Sasha felt the rage within her boiling to an uncontrollable peak. Everything within her wanted to hear her aunt's screams of pain. She couldn't believe Neza had died saving her. Her lycan's bloodlust was the reason for that terrible mishap.

Neza wasn't just her gamma and best friend. He was more like a brother to her. They've been friends ever since Neza's parents joined the pack fifteen years ago. At first six-year-old Sasha had a hard time getting along with little Neza. He didn't treat her like an alpha's daughter, always teasing and pulling pranks on her and Jia.

It took a while for little Sasha to realize the brown-eyed boy with chubby cheeks; wanted nothing more than to be her friend. And that was on the day he said, "he wanted to be the laughter in their eyes. And the only boy to protect them."

Neza was a jokester. His brown eyes were always lit with laughter and mischief. But quite overprotective, and it drove her and Jia mad. Despite all that, she loved him. He was the light in her darkest of times. She wasn't sure how she would manage without him around.

Her chest rumbled with a growl when the image of him laying lifeless with a big hole going right through his side—flashed through her mind. She remembered how she had begged him to stay awake through the mind-link.

When she had heard Jia's whimpers. Her heart felt like someone had wrapped wire around it and was pulling it in the opposite direction. The way Jia's eyes had begged her to tell her it was all just a nightmare.

"He's really gone, Jia," Sasha whispered through the link.

"No! You... You can bring him back. Can't you?" Jia asked with hope in her honey-colored eyes.

Sasha hadn't just heard her best friend's desperation, she had also felt it deep within her soul. She shook her head. "The injury that he got from Shannoya wasn't even healed and now this—" She stopped as Jia's whimpers increased. "—I have no magical potion to bring him back even if I wanted to, Jia."

Everything felt unreal as she sat back and allowed the beast within her to take full control. The entire world seemed to go quiet as grief consumed her, each breath feeling like a struggle.

The lycan released a furious roar when she noticed that her mother's sister had pulled another trick. Her rage echoed across the sky, intensifying the tornado's movements and causing trees to uproot. The lightning grew stronger, and the smell of ozone filled the air as the cracks reverberated beneath her paws.

She was seething. The witch dared to lay her hand on my mate and warriors while in my clutches.

Her eyes narrowed as they zoomed in on the invisible strings that only she and her aunt could see. A fierce growl ripped from her throat when she noticed her unconscious mate.

She used her left hand to rip Ivy's left hand from her shoulder. A deep, satisfied rumble reverberated through her chest as she heard the sound of her aunt's gut-wrenching scream. After a quick inspection to confirm its lack of power, she flung the shriveled arm aside.

Ivy wiggled around in Sasha's tight grip, trying to free herself. She clawed at Sasha's fur covered fingers with the one hand that wasn't ripped off. But the lycan remained unruffled as she surveyed the area. Trying to determine how many of her warriors had been freed from Ivy's binds.

"Release me or I will take the head off the male that I'm sure is your mate," Ivy demanded through gritted.

The lycan head snapped back in Ivy's direction. Her fur bristled, and her chest vibrated with a menacing growl at the threat towards her Kwan. This insect really wishes for death. She removed her claws after giving Ivy's neck one more squeeze.

Ivy gasped, her breath coming out in short bursts as she stumbled away from Sasha's feet. "You are just like your mother. Risking the life of others for an unreliable and inconsiderate man." She pointed at an unconscious Kwan. "Nothing good comes from giving your heart to those ungrateful beasts. Look what it cost your mother."

The lycan growled at her aunt, not liking her words about her dad and her Kwan. Which male had hurt this woman so badly for her to have such a strong dislike towards all males? She took a step towards Ivy, who hurriedly scrambled back.

"Not another step. Remember, your mutt's life is in my hands," Ivy hissed her words through her teeth.

The lycan tilted her head as she stared into Ivy's fearful eyes. She could see that her aunt was losing a lot of blood and was in severe pain. Even though Ivy was putting on a tough act. Unfortunately, you bleeding to death won't satisfy me.

