Damien

“So, we have no way of knowing how large this army is?” one of the Alphas asked.

“No,” I replied. “We have an estimate, but nothing certain. We don’t even know how long he’s been planning this. We believe at least two years.” Convincing the neighboring packs to attack on their own territory proved difficult.

“We lose the advantage of knowing the land,” another Alpha pointed out.

“But if we’re smart…” I began.

“How can we be smart when we know so little?”

“And you have an Alpha ready to run blindly into battle?”

Langston called out, silencing the objections. “If any of you lost your pregnant mate, you’d understand Alpha Blackfur. He’s wisely handed over his responsibilities to his Beta, but we need your cooperation. We believe this is the best course of action.”

A minute of silence followed. “Liam has never hesitated to help you—training your ranks, providing provisions. He’s been a model leader for nearly ten years and deserves our support. We’re asking you to help stop a threat to our pack, and our entire race. Warwick won’t stop with Blood Eclipse; he’ll systematically attack us all. He’s already proven that with the micro-packs east of the mountains. Taking down Blood Eclipse is only the beginning.” I hoped the gravity of the situation would sink in.

The silence stretched. Finally, someone stood. “We will stand with Blood Eclipse.”

Another followed: “We will fight the vampires.” One by one, the Alphas pledged their packs. I looked at Langston.

“Alright. Now, we need to prepare.”

Azalea

Cold sweat beaded on my skin; my breath came in shaky gasps. My fever wouldn’t break. I felt the baby move less today, which was alarming. If Liam were here, he would have taken me to his uncle hours ago. Yesterday, it felt like the baby dropped. With Junior, labor started only 48 hours after he dropped. Panic was setting in, making it hard to stay calm for Missy.

“Liam, where are you?” I whispered, hugging my blanket. Missy had been quiet for a couple of hours.

I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. I just needed to hold on a little longer. Liam would come; he always did.

My bladder was full, and I was struggling to keep down the food, though I could drink water. Closing my eyes, I mustered my strength and pushed myself up. The 12-foot-wide room felt like a mile as I shuffled to the bucket—my bathroom. The lid only slightly muted the smell. I managed to lower myself over the bucket, supporting myself against the wall, barely balanced. As I urinated, something fell from me.

I gasped. If that was my mucus plug, the baby might not wait for its father.

Missy

I heard Lea’s whimpers and suppressed cries. She was getting worse; the baby could come at any time. I examined the room, focusing on the small vent separating us. If I could open it, I might be able to help.

I clutched the moonstone necklace Maddox gave me. “Dad, Maddox, where are you?” I thought. My wolf was quiet, conserving energy. I sat in the corner opposite the bucket, resting my head against the wall. They would come; I knew it. They just needed to get here in time.

Maddox

We reached the packhouse. I stopped abruptly, nearly causing Vlad to trip. He turned, confused.

“What’s wr—” My fist landed on his jaw, again. I shook out my aching knuckles. I needed to do that, and it wasn't even for my mate.

Vlad groaned, and I had to restrain myself from hitting him again. He already had a deepening bruise from the first blow. The packhouse door opened, and Vlad spat blood onto the ground. He glared at me before turning his head.

“You deserved that. And more,” I said quietly as Beta Damien and Alpha Langston ran towards us.

“Maddox, what’s going on?” Beta asked.

“He was found at the border,” I said. “Alpha wants him immediately.”

Beta and Alpha Langston exchanged glances before nodding. “Maddox, go get Alpha Liam; we’ll take Vlad,” Alpha Langston said.

“No need,” Alpha Liam said, striding towards us. Without warning, he punched Vlad in the jaw, knocking him down. Beta grabbed him before Liam could strike again.

“Liam, he’s a boy!” Beta growled.

“He committed the crimes of a man!” Alpha roared. “Where are my mate and daughter?”

“I’ll tell you everything!” Vlad shouted.

“Liam, calm down! He’s cooperating!” Alpha Langston said.

“Get him to an interrogation room now!” Alpha yelled.

