AXEL

Lemon meticulously recorded receipts in her ledger at the counter while I sat on the couch, idly flipping through a magazine. I wasn't paying attention to the magazine; my eyes hadn't left her since we finished lunch. She kept glancing at me, blushing, then quickly returning her gaze to her work.

Tomorrow was our first official date. We'd practically been dating already, given how much time we spent together, but this would be different. I was taking her to the city for the evening, and I was determined to kiss her before the night ended. I was holding off for now, letting her lead the pace, but I needed to kiss her soon. I planned to show her an amazing time, then really blow her mind before dropping her off.

My phone rang in my pocket. I pulled it out and answered without looking. "Axel," Luna's voice said, laced with urgency.

"Luna," I replied, sitting up straighter.

"Vampires are attacking the pack," she said rapidly. Her voice was commanding, but frantic. "I need you to secure the town and get here if you can. We need all the help we can get."

"Understood," I said, standing and discarding the magazine. I hung up the phone and began sending out messages with instructions. "Come on, let's go to my house," I told Lemon.

"Wait, why?" she asked, abandoning her work. She turned to me as I approached the counter.

"The pack is under attack. I need to get you to safety before I can help," I explained quickly.

"Attacked? By who?" she pressed. "I can't just leave the inn."

I sighed. "By vampires," I said quietly. Her eyes widened impossibly. "Yes, like the ones that attacked you before. They haven't reached the town yet, so I need to get to the pack and stop them."

"Axel, I can't leave the inn. There are guests and employees," she said, gesturing towards the stairs.

"Fine, I'll send someone to watch over things. Don't let anyone leave; keep everyone inside, okay?"

She nodded slowly. I turned and headed for the door. "Wait!" she called. I looked back. Her eyes were misty, and she was biting her lip.

"Axel, you have to come back," she said softly.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," I said. I wouldn't let anything separate us; I wouldn't let vampires stop me from returning after finally getting her to be mine.

"No, you have to come back because I think I'm falling in love with you," she whispered, but I heard her perfectly. My heart practically stopped. She covered her mouth, her cheeks flushing. She hadn't meant to say that aloud, but it was the best accident ever. I turned and closed the distance between us in a few long strides.

Lemon looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes as she slowly lowered her hand. I cupped her face, threading my fingers through her hair at the nape of her neck. Her breath hitched, and I pulled her close. I kissed her deeply. She froze for a moment before returning the kiss.

Her lips were magical, and I was intoxicated by the feeling. Finally, I pulled away, and she was breathing hard. "I'll be back to help you finish falling," I murmured before turning and leaving the inn. I went around back, straight to the trees, feeling more determined than before. No vampire would keep me from my girl.

AZALEA

Quinn and Lily were waiting for me. Quinn had brought some of her writing to share, and I was eager to read it. I couldn't believe she wrote about wolves and got away with it.

I finished signing Lemon's tax documents, resealing the envelope for return to the inn. I sighed, tucking my hair behind my ears and reviewing my to-do list to ensure nothing critical remained.

"Azalea," Liam's voice echoed in my mind. He sounded frantic and panicked. "Vampires are attacking our pack. Please stay with Felix. I sent Austin to get my mother and the children. Maddox is with Missy, but I'll get to her, too."

I froze. Vampires? I looked at Felix, who appeared to be mentally communicating with someone else. My mind raced.

"Okay, I'll call Axel to protect the town and get here to help," I told Felix. The town lay between us and Warwick; that's why Maddox landed there before returning to the pack lands with Langston. If the vampires came from Warwick's hideout, the town was vulnerable.

"I love you, Little Luna." That sounded like a goodbye; I hated my mate saying goodbye.

"And I love you, My Alpha. Come back to me." I glanced at Felix, prioritizing. Austin was en route to the children; Axel needed to be informed; Missy and Maddox were at home; and Damien was with Liam, likely directing Quinn and Lily. Liam was probably already mobilizing the warriors.

I called Axel; he understood immediately and was already in motion. As I hung up, I looked at my watch—supposedly a game-changer, making me less helpless. My gaze shifted to Felix. "We need to get you to safety," he said.

"I want to help," I replied. Warwick was after Liam and me; his plan was likely to kill me in front of Liam, then kill him.

