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Yelena

“You make the absolute best blueberry muffins. I don’t know how you do it. I’ve tried that recipe you gave me a dozen times, but they never turn out the right way. What’s your secret?” Luna Elizabeth teases, rinsing the old yellow mixing bowl.

My kitchen smells divine. For the last two hours, Elizabeth and I have been baking up a storm. We’ve made cookies, muffins, and even a pan of brownies.

I pinch off a piece of my muffin and stuff it in my mouth, savoring the sweet taste. “I don’t have any secrets, it’s just the recipe,” I laugh. My coffee cup is empty, so I get up from the table to refill it.

“Well, whatever you do, it’s delicious,” Elizabeth says fondly. “The boys will be so excited when they come in from the workshop.”

I smile and reach over to grab her coffee cup as well, refilling it at the same time.

She accepts the hot mug with a quiet thank you and I join her at the table.

This time with Elizabeth is so affirming.

Having her as my mother-in-law is more than I could ever ask for.

She makes me feel welcome and accepted, not only as Austin’s mate, but as their daughter by marriage.

Having the opportunity to have a mother figure in my life like this, sharing simple moments like cooking and visiting, warms my heart.

Austin has also seen an improvement in his relationship with his parents, and it gives me joy to watch him flourish like this.

He and his father have been hard at work making a dollhouse for Cleo in the old workshop.

Every weekend they are out there, carving small animal figurines and building the rooms.

It’s beautiful to watch them like this.

“Where is my little princess this morning?” Elizabeth asks, blowing on the hot liquid.

I hesitate for a second before remembering that Elizabeth and Malakai know all about Cleo’s Seer abilities.

“She’s training. We had a coven trainer come in. Her name is Aurelia. She’s supposed to be the best of the best. I want Cleo to have a full understanding of her capabilities and control over her powers. Before it’s too late.”

Elizabeth nods thoughtfully.

“A wise choice, to be sure. Callie used to refer to her abilities as her greatest blessing and the most wicked curse.”

My heart clenches again at the memory of Callie. How I wish that she could have been here for this, to help guide both me and my daughter.

I manage a watery smile. “Callie was so very wise,” I murmur.

Elizabeth lays a comforting hand on my shoulder. “She loved you, you know that,” she tells me, giving me a soft smile.

I nod and sniffle, taking a huge gulp of my coffee and burning my tongue.

I wince as the scalding liquid makes its way down my throat. Elizabeth gives me a sympathetic look as I set my mug down.

"I'm sure Cleo is in excellent hands with Aurelia," she says gently. "Cleo has a strength in her that reminds me so much of Callie. She will come into her own, in time."

I nod, hoping Elizabeth is right. My nerves over Cleo and her emerging abilities have been wearing on me.

A low, mournful howl suddenly echoes through the woods outside. Elizabeth and I exchange a glance.

"The boundary alarm," she murmurs. "There must be trespassers nearby."

I frown, standing up from the table. More howls sound, signaling our wolves to be on alert.

I know I’m supposed to stay inside, but I can’t, not when the two people I love most are out there. My wolf urges me forward. I can’t shake the feeling that I need to see Cleo. Immediately.

“I’m going to run out and check on Austin really fast,” I tell Elizabeth, already heading toward the door.

“They will come here when it’s safe,” she says, looking uneasy. “It’s probably a false alarm.”

I ignore her and step outside, making my way to the workshop along the side of the house.

The crisp autumn air hits my face as I jog down the leaf-strewn trail toward the workshop where Austin and Malakai are working. I need everything to be okay.

The howls are growing more urgent, putting me and my wolf on edge.

What if it's not a trespasser, but something worse? What about Cleo in the woods?

I walk faster, my breath coming out in little white puffs in the chilly air.

Moon Goddess, hear my plea. Protect my family, I pray.

The familiar sight of the workshop takes shape. Austin and Malakai are standing outside, both looking to the woods and talking quietly amongst themselves.

That feeling of unease creeps up my spine again.

Something is very wrong.

They both whirl around when I approach, Austin’s face immediately pinched with worry.

“Baby, why are you out here?” he asks, hurrying to my side. “The alarm has sounded. You need to be inside.”

Another howl rends the air, putting all of us on edge. It’s the signal for an attack.

“They’re assembling the guard to depend for a potential attack,” he says grimly. “I have to go.”

"Let me come with you this time," I beg, anxiety rising.

But he's already shaking his head. "I can't put you in danger, Yelena. Stay here."

“Father? Watch over her,” he asks.

“You have my word, son,” Malakai says solemnly.

Austin drops a swift kiss on my head and shifts in a flash, leaving me standing helpless in the yard of the workshop.