“Liam, calm down, or you won’t be allowed in the room!” Beta threatened.

“Like hell, I won’t!”

“I’m acting Alpha, and if I say you’re too worked up, you won’t go in. Get it together!”

“I want in the room, too,” I said firmly. Everyone turned to me.

Alpha nodded; Beta looked conflicted. “His mate is missing,” Alpha said. “He has every right to be there.”

Beta and Alpha Langston exchanged glances. “Fine. But neither of you is to touch him until we know more. This isn’t how we do things,” Beta finally agreed.

“We need to call the boy’s father,” Alpha Langston commented. He effortlessly lifted Vlad and led him towards the jail. Alpha broke free of Beta’s hold, giving him a cold look before gesturing for me to follow. I bowed to Beta and followed Alpha.

The pack prison wasn’t what I expected. It extended underground, with guards at each level, including the interrogation rooms. No one questioned me as I followed Alpha down to Vlad.

“Has he told you anything?” Alpha asked.

“He said he was trying to protect Missy. He said Warwick threatened her, but he was trying to keep her safe,” I said.

“Anything else?”

“Warwick bit him; it killed his wolf. He can’t shift,” I said, recalling Vlad’s confession through my anger.

“You did well,” Alpha said, surprising me.

“Thank you, sir,” I said.

“I’m glad you’re her mate,” he said as we stopped outside a window—a two-way mirror. We could see Langston and Vlad inside. “You’ll make a good partner for my daughter.”

“Once we get her back, I’ll never let her be hurt again, sir,” I promised. I wouldn’t let Missy out of my sight.

“He may never leave this building,” Alpha said coldly. I nodded, looking at Vlad, who sat with his face in his hands. “We’ll begin when Abraham arrives. Vlad’s underage, so his father must be notified.”

“What will happen to him?” I asked.

“I haven’t decided. It depends on Azalea and Missy, and the other missing pack members,” he said. His coldness chilled me. Was it because of who was missing, or was this typical Alpha behavior? Beta Damien joined us.

“Abraham will be here soon,” he said.

Liam

White-hot rage consumed me as I watched the traitor. Gavin wanted to shred him, but I restrained myself, hitting him only once. He had information about Warwick’s hideout, and I’d get it.

Maddox shifted uneasily beside me. I sensed his conflicted emotions—anger at Vlad, but discomfort with the possible outcomes. When Abraham arrived, he looked terrified.

“Where is he?” he asked. Damien pointed inside. “Where was he found? Where has he been?”

“Abe, he’s involved with Warwick,” Damien said. Abraham paled.

“No,” he shook his head. “He wouldn’t. Not after his mother…”

“He’ll be questioned, but our laws state you have the right to be present,” I grunted.

“I don’t understand. Please let me talk to him first,” he begged.

“No!” I yelled, as Gavin surged. Damien glared at me.

“I’m sorry, Abe, but due to the severity and time sensitivity, we can’t allow that. He’s cooperating, so we’ve untied him,” Damien explained. “You can be in the room, but I’ll question him.”

Abraham nodded, then noticed Maddox. “Why is a boy here?”

“He’s Missy’s mate. He found out after she was taken,” Damien said solemnly. Abraham looked at Maddox.

“I’m so sorry if my son contributed to your mate’s disappearance. No one deserves that,” he said sincerely.

“Enough,” I said. “It’s time.” Damien nodded, leading us into the interrogation room. I’d have chosen a room better suited for forceful interrogation, but reminded myself he was just a boy.

Vlad looked up, his eyes meeting his father’s. “Dad,” he said quietly. Abraham gave him a tight smile.

“Stand aside, Liam,” Damien said. I moved to the sidewall opposite the two-way mirror. Maddox followed. Damien sat before Vlad.

“Start from the beginning. Tell me how Warwick got our Luna and Missy,” Damien said gravely. “No excuses. Three lives hang in the balance. The longer you take, the closer they are to death. Your fate depends on your information and whether it helps us get them alive.”

Vlad breathed shakily and nodded, beginning his story.