"Florence will be by your side; the others will buy you some time so that Osckar doesn't get to you while I try and kill Elvira.'' Cordelia said, swinging the scythe in her hand as if warming up her hand.

"So, all I've got to do is stay here?" I asked.

"No, Osckar last saw you here so it's the first place he'll come looking. Florence will try and keep you shielded until we get you a safe distance away."

I chewed the inside of my lip as Cordelia and the others filed out ready for battle. Florence remained at my side watching as they left.

This was it and I was going to hide away like I've always done while others fought my battle. The Witches wanted me, not the others. Guilt suddenly consumed me as my mind went over every possible scenario. Members of my pack were about to die for an alpha that hid away like a coward. When this was all over I was going to be known as the alpha who stood by while Witches attacked the pack.

I looked to Florence.

"So where too?"

"We'll go somewhere that isn't likely to be populated right now."

I let out a humourless laugh.

"We don't know what side the Witches are coming from, so there is no safe place let alone an unpopulated area on pack lands."

"Just think for a moment."

I sighed but did as she said.

"Training rooms. The training rooms will be empty and probably the safest place to go."

Just then I heard thunder crack, it vibrated through my bones as if it had struck me right in my core. Blinding light filled the room seconds later. This was not your normal thunder and lightning. A loud painful howl followed and through the pack bond I felt a lash of pain slice through my back between my shoulder blades.

I hunched over in agony and let out a pained hiss.

Florence dropped to my side, her hands fluttering over me as she scanned my body for any physical damage.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

"Someone got hit in the back." I rasped out.

"You shouldn't feel anyone's pain, only your minds are linked in a pack."

"Well now it's not. Whatever was in that drink definitely did more than just share my strength."

Florence was quiet while I recovered, the sounds of snarling and teeth snapping outside filled the silence.

"I think you have an affinity for the spirit. It would explain why you felt your parent's death and why you are feeling your pack's pain."

"Is there any way to get rid of it?" I held onto her eagerly, it would be a relief.

"I don't think so, it's part of who you are, unless you learned how to separate your spirit form those that you are bound with. Otherwise you'll always feel the really strong emotions."

I sighed through my nose, "And let me guess, I won't be able to master it by tonight?"

"I'm afraid not."

Calla, please tell me you've gone as far away from the pack as possible.

I didn't respond.

He felt my hesitation through the bond and that was enough for him.

Dammit!

"We've got to get going." I said to Florence racing for the door.

We both made it out of the pack house through the pantry and tunnels, Roman had told me about them two days ago. He'd said that only the family knew about it, it was the only escape route that wouldn't lead us right into the open fields. Instead we ended up in the cover of the woods, Florence and I would have to circle round to reach the training rooms but at least we'd be out of sight.

We ran through the dense foliage, our footfalls quick and quiet. I had to turn occasionally to check that Florence was right behind me. I hadn't realised that witches could be so light on their feet either. There was so much I didn't know.

The branch cracking to my left brought me to an abrupt halt. I sank down to the ground and felt Florence do the same, we waited a moment until a lanky figure came into view. It was Jamie, Osckar's youngest brother. He was meant to be with the others in the underground bunker.

I stood up in a huff, "What are you doing?"

His eyes widened in surprise or maybe it was because he was caught sneaking around when our world could be ending.

"I, I, I thought I could help, I'm not as useless as Osckar might think."

"No, you're not." I said, he was still just a kid and unseasoned. I couldn't live with myself knowing that he put himself in danger for me. Not him.

There was no point in sending him to the bunker on his own, he could get in trouble but then I couldn't bring him with us. He might try to protect me from his brother and I know that wouldn't end well.

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose in annoyance.

Roman? I gently asked, I didn't want to startle him just in case he was in the middle of a fight.

Yes?

I've got Jamie, he must've slipped away when everyone was heading to the bunker I need you to take him. I don't want to endanger everyone else by me being there.

Where are you?

We just came out of the pantry, heading towards the training rooms.

I'll meet you halfway there.

I trudged through the brush and grabbed Jamie's elbow to make sure he followed. He jerked his arm away but my hold didn't loosen, when he realised he wasn't getting away so easily he folded his arms over his chest and followed me.

"We're meeting Roman so he can take you to the bunker." I said, my eyes occasionally darting to the overly dark patches around us.

"Yeah, he's yelling at me right now." Jamie said dryly.

Florence bristled with impatience, "This isn't safe."

"Well I've got no other choice." I said pulling Jamie along in the direction of the training room.

Florence followed and silence ensued besides the distant howls.

Another slice of pain lashed within my body, this time my right leg, I crumpled at the feeling. A small whimper escaped my lips despite doing my absolute best not to let it.

"You alright?" Jamie asked, bending to my eye level.

"I'm fine." I murmured, breathing through my nose and mouth to calm myself.

Ignoring the sting that resonated as aftershocks of pain I got back up, reminding myself that it wasn't really me experiencing the pain. I was fine. We paused at the edge of the woods, Roman should be here.

We crouched watching the clustered wolves as they grouped around two witches who slashed and blasted magic at anyone who attacked. A loud yowl had my eyes zooming to the far right of the field where a slender woman wearing a long black gown laughed as she twirlled and leaped and jumped in a dance against the two wolves she was fighting. She looked unnaturally graceful as she bent back, narrowly dodging a pair of canines to the throat.

A wolf was sprinting across the field, it took me a moment to realise that it was Roman. His jet black blur almost had him blending into the night, if it wasn't for his glowing yellow eyes I would never have spotted him.

"Go," I pushed Jamie's back forcing him to move to Roman's side.

He went without protest.

Florence and I made a run across the field to the big building in the centre. Only looking at it now made me realise what a death trap this could be. The witches could easily surround the building and I'd have no way out. But it was too late to change course now. I was already exposed.

Just as we reached the door a growl echoed through the air stopping me in my tracks. It was Osckar, I didn't have to look back to check. I turned around, in time to see him launch himself into a frenzied run in my direction, there was no reason in his eyes. Just a weapon Elvira had forged through magic.

Florence pushed me into the building swinging the door shut behind us just as Osckar slammed into the door.