81 What’s That Giggle About 

Olivia POV 

As soon as I cut the link, I’m on my feet. “We need to go. Mom, are you going to be alright to walk or do you need one of the men to carry you?” “Olivia, what’s happening,” Ace asks, taking a step toward me. I can feel his concern through our bond. I tell them everything that Connor told me. Growls fill the room. “F**k, Liam and my men should be able to help the pack hold them off until we get back. I’ve seen the Red Moon warrior’s training and I can’t imagine Roman’s warriors will be any match for them‘ Hudson says. 

“Connor wasn’t sure how many warriors were with them. He is heading to the gate now. There is also another Alpha at the gate, but the warrior wasn’t sure who he was when he reported it to Connor. He thinks it’s Bernard of the Broken Rose Pack. He was one of the few packs that refused to stand against the council. He is also a greedy ba**ard. Connor told me that, based on his conversations with allied packs, the council was offering territory and pack members in exchange for help to defeat the Red Moon.” 

“I can’t wait to rip that ba**ard Augustus’s head off. I want the last thing he ever sees to be my face before he meets the goddess,” Hudson says. My mother swings her legs over the edge of the bed, but I can tell she isn’t back to her full strength as her body sways slightly. Before she can even stand, Hudson scoops her up in his arms. “Hudson, I can walk,” she says. “I would hope that, if Amber were in your place, your mate would do the same for her. I can’t in good conscience, let you walk after all you have been through,” he says, and I smile. 

“Amber is your mate” she asks and he chuckles. “She is and she is amazing. Now let’s get you back to your 

mate. He has been losing his mind with worry about you and the pup,” he says. As I pick Calliope up, I notice Della’s eyes are glazed over. A few seconds later her eyes return to their normal beautiful blue color. She giggles as she heads toward Ace. “Sweet pea, what are you giggling about? What did Amethyst say that has you giggling,” he asks before I can. 

“Amethyst said that the goddess is sending Auntie Tanith to the pack to help Uncle Connor. Amethyst said she was skipping through the realm at the chance to deal with Alpha Roger singing ding–dong the Alpha’s dead,” Della says. I fight my own smile. “Who is Auntie Tanith and Alpha Roger, Della?” She giggles again, but 

this time when she blinks its Amethyst staring back at me. 

“She is the goddess of vengeance and torture. She has been waiting a long time to get her hands on Roger. 

He has a lot of sins to atone for and a lot of souls that want their chance to pay him back,” Amethyst says. A smile spreads across my face. I think I’m going to like Tanith. 

We make our way down the hall and staircase. Once we are through the rubble, we find the men just outside 

the castle watching as Cassandra waves her arms in the air. It looks like she is trying to use magic even 

though nothing is happening. “What the hell is happening?” “She apparently doesn’t believe that Della 

stripped her powers. She is exactly what she hates, human,” Ace says. 

I look at Ace and Hudson, who look like they are about to burst out laughing as she screams in frustration. 

Hudson schools his expression. “Shift and one of you carry the prisoner. We need to get back to the pack as 

quickly as possible. It seems we have unwanted visitors,” he says. Without hesitation, Mordeci shifts and lifts 

a screaming Cassandra over his shoulder. 

They both take off and I turn to Ace. He presses a soft kiss to my lips before he shifts in front of me into Ryker. He bends to sniff Cailiope, and she just stares at him. He places his head against hers gently before ! 

81 What’s That Giggle Ab. 

place her in his arms. Despite being a beast, he is cradling her like she is made of the most precious glass. He and Waylen take off, leaving just me and Della standing on what remain of the castle steps. 

“Can you run with mommy Della or do you want to ride on Danica’s back?” “We want to run, mommy. I know you’re scared, but you don’t have to be. Amethyst said everything is going to work out the way it should,” she says. I smile and bend down to wrap her in a hug. I press a kiss to her forehead and step back. We both shift and, despite the chaos that I know is happening back at the pack, I’m not filled with worry. In fact, knowing that my mother is alright, and the goddess is helping the pack lets me enjoy this first run with my pup. 

Connor POV 

“I see that the coward is hiding and leaving you alone to face the consequences of protecting him. The so–called king is nothing more than a broken Lycan who was never fit to rule anyone. I tried to warn you, Connor. I told you not to stand against the council. Instead, you sided with a f**king Lycan. He isn’t even of our kind. He is a dying breed. Wiped out long ago by the true rulers of the wolves,” Augustus says. 

Liam, Donny, and Abe all growl, taking a step closer to the gate. The hybrids use their speed to surround the ba**ards who are smiling like they have already won. “This could all be over if you just hand over the Lycans, Connor. I promise you that, despite your disrespect towards the council, the punishment will be fair. I’ll even allow you to remain in the pack under Alpha Roman. I’m sure he will allow you to be an omega and contribute 

to the pack in the kitchen,” he says. 

This time it’s my turn to growl. “I’m tired of talking. I didn’t come here to talk. Attack these a**holes. Kill them all, expect the Alpha, he’s mine,” Roger says, with a smirk. “Once you’re dead, I’ll take your mate as my new plaything until I get bored with her,” he says. Cosmo pushes to the surface rage pulsing through us at his threat against Becca. We shift and the Lycans come to stand with me side by side. The hybrids shift and 

start to breach the border. 

I’m shocked when Liam’s Lycan grabs the first one to reach us and forces him to the ground by his head. He quickly sinks his claw into the hybrid’s throat. After that, all hell breaks loose. My warriors are joining the fray and I pray we don’t lose many men today. I know it’s unrealistic to think there won’t be casualties, but I can still hope. We focus our attention on the dark brown wolf in front of us. He starts to circle, but I quickly realize he is acting as a distraction for that pr*ck Roger who is stalking me. I quickly move when he lunges, 

causing both wolves to collide. 

The black wolf is on its feet quickly and rushing toward me. When we finally collide, I dig my claws into his 

sides as he bites down on Cosmo’s shoulder. Cosmo whimpers as a pain like I’ve never known rips through 

our skin. Why the f**k does it feel like we are on fire is my only thought as Cosmo manages to shake off the 

wolf. 

We take a step back as a feeling of dizziness washes over me, making it hard to stay on our feet. I can see 

the black wolf’s next move before he makes it. He plans to jump on my back and bite down onto my scruff. I 

know I won’t be able to stop him, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try. 

I brace myself for the impact, but it never comes. I look back at the wolf who is now pinned to the ground by 

a figure I can hardly make out. I can tell it’s a woman with long black hair, but our ability to keep our eyes 

open is fading quickly. We finally lose the battle and fall onto our side. “Connor,” Liam screams, but I can’t force my eyes open. 

I’m surrounded by darkness, and I wonder if I’ll get the chance to see my pup and my beautiful mate. “Don’t do that, son? It is far from your time. Your mate and pup need you,” my father’s disembodied voice speaks in the 

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darkness. Is this part of whatever the hell had my skin on fire? I’m f**king hallucinating. Still hearing his voice 

after all this time has my heart beating faster. 

“I’m proud of you, Connor. You have become a great man. You protected your sister when everyone else failed her including me. I love you, Connor,” he says. “Dad, even if this isn’t real, I’m going to tell you how much ! miss you. A day hasn’t gone by that I don’t think about you and all the things I should have done differently. I love you dad.” “It’s time to go back, son. Let go of the past and live the life I always wanted you to have. I’ll be 

watching over you all,” he says. 

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