She moved her speed almost as fast as sound. Before Ivy could process what was happening, her head was no longer attached to her body.

The lycan howled in victory and her pack members joined in. She stared at Ivy's head in her hand before lighting it on fire and throwing it. She released a mournful howl that echoed through the forest. A sound that spoke of all the family she had lost in the battle. Then she handed the reins of control to her human side.

Sasha immediately rushed to her mate's side. She ran her hands through his white fur when she noticed dried blood on his neck. Her throat tightened with a barely audible whine as she fixed her stare on him.

An unexpected movement to her left made her fur stand on end. And caused her to tighten her grip on her mate instinctively.

"It's me, Alpha," said Jia.

Sasha's shoulders dropped in relief as she turned to meet her best friend's gaze. The sound of her heart cracking echoed in her ears as she stared at Jia's tear-stained face. Her Beta allowed her true feelings to be seen, without worrying about how she might be judged.

"I'm so sorry, Jia. It's all my fault, if I had been more aware of Ivy's presence... Then... Then Neza..." Sasha trailed off through the mind-link.

Jia shook her head. "No, Sasha. You didn't know Neza would leave the hospital to join the fight—"

"Yes, it's my fault. You and I both know how protective Neza gets when it comes to us. I should have ordered him to stay out of the battle," Sasha growled out.

Jia released a tired sigh, her head shaking from side to side as she kneeled in front of Sasha. "We both know he would have denied that order and dealt with the consequences afterwards. That was the kind of man our Neza was." She made sure she was staring into Sasha's eyes when she said, "And he would not be happy—if he knew you were here blaming yourself for his death. Goddess knows if you didn't kill that evil bitch, I would have skinned her alive."

Even though she knew her best friend was right. Sasha still felt the heavy weight of guilt gnawing at her insides. She shifted her gaze from Jia when she noticed Aladdin approaching.

"Alpha, thank goddess, you're safe and sound," said Aladdin. He sat behind Jia and pulled her into his arms. "I'm glad you are both safe." His voice cracked at the end.

"I'm so sorry, Aladdin," Sasha whispered through the link.

Aladdin shook his head. "It's not your fault, Alpha. My brother protected you, and I'm glad he was able to fulfill his lifelong goal. It would have shattered him if you had died while he was being treated in the hospital." His body shook as he broke down in tears.

"My mate is right, you know Alpha. Remember that time you sprained your wrist while training with your dad and Neza found out? He cried for two hours straight while bandaging your hand. Then he wanted to go beat up your dad for hurting you," said Jia. A smile gracing her lips at the fond memory.

"Oh, oh. Or that time we were all on that rogue mission at fifteen years old. The moment that spotty brown wolf had hurt you, Neza had lost it completely. He went into a fit of rage while tears ran down his face as he killed every rogue that was still standing," said Jia.

"Goddess, it took all three of us to stop him whenever he got like that," said Sasha. Her heart clenched at the memory.

With a wobbly smile, Aladdin nodded his head in agreement. "So please don't blame yourself for his death, Alpha." He released a deep, painful sigh. "Mom and dad are going to be devastated when they hear the news about their youngest son's death."

"You don't need to worry about that. It's my duty to tell them. You just need to be there for them," said Sasha.

"Thanks Alpha, but I'll handle this one. You have a lot on your plate because of this battle," said Aladdin.

"I'll be there with him, Alpha. So no need to worry," Jia cut in.

"Are you sure? After all, he died saving me, so I really don't mind telling them."

Both Jia's and Aladdin's voices were soft but firm when they spoke in unison. "Alpha, it's not your fault, so stop blaming yourself."

"I'm just—"

"They are right, you know," said a weak voice.

Sasha stared at her lap in shock when she heard Kwan's voice. She was so wrapped up in her conversation that she didn't hear or feel him when he'd shifted.