(Jamison’s POV)“Stop it! Just leave me be! Why isn’t it enough that you’ve abandoned me here with the sole purpose of forcing me to miss your deadline! What have I done to deserve this torture!” I startle awake as my best friend screams. The last four days have been an utter nightmare for Cole as his father has found the perfect way to torture him without ever touching him. His unrelenting links with Cole has left him exhausted and riddled in pain and that’s just the physical effects. On one of his father’s longer breaks yesterday, he managed to tell me some of the things that Alpha Redmen has told him. He started early in the morning Tuesday randomly rattling off all the things he plans to do to Cole when he gets home. Despite his inconsistency with exactly what he’s planning on doing or using on Cole, one thing has remained the same, he’s not coming to get us. Cole’s deadline will expire and his welcoming will be “the best yet.” Cole did report that his father has been consistent

(Cole’s POV)It’s been nearly twelve weeks since my father deceived the council and left Jamie and I at White Ridge. Dad took advantage of my closeness to the pack for six weeks, using my abnormal link for the sadistic pleasure of causing me both physical and mental pain. It took two weeks after Dr. Moore stopped giving me the blocking medication for my father to finally tire of the energy he was putting into creating my misery. It took several days of him leaving me alone for us to believe that he might actually be done. That’s when Jamie finally opened up to me about the plan Alpha Whiteman was encouraging us to form which includes the plans Jamie wanted to create before we even left. I am ashamed of myself for not listening to my beta sooner. Alpha Whiteman’s plan is to give me access to an emergency cabin five miles into the woods. I would only be able to carry a single pack with my most important items but the alpha did reassure me that if I successfully ran to the cabin before

“Why would your father risk destroying the pack just to turn you over to the council?” “Haven’t you heard, Dallas or was that one of the days you skipped school?” I’m shocked at the tone Amos is using considering he’s my brother’s delta. “What?” Dallas snarls back. “Feral alpha males are euthanized within months of their conviction. What do you have to lose by letting him go?” For a moment it actually feels like Amos is trying to defend me without putting his hands on Dallas. I relax my arms in the slim hope that maybe Amos will get through to him where I can’t. Suddenly a foot connects with my face, forcing my entire body backwards as I yelp and scream in pain. I have no concept of what’s going on around me as chaos breaks loose. I take several more hits to my face before I’m able to force my body to function enough to roll out of the way. While my legs may be working better it’s not enough for me to physically get up and run for the cabin. I curl into a tight ball, covering my

I’m impressed by the young leader’s ability to ‘play the part’. “He is correct, Delta Declan, as the coronated next in line, Alpha Andre Redmen is allowed to attend the meeting in Alpha Charles Redmen’s place.” Councilman Daniel backs Andre’s explanation effectively shutting down Dallas’s argument about him being here. He sits back with a deep growl while Andre remains silent. “For the record, where are you located, Alpha Redmen?” Councilman Arthur requests. “I am currently located at Blister Ridge. I’ve been on a business assignment for the last nine months and I’m expected to return to Red Fang a week before Thanksgiving.” “Thank you. Now to prevent confusion I would like to make a record that only Alpha Charles Redmen is to be referred to as Alpha Redmen. Alpha Andre and the individual that was attacked this morning, Alpha Cole, will be referred to by their title and first name.” “We agree.” Several of us respond to his declaration. “Normally, Alpha Whiteman would lead this

“As soon as he was well enough to travel I would have helped him get in contact with the alpha he wants to be with and I would have moved him to a location that the alpha would be able to retrieve him from.” “Why would you do that? Why would you prevent him from receiving the justice he deserves?” Dallas is livid with the idea. “Unfortunately your idea of the justice Cole deserves and mine are polar opposites. Even if he was doing what he is simply rumored to be doing, he doesn’t deserve to be brutally tortured.” My comment has all three of the council members looking at me intently. “You believe the individual that was attacked this morning is being tortured?” Marie is the first to speak. “In front of those who hate him, who believe he deserves what he’s getting is not the time to discuss why Cole is trying to run.” “I understand but we do need to know if you supported his efforts.” “Jamie is an avid explorer. When he expressed concern over getting lost in our territory I supp