Her fingers twitched when she lifted her hand and placed her fingers in his. She watched his face, ready to bolt at the least bit of reservation or fear.

Other than a crackle of static, nothing happened.

Taggert hauled her closer, propped her ass against the sink, and assessed her injuries.

"You can't just assume that I won't hurt you."

"You don't give yourself enough credit. Your power knew what it was doing. It wouldn't destroy something it's already claimed. If you doubt me, talk to Digger." There was no reproach in his words, just gentle chiding.

"You assume it thinks and feels."

"Don't you?" Taggert peeled down the side of her towel, preserving her modestly so only her back and side were exposed. Her shoulder had a bite mark that displayed a full set of uppers and lowers. The puncture marks from the fangs were jagged, but at least she hadn't lost a chunk of flesh.

Taggert sprayed antibiotic on her shoulder and bandaged it. He bent to view her side where four claws sliced down her ribs, narrowly missing her soft underbelly. "The slashes are too close together. Any stitches will pull at the wound and pucker the skin."

But he didn't stop inspecting her side. "What is it?"

He pointed to an area just above her hipbone. "The skin around this area appears bruised, but it's unlike anything I've ever seen."

Raven glanced down at the fist-sized spot. "I must have knocked into something during the fight."

But she couldn't recall. A sickening feeling of dread surged through her, a terror so deep she slammed the door against it before it could take hold.

She had to be wrong.

She ran a finger lightly over the area. Coldness met her touch, the surface hard. Her fingertips picked up subtle ridge details, and she could almost detect a pattern if she concentrated hard enough.

Then the placement hit her.

It rested directly over the void, a dead spot where her body could no longer hold current. She'd burned herself out, and it had never healed properly.

Unwilling to share her worry until she had time to learn the truth, she lied through her teeth. "I'm fine. Why don't you head off to bed. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."

Taggert recognized the brush-off but relented without a word at whatever he saw in her expression. He might have allowed her to fob him off for now, but he wouldn't forget.

Once alone, she dropped the towel and wrapped her ribs. After an hour of pacing, Raven worked up her nerve and headed downstairs to see if Digger had made any progress.

The basement was silent, the only sounds were of machines whirling. Without shifting his attention from his work, Digger waved her closer. "The drugs are absorbed into the system by placing a tab on the tongue. The chemicals dissolve almost instantly, the delivery system fast enough to affect shifters."

His explanation made sense. "This drug grants some shifters alpha characteristics for a few hours but it kills others."

A frown wrinkled Digger face. "Small doses shouldn't be lethal."

"But?"

"A resin had been added in the drug to overcome our high metabolism. The resin suppresses oxidation, so the drug remains in the system longer."

"So a timed release."

"Shifters run hot. Some too hot. Our natural temperature can cause the resin in the drug to breakdown too fast and form formaldehyde. And since rogues are closer to going feral, they run hotter and are the most vulnerable.

"Once formaldehyde binds to their system, there is no way to flush it out. Shifters have a low tolerance, so once they reach the saturation point..."

"Kaboom."

Digger nodded, a troubled expression marring his face.

"Are there any symptoms?"

"Headaches, burning sensations in the mucous membranes, but by then, it's already too late."

That explained when the guy at the diner grabbed his head and the couple in the car. The urgency of the situation ratcheted up another notch. Raven curled her hands into fists, feeling useless. "The deaths won't just stop even if we warn everyone. They crave the chance at freedom too much. The more they use the drug, the more the chemicals will build up in their systems."

Raven shook her head at the worst-case scenario and focused on those she could help now. "Since we have a handle on what we're dealing with, will any of that help Jamie?"

"He will be fine, well past the point his body would've reacted to the chemicals. The small percentage in his system slowed his healing. All we can do is wait for him to mend. A day or two more at the most."

Raven gazed at the bed in question. His wounds were smaller, but still not where they should've been.

"You aren't harming him."

Raven's head snapped up.

She couldn't speak.

Couldn't move.

"Taggert, I mean." Digger glanced up from his desk. "I'll admit that he is adapting, changing, but that's not a bad thing. In Taggert's case, it might be a blessing. You are making him stronger and that's something he needs to survive in this new world."

Raven blanched at the doctor's grim explanation. To hear her worst fear confirmed. "Is there any way to reverse what has been done to him?"

Digger studied her for a minute. "I wouldn't suggest it, nor would I advise halting whatever you're doing. You think you're harming him. In fact, I would say the opposite. You are the only thing keeping him alive. He is a weak shifter without anything to offer. Whatever you're doing to him has strengthened his bond with his wolf."

"What about the long term effect or overexposure?" As she knew from recent experience, it was very easy to kill a man.

Digger shrugged as if the choice was up to her, but it had gone far beyond that. "Only time will tell, but we know what will happen if you stop. He could very well lose his wolf."

A death sentence to any shifter.

Chapter Thirty.

ENCLOSED CONCLAVE: FULL MOON.

The recent attack had more consequences than Raven could've ever predicted.

Her animals had yet to return.

In fact, she couldn't feel them at all. In their place was a coldness that she couldn't shake. It invaded her bones like all the warmth had been sucked out of her.

She had one guess by what.

Her core had been damaged by the magic, and the damn creature was stealing every spare ounce it could grab.

Raven kept to her rooms until it was time to leave for the conclave. She wasn't hiding, but she feared if the others found out how defenseless she really was at the moment, they would forbid her to attend.

