The night was cool and clear as we left the pack house. A slip of the growing moon broke through the treetops of the large yard. Michael and I had said little as we walked around the perimeter of the yard. When we got near the pool, I leaned against the side, dipping my hands into the water. The smell of chlorine made my nose itch. Michael stopped next to me, his gaze up into the stars. We didn’t speak for a while.I wasn’t sure about him, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say. It had hit me, as we walked, that this was the first time since my family’s death that I felt normal. Just a girl enjoying a date with a guy she liked, and I liked Michael. Yes, he was broken and violent. Yes, he could be mean and a bully. I knew little about his family, but I suspected all that was the face his father made him wear.“What did you want to b

When I returned to the house, I went for a swim. Swimming was my go-to when life was too much. I used to compete when I was in high school and even considered continuing when college was still something I was going to do.Today, however, swimming wasn’t helping. Problems were ever present. The main one currently, watching me like a wolf watches a lamb as I got out of the pool.“Hey Michael,” I said as I walked over to the chair and picked up a towel. I dried myself, trying to ignore the way he looked at me.“Hey,” he replied, walking up to me and taking the towel from me. He wrapped it around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him and dried off my shoulders. “What happened?”Goosebumps broke out along my arms that had nothing to

“What the hell is his problem?” Mario asked, his voice gruff.I wish I knew, but I would find that out later. One problem at a time. “What is it you needed to talk to me about? Was there another attack?”“Flinn,” he said, rubbing his neck. “We should call the council together and pass judgment on him. I don’t know why we haven’t done so yet.”I turned to him. “That? That was so important you nearly got yourself killed by Michael?”“He didn’t nearly kill me,” Mario said, sounding almost petulant.“I can’t believe this.” All this for that idiot Flinn. “I haven’t passed judgment because I am not decided. Mario,

I sat in my office, feeling the start of a headache coming on. There had been another attack on our borders, but the rogues also attacked the neighboring packs this time. Of course, that prompted all the local alphas to call an emergency meeting. It wasn’t good. If a challenged came, that’s where it would happen. As much as I hated to admit it, Michael was right. I sucked when it came to fighting. We would have to up our training big time if I was going to have a chance by the time the meeting came around in three days.I caught Koreyon’s scent outside the office. Instead of waiting for the knock, I called out, “come in.” When he entered, I said, “please tell me you have some good news.” But I saw by his expression it wasn’t.“The witness speaking against Flinn is Polly Green.”

It’s an odd feeling, hitting rock bottom. It became so clear what was important and what wasn’t. Protecting the pack was important. My need to remain connected to my family wasn’t. Allowing Michael to take advantage of his second chance was important. My claim on him wasn’t. If I had one now. I was sure Michael hated me now, and I accepted that hate. It made this all easier.In the last three days, Koreyon discovered Elder Edwards wasn’t the only supporter Mario had. Several members of the pack were okay with Mario challenging me for alphaship. Though, out of the elders, only Edwards openly supported him. Brandon thought Michael should take over, even with the claim he attacked the Doctor. Elder Charles simply wanted stability. Those were small victories I will celebrate. The most important discovery Koreyon had made was Alpha Steven wasn’t involved in any of Mario&rsquo