I’m going to be sick.The thought of this vile creature taking me in that way was too much to bear.What can I do? I’m outmatched until the wolfsbane wears off, and by then it will be too late.
The only tool at my disposal was my amplification, but that was useless at a time like this. The primary emotion he was feeling was clearly lust and amplifying that would only make things worse for me.
“Hold still,” he murmured against my neck, his hot breath on my skin causing me to panic.
He licked the spot where his mark would be, opening his jaws wide as I closed my eyes and braced myself. A single tear slid down my cheek as I thought of my mate.
Caelan. I’m so sorry.
A series of howls ripped through the night, making Huxley freeze.
I stilled, listening. Those were battle cries. Dark Moon was under attack.
“Seems your lover boy has come for you after all,” he growled, throwing open the door and dragging me out behind him. “Doesn’t matter. The last thing he’ll see before his heart stops beating is my mark on your neck.”
Death for the Cause
CAELAN
The wolves of Harvest Moon had been quick to mobilize when they heard their future luna had been taken captive. They joined us on the edge of our territory, every one of them grim-faced and ready for battle.
Oliver and I led a company of one hundred warriors into Dark Moon’s territory, while Dillon and Taffy led a platoon of fifty toward Thunder Moon’s.
We couldn’t be certain where Alpha Huxley would be hiding Shade, but if I had to bet, I figured he’d taken his prize home. Which was why I was leading the charge straight into the heart of Dark Moon.
Howls cut through the still night air as they warned of our arrival. It didn’t matter. All the warning in the world wasn’t going to save them from what was coming. They had taken my mate, and nothing could undo what they’d done.
My warriors met the Dark Moon wolves head-on, clashing with them in a flurry of fang and fury. The sounds of battle erupted around me as I raced toward their pack house.
I had to get to Shade. I only hoped that I could get there before Huxley placed his filthy mark on her.
But even if I was too late, it wouldn’t change anything. Once Huxley was dead, his mark would fade, and then I could claim what was rightfully mine.
I ran headlong through the chaos, mowing down anyone who dared to get in my way. Wolves fell before me, torn and bloodied as I barreled through. I could just barely make out the scent of cherry pie over all the carnage. She was close.
The pack house came into sight, and Huxley stood atop the wide, uneven steps. He held Shade tightly in his arms, a sick smirk on his lips as he watched me approach. She glanced at me, her pale eyes wide as she tried to free herself.
“Caelan!” she called, her voice a balm to my soul.
I slowed, snarling viciously before taking a deep breath as I tried to calm myself. I knew this was what he wanted. The reason he would risk bringing her to the battlefield in the first place.
He hoped that if I saw her with him, it would throw me off my game. He knew he was no match for my strength. He needed me unfocused and sloppy. He thought it would lead me to make a mistake, but he was wrong.
Seeing him there with my mate did fuel my rage, but it also reminded me of what was at stake. I had to be careful. I had to be smart. I had to get Shade out of this no matter what it cost me. I growled, looking over her as she struggled against his grip. She seemed weak, like she could barely stand on her own two feet.
I tried to reach her through the mind-link, and while I could feel her presence, something was blocking me from contacting her.
Wolfsbane.They drugged her so she couldn’t shift.
“Is this what you’re looking for, Alpha Caelan,” Huxley taunted, twirling a thick strand of her hair around his finger and bringing it to his nose.
I snarled as he inhaled her scent, taking another step toward them. He grabbed her by the throat and squeezed, making me stop in my tracks. I knew he wouldn’t kill her. She was far too valuable to him. But I didn’t want him to hurt her either.
“Uh-uh,” he warned. “I’m afraid it’s not going to bethateasy.” I watched as he licked her neck, my hackles rising as I saw red.I’m going to tear him limb from limb.
He tossed her into the arms of two waiting guards who dragged her back inside.
“No! Caelan!” she screamed, and it took everything I had not to run to her side.
