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CHAPTER TWELVE

M y heart seemed to stop as awareness prickled through me.

All eyes locked on the dark red drop of blood, now perfectly still—sitting on the map over one place that my pack all knew too damn well.

The vampire queen’s mansion near town.

The very one we’d walked through, slept in, and strategized in with Raven and the queen.

Kendric swore under his breath. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Are you saying they kidnapped the witch moments before Ember, Ryker, and Raven arrived at her cottage and brought her to the mansion while we were there ?” Briar’s voice cracked.

Reid leaned closer, his face paling. “She was right fucking there. And we didn’t know.”

A cold shudder crawled down my spine.

The magnitude of the vampires’ betrayal still hadn’t hit completely because this crushing new sensation all over my body made me want to drop to my knees. The mixture of both Ryker’s and my emotions were overwhelming.

The vampire queen had completely fooled us. Even my wolf had paced inside her walls and hadn’t sensed a thing. Queen Ambrosia had managed to pull the wool over our eyes perfectly. But some things still didn’t make sense.

When we’d left the second witch’s house after discovering that this witch had vanished, Raven had been attacked with us. She’d even been injured... But then a knot formed in my stomach. Maybe they’d hurt her so we wouldn’t be any wiser. What else were they capable of?

“They’ve been ten steps ahead of us this entire time.” Gage clenched his hands. “And we just walked in and made ourselves comfortable.”

“And now we know why the attacks were so precise.” Xander shook his head. “We actually told them exactly what we were going to do.”

My chest tightened. “We didn’t just miss the signs with Raven. We trusted her. We gave her everything she needed to plan the vampires’ next move.”

Ryker’s fists trembled at his sides. His rage coursed through me, icy and volcanic all at once. He stepped closer to the map and stared at the blood. “This time, they won’t see us coming.” His voice was low and lethal.

“They staged the attack on the royals and your pack and drew you away so it would appear as if you were guilty.” Reid wrinkled his nose, and the lines in his face deepened. “None of us trusted you anymore, and they leveraged it to get you to go to them.”

“They played us all,” Bruce growled. “Every single one of us. I even believed Raven for a minute.”

“At least…” Briar hesitated, her gaze flicking to me, then to Ryker. “They don’t know how the barrier works. Despite there not being one active now, they don’t know that we can’t just materialize one when needed.”

I laughed, the sound raw and hollow. “ We don’t even know how the barrier works, but some of the guards are preoccupied thinking it’s still active. They want to figure it out.” I glanced out the window. The sun had set, and it was now that shadowy time between night and day. Twilight seemed to blanket us, and for some reason, it made me feel more unsteady. “But we do know it’s the only reason we’re still standing.”

Reid ran a hand down his face. “That’s a problem. We can’t rely on it. None of it comes from us.”

The warm magic in my blood increased in temperature, similarly to how it reacted when the strange man was near.

What are you thinking about? Ryker linked. Your emotions just changed, and I can’t tell what or why.

Of course he’d notice. I now sensed every small change within him, and our fated-mate bond was way more intense than my alpha bond with Briar had been when I’d had it. If I hadn’t experienced being an alpha for a short time and gotten used to sensing heightened emotions, I would’ve been more disturbed. I believe that the strange man is creating the barrier. Every time the barrier happens, it’s like a part of me responds to him.

Cold tendrils of fear shrank the bond while the greasy feel of jealousy caked over it. Ryker replied, I’m going to kill this guy.

It’s not like that, Ryker. I’m not attracted to the man whatsoever. His presence just feels familiar, and for some reason, he’s protecting us.

“I’m just glad whatever happened is keeping some of the vampire guards distracted,” Bruce muttered. “They’re scrambling to figure it out too.”

I didn’t have time to reassure Ryker. He could feel how much I loved him and should feel my dedication. I shouldn’t have to explain that my feelings toward the stranger weren’t even close to romantic.

“And we suspect they’re trying to determine why Ember can see them,” Ryker added, focusing back on the conversation. He took a step away from me as hurt blossomed through our bond.

Bruce focused on the map. “Then we don’t give them time to figure it out. We move fast, before they realize what we’re planning.”

“Agreed,” Reid said, leaning against Sun. “With the number of lives they took and the change in alphas, they won’t expect us to strike this quickly, especially since I was so severely injured.”

Ryker nodded. “We can’t take everyone. A smaller group has a better chance of leaving here undetected.”

“Do you have any idea where on the property she is?” Reid asked. “You’re the only ones who’ve been inside the vampire mansion for any substantial length of time.”

