Arielle’s POV:I was still in the room, that Leon had locked me in. It was dark, and no light shone there. My fears increased ever more as I heard a growl emanate from somewhere, echoing in my head.I was weak, a voice told me in my head. You are so weak, Arielle, that you cannot even protect yourself.You were unable to defend yourself against Leon, the voice told me.You were unable to even land a punch on him. Oddly enough, the voice sounded like Darren’s, like Ethan’s c like Meera’s, like mine. It was taunting me. And I could not shut the noise out. Why couldn’t I? Why was I so helpless against this?I kept pacing the room, trying to find a light switch to light up this darkness. But as I moved closer to the walls, the walls seemed to get farther and farther away.All at once, I felt a hand clamp on my wrist.I screamed.My eyes opened as I sat up with a jolt. My breaths came out faster and my heart was beating so rapidly in my chest.I was having a nightmare, my mind supplied, ev

Richard’s POV:The ringing stopped when I finally pressed the button. Looking at the window, I noticed how the sun had already begun its travels on the way to setting.It was time.I stopped working at exactly five o’clock in the evening this time. I even had to set an alarm to make sure that I would, and despite he work in front of me, I dropped my pen, closed the files and stood up from my desk, moving straight from the study to the door leading to my adjoining bedroom.Why did I do this? Because I had to prepare to go to dinner at Darren’s and Lilian’s home. I had promised that I would be on time this time, as well as not arrive laden with work (a story for another day). This time, I also felt a slight pressure to be on my absolute best behavior, because this time, Arielle would be there as well.I swiftly removed my clothes and jumped into the shower, turning the knobs so that the water that came out of the shower head would be hot and nearly scalding. I really enjoyed hot water s

Richard’s POV:I held her waist, looking into her surprised blue eyes. Why did holding her feel this wonderful? Why was I thinking of leaning in and linking her lips with mine?Why was Arielle doing his to me?What was she doing to me?Why was she the only one I knew who could ever make me feel this way? I was not inexperienced with women, not had I ever met a woman that would ever make me confused such as Arielle was doing to me right then. I had no idea what to do with her. She was the most infuriating woman I had ever met, because somehow she had the ability to stir up feelings where there used to be none.But I had to push her away, or at least keep her at arms length until I could figure out why she was the only one capable of making me feel this way.I needed to know why this doctor was always invading my thoughts, my mind.I blinked slowly, trying my hardest to focus and let go of her.Finally, I managed to say, “Ypu should be on your way inside, Arielle. It’s going to be a col

Arielle’s POV:I woke up early, unlike most of the pack that day. Everyone was up late last night preparing for today, which was the full moon. I suspected Beta Darren and Alpha Richard had the bulkiest of works to take on today. From what I heard, there would be at least two packs visiting with their delegates for the day.I had already decided to not go to work. I had too much work still leftover from my time at the Rogues to finish, that had piled up in my absence. I don’t think that I would have the luxury of time if I didn’t attempt to finish it today.As I dressed up to go on the morning run that Lilian suggested I use to condition my body, I thought if he last time I saw Alpha Richard. It was the previous day and I had accidentally bumped into him. Actually, scratch that. I nearly bowled him over as I tried to keep myself running and breathing well. I had not run in so long.The truth was, being a medical student in advanced learning program, a lot of things that normal student

Questions and RealizationsArielle’s POV: I was unable to think properly, and I was sure that Lilian had noticed my absentmindedness a long time ago, but she must have dismissed it as fatigue caused by the training. Thankfully, I was able to use that excuse to part ways with her, and she bade me goodbye stab intersection leading to our separate places. Inside my chest, I felt how the pack bond bloomed in my chest, increasing and waning with equal levels of warmth each time. The pack bond seemed to be active somehow, I noted with my science/inclined observation. I still had no idea what might have caused this, but I needed to at least try and figure it out. Without a word to my assistant, I went up the stairs and entered my suite, moving to the bookshelves now filled with the books I had brought with me to the Redding Pack when I had first arrived. I needed to research on what is causing me this pain in my pack bond, and what I suspect had caused me to heal that boy from this mo