall, and the stairs, with his brothers close behind. Most of the house was quiet, at least until we reached the ground floor, where everything was alive with excitement and activity. The staff in the kitchens seemed to working overtime, and there were

As the gasps of shock rippled through the crowd, I glanced out over them, and realised that there were as many looking at me with shock as there were looking at Thane. Lisbet stirred at the back of my mind, and I knew then that mine were glowing that brilliant purple too. Looking at Cole and Finn, I saw the same, and in the Elders too, though their faces looked sterner than ever as they looked beyond, over the crowd. I turned to follow their gaze, and gasped at the sea of glowing royal purple eyes that stared back at me in amazement. Yet, many of them blinked out too, as their owners turned away from the pack, joining those who'd walked away into the darkness just a few minutes earlier, and likely to Derrick's and Samantha's side. I gave Thane an uncertain look, and he nodded understanding, sighing deeply as he turned his head, facing his pack, though his hands were still bound with mine. He waited patiently for those choosing to leave to do so, then nodded to the Elders, and Henrie