TWENTY ONE

LAUREL’s POV

Growing up, there would be times when I dreaded going home, simply because I knew what awaited me behind our front door.

Mother's wrath.

But I had never dreaded coming back to the pack after a long day of hunting or work that Alpha Helios assigned me to.

Not even once.

Until now.

We approach the great iron portcullis. The lattice grilled vertical gate is closed and two guards stand erect in front, vigilantly guarding it.

We could have used the shortcut through the Morningstar square to renter Helios’ land but he had deliberately brought us through the main gate. He is shrewd, sometimes, I simply cannot fathom his mind.

Helios moves forward with Diego reluctantly following from behind. But my steps falter and I come to a stand still, watching the figures of the two men in front of me walk further and further away.

I do not know how my parents and Jamie will react upon seeing me. Will they plot yet another scheme to get rid of me? I curl my fingers into a ball so har