Alpha Unleashed by Aileen Erin

and I knew we were almost on coven land. “Stop the cars. Cosette and I will check the wards alone. If we’re lucky, no one else has to come.” I was praying we’d see people walking down the dirt rode that divided the compound, going about life as usual. Then we could turn straight around before anyone got hurt.
    â€œI don’t like that at all,” Dastien said.
    To be honest, neither did I. “I’ll stay within sight.”
    The leather steering wheel squeaked under the pressure as Dastien tightened his grip. “If you go out of sight, I’m coming after you.”
    â€œOkay,” I said as the car came to a stop. “Keep the car running just in case.” I slung my messenger bag of vials over my shoulder and slid down from my seat. I reached inside, grabbing two vials just in case, and then turned to Cosette, who was getting out from the car behind us.
    â€œYou ready?”
    â€œOf course.” She tucked a golden ringlet behind her ear. “Just let me test them first and we’ll decide who goes through.”
    â€œWhatever you need.”
    We snuck toward to the cattle guards that started just before the compound’s gate. I usually felt the urge to run right about now—the slimy feeling of the wards rushing over me—but nothing was happening. “Do you feel the wards?”
    â€œNo.” Cosette reached out, moving her fingers like she was strumming a harp. “There’s nothing.”
    Before I could stop her, she stepped over the threshold onto coven lands.
    â€œAre you crazy!” I whisper-yelled at her as I glanced around frantically, expecting an army of witches to come at us. I held the vials up as my heartbeat thudded in my ears.
    Only… The compound was quiet. The dirt road was empty. Cars were haphazardly parked on either side of the road, the same as always. Houses loomed down the dirt road, with the schoolhouse at the end. A few houses still had lights on. Odd for this time of night—we were pushing past one in the morning—but not totally out of the realm of the possible.
    I stood frozen, waiting for some sign of movement, but there was nothing.
    The wards were down.
    â€œTell the others they can cross.” Cosette whirled and started walking. “I’ll make sure Luciana’s gone.”
    â€œWait.” I caught up to her before she got more than a few steps. “Not alone”
    â€œAlone.” Cosette waved me off. “This might all be a trap.”
    My pulse raced. “Then go. Hurry.”
    As soon as she slipped away, I called for Dastien. Can you hear me?
    How is that possible? The wards always blocked our bond before. Every time you were on coven land, I couldn’t feel you, let alone talk to you like this.
    They’re gone.
    What does that mean?
    Nothing good. I turned back to the compound. “Get everyone. Let’s go.”
    I made my way to the first lit house, knowing that Dastien wouldn’t be far behind.
    Two steps led up to the front porch. The first one squeaked under my weight, and I froze, expecting someone to come out and yell at me for trespassing.
    No one came. I gingerly took the next step, and then tiptoed to the window beside the door. It gave a good view of the living room and kitchen. A movie played on the TV. Fifth Element. Good choice. The back of the couch faced the window, but I could see someone’s head facing the screen.
    Thank God. I closed my eyes as I let go of the worry. Luciana had spared them.
    As soon as I let out a breath, another fear grabbed hold of me. If they were alive, the wards shouldn’t be down and we’d just walked into a trap.
    Shit. We needed to leave. Now.
    I started to tell Dastien as much when something caught my eye.
    In the little break in the cabinets that connected the kitchen to the living room, someone was lying on the floor. The shards of a broken mixing bowl scattered all around them.
    The momentary relief