Nate I’ve been trying not to think about Sarah. I have to focus on the pack. At the same time, she is the reason to fight. I’m hopeful she decides to join the pack to live here with me. For that to happen, I have to make sure it’s safe. I’m not willing to bring her here to be in danger. Gabriel’s mind-link puts an end to my swirling thoughts. “Are you calling our allies?” “Yes, I’m on it,” I reply to him, but first I call Sarah. When I only reach her voicemail, my heart hankers to hear her voice. I promise myself to call her again when I’m done with our allies. After the first two calls, I look at the third number on my phone. Alpha Sebastian. I was there a few days ago. I felt that something was off. He is an older Alpha. He refuses to pass his title to his son because he thinks he isn’t mature enough to lead a pack. I can’t argue with that. Seb Jr. is still acting like he is 16. I’ve known them all my life. The Alpha never hid that he wanted his daughter to be mated to Gabriel

Nate After breaking both guns, I jog toward the battle. My arm heals slower than usual due to the silver. My muscles tighten from the pain, and as I check the wound, I realize the bullet must still be inside. "Dante, how are you doing? Can we shift?" I ask him, gritting my teeth. I’d prefer to have my full strength when I’m back at fighting. "It was easier to clean out the first dose of silver. You’ve already lost blood. I can’t push out much more." he huffs in annoyance, but to my relief, his voice is solid and steady. "Yeah, I feel weak," I reply. At least it’s only my arm. No vital organs and my leg is back to normal. "We need rest," Dante states, like that would change the situation. "No time for that," I shrug, speeding up. Roars and cries ring in the air, the forest’s familiar scent laced with the scents of several peoples’ blood. From this distance, it is impossible to tell who is hurt and how things are going. I know my warriors, though. They are relentless when it comes

Sarah It’s been a while since they took Nate for surgery, or at least it feels like it. I pace back and forth in the busy hospital's waiting area, receiving a few confused looks, but I'm too scared to look at anyone. The hospital staff hurries to help everyone, but the waiting area remains empty. The families are just about to leave the safe rooms, and I dread the moment when Nate's parents see me. I hear my name, and someone hugs me tight. The scent of lavender fills my nose, taking my mind back to a long-forgotten childhood, and I realize it is my mum, Amy. “Hi, Honey. I’m so happy to see you.” I feel myself easing a bit, and I finally hug her back. The care and love I received from her those years ago overwhelm me, and my brain is foggy again with all my emotions running through me. When she pulls away to look at me and I see her, I immediately start crying. I see her tearing up as well, and she hugs me again. “I heard from Daniel that you are here.” “Yeah, I finally met my b

Nate The old chair creaks under me in my father’s office as I fidget nervously. We listen intently with my brother and Mark as my father, his Beta, and the pack’s head of security discuss border patrolling. This is the first summer our father asked me to join him and see what it's like to lead a pack. Gabriel has already spent his last three summers with him, training to be the next alpha. He is 14 years old, and I’m 11. As the second-born, I’ll never be the alpha of this pack, so sitting here is a privilege, as my father puts it. The head of security turns his head to the side. His eyes glaze over - the tell-tale sign of mind-linking. “Alpha, someone has entered our territory on the east of the forest,” he informs all of us a moment later. “Just one rogue?” my father asks with a suspicious face. “Yes, only one they could detect,” he answers, eyes glazing over again to get more information. “Who is in the area?” My father stands, and everyone follows. “We have three guards sur

Nate Getting back home has proven to be more difficult than I anticipated. I'm concerned that climbing the stairs to my house may reopen my wounds. Leaning on Sarah for support makes me uneasy. This is not how I had envisioned showing her around my place. I’m unable to give her a tour, and even standing seems to be a daunting task. Although I manage to make it to the kitchen, I feel dizzy and realize I'm not as healed as I thought. I spy her facial expressions and movements carefully like a hawk. I want to know what aspects of the house she enjoys and what needs to be changed. Although I trust her honesty and doubt she would mislead me, I’ve been waiting for a long time to witness the genuine joy on her face when she really likes something here. "I love it; it’s perfect," she says, disappearing to look around in the bedroom. Just when Sarah comes back to the kitchen, the doorbell rings. With a bright smile, she gives me a peck on my lips and leaves toward the door, skipping on the w