MADDOX

I’ve never seen Missy so furious. When she ran off, I felt a shift in our bond. She wasn't just angry; she was heartbroken. I let her get a little ahead before starting to run after her. She was heading home.

I was still processing the request. The Alpha specifically tasked me with something so sensitive; if that wasn't a sign of approval, I don't know what was. I didn't enjoy interrogating the two vampires, but I knew things wouldn't always be easy if I wanted to protect the people I love.

To be honest, I was nervous. I had no idea how I'd find Warwick and report back to Liam, but I knew it would be dangerous. Still, I felt compelled to go.

Tom was anxious. He was excited about chasing the vermin responsible for our previous mate's abduction, but he also disliked seeing our mate so upset.

Missy wasn't in the living room or kitchen when I got home. I listened for a minute and heard shuffling upstairs. I waited until I heard the bed creak before heading up. The bedroom door was ajar; pushing it open, I saw Missy sitting on the bed, clutching a pillow to her face.

I entered quietly, closing the door behind me. I went to the bed and sat down in front of her. She didn't move. I gently took the pillow away from her face. Her eyes were red-rimmed. "Hey," I said softly.

"He can't do this," she said.

"Yes, he can. He is our Alpha," I replied.

"No, he's Liam. He's my dad, and you're my mate. He can't just do this. If I hadn't been there, you would have instantly said yes!" she exclaimed.

"Would that be so bad? If I said yes?" I asked. Her face registered horror.

"You can't go," she whispered, disbelieving.

"Is this because you're worried about Warwick?" I asked.

"He just killed Azalea's adopted father! Do you think he'll hesitate to kill you? Especially after you rescued me?"

I took her face in my hands. "I know you're scared for me. I know this is scary, but Missy, I'm not afraid." Tears welled in her eyes as she shook her head. "Missy, all I want is to make this world safe for you. We both know that as long as he's alive, you'll be a target, just to make your dad suffer. How can I live with myself if I don't do everything in my power to stop him?"

I looked into her tear-filled eyes, seeing her reluctance and fear. "You're right; if you hadn't been there, I probably would have said yes without hesitation. But that's not just because I don't want to disappoint your dad. It's also because I'll do anything to keep you and our pack safe. This is our home, and I want to live here with you for a very long time. Warwick wants to take that away from me, and I can't accept that."

Her lip trembled. She took a deep breath before replying. "Maddox, you can't get hurt. We're happy; we're together…. I just… We…" She couldn't find the words. Tears fell onto my fingers.

"I'll come back to you. I won't let that vampire keep us apart again, darling." Her eyes searched mine. I kissed her softly, then rested my forehead against hers. "I need to do this."

"If something happens to you, I'll never forgive him," she whispered.

"You don't have to worry about that because it won't. I'll find the bloodsucker, find out what he's doing, and come right back here. I promise I won't leave you," I swore. She pulled me closer, kissing me. I felt her anxiety and apprehension. I kissed her back, trying to reassure her.

DAMIEN

It felt like I was floating in nothingness. I could barely feel my body. Nothing hurt, but I was completely helpless.

I tried to grasp onto what I knew:

Liam and I fought Warwick. Warwick was prepared. We subdued him long enough for Liam to reach Azalea, and I could finish off Warwick. Cage and I fought like wild animals after all the pain inflicted on my best friend, his family, my pack, and even my pups. Warwick was bleeding—dark red; he was injured. He was gone. Where did he go? Intense pain.

What happened? Where was I, and why couldn't I move? I wanted out. I needed to find Liam, go home to Lily.

Goddess, I wanted Lily. I wanted to hold her, to breathe her in.

Pressure pressed in from all sides. It was cold and heavy, squeezing me as if to burst me. It felt like ice.

Why was it so cold? Where was the warmth? Where was the light?

Then the pressure vanished. I could breathe easier, the cold receding, leaving only nothingness. How did I get out? How did I even get here? Was I unconscious? Where was Cage? Why couldn't I feel my wolf?

The pressure would return briefly, stronger each time. Then it would dissipate, leaving me in nothingness. It felt like something was just out of sight, just out of reach, causing the pressure.

