We sat in a circle in Hunter’s roof garden. In the snow.

It had been three days, and Easton told us to bring what we chose to sacrifice to the roof. It had to be worth something equal to what we were asking. It was also, coincidentally, the same amount of time that Sophia gave Hunter to leave us, but she still hadn’t arrived. I was hoping someone had knocked some sense into her head.

For some reason, Easton insisted we do this outside. So here we were, in the cold. Like crazy people.

At least there was a fire; we’d lit his outdoor brick fire pit and it burned bright, warming me. Avery sat next to me, a scowl on his face and I squeezed his hand gently.

Christian was on the other side of Avery, leaning protectively against him and I wondered if he was using his Jedi mental tricks to soothe him. Easton sat across the fire from me, his look confident. He had another pair of glasses on and it made him look so damn sexy.

Hunter sat on the other side of me with his knee pressed into my thigh. Earlier he’d attempted to talk to me again about Sophia’s offer but I held him off, even though he just wanted to talk about it. I just couldn’t deal with the thought of losing him. I wouldn’t let him be my sacrificial lamb.

Now every time he looked at me, his eyes held mine for a moment and I knew he was trying to tell me something. I wanted to put my fingers in my ears and sing, la la la la. I wouldn’t give him a chance to be brave.

Easton had explained that using magic was both a blessing and a burden. It was never free from consequences, whether good or bad. The best way to use it was to exchange it for something fair. An atonement of sorts.

A lot of times, the exchange has been paid when an artifact is created. When you learn how to use a specific item, you wield the power of the sacrifice already given. But, some things require more. A new sacrifice.

Easton was certain that it wasn’t necessary to use a powerful spell, so we wouldn’t be required to sacrifice blood. Just an item that meant something to us.

And that something wasn’t going to be Hunter; I was determined.

Easton held his hand towards me. “Give me the book.”

I gingerly passed it to Hunter, who passed it to him. Easton flipped through it, mumbling words I couldn’t understand out loud as he studied the pages. Then he stopped and pressed his hand to one page. ‘Reformation of that which is lost.’”

He looked up. “Okay, everyone,” Easton continued. “Put your thing in the fire.”

Christian threw a red sash in the fire. “It’s from when I met the Dalai Lama, and means a lot to me.” His eyes were soft as he looked up at me. “He changed my life. But I’ll do this for you. And for the book, and the Queen.”

“Thank you.”

Hunter hesitated for a second, then he threw in a piece of paper. “It’s a poem from the only girlfriend I ever liked.” He smirked. “She wrote it to me in third grade.” I grinned.

Then Easton grumpily threw a black cartridge into the fire. “It’s my very first video game.” He sighed, his eyes glazing over the fire as he watched it melt.

Then Avery pulled a locket of hair from his pocket and kissed it. It was Mia’s. I was impressed with his sacrifice and almost thought it too much. But he’d insisted. He threw it into the fire without saying a word.

I pulled out a bag under my knees. I hadn’t told anyone about my sacrifice because I was a little bit embarrassed about it.

I didn’t have anything to give, really. Except my mother’s necklace and that was too much. I would never give that up.

So what I decided on was the red bra that Avery bought me that first day. To me, it was symbolic of my beginning with the guys, as well as Avery being able to move on emotionally from Mia.

It was the first hint that I could have anything more beyond Aaron, that they could see me as a sexual being, instead of the weak wolf who couldn’t shift. And that was important to me. My femininity and sexuality was something I valued.

But throwing a bra into the fire was still kind of embarrassing - so I’d wrapped it in a paper bag I’d found and threw it in the fire, not explaining. The guys shot me a curious look but didn’t ask any questions.

Then Easton held the book up to the light so he could read it. He cleared his throat and began to read. I didn’t understand anything he said, but his voice moved like magic around me. I closed my eyes, feeling the caress of his voice as it weaved in and through me, wrapping me up in its promises. My necklace warmed the space between my breasts and its magic pulsed through me.

Suddenly, the fire burned hotter and I opened my eyes. It was a strong blaze that reached up far into the sky. We all scooted back and watched it burn.

Then all eyes were on the book, which sat in Easton’s lap, unchanged.

We all jumped as a loud banging came from Hunter’s apartment door and I locked eyes with him. Had Sophia really sent someone to collect him?

