Leonora

Falcon had left us again. It had been a non-stop fight. This time the sun had disappeared, and the darkness had taken over. All the women wolf shifters and their babies were sent away for their protection with Gage and Charles to Creed, the elder of Kane’s pack. Charlotte had thought it was best. The ones who stayed with us had rested on and off, feeding early enough to have the strength for a battle.

Sending Falcon and Draco off had been a diversionary tactic by the Lamia. That I was certain of. Charlotte stayed in the bedroom with Marco and Speranza while I sat on pins and needles waiting for my mate to return. Are you okay?

Yes, my King. Are you well?

Yes, I am. Draco and I will be home soon. I believe they are running low on soldiers. Damn it, never mind. Call me if you need me. I love you, Nora.

Always be safe, Falcon.

I could hear the sirens just seconds later. Gideon and William flanked me. “Remember if this is out of control we call Falcon. Don’t hesitate.”

“I will. Trust me I’ve learned the hard way.”

I could hear the thoughts of ten humans. The rest must be vampires. I peeked through the window blinds and saw about thirty of them out there. In the front of the horde stood Stavros. I’d only been given a vague description of him. Typical Napoleon Complex. Most of the vampires that I saw were strong, well-built and handsome. This guy looked about as bad as Lord Grayson and he lost his mate. This guy just let the devil take his soul. There was no other way I could explain it. He had empty written all over him.

I smirked because that anger would be his doom.

They opened up in a blaze of bullets. “Fall back. We got this,” Gideon told the wolves. He and William opened the front door, then rushed around from the back, attacking the soldiers. One by one they were destroyed. As the bullets were spent, the wolves shifted, and the real fun began. Still standing in front of the house was Stavros before he shifted into a wolf. Fuck, he could pass for Kane’s wolf.

“Okay, come at me, Stavros, but so you’re aware…I am the cure. My blood takes away the darkness. Now, let’s dance.” I rushed at him while he stood there on all fours frozen with the implication. At the same time, I called for Falcon.

He’s here. We’re in battle.

Coming.

Stavros and I circled each other. I wasn’t afraid. He didn’t have the ability to disappear on me like Nero did. He had his back to the front door of the house. I lunged at him, but the fucker had other plans. He dashed inside. “Speranza,” I whispered. Rushing into the house, but it was blocked. Falcon appeared with Draco at my side. We couldn’t get through the door. It was locked. We slammed into the door, but nothing happened. We tried to teleport inside, but it was impenetrable. Fear struck us all. I turned my head.

“That bitch.” There was a woman staring at us. I didn’t know who she was, but her arms stretched out and her focus was on the door. I gasped, ready to dart at the bitch. My baby was in there and she wasn’t going to stop me.

“It’s his wife. She’s a witch?” Draco stammered. And to our surprise an unlikely ally came to our rescue, taking the witch down from behind. “Matthew,” Draco muttered. They tussled around while we teleported inside. Stavros stood in his full form stalking toward Charlotte and our babies. Our men went to attack, but we were quickly surrounded by more Lamian soldiers.

Falcon fought those around me. One reached for my throat with his hands, but I ducked and junk-punched him. He groaned, then tried to come at me with a knife. Falcon came up behind him and stabbed him first. “My King,” I murmured. He winked, then teleported behind me. The kids were still blocked off by Charlotte while Stavros stalked her. He was looking for a weak point, but I had a feeling that she was well aware of his next move. Then four large vampires jumped on Draco before he could teleport to her side. He was on the ground and that was crazy. But then something insane happened.  Charlotte shifted into a beautiful golden wolf. Everyone was stunned which gave Draco the time he needed to escape their clutches. She lunged at Stavros, tearing at his neck while Falcon pulled out his blade.

“Your envy is your failing. Goodbye, Stavros.” He plunged the twelve-inch dagger into Stavros’s heart. And Charlotte finished the job, tearing his head completely off and turning the leader of evil into dust. Charlotte shifted back into her normal form stark naked. Falcon turned his head, focusing on the danger outside. Draco gave her the deadliest glare and quickly whipped off his shirt and pulled it over her head.  

Falcon rushed to the edge of the room, then barked out, “You two stay inside here.” He teleported out, but Draco hesitated, staring at his mate for ten more seconds before disappearing. Setting Speranza down next to a calm Marco in their borrowed crib, I swiftly approached a stunned Charlotte and wrapped my arms around her. She sobbed on my shoulder and it broke my heart. I thought she was magnificent, but Draco was livid.