Chapter 1

We returned to Madam Z's shop in grim silence, Evan's abduction a suffocating pall. As soon as we crossed the threshold, Madam Z looked up sharply, her dark eyes narrowing.

"What's happened?" Her gaze raked over my disheveled appearance, taking in the scorched fabric and the streaks of crimson staining Nathan's fur.

The words caught in my throat, choking me with their bitter truth. Nathan squeezed my hand, lending me his strength as he said grimly.

"The Order has him. They took Evan to force Clara's cooperation."

Madam Z's face contorted with rage and dismay. "Those vile curs. To strike at a mother's heart..." She trailed off, shaking her head as she paced in agitation.

Maude drifted closer, her ghostly form rippling with concern as she gestured toward me in silent inquiry.

"I'm all right," I managed to say hoarsely. "Just...tell me there's a way to get him back safely."

Madam Z stilled, her expression hardening into grim resolve. "Of course there is. We will rescue Evan. The Order has made their final mistake in daring to cross us." She strode toward her workbench, scooping up an array of esoteric components—shriveled herbs, glittering powders, and gemstones that seemed to glow with an inner light. "First, we must take precautions."

Sweeping the materials into a brass bowl, she began chanting in an ancient tongue, her voice rising and falling in a haunting cadence. Tendrils of fragrant smoke unfurled, swirling lazily through the air as Madam Z's words wove intricate patterns of power.

I knew exactly when the magic took hold, a subtle thrum resonating in my bones as invisible wards sprang into existence around us. Madam Z's protections would shield us from the Order's malign influence, at least for a time.

"There," she said, straightening with a weary sigh. "That should suffice to cloak our presence. Now...to retrieve young Evan."

Turning toward me, her expression was solemn yet determined. "I can craft a potion to dull his memories. Once we have him back, he need not be burdened by the knowledge of these events."

I opened my mouth to protest, to insist I couldn't hide the truth from my son, but Madam Z raised a hand, her dark eyes boring into mine.

"Clara, you know as well as I the dangers this path holds. To protect Evan fully, it might be best to let him return to the innocence of his life untainted by our war with the Order."

Her words carried bitter truth. As much as it pained me, shielding Evan's mind from the horrors he'd endured may be the greatest mercy.

"Do it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Whatever it takes to keep him safe."

Nodding solemnly, Madam Z turned and began gathering the requisite ingredients—shriveled mandrake roots, essence of willow bark, and a glittering vial of silvery powder that seemed to shimmer with an inner radiance.

As she worked, Nathan sidled closer, his expression a mix of concern and grim determination.

"Once we have Evan back, I'll have the pack keep watch over him," he said. "A few of our most discreet members can monitor him at the university, ensuring his safety without drawing undue attention."

I managed a weak smile, grateful for his steadfast support. "Thank you. Knowing he'll have guardians brings me comfort."

His calloused fingers found mine, squeezing gently as the ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. "Your family is my family."

The simple truth of his words wrapped around my heart. I leaned into him.

Madam Z's chanting rose in pitch, the air thrumming with a buildup of power. I watched in silence as she decanted the shimmering potion into a slender vial, its pale liquid swirling with pearlescent eddies.

"It is done," she said, voice ringing with solemn finality. "Once Evan has consumed this draught, the trauma of these events will be swept away like a night-haze before the dawn."

Cradling the vial with infinite care, I met her gaze with a silent nod of gratitude. A tear traced its way down my cheek as I clutched the potion to my breast, a physical manifestation of the anguish I felt at having to take such measures, but this was the path I had chosen—to walk in two worlds, straddling the divide between the mundane and the supernatural. If shielding my son's innocence was the cost of that power, then so be it.

I would pay any price, make any sacrifice, to keep Evan safe from the darkness that now reached out to claim us both.

THE LOCATOR SPELL THRUMMEDwith power, its arcane energies converging on a singular point—an abandoned industrial complex on the outskirts of the city. Madam Z's chanting rose to a crescendo as the ritual reached its apex, and an instant later, the world blurred around us.

When reality snapped back into focus, we found ourselves in a cavernous space, the air thick with the metallic tang of disused machinery. Shadowed alcoves yawned all around, and a pervasive chill seeped into my bones.