Ignoring the door, I looked at Easton. “What’s going on? Nothing’s happened to the book”

He frowned, then moved his finger along the words to the spell. “Maybe the sacrifices weren’t enough.” He looked up and his eyes expressed regret. “I think we need to sacrifice something stronger.”

“What? Easton, you said this wasn’t a big deal.”

Hunter was touching my arm but I shrugged him off.

“I’m sorry. It’s hard to understand their meaning sometimes. And the words even change. It’s not an exact science and I didn’t expect it to need something so strong. It’s a book, for heaven’s sake.”

Avery frowned. “A freaking magical book that’s tied to the Queen.”

I sighed loudly. “It’s okay. He didn’t know, none of us did. In fact, this is on me. I was warned that I needed to take this more seriously.”

“I’m sorry, guys.” He looked at Hunter. “I was hoping I could make it happen without anyone having to give up their life for it…”

We were all quiet, processing what he meant.

There was another knock; more insistent.

Then a wrenching jab stabbed me in the gut and I cried out. I leaned forward, as a wave of pain washed over me.

“Lizzy, are you okay?”

Suddenly, my whole body exploded in agony as the pain grew into a burning, raging fire, tearing through my insides. I gripped Avery’s knee. Hunter’s arms wrapped around me and he pulled me into his lap. His worried eyes stared into mine and I knew what he was going to say.

* * *

Pushing through the pain, I cried out. “If you say I told you so, I’m going to pour bleach into your shampoo.”

“Elizabeth.” He gripped me close, his voice low and in pain.

He thought that we hadn’t given enough and that I was suffering because of it.

He thought that he knew what we needed to do.

That he would be the sacrifice required.

“No! No way in hell.” I yelled this as I squished myself into a ball, trying to abate the burning in my stomach. It spread across my chest and into my hands and feet. “I need water!”

Hunter put his hands on my head and his healing power pushed through me; I relaxed for a moment. But I knew his healing was only temporary; it was still lingering in my stomach, a small rolling ball of fire and heat…

“Elizabeth! You’re turning green.” I looked at my hands; Avery was right. My skin was turning green and red blotchy spots spread up my arms. They were itchy as hell.

Christian’s anxious face moved over me. “What’s happening?”

Avery disappeared into Hunter’s apartment.

I looked over at Easton, scratching at my arms. “She told me not to cheat.” I thought about calling Ember or Liam; they’d given me their cell numbers before I left. But I couldn’t remember where I’d put it. I hadn’t expected to need it so soon.

Easton stood up and came over to me. “We didn’t cheat; we all sacrificed something.”

“But it wasn’t enough; you even said that yourself.”

“There are some guys at your door, Hunter. I told them to go away but they insisted on talking to you.” Avery sat next to me and began to rub a soothing lotion over my arms. I sighed in relief. It felt so good. But the burning in my stomach was growing again and I groaned.

Avery’s voice was desperate. “Easton, how do we fix this? It’s not going away.”

Easton’s finger flew over the page. “The words are changing.” He read them out loud. “Your success is determined by what you are willing to sacrifice for it. Those who sacrifice little gain little. Those who sacrifice much gain the desires of their heart. If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done. Beware those who take lightly this warning.”

Hunter growled. “Damnit, Easton.”

“It didn’t say that before. I told you, the words changed.”

The burning was moving towards my chest again and the itching at my arms was growing hot. I was burning from the inside and the outside. Avery was furiously rubbing lotion all over my hands and arms but it wasn’t working anymore.

Christian spoke up. “We have to do something. We can’t just let her suffer like this. What if it kills her?”

“Gah, you guys, dramatic much? This is nothing. I’m the fucking Fated Alpha. I’m stronger than Dumbledore. Ha. Poison smoison.”

Hunter tried to stand up but I wouldn’t let him go.

“No. There’s no way in hell.” I tried to smile but grit my teeth instead, trying to withstand the pain as I clung to him.

Even as his body was wrapped around mine protectively, his eyes were saying yes.

“Princess, you know this has to be done. There is no other way.”

I gripped him close, tighter than I’d ever held him before. “Don’t be like Gandalf. I mean, the dude didn’t even try. He just let himself go off that cliff. We’ll find another way. I’m not letting you go.” I held in the tears threatening to burst from my face. I wouldn’t let him go.

