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DAMON

“ I s that the last of the ingredients?” Sasha asked her warriors.

They nodded.

“Good. Mash them into fine particles.”

The moonlight bathed the warriors’ faces in silver as they set about using a pommel to mash the ingredients Rick said he’d used to enter the realm. I stood by Sasha’s side. My warriors and sentinels behind me, awaiting my orders.

“Are you sure this will work?” Alpha Ryan asked me.

The male werewolf had brought with him his pack’s best warriors and sentinels to join in the fight. Tonight we would wage war on the Dark Fae, to end the evil persuasion used against Werekind and to stop the murdering of the humans.

“Yes,” I replied. “Our rogues informed us of this method used during interrogation.”

“How are we to know that your rogue was telling the truth?” a wolf sentinel asked. “What if the rogue bear had said such to lead us into a trap?”

The Silverfang pack murmured in an undulating manner. They exchanged concerned looks.

I squared my shoulders. “You’ll just have to trust us.”

“All of us.” Sasha pressed closer into my side. “For my pack and I, we believe in Alpha Damon.”

Alpha Ryan met Sasha’s bright gaze for several heartbeats. Then he turned to his warriors that held various ingredients. “You heard Alpha Damon. Start grinding up those ingredients.”

The wolves bowed their heads in unison. “Yes, Alpha.”

I nudged Sasha in the side. She looked up at me.

“Stay close to me.” I stared down into her eyes.

A scowl creased her face. “I’m not a pup. I can take care of myself.”

The image of Rick in bear form lunging for Sasha, pinning her to the earth after he’d shattered her shield, sprang to mind like a dark fog. My bear roared in protest, protective instinct was riding us hard. I opened my mouth, intent on reminding her of her need for help, when I paused.

Shit…

Sasha was a capable female. One who had had her inner wolf robbed since birth by someone in league with the Dark Fae. Of course, she’d need to fight—need to stand on her own during this battle. This was her chance for vengeance. And I would not rob her of it.

I bit my tongue and gave a jerky nod.

Sasha smiled. She pushed onto her tiptoes and gave me a kiss. Drawing away, she said, “I know how much this is costing you and your bear. I love you more for letting me be my own woman.”

I swept a hand down her hip, closed my eyes, stooping down and kissed her brow for a long moment. “Be careful.”

Sasha nodded, nuzzling into my neck. “I will. I’ll always come back to you.”

“Okay, we’ve completed grinding the ingredients,” one of the latent warriors said.

Sasha and I broke apart after a reluctant pause. I glanced at the warrior. If I recalled, his name was Bruno. A male built like a tank and an expert sharpshooter—his sniper’s rifle was slung over his back, a handgun at his side.

“Spread all the ingredients on the ground.” I allowed my gaze to rove over the packs.

“Pour them into a pile. Here…” I pointed at a spot in front of me.

One by one, warriors came up and placed the ingredients on the ground.

Once we finished, they created a small pile about ankle-high on the hard ground.

I glanced at my mate. She stood nearby, whispering to her siblings.

Perhaps urging them to be safe in battle.

After squeezing their shoulders one last time, she drew by my side once more.

We stood, waiting, watching the pile. Seconds passed, yet nothing happened.

By the time a full minute passed, a knot of concern twisted my insides.

Sasha gnawed on her lower lip, and an expression of uncertainty pooled off the weres in waves.

A brilliant light flared in the air before us.

I threw up my hand against the harsh glare.

I observed the weres and latents around me hissing in protest against the light.

Then it faded to reveal a swirling vortex.

The whirlwind rippled and dissipated to reveal a portal—a barren wasteland visible on the other side.

Murmurs of surprise rose from our battle party.

“That’s it,” Sasha whispered. “That’s the Fae Realm.”

I clenched my jaw, the hairs on my arms lifting. Danger permeated the air. I faced my clan, as well as Sasha and Alpha Ryan. “Let’s enter. Remember to keep your wits about you. Should the enemy appear, you must engage.”

