Simon breathed heavily and scanned the team to make sure they were all present and accounted for.

Kyle raised an eyebrow. "You puffed already? We've only just started."

"Shut up, New Kids On The Block. I had to save you from that Cyclops. You should be thanking me."

Kyle's grin faded. "What was with that? He should have worn an eye patch at least."

When Daniel moved into place, Simon snapped his mouth shut, and winked at Kyle. He was going to have so much fun reminding his friend of his reaction to the one-eyed Werewolf.

They had assembled in the grove between the main house and the buildings at the back of the property. Their focus now was breaching the three prison buildings. Matheo had been secured to one of the trees—his mouth gagged and arms tied behind his back to prevent him from changing.

Simon ducked down and briefly closed his eyes as his mind wandered to his mate. If he was killed, Lyssa would bring him back to life, just to kill him again for dying on her. Better not die then.

When the others moved out, he followed behind. They managed to get across the clearing to the first building before being spotted. One by one, Elise's guards were eliminated, but other guards, sensing something was wrong, poured out of the prison block and searched for their downed comrades.

His blood was pumping when Daniel let out a battle cry. As one, they charged the armed guards.

They had the element of surprise, but the guards fired their weapons before they reached them.

A sharp pain ripped through Simon's leg, and he winced. That fucker just shot me.

Another flurry of bullets rang out, and Kyle fell backward, hitting the ground with a resounding thump. Simon threw himself down to check on his friend. "You okay? Where did it get you?"

Kyle grunted and shifted into a crouching position. Blood seeped through his shirt. "Shoulder and leg, nothing that Dr. Alice can't fix."

The door swung open and a small horde of guards poured out. His stomach plummeted as he did a quick headcount. "Fucknuckles!"

Daniel picked up a weapon from a fallen guard and shouted out. "Fall back to the far side of the building." He fired at the guards, who quickly took cover, and returned a volley of their own.

Bullets whizzed through the air, and Simon raced to regroup with the others.

Daniel rounded the corner and threw a semi-automatic rifle at Murphy. Murphy raced to the far side of the building to protect their flank.

Simon did a head count and his stomach dropped. "Where's Grant and Carlos?"

"They went down with the first wave of bullets," Morgan said. "The verdammt Were's are perfect shots. Straight through the forehead."

Simon broke out in a cold sweat. They were sitting ducks. "What now?"

He winced as another round flew over their heads. Murphy and Daniel took turns at keeping the small army away from them while they stayed low to the ground.

Morgan crept closer to Daniel and peered around the corner. "At least we know where the rest of the guards are."

Daniel took another shot and swore when his missed. "We need to get those guns off them. We don't have a chance otherwise."

Simon stiffened. For Daniel to admit that, meant they were in trouble. Big trouble. He glanced at the others. From the look on their faces they were equally worried.

"Any suggestions?" Morgan said.

Daniel's eyes darted across the short distance between them and the guards, then back at the building they had taken refuge behind. He took another shot, then ducked back out of sight. Daniel glanced up at the top of the building and opened a telepathic link to Morgan, Simon, and Murphy.

Murphy, do you think you could take that?

Murphy followed Daniel's gaze and nodded.

Daniel handed Simon his weapon. Take this. If they take a step toward us, fire at them. You don't need to hit anything, just buy us time.

He nodded and quickly traded places with Daniel.

Morgan, I need you to—

Before Daniel had a chance to finish, Morgan was at the far side of the building and swapping with Murphy.

What are you going to do? Simon said.

We need to even the odds.

He frowned. He was still none the wiser.

Morgan, Daniel said, if we fail, you need to be ready to fall back.

Not happening. So, don't fail then.

Daniel let out a grunt then took a deep breath and ran toward the building. In a flash, he was on the roof with Murphy right behind him.

Kyle edged closer to Simon, careful to stay low to the ground. "What are they doing?"

He took another shot at a guard and grimaced. Daniel was right. He couldn't hit the long side of a barn. Hopefully, their opposition wouldn't figure that out too soon. He was about to fire again when two blurs caught the corner of his eye. Daniel and Murphy had reached the side of the building nearest the guards, jumped off the roof, and had landed in the middle of the largest group of guards.

