You’re back, Olivia.

I hear Selene. I look, and in front of me stands a beautiful Ares. I remember the last time we were side to side, Ares was still larger than Selene. But today, we’re undoubtedly the same size: two magnificent wolves together. I am almost certain I can see a smile on his wolf’s face, and his eyes glow with desire.

I think our mate likes our new appearance.

Selene giggles as she says that. Thus she raises her left front paw, and I can see silver-gray fluff on it.

You did it, Selene. You are… you.

I wish I could get out of our body to take a full watch on us. For sure, we won’t be unnoticed when we shift from now on.

The silver fur that covers my wolf’s body is almost glittering under the sun. I imagine Selene and me wearing our new coat under the moon.

We did it, Olivia. You did a great job, facing things. I’m proud to be your wolf.

Selene’s words sincerely warm my heart.

Ares comes closer and skims his muzzle against Selene’s neck before he licks her face. Suddenly, sounds of cracking bones resonate as Alec materializes naked in front of us.

Damn, I made sure to disappear, but I understand why you enjoy sex with him. If he’s as gifted as Ares, we are twice lucky.

Selene adds, indecent thoughts filling her mind. Or, I should say, our mind.

Then, it hits me. That’s the thing they were doing while Alec and I were with Moon-Goddess.

I didn’t need to know, Selene. I don’t want to know about you and Ares. Damn, that’s gross.

Well, in fact, that’s not gross. I mean, I assume Alec and I are not gross, so they aren’t. But, damn, I’ve never considered about our wolves being intimate… I don’t want to think about our wolves doing their business.

Let’s make a deal. Everyone cares about their own business. I’ll make sure we shift and give Ares and you some privacy and tell Ares to… stay away from Alec and I’s privacy. Deal?

I declare to Selene.

Deal, Olivia.

Selene laughs wildly. She stops as Alec walks closer to stroke her head.

“You’re beautiful, Selene,” Alec says. Then I look at his green eyes. The desire that could be seen in Ares’ eyes is replaced with admiration.

Time for me to go, Olivia. Take care of our mate. I won’t be far if you need me.

I feel like Selene is flying away from our wolf’s body. My bones crack to allow me to turn back to my human form.

I shiver as the wind whips my unclothed body. Alec embraces me, and within seconds, one of Alec’s men comes with two large plaids.

“Thanks, Taylor,” Alec says. Taylor nods before he moves away.

“We need to go back inside the prison, Alec,” I whisper in his ear.

“Let’s go, little wolf,” he says before bussing my forehead. He takes me in his arms and walks us to the prison building.

As we reach the first security door, Alec puts me down. I bite my thumb so I can unlock the door with my blood.

Alec walks to the elevator, but I take him to the other end of the corridor. Then we enter a room.

There are weapons and some of our warriors’ outfits.

Alec does not need to open his mouth for me to understand that he did not expect us to be so well-weaponed. Once again, people are ignorant of how good at war we could be if someone dared to endanger us. He walks a few steps inside the room, and a simple peek at his eyes is enough for me to apprehend that he wants to learn more about our pack. I smile gently at him and come closer to him, my hands wrapping around his neck before pecking his lips.

“I love having you naked under a plaid, but I prefer it in our room, Alec,” I say with a smirk. I let go of him and open some lockers with clothes in them. We search for some pants and T-shirts that fit Alec, although he is taller than most of the wolves in this pack. Then I move to the locker that stands in a corner and quickly put on the clothes.

“Personal locker. Alphuna’s privilege,” I tell him, a smile on my face.

“We really need to talk about this Alphuna thing, Olivia. You realize you can’t be your pack’s Alphuna anymore, right?” he asks, spreading his arms for me to hug him.

“We’ll talk about me abdicating from my title when I’m marked, Prince Alexander. Let me enjoy this while I still have to play the unmarked mate, please?” I answer, my chin against his torso and my eyes fixing his.

“It fits you pretty well, by the way, your Highness,” I say, passing my hand under his T-shirt to touch his abs.

Alec grabs my butt to lift me before kissing my lips slowly. Then he puts me down, and he takes a step back.

“You are a pretty badass princess,” he says. Next, he leans so his mouth is near my ear.

“Though, I absolutely prefer you naked in our room,” he whispers.

I roll my eyes and intertwined his hand with mine.

“Then, let’s end this so we have free time to relish each other nakedness, Alexander Grayson,” I proclaim.

At least, I’m sure I will notice if he stops being attracted to my body.

