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His snarl is so loud in my head it vibrates my teeth. He rips the memory away. My wolf roars, but there is nothing he or I can do. We both watch in pain as he dissolves the memory right before my eyes.

The way she looked when I stroked into her, the desperation and love in her eyes as she spoke those words to me. Even the way her mouth opened on a silent scream as she came all around me. All those sharp memories gone in seconds. It’s like the night never happened.

Suddenly, all around me, I hear the cries of pain from my pack mates.

“All of you mutha fuckers need to kneel before me,” Markis shouts.

I drop to my knees no matter how hard I try to fight it.

“Stop it,” Marley pleads. “Make him stop, Chikae.”

I notice she is the only one among us that is not in pain and still standing.

“Quiet, sister,” one of the guys with Markis sneers. From the way he looks at Marley, it’s clear he does not like her.

I try to reach out to Chayton, but the connection is blocked. It’s like a wall is between us.

“Markis,” her voice cuts through the night like a whip.

The immediate relief from having that bastard in my head is incredible. When I turn to find my mate, she’s walking toward us with a crying Liz.

“What the fuck?” Chayton says beside me.

“What are you doing?”I try to reach Michaela, but she’s blocking me.

Marley starts to cry. Her small body shaking with tears.

“Wife,” Markis sneers. “I have something for you?” he shoves the young boy to the ground at his feet.

“I’m sorry, Zani. I should’ve—”

“Quiet,” Michaela snaps down at the boy. She looks back up at Markis. “Took you long enough. You’re falling off. I left the spy for you to find.”

The kid gasps as if he’s shocked. My mind is trying to come to terms with what’s playing out in front of me. Did she play us all along?

“No,”my wolf growls.“She wouldn’t.”

Markis laughs. “So, you wanted me to find you?” he cuts his eyes to me.

“Of course. Why do you think I left him behind?”

The vampire stares at Michaela long and hard before a smile spread over his face. “I knew you were still mine. Do you see this?” he turns to his followers. “I told you; Mizani will always belong to me.” This time, he looks back at me.

“What have you brought me?” Markis asks, looking over Liz.

Michaela lifts her chin. “I found your fey key.”

This time my heart nearly stops beating. I knew what they had planned to do with that key. I try to stand, making it halfway to my feet before that heavy weight presses me back down.

“Stay down, dog,” Markis sneers. He presses so hard against my brain I almost black out.

Marley screams.

“Focus, Markis.” Michaela says with an unbothered tone. The pain in my head recedes, allowing me a reprieve.

“You’re right,” he says. “Bring the key.” He turns his back to her.

“No,” she replies. “We finish this now.”