I have never challenged my father before. I never had a reason to before today. He realizes instantly that she’s my mate, but he’s still willing to condemn her for something she had no control over. It’s Maeve who is able to diffuse the situation by using my mother’s Guardian gift. She doesn’t seem to know that my father has it too, since he’s her mate. After she tells her story, I know my mother well enough to know that she will want to look after her. I want it to be me, but I know, as soon as Maeve breaks down, that my mother can help her in a way that I can’t right now. Einar begins fighting against me, knowing that Maeve is more open with him than with me. He wants to care for her, be there for her and I have to fight him back. Once again, it’s Maeve that calms the situation by telling Einar that she’s okay. When they walk away, Reagan surprises both of us by scolding my father. Apparently my sisters are feeling protective of my mate. I like that. My father watches them leav

I need to figure out what it is about my mother and sisters that gets Maeve to agree to spend time with them. I’ve been trying for days to get her to agree to spend time with me and she keeps pushing me away. It’s making me crazy. Einar is constantly on edge, always pacing around in my head. It’s gotten so bad, I can’t even focus on my schoolwork. So, when I catch them heading outside, I take the chance that she’ll at least spend time with Einar. He finally relaxes a bit when she agrees. We stop in her spell room. I’ve only been coming here because it’s practically the only way I can spend time with her. Although the smell has gotten easier to take over time, it still stinks. When we walk in, my sisters cover their nose immediately. “Phew, what’s that smell?” Quinn asks. Maeve looks at them, frowning. “What does it smell like?” She asks. “Fermented earth.” Malin says. My sisters turn and look at me. “Don’t you smell it?” They ask and Maeve looks at me. “Of course I smell it, b

Maeve goes inside to say goodbye to my mother and sisters. “You’re going to have to tell her,” my father says. “It will scare her off.” “You don’t know that.” “Dad, she’s been mistreated by werewolves for years. Hell, even I went to get her with the intention of killing her,” I say, running my hands through my curly hair. I hate that I went to her with such nefarious intentions. I know I scared her when I first snatched her to bring her to Rich. “I didn’t do myself any favors. She adores Einar, but if it were just me, she’d ignore me completely. And she doesn’t feel the mate bond. How am I supposed to explain it to someone that has no understanding of what it means to be mated to a werewolf?” I ask him. He leans forward and looks behind us, through the sliding glass doors, watching as my mother continues to work her own magic on my mate. “Your sisters could help you with that. You’re going to be spending the day with them tomorrow. Have them talk to her. I know they’re your litt

Fucking Cecelia. What is she doing at my bedroom door? She knows she’s not allowed on the Alpha floor unless she’s invited. And she hasn’t been invited. I can tell instantly that she’s looking down at Maeve, faking kindness, so I let Maeve know I’ll come get her soon, trying to get her away from Cecelia as quickly as possible. As Maeve walks away, Cecelia steps up to me, putting her hand on my chest. I frown down at her. What is she up to? “I was wondering if you wanted me to bring your breakfast to you this morning, Alpha,” she says, probably trying to be coy, but I have no interest. I’m thankful I’ve never slept with her. In truth, our father taught us the value of NOT sleeping with the she-wolves in our pack or our allied packs. Too many people in the packs know each other and I would never want my mate to be uncomfortable having to be around a woman I slept with. The college campus was a different story, but here, I've never slept with a she-wolf. “No thanks, Cecelia, and you

I have a moment to see what my mate would be like if she didn’t have the weight of the world and her family's survival on her shoulders. Watching her laughing with my sisters is the best thing I’ve seen in, well, maybe ever. Watching her actually let go of the stress that seems to constantly surround her, seeing what she would be like if she didn’t have to be so serious, I know I have to get her family back here, get them safe, so she can be this person all the time. I’m a bit sad when she finally remembers herself and looks at me, but I just smile at her. I’m so glad that she’s found this moment of happiness, even if it’s because my sisters love to harass me. “How are you feeling?” I ask her. “Better. I needed food and now that I’ve eaten, I should be good.” “Are you sure? I don’t want you to push it if you need to rest today. The middle grounds aren’t going anywhere,” I say. “No, I’ll be fine, really,” she says, moving her tray so she can stand. I jump up, taking the tray in on