It doesn’t take long to fill in my father on everything that has happened ever since he brought me back to the pack. However, I expected him to be angry on hearing what Hunter’s plans were for me.However, he shows no signs of anger.“I’m not surprised,” He says, coldly. He looks at me and his voice is regretful, “There is something I have never told you, Sarah. We didn’t want to tell you because it didn’t matter to us. When your mother was pregnant, we decided to go roaming. At the time, we didn't know she was expecting. It is only during your travels and we found out and I thought I was too late to go back to the back so we decided to find a place and stay there till our child arrived. I built a hut for us and we stayed there. One of those nights, a few months after we started living there, your mother was caught int he crosshairs of an attack. Some shifters were pursuing a pregnant shifter and they mistook your mother for her. I managed to save Laila but we lost the child.
Lucas stops in his tracks and watches them and I hear a warning rumble leave his throat. The soldiers stop at a distance. One of them is Ted.“Uh, listen, man, a bunch of us were wondering if you want to help train the new recruits,” Ted scratches the back of his head.“I’m busy,” Lucas says, abruptly, and I kick him in the shin, making him growl at me.“He’ll do it,” I get to my feet, exhausted. “As long as you're not kicking my ass, I’ll happily sign you up for anything at this point.”A few of the soldiers grin at my comment and one of them throws in, “He wiped the floor with your ass.”“Like you can do any better,” I retort, without thinking.The soldier, Mathew shrugs, “I can take Lucas. Want to bet on it?”This is the camaraderie that I was missing ever since I was kicked out. My chest throbs almost painfully is difficult to maintain my smile, "Sure. Why don't you kick his ass first, Lucas?” “If you say so,” Lucas shrugs, unbothered.There are a few ch
The common room is where all the wolves hang out. It is the only room I feel safe when Lucas isn't around. So far, Lucas has made it a point never to leave me by myself which is why both Valerie and Hunter have not been able to approach me.But it seems they have just been watching and waiting, biding their time to get me alone.I barely glance at Hunter, my tone dismissive, “So talk.”“In private,” He says his tone, gritty.I give him an incredulous look, “What could you possibly have to say to me in private?"I deliberately keep my voice loud and I can see some of the sentinels look over from where they’re standing.Hunter’s brow snaps together, “Just come with me.”“I don’t think so,” I say, my voice calm. “I don't feel comfortable having a conversation with another male without my mate present.”“This has nothing to do with Lucas,” Hunter hisses. “Come here before I drag you out.”I study his face. There is no doubt that Hunter is a very handsome man
The deadly silence that fills the room at Hunter’s words is the most satisfying sound I’ve ever heard. Valerie looks shocked as does everyone else.“Hunter!” Valerie hisses, her face contorting with anger. He looks down at her and I don’t now what silent communication passes through them but he seems to become a little aware of where he’s standing.His tone is stiff, “I mean. The mating ceremony hasn’t happened yet.”“She has my mark,” Lucas snarls. “You put your hands on my mate. Are we supposed to protect our women from the Alpha now? Sarah is mine. She belongs to me. Not you. On one hand, you're going around calling her deformed and that you don’t want her but then nobody else can have her as well? Is that what you’re trying to say?”The pack mates look at each other, a little restless.“Lucas, you’re misunderstanding,” Valerie tries to touch his arm and he snatches it away, his face disgusted. “Don’t touch me,” He snaps at her and Valerie flinches.Hun
All eyes turn in my direction as Hunter picks her up, his eyes glowing fiercely at me. “You did this!”“Did what?” I demand. “I’ve been in my room since what happened this morning. How could I do anything to her?!”There’s a soft murmur around us and one of the female lieutenants, Debra, looks confused, “How is wolves attacking you, Sarah’s fault?”“Because she can control them!” Hunter snarls.“What?” Debra looks a little wary as she looks my way. “How is that possible? Is this true, Sarah?”I stare at Hunter and Valerie. I hadn’t really thought they would reveal my ability so quickly.I press my lips together and nod, “I recently found out. But I didn’t do anything to Valerie. Just because I can control wolves doesn’t mean I control all that exist. And I have to be physically present to control them.”I put in a white lie or two in my words. “I was in my room the whole time. Ask Tina,” I gesture towards the pack healer. “She came to check on me twice.”T
“They’ve shut me out,” My father says, his voice frustrated. “David passed a motion that since you are my daughter, I cannot be included in the decision making because I will be biased. They're not letting me into the meeting so I don't know what they're talking about.”I sit on couch, leaning against Lucas, “They want to tie me to the pack and produce children to use their ability. Aliya said that only one diluted generation has been able to retain this ability. What are the chances they’ll try to do something to me during the meeting?”“They won’t be able to,” Lucas assures me, his hands running over my back. “The meeting is going to be public. Some of the maternal women insisted on this as did the sentinels. Hunter is already in a precarious situation with the pack. He’ll let this meeting be public.”I’m scared.“He looked very confident,” I mutter and Lucas presses his lips against my forehead. “It doesn’t matter. I won't let anything happen to you.”However, whe
I stare at the pack elders in stunned silence.Whatever I had been expecting, this had not been it. I had not thought that they would be bold enough to pull this off. I had clearly underestimated how desperate they are to tie me to Hunter.I can hear the outcry behind me but I don’t register it, my eyes flicking over each face sitting before me. Hunter looks pleased, his eyes ruthless, and Valerie has a strange look in her own eyes. As a second mate, I would be subservient to her. That would make her happy.My lips curve in a smile and David frowns on seeing that.“I don’t accept this.”“Excuse me?” Some of the pack elders frown. I know my father wants to interfere but I just look at him from the corner of my eyes and give a discreet shake of the head.“I don’t agree because I haven’t done anything,” I continue. “once again, I am being punished for a crime there is no evidence for. It seems to me that you simply covet this ability of mine. It's no secret that
“What?” There are horrified whispers from behind us.I may have overplayed my hand but the fact that I just demanded a public execution rather than being forced into becoming Hunter’s second mate are strong points in my favor.“I never said anything like that!” David splutters.“Oh really?” I give him a cold look. “Fine, then. I want a public execution. If you deem me to be such a great that you feel that you are forced to ruin my life, then I would rather you kill me.”“This isn’t fair.”“There is no proof that Sarah was behind the attack on Valerie.”“Breaking a mating is painful. Why would they subject her to that?”“Pack breeders are outlawed.”“She must be really terrified to ask to be killed in public.”“Why are they targeting her like this?”I let a small smile play on my lips as I watch Hunter and the elders scramble to fix things.“Enough with your lies!” David roars at me. “When did I say something like that? Do you have any proof?”“Do