“Then it won’t be a true sacrifice. And you will suffer the punishment for what we did. I can’t allow that. Not again.”

“Shut up, Hunter. You don’t have to do this.”

“It may kill you if I don’t.”

“It will kill me if you do.”

He kissed my forehead. “Then I know it is the right thing.”

“But there has to be something else, something that I could give up.”

He held my cheeks in his hands, staring into my eyes intently. “You know this is the right thing. It’s been prophesied by the dragon gods. You are the one to fulfill the prophecy. I am to be the sacrificial lamb.”

“You’re delirious right now; I can’t understand a freaking thing you’re saying.” I cried, tears streaming down my face now because I was beginning to realize that this was going to happen and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

The pack always came first.

The Queen must survive to rule another day.

True Alphas give up what they want the most if it’s for the good of the pack.

But I still clutched to him, unwilling to admit to the truth. That he was right. That I must give him up, otherwise it wouldn’t be a sacrifice. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t give him up. I’d lost my parents and Aaron. I couldn’t lose him, too.

He traced my tears with his fingers, and then he pulled me close and his lips were enveloping mine. He kissed me so deeply, with such forcefulness that I could feel the raw fear he felt. He was afraid, too.

But Hunter, he was like me.

He knew that we were here to serve the pack.

That true leaders protected the pack above all else.

And yet, I clung to the lifeline that he gave me, wishing and hoping that it wasn’t real. That this was only a nightmare and that I would wake up in his bed with his arms around me.

But I couldn’t deny it; I knew in the core of my being that this was the truth. That he was my sacrifice. And it cut me open to the core.

His lips lingered on mine until I knew that he had made his decision. He was certain.

But he couldn’t do it alone; I had to be the one to make the decision, to suffer the loss. Otherwise he would go and all would be for nothing.

It had to be me.

His eyes were torn, not wanting to let me go but knowing that he would if I agreed.

I enveloped his lips in one last kiss, letting the heat rush through me, pulsing and throbbing and aching. Wrapping me with its intensity, holding me with its adoration. He gasped and then murmured in my ear, as his hands clung to my head, pressing me tighter to his chest. “You are my mate, Elizabeth. And I will never stop fighting for you.”

I nodded, and the power of my wolf roared through me possessively. “You are mine, Hunter. I will find a way to win you back.”

He nodded, and then I knew it was time. Delaying it any longer would only make things worse.

And so.

I let him go.

A mixture of fear and confusion swirled in his eyes and it broke my heart to see it, to feel it. But then he nodded and his eyes became fearless in his decision, his body steady and sure. He took one final glance at me before pushing his healing power into me, and then Avery’s arms were around me and Hunter was turning away from me.

“Hunter.” Easton stood up to face him. “Don’t do this, we can find a different way.”

Hunter frowned. “Look at her, I have to do something.”

He didn’t say goodbye to anyone else, or wait for them to react. The air shimmered around him and Hunter flew into the air: the most glorious dragon and warrior I’d ever known, honor-bound to his Queen and his love for me.

* * *

I dragged myself to Hunter’s apartment and as soon as I entered, I was bombarded with questions from Riley. I could only stare at her as she screamed at me, at the guys, for letting him go and to get those guys at the door the hell out of here. She was right. Of course she was.

Everything was my fault.

I’d dragged these guys into my world, what seemed to be never ending horrible losses and now they were becoming a part of that.

Easton pulled her into his arms and I passed by them in a daze.

Hunter hated Sophia. And now, he was going to live with her for the rest of his life. For me, for the Kingdom. I didn’t deserve that kind of loyalty, and yet, he’d given it willingly.

I laid on Hunter’s bed, sobbing and clutching my stomach. The burning was beginning to subside but the ache in my heart, in my soul, was more excruciating. I wet his pillow with my tears, wishing I’d been braver. Wishing I’d been stronger to tell him no.

No. It was too much.

Forget me, forget the rest of the guys. Hunter was going to have to live with that woman. No matter the magic of the bonding power; how could she ever make him happy?

He was too loyal, too giving, to fierce in his love. She did not deserve him.

