*Jared*Part of me was relieved when Rogue Girl announced that she needed to rest. I didn’t want to suggest it myself, but she was starting to look run down. The usual healthy pink hue on her cheeks had faded, leaving behind a pasty white. Her bright blue eyes seemed to lose their shine as well as she started to slow down.She probably needed more than just rest. She probably needed to lie down. I turned to order her to do just that, but just in time to watch her shut her eyes and fall into the raging river.I thanked the Goddess for my quick reaction when my body propelled itself forward. I cursed immediately after when the girl’s body disappeared beneath the surface. I had to sprint alongside the river to keep up with the monstrous current. I could barely make out her silhouette beneath the waves, and it was even more difficult to keep my eyes trained on it as I ran.I gritted my teeth before breaking into the fastest run I could muster, pushing my body as much as I could, allowing

Jared lowered himself into a defensive crouch that still managed to look menacing as the band of wolves surrounded us. He stepped in front of me, shielding me from their view as best as he could. No matter what else he was, he was a good alpha.I peeked around Jared to get a better look at the wolves. It was obvious due to how scraggly their fur looked that they weren’t part of a true pack. Their fur color ranged from sandy brown to a dark brown that was almost black. The largest wolf, likely their alpha of sorts, stepped out of the circle.Jared’s deep voice came out as a snarl. “Who are you?”The large, dark-colored wolf smirked, showing off two rows of sharp, yellow teeth. He shifted back to his human form to speak. “Why bother learning my name when you’re going to die so soon?”“Because you’re intruding on my land without my permission!” he snapped, his voice a vicious growl.The leader barked out a laugh and looked around at the rest of his group, who started to laugh along with

I was sure that the rest of the room felt the same.As soon as Jared made his way across the room, a hush fell over the crowd. Everyone stared straight ahead toward the stage but wasn’t looking at me. The only sound that could be heard was the clicking of Jared’s shoes as he walked.I couldn’t read Jared’s expression as he made his way toward me. How did he feel knowing that he almost welcomed a wolfless omega into his pack? He must have figured it out when we were attacked, but he still brought me back.Even normal omegas got their wolves. It was possible for the weakest of the weak not to, but it was extremely rare. Packs with such omegas could expect to carry huge burdens in order to accommodate them.Naturally, this led to many of them, if their pack is especially sympathetic, to acquire work as maids or servants. Others were forced to do hard labor. This was the kind of work that was fitting in order for them to earn their place among the pack.In the less merciful packs, however

*Jared*I paced back and forth in the pitch-blackness of the watch room, running a hand through my hair and wondering what the hell I was doing.I had a few drinks. Before I was about to go back to my office to finish up a few documents, I was told that someone wanted to see me in the watch room in private. As I was heading over, I was offered another drink and I took it. And here I was, locked in the watch room, and stupidly drugged.It didn’t take me long to figure out it was spiked with freaking aphrodisiac for Goddess' sake!Who did this? Amanda? It seemed to be the only reasonable answer, but she should’ve known better because I had told her to wait until the announcement.If not her, then who else?I shook my head hard, hoping to lessen some of the fogginess that seemed to be taking over my mind. All the rough movement did was cause me to think of a certain blue-eyed omega.No fucking way!I shoved the intrusive thoughts away and punched the wall with frustration.But what if

Jared’s intense gaze locked on me, his strong body towering over me at his full height while I cowered slightly. He grabbed my arm and dragged me to my feet.I flinched, tugging uselessly at his hold on me, my face starting to heat up as he stared down at me. I could hear my own breathing start to quicken as I hated myself for comparing this with when he had my wrists pinned above my head at the watch house.He tightened his hold on me but didn’t speak for a while.I swallowed, forcing myself to look him in the eye despite how badly I wanted to look at the wooden floor. Finally, I asked in the most possible leveled tone I could muster. “How am I going to make myself useful?”Once again, his firm words surprised me. “By learning to be a healer.”Instantly, my entire body relaxed. I scoffed inwardly at myself, unable to believe how badly I overreacted. Jared probably had no idea what happened the night before if my theory was correct, especially since he had indeed been drugged.And eve