I didn't like this. I couldn't move; I couldn't see. How could I fight something invisible? Where was my wolf? Why wouldn't the pressure stop? What was causing it? How could I stop it?

I tried to clench my fist, unsure if my body even moved. I needed to get out. I needed to ensure Warwick was dead and that Liam reached Azalea and Missy. We had to save our Luna and Missy. I couldn't survive if Lily and Delilah were taken; Liam needed our help.

The pressure returned, stronger than ever. I couldn't bear much more. I felt like I would burst. But something was different. A faint glow appeared just out of reach—a soft pink light, small but present.

I was drawn to it, but the pressure held me immobile, painfully squeezing the air from my lungs, its icy grip clinging to my skin. I wanted to reach the light. How could I reach it?

AZALEA

I felt especially tired leaving the clinic. Each day was the same—Lily a little less hopeful at the start, a little more crushed at the end. I was so close; I could feel him, but I worried I wasn't strong enough to break through the barrier between us.

A gentle breeze cooled the arid day into a calm night. Langston had visited again to speak with Liam. They needed to pinpoint Warwick's location before the packs moved. What was an offensive force without a target?

I considered working late. School started tomorrow, and I had a stack of waivers to process for the 16- and 17-year-olds wanting to fight Warwick. I worried about these young people risking their lives, but Azeron reminded me it wasn't uncommon for our kind. Werewolves were proud and territorial. They stuck together, defended each other, and didn't tolerate outside threats.

I wondered about Liam. He hadn't come down for dinner. It took so long to find a babysitter that I hadn't realized how late it was. Missy and Maddox had offered to watch a movie with the boys, but they never came to the packhouse. I texted Missy but received no reply. I'd have the patrol check on her.

Langston was leaving when I entered the packhouse. "Good evening, Azalea. How is Damien?" he asked.

"I wish I had good news," I sighed.

Langston patted my shoulder. "I have faith the Moon Goddess will bring him back," he reassured, smiling. "I'm heading home. Emma will kill me for being late."

"Give her my love," I said. He left. I went to the kitchen for a drink before looking for my mate. To my surprise, he was there, standing in front of the open refrigerator.

He looked up, smiling gently. "There you are," he said.

"As if you couldn't find me," I said, glancing at Azeron. Liam chuckled.

"I got her. Thank you, Azeron. Good night," Liam said.

"Thank you, Alpha, Luna," Azeron replied, leaving the kitchen. I hugged Liam from behind, looking at the open refrigerator.

"Are you hungry, My Alpha?" I asked.

Liam sighed; I felt his guilt. "I don't know," he said.

"What's wrong?" I asked. He looked guilty. I raised an eyebrow.

"Missy isn't happy with me. I asked Maddox to search for Warwick," he said.

"Oh no, Liam, you didn't…" I gasped, stunned. He looked at me with guilt.

"I wanted to speak to him alone; I intended to let him decide with her, but she insisted on being present and even threw my rules back at me—"

"Stop," I interrupted, raising my hand. I took a deep breath. "Of course, she'd be upset. You want to send her mate after her kidnapper after we barely escaped. She was already upset about the vampire interrogation."

"What?" he asked incredulously.

"Liam, that was hard on both of them. Open your eyes, Alpha. These kids weren't raised for war. Missy was loved and nurtured. Yes, she dealt with her parents' deaths, but we were here to make things easier. From what I know, Maddox had a happy childhood. He never wanted to fight until that was taken from him. Their entire lives have changed. She's scared, Liam. She can only control one thing right now—being with her mate. You took that away."

"I had to send someone I trust, Little Luna. I can't send Felix away with his mate so far along in her pregnancy. I need Austin and Jacob's help, and Sean's helping with training. With Damien unconscious, I'm running out of people I can implicitly trust."

I patted his chest. "I understand. And I don't doubt Maddox will find Warwick. But you have to understand why she's mad, and you should probably apologize to your daughter."

I turned and left the kitchen. "Make yourself a sandwich, My Alpha. You aren't too bright on an empty stomach."