Page 75 of Pack: Posy 3

"What about them?" Mason asked.

"Alpha Cole's eyes turned black, right, luna? But Topaz's eyes aren't black."

"They're silver!" I gasped. "But what happened to Topaz? Where is he? What would make Cole's eyes black?"

"I don't know, but he - or whatever it is - was definitely controlling Ash and Wyatt," Mason said. "Lark, see what you can find out. Garnet says all of Cole's and Topaz's links are locked down, but you should feel the mate bond at least. And can you reach Sid and Gran?"

It there and strong as ever, but I no link with Sid or— Lark interrupted herself with a sudden shriek.Something hurting Cole! Topaz fighting it! He also healing Cole over and over. Taking all his energy. That why he silent.

"Maria said they took a parasite out of the Cold Moon luna today," Matthew said slowly. "Do you think they missed one?"

"And it latched onto Alpha Cole?" Tristan added. "You think there's a parasite inside him?"

"If that's true, we need to get it out of him," Mason barked. "Poppy, how much damage could this thing do? And how quickly?"

She didn't know exactly without seeing the creature, but she had some theories. While she explained them, I spaced out, fear making the world around me spin in a blur.

One of my mates was in serious trouble. Even if he didn't want me anymore, I couldn't let Cole or Topaz die. They were exactly one-fifth of my heart.

I tuned back into the conversation as Mason asked Matthew and Tristan why they'd left Ariel and Maria behind at our house.

"We followed luna, as we should," Tristan told him. "Besides, they wanted to find the parasite Alpha Cole was guarding and try to determine why he was acting the way he was."

"You just left them there while Cole was acting aggressively?" Mason questioned them.

"They'rebirds, alpha." Matthew rolled his eyes. "When things get dicey, they shift and fly away."

"And they're witches," Poppy added. "They can more than take care of themselves, even against an angry alpha."

"Speaking of our mates, here they come," Tristan said and loped to the edge of the clearing.

Seconds later, Ariel and Maria walked out of the trees, leading Ash and Wyatt by the hand. My mates looked out of it, their pupils huge and their faces slack.

"We have a shield around their wolves," Maria explained as soon as we made eye contact. "The wolf has to answer to the alpha, but the man doesn't. It was the only thing we knew to try so we could get them away from Alpha Cole. It's not perfect, but it's working."

"We've had to shield their links, too, so that's why you haven't been able to reach them," Ariel added.

"They look high." Mason took my hand and led me over to them. "Ash? Wy? You good?"

"Good, Mase," Wyatt mumbled.

Ash nodded frantically, his curls bouncing, but said nothing.

"It's because they're separated from their wolves." Poppy tilted her head as she studied them. "The longer they go like this, I think the more they'd adapt and be able to function almost like normal, but let's not put it to the test."

"Is that why Reau is the way he is?" I asked her as I stared at Ash and Wyatt. "Because he lost his wolf?"

"No. He's a whole different little lollipop triple-dipped in issues." Poppy shook her head. "And the alphas' wolves aren'tdead, just out of reach, which adds a level of frustration. Part of their brains feel numb, like when your hand falls asleep."

Ihatedwhen that happened and shuddered at the thought of my brain feeling like that.

My poor mates! How they must be suffering!

"Posy!" Ash shouted suddenly, making me jump. "Princess!"

He shoved Mason aside and threw his arms around my head and shoulders. Maria, who still had a death grip on his hand, was dragged around to my back.

"Alpha Ash, I told you we had to maintain skin contact!" she squealed.

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