Liam

I was sitting in my office when Jacob knocked, announcing his entrance. "What's up?" I asked. He'd been distant since meeting Azalea.

"The messenger you sent to White Moon is back, with their reply and a guest," he said. My eyes widened in surprise.

"Okay, send the messenger in first," I said.

"I've already linked Beta Damien," he said before leaving.

A few minutes later, the messenger entered, followed by Damien. He stood before my desk, ready to report.

"What's the current state of White Moon?" I asked.

"Not good, Alpha. Many buildings and homes were torched during their attack. Their weakened state is attracting rogues, further complicating matters."

"And their leadership?" I asked.

"Their Alpha and Beta were killed. The Gamma was injured. Currently, the Gamma, Delta, and Madame Eirlys are attempting to lead the pack while searching for a new Alpha."

"Do you know anything about their decision concerning our offer?" I asked.

"They seem open to it. The Delta returned with me to negotiate merger terms, but they were tight-lipped about their deliberations," he finished.

I nodded. "Great. We want a full report by the end of tomorrow. You're dismissed until then," Damien said, turning to me. "Let's see what they have to say," he added. I nodded. He left, returning with the White Moon Delta. I stood to greet him.

"Welcome. I am Liam Blackfur, Alpha of Blood Eclipse," I said. He nodded.

"I am Gerald Smith, Delta of White Moon. Thank you for meeting with me," he replied. He was a tall, lean man in his late twenties, with brown hair and pale skin.

"No problem. I assume this concerns my Luna's offer to your pack?"

"Yes. Where is your Luna?"

I looked at Damien, who gave me a questioning look. "She's otherwise occupied. Why do you ask?"

The Delta shifted uncomfortably. "No reason," he said. "Our leadership has discussed your offer extensively."

"And the decision?"

"If Blood Eclipse can provide adequate living arrangements and jobs for White Moon members, we will merge," he said, nervously.

I looked at Damien, who nodded. "Something's off," I linked him. Turning to Gerald, I said, "That shouldn't be a problem. How about we continue this discussion over dinner? I imagine you're tired from traveling, and we can arrange a room for you to rest."

His eyes widened, but he maintained his composure. "That's kind of you, Alpha. I appreciate your hospitality," he said.

"Damien, would you get the Delta or Gamma to assist our friend here?" I said, standing. I needed to check on Azalea. Something felt wrong. "Azalea and Lily are working on wedding plans, correct?"

"Yes. They're in my office. Lily's turned it into wedding headquarters since we haven't given them an office. Felix is with them."

"Good. Get him to a room and have someone monitor his movements. We also need to check for signs of trespassing, even before his arrival."

"I'm on it. You should check on the girls. If someone's after Azalea, they might try to harm Lily."

Damien led Gerald from my office, and I followed. Austin was already in the hall receiving instructions from Damien. I walked past them, moving quickly but calmly. Before I reached the corner, Jacob collided with me.

"Alpha!" he yelled.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Lily and Azalea have been taken!"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN TAKEN?" I roared.

I heard Damien's growl behind me. He was slamming the White Moon Delta against the wall. I joined him, my claws extending. Austin stood on the other side, equally enraged.

"Where are they?" Damien growled. Gerald clawed at Damien's fist, gasping for air. Damien released him.

"I'm s-sorry" he panted. "I was against this"

"You have ten seconds to explain and tell us where our mates are!" I screamed. I felt a presence behind me. I saw an angry Felix holding a small plunger.

"They hit me with wolfsbane, Alpha. I'm sorry. It was like a ghost. There was no one. It wasn't strong enough to incapacitate me, but they got our Luna and Lily," he said flatly. His eyes glared murderously. I nodded.

"How could someone be invisible to our security? Speak!" I demanded. Gavin's rage throbbed within me, urging me to kill the wolf.

"It's his gift! He can camouflage himself, making him practically invisible! Madame Eirlys wants your Luna and sent him to get her. I was to distract you with a fake acceptance of your offer!" he said quickly. "I swear I was against it! I told them we should accept and merge with you! They have my mate and pup!"

"Where did he take them?" Damien growled.

"A group is waiting outside our border to help take them back to White Moon. If you hurry, you can catch them. He won't move quickly carrying two she-wolves," he said.

Damien and Austin immediately ran towards the front door. I turned to Felix. "Lock him up. We'll deal with him later," I said. "Then meet us and the patrols."

