The next morning, we got up and got dressed ready to start our day. The mood was a somber one as neither of us really spoke or said anything of importance. It was like Wyatt was distancing himself from me but in reality, he just didn’t know how to process these emotions. I understood it though. If it was the other way around, I am not sure I wouldn’t lock him in a room and force him to stay. I knew he was going to feel everything that happened to me. I knew I could block emotions from him but I don’t know about physical pain. Reed, Wyatt, Kelly and I sat in the kitchen eating our breakfast. Reed and Kelly were being very touchy and already in love. I saw them supporting a new marking on their necks and I knew they completely the mating process. “Congratulations!” I said as I grinned from ear to ear Kelly did the obligatory pulling hair to the side so I could see her mark. It was beautiful black and blue marking of a moon and stars. It fit her perfectly.

Walking into the kitchen, the staff had an amazing spread for us. Along the middle of the stable was different pastas, garlic bread, salad and veggies. Everything was steaming and made my mouth water just looking at it. I decided to go with my favorite, Garlic Buttery Shrimp Linguine with 2 garlic bread rolls. I saw Grant chose Manicotti with one garlic great and a bowl of salad that he topped with ranch and croutons. We ate in silence. As I heard the crunch of his croutons, I couldn’t help but to think of what his life must have been like. Why didn’t he come into my life sooner? Did he even know about me? Did my dad and him not get along? I had like a thousand things I wanted to ask him but I was trying to be patient and let the man eat. “If you don’t stop bouncing your leg…” Grant said as he smiled at me I didn’t realize how nervous I was getting as my body was literally bouncing with it. “Sorry! I just have so many questions” I said as I sighed and forced

The days few by and next thing I knew it was the day of the meeting. Alphas from all over were either arriving for the meeting or if they could not travel, were video calling in. To say I was nervous, would be an understatement. My body couldn’t stop bouncing. I had my speech all laid out in front of me. Kelly and I have been perfecting it for hours now trying to find the right words to put down. Wyatt was pretty sure someone was going to be challenging me but I welcomed that kind of fight. Physical fighting, I could do, I have been practicing my abilities enough now that people give me worried looks when I walk into the room. Trying to convince people they should be on my side was a whole different form of concern. Public speaking was never my strong suit. My psalms would get sweaty, I would start stuttering an I would get dizzy. Wyatt kept reminding me I was born to lead and being a leader was being able to encourage and set an example for the people. If I couldn’t speak t

I heard Reed and Kelly kiss too before I opened the door. As soon as I did, I could hear hundreds of voices talking amongst themselves. I kept my back straight and I walked with a purpose. Wyatt guided me to the center of the room. There was a make shift stage with a while fabric lining it. There was a podium in the middle with a microphone for those joined in virtually. As soon as I hit the stage, silence fell over the crowd. You could hear a pin drop. I confidently walked up to the podium and placed my binder on it opening to my first page. I had most of it memorized but I wanted this for notes and to have something for my hands to play with if needed. I took a moment to look around me. Most Alphas brought their Lunas and they were sitting in a group in front of me. There are multiple screens behind them that showed more Alphas and Lunas. We had quite the turn out. “I would like to thank you all for making this trip on such short notice. Let me start by introducing

We got home and I immediately went upstairs and took a shower where I bawled my eyes out until they were dry. I had no more tears to shed. My mate was lying in a bed at a random hospital and I couldn’t even be there to help him survive. I hated this war, hated being put in this place. That bullet should have been mine to endure. Lying in our bed, I reached over to Wyatt’s side and was met the coldness. Grabbing his pillow, I hugged it tightly. It smelled like him still and it comforted me a little. Tomorrow, I have to walk freely into the council’s arms and present myself to be questioned. Further away from where I feel like I should be at right now. I didn’t want go to before and now I really don’t want to go. I know I need to stay strong but damn if I have to like it. I, suddenly, felt really sleepy and so I closed my eyes. Next thing I know, I am in the most beautiful garden. Lush green grass, flowers of every color scattered around in a spiral, creating a path, l