Alpha Avery Haley still wants nothing to do with me. I shouldn’t have shown up at the music store. I watch her leave and wanna punch myself for being so pushy with her. “Keep up the good work Pancho, I’ll see you around.” I leave and let Spartan take over. We could use a good run. He makes a bee line for the forest when suddenly he skids to a stop. My heart clenches as we feel our mate unbelievably sad. He changes directions and heads right for her scent. My heart shatters at the scene before us. She found her parents. Spartan cautiously approach, trying not to scare her. He rubs his fur against her and she jumps a little but then relaxes once she sees us. She throws her arms around our neck crying harder than I’ve ever seen. I wish I could make this better for her. Spartan whimpers at her and she pulls away. He licks her tears away, not knowing what else to do. “Sorry,” She says as she pulls some tissue out of her bag. Spartan nudges her trying to get her to talk about it. “T

Haley I wake the next morning surprisingly feeling really good. I figured I’d be sore and not want to get out of bed today, but it’s quite the opposite. I feel energized and ready to take on the day. “It’s cause I’m here now sweet girl. You will heal faster than a typical wolf because of what we are.” “I guess that’s helpful since we take on other’s wounds.” “Yes, but doing too much at once will drain you. Remember you can only do so much.” “I’ll be careful Hazel, I promise.” “So, you’ve adopted those two pups I see,” chuckles Hazel. “Yes. Nick and Ray were still so young when they arrived at Red Moon I just felt the need to care for them. Their families did nothing to save them.” “You are the kindest soul I have been attached to.” “You’ve been with others?” “Yes. You are not the first human my soul has been attached to nor the first blood red wolf.” “What were the other’s like?” “They tended to be selfish and only looked out for themselves. In the end, their mates died and

Alpha Avery “Do you smell that Spartan?” “I do. Who is our mate checking out?” “I am not sure. There are plenty of wolves here her age, so it could be anyone.” As soon as her arousal hit me I stopped dead in my tracks in the middle of the court. Our eyes lock and she blushes turning her gaze away from me. Could it be she is turned on by watching me? I can only hope it’s me and not one of these pups. Some of them have wolves but none of them seem to pay her any attention. I watch her leave to the coffee shop across the street and I force myself to turn my attention back to the game. I need to end this now so I can go to her. I need to know if her feelings have shifted even in the slightest. Nothing but net, as the ball sinks in for three points. “Alright boys, I gotta get going. Good game though.” I give everyone high fives before leaving them to go after my mate. “What’s got you in such a hurry,” says Mason, hot on my heels. “I think Haley is feeling the mate bond more and

Haley His question of my happiness shocks me. I have never given much thought to my happiness but more of my freedom. I think with time I could be happy here in this pack. I am happy to be free, that is for sure, but I don’t know if this is the pack I want to spend the rest of my life in. Honestly, if it weren’t for the boys I probably would’ve left as soon as I could. “Honestly Alpha Avery I’m just happy to be alive and free, no matter where that takes me. The boys are happy here so I don’t plan on moving to another pack.” I know that is not the answer he is searching for, but it’s the best I can give him. I am careful with my words. I won’t move to another pack but if he discovers I know he is my mate I will go rogue to protect my mate from a horrible fate. I also don’t want to endanger this pack if word gets out of what I am. Alpha Avery is staring at me intensely and I wonder what it would feel like to have his lips on mine. As if he is reading my mind, he slides closer to me a

Haley It’s helpful that I don’t have a scent to anyone. I just need to be stealthy and get past border patrol. I easily find the patrol’s blind spot and step over the territory into no man’s land. I know this will be dangerous if I run into rogues, who will want to sell me as a slave, or wild rogues who will kill me without a second thought. “Don’t worry Haley, you have me now. We can take on anyone.” I like that Hazel is confidant. It makes me feel better because I do not feel strong enough to fight off an attack. The further we get away from Crescent Moon, the harder I struggle to push forward. My body and mind are struggling with leaving my mate behind, I didn’t realize it would be this difficult. I feel like I am being ripped in two as we move farther and farther from Crescent Moon. “Our bond is stronger than I have ever felt before. It’s normally not this hard Haley.” “We need to push through. I will not let him die because of me. His pack needs him, the slaves need him to b