I looked back at the pathetic wolf. "If anyone has harmed my mate, I will burn the rest of your pack to the ground," I threatened.

"We've picked up their scent towards the Northwest," Damien said.

"On my way," I said, running out of the pack house towards the border. I shifted mid-air, not bothering to remove my clothes. No one was taking Azalea from me again.

Azalea

Lily and I were arranging tables in Damien's office. She'd commandeered his office with her wedding supplies. Mrs. Hale was to help with centerpieces later, but Lily was indecisive.

"What if we do a single flower vase and candles around it?" she said, rearranging things. Damien's small desk was covered with a tablecloth, and various options surrounded us.

"You have three colors of flowers. Will we use one or alternate? And you said you liked those plates with those candles," I said, pointing.

"Arghhh!" she exclaimed, sitting down. "Who knew getting married was so much work!"

I giggled. "You're being a little too anal about this," I said, sitting beside her.

"You aren't getting married; you don't understand! It'll be worse for you as the Alpha's mate. But there's still pressure as the Beta's! We have to have most of the pack there, and everyone will judge."

I smiled. "I think it doesn't matter as long as you and Damien are happy," I said.

She smiled. "Why are you so wise, almost-Luna?" We laughed. "I need snacks. My brain can't work like this. Think your hired goon will run to the kitchen for us?" she said with a mischievous smile.

"Probably not, but you can try! He hasn't left me alone unless I was with Liam. Even then, the other day I walked out of Liam's office and straight into Felix's back!" I laughed.

She went to the door to speak to Felix, who'd been patiently waiting outside.

I played with the dinnerware. After a minute, realizing Lily hadn't returned, I went to the ajar door. I saw Felix unconscious on the ground. Before I knew it, I felt a prick in my neck, and everything faded.

"Azalea," I heard. It felt like someone was nudging me. "Azalea, wake up, we don't have much time," someone said. My hands and feet were bound. I was lying on my side; my head ached. It was Lily. I tried to open my eyes, but the room spun.

"Azalea, they're gone. We have to move, now," she urged. I groaned, trying to regain my bearings.

"What happened?" I whispered.

"We were drugged and taken. I don't think we're far from the pack. I can feel Damien, even with the wolfsbane," she said quickly.

"Can you help me sit up?" I asked.

She helped me sit. I opened my eyes, fighting the dizziness.

"Where do you think we are?" I asked, looking around. The room was dirty and bare.

"I don't know. Between Blood Eclipse and wherever they're taking us," she said. "I think I can get my claws out. Try to cut your ropes so you can untie me."

We sat back-to-back. She freed my hands.

"They aren't very smart if they left you almost recovered," I said, rubbing my wrists. I untied her.

"I pretended to be out. I think they thought the dose was stronger. I can't link Damien yet, but I can feel my senses returning," she said. "Do you have any idea who this could be?"

I thought. Liam hadn't mentioned any threats. I shook my head. "No, Liam hasn't mentioned anything. I just assumed Felix because of Kol," I said. She stood, looking around, her legs shaky.

"I think this is an abandoned house," she said.

"What do we do? Do we wait? What if someone's outside?" I said, scared. I closed my eyes, focusing on Liam. "Liam, where are you? We're okay. Please hurry…" Nothing. If Lily couldn't link anyone, I doubted I could link Liam. Lily collapsed. I went to her.

"Are you okay?" I asked, worried.

"I don't know," she said, wincing. She held her side. I saw a large bruise covering most of her rib cage.

"Oh, Lily," I said. Lily couldn't run, and I couldn't fight without her. Even if her healing wasn't affected by wolfsbane, this would take hours to heal enough to fight.

"We have to find a way out. We can't let them find that we got out of the ropes," she said seriously.

I took a deep breath. What if I could heal her like I did Liam? But I wasn't sure how I did it. I looked around. There were two boarded-up windows; no light came through. There was a single light hanging from the ceiling and a single door. It seemed like a bedroom in a cabin.

"Lily, do you remember Liam and Kol's fight?" I said.

"Yes, but what does that have to do with this?"

"He was stabbed with a wolfsbane-laced knife. I felt it too. I don't think it was just our bond. And it healed. We aren't sure, but… I think I might have healed Liam that day," I said. "I might be able to heal you so we can get out of here."