“I do.” The corner of Kendric’s eyes tightened. “I know exactly where they would keep her. It’s a prison on the same property, about a half mile from the main house. It’s in the western quadrant, below ground, cut into the rock.”

“Is that where they took Felix?” I remembered the night when I’d been attacked by a former human Queen Ambrosia’s son had turned into a vampire. She’d punished her son in front of everyone on a livestream for committing the heinous crime.

Lifting a brow, Bruce inhaled deeply. "You think they’d keep a witch in the same cell block as a rogue vampire?"

Kendric nodded. "That prison was built to contain supernatural threats, not just vampires. If she’s dangerous, that’s where she’d be. No windows. No light. Reinforced walls. Raven said the witches protected it from the inside out with wards."

“Damn witches,” Gage spat. “The goddess just needs to kick—”

“Witch here.” Cassi spun around and glared, turning her back to the map. “I just helped you locate a witch and now will help you with some of the wards, so a little bit of respect would be nice.”

“You have a spell to get through wards?” Sun tilted her head back.

“Most of the time, when wards are done by witches against their will, they have a workaround for others of our kind to get through them. It recognizes our witch magic and will let us in. That doesn’t mean that we’ll get around any security inside, but if I go with you, I can cast my magic out to cover you as we enter and shield you from harm before we see what’s inside.”

“Wait.” Briar lifted a hand. “I thought you said that your magic can impact fated-mate bonds.”

Cassi placed a hand on her heart. “I won’t mess with any bonds—I’ll merely extend my magic like I might do during any sort of normal spell, like encouraging rain for the plants and such.”

Reid studied her, and unease lined his face. “You’re confident you won’t mess with our fated-mate connections?”

Cassi straightened. “I swear not to mess with any bonds of any sort.”

“Then we should go before sunrise to help avoid detection.” Ryker rubbed the cut on his palm. “I say the group here goes, and if Reid isn’t well enough, then he can have one of his pack members replace him.”

Reid straightened. “I’m going. I’m not sitting this one out. Not when my pack has suffered losses and needs time to heal. I’m the alpha, and the responsibility falls on my shoulders. I need to see this through.”

“Reid—” Sun started, but he raised a hand.

“My pack will survive a few hours without me. What everyone here needs more than anything is closure—and this witch might have the answers to stop this from ever happening again. If I’m not willing to go, then I have no business asking one of my pack members to take my place.”

“Fine. But Reid, it won’t do us any good if you wind up being a liability,” Ryker said and moved to stand beside me.

“Then that means we need to put more ointment on you, eat a huge meal, and get some sleep,” Sun said with a scowl and tugged Reid toward the door. “Because, if you can’t walk normally in the morning, you’re not going anywhere. I don’t give a damn if you’re my alpha or not. I refuse to let you head into danger like that.”

Gage snorted. “I can see how Cassi might have thought Ember would pass as his mate. That’s something she’d say.”

Deep, threatening growls came from both Ryker and Sun just as Xander smacked him upside his head.

“You fucking dumbass.” Xander’s voice strained, and I wasn’t sure if it was from anger, surprise, or trying not to laugh.

Ryker’s eyes glowed and landed on Gage as I stepped between them to redirect the conversation.

“We don’t have time to waste energy now.” I lifted my chin, allowing my wolf to surge forward so they could feel my power. Even if I wasn’t the official alpha of our pack, I had a strong wolf, and they’d know it. “We need to conserve ourselves and rest. All of us are tired, stressed, and still in mourning for all the people we’ve lost.” I then linked to Gage, I know you were teasing, but no more of that. Not right now.

Fine. He sighed. But I still think it was funny.

Not helping. I pressed my lips into a firm line so there was no mistake that I didn’t find it humorous.

“She’s right, but I swear to Fate that if you make a joke like that again, I will kill you with my bare hands.” Ryker bared his teeth, letting every ounce of his anger show. “Let’s meet outside Reid’s house an hour before sunrise.”

“I’ll have a few more pack members run perimeter tonight so we have a clear idea of where the vampires are by searching for faint wolf shifter scents by the time we leave.” Reid went to the door, moving slowly with his cane.

“I’m going to head back to the house with the others,” Bruce said and followed the Blackwoods. “I’ll try to bring one additional person with me in the morning, but I can’t risk more than that right now.”

“Understood.” Ryker sighed. “We’ve all been pushed to the limits.”

As the others filed out under the night sky, our pack was left alone.

For a moment we all stood there in silence, finally able to breathe, processing everything that we’d learned and decided.

Xander moved first, crossing to the fridge like a man on a mission. “I’m starving. Let’s see if there’s anything edible in this damn place.”

