She went into the room timidly, carrying a tray with... well, tea. Riannon wantedto laughout loud, taking a mental note to not drink it. It was unlikely that the omega wouldtry to poison her now, but just the thought of consuming anything that her handstouched repulsed theAlpha.There was a possibility, of course, that in this lifetime Alice wouldn’t be workingfor the foxes yet. She wasn’t a part of the main team even back in her previouslife. But now Riannon kind of hoped that she had been recruited already. It wouldbe really helpful to them. The chances were high. Alice was pouring the tea into one of the cups when Riatook a quick glance at her. Ever since she saw the past, she had been wonderingwhat made the omega serve Roxy? Their pack was one of the best and lifeinside of it was comfortable foreveryone. On top of that, omegas were guaranteed protection at all times and itwas truly priceless in their cruel world. Maybe she had bigger ambitions than justserving tea to the higher-ranking wolves? Or maybe she needed money for somereason. Either way, they promised her something that corrupted her loyalty to thepack. And it couldn‘t be a coincidence that right now both her and Marcus hadchosen her pack and not Brayden’s. Ria also remembered that Alice had achosen mate who was just slightly higher in ranking than an omega andwondered if he was taking part in it. But she doubted that, considering what shewitnessed the girl doing with Marcus in the woods right before her death. Anotherproof thattrue mates ruled over chosen ones.They did their best to ignore her. Everybody took omegas for granted and,although Riannon hated to admit that and tried to know everyone in her pack, atmagic

times like this, she was one of them. This was what the fox king counted on. Andright now she had to play along. And so did Gideon. Daily new chapters incom“Ria, you are crazy if you think that I am letting you go with just six warriors,” thelycan king growled dominantly, and she caught herself thinking that it soundedhot.“We can’t take too many. If they see them, then Harper would be dead.” Riannonexplained calmly as Alice was placing a cup in front of her. “Don‘t worry, they arestrategic places. If we hide them there, no one will know. It’s next to impossible tosee them from the ground, so unless they come in a plane...” “This is not what I am worried about, and you know it,” he sighed, tapping hisfingers on the map. Ria was impressed by his acting skills. Gideon really did notgive out any drama school kid vibes. But on the other hand, he was a politicianjust like her. They had to act more“We already talked about it,” Riannon tried to sound firm and annoyed as Aliceplaced a cup of tea in front of her, grazing her eyes over the map. “Thank you,”she did not look at her asshe said that.“There is only one problem,” her mate chuckled, “I don‘t give a damn aboutHarper. I haven’t even seen her.. But you are my whole world. I am not risking myqueen.”“Of course you are not,” she fidgeted with the cup in her hands, “That’s why weare working on this plan.” “And it needs more warriors. Lycan warriors.” They stared at each other and itwas the worst part because she wanted to laugh since it reminded her of achildren’s game. But he didn’t even flinch and that gave her strength to go on aswell.

“Fine,” she groaned, “Bring your lycans, but I am bringing my warriors too. So,we‘ll bring six people each. I need to think of new places to position them.”“Whatever,” Gideon smirked, “Lycans are the fastest shifters. You can positionthem far away to avoid them being noticed and they will still be in place on timeat the first signal.” “Good to know,” she put the cup with tea away, pretending to look at the map.“Then I will place half of them here. And the other half... I need to think about itsome more.”They let Alice hear enough, not wanting it to be too unnatural. One thing was forsure, Castiel wasn’t an i***t. He would realise that something was off if hereceived full information about their plan. That would be very lucky even for thesly fox.Gideon refused the tea and Alice was stumbling with her tray.Daily new chapters in com “That would be all. Thank you.” Riannonsmiled at the girl charmingly and the latter even blushed a bit. Who could havethought that this little creature would be able to add aconite to people’s drinks? “Do you think she bought it?” Ria almost jumped when she heard Gideon’s voicein her head. But when the realisation settled, she smiled at him. It was the firsttime they used mind–linking, which was now possible due to their mating processbeing completed. It wasconvenient too, since no one would hear them now.“I hope so,” Riannon took another look at the map, “If she remembered at least afew ofthese places, then we’ll be able to take out their warriors one by one.”“Speaking of warriors,” the lycan looked at his watch and sighed, “We are almostlate for another show.”