Her eyes widened. "Azalea… how…"

"I don't exactly know how, but I think I need to try," I said. She nodded. I grabbed her hand. "Just hold still, okay? I'm not sure how this works," I said. She held still. I closed my eyes and focused on her injury, wanting it to heal.

I felt warmth. For a few minutes, this warm feeling lingered. As it receded, I opened my eyes and looked at Lily. Her eyes were wide. We both looked at her ribcage; the bruise was almost gone.

"You did it! Oh my Goddess, Azalea! How is this even possible," she exclaimed. My head felt light, and the room spun. I gave her a small smile. "Azalea, are you okay?" she said, realizing I wasn't steady.

"Yeah, I will be. Just a sec," I said, holding my head.

"Let me see if I can link the guys, okay? I think you healed more than just the bruise. I can feel my wolf again," she said. Her voice sounded far away, and my head felt cloudy. "Azalea, just stay with me, okay? I know they're coming…"

I felt Lily's arms around me as I slumped over. "Azalea, they are close. Don't go to sleep, stay with me. Liam is coming. They want us to stay put," I heard her say. "Azalea, tell me you're still with me!"

"Uhhh…" I mumbled softly. I felt weak, but hope bloomed; Liam was coming.

Liam

We ran as fast as possible, following the scent. Lily's scent was stronger and slightly different than usual.

I felt weird. It had to be Azalea. "Damien, we need to hurry. Something's wrong with Azalea," I said.

"They're okay. Lily just linked me. Liam, can Azalea really heal people?"

I looked at him as we ran. "I don't know," I said.

"I can feel her now. She said they're locked in a room and they don't know what's outside it," he said. I heard fear in his voice. Damien was never this worried about Lily.

We increased our pace, pushing ourselves to reach our mates. Damien led us now that he could feel Lily clearly. My heart ached from not feeling Azalea. We changed course slightly. We neared a clearing and sensed wolves. We slowed down and approached cautiously.

"Three," Damien said, and I nodded.

"Be careful. We know one can camouflage himself," I reminded him.

Felix approached from behind. He nodded, ready to rescue the girls.

Azalea

Lily held me as I tried to stay conscious. I could tell she was nervous, which was unusual.

"Lily, what's wrong?" I whispered.

"Nothing. I just want to get you out of here…"

I wasn't convinced. "No, it's something else." I took a deep breath; her scent was different. "You smell different…"

She tensed. I tried to sit up. "Lily, are you…?" I started. Her eyes were rimmed with tears. She nodded slowly. Wolfsbane could kill a pup. Her injury could have killed the pup. I'd fixed her side, but she didn't know if the pup was okay.

"Lily, Goddess, I'm so sorry," I said.

"We need to get out of here…" she said quietly.

I hugged her. "Does Damien know?" I asked quietly. She nodded. "He'll move heaven and earth to get to you and your pup, Lily."

I imagined what was going on in their heads. Male wolves were fiercely protective of their pups and pregnant mates. Some wolves never let their she-wolves out of their sight during pregnancy. And now Lily was worried about losing the pup. I'm sure she could feel Damien, and he could feel her.

We heard banging and growls. Lily sat up, a mixture of hope and worry on her face. We held our breaths. A door banged open.

"Lily!" "Azalea!" We heard our names, and hope bloomed. Lily stood, running to the door. It was locked. She banged on it, calling to our mates. I slumped against the wall, relief washing over me. Liam was here.

The door was ripped from its hinges. My vision blurred as Lily leaped into Damien's arms. They were only in the doorway momentarily before he swept her away, replaced by Liam and Felix.

"Liam…" I said. He was instantly beside me; his warm hand cupped my cheek.

"Baby, are you okay? Are you hurt?" His voice was laced with worry.

"I'm okay," I said softly. Liam pulled me close, cradling me.

"Are you okay to run?" Liam asked, referring to Felix. I saw a large gash on Felix's arm. I head more voices; warriors were entering.

"Let me help," I said to Liam. He looked at me as if I were delusional. I held out my hand. Felix looked at me disbelievingly. Liam and Felix locked eyes before Liam stepped closer. He grabbed my hand.

I closed my eyes and focused, as I had with Lily. I focused on his arm, wanting the cut to heal. The warmth washed over me again. I held Felix's hand until everything faded. For a moment, I heard Liam calling my name.