"Luna, we don't know the scale of the attack," he said.

"What if this watch is the answer? What if I'm the only one who can stop Warwick, Felix?" I asked. His expression remained unchanged, but I knew he was considering my words. Then, I heard Liam mentally communicating again, this time to the entire pack. I didn't know he could connect with so many at once.

"Felix, get me to Liam," I said. "Help me reach my mate and stop this Sire. Warwick will either send someone here for me or come himself if I'm at the packhouse. Get me away from everyone we're trying to protect."

Felix frowned. He knew I was right. A pounding on my door interrupted him. He gestured for me to stay behind my desk. I nodded, my hand moving to the small dagger at my hip. Felix cautiously approached the door, but relaxed before opening it. Azeron appeared.

"Luna," he said, entering my office.

"I need to get to Liam. I need your help," I pleaded. Azeron looked at Felix, questioning my decision. Felix's eyes widened; for the first time, I saw concern on his face.

"Lacey is going into labor," he whispered.

"You need to go to her, now," I said. "She needs you!"

"Luna," he protested.

"No, Felix!" I shouted. "Go to Lacey. Azeron will get me to my mate." Felix looked at Azeron, who nodded.

Felix sighed. "She's right. If she's here, Warwick will come for her, endangering everyone. Get her to Liam," he instructed Azeron. "Do not let her get hurt, Azeron. She is your responsibility now."

"Felix, go to Lacey," I repeated urgently. He nodded and quickly left. Azeron turned to me.

"Liam was by the training grounds with Damien. Warwick will go straight to the packhouse, for me. I need to reach Liam to help fight Warwick," I explained. Azeron's eyes dropped to my wrist. "Has Felix been keeping you updated?"

Azeron nodded. "I hope I haven't overstepped. I came to this pack to protect you. I recognize my previous missteps, but I will not allow you to be harmed because of them."

"I'm glad you're here, Azeron," I said, relieved that he knew what had happened since Robert's death and his dismissal. "If the Moon Goddess is with us, I might stop Warwick with this. But I need to get there, and I don't know how many vampires we're facing."

"Understood," Azeron said. "We'll move together. Stay close behind me, but be ready to run."

I nodded. "I can do that." I retrieved the small knife Felix had given me, and Azeron chuckled.

"Let's hope you don't need that," he said. We left my office, and I followed closely behind him. Pack members were rushing up the stairs toward the packhouse's safe room—large enough for hundreds. As we reached the ground floor, I heard warriors directing others. It didn't sound like a full-scale assault; many were being pushed into the packhouse. My heart ached at the sight of she-wolves clutching their pups. A fierce determination ignited within me. I wouldn't allow my pack to be harmed.

I held onto Azeron's shirt as we headed out the back door to avoid separation. Outside, warriors were forming a perimeter, urging people toward us. There was no immediate attack, but it was imminent.

Azeron moved swiftly, and I struggled to keep up. As we approached the warriors, a searing pain shot down my spine.

"Ah!" I screamed, stumbling. Azeron caught me.

"What's wrong?" he asked urgently.

I recognized the pain. "Liam," I gasped. "I need to get to Liam now!" This wasn't the plan. Liam wasn't supposed to be hurt, especially not by wolfsbane. I could heal him, but it might leave me too weak for Warwick. I could give Liam the watch, though.

Azeron helped me to my feet. "Can you move?" he asked. Gritting my teeth, I nodded. We moved more slowly, Azeron beside me.

No one tried to stop us. My spine burned; I hoped Liam had help. If Damien had left to assist the warriors or go to Lily and the children, Liam could be in serious danger. Azeron smelled it moments before I did—multiple vampires near the training ground. Someone was fighting them—Damien, judging by his size. A body lay on the ground; I feared it was my mate.

After the last vampire fell, Damien vanished. Azeron looked down at me, worried. "I can heal Liam; just get me to him!" I said. Our pace slowed. Azeron picked me up and slung me over his shoulder.

"Sorry, Luna," he muttered before running. He reached the sparring ring, then carefully lowered me to my feet. I collapsed to my knees beside Liam, who was groaning in pain.

"I'm here," I said, taking his head in my hands. Damien arrived, covered in blood, wielding two axes. "I'm here, Liam; just hold on."