Ash floated around the room like dirty flakes of snow. An odour as rancid as sewage clung to my lungs.

Had she killed it?

"I assume that's what's left of the Shadow thing or whatever the fuck it was?" I speculated.

"Can you please refrain from swearing Hunter?" Misha sighed whilst brushing ash from her singed clothing. "I don't want my daughter to hear that kind of language."

"Yeah, sorry," My cheeks flushed, nodding my head. "Never been around kids."

She quirked an eyebrow and thinned her lips which reminded me of Ruth.

"How did you do that?" Zander cut in.

Nothing rarely freaked my brother... but this had. I could taste his unease, as the same discomfort whipped up my spine.

Misha looked at him, just as confused as the rest of us, shrugging. "I honestly don't know. I just did." She turned from Zander and walked over to Pearl, who was now slumped in a chair.

She looked unconscious, or at least I hoped she was. I didn't want Sage to wake to find out her cousin had been killed in the crossfire.

Misha felt for a pulse before resting her hand on her forehead. "She'll be fine in a few hours."

I breathed a sigh of relief as Zander's eyes flicked to mine. 'We could very well end this, Hunter. You saw what she did?'

I knew exactly where he was going with this. Add in the backup of the wolves we had standing with us and we had some serious supernatural weird shit at our disposal.

We could take down Du-Ponte and the Dream-Walker freak.

"Down Daddy," objected Hannah, breaking mine and Zander's conversation.

Hannah made her way over to me and Sage. I stilled and as much as Misha surprised me with her abilities. I had a strange feeling this little girl had more power in her small body than the rest of us in the room put together.

Hannah giggled; her big brown eyes lit up with glee as tiny bits of ash landed in her palm. And although it was the remains of something dead, I guess you could be forgiven for thinking it was snow.

Blowing the Ash, seeming undisturbed. She looked down at Sage lying in my arms. "She's ready to talk to you."

I wasn't sure if I was following. "You mean Sage wants to talk to me...Now?" My heart skipped a beat.

"Yes. She has been talking to me since yesterday and she says you have to stop blaming Uncle Sylar for what happened. It wasn't his fault." Frowning at me before turning to smile at her uncle.

A slither of guilt inched its way into my gut—but not much. She was telling the truth; Sage wouldn't be happy with me blaming her brother, but I had bigger things to worry about rather than his feelings.

"How can you­ do—" I stopped, shaking my head, that didn't matter. "How can I talk to her, Hannah?"

"I can build a bridge." She beamed. "Make a place where he can't see you. He can't control your wolf or hers."

I wasn't following, but I trusted her and it was good enough for me, and my wolf howled. He was excitedly wagging his tail at the thought of being with his mate. "Okay, Hannah, This is your show. Tell me what I need to do."

"Nothing... but hold my hand," she retorted confidently. I was honestly blown away by the little girl in front of me, she was beyond her years—not that I had much experience with kids!

Reaching out eagerly, she placed her small hand in mine. Her other hand she lay on Sage's shoulder.

Her big brown eyes stared into mine. "Now, close your eyes. It won't hurt...much, but it will be quick." I could see a hint of mischief in her eyes.

Doing as instructed and before I could ponder if it would hurt or if she was messing with me. An electric bolt sliced through to my body and every hair on my body stood to attention. About to cry out. I was thrust from my body. Although something told me I hadn't gone anywhere.

Slightly dazed I Looked down. Not feeling any pain now, my enormous wolf's paws came into view.

Damn, she was good.

Hearing a rustling sound, my head shot up. Sniffing the air, it looked like a meadow. Weird. A sense of peace enveloped me—it felt like home. The warmth of the sun settled the unexpected bubbling ball of anxiety and the fresh air around me calmed my jangled nerves—having just been electrocuted.

The smell was also familiar... it smelled like Sage.

And then I saw something in the distance, a familiar sight that had my heart racing even faster.

Sage's wolf in all her glorious beauty was heading towards me like a bat out of hell. Within a few seconds, she had launched herself and knocked my wolf off his feet and now was proudly standing over us, rubbing her wet nose against mine.