The packs shouted their agreement and stepped forward.

I faced the portal. Sasha reached out and grasped my hand in hers.

I looked at her. She flashed a confident grin, but I could read a touch of uncertainty in her eyes.

I squeezed her hand and flashed a reassuring smile.

Then we stepped through the portal, leading our packs into the unknown.

A sucking sensation seized my body, tugging at my limbs, as if I was struggling through a pool of a gelatin substance.

Then the ground gave way. The disorientation left my brain in a jumbled mess, causing me to crash onto the ground with a thud.

After shaking my head, I pushed myself to my knees. Sasha lay sprawled beside me.

“Sasha!” I rushed to her side, gripping her shoulders. As I pulled her into my arms, I could hear her heartbeat quicken. “Are you okay?”

She blinked up at me in a daze, shaking her head. “I’m fine, Damon.”

I glanced around the desert. Werewolves, werebears, and latents lay sprawled and stunned, as they tried to gain their bearings.

We had fallen from some height, but where?

I peeked up. The portal was still a swirling mass above our heads.

My eyes widened as it shrank until it winked out and disappeared into nothingness.

A piercing noise split the air like a siren going off.

I winced against the assault on my eardrums. In an instant, I jumped to my feet, with Sasha standing up beside me.

I whipped my head around, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound.

My bear peeled back its upper lip, exposing deadly fangs.

He sensed the danger that lurked nearby.

My eyes snagged on a growing mass that crept across the desert.

No, not a mass. Armored men. I narrowed my eyes, my vision sharpening.

Pale figures raced toward us, their numbers in the hundreds.

Silver armored plating shielded their body.

But what was apparent beyond that was the slanted point of their ears.

Dark Fae.

“Dark Fae,” I announced. “They’re coming!”

A violent war cry erupted from the Dark Fae that crested over the sandy ridge.

The screams amassed together, the sound like that of thunder.

Their speed almost matched the Werekind as they flew across the ground.

Swords gleamed in the silver light of the two moons that hung in the unusual violet tinged inky sky.

“Attack!” Sasha cried. Her arm shot out, finger pointing at the enemy advancing.

Wolves and bears alike moved into action with liquid speed.

Flares of light flashed as weres shifted to reveal wolves and bears in place of humans.

They shook their pelts, adjusting to the shift, and then tore across the desert.

All around me, wolves and bears launched past as they charged toward the Dark Fae.

I closed my eyes and called on my bear. Light burst around me, like a firework display.

Fur sprang across my skin. Every cell in my body screamed, neurons misfiring as the shift took hold.

My skeletal frame contorted, face pulling taut to reveal a broad muzzle.

My spine abruptly snapped. I dropped to all fours, massive paws sprouting into place.

As fast as the shift had taken hold, it was over.

With a powerful leap, I stood on my hind paws and bellowed a defiant roar.

Sasha threw her head back, a keening howl tearing from her throat.

Light shimmered out of my periphery. I turned, my eyes widening in astonishment.

Sasha had called forth her wolf, constructed out of light.

Waves of light and energy rippled from its body like a flickering flame.

The wolf sank to its belly and Sasha swung onto its back, her thighs bracketing its flanks.

The wolf rose to its full height. Sasha’s head whirled to me.

She gave a quick nod, battle ready—her eyes blazing, white light bleeding from her scleras.

As I fell back onto all fours, the ground trembled beneath me, adding to the intensity of my charge.

Beside me raced Sasha’s light wolf, the ethereal beast matching my pace.

Ahead, Dark Fae and Werekind collided. Wolves leaped into the air, pouncing on the Dark Fae and forcing them to the ground.

Bears rammed into the fae, sending them flying.

My attention zeroed in on a pair of Dark Fae, their intense gazes locked on Sasha and me.

They rocketed toward us, long hair whipping in the wind, faces twisted in anger.

The Dark Fae leaped into the air, spinning, their swords slashing out in an arc.

