~Laslo~ “Are you ready? Do you understand what I want from you?” I’m pacing back and forth in my office. “I don’t want any fuck-ups! This needs to go smoothly and it needs to happen quickly.” “Yeah, yeah, yeah……I got it. My little brother never said you were so bothersome. You told me what you need, and I’m telling you that we can get it done. Don’t stress yourself. You will have what you want very soon.” The line disconnects, and it takes everything I have to keep Nero at bay. This piece of shit has no idea who he is playing with. His disrespect is disgusting, and I would rip his throat out if I didn’t need him to take care of things for me. My contact at the Ash Band Pack enlisted his brother and friends to carry out the next phase of my plan. He said he wasn’t equipped to do what I needed, but his brother was and would do so gladly. He has some kind of issue with Cory, and all he asked was that he is able to have a shot at him. At first, I was going t

~Cory~ I’d never seen an Alpha ceremony before, so I had no idea what to expect. I have to say the ceremony was beautiful. The decorations were gorgeous, as was Zahara. The feeling that I felt when I said the oath and the power enveloped me…..indescribable. I can’t believe that I’m a ranked member; I’m an Alpha. I can’t believe that it is now up to us to take over and care for this pack. I’m excited and nervous. The pack’s approval of me was overwhelming. I could hear so many congratulations in my mind. My eyes started to tear up, listening to the acceptance I was receiving. I have never been so accepted in my life, and I never want to forget that feeling. I want to make sure that I’m always worthy of their care and acceptance. The four of us, Bryn, Zahara, Lennox, and I, have been standing halfway between the packhouse and the food, getting congratulated on our new status. It is surreal, to say the least, and I consider myself extremely blessed to have

~Justin~ Oh shit! He’s going to kill me. I’m going to die by my Alpha’s hand in the back of the packhouse. Goddess, how did it come to this? My hands are gripping Cory’s, trying to loosen it so I can breathe better. I’m getting nowhere, and it’s scary. “Maybe you should put him down so he can talk, Alpha.” Cory glares at Lennox and opens his hand at the same time. I fall to the ground, gasping for air. I will have to thank Lennox one day for saving my life. “I suggest you take this opportunity to let us know what’s going on. Otherwise, I will have to let my Alpha loose and there is no telling how that will pan out.” I gulp and scramble to my feet. I really don’t want to die this way, so I guess now is as good a time as any. “Yeah….so……well…….Frankie and Len took Zahara.” I flinch before I hear the ear-shattering growl that comes from Cory. Please let me get through this alive. I can hear heavy breathing, and I’m terrified that I will open my ey

~Zahara~ My head is killing me. It is pounding away, and I’m not sure why. I start to move and quickly stop when my neck starts to radiate pain. What the hell is going on?Aria……..? There is no response, and my mindlink is coming up empty. I take a deep breath and move around again, trying to ignore the pain that comes with it. I feel something soft underneath me, but the room doesn’t smell familiar. “So you’re awake….” A soft voice breaks through the darkness. I don’t recognize the voice or the accompanying scent. I open my eyes, and everything is blurring. I blink a few times to try to get my eyes adjusted to the darkness that surrounds me. I look and find there is a couch underneath me. I guess I should be happy that I’m not outside somewhere. Across from me is an armchair that is occupied by a body. I try to focus on the chair and start to take in some features. There is definitely a woman sitting across from me; red hair in disarray, dull green eyes, and pale

~Cory~ The silence stretches on, and I wonder if I lost the call. Before I can check, I hear maniacal laughter. “You…..you are challenging me?! You are weak as hell!” The laughter continues, and my grip on the phone is getting tighter and tighter. I wish I could rip his throat out right now. “Are you done?” I huff out in impatience. The laughter stops, and it becomes silent on the other end of the phone. “You’re serious, aren’t you? I can’t……fine. If that is how you want to die, then so be it.” I have so much to say, but I can’t form the words. I quickly hang up the phone and try to breathe. I just want to run over there and rip Laslo’s throat out. I want Zahara back in my arms, and I don’t want to have to wait. “We need to contact the elders and inform them of this conversation. I believe they left some people on site at the Wild Tail Pack so I’m not sure how he was able to get Zahara on the grounds without them being aware.” Alpha Byron is t