Every single night was a party, and it got him no where with the Alphas. Each one was too dignified to think about his invite, let alone even open up to talk about it. Each night after making his argument known, he'd escape to the beach, away from the music, the dancing, the drinking, and the women. Damn, the women. Archibald wasn't joking about their beauty, yet his Wolf would snarl each time a She-Wolf advanced on him. His Wolf was determined to keep him innocent during his visit there, but he missed Lily. He missed having her soft, warm body beside him every night. He missed waking up to her every morning. He missed her scent, her voice, but he felt like giving up. Giving in to his needs. Giving up being the man she wanted him to be. Then one night, alone on the beach again as he was struggling to stay aw

When he took her to their room, she had avoided his gaze entirely. She threw up her walls again, shielding herself. He stood in front of her as she sat on the bed, playing with the edge of a hoodie she put on to hide her scars again."I'm sorry..." she said before he even started, "You weren't the only one that had doubts..." she sniffled again, her eyes anywhere but him. "I thought maybe everyone would have been happier if you had a She-Wolf as your Mate. Someone strong, someone that could relate to your people, someone dependable." Tears dripped onto her lap, her voice starting to tremble. "All I want is for you to be happy."

He watched Damion chat on the phone with his Mate, fury fueling his blood. He made it seem so easy, so casual. Talking to Lily so carefree. He growled, his desk breaking into small splinters beneath his hand. When Damion hung up on her, he was staring Jayce down. Was he challenging him?"What did you do?" Damion asked him, rising from his desk. Jayce rose up with him, his Wolf snarling aggressively. He watched Damion's muscles ripple in response.

In all his years, his scenery has never changed. Endless darkness ahead of him. Endless darkness behind him. Each way he turned, darkness only greeted him. It was an old friend of his, that and silence. He had access to his vessel's memories, reliving them day in and day out, never any memories he could create his own. Ever since he was put into a soul of a child, what felt like a millennia ago, he only saw death and war. Each soul lost, and he would be brought back. The soul would be stronger than the last, but the soul never lasted long enough. His spirit was the strongest of them all. He was deemed the mightiest of beasts, a King among them. They all worshiped him and feared him.

Lily had distanced herself from him after the interaction with Derek. She hadn't spoken a single word, but he could feel the fear she felt. The doubt. Everything they were striving against came barging back in unwelcomed. She said she needed space, she needed to think. He gave her that, but to not communicate about how she was feeling? What did the fucker say to her to make her shut down? Nathan couldn't even reach her. Or his Wolf. Jayce knew his Wolf and Lily had grown close while he was in Hawaii. Did he feel a little jealous? Yes, but he wouldn't admit that openly. Their wedding was only days away now. He sent out the calls to the Alphas, except for Derek and Lukas. Penelope hasn't even gone home to him either. After watching Lily drive off with him, she said she felt something was off. Very off. So she