AZALEA

Liam was trapped, so I had to act now. I glanced at my watch, unsure if it would work. It had a time limit, and I didn't know how close I needed to be for it to function. Warwick's intentions were clear; he'd approach soon. Azeron was tense, trembling as he glared at Warwick, murderous intent in his eyes. I didn't think he was scared; it seemed he was struggling to control his wolf. I had to kill Warwick to protect Liam, to protect everyone. I prayed to the Moon Goddess that Liam was only trapped, and this wasn't a magical execution. My only recourse was to kill Warwick or the witch who cast the spell. I regretted deceiving Felix's witch friend and destroying that potential alliance. Warwick had a witch; we should have anticipated this. He'd use anything to defeat us and ruin our lives.

Warwick began walking toward us, clapping slowly. "You've finally arrived. I commend you, Azalea. No matter what, you can't resist rushing into danger to save those you love. You even convinced him to bring you right to me!"

He gestured to Liam, who roared, struggling against his bonds. Nothing worked. My heart sank watching Liam's struggle as Warwick drew closer. I felt his terror and frustration at being trapped and unable to protect me; it made it harder to remain composed. Even trusting Azeron, I doubted he could protect me from Warwick alone.

"Azeron," I said softly, placing my hand on his back. "You don't need to risk your life. Warwick wants me. Leave and find a way to help Liam."

"I'm not leaving," Azeron growled. "Thank you for trying, Luna, but I won't abandon you again." I knew he felt guilty about Robert, but death wouldn't solve that.

"Azeron, I order you to go, as your Luna."

"Azeron!" Liam yelled, about to countermand my order.

"With all due respect, Luna, you can imprison me later, but I'm staying," Azeron said, steeling himself. Shame washed over me. I didn't want him to die protecting me needlessly. He could still escape.

"Now that that's settled," Warwick interrupted. "Let me remind you that you're about to die. Your side conversation isn't helping."

"Fuck you," Liam roared. "I swear to the Moon Goddess—"

"Your Goddess holds no power here," Warwick warned, smirking condescendingly. He looked up at the brightest moon I'd ever seen—I hadn't noticed it before. "She bathes you in her light, yet you're trapped, Alpha. Your Luna is moments from being in my hands. Do you still believe in that whore of a 'Goddess'? She won't save you. No one will. You'll watch as I slowly kill this sweet flower you try so hard to protect. My family will eliminate your pack and pups. Then, and only then, will you get the death you deserve."

"I'm still here," Azeron reminded him, baring his teeth.

"Irrelevant, mutt," Warwick replied dismissively. "Your pretense only delays me taking your Luna by seconds. Your Alpha and Beta couldn't kill me. You think you can?"

"Don't underestimate me," Azeron retorted.

"You overestimate yourself," Warwick scoffed. "Show me what you can do."

"Luna, run," Azeron demanded.

"No!" I shouted. He ignored me, shifting and charging at Warwick.

Liam panicked, begging me to leave. "Azalea, please! Find Damien. Get out of here. He only wants to kill you, and I can't… I can't break this."

His desperation tore at me, but I had to stay. Greyback gave me this watch for a reason; it had to be the key. If not, we were doomed. My heart pounded as I looked at Azeron; Liam continued to batter the magical barrier.

Azeron reached Warwick, but the fight was brief. Warwick punched Azeron in the forehead, the crack of his skull audible. He slammed Azeron's head into the ground and stomped him until he stopped moving. Azeron's fur was matted with blood; tears stung my eyes. I prayed he was only unconscious.

Warwick raised his foot for a final blow, and I screamed, "STOP!"

Warwick turned, grinning cruelly. "Ready for me now?"

"Yes," I managed. "Take me, leave him."

"As you wish," he teased, lowering his foot and approaching me.

Liam must have broken free because as Warwick neared, he shifted. His roars and howls, the sound of him beating against the barrier, were heartbreaking. Tears streamed down my face as I watched my mate desperately try to reach me. He was bleeding from self-inflicted wounds.

"Calm yourself, Liam," Warwick scolded, as if to a child, stopping before me. I tried to stand tall, hiding my fear. "It'll be over soon." He gently caressed my hair, looking down with pity. "You're lucky I find wolves reprehensible, or I'd make you watch us create a litter here. Even though she's a mutt, she's attractive. She doesn't have a wolf, so she's technically human, right? Maybe…"

His fingertip tracing my face made my skin crawl. I could handle dying, but not Warwick's depravity. I opened my mouth to speak the watch's inscription, but he backhanded me to the ground.