He pulled it open and whistled low. “Well, look at that. We’ve got a stack of raw steaks. Someone must’ve thought about us eating.”

Gage peered over his shoulder. “Hell yes. Let’s throw them on the grill just long enough to warm the edges. I’m starving.”

“Rare and bloody,” Kendric added, stretching with a groan. “Only way it should be.”

“I’ll get the fire going.” Xander opened a few of the old wooden cabinet doors, found the plates, and took one. He filled it up with the raw meat and went out the front door, opening it with his elbow.

The rest of the guys headed outside, the screen door creaking and snapping behind them as they stepped into the fading twilight.

Ryker stayed by my side, his eyes locked on the door.

Go with them, I linked, kissing his cheek. I enjoyed the rough prickles of his scruff against my lips. You need some time alone with them to reconnect after that misunderstanding.

He sighed and rolled his eyes. That’s your nice way of saying mistake, isn’t it?

I smirked. However you want to take it. But go. I need some time with my sister.

Fine, but only because I won’t be gone long and we’ll have the night to cuddle.

He kissed my lips and then headed out the door as I headed to the small pantry in the corner of the kitchen. The room was bare, but I hoped to find the ingredients to bake something sweet. I missed working in the local bakery. I needed to do something normal, completely separate from blood and war.

My fingers landed on a dusty box of chocolate cupcake mix, half a bag of flour, and a few other basics.

Briar came to my side, her eyes catching the box in my hand. “Really? Cupcakes?”

“It’s the only remotely comforting thing I’ve seen in this whole house.” I gave her a tired smile. “Want to help?”

She began searching the cabinets until she found a mixing bowl, mixer, and measuring cups. “Let’s bake.”

We moved around the kitchen, falling into an easy rhythm like we used to at home. Briar cracked the eggs while I melted the butter, and for a little while, things felt almost normal.

“Feels weird,” she murmured, stirring the batter. “Being here. Laughing a little. Knowing we’re going back into hell in a few hours.”

“I know.” I leaned against the counter beside her. “But I think that’s the point. We hold on to whatever bits of peace we can… even if they’re small and soft and covered in chocolate.”

She smiled. “I’m glad I’m here with you. No matter what happens next.”

I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Me too.”

The scent of sizzling meat drifted in from outside, mixing with the warm chocolate filling the kitchen. The guys’ laughter—deep and raw—floated through the open window. It was the sound of worn-down protectors trying to remember who they were before all of this.

When the cupcakes were done and the meat had been pulled off the grill, we sat together around the scratched dining table. Plates were loaded, and laughter mixed with low conversation. No one talked about battle. Or loss. Or betrayal.

We were just a pack, enjoying a meal and feeling like things could be normal again… at least for a little while.

Later, when the dishes were stacked and the house had gone still, Ryker pulled me into his arms and led me back to our room.

He didn’t speak as we climbed into bed, didn’t loosen his hold as I curled against him.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he whispered into my hair. “Not again. Not ever.”

There was no stench of lie because he meant it. But even I knew that it was a foolish promise to make. The one thing I’d learned was that there were no guarantees of tomorrow. A hard lesson I’d had to accept ever since I’d lost my childhood pack.

Still, with Ryker’s arms wrapped tight around me and his heartbeat steady against my cheek, I let the weight of the day fall away. Sleep came quickly, but even in dreams, I sensed him protecting me like a life vest in a sinking boat.

* * *

Hands shook my shoulders gently, and I opened my eyes to find Ryker standing over me. His face was grim and set in determination. “It’s almost an hour before dawn—we need to get moving.”

I rolled out of bed carefully, letting out a ragged breath. “Let’s get this over with.”

We went into the living room and found the others waiting. As soon as they saw us, we all headed out the door, not needing to make a sound.

At the alpha house, Reid was leaning on the porch rail with no cane. Bruce flanked his right, arms crossed and face carved from stone, while Sun’s gaze kept darting around from the other side of her mate.

When we reached the bottom of his steps, Reid whispered, “The scouts say the vampires are on the eastern side of the property. If we move fast and cut around the western edge through the tree line, we’ll avoid their line of sight.”

“What about getting to the mansion?” Kendric asked. “We don’t have a vehicle. Vampires will notice if we take one.”

I grimaced. He was right.

The vampires might catch us if we didn’t take a vehicle, but the noise of one would alert them too. We’d been so focused on the mansion that we hadn’t considered a way out of Reid’s territory.

If there was something we could—

My stomach dropped. There was one answer. An answer that lodged in my throat, making it difficult to voice.