ELLE POV ***********FLASHBACK CONTINUES*********** "Oh?" I say, careful with my words, while I rack my brain to determine where I went wrong, "about what?" "You have chosen a path to take," She says as her eyes scan through the first before returning her piercing gaze to mine. While a serenity surrounds Selene, the same cannot be said about me. My heart is racing in a panic as my palms begin to sweat. If Selene is here, then maybe this is the wrong path to take, and I am about to royally fuck things up. "Are you confident in your choices and the possible consequences?" "Yes," I say without hesitation because I have accepted the possible consequences of my actions. I have accepted that I could lose Damon over this choice of keeping him in the dark. But I am choosing Scarlett's entire life work over him and Slade. My stomach is knotted with fear and apprehension as thoughts of Damon never forgiving me invade my thoughts. As if she can sense my internal struggle, the Goddess steps

DAMON POV *************PRESENT DAY*********** "WHERE THE FUCK IS SHE?!?!" Slade's animalistic roar tears through the house, my eyes completely black, the claws already extending, and fur sprouting from my arms as I rip my office door off its hinges. Throwing it behind me without a care for Andrew or Matt standing there. Thankfully, they're quick, ducking out of the way before it hits either of them. "Alpha..." Andrew says, his words calming but not what Slade wants to hear as we spin to face him, our canines extending as the shift starts to take over as much as I try to contain it until I find my father. "Step away, Beta," Slade growls bitterly, "I have no quarrel with you, but I won't hesitate to kill you if you try to stop me from finding my Luna." "Never, Alpha," Andrew says while throwing up his hands, his neck turning up in submission. Matt, following his lead, says, "we want to find our Luna too, Alpha." "THEN STAY THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY!" Slade roars one last time befor

DAMON POV Taking the two stairs at a time, I am through the door of the packhouse within seconds, not caring that I am completely naked as I walk into the foyer to see some pack members milling around. "OUT! NOW!" I holler as they scurry past me, trying not to look me in the eyes as they pass on their way out the door. Running up the stairs, I can see other pack members making their way out of the house, doing their best to avoid me. My Alpha energy is running rampant, consuming the entire house, and putting pressure on everyone to get the fuck out. I finally reach the hallway where my room is; racing to my door, I enter my room, hoping to find the faint cinnamon and vanilla scent, only to find it empty, fueling the rage stirring in my gut. Entering the closet, I grab the tactical gear I only wear in situations like this. Changing in record time, I kneel to blouse my boots; standing, I lock my heart in a cage, mentally preparing myself for the decisions I am about to make. That I

ELLE POV "What have I done?" I growl. My blood starts to boil; it didn't take longer than two seconds for her to obliterate my calm. "All of this is because of your stupid obsessions!" I yell over the music playlist I had chosen, still blaring through the speakers of the house and the rest of the pack. "I did what was necessary to make you the best!" She sneers, her demeanor turning to ice as she stares at me with dead eyes. The same look she would adopt whenever we were alone together, "if I hadn't taken advantage of the situation, you would be weak! Now, look at you! You'll be written about for decades to come!" "Are you serious right now?!" I yell, my voice transforming into Scarlett's as she thrashes for control, wanting to tear apart the woman we are supposed to call mother. "This was never about me," I say, taking a deep breath through my nose and composing myself, "this was about how you would look; at least be honest about the bullshit." "Tiberius was going to attack your

DAMON POV "ooooooooooh, that had to hurt," Trent flinches, watching as Elle climbs on the back of an enemy wolf, reaching around to slit his throat with the dagger she holds in her hands. Most men might be disturbed seeing their woman caught in the violence of war but not me. There is something invigorating about watching Elle slay every enemy that comes her way. "Scoot over," I say, pushing on Andrew and Trent, so they can move their chairs and make room for me; I need to have a front-row seat to watch her take back what was meant for her. Sliding a chair over, I shove it between theirs, plopping into the chair while keeping my eyes plastered to the screen, terrified of missing anything. "Popcorn?" Andrew asks as he offers me the bag without moving his eyes from Theo's fight on the screen. Shoving my hand in the bag, I grab a handful of the buttery goodness, not caring that some fall to the ground as I pop a few into my mouth. "Our Luna doesn't play around," Trent whispers in