Liam’s POV “Who does that son of a bitch think he is Liam?”. Kalen is furious that a man physically blocked Emma in the hall and made her uncomfortable. There was something not right about that man. I made a mental note to phone the owner and retrieve a name for him. I could tell Emma was very uncomfortable around him but didn’t recognize him. “Do not let her leave the compound anymore Liam”. I couldn’t agree more with Kalen. This is not the time to be promenading through town. I was lost in my thoughts when Emma leans into my arm. My hand intertwines with hers. I kiss the back of her hand. What would we do if anything happened to her? It was bad enough that something had already happened before us but not on my watch. “Liam love, you seem awfully preoccupied”. I didn’t realize our mate was watching us. “Sorry baby, just thinking about nonsense”. I lean back into the seat and wrap my arms around her, pulling her into my arms. She giggles which releases any extra

“Here kitty, kitty kitty”. I open my eyes as best I can and see that vile creature Ezekiel, as I’ve heard him called, heading for my cage. I can’t run or hide anywhere. I just try to make myself as small as humanly possible. What could he possibly want now? Just a few hours ago he was with us. He has a long leather whip in his hand and trails it along the bars making me shiver. It is below freezing outside and I have nothing but this thin blanket. He swings the door open and goes to grab for my hair. I wake up screaming, drenched in sweat. I shoot up to a sitting position to hug my knees. Liam jolts to attention, “baby, shhh… it’s okay. You had a nightmare”. He starts gently rubbing my back when he feels the scars. Tears begin rolling down my face silently. “It wasn’t just a nightmare Liam, I was reliving hell”. I could feel him examining the scars that he’d somehow never noticed before. I feel him shift up so he’s leaning back against the headboard and gently pulls me into

Emma’s POV The day is spent working on finding suitable housing arrangements for pack members, getting some medical care and compiling a list of missing members. Five o’clock, holy crap. I yawn and look around to find Liam. He must be in a different building, helping settle some people. As I walk around the corner to leave, I bump straight into one of Dan’s pack members. “Oh my, excuse me! I was not watching where I was going”. The man has suspicious eyes. Not bowing to me, “Luna, the pleasure is mine”. I find it odd that he doesn’t bow considering it is customary. He seemed completely unphased by my rank and station. Not that I expected people to bow but most of the members, especially male, were eager to bow when I was coming. Pulling me from my suspicion, “How long have you been Luna of Broken Mt. Pack?”. A very odd question, one that no one would think or care about. “Emma get away from this man”, Morgan warns me. I begin walking in my original direction.

Liam’s POV The kitchen is buzzing with members who had joined our small run when Emma and I enter. Grace has a massive batch of hot cocoa on the stove which of course lights Emma’s face up when she notices. I will never look at whip cream the same way again. I smile internally knowing our little secret. I pull the chair out for my love as she is practically drooling, watching Mom pour her cocoa. “Can we talk about how Morgan is nearly the size of Kalen?”. She is busy licking the whipped cream from the top when she realizes I asked her a question. Seeing her lick the whipped cream drew an urge within me but among company, it will stay as an urge. Emma could sense my thoughts and started licking it more seductively. “Stop it Emma”, I tickle her side slightly. “But seriously, Morgan is beautiful”. Without picking her eyes up off her cocoa, “she wants me to tell you that Kalen was extra handsome this evening”. I can feel Kalen shake with a sense of confidence. “Easy

Emma’s POV I didn’t realize how tired I was until I made it to our suite. I briefly thought about not showering but I am pretty sure there’s mud caked on my legs… yep, there sure is. I will never take warm water for granted. I just stand there, soaking up the warmth until I realize I am about to fall asleep in the shower. I get ready for bed, “where’s Liam?”. Well, more bed for me. Morgan giggles, “Em, I am beat. Let’s sprawl out”. Doing as I’m told, I take up as much room across the bed as I can, which still isn’t even half of the bed. This is the life. It could have only been a few minutes later, Liam sneaks in trying not to wake me. “I’m awake Liam, you can make noise”. He strolls over, assessing our current utilization of the bed. “You look comfortable”. He leans down, kissing my cheek and whispers to me that he’s going to shower. If I weren’t so tired, I would totally be in there with him. I can’t muster the energy to move my limbs. Liam takes a very q