"This way." Madam Z's voice was a terse whisper as she gestured toward a dimly lit corridor branching off the main chamber. "I sense Evan's presence."

Exchanging grim looks with Nathan and Maude's ghostly form, I nodded and followed Zara's lead, heart pounding. Every nerve was burning with a heady cocktail of dread and fortitude. I would see my son safely returned, no matter the cost.

The shadows seemed to slither and twist as we advanced, as if the very darkness itself sensed our intrusion. Madam Z raised a warding hand, murmuring an incantation that caused faint witchlights to blossom around us, their pale radiance banishing the worst of the gloom.

A sound echoed from the depths ahead—a muffled shout, quickly stifled. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized Evan's voice, fear and rage coiling like icy serpents in my gut.

"Hurry." I broke into a sprint with Nathan loping at my side, his powerful strides easily keeping pace.

We hurtled around a corner and skidded to a halt, the scene before us causing my heart to plummet into my stomach.

Evan hung suspended in a shimmering cage of eldritch energy, his face pale and drawn as half a dozen black-clad mercenaries trained their weapons on him. At the center of the armed ring stood a lone, regal figure—a woman with an aristocratic beauty marred by a twist of cruel arrogance.

"Selene," I said harshly, the name like acid on my tongue as I took in the Matriarch's cold smirk.

"Ah, Mrs. Gray, so punctual." Selene's smile widened a fraction as her gaze raked over me with naked disdain. "I was beginning to worry you'd be delayed."

One of the mercenaries shifted his aim toward me, but I was too consumed by fury to feel fear. How dare this vile creature threaten my child? White-hot rage blazed through me, and the familiar tingle of power thrummed in my veins. "Let. Him. Go." The words tore from my throat in a guttural rasp as I struggled to leash the inferno of power roiling within.

Selene tsked, shaking her head in mock disappointment as she circled the crackling cage holding Evan. "Is that any way to negotiate? I'm prepared to be quite reasonable."

Her fingers trailed along the bars of energy, and Evan flinched away from her touch with a strangled cry of pain. I took an involuntary step forward, only to freeze as the mercenaries tensed and leveled their weapons squarely at me.

"One more move, and the boy suffers," said Selene, dark eyes glittering with malicious glee. "I think it's time we had a civilized discussion about...terms."

Bile rose in my throat at her thinly veiled threats, but I forced myself to stillness, reining in the storm of power that yearned to lash out and rend her into oblivion. Not while Evan remained in jeopardy. I couldn't risk harming him. "Name your price," I said through gritted teeth. "Whatever you want, it's yours—just let my son go."

A considering look flickered across Selene's features. She trailed a single, perfectly manicured nail along the bars, and Evan cried out again, his body arching in silent agony. I could no longer restrain myself. A feral snarl ripped from my throat as I hurled myself forward, only to be brought up short by the mercenaries swinging their weapons toward me.

"Ah, ah, ah," chided Selene in a singsong tone. "None of that, now. I'd hate for young Evan to suffer further...indignities."

Hatred burned in my chest like a raging inferno, but I forced myself still, meeting Selene's cold stare with every ounce of loathing I could muster. The Matriarch simply smiled that infuriatingly smug smile and gestured idly.

"Now...where were we? Ah, yes—terms." Her gaze sharpened to twin lances of pitiless obsidian. "You will walk away from all of this and forget we exist. You will ignore your Guardian powers and cease trying to reclaim the prototype and the Epoch stone."

Selene's words hung in the air like a noxious miasma, her ultimatum a vile insult to everything I held dear. My vision hazed crimson as an inferno of rage blazed through me, every fiber of my being rebelling against her audacious demands.

"Never." I snarled the word as a guttural rasp torn from the depths of my fury. "I will never abandon my path—not for you, not for your vile Order."

Power crackled around my clenched fists, tendrils of eldritch force whipping the air into a frenzy. Selene's smug mask slipped for an instant, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features as the maelstrom intensified.

With a feral cry, I lashed out, unleashing the full brunt of my wrath. Bolts of pure energy erupted from my outstretched palms, slamming into the Matriarch's form with the force of a freight train.

Selene's scream was a banshee's wail of shock and agony as the blasts tore into her, shredding her physical body asunder. Her mercenaries cried out in alarm, their weapons discharging wildly as they scrambled in panic.