I tried to rise, spitting blood. My head swam, my jaw ached. I closed my eyes, shaking my head to clear my thoughts.

"If I wanted you to speak, I'd tell you. The men are talking now, Luna," Warwick chastised. This would be harder than I expected.

LILY

Michael and Quinn were a force of nature, tearing through the endless vampire horde. I managed to stop any that broke through, but just barely. I collapsed beside Quinn as she shifted back. Moments ago, the vampires stopped and crumbled.

Quinn and Michael smiled excitedly as we caught our breath. Then I remembered the kids, and panic seized me. I stood as Damien's voice cut through my thoughts, "Lily, are you okay?"

"Oh my Goddess, I'm so glad to hear you, Dai." Relief flooded me.

"I'm with Liam, Azalea, Maddox, and Missy. Missy and Maddox said Delilah and Lucas are with Liam's kids at the packhouse. They got them from Lyssa's."

I breathed heavily; my kids were safe, and so was my mate. I fell back, letting exhaustion consume me as my adrenaline faded.

"Are you okay?" Quinn asked, concerned.

"More than okay," I laughed. "Damien and my kids are safe."

"Are you still with Michael and Quinn?"

"Yes. Do you need me? Tell me what to do," I replied, ready to fight.

"I stopped a Sire who came with Warwick, but Warwick is still out there, taunting us." Pride swelled; Damien had killed all the vampires here. I couldn't believe he'd killed a Sire.

"They crumbled a moment ago. They must have been his kin. Wait, is Liam alright? If you killed a Sire…"

"Don't worry," he interrupted. "He's fine. I'll explain later. We need your help finding Warwick. We're heading to the woods from the training ground. I don't want to move warriors from the packhouse, so I need your help. Get Michael and Quinn; we'll owe them a debt. Start in the park and work your way toward us."

"I can handle this, Damien. Find Warwick and help Liam. If I find anything, I'll tell you immediately. Be careful, Dai."

"I'll try, Lilypad. I love you."

"And I love you."

The conversation was brief, but it felt like a goodbye. I couldn't bear the thought of never seeing him again. I had to help end this.

"What's going on?" Michael asked. I explained, and they were ready for action.

"Of course, we'll help," Quinn insisted, dismissing my apologies.

"We agreed to help in this war," Michael added. "We won't let our allies die when we could have helped. We're grateful to be here."

"We're grateful, too. We can never repay you."

We fanned out to search the park. Michael noted its suitability as a hiding place. We split up, Quinn and I on one side of the pond, Michael on the other.

We searched carefully, trying to discern lingering vampire scents. When Michael rejoined us, Quinn found something. She led us to a group of trees, where we found a frail woman huddled, terrified. She didn't smell like a vampire or wolf.

"She's a witch," Quinn said softly. Neither Michael nor Quinn seemed defensive.

"I am," she confirmed weakly.

"You're here to help Warwick?" I asked.

"Yes," she whispered. "Not willingly. He keeps me as livestock to feed a vampire monster he created, and uses my magic. I haven't been strong enough to leave."

"Magic is emanating from her, flowing to tethered spells or items," Quinn stated.

"How…?" I asked.

"We'll explain later, but Quinn senses magic. Trust her," Michael explained. We needed to stop Warwick.

Quinn knelt before the woman. "Can I talk you into stopping? I don't want to hurt you," Quinn asked gently.

"I'll do whatever you ask if you promise something," she said sadly. "Kill me if he tries to retake me. I can't go back."

Michael nodded. "We'll do everything to keep you safe, but if we fail, I'll end your life."

"Thank you," she breathed. She stood, using a tree for support. "It's done. All his magic is broken."

"She's telling the truth," Quinn confirmed. "No magic emanates from her."

I offered a hand. "You'll have protection in our pack. No one will hurt you."

She averted her gaze. "Are you aware you're naked?"

I laughed. "It's normal to us. We tear our clothes when we shift."

"I still have some magic. Do you want clothes?" she asked, blushing, her eyes traveling up Michael's legs.