-Joanne- I groaned and tried to move my aching body while I lay on the cold hard floor. I struggled to open my eyes and scampered up, holding onto the doorpost, fearing I might fall again if my legs wouldn’t stop trembling. I straightened myself as best as possible and took a deep breath. I immediately whimpered, feeling the bruises on my ribs. I lifted my shirt, and tears brimmed my eyes when my skin had purple bruises covering my ribs and hips. “Anxiety attacks my ass,” I sighed in defeat. I had shown my therapist these bruises many times before, but she still didn’t believe me there was something else going on. She believed I did this to myself, but how? I limped to the shower, needing the hot water to soothe my body. Pulling my lips behind my teeth to stop myself from crying, I undressed, stepped under the scorching hot shower, and sighed. I had no idea what time it was or how long I stood in the shower, but slowly, very slowly, the pain beneath my skin faded enough for me
I joined the warm-up with Conner, Liam, and some other pack members, but it was hard to focus when I couldn’t shake this feeling of being watched—the same I had by the river bed. My lips curled, and I tried to hide it as quickly as possible, not wanting anyone to notice and ask me a question I couldn’t answer. It seemed I had surprised Liam when I managed to keep up with everything that was tossed my way, but how could he not be? He hasn’t asked me a single thing, never tried to explain how this world worked—only kept throwing at my face that I was his and nothing more. They all paired up, and now it was time to shine. I thought Liam would stay with me, but he darted off with his friends. It would have been nice of him to introduce me, but no, that wasn’t in that thick head of his. “Just you and me,” Conner teased, moving past me, purposely brushing his arm against mine. I watched him closely, knowing why he did that. “If you want to ask something, just spit it out.” I sighed,
My legs wouldn’t stop shaking after another round, waiting for what came next. “Gamma.” Was called out, and Liam strode closer. My heart swelled when I saw the emotions flowing through his gaze, finally something other than disgust—he was proud. My hand slowly moved down where I had hidden my ace because I knew Liam wouldn’t let me win. My eyes drifted to his wrist, noticing the red line from the bracelet. The silver was burning his skin. He waited, moving around me, wanting me to make the first move, but I wouldn’t. However, I knew I had to step closer. I could only win this if he couldn’t use his full reach. Still, I remained on the spot, following his steps, until my gaze landed on the man behind Conner. Tall, dark, and handsome was an understatement, and I couldn’t peel my eyes away from him. There was something there, luring me closer, but why? His clenched jaw, the fire in his eyes, the anger….the pain behind it. The pain I recognized. He tilted his head up slightly, showi
-Isaac- I struggled more than I should, watching in awe how she fought her way through the ranks. Even though we changed the test for her because she was human, she still amazed me. Besides changing the test, I had ordered everyone not to use any titles. I wanted her to feel at home here, and I wondered why I did that. I didn’t know if Logan liked her, if it was a crush, or even just an interest because she was new. But I hoped I would soon find out. I struggled not to smile because it seemed she was searching for me, and the thought alone made this warmth grow inside me. A warmth I hadn’t felt in a very long time. And then she found me. Her eyes locked on mine, and the world around me faded. There was so much in her eyes, beauty, strength, but what lured me closer—heartbreak. Ever since my mate and pup were taken from me, I pushed everyone away, struggling with my anger toward the world and fighting with my wolf, and now, I wanted to be close to someone. Someone that could neve
The tension in the air almost made it hard to breathe, and I tried to figure out why Conner left and who Isaac was. My eyes drifted around his office, taking in the bookshelves lining the wall, the darkness that filled this place, and that heavenly scent.Wondering if Liam had an office, I asked Isaac. “Does Liam have an office?” I asked, trying to start a conversation. But he only huffed, not speaking a word. And then it hit me, crap. He has to be the Alpha. Why would Conner leave otherwise? Shit, shit, shit. I might not know much about pack life, but I remembered what Liam told me.“He is not someone you want to mess with.”That was what he told me before I went and crossed the border. “Don’t cross the border. The Alpha will feel it.”Shit, what was I sup—“Fuck,” I flinched, Isaac suddenly standing beside me, stopping my trail of thoughts. “Come, I’ll show you around.” He extended his hand, and I slowly glanced up, meeting his dark gaze.Should I fear him? Liam does, I think.
-Joanne-Liam said nothing when he hurried me upstairs, holding onto my wrist a little too tight, but it didn’t matter how much I squirmed, his grip wouldn’t falter. I thought he would be mad when he found me with Isaac, but it seemed he wasn’t. It seemed he was excited. “You should be glad I found you. No one is allowed to be there,” he whispered, fumbling with some keys in his other hand. I held my tongue, thinking it was better not to tell him Isaac had taken me there. Tell him how I felt about Isaac, how eager I was to go back. Desperate for his touch, his words. A shiver moved through my body, and my arousal rose further. However, I knew it was all me. I was ashamed Isaac could scent it; how could I ever meet his eyes again?Liam groaned; his grip on me tightened and he jerked me against his chest. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me,” he murmured while his other hand trailed a path over my spine, slowly moving down. “I’m not going to wait anymore.” His words sounded lik
I stood there, frozen in the hallway, wondering if I should head upstairs or find a restroom to hide in. How did my life become so messed up? I should never have given in to him, I should never have let my arousal get the better of me. However, could I have stopped him? Would this bond between us let me stop him, let me push him away? Because it didn’t matter how much I loathed him, my soul craved him—craved to be near him. “Tell me, and I will kill him,” Isaac said, startling me. I quickly wiped away the tears, but still, I didn’t dare to meet his gaze. Why would he care about how Liam treats me? Maybe the way Liam acted toward me was expected in a pack. The hairs on the back of my neck rose when the warmth of his body soothed mine while I repeated his words inside my mind, wondering if it was a figure of speech or if it was a test. “It’s fine,” I sighed. “Look at me,” he said, the harshness in his voice shuddered my spine, and I hesitantly turned. “I won’t kill him unle
-Joanne-I was grateful Liam never showed up last night, giving me the needed space from him. Especially since I had another attack. I wondered if Liam stayed away because of the howls I heard.Maybe Isaac did something to him? The thought alone made my heart swell, and something else rose. I quickly shook my head, knowing all too well my heat would start any day now. However, I couldn’t get Isaac out of my mind. How his arm moved around my waist, gently pulling me closer, just enough to feel his warmth but not enough to feel his body. God, I wanted to feel his body against mine. I wanted to feel everything about him. I rubbed my thighs together, trying to push back the throbbing need between them. “You have an appointment in an hour with the pack doctor,” Liam’s voice made me jump. I hadn’t even noticed he was back yet.“When did you get back?” I asked, pulling up the covers.His eyes wandered over the bed, and he sighed. “A few hours ago, I didn’t want to wake you.”“Oh, okay,”