His eyebrows disappeared into his hairline as guns were ripped out of the guard's hands and hurled into the tree line. It had been a long time since he'd seen Daniel in action. The speed at which the weapons were disposed of was astounding.

"Veni, Vidi, I kicked some ass."

They had the advantage of surprise. Instead of tackling the guards, they moved on to the next group and relieved them of their weapons.

When Daniel and Murphy had halfway leveled the playing field, Simon bellowed. "Let's go."

They raced toward the throng.

"What do you make of our odds now?" Kyle said.

"Ask me once I find the motherfucker who shot me."

The grounds transformed into a vicious battleground. Bodies fell, dead before they hit the ground. The air, still thick with moisture, turned patches of mud blood red as the fight raged on. Simon overpowered another guard and broke his neck. He turned just in time to see Tony, one of his pack mates, losing ground. He pushed the dead man away and jumped up to help. Before he reached Tony, a second guard entered the fray. A cold chill ran up and down Simon's spine when Tony's throat was cut from ear to ear, and he fell to his knees holding his hand around his neck.

Morgan shouted. "Behind you!"

Simon looked to where the Brandenburg alpha was calling.

Everything happened so quickly it was a blur. Jeremy, one of Morgan's betas, hadn't noticed two guards break away and circle behind him while he fought a third.

One of the guards raised his gun and took aim. The bullet hit the back of Jeremy's head and exploded out the front.

Morgan screamed again and crossed the distance to Jeremy in a heartbeat. He broke both guards' necks in an instant.

The chaotic fighting intensified, but Simon was unable to take his eyes off Jeremy's missing face.

Kyle shouted at him. "Simon! Get your shit together. The entrance is clear."

He shook himself out of his inertia and headed for the prison. He stopped on the way to pull a guard off John. Between the two of them they dispatched another guard with a swift blow to the throat.

Once he was sure the guard wasn't getting up again, he called to John, "Cover me." He headed toward the door and caught Vic's eye. "Vic, we're up. You're with me."

He and Vic moved into position. Daniel and the others, being the better fighters, would deal with the remainder of the guards, giving him and Vic enough time to search the prison complex. If Parker wasn't found in the first building, they would move on to the next.

They rushed through the main entrance and descended the short flight of stairs. The stench from the cells was so overpowering they gasped and fought the urge to throw up before they reached their destination.

Racing through the dungeon, Simon counted fifteen cells. Each one housed one or more prisoners, but not one of them was Parker. His eyes darted back down the dark corridor, toward where they came. They needed to get to the next building.

Simon took a step toward the entrance and stopped. I can't just leave them here. He rattled the doors. "Find the keys, Vic."

"I think I saw them at the bottom of the stairs."

Vic raced off and was back in moments.

They made short order of the locks. Each cell was dark with very little light. He stepped in and raced across to the prisoner who was chained to the wall. The man flinched and his eyes went wide in terror. Fear radiated off him in waves.

Simon's brows rose. Human? While he was having difficulty smelling anything, he would bet his latest winnings the man was Human.

"I'm not here to hurt you." He looked up at Vic. "See if the keys fit the lock on his chain."

"Spasiba," the man said once he was freed.

"What did he just say?" Vic said.

The man stood and rubbed his wrists. "Thank you. I said thank you."

From the prisoner's heavy accent, Simon guessed he was Russian.

He glanced at the door. They'd already taken more time than they should have. He tossed the key to the Russian. "What's your name?"

The man caught the keys. "Boris."

"Look Boris, we have to go. I need you to free the rest of the prisoners down here. Do you think you can do that?"

Boris nodded and Simon slapped him on the shoulder. "Good luck. When you get above ground, I suggest you head anywhere but here."

They raced up the stairs and headed to the next prison building. Daniel, Murphy, and John were tearing through what was left of the guards. Morgan and the others were at the third building picking off guards as they emerged.

Not seeing Kyle, Simon frowned and scanned the vicinity. When he saw his friend on the ground, leaning against a wall, he grinned and called out, "Who's the puffed one now, Westlife?"

When Kyle did not move, or reply, Simon's heart dropped and he changed course. Blood soaked the wall Kyle leaned against, and the grass was red. Kyle's eyes, still open in death, gazed into nothingness. Simon's vision blurred and everything seemed to move in slow motion as he fought down the panic. How did things get this out of control?

Vic pulled at Simon's arm, and he brushed her off.

