Jax could sense the Hunters before reaching the edge of the woods. The sense of evil was so overbearing that it reminded him of himself. Was that how other wolves felt around him? He shifted back to his human form and kept to the shadows of the trees with his senses wide open. He could sense more than usual. Feel more. Whatever Layla had done at the hotel against the Circle had made her stronger; he could feel the changes. The seedy motel across the road was as empty as it usually was, and the man in the front office was asleep. He’d always been able to tell by listening to his heartbeat, but now the picture in his head was more precise. The soft snores, the strong scent of alcohol. The man had passed out. He’d taught Layla how to use her senses to see and feel what was around her, but she’d since surpassed his expectations. He couldn’t imagine what Layla would be able to do when she learned how to use her full strength. He wanted that for her. Not for himself, not for the appare

Layla pulled a pair of sneakers on and made her way out of the bedroom. Her stomach growled again. It was so loud she was sure everyone in the house could hear it. Jax didn’t bring her any breakfast as he promised. He hadn’t come back at all. Why was it taking so long to see the next group off? The lobby was as busy as she expected. The last group of people was supposed to head out at the end of the day, and then only the warrior would be left to defend the territory and try to get the missing wolves back. Things felt like they were heading back on track with Jackson. They could sit down and talk things through when he returned from his duties. She didn’t like that the bond made him feel as if they had to stay together even after she hit him. She didn’t like that he kept acting like she was in his way, making decisions for her and telling her her job was to look after Hope. But after that morning, she was sure they could talk things out. He had to have his reasons for being that w

The tracks led Cain to the woods near the hotel. He didn’t stop to think as his beast crossed the road and stalked through the packed car park, bigger than any car parked there. Rage blinded him. There was nothing but red in his vision, nothing but bloodshed on his mind. The sun had set, but anyone leaving the hotel would see him. Cain was too big to be mistaken for the wolves that roamed the forest. But none of that shit mattered anymore. They had his mate. They had Layla, and they would all pay for that. He approached the hidden side door and sniffed again. The scent of dead Hunter's blood lingered in the air, but they had cleaned everything up. Before or after any human saw them, he couldn't be sure. Hunters were very good at hiding their activities and getting rid of witnesses. Humans would never know just by looking at the pavement that something happened there that morning. The lack of police vehicles suggested a cover-up by both the Hunters and his security team. Cain’s gro

Jax bounced his leg as he watched the unconscious man chained to the chair. He hadn’t even fucking touched him; Ambrose passed out like the coward he was before he’d brought him down to the basement. Everything was taking too long. Layla had been gone for hours and he was no closer to finding the truth. What business did a man like that have with an organisation like the Hunters? What did they offer him for him to risk his life? Miss Roberts did the same in a bid to join them, but he never had the chance to get answers from her before the Hunters whisked her away. He heard the sound of the door opening and threw one last look at Ambrose before he left the interrogation room. The door slid closed behind him just as Dylan came down the steps with Gavin, their faces sombre. They’d left their emotions wide open. He could sense their sadness without them having to open their mouths. He could feel their resignation. They thought Layla was gone for good. He growled and turned away fro

Jax barely cleaned the blood off before rushing to the empty lobby with Dylan and Gavin on his heels. Dylan gave him the fresh clothes, but that was pointless as far as he was concerned. He didn’t need them for long. “Alpha Chase is coming over to help,” Dylan said. “This needs all of us, Jax. You can’t find her by yourself.” Chase was bound to Layla through the blood oath he’d made to protect her, so he wasn’t surprised by that news. But all the other Alphas knew to stay away. They’d never fucked with the Hunters, and now wasn’t the time to start. Something had changed. “He can help you with the pack while I’m gone. You’d stand a better chance if he brought the rest of his pack to our territory,” he growled as he switched on the computer at the front desk. Outside, red and blue lights were flashing. The human emergency services responded to the fake call and secured the area, but it would take time until someone gave the hotel the all-clear. Even then, his doors would remain shu