CHLOE POV
"Stop twisting your hands, Chloe. Everything will be okay. It's going to be awful, but we will get through this," Karina whispers as she looks down at my red and uncomfortable hands.
I nod, and she takes my left hand into hers with a smile.
"You look beautiful," she says, changing the subject, and I smile before looking down at the simple but elegant blue dress I chose.
"Thank you. You look amazing also. That color looks beautiful against your skin," I reply, admiring her dusky pink blouse and white slacks.
She smiles, and we fall quiet. I refocus on the empty field and sigh.
We got here before everyone else. I have no idea how we managed to beat the guys, especially since we had to change and apply makeup, but it sucks. I wish they were here. Waiting is making my stomach sick with
LOGAN POV It feels strange to have no emotion towards the person who birthed me. Am I a monster? She is my mother. No matter what she has done, that fact hasn't changed. But I feel nothing towards her. Yes, I am angry, but I think I am madder for Chloe than for myself.I am more numb about the things she did to me. After Gavin pointed out the fact my mom only started showing an interest in me after I proved myself in the ring, my heart has completely hardened towards her. I remember how toxic she was now and how every conversation was oriented around negative emotions. She constantly made me feel emotionally and physically drained just by talking. She never respected my feelings or appreciated my gentler side. She wants me to be a manly wolf. She preferred for things to be solved with yelling or violence. She hated my father's way of handling things and insisted that
CHLOE POV "I can't, Chloe. I need to go home. I can't take anymore. I appreciate him protecting me from his dad, and I understand that he loves someone else....but his rejection still hurts. I need to get back to Outcast. I need to get far away from the drama and heartbreak. I wasn't that great of a warrior, so I wouldn't be much assistance in a war. And right now, with how scrambled my brain is, I would just get myself killed," Karina says as she frantically moves about my room collecting her things. I watch her silently for a second. Just so I can push down my sadness. I don't want her to leave. I love having her here with me and I honestly want her and her mate to work out. But this is Karina's life not mine. I am here to support whatever she decides. "Karina, I understand you don't have to explain. You saw and heard a bunch today. You came back to help me with
LOGAN POV "Are you okay," Dad says as he watches our packmates head for the packhouse for Momma Marsh's lunch spread. I nod, and he turns me away from the warriors removing my mother's body. His dark brown eyes bore into mine. He places both his hands on my shoulders. "Don't try to spare my feelings, son. Just tell me how you are feeling. If you need to go spend some time alone, I will understand. I can take care of Atticus," Dad says, and I shake my head. I place one of my hands over his on my left shoulder and smile. "I'm okay, dad...honest. I am actually relieved she is out of our lives. She was like a poison that needed to be sucked out. I know she was your mate, but I am glad she can't hurt you anymore. That's all she did was hurt us," I explain well, giving my dad a sad smile. He nods and g
LOGAN POV"All the warriors are on high alert, Logan. Dad is on patrol too, and you know how thorough he is. I am calling the packs we are allied with. Your dad thinks it's Alpha Lawrence who made the deal withKincaid. The description Atticus gave fits him, so he is calling him. Your dad also alerted W.O.L.F. to everything Atticus told us. I think everything is in order," Gavin says, and I nod.I place my plate in the sink and turn towards my waiting friend. Ever since leaving medical, I have been like this, numb. After everything, Atticus said, I can't think straight. I need to see Chloe. She will be able to clear my mind. She will have an idea on how to handle helping him."I need to go check on Chloe. I want to give her an update and check on her friend. I might even ask if Karina wouldn't mind talking to her ex-mate...Atticus wants us to execute him over things he did while his father controlled him. The guy feels so guilty he won't listen
CHLOE POV RATED R Logan's eyes fill with pure terror as he freezes over me. Haven whines as she takes in Logan's scared state, and I swallow down my own fearful emotion. I want to fight next to him. I want to make sure I do my part...but that look—that fear. "Logan," I whisper, and he closes his eyes before grabbing my shoulders. He drops his forehead to mine, and I hold perfectly still. It's as if he is having a panic attack. "Chloe, please...I know you are stronger than what my mother made you out to be, but please, love. I can't risk you being out there," Logan begs in a choked voice, and my heart begins to battle with my brain. I don't want to worry my mate so much that he becomes useless on the field. But I don't want to play the damsel in distress either. I want to be seen as a strong Luna. My pride demands i
LOGAN POV "Where's Chloe," Dad asks as soon as I walk into his office. "Heading to the shelter. We talked and decided it would be best if she sits this out," I say as a tinge of fear runs through me. What if dad wants Chloe front and center? What if he thinks just because Hannah was her mom, she can fight like her? No, dad knows Chloe didn't grow up a warrior. He knows that she needs more training before joining us in battle. Lazarus huffs a little, but he mostly agrees with my feelings. Our mate's human side isn't ready for War. She will be someday, but not today. "Thank the Goddess. I was scared she would refuse. Those Patterson women can be stubborn. Did you remind her to be in wolf form so we can communicate? It's been so long since our pack has had any kind of threat. I have been getting asked quest
LOGAN POV Atticus is tearing up the dry soil he is running through the forest so hard. Lazarus and I are running at top speed to keep up with him. But even so, we are still a good ten feet behind him. It's as if he knows something we don't, and it is forcing him to move at impossible speeds. I can smell fear mixed with rage rolling off of his flying fur, and it fills my stomach with dread. This is my first real battle. My first taste of war. But it isn't the first taste for Atticus, and the fact that he is so scared makes me almost queasy. I have already gotten more insight than I wanted about Kincaid's character, so I know he won't be an easy target to kill. But I also know we have six additional Alphas here, and W.O.L.F is heading in this direction. Atticus knows this too; why is he still so scared? We burst through the treelin
CHLOE POV Hank- Gavin and I were surprised you agreed to wait in the shelter. We figured you would want to be front and center. Not saying we didn't want you here because we do, especially Gavin. He was worried about you being a target out there. Kincaid seems to enjoy using females as leverage. I glance at the bulky teen laughing as twin girls use him as a jungle gym. His brown eyes are filled with joy, and I smile in my mind. It's nice to know he was concerned for my well-being.I used to think Gavin was just a big oof living in Logan's shadow. Someone dead set on not being left behind...a lacky. But since I have been paying more attention, I have been surprised. He is intelligent and compassionate. He takes his beta position seriously and seems more responsible than I initially thought. He will make a great Beta. Chloe- Logan pointed o