7

The moon hung in the sky like a brilliant, oversized flashlight. Lila leaned her forehead against the window pane. It felt cool and soothing.

Peering into the illuminated night, she looked out onto the mountain in hopes of spotting Marcus and his pack approaching the castle. She’d had no word from Ben about the rescue Jasper and the werewolves were planning for her, but this would be the prime time for them to do it. She closed her eyes and tried to visualize Jasper in his wolf form as he raced through the woods with the pack, but the pain in her back wouldn’t allow her mind to focus.

Fearful of what was happening to her, she sent a telepathic message to Ben.

“Ben, can you hear me?”

He immediately responded with, “I’ve been trying to connect with you. What’s happening?”

“I feel funny,” she replied. “My back feels like someone is stabbing me with a butch