Logan's POV...As I sat there, hands folded on my laps, I was absorbed in the conversation that the elders were holding. I clenched my fist so that nobody could see that my fingers were actually shaking. I could not tell if it was out of anxiety about what verdict they would come to or if it was out of anger at how the Council of Elders handled issues once it came to the woman I love, Alexa.As much as what they said made sense, and listening to them, I could confess that the doubts and fears they had concerning Alexa were not flimsy, they were rightly founded, and maybe if I was not the one who was in love with Alexa, then I would have questioned the security and safety that she compromised in the pack.However, I was very much in love with the woman and everything that the elders were saying simply made me uncomfortable; they did not know her as much as I did, and I could swear on my life that Alexa never did anything to bring harm to the pack or to anyo

Author's POV...The dungeon's floor was wet and smelled strongly of blood and fluids unnamed. Although Logan had not quite ordered her to be beaten or maltreated in any way, the dungeon alone, which she had to occupy for nearly a year, was punishment enough.Kara turned to stare at the dungeon gate when she heard footsteps draw closer to where she was. She listened closely, straining her ears beyond the thick doors that secured the dungeon. Not long after, the cell door next to her opened loudly, and she could hear the strike of whips and the agonized cries that came from the unfortunate prisoner.She moved away from the door. At least, if she had nothing in particular, to be thankful for, she was grateful that she wasn't being whipped, starved or tortured in the cell. She had been there for a while, and she knew what went on in the dungeon halls when the lights were off. It was not pretty, and she'd wept once or twice when she was still new.But that was

Author's POV... Kara lay there for about half an hour, listening to the movements die down until, eventually, it was as quiet as the grave; even the snore of fellow prisoners could not be heard. She knew it was time to go. She rose and shredded her clothes till all that was left was her inner wear; she then wrapped the pieces of the shredded clothes around her feet, she knew her delicate soles could not take what she was planning, and she had no shoes to put on. With her feet heavily padded up, she crawled quietly to the corner. She removed the key, cleaned it up and fit it into the lock, praying she had gotten the right one; she had watched and made sure she knew the exact keys for her cell. As she heard the click, she sighed with relief and opened the door very slowly to avoid the creaking sound; she squeezed herself through and tiptoed into the night, quietly navigating the many hallways that led around the dungeon. She had listened to the rhythm of footfalls each day and could

Author's POV...There was a terrible pounding in her head; it seemed ready to combust at any point. Her temple was aching too badly. As she lay on the unfamiliar bed, she could feel all the cuts she had sustained during the trek through the forest and her numerous falls.Kara turned around and tried to survey her immediate environment without giving away the fact that she was awake. She still had her suspicions that the red lotus pack had found her, but from the bits of conversation she'd gathered so far, she was sure that it was a new pack and one that did not seem to know who she was."The master said to let her rest; she's even lucky to survive that level of infection, tetanus was setting in, and if we hadn't stumbled upon her when we did, then she would be very dead," the first voice said. The second person, obviously still a man, was bummed in affirmation."I wonder who she is; no marks, no information on her, nothing", the first one stated, his voice a little curious."Hmmm... M

Alexa's POV...The dim room was supposed to give some form of comfort and relaxation, but it had the opposite effect on me. All I could do was stare at the ceiling, hoping my heart would stop beating so quickly and my head would stop conjuring frightening images and allow me some semblance of peace and quiet.The dinner of spaghetti sauce and beer was served that evening. Logan had barely touched his food before he was called out by Simon. He said that he had some urgent pack duties to attend to. I, too, could not eat; the little bit of food I had swallowed seemed to have turned into lead in my stomach, making me feel bloated and heavy and stressing me with the energy to keep my disgusted face as it seemed like the bile was rising into my mouth.I gave up on the spaghetti and meatloaf and focused on my bottle of beer; at least the cold comfort that it offered cascaded down my throat and massaged me comfortably; it was a relief to be back here, even if the stares