Kathy above

Tonya POV

Carson is taking care of my stitches as Kathy paces the room back and forth. It's late, and she has spent many hours in the woods, running like crazy.

Well, today's day was full of surprises even though it started so normal. First, Rosie's revelation, then very good sex with my mates, and at last, Nelson's revelations.

Nelson and Anne examined Tania's body and actually managed to get one more conclusion. My bites damaged her more than other wounds; nobody knows why, but they didn't start healing. Chandler is not stupid; sooner or later, he will ask about that, and now my immunity for silver seems to be a piece of information essential for this mission, and I really don't want to share that secret with hunters. 

I spoke with Terry about it, but as an arbiter, he claims it should happen if Nelson and Anne find proof that it could be the reason for my better effectiveness in fighting with the creature. But they would probably get an answer sooner if I told them the truth about myself. And I struggle with making this decision as Kathy is struggling with my sister's confession right now.

"Kathy, stop pacing around," Carson finally says, irritated, and she snarls at him as I roll my eyes.

"What will you do with it?" I ask her as she sits on a chair next to me.

"Why should I do anything with it? It's not my problem if she is in love."

"Well, at least you know now that she didn't love him, and he didn't matter," I say, pointing to our conversation some time ago, and Kathy glares at me. Something is up; I know it, but she is not ready yet to tell me.

"I'll not make trouble because of my children, I will be nice, and I will try to talk with her normally, and for now, that's the most I can do," she finally says, and Carson and I exchange looks.

Some time ago, Kathy mentioned that she was never jealous of Curtis. Could it be that she was jealous of Rosie, actually? But I don't dare to ask; she is agitated and pissed off, and I don't want to make her angrier.

"How is Alistair?" I ask, changing the subject.

"Still alive, not better, but stable. He has lost lots of blood. Chandler spends lots of time next to his bed."

I nod, Chandler seems tired lately, as all of us are apparently, but there is something else. I caught the glances he has exchanged with Pearl recently, and I'm sure that the things between them aren't as over as they want us to believe. Pearl really fooled us all with the rejection, but what Noah says is right that I shouldn't interfere with her decision if that's what she wants.

Very early the following day, I stroll to my study to finish some papers, and to my surprise, I see Sam playing with little Hank in the corridor. I have avoided him recently, probably because I chose to believe Noah that Sam used to make things difficult for him, but at the same time, I can't postpone our conversation. He is my Head Warrior and friend; our situation must be clear. Plus, the Trio admitted that Sam mainly spread distrust toward Noah among pack members. Discreetly, but much gossip started because of him.

He spots me and smiles as I nod to him and enter my study. I wonder if Noah is correct and if Sam has feelings for me. I have never seen him as anybody more than but a friend, and honestly, I suck in all these dating and being in love things, so I have never noticed anything strange in Sam's attitude towards me. But I guess he, too, has things to be said because soon there is a knock on my door.

He sits in front of my desk with Hank on his lap, who is busy playing with his car toys.

"Uncle Sam played hunting treasure with me," Hank says, giggling as Sam looks at me with, I think, determination.

"Have you made a decision regarding your mates?" he asks.

"I want to start preparation for Luna's Ceremony; I think the Black Moon will soon have Lunas," I answer, and something flashes in his eyes, but I'm not sure what.

"Are you certain that that's what you want?" he asks me, but there is tension in his voice.

"Yes, Sam, I'm certain. Tell me honestly, what is your problem with my mates?"

"I don't have a problem with your mates, just with your mate. I'm sorry, but I still think Noah is simply using you. For him, you are the guarantee of good life."

His words make me angry, but I don't want to let him notice. I'm an Alpha; I can't lash at him because he has a different opinion. We've been such good buddies for some time.

"I'm just worried, Tonya, but if you are happy, then that's enough. I really wish you good luck and good mating," he says a bit sadly as he averts his eyes. "I also agree that there is no proof that all recent rogue incidents had something to do with Noah, and I agree that Damon could be the one wanting to use him or force him into some cooperation. I don't like Noah, and I'm sorry, but I think you are much more worthy than him."

Saying this, he stands up and walks toward the door, and that's when Silver growls in my mind, sensing danger. My eyes barely notice Sam's movements; he locks the door and turns around to me. Little Hank smiles brightly, talking to himself as Sam puts his fingers in his hair. I know that stance; I know that look. Just one movement and my Head Warrior can break the neck of the child in his arms.

I bare my teeth; my body wants to move to reap him into shreds, and yet I force myself to stay still. The ringing sound starts echoing in my ears, that has happened before, when uncle Hank died. It can't happen again, please, Goddess, it just can't happen again.

Sam doesn't move, putting a safe distance between me and himself. Even if I launch, I won't be able to get there in time. My hands are shaking; panic is slowly taking over me. Kathy's father died, and her son can't die. I can't let anybody die in front of me, unable to do anything. My breath is getting rapid. Uncle Hank has died, and I let that happen; little Hank can die, and I can't let that happen...

"Do you see the box I put on the desk when I entered? Open it and inject that into yourself. Now, or I kill him."

The coldness in his voice makes me tremble. Is the man who is threatening the life of the child in his arms the same one I called my friend?

