AXEL

After leaving Lemon, I gathered all the town's wolves. I sent some to the inn, some to patrol the town, and took the rest with me. We shifted, eager to reach our destination as quickly as possible. Gathering everyone took far longer than I'd hoped, and by the time we set out, the sun had already set. I ran at such a pace that the trees blurred past. I could hear the wolves panting behind me; they were struggling to keep up, but I couldn't slow down. Luna needed help, and the pack needed us. Lemon wasn't safe with vampires hunting the pack.

Crossing the pack's boundary, we ran straight toward the packhouse. A bloodcurdling scream stopped me short, forcing a change of direction. My team followed suit without instruction. As we followed the sound, the stench of vampire intensified until a wall of pale, ragged bloodsuckers came into view. Their backs were to us, obscuring what lay beyond.

"I'm going over; attack the ones on the outside," I instructed the wolves.

I coiled and jumped over the vampires. They looked up in confusion, then tried to follow, but my team's attack from behind ignited shouts of pain.

Landing, I recoiled at the scene. The scream must have been Missy's; she was leaning over Maddox. He was missing an arm, which lay beside him. She was trying to staunch the bleeding with torn clothing, but the blood flow was too heavy. His pallor was alarming; he was barely alive. A monstrous creature was choking Beta Damien. Damien fought back with all his might. Two wolves broke through with me; I sent them to Missy.

"Missy, take these two and get out of here! Now! You might save him, but not if you stay," I ordered. My words seemed to jolt her from her shock; she stood and shifted, lifting Maddox onto her back. "Take the arm!" I called. Missy didn't stop, but another wolf retrieved the arm and followed.

Damien's gurgling gasp snapped my attention back. Without hesitation, I lunged at the creature, biting its wrist as hard as I could, sinking my teeth into its flesh. It stared blankly, seemingly unfazed by the pain, but its grip loosened, giving Damien a chance. Damien brought his axe down into the monster's forehead, leaving it embedded as the creature collapsed. Damien rubbed his throat, gasping for breath.

I landed beside him. "Thank you, Axel," he rasped.

"Of course, Beta," I replied. "Let's do this together."

"That's how Maddox got like that," he said, nodding towards the blood-soaked ground.

"He's hurt, even if he can't feel it. We have to try. If this thing reaches the packhouse, it'll kill everyone," I pointed out.

"Agreed. Together, then," Damien agreed.

The monster seemed to consider pulling out the axe. It had entered its face at an angle, taking out an eye. Blood poured down its face; it still looked formidable. I braced for another attack as Damien spoke.

"I went high with the axes last time. Let's switch. You go high, and I'll try to cut its legs. Size doesn't matter if it can't walk."

Damien dropped to his knees, and I launched myself into the air, using his back as a springboard.

"Goddess, let this work," I prayed fervently. I needed to get back to Lemon.

AZALEA

My mouth stung, but nothing was broken. I worried Liam might kill himself if he didn't stop trying to break free. I heard bones cracking as he repeatedly slammed against the barrier.

"You look so good on your knees, Luna," Warwick taunted. "No wonder our Alpha is so desperate to get you back!"

His taunt made me nauseous. He lifted me by my hair, dragging me to the barrier. His grip was vise-like, inescapable. He forced my face against the wall, rubbing it there for Liam's benefit. The impact sent pain shooting up my face; my nose felt broken. His grip on my hair was agonizing. I desperately fought back tears, not wanting Liam to witness my pain through our bond. Liam's horror was evident.

"Are you trying not to cry out for your mate, Azalea? You dishonor me. I thought I was performing admirably," Warwick exclaimed, disappointed. He yanked my head up to look at him. "I think we can fix that, can't we?"

Whatever he planned wouldn't be pleasant. The pain hampered my thoughts. He tore my shirt open, his nails grazing my skin, leaving me in my bra. Terror gripped me. He touched my shoulder, offering a brief respite.

He leaned to my neck, his breath hot near Liam's mark. "Is this the mark you mutts give each other when you find your mate?" he asked Liam, smirking. "What if I gave her one of my own?" My eyes widened as I felt paralyzed.

"Just kill me, Warwick," Liam pleaded, his face desperate. "Kill me however you want. In front of the pack. Make an example of me. Just leave her alone. I'll give myself to you. Just stop!"

"Ah, that's so much better, 'Alpha.' You're finally understanding your place. Still, too little, too late. I'll have what I came for."

His teeth sank into my shoulder near Liam's mark. I screamed, a searing pain reducing my throat to shreds. The venom felt like flames consuming me. I couldn't feel Liam, think clearly, or be sure I was still alive. I understood why Damien's recovery was so difficult; I felt beyond the brink. I was almost glad my wolf wasn't experiencing this agony.

I heard Warwick's maniacal laughter and Liam's muffled cries. I focused on Liam's voice; the pain was immense, but I didn't want to leave my mate.

"Little Luna, come back to me. Please don't go. You're stronger than this. Hold on."

His words echoed in my mind, guiding me back. I opened my eyes; Liam and Gavin were there, just out of reach.

"Aw, don't tell me the show's over," Warwick complained, yanking my hair again. The pain from the venom was so intense that his tug barely registered. He turned me towards him and caressed his new mark next to Liam's. I recoiled, spitting in his face.

"You'll never be half the man Liam is, and this is just compensation for being a coward," I spat. "You lost your mate because you didn't deserve her. You weren't destined for anything."

Warwick's face contorted in rage, his arrogance shattered. "You'll keep your thoughts to yourself. You could never know the depth—"

"Fuck your destiny," I sneered. "I'm sure the rest of your kin did."

Warwick was a plague we needed to eradicate. He was a sick beast with no regard for anyone. His face twisted into a snarl; he released my hair, grabbing my throat. The venom's pain had subsided, replaced by a pleasant warmth. Was I dying? I couldn't breathe. I kicked feebly, but couldn't reach him. My vision blurred; I saw orange disappear. Was Liam free? Warwick released his grip slightly, pushing a black, furry blur away.

I gasped for air, struggling against his weakened grip. My watch glinted; my plan resurfaced. I'd been focused on the pain and Liam's desperation. Now was my chance.

I mustered my strength, sputtering, "Exaequo"

I hit the ground. Liam was across the clearing, having been thrown.

"You w-were heavy," he stammered, confused. He lunged, but his grip felt weak; he couldn't lift me.

"That's what the watch does!" I thought triumphantly. He was my equal; the watch had reduced him to my strength. I drew the knife Felix had given me, pushing back against his attack. He didn't notice as I drove the knife upward into his chest, twisting it.

He stumbled back, pawing at the knife, worsening the wound. Blood sprayed. The black blur flashed, landing beside me. Warwick's headless body stood, then fell. Liam dropped the head, which rolled towards me. I was crushed in Liam's arms. His scent enveloped me. It was over.

"Little Luna," he gasped. My energy drained.

"My Alpha," I cried. Tears flowed as relief washed over me. Warmth spread as my consciousness faded. Liam kissed me; it was balm to the torture.

I felt so much from my mate: joy, fear, relief, stress, happiness, sadness. He was a storm breaking over me.

"My brave girl," he cried, not breaking our connection. I pulled him closer. "It's over. You did it."

I wanted to tell him I didn't do it alone. Then, fireworks erupted inside me. Liam gasped, his eyes glowing pink. I arched away from him.

"Azalea!"