~Gemma~ As soon as Rina laid eyes on me, she scowled. “It was meant to drain you of your powers, right?” I asked her. “How do you know?” “Because that’s how I feel! Fucking drained!” I whined. Irina rolled her eyes. “She’s hangry. When is dinner? This one often forgets to feed herself. Then, everyone around her pays the price.” “Hey!” I said. “Rude, but accurate.” “Call the goddess and have her restore your strength.” Rina suggested. I groaned! “Not that bitch! Haven’t I suffered enough?” “Gems!” “Fucking fine!” I summoned her. It must have been my lucky moment of the day. Her cool power swept through me, revitalizing me. She never came to the surface. I felt full, like I had plenty and still had excess left over. Out of curiosity, I touched Alpha Zander’s arm. A shocked expression covered his face. I held on for a count of three before running over and placing a a hand on Rina and her mate. She gasped, clutching at my hand. Beta Solar groaned, in a good way, not complain

~Gemma~ The day was a win so far. The sun glared down on us, warming the water. We met a few pack members. Everyone seemed nice and welcoming. Well, this one she-wolf gave me the stank eye. What could you expect? Rina snagged one fo their most eligible bachelors. Alpha Zander spent more time with me that was necessary. When Little Zander was carted away to take a nap, I joined Rina and her mate in the hot tub. She dangled her feet in the hot water, a towel wrapped around her shoulders. I scooted over, sitting on the opposite side to face them. “This is cozy. With all his money, the alpha couldn’t spring for a bigger hot tub?” What was that all about? When my foot accidentally touched his, I drew my legs up on the seat with me. “Sorry. Not being rude. But there is no freaking way I want any of your spillage.” I apologized. Rina giggled. “Will you help me unpack later?” I glared at her. “We packed most of that crap! I am aware how much is stuffed in those bags and suitcases.” “I

~Gemma~ Why me? Just why? I rolled over, spitting out hair stuck to my mouth. My whole body hurt, like I’d been beaten with a baseball bat. Fuck! I untangled from the bedding. Yeah. Still clothed. Thank goddess. It was ten in the morning. Great! My food hunger still raged. At least the other was nowhere to be found. The day looked bright so far. Before knocking on Rina’s door, I heard feminine moans followed by a giggle. Jeez! I called out. “Um. I hope you guys realize this room is so not sound proof! My imagination is wildly out-of-control now. Thanks for that!” Driven by desperation, I made my way back to the kitchen. Surprise, surprise. Today’s search came back fruitless. Almost. I played with the apple in my hand, debating on eating it. On one hand, it was stupid. People were starving in the world while I agonized over my lack of options. I sat in the same chair I had occupied only hours earlier. I pinpointed the exact moment when my solitude had been breached. “Well, what

~Gemma~ I cuddled the crap out of a wiggly Little Zander. Yes, I was actively avoiding Rina. “Nobody understands me like you do, little dude.” I squeezed him again for the hundredth time. He stared at me with those dark, sage eyes of his. “Are you hiding out in the nursery?” I startled at the sound of the Alpha’s mocking tone. Where the hell had he come from? His hulking frame looked ominous in the cheery and bright room. “What of it? Mind your business.” He crossed those powerful arms of his across his expansive chest. “You are clinging to my son like your life depends on it. Hence, it is my business.” My shoulders hunched a little as I sat Little Zander down. When his hands immediately grabbed for me, I scooped him up again. “It’s no hope for it now, Alpha Zander. Little Z is my new bestie at the moment.” I winked at him. His sweet, cherub face smiled back at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Beta Solar pass by the doorway. “Hey! Beta! Wait up!” I yelled after him, kno