Stone Of Severance

ered windows of Raymond's penthouse, carried on a cold wind that swept through the devastated room. Angela wiped blood- some

g bodies cooling among the wreckage of b

is side, slipping under his arm to help him upright. His wounds were healing-

stay here,

iture reduced to kindling, priceless paintings torn to shreds, bullet

n we go?"

ride Pack's safe house. It's underground, ou

doors. Angela's heart jumped. Raymond's

she whispered,

is head. "No. I

cal gear with wolf insignias on their shoulders. The tallest man steppe

ut respectful. "We came as soo

man she'd been fighting beside moments ago to something col

tly. He gestured to Ange

cked to her, asses

ts flickered ominously as they descended into the tower's underground levels. Angela's nerves thru

ed with doors open. Two more pack warriors stood gua

he window, eyes half-lidded. Angela sat beside him, feeling the warmth of his b

's seat. Tires screeched as the SUV

ain-streaked window. Her mind churned: the Nightfangs, the cur

asked softly, tu

eting her gaze. "I sho

h claw marks all ove

'm serious, Angela. You saved me back

shakily. "I'

here it rested on the seat between them. The heat o

yards until they turned onto a private road leading out of the city. The concrete jungle

in the front passenger seat tapped a code into a panel. The gate creaked open, revealing a wind

widened. "What

ond said softly. "The

te roof and thick stone walls. Warriors appeared from the shadows, armed and watc

caught his arm, glaring up at him.

ound low and rough

with

smoke mingled with the faint iron tang of blood. Angela took in the space: vaulted ceilings, a massiv

and Angela. Murmurs rose like a tide. A young woman stepped f

musical but laced with st

is head. "I'm here

a shifted uncomfortably under

saved our Alpha. You have our g

silver hair and kind eyes. She guided Raymond to a nearby room, promising

carrying an edge of concern. "Don't l

ered him away, leaving Ang

it forest. The storm had finally passed, leaving a hush over the

dark-haired woman stood at the edge of the hea

d after a moment. "Be

lied. "I guess yo

e human who saved our Alph

s laugh. "That's... not

plan for this life. But we live it. And now y

. "He said the Nightf

bluntly. "But they'll hav

aking into her chilled bones. Selena sat across from

," Selena said quie

ooked up

lena replied, eyes shadowed. "The curse doesn't ju

hard. "He told me

a believes if Raymond dies under the Blood Moon, our pack will collapse. That's

omach twist

cy ends-or is fulfilled-by the third e

fresh bandage wrapping his side, shirt unbuttoned at his collar

y?" he asked

room to meet him. "I sho

er cheek. His hand lingered, warm and cal

gh her chest. "Yo

hers. "You risked everything for me. That

iffened. Selena rose, eyes narrowing. "Scouts report Nightfangs gat

ashing gold. "They won't wait until th

d, fists clenched. "W

o hers. "Stay with me. I

t pounding. "I can

her skin. "You're brave, but you're

orm about to break. Angela's breath hitched. His eyes

reaking the moment. "Alpha,

elena. "Double the perimeter guards. Evacuate the younglings to the mountai

and disappeared into th

la. "You'll stay in my quar

but his eyes-fierce ye

she said

nd elegant, with dark wood paneling and thick rugs muffling their steps. A massive bed domi

ws and locked the doors. He finally slumped into a chair near

. Rain pattered on the roof overhead,

e the silence. "Tell

betrayed the Moon Goddess, breaking an ancient oath. She cursed our bloodline: every Alpha of the Pride Pa

enthralled and ho

pt everyone at arm's length, the curse couldn't touch them. But I

ing his hand. "You'r

ghtening around hers. "I don't