they heard the sounds of approaching steps as Ash made the team run, Riannonprepared for a fight. It was lucky that both of them had enhanced hearing now.The lycan as a royal and Ria as a blessed wolf. She didn’t even have a chanceyet to test what she could do, but Onyxassured her that they were capable of many things. However, this wasn’t the timeto show off.Gideon was holding kick pads and she was hitting them with enthusiasm. But notwith her full force. “I just can’t do this anymore!” she groaned loudly, knowing that werewolf hearingwould be able to pick up on that.“Of course you can,” her mate said calmly, playing his part. “You just need time. Ithink this glowing thing exhausted you. You need time to restore properly.”“But we don’t have time!” she almost screamed, turning away from him in fakedesperation. “I need to be able to shift now and I can’t anymore! This ishappening all over again!”“Heard you,” Ash’s voice sounded in Riannon’s mind, “And I am sure thateveryone who was with me did too. What’s next?” “Take them away so that they think that you don’t want them to keep overhearingus,” The Alpha’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Then give them some free timeso that our mole can deliver the information.”“Will do.” Ash didn‘t ask any questions and in less than a second they could hearhiscommand given to the other wolves.The seeds were planted and now all they had to do was wait and hope that theywould

grow.When it got dark, the time came to say goodbye. Maya did not cry anymore. Shedid not cry when her brother’s body was brought to the centre of the clearing inthe woods, where all the funerals of their packs were held. She did not cry whenthey placed him on the pedestalmade of wood and stuffed with dry twigs.. It was a tradition to burn the bodies ofwerewolvesand it was considered that only after burning the wolf’s spirit is free and can starta new life in a new body, while the human goes to spend eternity next to theMoon Goddess.Dean was wrapped in white fabric soaked in inflammable liquid. It was hard forMaya that she couldn’t see his face. Maybe if she saw him, she would be able toshed another tear. But she couldn’t. It was as if she used the limit of her lifetimein just two days.Reid was hugging her from her back, hands locked protectively around his mate.He feltbrother almost broke her. And now all that she was thinking about was herrevenge.The lycan Beta was worried sick about her and he could feel her body going rigidwhen a few higher-ranking warriors brought out the torches.“Moon Goddess, accept his soul,” Maya whispered and Reid together witheveryone else present repeated the words right before the men touched thewhite fabric with the torches. The fire ignited momentarily, almost reaching theskies.

Nobody was saying anything. Werewolves did not like to talk. Instead, they hearda howl from one of the guards in the woods in his wolf form that was far awayfrom them now. And then another howl from the other side joined him. Everyonewho was guarding the pack that night was howling now. And it wasn’t a battle cryor a signal. It was a song of pain and loss that the pack shared tonight.Maya was watching her brother’s body burning when Riannon got closer to herand took her hand, entwining their fingers. She gave them a light squeeze ofsupport and her friend’s eyes glistened again. Yet not a single tear rolled downher cheek. Daily new chapters in comAsh joined them on the other side and placed his hand on his Beta’s shoulder buttook it away quickly as Reid growled at him. Gideon pulled Ria closer, whispering into her ear that everything was going to beokay. And while they watched the wild fire dancing before their eyes, she decidedto believe him.Finally, the flames were so high that it seemed like it was illuminating the wholeforest. And then it formed into the shape of a beautiful wolf’s head that let out itslast roar, joined by other members of the pack. The wolf dissipated into myriadsof tiny sparks and this was when everyone knew that it was officially over. Dean’swolf was going to be reborn. And Dean was probably already enjoying thecompany of the Moon Goddess, which was an honour on its own.“Sometimes I think that you traded my life for his,” Maya confessed when onlythe five of them were left standing in front of the fire.“No,” Ria looked at her team, “trust me, I didn’t. I don’t think that anyone couldsurvive the war that I have seen in the past.”“What do you mean?” Ash knitted his brows, clearly confused.“I am going to explain everything now,” Riannon sighed. It was the best place asthe sounds of crackling flames could cover for them.