Nothing would stop her from claiming Jackson tonight.

She would be walking into a room full of the most powerful shifters without a weapon. She just hoped none of them could tell that she was virtually defenseless. The vulnerability of being so exposed was not a comfortable feeling.

If Scotts and other normals felt that way around paranormals, no wonder the distrust remained so rampant between the races.

She opted not to arm herself. It would be seen as weak and draw attention, but she did grab her badge. She wore a slim fitting black outfit, knee-high boots, gloves and her necklace.

With a few more twists to hide her distinctive hair, she was ready to go. Downstairs, Aaron waited for her, and she pulled up short. His hair was trimmed and spiked, like when they'd first met, his clothes pressed. Every inch the alpha's son. She hadn't realized how relaxed he'd become from the uptight teen he'd been not so long ago. That's when she understood.

"You won't be returning, will you?" It surprised Raven how much she would miss having Aaron near and more than just for the blessing of his gift.

A small smile kicked up the corner of his lips. "After I pass the test, my place in the pack is unassailable. Any personal attack on me would be constituted as an attack on the pack and will be dealt with accordingly."

She couldn't detect even the slightest injury he'd sustained. "Will your wounds affect your presentation?"

He brushed his hand down the front of his chest, slightly uncomfortable looking in his old role. "No. If anything, the change will speed the healing." He wandered closer, every inch of him alert and on edge, the way he was before he'd arrived. "If I don't get a chance to say it later, I want to thank you for taking such good care of me. I'm honored that you've allowed me into you pack, if only for a few days. For saving my life. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call upon me."

The last part sounded like a formal pledge. Raven bowed her head. "It was a pleasure. You know where to reach me if you need me."

But instead of answering, Aaron continued to stare at her.

"What?"

"You would have helped me even without the offer of Jackson." It wasn't a question.

Uncomfortable under his regard, Raven shrugged. "Who can say."

"A word of caution, then. Don't let the conclave take advantage of you. Don't let them ruin the good of what you're doing."

Jackson entered through the kitchen before she could reply.

The brightness in Aaron's eyes dimmed, returning to normal.

Even Jackson was dressed for the occasion, suppressed energy swirling around him. "Ready?"

Raven wasn't sure anymore. Her pack was coming together, but her power and animals were failing her when she needed them most. She couldn't keep her pack safe without them. "As I'm ever going to be."

The ride to Talons was made in silence, all of them edgy, waiting for one last attempt from Vivian. She studied the shadows for any signs of attack.

Everything appeared blessedly calm as they parked. The rumble of the engine died. Before they entered the club, she put her hand against the door to prevent them from going further. "I want to make sure this is something you want."

Jackson shot to attention as if poked with a cattle prod, and Raven wondered what faux pas she'd bumbled into now.

Instead of answering, Aaron walked up to her and gave her a quick hug, ignoring the way she stiffened. "I'll be fine. My alpha is on the other side of the door waiting for me."

Feeling awkward, Raven followed Aaron and Jackson inside. And indeed, Kevin was waiting. He didn't look anxious or tense. Not that anyone would notice. It wasn't until he spotted Aaron that she saw the stress drop away.

He rose to his feet, along with three of his people. They cleared a path through the crowd, which consisted of a mixture of alphas, enforcers and so many teenagers, it felt like the rave all over again. There was a hushed excitement and expectation in the air. And surprisingly, a slight undercoating smell of fear.

"So many."

Aaron scanned the crowd. "Most are here to watch and offer support. Two others will be changing with me tonight. A shifter only gets three chances to crest. The alpha chooses when you are eligible, when they think you have the best chance at the change.

"A shifter has until the age of nineteen to complete the last two attempts."

"What about Jase and the boys?"

"They won't have to go through the public version unless they find a pack. Rogues usually crest early, but being around the pack will slow their progress. Just being in the house will give them a few months."

Raven cast him a cursory look, marveling at his confidence. There was no doubt in him that he would crest tonight.

Aaron gave her a nudge, silently telling her not to worry.

Kevin came to stand before them. "It's good to see you."

Though he spoke to her, all his focus was centered on his son.

"You, too, though I thought I would find more resistance."

Kevin's face darkened, and he smiled in a rare show of emotion. "After it came to my attention what my lovely mate had orchestrated last night, I planned my own entertainment for her."

There was no doubt in Raven's mind that whatever he'd had in store for Vivian wouldn't be pleasant, not if his smile was anything to go by. He was not the type of person she wanted on her bad side.

"Do the terms of our agreement meet with your satisfaction?"

"Yes." Kevin held out his hand to his enforcer, then pulled Jackson in close and thumped him on his arm. "I'm going to miss your company, old friend. If you've changed your mind..."

Jackson pulled away and shook his head, the suppressed emotions on his face dropping years from him. "I can't serve two masters."

Kevin was all alpha when he faced her. "I release my claim. From here on out, he's yours." Then with a nod, he disappeared back into the crowd. Aaron flashed her one last mischievous grin before being swallowed by the mill of young people.

Without Aaron or Taggert as a buffer, there was an awkwardness between her and Jackson. He stared at her with an unwavering intensity that made her want to check to make sure she hadn't put her underwear on over her clothes.

Though weak, a cord of current licked under her skin, awakened as if her power couldn't wait to claim him, either.

A commotion at the other end of the room drew her attention. Eager for the distraction, not ready to face the expectation on Jackson's face, she searched for the source of the unrest.