Healing The Alpha Collection by Jessica Ryan

Abaddon said, finishing up his outfit. "We have a pact now. I promise I won't return to this town to cause trouble as long as I have you."
    "Very well," Leena said, bowing her head. "Let's go."
    As she climbed onto the back of Abaddon's motorcycle Aster stepped forward, reaching for her, but it was too late. She gave him and Rowan one last long, mournful look as Abaddon's motorcycle roared down the street and out of sight.
    Aster watched her until the motorcycle disappeared into town, leaving the two friends alone on the hill. Rowan was silently crying, trying to fight back his tears and be strong. Aster patted him on the shoulder before looking up at the sky. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was an absolutely beautiful day, and Aster was right: beautiful days would never be the same again.

Chapter 11
     
    "Are we going to die?" Eva asked. They had all sat in silence in their little cell for what felt like an eternity.
    She looked up to see Rowan looking out the window, a distant look in his eyes. He hadn't been the same since they had been captured. She had tried to love him, kiss him, hold him and make him feel better, but it had all been for naught. He had gone through the motions by kissing her, embracing her back and telling her that he loved her, but it was just habit. She could tell the lights were on but nobody was home behind her love's eyes. It didn't bother her like it would another person; she knew that he was going through absolute pain.
    "This isn't what I signed up for," Ciara said, sitting up from her spot on the other bed. She had been lying against Hawk, staring at the ceiling, but now that Eva had spoken, it had roused the short redhead from her daze. "I didn't think we were going to be put in this situation."
    "I offered to take you away," Hawk said, rolling onto his side and looking up at the woman he had claimed as his mate. "You said it would be wrong. You wanted me to stay and help."
    "I didn't think the girl we rescued would turn out to still be possessed," Ciara said, shrugging her shoulders. "I thought the demon was loose in the forest or possessing that Forrest guy, or something. Your fucking names are confusing me!"
    "Sorry," Hawk said nonchalantly.
    It was obvious he cared for Ciara, but she had turned into a bit of brat since their capture twenty-four hours ago. Hawk had fought so hard to save the town, he had done everything possible to rescue Leena and his mate, but it had all blown up in his face. It was a devastating blow to such a prideful wolf and he seemed resigned to accept death as some sort of punishment.
    Eva was trying to be brave for everyone. It was sad that she had been an outsider less than two weeks ago, but now she was the one trying to keep two alpha wolves and a hysterical mate level-headed and in the game. She had already been through so much since she had learned werewolves, demons and other things that go bump in the night were real.
    "You should have burned her when you had the chance," Ciara said, turning back to Hawk.
    "She made a convincing argument," Hawk said, sitting up beside her on the bed. "It's a demon. 'They're very good at deception."
    "Nobody is blaming you," Eva said. "You did everything you could."
    "I heard one of the guards whispering last night," Ciara said. "They captured Beorn and Rain."
    "What?" Eva asked. She had been convinced the bear and her spunky friend would be able to elude capture out in the forest. "Who does that leave?"
    "Aster," Rowan said, finally breaking his silence. "Aster is our only hope."
    Everyone sat in silence, taking in the gravity of the situation. Eva didn't know much about the head alpha of Bucklin. Rowan talked about him with such reverence and respect that Eva thought he walked on water. Unfortunately they had kept so much from him, so much that he would need to know in a situation like this.
    "What if he sees Leena?" Eva asked.
    "What if he does?" Rowan responded.
    "Well,