Sebastian leaps back, but not before I’m able to graze his shoulder with the dagger.I can’t believe it. I’ve never attacked another person like this before. I never thought I’d be attacking Sebastian like this. But Lance and I need to get away, and I’ll do anything to make that happen.Sebastian howls in pain while Violet leaps at me. I spin around and defend myself with the dagger, only trying to injure them enough to get them off us. I just want to create space for us to leave. I don’t want to kill anyone.I will if I have to though. I realize that as I glance over at Lance who’s still trying to get the chains off. I’ll do whatever I need to do to protect him. Everyone’s so shocked, they freeze.That shock wears off quickly though, far too quickly. Sebastian comes back at me, but with the silver dagger, I’m able to defend myself. I stab his shoulder as he reaches for me.Panic clouds everything.There’s no coming back from this. I’ve attacked the Alpha. There’s no way I’

“I tried to fight it,” Lance says. “I tried my best. But it reached a point where I couldn’t any longer. I always thought I could try to go back, but she schemed to get some of the pack members to go after me as soon as I left. I’m lucky to still be alive.”“I’m so sorry that happened to you,” I whisper. “I can’t imagine something so awful. I’m just so grateful you escaped with your life. I’m so grateful you’re here with me.”“I’m grateful to be here with you,” he says, kissing my hand. “After everything I’ve been through, it’s all been worth it for this.”We kiss under the light of the fireflies. “It is,” I agree. “All the craziness of the last few days has been worth every moment just to find you.”We hold each other as if we can hug out all the pain from the world, from our past, and create a bright new future for us. As long as we’re together, I know we’ll be happy. I just need him by my side.“We’ll make an ever better life,” I assure him. “I would never hurt you like she d

“Good morning, love,” Lance says as gold light filters through the leaves above us.“Good morning,” I reply, kissing him as I lay across his chest. “I have an idea of what to do today.”“Is that so?” he asks, with an amused smile on his face.“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about last night a lot. You are the Alpha of your pack and you shouldn’t have been displaced from that. It’s not fair to you and it’s not fair to the pack you’re supposed to be leading.“Everyone knows that no one can lead as well as an Alpha can. Whoever has taken your place won’t be the proper fit. We have to do something about it.”“I agree,” Lance say. “But I’ve tried a few times to fix things. I can’t get even close to my old pack without being hunted down. I don’t know what to do anymore.”“That’s why, I think we need help,” I explain.“Help?” he asks. I nod. “It seems like the whole world is against us though. I can’t think of anyone who would want to help us right now.”“I know,” I admit. “It would be a ri

Bones start shifting without me having to think about it. My parents watch me, amazed by seeing their daughter in wolf form for the first time. It’s nice that at least this time I can shift into wolf form. We have a much better chance of getting away. It hurts worse than before though. This time I’ve been betrayed by my own parents. They have to know what will happen to us if we’re caught. I understand that they have to protect the pack but…“Stay,” my mother pleads, true sadness and concern in her eyes. “Please. They’ll forgive you. Just give up the rouge. We’ll make everything better.”Of course, I love them. I really do. I’ve always loved my parents. It horrifies me that things have to go like this. But there’s no way I’m leaving Lance’s side. I wouldn’t give him up for anyone.“If you love me, help us get away,” I say.Then, I turn and Lance and I start running. We take off through the fields I once played in. We dart through the garden, tearing through flowers and plants

“Why are you here?” Justin asks as soon as the door closes. “You were kicked out of the pack. It’s dangerous for you to be here.”“I know,” Lance admits. “But that’s why I’m here. I wanted to talk to you about what happened and see if you’d be willing to help me.”“I shouldn’t even be listening to you,” Justin replies, looking quite uneasy as he glances around his home. “I could get into so much trouble by not sounding the alarm right now. I should be trapping you. You are the most wanted man of this pack.”“I appreciate that you haven’t sounded the alarm yet,” Lance says. He seems hopeful and I am too. Despite all he’s said so far, it seems like Justin will be at least willing to hear Lance out.“I’m still debating if I should,” Justin admits.“Hear me out first, at least,” Lance asks. “Then, you can make that decision for yourself. There have been lies spread about me. I think you know that already. I think you’ve known that from the start. Let me set things straight. Let me tel