Multiple POVs

Owen's POV

The pack was buzzing with activity as we prepared for Callie's Luna ceremony. Raven's idea of all of us reconnecting to her had helped even more than we could have hoped for. All of us seemed renewed in our commitment not only to Callie but to one another as well. She had managed to get firm control over her succubus side and could easily push and pull her essence when needed. The girls seemed to be growing at a faster rate than most infants, and they already had faint whispers of magic.

"You look deep in thought," I said to Kota as he frowned at his computer screen.

"Oh, hey, I was just looking at some financial records. Victor found a possible lead on Lisette, but Sang is still in the wind," he said, pointing to the ledger information on the screen. "It looks like Lisette has been back in France and England, but according to this, she recently arrived in New York. That's too close for comfort in my book, Owen," Kota sighed.

I had to agree. Then again, anywhere on the planet was too close for both of those women. I felt Gareth pacing in my head. He was furious at Sang's betrayal and downright murderous at her attempts to harm Callie. "Can we tell when she and Sang parted, or if they even have?"

Kota muttered and shook his head, "Not really. Corey found a sighting of Sang in Athens about a month ago, but then she just vanished. I don't get it, Owen. If she's this all-powerful witch then why work with Lisette? Why become a vampire? There's something bigger we are missing." His fist slammed onto the desk, making his coffee slosh over the side.

I put my hand on his shoulder, "Kota, don't. She's safer here than anywhere else in this world. We can't live our entire lives in fear. Let's focus on her ceremony. Once the bond is set, she'll have the strength of the pack to help protect her even more." He sighed and finally agreed, turning off the monitor.

We headed into the pack courtyard. Callie was talking with Amelia as she and Phil explained the ceremony in detail to her. My breath caught as I looked at her. The sunlight made her already pale skin seem to glow. Her hair was bound in a series of braids with small knot patterns. North and Raven's claim marks were easily visible on her neck to every wolf, along with Axel's mark. My eyes roamed lower, knowing where my mark lay. She turned and met my gaze with a lusty smirk. Someone's having naughty thoughts this morning - she teased through the link.

Oh, my love, I always have naughty thoughts about you - I told her - I spend hours thinking of ways to make your body scream with pleasure. I saw her shiver at my words. Gareth purred at her responsiveness. "So how are you feeling about tonight?" I asked her aloud, slipping my arm around her waist.

She leaned her head against my shoulder, "It's a bit overwhelming, but I'm excited." Her smile was genuine and I could feel her happiness radiating through the connection. It was like a gentle domino effect as I felt the others respond to her mood. I placed a kiss on her temple. "Thank you," she whispered.

"For what, love?" I asked, looking into those pale eyes.

"Not giving up on me. I loved you - all of you for so long, and now, the fates have brought us all together. I'm just thankful you didn't give up on me." She leaned in and kissed my lips softly, then melded back against my chest. I thought my heart would burst.

"We will never give up on you, love. You are our life, our center," I told her as Kota came forward and kissed her hand. "Now, let's get you something to eat and see how the girls are doing. Then I'm sure Gabe will need to see about your dress."

She giggled, "Nope. I told him he could design it, but he can't see me in it. That's not fair to everyone else. You all just have to wait."

"I bet he was just thrilled by that decision," Kota snorted.

"Fucking ecstatic," Gabe groaned as he came up to us. "She wouldn't even let me into the fucking fittings." Pulling out of my embrace, she put her arms around his neck and giggled. "Good thing I love you, little girl, otherwise I'd just camp out in the fucking closet and peek."

She playfully slapped his arm and laughed, "Great, now I'm going to have to check the closets and under the bed before I change." He spun her around and laughed at her words.

"Not a bad idea," I mused. She gasped and then rolled her eyes.

"One," we all said at the same time, making her gasp again and turn a glorious shade of crimson.

Sang's POV

"It's the perfect time to strike. They will all be too busy with the other pack members, scattered across the area. At best, we would only have to deal with one of them, and if we can tranq them, they won't be able to alert the others through the link. By the time they notice the silence, we will be long gone with the babies," I explained.

"Won't the children alert the wolves," she asked, trying to find a loophole in my plan.

I shook my head, "They aren't wolves and neither are their fathers. They won't be able to connect to the link until they are much older. If we take them now, you have the ability to claim Selene's throne, to rewrite their memories. They will only know you as their mother. Think of it, Lisette, it will be perfect."

The arrogant vampire smirked, "Okay, walk me through the ceremony and your plan again." I grinned and started at the beginning.

Author's Notes:  Kota is on to something...

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