I was currently sitting with Jeremiah on the couch while Ryland was in his office going over meeting details with Kolton. Mom and the rest of the family were going to come visit tomorrow, for a day, before going home to prepare for the war that was likely on the horizon.

"You scared the shit out of me." Jeremiah spoke quietly breaking the silence. I looked up from my fingers and into his beautiful light blue eyes. His face was swimming with emotion that I never thought I would recognize on his usual hard face.

"What happened?" I asked turning completely on the couch so I was facing him.

"When we were training and you were just laying on the ground shaking... Ry is your mate but Kolton and I as his second and third feel a need to protect you, always. You're our Luna... I'm doing a shit job explaining this, but in that moment I felt helpless especially when that barrier went around you and none of us knew what to do." I felt my eyes water slightly. I pushed myself over and pulled him into a hug. He tensed before wrapping his arms around my waist.

"I will always protect you guys too, u know." I told him pulling away. He just smiled before turning his attention to the doorframe. I looked over too, to see Ryland and Kolton standing there.

"Ry, did he actually smile? I didn't know he could do that." Kolton whispered loudly at my smirking mate. Jeremiah rolled his eyes as his face settled back to being expressionless. We both stood up and I walked into Ryland's arms.

"We need to go talk with the half shifters' leader. I want you there." Ryland spoke staring deeply into my eyes. "I also want you armed."

"They aren't going to attack. I trust them." I told him giving him a look. "If I bring weapons they may get the wrong idea."

Ryland returned the look before taking my hand and heading towards the door. Jeremiah and Kolton following close behind us. As we were walking Ryland pulled a dagger out from his waistband before quickly pushing it into one of the sheaths in my leggings.

"Ry—" he quickly cut me off growling, "Just keep it for my sanity."

We walked through the snow covered clearing in front of the house, making our way towards where majority of the half shifters set up camp. Although, they were given permission to use the pack house, majority of them refused. Rylands hand tightened around mine as we walked past several tents that have been set up.

"Hello Alpha, Luna." The man from yesterdays encounter spoke bowing his head slightly.

"We need to discuss the threat to both of our people." Ryland gestured towards a larger encampment they created with tables covered in maps.

We all walked over and stood around the table. Ryland and their leader spoke back and forth and I was having a lot of trouble focusing on anything. Jeremiah seemed to notice from next to me because every now and then I would get elbowed and his foot would get kicked.

Someone is watching. She muttered.

Where? I asked her before slowly turning my head to gather my surroundings.

Border of the woods. Go. Now. She snapped.

I slowly took a step back before quietly excusing myself. Ryland gave me a look before Jeremiah stepped back and began following me.

"Do I even want to know?" He asked. I just continued searching the area for any threats. That's when I saw it.

Oh goddess.

I began sprinting with Jeremiah on my trail. There was a hooded man dragging two unconscious half shifter children through the woods. The man was sprinting, dragging the children behind him. I needed to shift. I felt myself switch to my subconscious as I began moving faster.

I felt shadows stray from my hands and rush towards the man, they went to ensnare his legs but were sent ricocheting back.

Demon sent by the gods. She snapped. They are incapable of following through with their own dirty work. Simply pathetic.

What do we do?! I yelled at her.

We command the shadows not just the ones within us.

I reached for the shadows through the woods. I needed to set a trap. I felt for the darkness created by the thousands of trees that made up these woods. I pulled at them all. It was too much.

We are the Queen of Shadows. Contain them. Control them. Now!

I took a shaky breath and kept pulling until my mind felt light.

Do not lose yourself in the darkness. Picture it in your mind and command it to be.

I pictured a long wall shrouding the area surrounding us. When I opened my eyes I saw the man stop throwing both of the kids to the ground before taking off in another direction.

"Get the kids and bring them to the pack hospital!" I yelled to Jeremiah and hurried after the man.

Bring the walls in. She yelled I couldn't miss the urgency in her tone.

I felt the shadows melt to the ground.

Your losing control. Re-form the image in your mind now!

I tried to imagine the wall of darkness more confined but it only seemed to grow. I can't control it. I can't do this.

Yes. You. Can. She snapped. You are Octavia Darkstone Woods. You are the Luna of the strongest pack on the continent. You are the Queen of Shadows. Control.

I felt the overwhelming power coursing through my veins as the shadows reeled back into me.

Dammit. Not so much, let it flow and propel out.

