#Chapter 41 Three Years Later

Bastiens POV

It still feels strange to sit at my father’s desk

When I first took over as Alpha I continued using my personal study for pack business, but after a few months Donavon suggested transition to the official executive office. I reluctantly agreed, and though I’m now used to sitting in Dad’s chair, 1 know I will never truly fill his shoes

Taking care of the pack is the only thing keeping me going now.

It took a long time for me to find my way as a leader: sabotaged by forces beyond my control and mourning the loss of my mate, only the danger posed to my pack kept my head above water. Over time doing whatever was required to protect the pack evolved into true governance, and one day I woke up and realized I was no longer merely going through the motions

In some ways this was my enemy’s biggest mistake. If they hadn’t continued trying to destroy my family’s legacy and weaken the Novas, I probably would have given up. Instead they gave me a reason to fight.

Not a day goes by that I do not miss my mate, that I do not wish I could turn back the clocks or trade the Goddess my life for hers. but I’ve come to believe helping others is a far better tribute to Selene’s memory than wasting away in grief, failing countless others the way I failed her.

As if he can hear my thoughts, Aiden appears in the doorway with a cursory knock. “We’ve had a report from Eros lands. A sighting of a mother and child – both Volanas.”

My brows raise skeptically. In the three years since Selene died, the tip line has never received a valid report of a Volana sighting A few false tips have come in every so often, but none which have ever panned out. Before today I was starting to think my mate might have been the last of her kind. Still, I could never bring myself to shut the system down.

If there is even a small chance another wolf like Selene is out there and in trouble, I have to protect them. I’ll never forget the way she stormed out when I suggested other Volana’s didn’t matter because they were not my responsibility. Of all my regrets, the number of lies or implied falsehoods I let Selene believe for the sake of politics and subterfuge remain high on the list.

Normally I wouldn’t go to investigate myself, but it’s extremely rare to hear of two Volanas, and I’m long overdue for a diplomatic visit with our allies. I haven’t seen Drake Cavanaugh since my father’s funeral, and though we have been in regular contact since his stepfather retired from being Alpha, we’ve yet to have a formal meeting as Alphas.

“Assemble a delegation for travel to Asphodel.” I instruct my second-in-command. “Our cover is a diplomatic mission Donavon and I will handle the Cavanaughs while you investigate the tip. Bring along whoever you need for the search.

Aiden raises one dark brow, “You want to go in person?

Inod slowly, “Something feels different about this one.” I confess, “I can’t explain it, I just feel like I have to see it through personally

He accepts my instincts without question. “How soon do you want to leave?”

“Immediately.”

Drake’s POV

coming to Asphodel?” igrit out slowly,

going to be here within the hour.” He states contritely, bowing his

“Do we know why?” An unplanned and urgent visit like this is never a good sign. It means something is wrong, and they didn’t want to give us any time to prepare a defense or

My wolf wonders

41 Three

think back, trying to smooth down the hairs standing on the back

dispatch simply says there are critical security

My wolf aripes. Not

know what to do.”

he reaches the door, the other wolt pulls

cock my ears outward, immediately zeroing in on a rising cacophony from the water garden in front of the Pack House, The commotion is already rippling through the

Were too late.

They’re already here.” I declare, resignation blooming in my bloodstream. “Brace yourself. This is going

Bastien’s POV

it’s impossible

first whispers and traces on the air and through the vaulted ceilings of the opulent Pack House. Axel is already going berserk, despite the fact that it can’t

Aiden and Donovan as

Aiden confirms, I

don’t know how, but it’s

she’s dead. Donovan

my mate’s scent! Axel responds for me, speaking directly to my Betas’ wolves in

take it easy, this could be

ragged trying to break free.

a lot of things off about her death. I remind them. Things that didn’t make sense I never felt our connection break,

Eros’s took her and staged the fire?

At that moment Drake Cavanaugh appears at the top of the staircase overlooking the foyer, and all thought leaves my head. While I could smell hints and whiffs of my mate lingering

he isn’t already dead is because their

prevent me from launching my body at the other man. “Where is she, what have you done with her?!” I thunder, fangs

Drake drawls, descending the stairs with easy swagger “take it you’re looking

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