Liam

I stood at the packhouse's back door, secretly watching my mate. I chuckled as she tried to direct everyone to decorate the backyard as she envisioned it, without lifting a finger herself. I knew she'd eventually get up and help—it was impossible to stop her sometimes—but for now, she sat in a chair, handing out decorations and directing the few helpers I'd enlisted. She sent Azeron up a ladder to hang lights crisscrossing between the packhouse and the tent on the patio. I saw the irritation on his face as he repositioned them to her satisfaction.

A hand landed on my shoulder. "Your dad's looking for you again," Damien said. I turned.

"No," I said, knowing where this was going.

"Liam, maybe we should send the pups away. Our parents can watch them, and we can focus on Warwick," he reasoned.

"We can't send all the pack pups away. They're perfectly safe under our supervision."

"They were taken once," he pointed out.

"And they weren't supervised then. Plus, we weren't there. We won't let it happen again." As we spoke, Felix supervised them playing soccer on the lawn, far from Azalea's decorating project.

"I worry we're overextending ourselves watching the kids instead of focusing elsewhere," Damien said. I left for my office, feeling cooped up from recent stress. I wanted to let Gavin out for a stretch. This conversation had happened three times in two days, and I was done.

"Who's to say Warwick won't find them even if they're not here?" I argued.

"It's less likely," he countered.

"I disagree." I sat at my desk, hoping the conversation was over. Damien lingered.

"Please talk to Azalea. Lily agrees with me; we should let my parents take Delilah and Lucas away for now," he said.

"Fine," I said, knowing I wouldn't bring it up to my mate. My decision was final. Silence fell as I checked my email, avoiding further discussion.

"Azeron's fitting in nicely," he said, finally sitting on the couch. "His mate arrives tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, I think so. Azalea's much happier. Our bond isn't constantly angry anymore," I commented. He smiled. "What?"

"It's funny. She's so tiny and fragile, yet so capable and strong. It's probably good you tried to reject her. You both got a chance to grow."

"Yes, my heart-shattering rejection was for the best. You're getting soft. Maybe I should have Delilah train with Junior to toughen you up," I said, returning to my computer.

"I'm not soft," he said flatly.

"Sure you're not. How long was that pre-bedtime tea party last night?" I teased. I expected a response but got none. A minute later, I looked over, concerned I'd hurt his feelings. Damien stood with clenched fists, a glazed look in his eyes. "What?" I asked.

"Rogues on the eastern border," he snapped. We moved instantly.

"How many?"

"Too many."

"Shit! The kids, Azalea!" I said.

"On it." We separated at the stairs. I headed for the front door (the quickest route east), and Damien went out the back to alert Felix and Azeron.

I sprinted from the packhouse. "Ready?" I asked Gavin.

"Always," he growled as I shifted.

Azalea

"Little higher on the left," I directed the wolves hanging Missy and Maddox's banner. "That looks great."

Liam finally stopped looming, allowing me to stand and oversee the party setup. I rested my hand on my belly as they secured the banner. A baby foot swiftly attacked me.

"Ugh, little one, Momma's busy," I complained. Azeron glanced at me before returning to hanging lights.

"Now that most decorations are in place, let's set up the tables," I said brightly. I hated not helping, but at least I'd make Missy a cake afterward.

"Luna," Damien said, rushing from the packhouse. His face was tight with worry.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Rogues on the east border. We need to move everyone inside," he said.

"Wait, are you sure?"

"Better safe than sorry." I nodded. Azeron stood beside me. "Azeron, get Felix and Lacey, and help with the kids first," I instructed. He looked at me oddly.

"Luna…" he hesitated.

"Damien, are they close?" I asked. He hesitated.

"Not yet," he admitted. "Liam's heading that way. But there are many."

"Children first!" I said firmly. Damien nodded to Azeron, who ran toward Felix, who was watching the soccer game. I looked at Damien. "Those aren't just my children. Everyone needs to be brought inside. I'll handle it. Go help Liam." He turned to leave.

"Where's Missy?" Damien asked.

I paled. "She ran off with Maddox into the woods an hour ago! I have no idea what they're doing!" I frantically called her.

"Get everyone inside, then Felix can find them," Damien said, knowing he had to go.

