[Hyacinth]Propelled forward by fear and adrenaline, I run down the hill, my blood creating an unfortunately convenient trail as I make my way into town. Thankfully, the streets are empty. Everyone is either at the Alpha Beta Ball, or they are sitting in their houses doing nothing--The nature of the witches' spell taking the will out of everyone to do more than exist. Wolves are patrolling the streets near the pack house. I am sure there will be more waiting for me inside the jail as well. But I need to get to Drew. "No," My wolf insists. "You need to rest. You need rest more than anything.""I can't rest," I argue with Halcyon. "Slate needs me, Bash needs...""Our pup will be fine," she assures me. "He's pretending to be a big strong alpha. And he has others helping him. McCoy won't let him get into any trouble. You are the one in the most danger now. We need to cover your scent."She's right. I smell like fear and blood. Most wolves, especially those who are out of control, would

[Ashlynd]The grand warlock is a tall man. I cannot see his face as it is shrouded in darkness to protect his identity, but I can tell that he is older, perhaps old enough to be my father. Looking across the room, I can see that Slate is safely tucked away, playing his part as instructed. To anyone who doesn't know better, he looks like all the other alphas in the room, mingling with one another, smiling and dancing. I don't have time for dancing tonight or pretending to be one of the wolves. Tonight, on the night before my wedding, I've been called to duty. "Grand Warlock," my mother holds up the edges of her skirt and curtsies. "This is my daughter, Ashlynd."The tight black dress I was instructed to wear does not allow for the same freedom of movement, so my curtsy is less graceful. I feel stiff and squeezed tight as a sausage in this revealing garment, every nook and cranny of my body on full display. My mother takes a step back, presenting me to him as little more than a gif

[Slate]I woke up two hours later, surrounded by trees and the smell of freshly spilled blood. Lying at my feet is the head of a deer. It was ripped off, torn from the body of the large stag that was lying only a few feet away.Dragging my body forward along a path, naked and covered in gore, I feel the call to return. Shifting easily, I run to my mistress, who looks impatient as she stands at the entrance to the Monrovia estate. "Where have you been, Slate?" She demands, her voice as hard and cold as the ice-blue dress that drapes from her shoulders. There is something different about her, something new. And then I realize what it is. She doesn't smell like a wolf anymore. Instead, the thin, acidic scent of witch burns my nostrils. She comes forward. Placing a finger on my chest she draws a line. Bringing her blood-covered finger to her lips she closes her eyes, concentrating. "Deer," she concludes, looking disappointed and disgusted. "You left the ball to find a snack? All you w

[Hyacinth]Adjusting the shotgun on her back, Lisa tells me to stay there while she checks on the door.Considering she feels a need to go to the door with a shotgun makes me want to come with her, but then I remember I am in no condition to fight anyone. My ability to heal and harm is practically useless now with my baby's life in the balance. I need rest. I need to heal. If I'm going to free Slate before he's stuck to my evil witch of a sister, chained to her with marriage and goddess knows what else, I need to listen to those around me who care enough to tell me the truth. I need to rest. As much as I hate to do so. It is in my nature as a mother, and now a Luna, to want to take care of those who are mine--and now the whole pack is mine. Thankfully, Lisa doesn't keep me waiting long. A few moments later she comes rushing in., her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Luna, come quick, you need to see this!"Carefully moving off of the hospital bed, I walk out into the lobby. Standing

[Hyacinth]The entrance to the tunnels was located behind a large community plaque in the basement that listed the names of all the donors who helped the hospital over the years with generous donations. The most recent name in bronze is "Alpha Slate Danvers" for his "continued contributions to the health of his pack" with the year right below. The name above his on the plaque is my grandfather, Aster Monrovia. I place my hand on the plaque, touching each name and silently thanking them both."Before today, this tunnel has been a secret passed down from Beta to Beta since the original was dug. Only a few Alphas or Lunas ever learned of this secret. What I'm about to show you, I need you all to swear to keep secret," Her gaze is intense as she makes eye contact with each of us. "It is vitally important that this stays within our pack, and that it isn't told to anyone who might use this knowledge for our harm."We all nod in agreement. Nobody wants to see our pack harmed more than it al