Dane

I sit at her bedside, watching every little muscle twitch, willing Neah to open her eyes. She wasn't dead. I would have felt it if her soul had crossed over. Which meant the antidote had worked on some level, but what irreparable damage had the Blood of Wolfsand done? We wouldn't know until she woke.

Eric still hadn't linked me either and my patience was waning. It wasn't like him to go so long without checking in and when I tried speaking to him through mindlink, he cut me off without a single word

“You should get some rest.” Raven mutters from the doorway. “It’s almost midnight and you have the pack run ‘I’m not leaving her side.

"I can sit with her.”

"Like I said, I am not leaving her side."

She steps in and passes me a folded shirt, “At least change your top, you still have her blood on you.”

I glance down at my blood splattered shirt and agree that itis probably not what Neah would want to see when she wakes up. “You haven't said anything since you have been back, about Veronica.” Raven mumbles

“She's dead. That is all you need to know.”

“You hunted her, didn't you?”

“Did you expect me to let her final breath be easy?”

She gives me one final glance and backs out of the room

I hate this.’ Aero mutters

You and me both.’

We have been in control of everything for so long, but things keep slipping through. Dane. Important shit.” ‘Are you trying to tell me you saw this coming?’ I snap at my Wolf

No, of course not.’

Then you should have seen it. We both should have. Veronica has done some dark things in her past. I should have known that she would find a way to hurt Neah, especially after I told her she had no chance.’

Blood of Wolfsbane?’ He mutters, ‘That is something we couldn't prepare for.’ Raven did! She knew there was a chance it could happen.’

Aero drops into silence, he knew I was internally punishing myself and that wasn't going to change any time soon

Changing into the black shirt, I seen Neah's fingers twitch a little. LS Immediately grabbing her hand, talk to her, hoping that my vaice would somehow help her wake up.

Raven is soon replaced with Klaus, he lightly knocks on the door and frowns as he scans Neah. “Did you find it?” I ask without looking up “Yes, and there was plenty of it.

“What do you mean?”

“She had a room full of them. Easily forty or fifty individual plants. She knew what-she was doing. Not only I were thereplants, she had waders,a thi ck jacket and gloves, one of those beekeeper hats. The girl knew. what

~

she Was doing. And she was- planning something big. Shé had enough to do some seridtis damage to the pack.”

“And?

“We bumed the entire room. Nothing remains, including Veronica's bones.” He takes a step towards Neah and sighs.

“What?” holds text © rights.

“Neah has more enemies than you, Dane. For someone who knew nothing about her own life, how could she have made so many enemies?” “Her enemies are my enemies.” I mutter.

Klaus takes a seat in the only empty chair. “I assume the brother doesn’t know.”

“He and Eric are yet to return.”

“I'm sure they are fine. Maybe they have a lead and are tracking them.” “You sound confident. ‘I have to be hopeful.” Klaus gives me a small smile

“Hopeful?”

“Think about itsshe is some kind of miracle. Whetelse can say they have been bound’ this many times and live to tell thétale. And now poisoned-by something so deadly to our kind” He frowss as he stares at my mate. ‘Has she made any progress?”

“No. Her heart rhythm is steady. Raven says that everything is spot on. “Maybe her brain just needs time to process. Maybe the shock of what has happened has made her body shut down.”

“Her mind is a mess.” I sigh. “None of it makes any sense. I can't tell if she is reliving memories, or whether she's dreaming. I just know she is confused."

“So talk to her. Use your voice to guide her.” “You believe in that?”

‘I've heard of stranger things happening. Or if you feel uncomfortable doing that, I can read to her.” He pulls a small book out from the inside of his jacket.