---- 282.


    I CAN NO LONGER LOCK HIM UP ALDRIC "I will go to battle with my mother.


    We will support Sigrid.


    You know I cant just stay here doing nothing," I hear Valerias voice in the darkness as she rests against my chest.


    aldric, if that evil cant be contained, there will be no safe ce left in this world." We''re both ready to sleep, but neither of us can.


    Quinn has gone to the lycannds to oversee their territory.


    No one knows when this bomb will explode.


    More and more specters keep escaping.


    We have to fight them every time they appear.


    And each time, they are stronger.


    Sigrid told us that the specters left on this earth were nothingpared to the ones still imprisoned.


    Thinking about a swarm of those thingsmassive ones, ording to herwould make anyones balls tighten.


    "Alright.


    Even if I locked you up in the dungeon, I know you''d find away to escape," I sigh, pulling her tighter against my chest.


    "I just have to protect you with everything I have." ?I just have to protect themmy woman and my pups.


    I cant let anything or anyone harm them.? I know Umbros is Sigrids mate, though it still seems unbelievable ---- that the worst nightmare of all supernatural beings is actually the victim of the story.


    But victim or not, my family is my priority.


    Thope I wont have to make an extreme decisionsigrid would never forgive me.


    see NARRATOR When everyone retreated to their rooms, the castle sank into a deep silence.


    Each person soughtfort in their mate, sharing fears and worries, drawing strength from one another.


    All except one.


    Sigrid slipped out of bed and walked to the balcony, opening it silently.


    Her white satin andce nightgown fluttered in the night breeze.


    Her short ebony hair gleamed under the silver moonlight.


    Barefoot, she stopped at the edge of the balcony, staring into the vast darkness.


    She focused on a single point in the distance.


    The moment was drawing near; she could feel it deep in her Selenia soul.


    Her dim, sorrowful eyes reflected images of himhis fleeting smiles, his sharp, dark gazes, the perpetual furrow of his brow.


    Everything reminded her of Ss.