Prologue
Amelia’s POV
Two weeks ago
I run with urgency down the continuously narrowing corridor. The size of my wolf is becoming too large for the small space drastically slowing me down. I know I'm physically stronger in my wolf form but that doesn't mean shit if I can't move. That thought alone gives me a reason to shift into my human form.
The cool air instantly makes my nipples harden into stiff peaks as my warm fur retreats. Nevertheless, I push forward following the delicious scent dancing delicately on the tip of my nose. It's growing more intense with each step and I can almost taste it on the tip of my tongue.
I break through the slender crack of an opening finding myself deep below the mountain. As my eyes adjust to the change in light a cave spring comes into view. The stalactites hanging from the ceiling and the stalagmites growing upward from the ground cast beautiful colors of blue and purple through the cavern. I take a few steps forward taking it all in. I'm so struck by the beauty of the natural formations I almost forget why I'm down here in the first place until I hear him speak.
“Hello, little Mate,” he addresses me his voice deep and husky with lust. It's a low growl of pure seduction that makes Acacia purr in my mind.
“Hello,” I reply turning to face the direction the sound came from.
He's managed to move so that he's blocking the entrance I came through and the only visible exit. He's a mere five feet away if that and I'm tempted to close the distance. From this close, I can make out the small details of his face, the blond stubble forming along his strong jawline and the honey-colored flecks in his deep chocolate eyes. I don't allow myself to finish my assessment of him knowing if I do the bond will only grow stronger. I lock my eyes on his, my defiance causing a delicious smirk to play on his perfectly kissable lips.
‘Snap out of it Amelia’ I scold myself, my lips flattening into a deeper scowl.
“It seems the Moon Goddess has a larger plan for us.” He says his voice sounding more solemn.
“So it seems,” I agree.
“Should I prepare myself for your rejection?” He asks his eyes getting a glazed look to them.
“Only if you refuse to end this war. I will protect my family at all costs.”
“As I was trying to do for mine.”
“Your brother was in the wrong,” I reply feeling angrier than before.
“Even so, he was the only family I had left and now he is gone.”
My heart softens at his open honesty. Was my mate truly the bad guy here?
“No,” Acacia whimpers. “His wolf wants us, they have saved themself for us,” she tells me.
“I'm sorry for your losses but that does not change the fact that you're now holding my nephew hostage.”
“I will not fight you mate and I hope you believe me when I say I will never harm Alex.” He holds Alex gently in his arms cradling the boy closer to his chest as if proving his point.
“Then end this now and we can discuss how we will proceed once Alex is home safe,” I tell him.
Over the many years I've acted as Luna in the pack, I have learned to keep a calm respectful tone when making negotiations. With this man, this Alpha being my mate that was proving to be more difficult.
Isaiah's POV
I have taken on all the anger my brother and his rogue pack hold toward the Silver Crest Pack. Now, standing face to face with my beautiful mate and being captivated by her gorgeous green eyes could I let it all go and try to move on with my own life? With her?
I heard all her words and felt them to my core. She was calm, she held her position well, and will be a perfect Luna and she is asking for us to end this. She believes that we can have a future that's why she declined to reject me on the spot.
“Agree to mate,” Ismael snarls in my mind while somehow sounding like a lovesick pup.
“I will call off my men, have your Alpha do the same,” I say trying not to let my voice waver.
My mate seems to take offense to my words pushing her aura out. She is an alpha female and she's making sure I know it the way her aura is continuing to slam into me and damn if it isn't a massive turn-on. Not to mention the way her long chestnut brown hair is falling down her shoulders and cresting over the hardened peaks of her nipples. She is standing completely unabashed in all of her naked glory and my fingers are itching to reach forward and touch her.
“My eyes are up here and you have an order to give,” she replies in a snarky tone.
“Mate is feisty, I love it,” Ishmael purrs distracting me more as my dick twitches in my pants making the material more uncomfortable as my length strains against it.
I open the mind link that connects the entire pack but fail to reach my gamma Raya. “We have reached a truce everyone back down.”
Giving the order I quickly close the link and focus my attention back on my mate. I know where Raya is and she is not going to like it.
“The order has been given but-”
“But what?” she growls cutting me off.
“My gamma has closed her link, she is after your Alpha.”
“You asshole, you better hope my brother is okay.” Her growls grow weak as tears spring to life in her eyes.
Amelia's POV
I sent a link to the warriors that were brought with us asking them to back down and watched as my mate's eyes glazed over while he did the same. When he spoke again I felt like my world shattered.
His gamma was after my brother and she hadn't received the order to back down.
I try to reach Carter and keep coming up empty-handed I feel the tears sting my eyes and I refocus my effort on Levi pushing at his mind until he opens the link.
“The battle is over Levi, where are you and Carter? He's not answering me.” I rush out.
“I'm okay. Carter has been dosed with silver and wolfsbane,” He says trying to sound calm.
“He was supposed to stop her,” my voice is a whimper even in my mind.
“I will lead you to him,” my mate's voice breaks me from my mind and I turn to him my anger trying to take over.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Lead the way,” I growl stepping toward him. He turns on his heel dipping into the passageway carefully as he still cradles Alex.
We run through the winding tunnels some narrowing further before they widen out and then we come to a dead end where three bodies are.
The first turns to us as we approach and I can see the worried expression on Levi’s face as he crouches beside Carter. The lifeless form laying on the cold hard rock is my big brother. A strangled cry rips from my throat as I run to him quickly placing my head on his chest. His heartbeat is low and his breaths are shallow. Acacia surges forward in my mind identifying the perpetrator as the third form huddled near the wall.
Standing quicker than anyone can react I'm in front of her my clawed hand wrapping around her throat and lifting her off the ground.
“Amelia stop,” Levi begs trying to come closer to me and I push my aura out causing my friend and Gamma to crumble to the floor.
“She deserves to die for what she's done.”
“Please, Amelia, she's my mate,” Levi begs again struggling to get to his feet.
The words barely register as her face turns a darker shade of purple and the scent of blood seeps into the air. The girl doesn't even try to fight back. She's letting me squeeze the life from her.
I feel electricity run through my arm and turn my head, my nose brushing against my mates at his close proximity. His hand curls around mine slowly prying my fingers off the girl and I let him. Levi’s words finally register. This pathetic, murderous she-wolf is his mate. I cannot take his mate from him.
Her body drops to the ground with a thud and Levi rushes to her side but she quickly scrambles backward curling into herself.
“Amelia, oh God,” Marcus’ voice enters the small passage and I see him moving over Carter. “We need to get him to the pack clinic.”
I know he's right, whatever else the Moon Goddess is playing at right now will have to wait.
We have to get Carter home.
