Twenty Six year old Blake Hunter is the Alpha of the largest pack in the region. Finding his mate is the last thing on his mind.
But, in the midst of dealing with uninvited relations, aspiring future Lunas and increasing rogue attacks on his easter...
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The air was as dark as evening, prematurely muted by the dense cloudscape that had rolled in over night, heavy with sleet. It spattered across the forest periodically - icy slush that ran down the back of the warrior's necks and soaked their clothes. Even those in wolf form had difficulty keeping the trickles from seeping through their thick coats, and the air was permeated with the smell of wet dog.
Following the disturbing revelations from Fenrik, Blake had wasted no time pushing forward with his assault.
They had questioned the mercenary well into the night, until the shadows were so deep they took on a sultry life of their own. A hundred different shades of black layering themselves in the darkened corners, the tiny flickers of light from the lamps creating an illusion of movement so realistic he'd driven his wolf crazy, glancing frequently into the nothingness, half-convinced there was something hidden amidst the black.
Knowing Hannah was not nearly as safe as he had believed left Blake ridden with a driving anger - his instincts had told him something was off about Macleiry. The manner of his speech and the insincerity behind his eyes when he smiled had left Blake on edge whenever they were in the same room.
But, plagued by the rogues, burdened by his sense of duty, and with his wolf's natural instincts to fight a perceived rival creating havoc with his usually perfect control... he had convinced himself that his attachment to Hannah had clouded his judgment, and ruthlessly shoved his doubts to one side - resolving not to trust himself around the two strangers.
If anything happened to her...
As much as his heart clenched at the thought of leaving Hannah at the mercy of her so-called family, the Macleirys clearly wanted her alive for something, whereas the rogues had proved they wanted her dead.
As long as they remained embedded at the Craggs, they were a threat he could not ignore.
Fenrik had proven surprisingly cooperative once Asher had outlined his plans to hand him over to the Elders - a deal that would see the mercenary live out the rest of his life in one of their notorious prisons rather than be executed for his crimes.
As much as Blake desired a stronger, far more primal justice for his fallen warriors, his instinct to pull the defeated Fenrik from the icy waters had paid off. The information he bartered with proved invaluable - clear and concise plans of the Craggs, complete with hidden routes in and out of the valley, lookout points and detailed maps of the caverns he had explored.
Blake used that knowledge to lead the main fighting force straight to the largest, and most complex cave; the multi-chambered caverns the humans called Tungl. A dirt road, now almost completely reclaimed by the surrounding forest, led to a large clearing where visitors had once gathered for guided tours. Trails led off either side heading for Tungls counterparts, though these too were long since neglected and left to crumble away. It was quiet. Isolated.