My wolf was whimpering like a newborn pup.

'Hunter,' she breathed.

A rush of emotion went off like a bomb in my chest as our connection flared up. It felt like heaven to hear her voice as she continued to nuzzle me and rub herself in my fur. I eagerly licked her muzzle and the corners of her mouth.

My entire body shuddered with delight. 'Fuck, I've missed you, Sage.'

'I know, I'm sorry. I've missed you too... this so much.'

I could hear the quiver in her voice.

'I've been trying to get through to you, but I can't, he's stopping me.' Her words came out rushed in my head as her emotions flooded my wolf's body. I rejoiced in our bond.

She pulled back slightly, and I didn't mind that her wolf was still standing over me in a dominant stance. She owned my arse anyway.

'Don't be sorry baby. This wasn't your fault. We just need to figure out how to get you back home, back to me.' Another thought crossed my mind. 'How did you find Hannah?'

'I didn't, she found me. She's Misha's daughter, and very special. You have to protect her Hunter.′

It didn't take much to work out that Hannah was a very special little girl. I licked her mouth again, loving the taste and smell of her, my wolf delighting in every lick, touch and smell. It should have been illegal to smell and taste this good. 'I know and we will... together.'

She pulled back slightly, worry dancing in her stunning blue eyes. 'They're heading to you, all the packs. They've been told to kill everyone—apart from Misha, Hannah, you and Zander. You're all important to him. But I don't know why.'

The panic in her voice was tangible. 'Sage, I don't want you to worry. We're ready for them. Are you inside this Dream-Walker's head?'

'Oui. Although he doesn't know that I'm gathering information on him. Two can play his game.'

'Please be careful baby.' She stilled, her silence telling. A sudden intake of breath as a swell of sadness passed over me. It wasn't from me. 'What is it, Sage—Tell me?'

'He has to be destroyed Hunter, promise me, you'll do that. Even if it means—' Her sadness turned to fear and from the look in her eyes, I knew she would sacrifice herself to protect this little girl.

'Don't Sage. I'm not losing you.' There was no fucking way I was losing her. Not today—not ever!

'He's pure evil Hunter and the things he's done—the children Hunter,' she chocked back a sob.

I watched her wolf's eyes fill with tears. 'Baby, I'm gonna end him... end this.'

'You don't understand. It's how my grandfather pays him... buys his loyalty... the children Hunter, he's killed so many. Every time he manipulated my mind, altered my memories... made me kill wolves, people.' She let out a sob, and I rubbed against her, trying to calm her. 'They would sacrifice A child.'

I recoiled at her words. Those bastards were sicker than I thought possible.

I buried my nose deep in her fur, sniffing my mark along her neck. Every feeling, every desire I had for her, our mate I pushed through our connection and finally she relaxed a little, the tension in her body giving slightly.

'Sage, listen to me, hear what I'm saying, yeah? I am going to end this. And you are coming back to me, Sage. You're not leaving me.'

Silence.

'Sage. I need to know you're coming back to me.'

Edging back, she looked deep into my eyes and then ran her rough tongue along my wolf's snout. 'You have to go now, Hunter. He can't know we've spoken.'

She stiffened, suddenly alert. My wolf whimpered, not wanting to leave his mate.

Fuck, I didn't want to go. 'Okay, but don't go doing anything stupid... yeah? Promise me, Sage.'

I felt her hesitation. 'I Promise.'

She nuzzled me one last time and then stepped away from me, letting me roll over and get up. 'How do I get back?'

Sage didn't get the chance to speak as I landed back inside my body. Opening my eyes, everyone was staring at me. I smiled at Hannah. "Thank you, Hannah."

She beamed brightly at me. "I'm hungry." She turned and skipped over to Gavin.

I couldn't help but smile as I squeezed Sage tightly in my arms. She felt warmer, and the blush on her cheeks was noticeable.' You're not leaving me, baby.' I had to bite back the fear in my chest, waiting to take over. I wasn't going to lose her.

In a few hours, this would be over.