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Dresden's POV

Dann it. Damn it.

My fist hit the tree with a loud crack that sounded through the air. It didn't need a genius to tell me how stupid it was to have held Mara down to the tree for so long, she probably hadn't noticed it but she seemed like she had seen a ghost while her breathing changed.

Why couldn't I ever stop being harsh with her?? I tried my best to hold back the words that's stirred within my soul to say, how much it hurts to hear her repeat the very things that had taunted me for ages.

She looked as though she hadn't aged at all, she was firmer around he body and her wrists had gained more flesh than she'd ever had when she was still within our pack.

Flashback.

The entire pack gathered round as they watched the house burn, while the Luna held a little girl to her side, tears flowing down her eyes as she screamed.

Pitiful eyes and mournful spirits filled the air and each soul seemed to be all the more downcast at the scene in front of them.

I wasn't supposed to be here, mother had specifically order that I be locked in the manor and gaurds should ensure that no other soul moved about in the pack house except the instructed guards.

Father had raised a battle cry no longer than a few hours ago. I was too young to be in the shifting training but being the alpha's son came with a whole lot more perks than just mere privileges.

I knew that soon enough, I'd have to step up and take over in leading the pack but they both enjoyed shielding me each time something terrible was due to happen.

They said it's for my own good but I couldn't understand how keeping me locked up was going to prove to be any better than having me with them and understanding what was going on.

For years the Grey hills pack faced many threats from savages and beasts of other kinds, well at least according to mother, but I found out that our ancestral line made us mortal enemies with witches and vampires. But, the tragedy that struck the pack wasn't any of that but the betrayal of our very own.

People spoke in various measures about the betrayal of father's brother, Beta Lloyd. It ranged from one story to the other but yet mother and father only ever mentioned good things when it was their turn to talk about him.

I'd been so pissed when I finally reached the end of their nonchalance to not tell me things about the family and demanded that they tell the truth.

Mother's eyes held great sorrow as she held father's hand and told me how much it had cost them to banish his own brother out of the clan. Father explained how he never wanted to have me see his relationship with his brother as a disaster but for the true bond they had before he began to covet the position handed down to his elder brother.

The skies were gray with smoke and char fell onto the grass turning their sheen colours black as soot filled the air. The rogues had struck again and father had gone mad when he finally heard the news that his most trusted advisor had been killed.

I waited no more than ten skip beats of the solar stump before I pushed my window pane and climbed towards the roof. I was done waiting and so I followed them to town.

The entire village was burnt, people ran across themselves in hopes to get to their families, I watched the warriors rush into the burning fire to rescue men, women and children.

That's when I saw her, brown hair that shone as the fire burned behind her shimmering like the stars, her eyes seemed otherwise a blue so cold it seemed like ice. She cried and screamed lashing out at my mother as she tried to keep her from running into the fire..

Her name was Mara, I'd seen her a couple of times, she'd been brought to the pack house along with her mother who my mother seemed fond of. We'd never spoken, I'd been too busy with my friends and training to ever sit still as she did.

Mara always seemed weak and it disgusted me to no end, she never stood up for herself even when she was in the right it seemed like she willingly let herself be trampled on each and every time.

I hated it, I hated it so much because I had seen her fight, she had so much spirit in her she just always covered it up with that mask that infuriated the living daylight out of me.

Time flew quickly, father had stepped down and they lived outside of the pack on a remote land that father had found during one of his many trips to neighboring packs. I'd become the alpha of the pack and it was time for us to meet our mates. I had Bella but I'd never felt the bond that was spun intricately by the moon goddess herself.

I was beyond furious when eventually I found out that Mara was my fated Mate. I felt betrayed. I watched mother dote around Mara for years on edge, watched her at ceremonies, watched the pack members float around her, while others bullied her. Bella was a more suitable mate, she was smart and outspoken and she never tolerated any form of disrespect.

Bella was strong, while Mara was weak.

My fists ached as I slowly returned to the present, my mind raced with thoughts and my head hurt to the point where the entire world seemed to buzz with a ferocity of its own.

My hand bled as I staggered across the forest, inhaling the scent of the trees as I walked across the greens. Mother had enjoyed walking through the forest day after day on end with her hands tucked tight in her dress with my arms around her.

I took a deep breath. I needed a drink. As I walked through the hallway, I pushed my arm into the pocket of my pants that I knew would be soaked with blood from how much I was bleeding. I didn't need anyone starting up rumors about the bleeding while there were other Alpha's within the pack.

Bella's refusal to come out tonight already with his stir massive whispers amongst the many others that we're roaming around. Father would surely be disappointed to see how lowly the subjects have come to think of me since I can not bear an heir to my name.

I walked through the empty corridors as I approached the Alpha chambers and opened the door to my office.

I slumped onto the comfy sofa I'd gotten as a permanent resting space for nights where Bella and I could barely see eye to eye and it's proven its worth ever since.

Shit. I cursed as I ran my bleeding hands across my face, I'd have to get a shower and treat the wounds that formed across the torn skin.

Walking into the bathroom I'd gotten in the office, I pulled off my shirt ready to throw it into the laundry basket when a distant yet familiar scent wafted through the air.

I sniffed the air almost as though searching for something or rather someone. Her scent ignited a yearning that was only being fueled by those constant dreams, the illusions of her lips and shape and her hair.

She was finally here again and my chance to have her was already being ruined by her mate.

I scoffed, Matthew didn't seem like a man who would reject Mara based on the way he looked at her and held her but she still wasn't his mate, there was no mark to show that he'd performed the marking between mates.

So why was Mara claiming him as a mate when there was still a bond with me?? This must all be a trick , something was fishy and I needed to sort it out.

I finished my bath and wore a cream shirt along with grey joggers after tending to the wounds, being Alpha meant that I'd heal faster than other wolves so the wound in my left a little sting.

I sat on my office chair as I tended to the documents that needed to be signed in preparation for the next Full moon run. Charles had a knack for preparing ahead and having things set out for the future earlier than necessary.

I wasn't complaining seeing as I tended to be the most forgetful one amongst us both. Halfway through the documents the office door is opened revealing Bella.

“I knew I'd find you here." Her voice too sweet as she saunters into the room swaying her hips rather comically.

I couldn't understand where the connection we'd built from our teen years has disappeared to, now everything she does always just rubs off the wrong way or seems incredibly stupid or weird.

“What do you need from me Bella?" I asked as she leaned over my office table.

“I just wanted you in our bed,” she whined, her voice taking on the high pitched tone she used anytime she wanted something from me.

“I'm busy." My reply was curt and sharp as I dismissed her.

“You always do this!!" Her voice raises even further, making the dull ache in my head throb even further.

Here we go again.