5
+15 BONUS
Katherine’s scream of rage pierced the basement. “You think you can take them? Then watch your nephew die first!”
Before Alexander could leap, she plunged a silver–loaded syringe into Marcus’s neck.
My son’s scream will haunt me forever.
The next thing I remember is waking in the Blood Moon Pack’s healing den.
“No, don’t touch me!” I thrashed against gentle hands.
“Celeste, you’re safe!” Emma’s voice broke through my panic. “You’re home, sister.”
“Emma?” My voice was raw from screaming.
Alexander stood behind her, his massive frame casting shadows in the candlelight. His eyes burned with barely contained fury.
Then memory hit like a thunderbolt.
“Marcus!” I bolted upright. “Where’s my son?”
Emma’s face crumpled. “The healers are with him. They’re trying-”
I stumbled out of bed, my legs barely holding me.
“Take me to him. Now.”
The healing chamber was thick with herbs and magic. Three healers worked over my son’s small body, their hands glowing with
power.
“The silver dose was massive,” the head healer murmured. “We’re doing everything we can.
For two days, I didn’t leave Marcus’s side.
For two days, I watched silver poison eat through my baby’s veins.
For two days, I begged every deity I knew to spare him.
On the third morning, Marcus opened his eyes one last time.
“Mom?” His voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t hurt anymore.”
“Baby, please…” My tears fell on his face. “Stay with me.”
“Love you, Mom.” His small hand squeezed mine. “Promise you’ll be okay?”
His heart stopped before I could answer.
