LIAM

Maddox seemed fine, and I knew he and Missy needed time together before I could discuss what happened.

Axel briefed me after Langston and Maddox arrived at the inn. Watching my uncle wake and examine Langston, I worried. His injuries sounded severe, and even our expedited healing couldn't fix everything; some were too extreme.

About thirty minutes later, my uncle approached. "He's as comfortable as we can make him here," he said. "I'll be back with supplies to move him."

"How's it look?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I need images to be sure, but I'm not confident he'll regain the use of his legs," he said quietly. I nodded; I never wanted this to happen.

My uncle left the cottage, giving me privacy with Langston.

"Don't start with the blame game," Langston said from the bed. I sat beside him.

"I'm really sorry this happened," I said.

"You shouldn't be. I'm hurt, but Maddox and I are alive. If it weren't for that boy, I wouldn't be here," he said.

I hesitated. "Langston, I could call Azalea…"

He chuckled weakly. "No, that's not necessary," he said. "I appreciate the sentiment, and I know your mate would come running. I think this is the Moon Goddess telling me I'm past my prime, that it's time to pick a successor."

"You could just let her try," I reasoned. "Emma will be upset."

"Emma and I will be fine," he said. "We've had many years together, and thanks to Maddox, we'll have more. I might just be a little slower."

"So you found it?" I asked.

"Yes, we did," he answered, grimacing.

"Was this Warwick's doing, or one of his clan?" I asked.

"Neither," he said, surprising me. "We were found by another Sire. Bygrave, I think."

"Another clan is working with Warwick?" I clarified.

"I assume there were more than one, by the way Bygrave spoke. The location held little evidence of other vampires," he explained. "Maddox confirmed Warwick was there, though."

"So, we have multiple Sires to deal with. This is quickly mirroring the first war," I grumbled, burying my face in my hands. We had multiple clans to deal with, and my most loyal ally was disabled. He couldn't fight in his condition.

"One less now," Langston said. I looked up, confused.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Maddox killed Bygrave. Brutally, to be honest," he said. "I didn't think we could kill him. The boy is strong, but I underestimated him. I tried to give him an opening to escape, to report what we found and get back to his mate."

"He didn't listen?" I asked.

"He did at first," Langston said. "He probably made it back to the car. Shortly after Bygrave shattered my spine, he returned. He fought Bygrave after I could barely scratch him."

I whistled. "That's astounding."

"I agree. While I was slipping in and out of consciousness, he got me out of there and made it here. I'm not sure he stopped for anything but fuel," Langston explained.

I was impressed by Maddox's determination and quick thinking. That he killed a Sire alone was astonishing.

"I just hope the boy can cope," Langston interrupted.

"I'll keep an eye on him," I promised, placing my hand on his. "I can't thank you enough."

"I always knew you'd be a great Alpha, Liam. Your father was strong, even if flawed. I know you'll take care of the boy and end this war."

AZALEA

Lily and I arranged centerpieces for Lacey's baby shower in the dining room. Felix brought in the pumpkins we'd painted. We awaited news from Liam about Maddox and Langston. He'd left the packhouse so quickly that I texted Missy and called the school to tell her to leave.

"Yesterday was intense," Lily said cautiously.

"Yeah," I sighed.

"What set him off?" she asked. She worried about me, but Liam and I weren't exactly okay. I'd slept in his arms, but this morning there was tension. He left as soon as Azly woke, and I'd barely seen him since.

"I went behind his back," I told her. Lily rolled her eyes.

"To be expected. You're a twenty-eight-year-old woman with a mildly control-freakish mate. You're literally never alone, and Liam can be pigheaded," she reasoned. I chuckled.

"He means well. He just gets stuck in his head, and all this has him wound up," I lamented. Lily looked sympathetic. "I still shouldn't have done it."

"Done what?" she asked.

I lowered my voice. "I got a witch to help me contact Warwick," I admitted. Lily gasped. "Shhh," I hissed.

"Lea, what were you thinking?" she whispered.

I shook my head. "It was dumb. I wanted to avoid fighting. We've already lost too much."

"Oh, Lea," Lily said, taking my hands. "You always have the best heart."

"It's no excuse. Liam was right to be angry. It could have been a trap, and now there's a rift between us. Whether it was Warwick's plan or not, it happened," I said.

"It won't last," she assured me.

"I don't know, Lily. He's never been so angry," I said. Felix brought in the last pumpkins, avoiding our gazes; I needed to apologize to him too.

Lily arranged tiny pumpkins. "So, how's Damien? I noticed he's back in Beta duties," I said, changing the subject.

"Yeah," she chirped, avoiding eye contact.

"Is that all he's doing?" I asked.

Lily's shoulders slumped. "He's training intensely and regaining strength. He's holed up in his office or with Austin or Jacob when he isn't training. Evenings, he's with the kids, then lets Cage out before bed. He just doesn't seem to have space for me."

"I'm sure that's not true!" I said. "Why don't you shift with him? Cage would love that."

She shrugged, despondent. "He hasn't said anything. I don't think he wants me."

"Lily, Damien loves you. You two are the best mate-pair I know. This is just a rough patch," I said.

"Maybe," she sighed. She put her centerpieces in bins and frowned. "There's more blue ribbon downstairs. I'll be right back," she said.

I frowned as she hurried away. I returned to work, hoping my best friend would be okay. I wasn't in the best position to give advice, but I didn't think she should doubt Damien.

Felix took Lily's seat. I looked up, confused. "Hi," I said. He nodded passively, but his body language suggested he wanted to say something.

"Felix, I should apologize," I said. His eyebrow rose. "I deceived you. I didn't tell you the whole truth about the witch. I put you in a bad position with Liam and Willow, and you didn't deserve that. You've been wonderful to me, so I'm sorry. I consider you a friend and family, so it was wrong of me to take advantage of you."

Felix was quiet, then nodded. "Thank you, Luna. I think we can leave it in the past."

I smiled. "Having one person not angry with me is a relief," I joked.

"I have something for you," he said. He produced something wrapped in fabric. It was a small knife in a sheath.

"What is this, Felix?" I asked.

"It's a knife, Luna. Neither of us is ignorant about your need for protection. I think it's uncharacteristic for you to learn to fight now. But we both know this war is at its tipping point. Any day, hell will break loose. Azeron and I would die for you, but someone could still get to you. Luna, I've never asked anything of you, as it's not my place. I'd be failing to protect you if I didn't do this. I would appreciate it if you would wear this watch and carry this with you," he explained. He was more verbose than usual.

"I don't think I could…" I trailed off, looking at the knife. The thought of using it didn't sit well with me.

"I hope you never have to hurt anyone, Luna. But it would make me feel better about your safety if you had these, in case I failed you. You don't need to know how to fight with a knife, and this one should be suitably sized," he said. I bit my lip.

"Okay," I agreed. "Does Liam know?"

Felix shook his head. "I can speak with him."

"Where exactly do I put this knife?" I asked.

The revised text improves grammar, punctuation, and word choice for clarity and flow. I also removed the asterisk from "lip" as it's unclear what was intended there. If there was a specific reason, please let me know, and I can re-add it.