LYRIC **FLASHBACK 3 YEARS AGO” I slipped out the window, propelling myself down the six-story building. My feet hit the ground silently. I look left and right, up and down the alley, thankful there was no one to witness me descending down the brick wall. The bag crossed over my shoulder sat heavy. Not because of the gold chalice I stole, but because of the weight of our crime that sat heavily on my chest. One would think after doing this for the past two years, I would have grown accustomed to it. But I don’t think I ever would. My wolf, Note, hated it. Thought it was below an Alpha female to steal. However, it's what put a roof over mine and Lizzy's heads. Plus it kept us away from Miko’s wrath and his henchman Bram. Quickly I walked down the alley, staying hidden in the shadows until I came to the main street, where I had parked the rust bucket of a car I stole. I hopped in and started the car, the engine rumbling to life and a sigh of relief came out of me when the piece of cra

JONDA I came to in darkness, hands bound behind my back and mouth gagged. The effects of the drug the stranger smothered me with had left my brain feeling foggy and my body groggy. Even though I could hardly move, it still felt like a ten-ton weight was pinning me down. I couldn’t see, but I knew I was in a car, specifically in the trunk. The vehicle bounced over the road and I with it. I laid here for what seemed like hours, breathing through my nose, the smell of the exhaust making me want to hurl. Finally, the vehicle came to a stop, and I listened to the car door open, and slam shut. Then the trunk was being opened and light flooded through temporarily blinding me. A stark contrast to the freezing air that whips at my bare arms. I squinted against the bright sun and looked up at the figure who stuck a hand out and roughly grabbed me, dragging me from the trunk. I stumbled to stay upright and, on my feet. Tripping over when I was shoved forward. “Keep moving.” the stranger said.

MIKE I have my mate escorted up to the Alpha floor. When Lyric walks into the dining room all eyes are on her, especially my wolf’s. Duke howls in my head to move closer to his mate but I keep my feet grounded. Though my eyes wander over her, appreciating each and every curve on display under a pair of skintight leggings and a sports bra. Her long hair is tied into a ponytail and still reaches past the middle of her back. Her skin prickles with goosebumps and Rhett goes to offer her his sweater. A growl rips out of me, I whip off my t-shirt and shove it towards Lyric. “Put this on,” I commanded her. At first, she was hesitant to take it. I turn to Rhett, “Your scent has only just faded from her. Don’t touch her again.” I was surprised by my own jealousy, and I didn’t know if it was because of him and Jonda, or my wolf and I becoming possessive over our mate. Either way, I didn’t want Rhett’s scent on her again and I certainly didn’t trust him to be near another female of mine. Whe

MIKE “What the fuck is she doing here?” I say to myself, blocking out the banter between my father and Uncle Marcus. I watch the little thief make her way down the steps onto the main floor, accompanied by Rogue. Duke paces in my head, a low growl emitting from him. He doesn’t like the way our mate feels so comfortable with Rogue or the way they seem to easily converse. ‘Shut up!’ I chastise Duke, his jealous growl making my muscle bunch by pushing his feelings onto me. My father clamps his hand down on my shoulder and chuckles. “You have your work cut out for you today son,” He motions towards my mate with his head. “Oh, is that her?” Uncle Marcus asks and rubs his hands together. Fucker. Nothing stays a secret around here. If one of us knows, everyone knows. No doubt Lamia and Kellen spilled that the thief was my mate. Uncle Marcus and my father had stepped in and filled the father figure role when Kellen’s parents died. And when Kellen went missing for those few months and I w

LAMIA I could feel the waves of unease roll off Rhett and Mike as finished up the meeting. Each kingdom had devoted a handful of trackers and a unit of warriors that would be dedicated to tracking down Jonda and bringing her home safely. I meant every word I said when I called her family. She was the sister of Kellen’s mate. The chosen mate of my best friend and the supposed mate of Rhett who, for all intents and purposes, was a brother to me. I would be sending Rhett back MacTire and on his way he and his team would search for Jonda. Mike, well, he was a little upset that he wouldn’t be joining the search, but I had other plans for him. Finding Jonda was a priority. But we couldn’t just focus on her. Other things were happening. Things we could no longer ignore even if we all wanted to. Since meeting little Zane, knowing that he is Zane’s and part of me, I have been having dreams. Dreams of my time in captivity. Dreams of Ashe and dreams of words whispered to me in the dark. Word