Se connecterHello Dear Readers! Thank you so much for sticking with my book. I am working hard to try to get back into consistent updates. In the meantime, please feel free to leave a comment to let me know how you're enjoying the story so far! I appreciate you all! Neener
Ainsley’s POV“Hi. I’m so sorry I scared you. It was shitty of me. You don’t deserve that kind of stress.” I slide my arms around Beckett from behind. “Thank you for being there for me today.”“You’re forgiven. I’m just glad you’re not hurt.” He turns around and hugs me tight, pressing his nose into my damp hair close to my ear so he only has to whisper. “Ainsley, the Alpha wants me to keep tabs on you.”“He told me.” I nod against his shoulder. “And I told him I know he has to keep me safe for Caleb’s sake.”“I told you I’m not fake and you can trust me. Now I feel like you’re going to question everything I do or say. I don’t want it to be like that,” Becket takes a deep sigh, letting his arms squeeze me deeper into him. “And it’s weird that they would treat you differently because of Caleb. Like, kinda fucked up, really. Now I’m in the middle of it and I’m not sure what to do.”There’s a pang in my heart. Why does this feel like a goodbye? I should have known. He shouldn’t have to.
Ainsley’s POV Paragon falls back until I feel her stirring in the back of my mind. It’s as if she needs time to think and wants to be alone. My body feels heavy. I lean on the desk to steady myself before my knees buckle.“Ains? Are you okay?” Cal holds my elbow.“I-I think Paragon’s done talking for now. I feel really drained. I need to go lie down.”“That’s because you two haven’t had your first shift yet. Your body isn’t ready for your wolf to control your human form. You need to sit down, Ainsley. We can discuss your punishment,” Alpha Lucas pulls a chair out. “Your wolf may ‘answer to no Alpha’, but YOU are a member of this pack who broke more rules than I care to count.”“Shit,” I say under my breath as I plop down. “Cal, can you wait outside?”“You sure?” He looks worried.“This is my punishment. Not yours.” I nod to him. “I’ll meet you and Becks at home.”He looks at Alpha Lucas, then quietly leaves.“Ainsley, to say we’re disappointed is an understatement.” Luna Eva purses h
Caleb’s POV“Caleb, thank you for coming so quickly.” Eva says, closing the door behind me.I look around the Alpha’s office and make a quick assessment. He’s looking skeptically at something on the desk. Ainsley is also near the desk, but whatever is happening, she looks completely over it. She has the same look on her face as when Mom ate the last avocado in the kitchen a couple weeks ago. She didn’t know Ainsley was saving it to use as moisturizer. We were all confused why she was so dramatic about it. I mean, who the Hell uses avocado on their face?She’s in her usual slightly hunched shoulder stance with her arms folded over her chest. Becks says she always looks tense. I think she always looks like she couldn’t be bothered by the end of the world. He’s right, though. Regardless of how relaxed she looks, her anxiety keeps me awake.Our wolves waking up changed something, though. There’s a complexity to her emotions that wasn’t there before. Zion says it’s because of Paragon. “Yo
Ainsley’s POVI’m barely out of the car when Caleb engulfs me in a suffocating hug.“Oh my Goddess, Ains!” He mumbles into my hair. His scent makes my body instantly release the tension I’ve been holding on to and I wrap my arms around him. “I’m fine, Cal.” I whisper while I pat his back, ignoring his stupid rule about his nickname. “It’s all good now.”“Zion is influencing his behavior, Ainsley,” Paragon says. “He hates being alone. Remember, there must be two.”“I’ll tell Mom and Alpha you can’t talk to them today.” He pulls back and looks at me with a mix of concern and desperation.“No, I’ll talk to them. Beckett and I had a long talk. I can stand up for myself. I need to know if anything is going to change for me around here.”“Are you still planning on leaving us?” His tone softens.When did Beckett have time to tell him? It doesn’t matter. My lips tighten into a little smile. I can’t tell if he means leaving him and Zion or the Emerald Canyon pack or something in between. Like
Beckett’s POVBeckett: Ains w. meCaleb: status?Beckett: safe. needs timeCaleb: where u @ Beckett: nah broCaleb: ?Beckett: she doesnt want 2 see any1Caleb: its just meBeckett: back off. txt u latrCaleb: rood. fineI show Ainsley the exchange as we walk toward the pavilion. She shakes her head with a heavy sigh. “He can find me through our connection.”“He won’t.” I motion to her midsection. “Can I convince you to put my shirt on? No offense, but crimson’s not your color and people were staring pretty hard in the play area. If I wasn’t there, they would have called the pack guard.”Ainsley looks down at herself and twists her mouth. “I guess.”I pull my shirt off and face her. “Arms up.”“I can put a shirt on myself, Beckett.” She huffs and throws a lock of hair over her shoulder.“Humor me, Ainsley.” I hold the shirt by the bottom hem. “Please.”She rolls her eyes and raises her arms gingerly, letting me step forward to pull the shirt over her head and down her body. I let my
Beckett’s POV“Candice, hey.” I drop my shoulders and walk towards Dario’s girlfriend who is on a swing, pumping her legs, but not in any sort of rhythm that would help the swing move back and forth.I don’t know who her bright red dress is made for, but even with her petite frame she’s squeezed into it like a sausage in a casing. She’s wearing stripper heels and oversized dark sunglasses with a sheer scarf covering her short dark hair like an old-time movie star. She sticks out in the family friendly environment, but everyone knows who she is, and no one would dare tell Dario’s girlfriend to cover up.“Whatcha doin, Becks?” She stops flailing her legs.“Just looking for a friend who wandered away.” I smile and sit on the swing next to her, facing the other direction so I can keep an eye on the pavilion. “I’m a little worried about her.”“Like when I used to wander away?” Her crystal blue eyes look worried at the thought. “Want me to help you find her?”“Wait. Are you here by yourself
My breath catches in my throat. The questions pour out of my mouth before I can stop them. “They found him? Is he safe? Can I talk to him? Where is he? Can we go get him? Does Tony know? Do the Grands know? Did he ask-”“Ainsley, slow down.” Mom tilts her head and speaks slowly.Someone takes my tr
Ainsley’s POVFor the first time in a long time, I slept peacefully. No nightmares making me cry in my sleep or making me bolt upright in a panic like I need to run for my life. It reminds me of when Riley was allowed to sleep over at my house. I haven’t opened my eyes yet, but I know he’s not here
Maggie’s POV“Alpha, I have time now.” I send a mindlink. “Beckett is home, so Ainsley won’t be alone.”“Do you really trust them to be alone together?” His tone is grim.“Yes, she’s exhausted. She’s going to fall asleep any minute. And Caleb is in his room. I think after what happened earlier, if
Mom has done everything she can think of to overcompensate for years of absence in my life in the last few days. After what she confessed in the conference room, I guess I understand why. It doesn’t mean I have to like it. She admitted she would have hit Charlotte and Caleb. I try to push the thoug







