Chapter 12 Ana “You want to go to Montana for Alpha training?” my father questioned me with surprise. “Why not pick a place closer to us?” he continued, asking. I felt guilty for not telling him the truth, but I promised Courtney I'd keep the secret for a little while longer to learn more about Alex and his family. I gulped nervously as my dad kept staring me down. “Is there something you're not telling me?” I almost choked on my words. Lies were never my strong suit, and I did not know how to respond. Thankfully, Courtney entered the room at that moment. “She needs a challenge, Alpha. Montana has the toughest training camp out there - college life has made us all too lazy!” she laughed, and somehow my dad bought it. “So, when are you leaving? You'll be home for a few weeks, right, Ana? I miss you when you're away,” he mumbled. His words tugged at my heartstrings knowing that he was the only family I have left, but I knew I deserved some closure and hopefully that would lead to

Chapter 14 Ana The time for my revenge has come at last. It should bring me some sense of satisfaction, but it's not enough to restore my broken heart. I'm parked in a nearby lot and watching the scene unfolding in front of me. I know about Gill's internship at Mills Corporation, the largest accounting company in Georgia. They were offering her a job after completing two years of interning with them. That will never happen like she planned. I smirk to myself; they're under my control and I determine who they hire. An evil laugh escapes my lips as I think of Gill needing to look elsewhere for an employer. I sought help from Max before I began my mission, and here he is today, masquerading as a police officer alongside fellow pack member. His acting skills are commendable. Alex's presence robbed me of breath when he arrived on the scene; it still hurts seeing him hug Gill tenderly. She's just as much a traitor as him. Unbeknownst to them, I had snuck into her apartment earlier to wrea

Chapter 16 I felt muscular arms gripping me. I was screaming at the top of my lungs, but I couldn't muster up the energy to break free. Something was wrong; it could be felt in every molecule of my body. Pain and sorrow ran through me as I struggled to focus. I could smell all the fragrances in the air and hear a Northern mockingbird mimicking a sound. It took me a moment to realize what it was—the call of a blue jay. A warning that something else was coming closer. “Come on, Ana! Settle down: it's just me—Max. This isn’t the time or place to fight some rogue shifter. You’re losing control and I need to get you somewhere safe. Remember, we can't shift around humans.” Humans? Alex had been right all along. If I were present, could I tell if he was a werewolf or knew about them? After the touch, I felt our bond strengthening, but I wasn't sure if he felt the same intensity as me. What would he think of me defying his father like that? Even though I don't want to care what he thinks, I

Chapter 18 Ana I'm speechless. What are the chances of bumping into Alex here? I try to remain emotionless but can't help the chill that runs through me. Should I congratulate him for... something? No way! It would be over my dead body. Maybe if I just nod and pass by quickly, that'll do. Courtney takes the first step forward and breaks the silence with a mocking tone. "Alex, what an unloving surprise." Yeah, Courtney has my back. I have to fight back a laugh - so typical of her to be so forthright. Alex looks as shocked as I feel, and his eyes are glued to me. "Ana, is it really you? I must be dreaming," he says quietly and sadly. His words hit me hard in the chest and I have no answer to give him. We're done time to accept it. “What a surprise Alex! I figure you were busy with college and football. Or does the married life, gives you different priorities?” I can’t hide my disgust. His face changes completely from sadness to stoic within seconds and I realize why when I hear Sha

Chapter 20 Ana We arrived at the apartment that we'd be renting. It was tiny, only two bedrooms, so Courtney and I both knew we had to share one. When Max showed up, he would take the other bed. I couldn't help but smirk at the thought of Courtney and Dylan in the same room - it sounded good to me! We unpacked our things and rotated taking showers and getting ready. Courtney and I chose sundresses while Dylan wore ripped blue jeans and a black t-shirt - which made him look handsome. He was quite the charmer with all the female attention he received, yet he seemed to reject all of them; it was almost like he wanted Courtney to take him seriously. If they became a couple, I would be overjoyed, as I held them both dearly. I left my hair down but put on some make-up, nothing too ostentatious; we were going to the local club to hustle humans for money. I didn't want to stand out and draw more attention than necessary. We also needed to investigate the scam business that had been going on