I woke up to the sound of a stomach aching in hunger, it rumbled so loud that my own stomach followed suit, letting out a low grumble that demanded to be fed.  I gently opened my eyes, breathing in the fresh, cool air of the morning and started to remember where I was. My back was padded by the soft grass, my head cradled on Rowan’s stomach as my legs stretched out, making a ‘T’ shape with our bodies. 'We shouldn’t be here,' hissed in my head, I knew she was right but I chose to ignore her.  The patch of grass underneath me was that thick, plush kind of grass, that was never attended to but long enough to slightly bend over making it perfect and cushy to lay on.  It was surrounded by such a dense treeline and bushes; it was a wonder that those types of plants just refused to grow in the small oval area I was in, and when you looked up, it provided a perfect view of the sky. This was my favorite spot to escape to anytime I needed to get

I rolled my eyes at her as I turned to grab clothes out of my closet, I thought I was so careful, I hoped she was the only one who seen because if either of my parents caught me I'd get the 'ranking members need to act like such' conversation for about the thousandth time. “It wasn’t a walk of shame Farah,” I huffed at her as I sifted through my drawers instead for something to throw on.“Ok, Ok, you weren’t ashamed, but Rowan… huh…” she was wiggling her eyebrows at me now as a sly grin formed on her face.“We’re just friends Farah, nothing happened.” My voice came out soft and unsure, I wasn't sure nothing happened, but nothing Farah was thinking, happened. As close as we were I never crossed that line with Rowan, and he's never pressured me to, not that Echo would sit by and let it happen anyways. “Sure, sure,” she said pausing, staring at me caught in my own tho

Theo reached out and set my muffin on the table, then took my hands in his, “As the Alpha’s sister you are held to the highest standards, not only is it your birthday in a few short days - which should have finding your mate at the top of your priority list...” I huffed at that notion and he squeezed my hands as if to say ‘quit.’He took a long breathe in, and as he exhaled, I seen my father lurking behind him, but not fully coming into the room we stood in. Theo most definitely got most of his looks from the Alpha bloodline, his chin chiseled in the same way, their expressions the same, and their eyes perfectly emotionless.Theo continued ”…but we will have unmated males from other territories roaming around anytime now as they arrive with their Alpha's, until after the Carnival,” he paused again when Rowan tensed at his words.I wasn’t sure what else there was to say, or why the Alpha's would come when the

“You can’t ask that of her…” I could hear my mom whisper in distress.“He certainly can, she has always been a part of this family, and that’s what's expected of her role, blood or not Willa.” That stern tone had to come from my dad, Gabriel.“Please Theo,” she begged, “she deserves her mate, wherever and whenever they find each other.”The room grew hushed, I could feel their tensions from where I stood and Echo was pacing at their words, ready to rip into anyone that threatened our ability to find our mate. I pushed her to the back of my mind and opened the door, calling out as if I had just sprung down the stairs and burst into his office without a second thought.“Hey Theo!” I faked surprise when I seen both mom and dad starring back at me, “Mom… are you ok?”“Yes sweetie, and we were just leaving” she barely made it out of the room before breaking into a sob as she scurried upstairs.“Much better,” my dad noted, nodding to my dress. His voice

I left Theo’s office feeling confused. Was I happy, or upset? I was neutral. I didn’t know what to think and that left me in the middle, at least I wouldn’t have to make up my mind right away, there would be time to decide the fate of the rest of my life.I walked upstairs realizing how drained I was, and I couldn’t escape to recharge where I normally did, not that I would want to right now anyways. Knowing Ro, he would be waiting out there for me even now, ready, and willing to just exist beside me. There were always moments with him, ones I could tell he wanted to push the subject but was waiting on me, he would slowly approach a boundary without daring to cross it. Slowly stroking his fingers through my hair and allowing his hand to travel down my arm, stopping himself from venturing lower. Resting his head on mine as he brought me in for a hug, but never daring to plant his lips on me in any fashion.I decided that a nap was the next best thing, I glanced at the cloc