The Alpha female was very carefully choosing her words as she told her storyfrom the very beginning, shocking Ash, who was the last person to find out abouteverything.. However,“This actually explains a lot.” The Gamma tried to stay rational,. “You were sochill about everything and you seemed to know things... How did you...?” “We‘ll talk about it another time,” Ria stopped him, “And right now I need you toknow what we are going to do tomorrow. It’s of the utmost significance now andeveryone should know what they have to do.”She told them the plan and their roles in it and everyone seemed fine with it toher relief. Only Gideon wasn’t saying a word, but she already knew that she hadhis full support.Daily new chapters in com “Anyway,” Maya decided to be the firstto leave. She did not want to see how omegas would be gathering Dean’s ashesto hand them to her. She had enough of conversations, “I think we all need agood night’s rest before tomorrow.”On the next day, Riannon was preparing for her first operation as an Alpha. Itwas both exciting and stressful. But she knew that she was going to do thissurrounded by the bestteam ever.She was wearing a tight-fitting black leather jacket with notched lapels andzipped cuffs,pairing it with black jeans and patent leather boots.“How do you manage to look like a general who is about to lead an army into abattle and the most elegant woman I have ever seen?” Gideon’s gaze travelledall over his mate.

“I will take that as a compliment,” his Queen looked at him with pride in her eyesand accepted the hand that he offered, “Shall we?” Brayden was already there, when they walked out of the mansion and seeing hisex-wife, he caught his breath. Was she always like that? So dazzling, beautifuland... refined? He knew that she was a perfect Luna, but right now just the sightof her made his heart clench.He had her by his side for years. And when the crazy teen love turned into anadult partnership, he started to take her for granted. He was always flatteredwhen people were complimenting his choice of wife. He loved listening to howeveryone praised them as a perfect couple. He loved the fact that he could relyon her. And he loved her as well... But he thought that she would always bethere. And when Roxy appeared in his life, he thought that she would forgive himthis little guilty pleasure because, in the long run, it wouldn’t change anythingbetween them. Daily new chapters in comBut now he was thinking more about Roxanne was gone...He spent the last day in agony trying to analyse everything that happened to him.He knew that he had ruined his marriage and he still regretted it even now. Butbefore that he was gone and... he didn’t feel like the world was ending. Hewanted her back for many reasons, but he wasn’t dying the way a true mateshould. And this made questions pop in his head one byone.Was Riannon right about her? And if she was, did he ruin his perfect marriagewith his perfect Luna for nothing? They were holding hands and he hated that. He hated the lycan king’s guts. Andwhen he saw how his Ri was looking at that man, it was breaking his heart.“Brayden,” Ria gave him a soft smile which did not mislead him. He knew her toowell and was aware that this was her business smile. Not the one that came from

her heart. “You areearly.”“I am sorry.” It still felt very strange to talk to her and know that she did not belongto him anymore. “I didn’t want to waste any time.”“It’s admirable how you want to save your fake mate,”Gideon chuckled, and theAlpha wolf inside Brayden wanted to get out. He used his whole strength not toreply to that.“It’s actually good that you are here,” Ria brough the attention back to herself,seeing how the two men glared at each other. “You do remember our deal, right?Today you do everything as I say.”“I am ready,” he nodded, “A deal is a deal.”“And do you remember that you owe me one?” his ex-wife tilted her head a bit.“Of course. I gave you my word.” He said and heard her snort to that. Shedefinitely wasn’t his biggest fan anymore.“Great,” Riannon forced another polite smile, “I will brief you on the plan in thecar. You are going with us.” Daily new chapters in com“But my people,” he tried to protest.“They are not going with us,” she smirked and his jaw twitched nervously, “But,don’t worry, Brayden, you will be safe with us. I give you my word now. Trust me,it’s worth more.”He had to swallow the hint and follow her and her new mate, hating everymoment of it. It helped a bit that during the car ride, Ria was telling him thedetails of her plan. He knew at oncethat she kept some things away from her, but he couldn‘t blame her.

By the time the car stopped, he had enough of watching how happy his ex wasnext to the lycan king. They weren’t provoking him or doing anythinginappropriate, but just the way they was deeply in love with that man. And hecouldn‘t like it or accept it no matter how hard hetried.They all got out of the car and went to the designated area. It was just a littleclearing in the woods. Nothing special. Riannon was still holding the lycan’s handand he couldn’t deal with that anymore.“It’s time for you to go,” Brayden tried to remind him, but at the next moment hefound a huge palm squeezing his neck and his legs not being able to touch theground as the lycan king growled loudly.NOTE: Sorry, the chapter came out long and I couldn’t break it into smaller parts.And yet again, I will ask you to name the chapter for me. I will also be postingRiannon’s black jacket to Marissa Gilbert’s Reading Circle group today. Don’tmiss it.