Pivoting, I flung a searing arc of power toward Evan's cage, disrupting the matrix imprisoning him. The bars flickered and died, and my son tumbled free, his eyes wide with a mix of relief and terror.

"Mom?" His voice cracked with strain and disbelief.

Gritting my teeth, I raised a shimmering barrier just as a volley of energy blasts converged on us. The mercenaries had regrouped, their strange weapons blazing with malign power.

A low, feral snarl rent the air as Nathan blurred into his lupine form, his powerful jaws clamping around the nearest mercenary's arm and hurling him aside like a ragdoll. Maude's ghostly essence swirled protectively around Evan, deflecting the lethal barrage.

Seizing the opportunity, I gathered the tattered remnants of Selene's form and compressed them into a seething sphere of energy. The Matriarch's ruined visage twisted in a silent scream of agony as I poured more power into the agonizing prison.

"Leave," I said, my voice ringing with a death knell. "Leave now and take this vile bitch with you, or I swear by all that is sacred, not one of you cretins will leave here alive."

For a frozen heartbeat, the mercenaries wavered, their weapons dipping fractionally. Then, as one, they turned and fled, scrambling over each other in their haste to escape. A flick of my wrist sent Selene's anguished sphere hurtling after them, the Matriarch's shrieks fading into the distance.

Silence fell, broken only by the ragged sound of my own gasping breaths. Nathan padded over, his muzzle stained crimson but his eyes clear and focused. Maude drifted closer, her ghostly form flickering with concern.

"Mom?" Evan's voice was a hoarse rasp as he stared at me with a mix of awe and trepidation. "What...what was all that?"

My heart clenched at the naked fear in his eyes. Crossing the distance in two strides, I pulled him into a fierce embrace, cradling his head against my chest as I fought back a sob of relief.

"It's all right, baby," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "You're safe now. I've got you."

He clung to me, his slender frame trembling with shock and delayed reaction. Gently, I stroked his hair, letting the familiar motions soothe us both as the adrenaline ebbed.

"Drink this," I said, pressing the vial of Madam Z's potion into his hands. "It will help calm you."

Evan blinked owlishly but obeyed, downing the shimmering liquid in one gulp. Within moments, his eyes slid shut and he slumped bonelessly against me, the trauma finally overwhelming him.

Gathering his unconscious form into my arms, I looked to Nathan and Maude, my expression hardening into grim resolve.

"Let's go home."

The journey back to Evan's dormitory passed in a blur though it was a long drive to MIT. I clutched my son's sleeping form tightly, drawing strength from his solid warmth and the steady rise and fall of his chest. When he roused once en route, I used a little magic to keep him sleeping.

At last, we reached the nondescript campus building that housed Evan's quarters. Nathan took point, his keen senses scanning for any potential threats as we slipped inside and made our way to the correct floor.

Evan's roommate was mercifully absent when we arrived. With infinite care, I settled my son onto his narrow bed, brushing the tousled hair back from his brow. He looked so peaceful in repose, the lines of fear and confusion smoothed from his features.

"He'll be all right," whispered Nathan in reassurance as he rested a calloused hand on my shoulder. "Madam Z's draught will keep the worst of the memories at bay. He'll chalk up what he remembers to being nightmares."

I managed a weak smile, covering his hand with my own in a silent gesture of gratitude. "Thank you."

His fingers tightened fractionally, a world of unspoken emotion in that simple touch. "I'm with you until the end of the line, Clara." The vow carried the solemn weight of truth.

A discreet rap at the door broke the moment's stillness. Exchanging a wary look with Nathan, I crossed to the entrance and cracked it open, peering out into the dimly lit hallway.

Gabriel stood framed in the opening, his expression grave yet tinged with a hint of pride. Two hulking figures flanked him—members of his pack, their eyes gleaming with preternatural intensity.

"We've secured the perimeter," said the alpha softly. "Young Evan will remain under our watchful guard until this darkness has passed, and he won't know my men are here."

I blinked and nodded, fighting back grateful tears. Stepping back, I ushered the trio inside, offering silent nods of thanks.

The two wolves took up positions flanking Evan's bed, their keen senses ever-vigilant for any threat. Gabriel moved to join Nathan and me, his expression softening as he regarded my sleeping son.