I ducked as the blade came within inches of my head—the air crackling with dark power.

In a swift and menacing motion, the Dark Fae dropped to a crouch, their sharp claws poised to pierce through my chest. With quick reflexes, I veered to the left, using the momentum to crash my head into his side, propelling him into the air.

He hit the ground hard in a plume of dust. A glance to my right showed Sasha holding her own against another fae.

He shot dark bolts from his palm that burned the ground upon impact.

Sasha and her wolf evaded every burst, springing side to side as they advanced.

With a swift movement, the wolf leaped into the opening, its fangs finding their target as it sank them into the fae’s armor, shaking her head with force.

The sound of a blade slicing through the air pricked my ears.

I pivoted in time to see the other fae having recovered—his sword swinging down.

I sprang back. The sword hit the ground where I once was, dark flames flaring from the ground.

The intensity of the heat was so extreme that it transformed the sand into a glistening mirror.

I slashed out with a paw, raking wicked claws across the Dark Fae’s body.

Deep gauges cut through the armor, violet hued blood spurting in its place.

The fae’s eyes widened in shock, blood trickling from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground in a spreading puddle of crimson.

I spun around, intent on helping Sasha battle the remaining fae. He lay, head bent at an odd angle. Deep puncture marks ripped holes into his armor, blood oozing through the seams.

You okay? Sasha's voice sounded inside my head.

I nodded, my mind touching hers. Yes.

A Dark Fae sprang up behind Sasha, appearing like an apparition. His sword swung down.

Sasha, look out! My mind screamed.

She whirled around, catching sight of the fae’s attack.

Her wolf bucked Sasha off over her head.

Sasha hit the ground, rolling before springing up.

The blade passed through the wolf to the sand, leaving the wolf’s translucent body unscathed.

The wolf snarled, sinking her fangs into the fae and tossing him aside.

Sasha turned and gave her lighted wolf a grateful smile.

A moan bellowed from my right. I whirled around.

I could hear Amber’s desperate cries for help as five Dark Fae closed in on her, the blood from her shoulder wound staining the ground.

She struck with a clawed paw, but a sword blocked her attack.

Another fae shot bolts at her, making her limbs spasm.

I went to move, then halted, sparing a glance at my mate.

Sasha and her wolf confronted two Dark Fae in a fierce fight.

She sprang into the air, swinging her leg, her boot connecting with a Dark Fae’s head, sending him crashing to the ground.

She dropped to the ground and shot me a quick glance over her shoulder. Her eyes swung to Amber.

“Go,” Sasha yelled at me. “She needs you!”

I gritted my teeth. Indecision raging within my body.

“Damon!” Sasha growled.

She can handle herself. She’s more than capable, I reminded myself.

I shifted my focus and dashed to Amber’s rescue, moving away from Sasha.

The sensation of my body tearing apart—tendon by tendon—overwhelmed me after I left my mate’s side.

I charged through the Dark Fae surrounding Amber and positioned myself beside my beta.

T-Thanks… I heard Sasha’s voice through our bond.

I nodded, my gaze remaining on the threat. Despite Amber’s injuries, the two of us handled the Dark Fae, leaving bodies scattered around our feet.

As alpha, I opened my mind and my thoughts reverberated through the pack, causing a low growl to escape my lips. The Dark Fae came from that castle in the distance. If we manage to breach the fae line, we will finally reach the Dark Lord and bring an end to this!

A chorus of agreement touched my mind. Around me, I could hear the thundering steps as we pushed closer to the castle.

Wolves barreled past Dark Fae, biting and clawing all that flanked them.

The bears charged, their thunderous footsteps creating a tunnel of open space as they plowed through the fae.

The Dark Fae shouted commands. Their efforts to strengthen the line increased as they slashed and lanced through the Werekind with their swords and dark power. I rose onto my hind paws between the fighting, head whipping about as I searched for Sasha.

It was as if she had disappeared into thin air.