Rex The howling in my brain is so loud that I can’t stand it anymore. I drop to my knees on the soft blanket of pine needles littering the forest floor and grip my head in my hands. I had to cut my hair short so that I wouldn’t pull out chunks in my fists like I did the first time this happened. The first time she did this to me. It needs to stop. I know it’s my fault, and allowing this to continue is a kind of masochism. I should just let her go. But I need it too, as unhealthy as that is. I need to feel every last dagger to my heart. I need it, because when I feel this pain, the pure agony of knowing my mate is being intimate with someone else, I remember to hate her. To hate her with every fibre of my being. It forces me to remember the torture she has put me through. The absolute betrayal of our sacred bond that she has committed. And it calls a halt to any lingering thoughts I might have of us someday working things out. At least for a while. It’s long enough to stop me from

Rex “She’s in,” Hayley announces with delight as she dances into my small one-bedroom apartment in the packhouse. She’s vibrating with giddiness as she plonks herself down on my sofa, tucks her feet beneath her, and grins expectantly at me. I’ve been gone for the weekend, running myself into the ground to get some peace, to ground my wolf. Cooper, my brother, and Hayley’s mate, must have told her I was back. “I know. I got your message.” She’s still grinning, ignoring my grumbling. “Hayley… I don’t think this is a good idea.” I’m blunt and don’t mince words, gesturing to her sitting in my living room with a wide, smug smile. She’s just way too happy. Hayley’s expression transforms from one of delight to one of exasperation. “Rex! Don’t be miserable.” She shakes her head and frowns, but I can see her eyes twinkling. The excitement that’s been building up inside her bursting out. “Go on, tell me again why this is so good?” I close my book and set it down, searching for the patience

Rex There is something so peaceful about being up before dawn when the rest of the world is still sleeping, and everything is quiet. I inhale deeply, my chest rising as I pull in a lungful of crisp country air. The heavenly smell of damp leaves and fresh rain float in the air as I stare out at the picturesque lake view at the front of the bed-and-breakfast. The weak morning sun is just peeking over the tops of the trees, and it softly illuminates the slight haze hanging low over the water. It’s breath-taking. The porch light comes on as I walk up the steps to the front door. A sensor light was one of the extra security measures Cooper installed around the property after Hayley’s attack. Somehow, I don’t think any amount of lighting or alarms will ever be enough to make her feel completely safe here again. He felt like he needed to try because she poured her heart and soul into renovating this property. But a new start in a new home is probably better for both of them. I can see the

Leah My singing along to the radio had not gone down well. It turns out alpha males don’t love pop music sung out of tune… or with the wrong words. When Rex stared at me in horror before reaching over to turn it off, I didn’t bother fighting with him. I can take a hint. I thought we were bonding in the office. His expression was marginally less stony, and his stiff posture had relaxed as well. I swear I almost saw a smile. That’s the Rex equivalent of doing cartwheels. We even had a moment over schedules and hiking paths when our fingers touched. At least I thought we’d had a moment. Maybe it’s just my ovaries trying to trick me into making babies with this perfect specimen of manliness. I don’t know what happened, but something soured Rex’s mood since he offered to show me around, so I’m just leaving him alone. He drums his fingers against the leather steering wheel and seems to be deep in thought. About what, I’ve no clue. Rex has retreated into his shell and is mulling something

Rex Instead of following everyone inside right away, I sit down on the steps and put my head in my hands, focusing on my breathing and try to regain some equilibrium. My fuse has always been short, even for an alpha, but I feel like any progress I made clawing back some control over my crazed wolf is slipping right through my fingers. He’s become unmanageable and wild since the rejection a year ago. Downright feral, if I dare to be honest with myself. I need to exercise a lot to keep him calm. Being outdoors grounds him. So, whenever I can, I disappear off into the wild for a night or two. Especially when I feel the tug of the mate bond or the agony of Stacey being with her fiancé. Leah and her carefree attitude have blown all that careful management of my mood away. I wanted her so badly. Just the idea that Nathan is going to pursue her has my blood pressure shooting sky-high. It makes little sense. She’s not mine, even though my body behaves otherwise. I can’t be with someone else