Not even in your dreams, Liv.

I hear his voice in my head. I glance at him.

Remember, Ares marked Selene. We can feel the emotions of one another better. It’s not as strong as when I’ll mark you, but it will do the job.

I nod silently and call the elevator, as we are already in front of the door.

As it opens, we walk in, and I press the button to return to the interrogation room.

“You’re ready, Alec?” I ask him as the door is about to open.

“Always, as long as it is with you,” he answers, tightening his grip on my hand. As the door opens, the wolfbane fragrance fills my nose, and I perceive Alec’s uneasiness in my guts. Yet, the bond between us is definitely more potent.

Damn, I’m not sure I want to experience it when we have this human marking ceremony. I don’t know how I will be able to hide anything from my mate when it happens.

“Why would you want to hide things from me?” Alec questions me. I let go of his hand and look at him with an ‘are-you-fucking-kidding-me’ expression on my face.

“Forget about it,” he whispers.

As soon as Elijah sees me, he rushes toward me. Alec lessens his grip, and I bounce in my brother’s arms.

“You scared me, Liv. I thought we would not stop you this time,” Eli says, holding me almost too firmly.

I free myself before I look at him.

“This time?” I ask, not understanding what other times he refers to. I had no silver wolf maturing inside me before.

“Let’s talk about that later,” Alec says as he finishes hugging Jackson. As I don’t blink, hoping for more information, he mentally lets me know he will explain later.

As I look around, I notice that Eva, Caleb, and the prisoner are gone. The blood on the ground and broken things in the cell are the only signs of the previous events.

I get back to Alec’s side and he hugs me.

“It’s okay, Liv. You didn’t kill him.” Alec kisses my cheek to ease me.

“Yeah, he is in a cell, resting like some peaceful baby. I’m not sure he is longing to see you again, but well, you know, making friends with rogues can be difficult,” Eli mocks me.

I stick out my tongue, and Eli does the same. Jackson laughs as he sees us while Alec sighs.

“Fine, kiddos. You’ll play your twin things later, as we have a more serious matter to deal with for now,” Alec says, intertwining his left hand with mine.

Jackson and Elijah stare at us, waiting for more details.

“We have six days to discover who are the people who attack us to kidnap me and put an end to it. Easy-peasy,” I say.

None of the two boys facing Alec and I seem to know how to answer what I just revealed.

“So maybe we could start with some comments and ideas?” I suggest, moving my hand in front of the boys.

“Why would someone want to abduct you, Liv?” my brother asks.

“I mean, the attacks started in other packs before the rogues came to us,” Elijah adds.

“Because of the gray wolves,” Alec and I answer simultaneously. Alec tightens my hand as nervousness grows inside me.

“How could they have known there was a gray wolf in this pack? Olivia had not shifted yet when we arrived. We suspected she was special only when she shifted, then when her fur started to change,” Jackson adds.

“They want Alec dead,” I say. As I speak that, Alec lets go of my hand to join Jackson and Eli and front me.

“What do you mean, they want me dead? Why didn’t you tell me?” Alec asks me. Even if his voice stays calm, I can feel he is getting angry.

“I was about to kill the man who told me one of their reasons….” I answer.

“That’s the reason I lost control. He told me they wanted you dead. Or at least not the both of us together. As if he had heard many different versions of a plan. Like if there was a plan because I am your mate. He never mentioned the fact I was a gray wolf,” I explain.

“I don’t think he really knows what a gray wolf is. He only follows orders. He is a pawn in a bigger game than he acknowledges,” Alec says.

“What do you think the Moon-Goddess wants us to do with Selene’s real nature? Do we show the world? Do we hide it?” Alec asks, completely forgetting about my brother and his best friend.

“Moon-Goddess?” Elijah questions, looking at me.

“Like?” Eli shows the roof of the room with his left index.

“Yes, Eli, like the Moon-Goddess of the stories. This exact one,” I answer.

“Alec and I met her earlier while Selene and Ares were… occupied.” As I say that, the lusty thoughts of Selene come back to my mind. I turn to Alec, and my own mind turns totally wild about my mate. It’s not a necessity to touch him. Instead, I’m craving for him.

Alec comes closer, kissing my forehead before he looks at the boys again.

“Olivia had already met her, in fact. She kept the secret,” Alec says.

“I’m not the only one keeping secret,” I grumble.

“You did well hiding that you knew I was a gray wolf. I won’t mention the fact that you forgot to tell me about MY pregnancy. So don’t mention secrets like I’m the only one not playing fair,” I shout at him.

