STANLEY POV The blaring music feels like thunder against my sensitive ears, and I keep having to grind my teeth together to push past the pain. "Yeah, I think earplugs would have helped," Finley mumbles from next to me, and I look at him with a, "you think" expression. He chuckles nervously before shrugging. He shoots back a swig of his weak beer and points toward the crowd with his hand. "See anyone special," Fin asks, and I shake my head while thoroughly searching the crowd. I haven't smelled or spotted anyone special: just half-naked women and desperate males competing for attention. "She isnt here, and I'm having an awful time," I reply, and Fin nods as he looks toward the door. "I guess I thought this would be more interesting than just standing here. Why do people like this type of social activity so much" Fin asks, and I shrug. "Beats me. I guess the people who don't have soul mates have to find partners in other ways," I reply after a few seconds, and

STANLEY POV The pungent scent of female arousal is giving me a migraine. The smell of my medium rare steak isn't even strong enough to save me from the two females in front of me. "So, the two of you are both Alpha offspring," the redhead asks, eyeing me hungrily. I nod and take a bite of my mashed potatoes. I want to growl at her and the female sitting next to her, but I know our pack cannot afford an enemy of this size. I have to maintain a facade of professionalism. Besides the other females have been very polite, and they don't deserve to have their dinner disrupted. "Yes. Our father is an Alpha, and our brother is an Alpha. Stan and I are a part of our brother's pack, but we don't have any plans of becoming Alphas," Finley says almost sternly, and I fight my smirk by taking a sip of my beer. "What a shame. Being Alpha should be the goal of every wolf—especially wolves with Alpha bloodlines running through their veins. Your power and stamina need to be used," the br

STANLEY POV The smell of Wyoming is better than the rest of the United States. It isn't heavily polluted or tainted by large human populations like Florida and California. It's clean and fresh smelling. The air is practically crisp here. "I'm glad you still know how to use those facial muscles," Fin teases as he flicks his eyes between the road and my face. I smile harder in response. Not even my little brother's ribbing can dampen this day for me. I have spent the past few weeks being tortured by him, and I am finally home free. None of the slobbering females in heat at the various packs we visited were my mate, thank the skies, and I never smelled her when Fin made us walk through densely populated human cities. I will miss my pack here, but moving North is the only solution. My love for Lauren hasn't dimmed even a millimeter, and I know it never will. I just need to vacate the area and move on with my life. I will still be my brother's lawyer, and I can handle all the al

STANLEY POV "Finally coming home," Samantha snaps as soon as my car door closes. I glance at Dan, and he avoids looking at me as he heads start for his mate. I meet her eyes again, but only for a second. Her dominance feels as if it has tripled since becoming pregnant, or maybe she is just that mad. I drop my head to show submission. "I just needed some alone time," I answer before peeking up at her. Her green eyes begin to blaze, and her hands drop as she begins to march my way with murder written across her features. Fear twists my stomach as my Luna approaches me, and Dan just stands there on the porch looking patient. I'm so busy looking at my brother, hoping for backup, I hardly see her hand as it cuts through the air and cracks across my cheek. I stumble and grab my face. I keep my yes downcast and fight back the growl itching to erupt from my chest. "I can not believe you, Stanley Gray. I had faith in the mate bond! I thought once you met her, all would fix its

TABITHA POV Hope, fear, embarrassment, and surprise all seem to course through my body simultaneously as the four of us stand frozen.Andrew's eyes are on my mom, and Stanley's are on me. Mom is staring at Andrew, and I am practically drilling holes into Stanley. It is a stare-stand-off. Each one of us is trapped and eager. Even the air is being quiet in anticipation of what is going to happen next.As my hope grows, I look my mate over closer. I try to see past the suit and clean face, but what I find disappoints me.His face looks thinner than it was a week ago but other than that, I don't see a difference. I, on the other hand, look awful. I know my hair and clothes are dirty. My face is puffy and red since I was just crying. All in all, it's an awful time to be hoping he is here to beg for me, but my heart and inner beast won't quiet down. My brain is the only thing holding onto sense at this point. "Hi, I'm Andrew. I am new to the shifter world, but I believe being your ma