"Okay," I said, listening to her phone ring endlessly. Missy's phone went to voicemail. I tried again; no answer. Felix, Lacey, and Azeron were herding the children toward the packhouse.

"Everyone inside!" I called to the confused wolves.

"Mommy, why can't we finish?" Leo asked, running up with Delilah and Junior.

"Sweety, we need to go inside for a bit, okay?"

"But why? We were winning!" Lacey knelt beside him.

"Let's go inside so your mom doesn't worry. Miss Marci and I can find us a snack," she said, distracting him. He pouted. I looked at Felix, watching his mate interact with Leo.

"Alright," he said, crossing his arms. She took his hand and led him inside, the other children following. Felix and Azeron lingered.

Once the children and other wolves were inside, I continued, "Don't scare the kids unless we have to." Azeron and Felix nodded. "Felix, I don't know where Missy and Maddox are, and she isn't answering her phone."

He frowned, but before he could respond, we heard growling and barking. Felix and Azeron spun around, ready to attack. Wolves rushed from the trees. Howls signaled the warriors' arrival. Austin and Jacob burst from the packhouse, shifting as they attacked the invaders.

Felix charged first. Azeron stepped back, shielding me, but keeping his eyes on the fight. "We need to get you inside!" Azeron yelled. I clutched my stomach as our warriors raced onto the lawn. Before Azeron could react, a grey wolf lunged, jaws open. Azeron, unshifted, grabbed the wolf by the neck, tackling him. They hit the ground, wrestling. I backed up slowly as the fighting drew closer. Azeron snapped the wolf's neck, but two more jumped on him.

Liam

"That was too easy. They fell too quickly!" I linked Damien. We surveyed the small massacre. These rogues were small and weak, lacking fighting ability beyond instinct. They were no match for us.

"Liam, they're at the packhouse. It was a diversion!" Damien linked me. He didn't wait for a response; he ran back to the packhouse.

Gavin growled. "That's twice!"

"I didn't expect the same tactic!" Gavin ignored me as we sprinted toward the packhouse. I prayed Felix and Azeron had gotten everyone to safety.

"Felix, what's happening?" I linked him. No response. I tried Azeron.

"Too many rogues. Everywhere," Azeron finally responded.

"Sir, they're overwhelming us in number, but not strength," Felix said.

"Sean, I want all patrols racing the borders! Everyone else to the packhouse!" I linked him.

"Already ordered, sir."

"Liam, I smell vampire," Felix said.

"What?" I roared. Gavin pushed us impossibly faster. We were near the packhouse.

Damien and I tore through the battlefield, stopping rogues. At the back, I saw Jacob, Austin, and Felix fighting multiple wolves. Azeron was on the patio, fighting human and wolf attackers in his human form. Numerous warriors were fighting, quickly dispatching attackers in both forms.

"Damien, keep some alive!" I linked him. He joined the fight. I sniffed the air, searching for the vampire. The scent was scattered, suggesting multiple vampires.

"Dad," my search was interrupted. Missy stood at the treeline, Maddox behind her. Terror was etched on her face.

"Maddox, get her out of here! Run and hide!" I commanded. He grabbed Missy and pulled her into the woods. "Get far from any wrong scents!"

Gavin growled angrily, moving us toward Azeron, searching for Azalea's scent. "Where is she?"

I barreled into two wolves, knocking them away from Azeron.

"Where's my mate?" I linked Azeron. He didn't answer immediately, his expression flinching as he fought. Gavin leapt at the man, snapping his neck.

"I was trying to get her inside when they attacked," he finally said. I sniffed the air.

"I can't smell her," I said.

"I know," he said solemnly. Gavin was about to snap.

"Where is my mate?" he roared. He attacked the remaining rogues, slaughtering them. We couldn't find her scent.

As the rogue numbers thinned, Damien linked me, "Lacey got the children and everyone to the safe room."

"Is Azalea there?"

A pause. "No."

"Check the packhouse now!" Gavin continued to fight until only a handful remained.

"Where's Little Mate?" he roared again. His panic mirrored mine.

"Packhouse, she has to be somewhere in the packhouse!"

We shifted before reaching the door. I dashed inside, looking frantically. Damien appeared from the stairs, ashamed.

"Where is she?" I demanded. I tried to pass him, thinking he'd found her upstairs. He grabbed my shoulders.

"Liam, she's not here. I think they took her."