Keira’s POVOver the next few days, I was cautious not to draw attention to myself, but I kept my ears open for anything. To my surprise I didn’t hear anything about the incident in the woods. The only thing I did hear was a planned pack run. The wolf I saw in the woods was definitely high ranking. Based on their size and speed, I’m guessing at least a Delta, or maybe a particularly large warrior. This pack run could be a ploy to see all of the wolves. Good thing I’m an Omega and can claim that I can’t shift, which will save me from the run. I’m in the middle of making a latte for an order when the bell on the door rings. I turn to see Whitney and a few other girls walk into the cafe. Just perfect. “Welcome.” I greet them. Just be professional and non-confrontational. They laugh to eachother and don’t respond. Just smile Keira. They walk over to the counter and wait while I finish up a pour over. I hand the drinks to the customer and greet the three women again.“Hello, what can I get

Keira’s POVI hear a branch snap and turn my head to the sound. It’s Shepard. My heart drops in my stomach. How much did he hear? Shepherd looks surprised. Oh no he heard everything.“Shepherd.” I say.“Shepherd what are you doing here?” Alpha asks.“What are you two doing here?” Shepherd asks. I look over at Alpha and realize his hand is on my shoulder and we are pretty close to each other.“Shepherd it’s not-“ an arm wraps around Shepard’s neck and Whitney appears next to him. “Look at what we have here. Looks like the little omega is just moving up the ranks. I can’t believe you would use poor Shepherd and Vivian in your little scheme. That’s really low of you.” Whitney says. “What?” Shepherd asks.“I heard her with her little coffee friend laughing about the whole thing.” I take a step back from Theo.“That’s not true.” I say. But the look on Shepard’s face tells me her words are sinking in.“Shepherd none of that is true.” Theo say

Keira’s POVI wake up on Sunday and think about what I’m going to do today. If Shepard is really going out of town with Whitney, then he’s not planning to meet up with me. I could mope around all day, but that doesn’t seem very healthy. Maybe a walk? Maybe a run? Maybe I just order food and stuff my face? I pick up my phone and call Talia.“Yello!” She answers.“Talia, what are you up to today?” I ask.“No big plans, I was going to meet up with Dave and Jake for some food and drinks. You should come along.” “That sound great! I’d love to.”“Great, meet us at the pub around 1. We’ll be going through the afternoon just so you know.” I’ve learned Talia likes to drink, and takes every chance she can. I’m not a big drinker, but I do like the company. I take a shower and get ready for some friend time, hopefully this will take my mind off of things. I’m dressed and ready to go, I check the time and it’s 12:30, I was suppose to meet Shepherd at this time. No d

Keira’s POVTwo men I don’t recognize are at my door.“Hello, can I help you?” I ask. One man, with brown hair and a small scar on his right cheek smiles at me.“I’m hoping you can, Keira.” Shock and terror wash over me. I take a step back and the men rush at me. I turn and make a run for it up the stairs. I feel someone grab my ankle. I turn and kick the faster man off me. He falls back and into the second man. I continue up the stairs. I get to my apartment and close the door. I lock it. I hear them pounding on the door. They are hitting it so hard the whole door vibrates.“Keira! Open up!” They shout.“Keira. We have a message for you, from Dawson.” Just hearing his name makes my stomach turn. Fear runs up my spine.“We have your friends, Lily and Mason. If you want to see them alive, you come back.” He pounds on the door causing me to jump. I stay cowering on the other side of the door, not making a sound. I hear them laughing to themselves. Then out

Beta Harth’s POVI’m with the scout team to find out what happened to Mason and Lily. “Sir, should we go up to their gate or is this a recon mission?” “Let’s announce ourselves. We don’t want to provoke them even more.” I hope this goes well, starting a war is not in anyone’s best interests. We walk up to their gate to announce ourselves. We are greeted by two warriors.“Stop and identify yourselves.” One of the warriors says.“I am Beta Harth from Elk Forest Pack. We have come to see Alpha Julian.” The guards look at each other in confusion. “Alpha Julian is dead.” The other guard says. I’m completely thrown off by what he’s saying.“What? How?” I ask.“He was challenged for the Alpha seat and lost to his son Dawson.” Dawson is now the new Alpha, and he took it through a challenge. Which means Julian wouldn’t hand the position over to him so, he took it by force. Something bad is definitely going on here. “What about my daughter Keira?”