Alpha Carter POV “Are you going to reject me?” my mate whispers to me. I feel emotion catch my throat. She has been abused for so long, she feels she has no worth. I realize she is not ready to be my Luna, and maybe she never will be ready. But rejecting her is not an option for me. “Reject you? Why would I reject you?” I ask her. She looks at me with tears in her eyes, “Look at me. I am weak, and ugly. Nobody would want me,” she says as the tears fall from her eyes down her cheeks. I simply stare before replying, “You are far from ugly, my beautiful mate,” I reply before she cuts me off. “Do not lie to me Alpha,” she mutters as she turns away from me once again curling into herself looking away from me. Standing I move to sit beside her in the bed. She startles and I realize she has not had human comfort in a long time. I slowly lift her tiny body and wrap my arms around her. I gently position her body, still sore from the abuse she has

Elizabeth POV I am being dragged out of the hospital in my johnny shirt. It is barely tied up and the breeze is chilling me instantly. I am crying for help, but nobody is hearing me. The doctor rushes forwards to try and stop them from dragging me off, but the Alpha turns and commands the doctor to mind his own business. As the Elders walk away from us, the Alpha sneers, “You are going to get what is coming to you. Covering for that Alpha was a stupid move, Omega,” he mutters to me as the Luna cackles in delight. I am dragged towards the whipping posts. I cannot breathe as we approach. I had thought I was free from this. I try screaming again but cannot get the words out. I am shaking as my hands are tied to the posts and the shirt I am wearing is opened from the back. I can feel the cool breeze on my bare skin and am mortified. Ashley, my wolf, has been trying to help me but there is a barrier stopping her from coming forward.

Elizabeth POV I awaken lying on my stomach. I tense as I try to take in my surroundings. I do not move as I do not want to draw attention to myself. My body hurts but not as bad as usual. I try to recall everything that happened. I cringe as I realize I had been punished once again. But the wounds are not as severe. As I try to remember what happened, I realize I am not on my makeshift bed at the Pack house. The bed I am lying on is soft and warm. Carter. What happened to Carter? I remember his wolf coming in to attack Alpha Matt. Was he alright? Did he get punished for attacking another Alpha? I could feel my body tense as someone put their hand on my shoulder. I immediately felt sparks coursing through my body and realized it was my mate. He was here. Wherever I was, we were together. I slowly lift my head and turn to look in the direction of where Carter is standing. I look at him through the mess of hair that is covering my face

Alpha Carter POV My mate moving willingly into my arms catches me off guard. I take advantage of the moment holding her. I need to feel her close to me, it calms both Max, my wolf, and me. We were still devastated she had been hurt under our watch. It made us more committed to protecting her than we had naturally been. I had not advised the Elders that I had found my mate yet. I knew they would push for me to make an announcement sooner than later. I knew Elizabeth would not be ready for any announcements nor taking over as Luna anytime soon. She would need time to adjust to her new environment. Adjust to being in a place she could feel safe and loved. I paused at that … love. It was true, I was falling crazy in love with my mate. I did not know how or what she would feel, but I knew for me I was all in. It made me crazy knowing I had been uncertain of wanting a mate to knowing how strongly I felt about my mate now that she was here.

Elizabeth POV I could not believe how big this Pack was compared to my old Pack. The people I met along the way were curious, but respectful. Kinsley was learning her way as well. Many knew she was the Beta Female. I appreciated her not introducing me as the Luna. I was not ready for that. I had so much to work through … would I ever be ready? Kinsley took me to a beautiful garden out a side set of doors. It had been well cared for and had a sitting bench in the middle. From this vantage point the person sitting at the bench could take in all the garden had to offer. It had a calming presence to it. I had no idea why, but I could see myself sitting here and enjoying this space often. “Elizabeth,” Tamara says drawing out of my private thoughts. I look to her waiting for her to speak, “I am wondering if you need any advice on when to get personal with the Alpha,” she says to my shock. I take a swift intake of breath as Kinsley looks at her