For Your Sake

Alice’s voice faded as Axel’s mind cleared, and he opened his eyes.

He lifted his head, looking around him and remembering where he was. Still bound by the thick roots that had sprung up from the earth, his leg still aching with the fire of his infection.

He heard Roman’s steps in the snow coming toward him.

Roman squatted before Axel, grinning.

“How are you feeling, old friend?” he asked, looking down at the wound on Axel’s leg. “I admit I knew it would take some time, but I’m starting to feel impatient now.”

He reached down and squeezed Axel’s leg, drawing a hiss from Axel.

Axel took soft breaths as the pain eased, and he looked at the man before him.

The devil from his past.

The scar on Axel’s face constantly reminded him of the fear that had been burned inside him.

Bell’s mate, the unknown enemy that Axel had longed to meet since the day she arrived in Winter with her jaw wired shut. The cause of all her grief and suffering.