l's

ng brightness that seemed to reflect the turbulence inside of me. Every choice seemed weighty, the weight of my obligation as Alpha thick on my shoulders

ntervened, his typically calm manner somewhat disrupted.

m, arms across my c

ression. "Seraphina,

ed a beat. "gone?"

Crowe," Raiden said, his voice slightly

ydia Crowe was notoriously erratic. Sending a lady still struggling to esta

ced the room. "I knew she

time for this. She has to be take

n right away. " assemble a grou

s obvious tension when I arrived with Raiden and a handful of my most reliable

ers to occupy points around the edge. My head spun with all the possibilities; Lydia's reputation preceded he

y and was very poorly lit. A few stray moonlight beams flickered across damaged windows on the

murmured via the headset I carried. "W

k straight, confronted Lydia. Lydia's eyes were acute, evaluating ever

marked, her voice consistent in spite of cir

to a smile. And what

nge directed on Lucian." We may see to it that he pays for

curiosity. And why ought I to believe you?

l; this is bigger." Like everyone else, Lucian has caus

ack of boxes. The room was still for a minute, h

A slight rustle then a shadow moving quic

o the earphones. Get ready for

through, sharp. "Got it

ee Lydia's eyes. "

Seraphina could reply. Lydia's eyes closed as she

company," Lydia re

ly to establish my presence. "L

epening with recognition. Kael Black

nued, my voice low and menacin

curing the exits and guaranteeing no more surprises. Un

ace pale but firm. "I thought I could trust you, "Lydia spat.

ing to do with trust. It speaks of survival. You will have to wor

ee the resolve stiffening. " fine. But

s not allow two mistakes to be repeated. Luc

t, pointed glance. "Alright." I'll help out. Re

as Lydia and Seraphina exchanged cautious looks. Though far from done, this was a pivo

relief and tiredness. You did good, I remarked, my voice

ter of sensitivity glancing throu

known. I am aware. Just keep in mind that b

t lay ahead as we left the warehouse. Though it had certain difficulties, Lydia's collaboration

riven, but she also possessed fragility that I had not before completely comprehended. She was st

Crescent Valley's fate as we advanced into the night. Though the road ahead was danger