Leila

I stared at the body of the sorcerer, trying to process both his words and Hera's.


Does this mean that the mind controlled people could only be released when they killed the head sorcerer or was that just me being wishful?

Did we have to kill everyone in this pack? Is that the only fucking way to get rid of the mind control?

‘I will tear Antonio to pieces and that sorcerer with him. I'm sure he's the one that came up with this sick idea.'


‘They will both die. Today.'

What was the point of leaving this much people to die? Protection? Or was that crazy bastard just buying time for something else?


I want in on his mind. I want him to feel how these people felt. Hopeless, scared, I want those expressions on his face as he cowers in fear at my feet.

‘I hate to be the one to say this but you have to calm down. Calm down right now Leila.'

I blinked, confused.

'Leila…"

I looked up to see that the room was pitch black. Darker than I've ever made anywhere be.

Something leafy brushed my ankles. I discovered that the floor was covered with still growing vines.

Comfort filled my mate bond. Xander was trying to calm me down even though I could sense his own anger at the situation.

'Love, you will get the opportunity to unleash your anger on them soon. Can you calm down till then? For me?."

'Sorry Xander."

Gathering myself, I reined in my emotions, putting back a tight lid on my powers.

'There's no need to apologize love."

Xander engulfed me in his wolf's arms. I nuzzled into his chest, letting his warmth and steady heartbeat soothe me.

'What are we going to do?" I asked, my voice muffled by his chest.

Regan sighed, his face blank but I've known him long enough to recognize the anguish his eyes held.

'We have two options Xander. Either gather all our men and wait here, out of sight, for Hera to do something about the situation and for Grey to find the head sorcerer or we kill all of them."

I frowned and tried to nuzzle closer to Xander, using his scent to distract me from the flashing images of the people I killed outside.

His hold on me tightened but he remained silent.

'The effect of staying out of sight is unknown, I don't know what they will do since we don't know the instructions given to them."

'I want to kill this fuckers all over again so bad," Liam growled looking as pissed as I felt.

'Hera? Any news?" Xander asked.

'I have studied the hold on their minds. Those bastards combined their powers to make the hold, give me some time and I'll get rid of it."

'Let's go up. We can't leave the others there and there's no way we can gather everyone here without alerting Antonio's soldiers. Knock out anyone that attacks you, we won't kill anyone that way."

Xander's gaze said the remaining part, don't get yourself killed in the process of leaving them alive.

'Yes Alpha."

'Feeling better?" He asked.

'Yeah. Thank you."

'After this, let's have a quiet night together."

I looked up and smiled at him.

'There will be cuddles and massages?"

'You'll get more than that love," he placed a kiss on my forehead.

'I'm looking forward to it."

I stepped out of his embrace, noticing Regan's soft look. I smiled in response and followed Xander.

‘Deep breaths sugar.' Lea encouraged as I climbed the stairs.

‘Yeah. It's amazing how none of us has used our wolves in this fight.'

‘Fun hoarding humans. You're all keeping the fun to yourselves. I'm sure the others feel the same.'

‘Have you talked to the other wolves since our run?'

Distracting myself with a conversation with my wolf wasn't a bad idea at all. I steeled myself as the door got closer.

I don't have to kill anyone.

I don't have to kill anyone.

I don't have…

The door was yanked open before any of us could reach it and two soldiers ran in. Their spears aimed at Xander's chest.

My body moved on its own.

I don't have to kill… I stared at the still hearts that were staining my hands red. The muscles were softer than I thought they will be…

I don't have to kill…except Xander is threatened…I don't have to…

‘Leila!! Snap out of it!!'

Blinking, I dropped the hearts and looked around. More bodies had joined the first two on the floor.

But they weren't dead.

'Leila…look at me love," Xander said, his hands were rubbing my arm slowly.

I didn't notice when he started doing that.

'Look at me."

Dragging my eyes up his body, checking for blood. There was none, thank the goddess. I finally met his eyes.

