Keira POVI was strolling aimlessly down the street with my head down, lost in thought when a sudden realization hit me like a punch in the gut. Augustine didn't really love me, and he was using his power to keep me tied to him. How could I escape him?Lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice Owain walking to me until he grabbed my shoulder, "Keira! I was worried about you. You didn't come back. Is everything okay?" He asked.I nodded. Maybe."Let me walk you back to the cabin," he said. "I need to talk to Augustine about something later.""What? With Augustine?" I asked incredulously."Yes. Indeed, all packs conduct business with one another, and our current contract is about to expire.""Okay, I'll go with you." Because of Augustine's temperament and nature, I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous that he might take his anger out on Owain. Those around a person who lacks good temper control would suffer as a result.Owain must have noticed my apprehension because he spoke softly to

Keira POVI stumbled into the cabin, her thoughts in disarray. I had always told MYself not to care about Augustine and forget everything I saw, but now it was all I could think about. As she closed the door to her room and collapsed onto the bed, the scene of Augustine and Rhoda together kept replaying in my mind. Was I jealous or just sad that he had cheated on her? I couldn't tell which of his words were lies, and I had no idea what he and Rhoda were doing now."Keira, are you okay?" Owain's voice came through the door, and he knocked softly. "Can I come in and see you?"Taking a deep breath, I wiped my tears and tried to compose myself. I didn't want Owain to see her like this. "I'm fine," I said, trying to sound steady, and hurriedly opened the door.Owain entered the room and gave me a hug, "It's okay, Keira, it's okay. I understand how you feel; it's okay to feel that way. Since you are his mate, it's okay to feel envious or angry at this point. Since ancient times, the moon an

Keira POV The bite on my lip made it incredibly clear to me that Augustine was going crazy, but he had no business interrogating me. I opened my mouth to bite him on the lip hard as I considered what he had done. He stood there frozen, didn't think that I would bite him. And if he had to choose a culprit between us, he was perfect. "I'm no longer your mate! I've said it a thousand times!! Go to hell with you and your damn veto!" I never liked looking at him with my head held high. "No one will admit that," Augustine's chest puffed up and down as he appeared to be struggling to maintain control as he said, "Do you know how many females would like to be in your position?" "Should I then extend my gratitude for that? I'm not some pawn you try to manipulate by restraining me and then casting me aside when you become enraged. Let me reiterate, in case you haven't heard: I never wanted to be in your mate's position." For the first time, I thought that was good, to add salt to the wo

Augustine POV As I gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, a mixture of emotions overwhelmed me. I instinctively tightened my arms around her waist, feeling her breath on my face. I feared losing her once more, and perhaps, in reality, I already had. At this moment, I found comfort in this stolen embrace. She was mine, and that possessiveness startled me. I had always considered myself a composed and level-headed person, at least, the elders and others in my pack often remarked. Yet, when it came to her, I transformed into a lovesick teenager, abandoning reason and caution. I didn't know what she did to me, making me act like all the reckless acts of infatuation from everyone's younger days. Sneaking out of the backyard before an important exam just for the chance to meet sweetheart at a rock concert. Love has a way of making us vulnerable and breaking down the walls we build to protect ourselves. It can turn the calmest of individuals into passionate and impulsive beings. As I hel