She tugged again and screamed at him. "Get a grip. We have to go. Grieve for him later."

He hauled in a breath and fought the heaviness in his chest. He said a silent farewell to his friend and followed Vic. As they went through the door he glanced back at Daniel. You'd better be alive when I come back up. I don't think I could take another friend dying today.

The dungeon housed another fifteen cells, but a quick inspection showed only two were occupied.

He frantically called through the first locked metal door they encountered. "Parker? Parker, are you in there?"

There was a movement from behind the closed door, followed by the sound of chains. An unfamiliar voice called out, "Yes, she's in here. Hurry—she's not doing so well."

He said a silent prayer as they scrambled for a set of keys hanging nearby. It took four attempts before the lock clicked, and the door swung open. Simon motioned for Vic to release the prisoner in the next cell. Satisfied they hadn't been discovered, he rushed through the doorway.

The room was dark, and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. A young woman was chained to the wall. Her outstretched arms allowed no movement in her upper body. Fresh blood ran from her broken nose, and she looked as though she'd suffered a number of beatings.

The prisoner nodded toward the opposite side of the cell. "She's over there."

His heart broke when he spotted Parker. The woman he had grown to like and respect was huddled against the wall. Her face was bruised and swollen beyond recognition, and clearly showed she had been subjected to horrendous torture. Parker's clothes were torn and bloodied, and cuts and grazes marked every bit of exposed skin.

She lay still, her breathing shallow and labored. She opened her eyes, and managed a weak smile when she saw him.

Falling to his knees, he moaned. She looked too fragile to move. His voice cracked as he struggled to associate the shattered person in front of him with the vibrant woman who had let nothing stop her. "Oh Parker, what did they do to you?"

Vic rushed through the door and seeing Simon with Parker, freed the other prisoner from her chains. The prisoner rushed across the room to inspect Parker's injuries.

Vic crouched beside Parker and swore under her breath.

He headed for the door. "Wait here, I'll check if it's safe to get her out of here."

He raced up the steps and into the open. The rain had stopped. Bodies were strewn across the concrete and grass.

"We found her. She's alive, beaten up, but alive."

All heads snapped in his direction. Without saying a word, Daniel followed him below ground. They had nearly reached the cell when Daniel inhaled sharply and stopped short.

Simon halted halfway through the doorway. He turned to see Daniel's face register a flash of surprise and then astonishment. Indecision flickered as he waged an internal battle.

"Are you okay, Daniel?"

***

The instant Daniel and his wolf realized the scent coming from the prison cell was their mate, they froze. He should be overjoyed. After two and a half centuries, he was less than twenty feet from her. And yet, all he could feel was an overriding need to ensure Parker's safety, and never allow her out of his sight again.

Duty to his people dictated he should claim his mate and allow the others to get Parker to safety. It was what was expected of him. He needed to ensure the continuation of not only his lineage, but his race. His entire life had been in service to his people; he was bred to put their needs ahead of his. But how could he accept her, when his heart belonged to Parker?

For once, he rebelled against his duty. He couldn't and wouldn't live a lie. While he had fought against it, there was no denying the fact that his love for Parker far outweighed anything he could possibly feel for another woman. Mate or not.

The pull of his mate was strong, but it wasn't powerful enough for him to ignore what he felt for Parker. He couldn't imagine a life without her. She was his future, his only future. She was the other part of his soul, the piece that had been missing all these years. No matter how limited their time, he would treasure every moment. Until his last breath, she would be his true north.

He breathed in, closed his eyes, and his mind filled with a sense of calm. His wolf echoed his thoughts, and their decision was unanimous. He took a step away from the door and opened a telepathic link to his beta. Simon, there's another prisoner in that cell.

Yes. How did you know? A woman. I have no idea who she is, but she's a Werewolf. Why?

I need you to bring Parker to me.

Simon frowned. Okay, but why can't you go in and get her? She's asking for you.

His expression set into a rigid line. Because...I choose her. I choose Parker.

You're not making any sense. If you choose her, go and get her.

You don't understand—I am choosing Parker over my mate.

Mate? Simon's gaze snapped around to the cell. Are you sure? The other prisoner?

Yes.

Simon turned back to him. Well, you might have scented her, but from her broken nose, I doubt she's detected anything but her own blood at this point.

