Page 235 of Wolf Endangered

"So when we arrive and potentially confront him, do we kill him?"

"No," Milo admitted. "If we can avoid it, don't. Many say he's one of the closest to the Vile Queen. If he isn't a lethal threat, he could be used against the Vile Queen or at least know enough for us to figure out her identity."

"I guess that's our game plan," Saint whispered.

"We need to hurry," Jayce replied. "The magic grid is going to be taken down in two hours. If they're flying, it has to be around NYC, like in a jet or helicopter."

"Why?" Milo questioned.

"No international flights can be run during a magic grid. They shut everything down. They can fly to the outskirts of NYC where the mountains and lakes are, but nothing further," Jayce deciphered.

"Aurelia," Onyx pressed. "Are you able to still come with us?"

"If you think I can deal with Coven shit when my best friend is missing then you really forgot what a Ride-or-Die bitch is, Onyx," she snapped.

"Right, right," Onyx brushed off and looked seriously at me. "I know you're not going to like joining a pack, Viktor, but in this case, you're the only one who can find Willow."

Find Willow...

I had no choice. I'd promised her I'd always find her, and no way would I turn my back on her now. She needed me -needed her pack to come through for her -and though the idea frightened me, I wouldn't let my fear stop me from saving the woman I cared for.

It was my fault that she'd been taken. It's my duty to get her back.

"Once we save Willow, I'm out," I voiced specifically to Dimitris.

Everyone else looked at him, probably out of worry. I knew I'd be risking it by joining and shortly leaving a pack. It could literally drive me insane. But he needed to know that it would be temporary for Willow's sake.

"I can agree to that," Dimitris sternly declared. "I won't be able to do it immediately. That's just suicide. I'll need a day or two to recover, but if you want out, I'll grant you that."

I nodded once and swallowed the lump in my throat. I knew him being my Alpha would mean he'd see my past, know my darkest secrets, and get a glimpse of my fucked-up mental process, but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.

"Let's get this over with so we can locate Willow."

Dimitris nodded. "Close your eyes. I'm doing it the faster way because we don't have time for contracts and shit."

I took a deep inhale and closed my eyes.

We're coming for you, Willow. Stay alive for us...for me.

27

Chained Ally Or Lethal Enemy

~WILLOW~

Sinking...

I had to be sinking. The familiar feeling and chill in the atmosphere made it harder and harder to stay in the realm between consciousness and unconsciousness.

Death had to be close. I'd knocked on his door so many times, I bet I didn't need an invitation to be accepted into the realms of the afterlife.

Only this time, this felt far different than the previous times...

I didn't want to go this time. There was so much at stake. So much to lose.

So many people I love...

My mind wasn't lost in the delusional state that I wasn't loved, but now that I was enveloped in all that heightened compassion, I was sinking further away from that world of warmth.

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