"He is strong, like his mother," the alpha said simply. "The Order's cowardly tactics have only strengthened our resolve to stand against them."

I felt a swell of fierce pride at his words, my earlier despair transmuted into strength. The Order had struck at my most vulnerable place, but in doing so, they had awakened a primal force more devastating than any weapon in their arsenal.

A mother's wrath.

I TOOK A DEEP brEATHas I stepped into my house late the next afternoon. We'd all taken turns driving home, and Gabriel had dropped us off just moments before. I was exhausted, the events of the past two days really catching up with me. I yawned as Nathan followed closely behind.

I made my way to the living room, sinking onto the couch with a sigh. Nathan sat down beside me, his presence a comforting warmth.

For a moment, we sat in silence, the only sound the ticking clock on the mantel. Nathan's gaze remained on me, but I kept my eyes fixed on my hands, clasped tightly in my lap. My thoughts were a jumbled mess of emotions I couldn't quite untangle.

Finally, he spoke, his voice gentle. "Clara, there's something I need to tell you."

I looked up at him then, my heart skipping a beat at the intensity in his green eyes. He reached out, taking my hands in his, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I know this might not be the right time, but I can't keep it to myself any longer." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "You're my fated mate."

My eyes widened. "What?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Nathan squeezed my hands, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "I've known since the moment we met, all those years ago. The night Elliot introduced us, I felt a connection to you that I couldn't explain. It was like a part of me recognized a part of you, and I knew that we were meant to be together."

I shook my head, trying to wrap my mind around his words. "But...but why didn't you say anything? Why did you stay away?"

Nathan's eyes softened, a sadness creeping into his expression. "You were already with Elliot, Clara. You were engaged, and I could see how happy you were together. I couldn't bring myself to interfere with that, no matter how much it hurt to see you with someone else."

I swallowed hard, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "All these years, you've been carrying this secret? You've been in love with me all this time?"

Nathan nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. "I tried to focus on my friendship with Elliot, to be there for him and for you in whatever way I could, but every time I saw you, every time we spoke, I could feel that connection between us, that pull that I couldn't ignore."

I closed my eyes, a single tear slipping down my cheek. "I had no idea," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I never even suspected..."

Nathan reached up, brushing the tear away with his thumb. "I know, and I'm glad for that. I never wanted to burden you with this when you and Elliot were happy together. I feel wrong telling you now, like I'm capitalizing on Elliot's death, but with the danger we're facing, I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. I needed you to know the truth."

I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze once more. In that moment, I could see the depth of his love for me, the years of longing and heartache that he had endured. It was overwhelming, a tidal wave of emotion that threatened to sweep me away.

"What does this mean for us?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What do we do now?"

Nathan's grip on my hands tightened, his eyes blazing with determination. "If you're willing, we draw strength from each other and the bond we share. I know it's a lot to take in, and I don't expect you to have all the answers right now, but I want you to know that I'm here for you, always. Emotionally, I'm always here for you, and if you permit it, I'll be by your side too."

I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Thank you, Nathan. For everything. For being there for me, for Elliot, for all of us." I'm still struggling to absorb the news that he's loved me for so long and is only now telling me. Of course, it's best that he didn't say anything when Elliot was alive. I never had eyes for anyone but my husband, and it would have been awkward.

It still hurts to think of him silently bearing that pain alone. I lift my hand to cup his cheek. "I'm sorry you had to keep all that inside."

Nathan returned my smile, his eyes softening with affection. "It was the right thing to do."

We sat there for a long moment, our hands intertwined, gazes locked. Suddenly, I could feel the strength of our connection, the power of the bond that we shared. It was a pulsing invisible cord between us, urging me toward him.

Finally, I spoke, my voice soft but steady. "We should get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."

He nodded, releasing my hands and standing up from the couch. He offered me his hand, helping me to my feet. "I'll take the guest room, if that's all right with you."

I shook my head, a sudden boldness overtaking me. "No, stay with me. Please. I don't want to be alone tonight."

Nathan's eyes widened slightly, but he nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Of course, Clara. Whatever you need."

Hand in hand, we made our way upstairs, the day's revelations still on my mind. As we laid down together, Nathan's arms wrapped around me, his warmth enveloping me, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. For the first time in a long time, since Elliot's death, I felt safe, protected, and loved.