There wasn't a part of my body that didn't ache. I had track those werewolf demons halfway around the country it felt like and I was still no closer to figuring out how or why they were living longer. They also had greater strength and intelligence. They were being controlled by something else, of that I was certain.

The she-wolf tending my wounds began to massage the frustration knot that had gathered between my shoulder blades. A low growl rumbled in my chest and she instantly stopped and went back to the lacerations on my arm. Her and all the other she wolves were way too touchy feely for my liking. They all wanted a mate, particularly if that mate was the alpha.

The mere thought of being mated had my skin crawling. I pushed her hand aside and rose from the chair, a silent dismissal. She scurried out of my room without any protest. The whole tending to my wounds, was just an excuse anyway. I would be completely healed by the days end.

I walked over to my desk and circled another area on the large map. My wolves had the werewolves somewhat contained and away from civilization, but no matter how many we kill, they still seemed to be multiplying at an alarming rate.

I heard little footsteps approach my door right before it quietly opened. I hid a smile as I braced myself for an attack.

I kept my back turned to her as she crept her way towards me. She pounced, but I surprised her by turning around at the last minute and catching her in my arms.

"No fair!" Mia screeched.

"All is fair in love and war." I smile as I tickle her.

Her laughter warms my heart and makes the last month of hell I have lived through seem like a distant memory. I stop the assault on her belly and look over her sweet little face. Her strawberry blond hair is a mated mess and her face is smeared with dirt, forever the little tomboy.

She is the only one that I let me guard down around. She's just another member of my pack, but with her it's different. I found her five years ago, an abandoned pup and took her into my pack, so now I feel like I have an obligation to protect her on a much more personal level.

Her sparkling blue eyes shine as she reaches up to touch my jaw.

"You're prickly." She says as she brushes her hand across the scruff of my beard. "And you need a bath." She pinches her nose to prove a point.

"Give me a break, little one. I literally just walked through the door."

A knock sounded at the door.

"Enter." I called while still cradling Mia against my chest.

Conner walked in first and gave me a look of disapproval. He didn't like the attachment I had towards an abandoned pup, but I cared very little about what he thought even though he was my beta.

Jeremy and Leo walked in after him. They all stood in a straight line in front of me, all battle-worn from their mission.

"Report."

Conner spoke up first.

"We tracked and killed at least ten of those bastards. They are getting better at covering their tracks, but they can't outsmart a wolf."

"We tracked the one that was taking boys and reaping havoc in the small town to the north."

"One? You have been gone for weeks and you only got one?" Conner interrupted Leo.

Leo opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off again by Mia.

"It's not your turn to speak." She said with serious looking face, directed at Conner.

I smiled on the inside. She had taken the very words from my mouth. Conner did not appreciate being scolded by pup and let her know that by emanating a small growl.

Mia nestled closer to my chest at the threat, which pissed me off. I outmatched his growl sending a warning throughout the room and all three of them fell to one knee in submission.

"Continue, Leo." I motioned for him to stand.

"He was difficult to get our paws on him, because he stayed closed to the humans. We didn't kill him. When he was finally in a vulnerable position, someone else killed him."

The other two wolves stood up and both look at me seriously.

"Explain yourself." I watched him carefully.

"There were Hunters there. They killed the werewolf." Leo clarified.

That news was like nails against a chalkboard to my soul. I hated werewolves, they were a plague upon this word, but the hatred I had towards Hunters was something else entirely.

"We captured her and brought her back to the compound, the huntress that killed the werewolf."

My ears pricked at this news. I now had a huntress at my mercy.

"Not any Huntress." Conner clarified. "She's a Del Val."

Anger surged through my veins like molten lava, just at the mention of that name. I gritted my teeth to keep the anger and words within that should not be heard by little ears.

I glanced down at Mia as she tugged on my tank top to get my attention.

"What's a Del Val?" She asked quietly, obviously sensing the anger rolling off of me.

"A Del Val is an evil human with super strength and speed that hunts down wolves and chops their heads off." Conner says in a hiss.

"Conner, it would be best for you if you disappeared from my sight before I forget there is a small pup in the room."

I warned as Mia whimpered and buried her face in my chest.

"She can't hurt you or anyone else now, Mia. She is locked up in the dungeon." Jeremy tried to calm the trembling little one in my arms.

"I smelled chocolate chip cookies when I passed by the kitchen earlier. Why don't you go with Jeremy and see if they are ready to eat?" I asked Mia.

Jeremy held out his arms. I could tell she was reluctant to go with him, but she obeyed and leapt into his arms.

"Save one for me." I smiled at her and they walked out the door.

"What are you going to do with her?" Leo asked.

I could feel my wolf stirring angrily just beneath the surface.

"I'm going to make her pay for every lycan death at the hands of a Del Val, especially my brother's."