Getting used to life at the packhouse was easy, seamless. Alpha Rhodes had set me up in one of the guest suites, a bedroom and bathroom all to myself. Jonas had volunteered to bring my stuff over from Mains and the warriors had even delved through the wreckage of my home to salvage anything that the fire hadn't touched. For a while I worried Mom would feel I abandoned her, that I was condemning her to live through another loss and suffer alone, but that wasn't the case. My mother had understood. She knew that my heart had splintered differently than hers, that memories haunting every corner of my life wouldn't help to mend it. She was healing living amongst the memory of Mains, amongst old charred phototgraphs from the fire and the hallowed walls of the cottage passed down generations. I, however, needed a fresh outlook, a change of scenery, in order to step back and appreciate what I'd once had and what it had given me. Besides all of that, I think part of her felt better knowing I

My first thought once I reached the pack house should have been washing and disinfecting my wound, but I couldn't deny the rumbling of hunger in my stomach. I kicked off my muddy shoes by the door, leaving them in a heap. Rhodes always hated when I did that, preferring a clean entranceway for when he greeted guests - which made it all the more fun to do it. I would pick them up later, and before he entertained anyone in his study. But for now? A muddy heap by the door, just long enough to see his jaw tick in irritation. What fun was life if you couldn't tease the Alpha every now and then?I made my way to the kitchen, my heart set on a quick bowl of cereal to curb the hunger long enough to shower and see to the bite mark Leon had left behind. What I hadn't expected when I rounded the corner into the kitchen was the hulking frame of Alpha Rhodes, poised over the coffee pot with a bewildered look on his face. His eyes met mine, flush with shock, before roaming down to my still

With a date to work  towards the whole town was abuzz with preparations. Alex and my mom worked diligently to create an evacuation plan that worked both safely and efficiently. Clarice was funnelling new warriors our way at record speed, any young wolf who was willing and able was being trained to defend themselves, and those that showed exceptional prowess were passed on to Beta Gideon and Jonas to join the defending ranks.Jonas had taken the lead when it came to training, his skills and expertise as a former member of our opposing pack were an asset when it came to training. He encouraged us to use the land to our advantage- we, after all, knew it better than our foe. Daily runs were scheduled for all warriors to familiarize ourselves with the terrain in order to maximize our chances in battle. Meanwhile Rhodes had begun reaching out to his a

My mind was reeling as I made my way home, my conversations with Torrance flooding my thoughts. While part of me felt closure having my feelings out in the open, the other part was more confused than before. I could no longer deny the pull I felt towards Alpha Rhodes, a connection had formed between us. More than a connection if I was being honest with myself, our relationship was growing into a living, breathing being. It exhiliarated and scared me, it was sso much a part of who we were, and I was terrified by the thought. What would it mean when I lost him?I walked through the door blankly, my eyes glossed over, my being floating somewhere else. I was no longer present in my own body, I was on autopilot. I heard Rhodes call out to me, but his words never connected. I made my way to my room, stripping out of my sweaty, dirt covered jeans and heading into the sanctuary of my shower to rinse the feelings off of my back.If only it were that easy. My usual therapeutic c

Nights of impassioned romance shared between the Alpha and I grew more frequent, our emotions lit like a livewire and craving the comfort of another soul. Neither of us could deny our attraction for one another, and though the horizon was thick with dread over what would happen when one of us were to mate we chose to ignore it and weather the storm together.  Word had spread across the packs that we'd been issued a death warrant, and our pleading for assistance fell on deaf ears. Our warriors lent to other packs had been trickling in as the days grew closer to the Reckoning, home for what very well may be their final battle. Only one pack had pledged allegiance to us, and we expected their forces to arrive at any moment. The Gaius pack, of the North, full of crafty fighters and rumours of magic, were long time allies of the Alpha, and were never known to back down from a fight, no matter how stupid.  The Gaius' Alpha had promised his warrior fleet to us, th