Taran's POV I strolled with Kirsch along the river, in the direction of the beach. "Restrain Nat, you can't let this go on. Rachel is 17 now, basically an adult. This is serious." I frowned, remembering Rachel's vicious voice. "Nat spoils her, and you are the one who spoiled Nat first." Kirsch folded his hand, glaring at me, "Do you have any idea how hard it is to restrain the Alpha's mate?!" Nat claimed me to be her mate when she turned 18. She seemed pretty sure about it, but Kirsch already marked me by then. He was one year older than Nat. He had always felt guilty about it, but I knew Nat wasn't feeling as strong a pull toward me as he did. "She's not my mate!" I frowned at him, feeling probed for the first time by this joke, "You should know, of all." His face turned red yet again. He dodged my eyes as he muttered: "All I know is I marked you by mistake..." I walked toward him, and Kirsch backed into a tree. He tri

Willa's POV I got up really early today. It takes me more than two hours to run to the beach, and I wouldn't want to waste any time. I was bringing Al a cake today. I knew food wasn't scarce in the forest, but there wasn't any cake tree! I used my ring and got my toys ready before I put them in a plastic bag and dashed downstairs. It was only five in the morning, and the sun was barely high enough to light up the whole world. "Holly molly!" I gasped when I almost dashed right into the Alpha's car. My heart was pounding loudly in my chest as I sneaked closer to peek into his car window. No one was in there. Why the hell did he stop his car in front of my porch?! Scared me to death! I rolled my eyes before I turned to leave, and this time I successfully crushed my face into his chest. Just great. I felt like he was this magical wall that could appear and vanish anywhere, but only in my world. "Where are yo

Kirsch's POV Willa leaned back on the passenger's seat with a poker face, staring out at the window when we drove to the school. [Say something to her.] Rudy urged me. [The last time I did she cried.] I sighed as I turned the wheel. Her eyes were red this morning. I knew she would be upset to attend school early, but I didn't think she would cry. She looked so fearless and lively all the time. It was the first time I saw that she was hiding a soft side from the world. I felt pathetic because I didn't drive fast only to prolong the little time I get to spend with her, even though I knew Willa didn't want to. I wanted Willa to start school early so I could keep an eye on her, in case Rachel makes a move. I admit I took her out shopping for a selfish reason, it was only my excuse to spend time with her, but it really hurt me that Willa would think I was bribing her for Rachel's sake. [Why didn't you tell her you are trying to prot

Taran's POV I lingered around the edge of the forest on the town's side after the patral training. I wanted to escort Willa in case she sneak out again. Willa didn't come. I wasn't too anxious this time. I told Kirsch to keep an eye on Willa before Rachel's situation is over. It would only make it harder for Willa to sneak out. I thought I could handle a day or two without her, but I guess I was wrong. That night was the longest I had in a very long time. What was worse was that I woke up with a throbbing pain in my head-- [Willa!] Cerberus stomped his paw in my mind. Great, I was losing it even faster now. [She's at school, I'll sneak into town later.] I rubbed my temples to try to ease the pain. It wasn't fun to have someone treading on your brain all the time. I know Cerberus was trying his best to work with me, but self-control was the hardest skill for a mad mind. Cerberus lost his interest in the sea. It was as if

Taran's POV "Hello, Alpha Kirsch." I sneaked back to the porch. Kirsch knew I was there. He was waiting for me, sitting in the pitch-black kitchen. [Don't call me that!] Kirsch shouted at me through the mind link. He didn't want to alert Willa. [You are an Alpha now, aren't you?] I smirked, knowing it would freak him out. [You are my Alpha and You always will be!] Kirsch threw a book at my head, and I caught it before it could make any sound, [You call me Alpha again and I'll punch you in the fucking face!] [You said that the last time I did, too.] I smirked, amused at his anger. No matter how many times I did that, it could still get to him. [Let's take a walk?] There was only a crescent in the sky now. The new moon was coming. [I can't go far.] Kirsch closed the door behind us, [And you shouldn't be seen in town.] I sighed, leaning on the pillar on the porch as I looked at my former beta with a defeate