Simon, just bring Parker out here before I skin you alive.

He was taking the coward's way out by not going in himself, but it was better if the other prisoner never knew of his existence—to believe her mate was still out there, than suffer the devastation of rejection.

Simon walked through the opening holding Parker in his arms, and he tensed.

What?

He took a step backward, and his eyes widened.

How? Words escaped him, and he shook his head from side to side.

His heart thumped in his chest as he scanned the damage Elise and Matheo had inflicted on Parker. Her injuries were far worse than he could have imagined.

Simon handed Parker over to him with an apologetic cringe. "Sorry, I should have warned you."

Reverently, he pulled Parker into his arms, and cradled her to him.

Simon stepped back into the dark prison cell. "I'll make sure Vic keeps the other woman down here until you've gone."

He nodded to his beta, then turned and headed up the corridor with Parker in his arms. Safe and where she belonged.

Parker wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're late." Her voice came out in a barely audible croak.

He smiled and gently kissed her forehead as he breathed her in. "Your directions weren't very clear." Even in this state she was feisty.

He carried her up the stairs and into the clearing where the others were gathered. Fury welled up in him—fury beyond anything he had ever felt before. She was more precious to him than his own life. He was supposed to protect her, but here she was, broken and battered beyond recognition.

How could I have failed her?

He paid closer attention to her condition, and his heart sank. From her weak heartbeat, he might still lose her. That scared him like nothing else ever had, and he pulled Parker tighter into his body, as if by sheer force of will, she would survive. He held back his terror-stricken thoughts and refocused his energy on the rage that was overtaking both him and his wolf. That was an emotion he understood. He would make them pay for what they had done.

Morgan rushed over to Parker, concern and then anger washing over his face the moment he saw her injuries. "My dear child, what did they do to you?"

Daniel's head snapped around when John called out, "Wait—where's Matheo?"

His wolf sprung on high alert.

"Over there!"

All eyes turned to where Morgan pointed. Matheo had freed himself and was racing across the clearing while pulling the bindings from his wrists.

A brutal snarl ripped from Daniel and Parker flinched. Everyone took a step backward, and he shook with barely controlled rage. He quickly handed Parker across to Morgan. His face, stone cold, belied the tension throughout the rest of his body.

He clenched his fists and closed his eyes. In the next instant, he launched himself in the direction Matheo was running. He effortlessly transformed in mid-air. Torn and shredded clothes floated to the ground, well after the massive black wolf landed.

A low growl emanated from his wolf's throat as it stalked Matheo. He and his wolf had one purpose and one purpose only. To make Matheo pay for what he had done to Parker. A snarl was the only warning the wolf gave before it attacked, and carved deep lacerations into Matheo's body. Blow by blow, cut by cut, until no part of him was left untouched. Large chunks of muscle hung from thin threads of skin as Matheo continued to flee.

Matheo's screams were music to his ears. When Matheo clambered back to Morgan and the others, begging for mercy, Daniel's wolf relinquished his control, and he stalked his prey with cold fury.

Matheo swung around to face his executioner. Adrenaline rushed through Daniel as he stopped in front of Matheo, his eyes piercing Elise's beta with pure hatred.

His arm lashed out and bone cracked as his fist punched a hole through Matheo's rib cage. He reached in and clenched Matheo's still beating heart.

Confused, Matheo's gaze lifted. For the briefest of moments, their eyes locked. The corners of Daniel's mouth lifted as he ripped out the beating organ and held it up for Matheo to see. His arm was coated in so much blood, it dripped onto the grass below. When he squeezed his fist tighter, the organ resisted, but unable to withstand the pressure, the heart exploded.

Matheo's body buckled to his knees and he fell, face first, to the ground. Daniel let the pulverized heart fall from his hand to land beside Matheo.

He stared at the ground. His rage had consumed him to the point where instinct had taken over. Both he and his wolf had worked in tandem. While he may have been in Human form, they equally shared in Matheo's demise, something that should not have been possible. He pushed his concerns to one side. All that mattered was that death had finally caught up with a well overdue passenger.

One down. One to go.

No longer consumed with his bloodlust, Daniel turned back to Parker. His mate needed him. He froze at the terror on Morgan's face.

Pain ripped through hisheart when Morgan said, "She's not breathing."