I climbed under his covers and the smell of him wrapped around my senses. Gripping my hand to my stomach, I determined that I would give myself this one night.

One night of sadness, one night of heartbroken melancholy. And then I would be brave. For the guys. For Hunter. And I would fix that stuupid book, no matter what.

The bed moved and then Avery’s arms surrounded me. I nuzzled back into his arms, feeling the warming heat from his body. He didn’t say anything, just stroked my hand with his thumb. Then Easton slid in on the other side of me and I put my arm around his chest, feeling his slow and steady heartbeat against my wrist.

I looked up and saw that Christian was easing into the bed next with Traitor tucked under his arm. I reached across Avery to squeeze Christian’s hand and to give Traitor a gentle rub. She shimmied out of Christian’s arms and pranced to the top of the bed to settle down: the queen of us all.

I pulled the covers over all of us, feeling the warmth of my guys surround me, knowing that it would never be the same without Hunter but at least I still had them.

* * *

I awoke the next morning with an aching feeling in my stomach but feeling more determined than ever to fix this. To fix the book and then go after Hunter. There was no way I was going to take this lying down.

I shimmied down the bed so as not to disturb the rest of the guys. Traitor was sleeping on Easton’s head and his arm was thrown around the curve of her back. Christian had his arm around Avery and I stifled my giggle.

I tiptoed out of the room and rummaged through my bag to find new clothes. After dressing quickly and brushing my teeth, I steeled myself. Having clean clothes made me feel fresh and ready to take on the world.

I heard Riley’s shower running and I ate a banana and a muffin outside her door until I thought she was dressed. Then I knocked softly and peeked my head in. Her eyes were puffy and red and she sat on her bed looking at a picture of her family.

She looked up at me and a stabbing guilty sensation moved through my chest.

“Riley, I’m going to fix this. I promise.”

She nodded. “You’d better.”

“I will.” I turned to go but then looked back. “The guys are asleep; I’d like them to stay that way for now.”

She gave me a knowing look, then I softly shut her door.

The magic book was on the side table and I picked it up gently, along with a blanket, and went out to the roof garden.

The blast of cold made me breathe in sharply and I wrapped the blanket around me tight. I lit the fire again and sat next to it.

The page Easton was reading from was marked and I gently moved the pages to find it. Many of the pages were scorched black, the words to the spells burnt off. Others were eaten by the acid of the lake. A sadness pulsed from the book. I could swear that the book was alive and had feelings. And right now it was heartbroken.

I felt sorry and somber that because of me, the ancient relic had been degraded to this state.

I turned the pages determinedly; I would fix this.

I found the marked page and studied the words. Well, I wouldn’t call them words. They were more like symbols. It reminded me of the elven symbols in the hobbit books.

Dang it. How was I going to make this work?

I closed my eyes and thought of my conversation with the Queen. She’d said that I had the power within me; I just had to figure out how to use it. I settled the book in my lap and breathed in and out deeply. I used Christian’s techniques to delve deeper into my mind, trying to find my core.

I knew I could do this. I slowed my breathing. There was a bird calling. The morning was still; most people were still asleep. I could barely feel the tendrils of the sun beginning to warm my face.

Finally, my mind began to calm itself and I called to my wolf to protect and guide me.

And she answered.

I was a descendent of the Goddess Luna, one of the most powerful magical beings. I had magic in my blood. I was magic.

The necklace grew warm.

I opened my eyes and the words shimmered and twisted, and then they were readable.

I thought of Hunter, the sacrifice that he’d given, that I’d given, to give him up. And then I read the words out loud.

The fire roared again, just like last night and I stared at the book, willing it to mend itself. Then a heaviness pressed against me and I was knocked back by a magical force. I passed out and the vision came to me.

The book was real; it was a living thing, and I had destroyed it by using it carelessly. The book held the secrets of the mages for centuries; secrets that were lost as shifters relied more on their shifter abilities instead of the true magic within them. The magic connected to Queen Aria had been passed down to her by her mother, who received it from her father. Their magic was as old as time, passed through the generations.

It weaved through the time like an intricately woven tapestry. But someone was on the other end, pulling a string. It was an evil that was growing, and it was seeping through the tapestry like a dark oily stain, destroying it.

I had to fix the book.

I had to save the Queen.

And I had to sacrifice everything.