I felt the darkness surge out of my hands surrounding the man before yanking him back towards us.

You did it. You actually did it.

The man writhed against the shadows binding him. I tried to hold it before the shadows I was holding onto were yanked from my grasp. My knees wobbled at the feeling but I kept my balance.

For two seconds you actually did it. She groaned.

I pulled the dagger from Ryland out of my leggings with shaky hands. I would thank him later for insisting on this. If I survive.

He pulled his hood back revealing pitch black eyes and a sinister smile. His skin was grey and covered with scars. My eyes widened in shock. I gripped the dagger tighter in my hand.

"Hello." It's voice spat out. "Many enemies you have, for such a beautiful young Demon."

He took a step closer and I hesitantly stepped back.

"Come closer. No need to be afraid." He laughed manically.

I felt what I could draw of the shadows into the blade and let it become an extension of myself. I was not going to die today. I charged at him but he quickly dodged, grabbing onto my waist and slamming me into the ground hard. It was the same mistake I made with Jeremiah.

I quickly rolled out of the way as his fangs elongated out of his mouth. "I will kill you before I eat, don't you worry." I cringed and quickly raised the dagger again.

"Are you starting to realize there is only so much power you can handle at a time, young one." He laughed. I let his words register, I couldn't feel her as much as I normally can.

Are you alright? I quickly asked trying and failing to block his attacks.

No response.

I felt shadows creep around me suddenly and launch at him. He got knocked down to my surprise. He growled viciously before getting up and charging at me. I tried to dodge but it was no use, he tackled me to the ground and wrapped his hands around my throat. I kicked my legs and hit him with my arms but he wouldn't budge. I was going to die. His vicious face was focused on my fading eyes.

I'm sorry I failed us. She whispered.

I felt darkness creep around my vision when suddenly black blood was all I could see, as well as a decapitated body that toppled to the ground next to me. I gasped for air as I reached for my neck. My vision started clearing and I could make out Ryland holding a dagger. He kneeled down next to me, pulling me into his lap.

"You're okay." He whispered into my ear. "You're safe. You're alive." I couldn't tell if he was reassuring me or himself.

I suddenly heard snow crunching around us, I went to jump up but Ryland held me firmly in his lap so I couldn't move.

"What the fuck happened? I shouldn't have left you." Jeremiah kneeled down next to us.

"T..he." I coughed out.

"Don't talk right now, your healing." Ryland warned.

"The kids are at the pack hospital, they are fine and safe now, thanks to you." I closed my eyes in relief and looked up at Rylands worried eyes.

"This had to be a trap for you, why else would he take hostages and leave them unharmed. He also made sure you saw him before running with them." Jeremiah sighed. "The kids were meant to be a distraction for anyone you had with you."

Ryland cursed out.

After a few minutes passed Ryland stood up with me still in his arms. His eyes were dark red, meaning his wolf was now in control.

"No one will touch you." He growled viciously. "You will stay with me at all times."

I looked to Jeremiah for help but I was met with a dark orange pair of eyes instead of his blue. Great, two angry protective wolves. I sighed in defeat and leaned against his chest, breathing in his scent as we walked through the woods. As we got closer to the edge and towards the clearing I tugged on Rylands shirt motioning for him to put me down. He only viciously growled in return.

"P..le...ase." I breathed. He growled again and slowly placed me on my feet but never let go of the hand wrapped securely around my waist. Jeremiah quickly took his place on the other side of me. Both of their wolves still in control.

We walked past many curious eyes as we made our way to the house. The second the door opened I was picked up by Ryland and brought up the stairs to our room. He placed me gently on the bed and began undressing me.

I gave him a look, but a growl was my only response. He pulled off my boots and then yanked my bottoms and my top off. He looked at the bruises lining my neck with so much hatred I almost flinched. He quickly scooped me up and carried me into the bathroom before starting a bath. He shrugged off his dark pants and top before pulling me into the tub with him.

"I'm ok." I was able to say clearer, looking into his mesmerizing red eyes. He gave me an uncertain look before pressing his lips to mine gently. I turned around so I was straddling him, the water splashed aggressively against the sides of the tub. I made sure we were looking into each others eyes as I leaned forward pressing my lips to his.

"Safe." He growled out. His eyes filled with hunger as he began grinding himself against me. I couldn't help but moan against his lips. It was safe to say we wouldn't be getting a lot of sleep that night.