'I'm alright," he began, smiling sweetly at me. He didn't act like I did anything, holding unto my hands like they weren't covered with blood. 'Thank you for looking out for me."

'I'm your mate, it's my job."

Xander smirked, keeping one of my han

d in his, he used his free hand to pull off his shirt.

'I feel like you're raking up points for tonight." Gently, he used the shirt to clean my hands without skipping between my fingers.

'How did you guess my plan?"

His actions and words slowly washed away the panic attack that was about to consume me some minutes ago.

Lea slipped back into the background of my mind, letting our mate take care of me.

'Easy. I know you."

'So what did my points earn me?"

'That's for you to find out love." He dropped the clothes. Xander lifted my hands to his lips and placed soft kisses on all my knuckles.

Lea purred, pleased by his actions and I had to consciously stop myself from melting into his arms.

'Thank you Xander."

'I'm just taking care of my mate, love."

Smiling, I stepped back, avoiding both bodies and their hearts.

Liam gave me a concerned look, I nodded in reply. He smirked and looked away.

Regan wasn't there. He wasn't dead though, Xander and Liam were both relaxed for that to be the case, he must have left when I was out of it.

'Where's Regan?"

'He joined Damien and the rest, they went to take care of the remaining soldiers and members," Liam replied.

Nodding, I finally noticed that although the door was wide open, there was no mindless soldiers running in.

The street outside was also quiet.

'Ready?" Xander asked through the bond.

'Yeah. Lea had been itching for Antonio's blood for a while."

I heard Xander laugh in my mind, 'Same with Hala."

‘Don't act like I'm the only one itching for his blood Leila,' Lea huffed but didn't go further.

'Let's join the others. Keep an eye out for any hidden corner or room. Antonio and his rat are still out there."

'Yes Alpha."

Walking outside felt weird. Like I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Regan and the rest worked fast, there was no one hostile outside. Only our soldiers placed at strategic positions, they all stood in pairs.

A precaution.

Antonio was a sly bastard without any sorcerer by his side, with one, he was just worse.

'Every time I think I can't praise this man in my mind, he surprises me," Liam said, amazement clear in his tone.

'He's efficiency is unmatched."

I looked around, wondering why they suddenly decided to praise Regan. He was worthy of their praises though.

'What did Regan…"

Coming to a halt, I finally realized the clear lack of bodies on the floor.

Oh.

They had moved the unconscious bodies of the people that were out to kill them, placing them comfortably in their houses.

Sure, there was bound to be confusion when they all woke up in the wrong houses but anyone would prefer that to waking up on the cold hard floor covered in morning dew.

'They must have moved fast," I noted, remembering the fact that some soldiers were standing guard and not helping.

‘I don't smell Antonio.' Lea chimed, sounding disappointed and distracted.

She was still searching for him.

‘How do you even know his scent?' I asked, confused.

‘Just because our connection wasn't the best at that time doesn't mean I was not observing and binding somethings to my memory.' Her smugness rang loud in her tone.

‘Right. Any other thing you bound to your memory that you want to tell me about?'

She grinned, ‘A hunter doesn't give away her secrets without a price.'

‘Hunter huh?'

‘One of the best out there.'

I smiled, agreeing silently. Regan and Damien were still out of sight but as we proceeded into the pack, our soldiers were everywhere.

No one seemed hurt, thank the goddess.

‘So, what price are you planning to pay?'

Lea wanted something, I just wasn't sure what.

‘You can keep your secrets Lea, I don't need them at the moment.'

‘Really?' I could almost see her mind racing, trying to find a way to keep me interested.

‘Yep.'

‘Even though it concerns your brother?'

‘Liam?'

What does Lea know about Liam that I don't?

I sneaked a glance at him, he was talking with Xander.

‘Isn't he the only one you have?'

‘What do you know?'

‘The price first sugar.'

I narrowed my eyes. What does she want?

‘Fine… what do you want?'

Lea smiled, ‘It's simple, don't fret. I want…'

The pack bond suddenly lit up with messages.

My eyes widened and Lea grinned maniacally.

Grey had found Antonio.