THE ALPHA'S FORSAKEN SECRET

's

h the still night, the chilly air stinging into my flesh. The weight of what we were about to confront crept in my chest like a sto

tonight-something vulnerable, almost like the man he once was before everything came apart. But there was also a wariness in his gaze t

to the left. My senses intensified, my body tight with eagerness. I felt J

is voice barely audible over the

r in the background-not this time. My children's lives were at risk, and i

his gaze darting between the shadows. I saw a glimmer of something in his expression-hesitation. It made me u

I questioned Jackson under my b

per. "Riley's been my Beta for years. Still, though...

ready. What did that say for the pack if even Jack

scuffling feet. My pulse shot, adrenaline pumping through me as several individuals came out o

ang out over the

s radiated a ferocious desire. He came at me, but I ducked under his stroke and dagger

utting through his own opponent with ease. But my heart dr

ll; it c

tle bundle in his arms slinking through t

and shot after them

one of sheer wrath. "Leav

ith all the speed I could generate. The renegade looked over his shoulder and our eyes l

the woodland. I trailed, the sound of my heart thum

o stop almost losing my footing. Blackthorn himself was the man facing me; he was

le Luna?" He teased, h

ightly and pushing aside my pat

, the sound frigid and sarcastic. Come right n

r him. Though I pushed myself to concentrate, panic tor

his smile expanding. "Drop the

"I have nothing

unging at me at pr

his hold. The sword sliced across skin and cloth, catching h

ur last meeting," he said, holding h

falling to the ground, the wind knocked me unconscious. Though I pushed myself to st

feet. The roar of paws and snapping trees as reinforcements arrived came next. B

ime was running out. Still, Ava, you need n

n to locate Caleb, I staggered onward. Though my eyesight blurred and m

underbrush and spotted Caleb curled up at the foot of a tree, his little body shaking wi

s okay, sweetheart," I s

shirt, he hung close by. Mommy

forehead firmly. They

over his face when he saw us, but there was also something deeper there-a

hy, he questione

my own voice was wobb

big breath and loo

evere than I meant. "This is not done. Black

re were blazing within. "We will then

Blackthorn was closer than ever and there was still a traitor among us. Th

be trusted. And I worried if Jackson would at last get what

t would split us before we eve

rayal would be far more. And shortly we will