I do as he says, not daring to try anything. I'm numb, feeling so shaken; this can't happen again, no matter what, this can't happen again.

"What do you want?" I ask, injecting into my arm what was in the box; the faint scent of silver makes me a bit calm. He wants to put silver in me because he doesn't know what happened with the last person who had put silver in me.

"You can't be mated to that trash, Tonya. You are too good, untainted for that trash. But don't worry, I will make it right; I can make you happy. I'll mark you and make you mine; I'll mark Charlie too, and we will be happy. You will be mine, only mine," he whispers, and I have no doubt that he believes it; he believes he plans to save and make me happy, not rape me and break me.

"I gave him so many possibilities to leave," he continues," But the fucker just couldn't escape, just couldn't let go of you. I'm sorry about rogues on the pack's territory. I just wanted you to reject him. I had to try to get rid of his baby; he had to go. We don't need him."

The ringing sound in my ears intensifies; I feel the clenching of my muscles and Silver howling in pain. Exactly like the last time, I know what will happen soon. I whimper as I bend to rest my arms and head on my desk. I feel my knees buckle. It's coming, Goddess, I must endure; I can't let it go, unlike the last time.

Sam, believing that he has won, puts little Hank down, who starts asking what is happening to me and moves towards me.

"Honey, don't move. I'll help Tonya," Sam says, coming closer.

I bite my teeth, trying to surpass the pain. I must keep control until Sam is far enough from the little boy. The last time I didn't fight, I wanted it to be over; I had no idea what could've happened. But this time, I do, and this time, I dig my fingers in my desk, feeling Silver trying to calm herself; she may not fully understand what is happening, but she feels my need for her to try to stay calm as long as possible.

Sam is very close to me, whispering:

"It's alright, Tonya. I will be a wonderful mate, and we will be delighted."

He is so close to me as little Hank is standing next to the door; the moment Sam touches my arm, I scream to the boy to hide under the couch, and he listens as I grab my Head Warrior for his throat; he looks at me unsure and scared. My eyes are glowing silver; the warriors last time were surprised about that, too.

And that is when I move my hand; Sam doesn't even have a chance to scream as his head is thrown on the floor. I run... as fast as I can, passing little Hank, breaking the door to my study and into the corridor. Managing to mindlink Kathy as I burst through the entrance leading into the stairs to the basement where the safe rooms are located.

One designed especially for me after the tragedy on the fourth territory.

My hands are shaking as I enter the code to the room and step inside, feeling cold sweat all over me; my blood pressure is over the roof, and I fall to the floor as my body slowly shuts down. Silver howls in pain, which is growing with every second. The door gets locked automatically after me; I hear the sound of heavy metal bars moving.

I curl on the floor, feeling seizures running through my body as I pray to Goddess to show her mercy and for the door to withstand the beast that is waking up inside me. Begging for everything I hold dear not to wake up with the blood of people I love on my hands.

Noah POV

The door to the room opens, and I see Travis entering and saying that we must go now because the whole main territory is to be evacuated immediately.

"What the hell happened?" I ask as Charlie stands up from where he was playing piano.

"Tonya is in the safe room, where she will stay, I hope. Everyone from the packhouse is to get away as quickly as possible." says the warrior. "Noah, I really don't have the time to explain all the details. Please listen to me."

I take Charlie's hand, and we go to the main living room. I notice all the omegas leaving, Kathy giving her children to her mother, and Hayden Blackwood, who says that he will drive the car.

"What's wrong?" I ask her.

"Tonya was poisoned; she may be a threat to everybody, so we must leave."

Before I have a chance to protest, I see Carson with Chandler running in our direction.

"We can't move Alistair, no matter what. He is stable, but he is in no condition to be transferred. It will kill him," he states, and Kathy swears under her breath.

"What the hell is happening?" Chandler screams.

"Tonya was poisoned; last time it happened, she killed almost 50 persons, and she was unable to stop. She managed to lock herself in a safe room, which we prepared for her, but we have never tested it, so we have no idea if it withholds her. We evacuate everyone just in case and..."

"I will stay; Alistair is my patient," Carson states again.

"I'm not leaving him either," Chandler clenches his teeth.

"The last time," Nelson comes closer to us, "she was following the scent of wolves. She was going faster after those who shifted, but the sooner there was no scent of living werewolves, the calmer she was. Someone needs to stay close to observe anyway."

Kathy thinks for a moment before she says:

"Okay, Chandler, I and Carson will stay in the infirmary. Nelson, James is coming here from the second territory, make the central in the house of Gregson's family, it's far enough that if anything happens you can react or run, you should have access from there to the security cameras near the safe rooms."

"I will stay there with James," I say instantly. "Charlie is..."

"I'm staying too," my mate says in a stern voice." I'm not a baby, so stop treating me as one."

"I'm staying too."

I look up and see Rosie standing on the stairs.

"Zoya can make other wolves calmer. I can be useful."

Kathy isn't happy but still says:

"Okay, Chandler, send your people to Gregson's too. I think it will be best if our joint squad can be ready to handle it at once if necessary. Do you have strong tranquilizers?"

Chandler nods, so she continues.

"Double the dose. To avoid any problems with commanding, Terry is in charge of the joint squad and everything, actually. If the situation escalates, he will be making all the decisions."