JASMINE I had training in the late morning and broke for lunch at twelve with all the other warriors. Paige and I met up and decided to eat outside that day since the weather was so nice. "So, what'd you bring today?" I asked her. "My mom made pasta salads for everyone this morning. You?" Paige looked over at my lunch bag. "Looks like Connie made me some turkey pinwheels and cut-up fruit." I pulled everything out. "That must be nice to have a cook do all that for you. I guess I have my mom for now, but soon I'll be on my own!" "When are you and Dylan finally tying the knot and moving in together?" She sighed. "Don't you think it's weird that I'm only nineteen and already getting married and moving in with a husband?" "Why is that weird?" I studied her. "Everyone gets married and moves in with their mates when they meet them. I guess it takes longer for some than others. But you're one of the lucky ones! You don't have to wait and worry that you'll never meet him and will have t

GINGER After we got back to the packhouse, all I wanted to do was hide—hide away forever. My heartbeat thrashed in my ears and my chest felt tight. Was our alpha really going to attack me because of how I looked? Was this going to be my life now? And my sister too. Everyone I thought would protect me was now impulsively turning on me. I burrowed underneath Tyce's blankets while he went to use the bathroom, thankful they kept the air conditioning at close to freezing in the packhouse. I was safe in the dark where no one could see me. I inhaled his linens. The smell was mesmerizing—like nothing I'd ever smelled before. A musky, warm, almost burnt-vanilla scent, I couldn't quite put my finger on. All I knew was that I wanted to snort it and hold it in my lungs. Under his sheets, I was surrounded and safe in my little cocoon. I was now able to experience so many wonderful things because my wolf came back, but she was also dangerous—not dangerous because she was a demon like everyone tho

GINGER Sunday evening came far too fast and I was a mess. In just days, my life had completely changed. Now, instead of preparing to head back to school in Boston in a few short weeks, I was withdrawing, researching schools in Alaska, and pulling together a list to apply to so I could start up again in the spring. Between that, work, and not getting enough sleep because Tyce and I were still meeting up most evenings, I was stressed to the max. And now I was super nervous about Tyce meeting everyone. My mom fluctuated between being ecstatic and randomly crying. My dad had to live with the fact that he wasn't going to be able to have his "man-to-man" talk with Tyce about relocating to our pack. I guess my dad hadn't considered the possibility of my potential mate being an alpha—literally the one job that couldn't relocate. And also the one person my dad would never try to convince of anything. I went back and forth on what to wear several times. "Goddess, I wish Hunter were here!" I

GINGER It was nearing the end of August, and I was stressed beyond stressed, trying to decide what to bring with me to Alaska. On a rare day when no one would be home, I invited Tyce to come by and help me pack. I went downstairs to greet him when the doorbell chimed. As soon as I opened it, my heart skipped a beat. How did he do that? Every time I saw him, it was like the first time. He instantly greeted me with a big kiss, and I didn't want to let go, wishing I could just stay wrapped in his arms forever. I finally pulled away. "Okay, so before I take you upstairs, should I move Splinter into another room?" He rolled his shoulders back and puffed out his chest. "No, I can do it. I'm ready." "Are you sure?" "Well, okay, maybe I'll take my clothes off just in case. There's no one home, right?" I laughed. "No." "Okay, because that would be pretty awkward if your dad popped out while I was buck naked. I mean, on the field it's okay. But very awkward when visiting his daughter at

GINGER My alarm woke me at two-thirty that morning, and I groaned, forcing myself to roll out of bed. I had put together three suitcases of stuff to bring—three suitcases to transport my entire life across the country. I quickly dressed in the outfit I'd laid out for myself the night before. I had decided on a simple jersey dress since it'd be comfortable for several hours of travel but would still look cute for when I arrived to meet his family. I moved Splinter into his special travel carrier and added some fresh fruit to hopefully help him stay fed and hydrated throughout the journey. Then I looked around my bedroom and sighed to myself. At around three, Tyce texted me to let me know he'd be there in a half hour. I dragged everything downstairs. My parents came down just as I was placing Splinter's travel cage by the door. My mom pulled me in for a hug and began sobbing for the millionth time since she found out I was leaving. "Make sure you eat all your veggies and always wear