I watch helplessly as Austin bounds away, his massive black wolf already blending in with the shadows from the trees.

My heart hammers in my chest. I can’t just stand here while my mate and daughter are in danger. I can’t.

I start to follow Austin when a firm hand pulls me back.

“Let the guard handle this, Yelena,” Malakai rumbles. “You’ll only put yourself at risk.”

I try to wrench my arm away. “Malakai, please! Cleo is out there! Your granddaughter. We have to go get her.”

Malakai’s emerald eyes soften slightly, but his grip remains iron-tight around my arm.

“Your Alpha told you to stay put, Luna,” he says firmly.

I exhale sharply. “He did. But he also knows that I will do whatever it takes to protect my family,” I argue, slumping in frustration. “Can’t you understand that?”

His eyes flash and his grip on my arm loosens.

“I watched my son disappear into himself when he lost you the first time. I can’t watch that again,” he says softly. “You are his world.”

“Half of his world,” I correct him, looking out at the woods. “The other half is still out there. In danger.”

The urge to run headlong into the woods and not stop until I find Cleo is overwhelming. I need to have her in my arms. My wolf is anxious, and so am I.

Malakai curses and then, to my surprise, turns to me and grabs my shoulders.

“You will follow me every step of the way, do you understand?” he says fiercely. The echo of his days as my Alpha are evident in his words and his tone.

I nod vigorously. “Of course. All I want is to get Cleo and Aurelia to safety, and then I will be home and not leave until it’s safe.”

“Give me your word, Yelena,” Malakai orders. “Your word that you will stay where I can protect you.”

My stomach is in knots, but I nod my head. “You have my word.”

A piercing, agonized howl cuts through the air, making my blood run cold. Malakai and I exchange an alarmed look before he shifts into a massive gray wolf and takes off toward the sound.

I stand frozen for a moment before I shift into my own tawny wolf and take off after him

The howls continue to rend the air, sounding the alarm. I can't shake the ominous feeling settling over me. Soon, we are dashing through the woods. The branches whip my arms and face as I run.

I rely on my senses, urging my wolf to find Cleo and Aurelia. Before it’s too late.

The heavy, metallic scent of blood fills the air, and we both skid to a stop, sniffing. Slowly, Malakai picks his way through the underbrush, leading us toward a small outcropping of rocks. I follow until I hear a soft whimper.

Frantically, I look around for Cleo or some sign of life, but I see no one. I creep forward another ten feet, and the smell intensifies.

When I round the corner, behind an old rotting log, I almost fall over.

Aurelia lies motionless on the ground, covered in deep gashes. Her long pale hair is matted with dark blood. I shift back immediately and fall to the ground.

“Malakai!” I call out, reaching for her wrist to feel for her pulse. She’s alive. Barely.

Her wounds are extensive, and I know she will need the healers immediately in order to live. Malakai comes crashing through the trees, shifting back to kneel beside me.

“Watch her,” I order, “I need to find Cleo.”

Malakai gently places his hands on Aurelia’s wounds, trying to stem the flow of blood. She moans softly, her eyelids fluttering.

“Cleo!” I call out, searching the surrounding trees. “Sweetheart, can you hear me? You can come out. It’s safe.”

But the only answer is the distant howl of the wolves and the whistle of the wind in the trees. My panic starts low in my gut and travels up my chest.

“Cleo!” I call out, wringing my hands.

Aurelia gasps, and I whirl around to see her struggling to sit up.

“Hold on, Aurelia,” I murmur, “We’re going to get you help.”

“What happened?” Malakai asks, his green eyes flashing with worry.

Aurelia's breath comes in ragged gasps as she struggles to speak. "Attacked...took her..."

Rage and fear rip through me.

Cleo. Someone has taken my Cleo.

I bare my teeth, a snarl building in my throat. I will tear apart whoever did this. They will wish they were never born.

I shift to my wolf and sit, tilting my head back to howl my anger and rage, pouring out my pain into my howl.

When I’ve stopped, Malakai places a hand on my back. I growl, and he looks at me sternly.

“We will get her back. Austin will get her back,” he says firmly. “But Aurelia will die if we don’t get her back to the healers.”

I know he speaks the truth. But the idea of leaving where my daughter was last seen feels physically impossible.

My daughter is out there, taken by people who would harm her. My heart screams to keep searching and find her.

“Yelena. We must go. If they return to find you…” Malakai’s voice trails off. He doesn’t need to say it.

If the rival pack stole my daughter and me, they would be in the position to get Austin to give up whatever they wanted.

I huff and take off back toward home. I need to find Austin. Austin will get her back.

Be strong, Cleo , I think as I tear through the bushes and trees. We’re going to find you.