“You know you’re pregnant?” Jackson and Eli ask together.

“Of course, why would….” I don’t complete my sentence as I acknowledge Elijah is not surprised about the announcement.

“You knew?” I say, moving closer to my brother.

“Elijah Thomas Evans. You knew I was pregnant, and you did not tell me?” I ask him, growling at him. As I move toward him, he takes a few steps back.

“Well. We wanted to protect you and the baby as we were uncertain how Amber could react after all she’s done until now.” As he says that, Jackson pinches his nose and sighs.

“What do you mean ‘all that Amber has done until now’, Elijah?” I notice my brother gulps and peeks hurriedly at my mate.

I turn to Alec, and I don’t have to see my eyes to perceive that something is actually scary in them because Alec comes close to me to hug me and rub my back.

“She was not supposed to be here. She came against my father’s orders. However, we decided to keep her here because we suspect she is planning something. We just don’t know if she wants to make sure we break up and reject each other, or if she is part of the attacks. As I have no evidence, I wanted her around to be sure she was not doing some stupid things,” Alec answers, still caressing my back, so I don’t turn into an enraged wolf.

“If I had told you, you would have acted nice with her, and she would have suspected something. So that’s why I kept you in the distance. And also because you were very impulsive, and I was scared, you could kill her, and we could have missed information. That’s also why I avoided conversations about our work. This way, I did not have to lie to you,” Alec answers calmly, almost murmuring.

His ideas were not bad. Even so, it was stupid. I was trained to be an Alpha and to play my parts in order to avoid conflicts. I could have dealt with her and played stupid. She seems to be good at playing stupid, so if she can, I can.

“Of course. But I didn’t know you as I do now. And then, I learned you were pregnant, and I didn’t want either you or our baby to be harmed. I’ve never cared about anyone as I do about you,” he adds. Can’t he stop that, for his own sake?

“Ares and Selene’s business, Olivia. We’ll have to work on how to stop that before I mark you, or you gonna make me turn nuts,” he adds, laughing.

“Ares and Selene marked each other. Moon-Goddess said it was okay,” Alec says, as Jackson and Elijah scrutinize him, dumb-founded.

“Okay, and I suppose you’re not planning on marking Olivia now, as I don’t see any mark on her, and knowing you, you must have a good reason not to do it when you’ve been talking about it every day since you’ve met her….” Jackson says to Alec.

As Alec nods, I move my head to look at him.

“You wanted to mark me?” I ask him.

“Of course, little wolf. Ares told me again and again not to do so. He told me that when it was time, he would let me know, but he did not give me any more explanations. Just a few more days, and I promise you will be marked, Olivia,” Alec answers. I stand on tiptoes to kiss Alec’s lips.

“Then let’s end this, Alec. Let our enemies taste their own medicine,” I say, resting my head on Alec’s torso.

“And how do we do that?” Elijah asks.

“Like we did until now. We don’t change things. Except for this time, we’re all in this together. Liv and Elijah know the place perfectly and will manage to make sure we can make our moves together without being noticed. You and I have been used to planning things together since we were kids. We’re the perfect team,” Alec says to Jackson.

“I want Eva to be part of our plan. She knows about my pregnancy, and Selene trusts her. I will need her help, eventually,” I say.

“And I will need Caleb. He considers Olivia and me like his own siblings. He would give his life to protect Olivia,” Elijah adds. I nod as the doubt in Alec’s mind reaches my own body. I’m definitely not the only one who needs to learn how to handle our stronger bond.

“We also need Sam with us,” Eli and I say in unison.

“Sam knows everything about everyone for sure. And he will be a perfect pair for Eva to schedule whatever we need to plan,” I say.

“I trust him with my life,” I add.

And our babies’ lives.

Alec does not argue. The fact I trust Sam with my babies’ lives is enough for him to appreciate that I’m sure about Sam’s loyalty.

“Jackson, you will deal with Eva. Elijah, you’ll make your part by letting Sam learn about everything you know,” Alec orders.

“Olivia and I will deal with the ‘complicated love story’ part to find who are the wolves among the lambs.” If my babies’ lives were not endangered by the current situation, I would probably have laughed at the comparison.

But right now, there is only one thing coming to my mind. A considerable blood thirst is slowly growing inside me.

The last act of the play starts today, and the only thing sure about the ending is that it will end with blood.

A lot of blood as we start a wild game of survival.