Jasmine
I could barely sleep. It seems I'm wide awake an hour before my alarm usually goes off.
I slap my head on the bedside table.
I don't think I slept a wink.
My heart sinks deep into my chest as I go over the events of yesterday for what seems like the hundredth time.
Ethan. Perrin. The accident. His dad.
I just don't get it. My head seems to be exploding.
Ethan's injuries were bad. I mean, really bad.
After Perrin and his dad left the infirmary, I headed back to the nurses break room to see what I could find out. Punctured lungs? Broken ribs? Bones? And what the hell happened to his eye? I had made one of the healers on night-duty for Ethan swear to text me with any updates. I check my phone screen. I hadn't let go of it all night. She hadn't said anything, but I text her anyway.
Any updates?
LORRIE: No, no changes. Stable, but that's good.
Chapter 16JasmineThis morning's workout
PerrinI topple into bed after my father leaves, but I'm too restless.Seeing as I'm not going back to bed anytime soon, I get u
PerrinLost in my own thoughts, I make my way through the rest of the backwoods trail, catching a glimpse of the training facilities on my way to the infirmary.
Chapter 19Packhouse, Alpha’s Office
LeilaOn the way back to my room, I stop in the kitchen for a quick bite to eat.
PerrinI don’t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t this.Our pack had gone all out for the Welcome Ceremony and I was definitely impressed.The ballroom of our packhouse (yes, we still had a ballroom. We didn’t actually have balls in it anymore… parties, I think, is probably more appropriate) was cleaned to the nines. A platform had been raised at one end of the hall for seats of our highest pack members, my father included.Even though I was his son, I wouldn’t be on the platform. I wanted the Alpha Title badly, but I still had to fight for it. Standing on the platform with my father would be in poor taste.Pack members and high pack elders lined the walls of the ballroom. All challengers were to wait
PerrinI didn’t really listen to what my dad was saying, but he stood again and greeted each of the packs by name. I had heard this all before… countless years of hearing about the Sacred Call will do that to you. Thanks, dad.Something caught my attention--and out of the corner of my eye, I see Kira peeling out of her chair, catching Lo’s hand.Lo! I hadn’t even seen her on the platform.She was sitting, legs crossed, in a beautiful, thinly strapped silver cocktail dress. It clung to her body, accentuating her curves. Her sleek, straight silver hair caught the light of the hall chandeliers and brushed just above her tan, chiseled shoulders.But something was off. She didn’t look right. Her face was alarmed and a thi
PerrinI turn quickly. Ethan’s here?! No way!My heart stops as I see Lo, embracing Jack in a massive bear hug.“It’s so good to see you!”Jack’s look of alarm is enough to make my heart hurt. He tries to wriggle out of the hug. It’s clear he doesn’t recognize Lo from when we were kids. And I tell he’s embarrassed about being mistaken for Ethan.Lo steps back, releasing Jack and beaming at his face.“It’s me! Lo!” She smiles expectantly, waiting for the light bulb to go off. Her silver hair is coiffed to fall right above her tan shoulders. A hint of red lipstick shimmers on her lips, crowing that beaming smile.