“Stop fucking around. There is no way you can know that.”“Samuel told me. He told me that when you get out, you will know it too.” Liam reaches for me, trying to pull me close. I feel sick and confused as I push him off. Liam is my mate? How would he and Samuel know this? How could Samuel keep it from me, and how long has he known? My stomach feels sick. Has he been lying this whole time to keep me as a guardian?“Ali,” Liam says softly, trying to reach for me again. “Stop. Liam, that’s enough!” I say angrily, my hands up defensively. Slowly, I back away from him and he stays rooted in his spot. I spin and run towards the woods as fast as possible, mind linking Wade.-Forest now. North of the training center-Wade doesn’t answer, but I know for a fact he will show up. I stop at a small creek that gurgles and bubbles over the large rocks, hindering its progress. Each ripple reflects the sun that refracts off its surface. This tiny little haven in a world that is feeling increasingly s

*Wade POV* Simon sits across from the outside door that keeps Ali separate from me. It took countless days to figure out Simon’s name and not a single person has been willing to divulge if they even know the Rogue King’s real identity. All that surrounds him is shrouds of mystery and fierce stories about what made him a rogue. What I learned from my sources about Simon is that he is loyal, angry, and always willing to fight for his king.  I tilt my head, looking him over. His salt and peppered black hair makes him appear older and his scars paint the picture of a seasoned warrior. I expected him to fit the description Trudy gave of the man that provided her with the pansy that poisoned my pack. He smirks at me when he sees me sizing him up. “Sorry boy, I’m not into men,” I chuckle at him. He is trying to piss me off, but not just for his pure enjoyment. No, he is trying to get me emotionally compromised so he can get answer

*Ali POV* For years, I had assumed my uncle just ran off and became a rogue. I could imagine him pillaging villages and leaving people for dead, much as he had done for my family. I can’t say that I blame our old alpha for being so angry at Uncle Corbin. He ruined the largest peace treaty in the history of werewolves. I remember the whole pack was bustling with excitement, setting up for the ceremony that would unite the rival packs with ours through the union of marriage between our Alpha’s daughter and the rival packs Beta’s son.  The only problem was that his daughter, Gail, never showed up. They sent every tracker to find her. What they reportedly found was her dead in the arms of Uncle Corbin. Uncle Corbin ran from her, and it was determined he had killed her in cold blood out of jealousy. My father, being the Beta and older brother, was given the punishment. When mom spoke up about how unfair that was, she and I were added to the sen

*Ali POV* I hated skirting out early this morning, leaving Wade sleeping soundly on the floor. He looked so peaceful and serene as he smiled through what I can only assume was a happy dream. It makes me feel worse for not confiding in him about the Rogue King being my only surviving family. Uncle Corbin hadn’t given me much more than vague promises of answers I never sought, but now they have settled in my mind like a festering wound. I have to know these mysterious answers. This supposed truth that would change my view of my uncle and alter how I see the committee. I wasn’t ready for his answers yesterday. Hell, it’s possible I won’t ever be ready. But Uncle Corbin swears his answers are important not just for me to hear for myself, but for the good of the werewolf community, especially Wade. I’ve tried to convince myself that setting up a meeting with Uncle Corbin again is so I can protect Wade, but I know that this is about me. I wok

Liam leaps for me fully shifting in midair, but I expected that. I duck my head down and jut my shoulder out as I barrel into his furry wolf’s stomach. He lifts with my force as I slam him down into the dirt. I can feel the quake under my feet as I move off him and wait for him to stand again. Slower than he normally would, he gets up on his four paws and tilts his head in a questioning manner.  “I’ve learned a lot,” I say, shrugging. I definitely feel a little smug about kicking his ass right now.  He growls and prances in a circle moving around me. I never understood why Alphas think that fighting in their wolf's form is so much more effective. Perhaps it’s the whole having teeth and claws readily available that is appealing. Or maybe I just can’t understand because I never had the joy of fighting with the wolf that was stolen from me. Either way A sly smile tugs at my lips and I let it come to the surface. I really needed this figh