Mia's POV　　I have been stuck in this hospital bed for a week and I am starting to feel crazy. The television in the hospital only gets a few channels and I have watched them all. Thomas has brought me a few movies to watch but the DVD player on the television is broken. The next day he brought me a bunch of cheesy romance novels to read.   　　I try to curl myself up comfortably in my small hospital bed to read one of the books. As I read through the pages I cannot help but roll my eyes. It is a typical romance trope. The girl finds the boy but the boy doesn't want her so she has to seduce him. As much as I hate these kinds of books I am getting to the good part. They are about to have sex. I am so enthralled in the book that I don't hear someone come into my hospital room.   　　"Are you ready for physical therapy," Thomas's voice seems to come from nowhere and it startles me. 　　My whole body flinches and I hiss through the pain. I have been sitting for so long that all of my muscle

　　Mia's POV　　Each step that I take on the stairs causes pain to shoot through my bad leg.  I cannot help but wonder if it is going to be this way for the rest of my life.  The doctor spoke to me at length about how the mark from my fated mate could heal not only my leg but it could also lessen the scar on my face.  He also told me that it is the best way to have the rogue's mark removed from my neck.  Even if we kill Donovan it could take years for the mark to fade. 　　I know that Thomas has also been given the same information that I have regarding how important it is to find my fated mate. That has to be why he is pushing me away. I understand that he is trying to protect me but it is too late. I have already fallen in love with him.　　Thomas grumbles under his breath as he follows me up the stairs. He is complaining about stubborn Lunas and people that refuse to follow doctor's orders.　　Trying not to let Thomas know how much pain I am in climbing the stairs, I try to keep my face

　　Cora's POV　　Staring in the mirror I hardly recognize myself. My face is no longer caked with layers of makeup and my hair flows neatly down my back instead of in its usual high ponytail. If my mother could see me now she would surely be disappointed in my transformation. But now that I have Dylan in my corner, I feel like I can finally be myself. Not the Barbie Doll image that my mother created.　　Even though I have defied my parents and become my own person, I still do not want to see them in trouble with the Elder Council. So, I have decided to lie. Well, it isn't exactly a lie. More so a half-truth. I could care less what happens to Alpha Richard. He can burn in hell along with Donovan if he is ever found.　　As I pull on my jacket, I carefully position my hair over my shoulder hoping to hide the shimmering silver crescent moon on my neck. A mark that was just placed there a few nights ago by Dylan. I know that my parents will be disappointed with my choice and I am not ready to f

　　Mia's POV　　The Elder Council's chambers are so quiet that my voice echoes throughout the room as I recount what happened to me over the past couple of months. I started with being drugged at my own Luna Ceremony and how I was held against my will by Alpha Richard. There were a few gasps from the crowd as I explained how I was beaten and tortured for refusing his mark. Then I spoke of Donovan and how I thought I was being rescued, only to end up imprisoned once again. Ripping the bandage off my neck I show the Elders and the crowd the bloody moon mark that now mars my neck.　　"That is quite the story, Miss Turner," Elder West chuckles loudly. "Why would two Alphas and a rogue all want to be your mate? As far as we can see you are nothing extraordinary."　　"Are you implying that I am lying to the council?" I say sternly. "You may place me under Alpha Command if you wish. Then I will be compelled to tell only the truth."　　"I don't think that will be necessary," a shaky voice yells fro

　　Thomas's POV　　Laying my hand on the small of Mia's back I guide her through the crowd. Mia tucks herself as close to me as she can, trying to hide herself from the prying eyes of the crowd. Though we had a small victory today, I know that Mia feels exposed after explaining what she went through in detail.　　As we step out of the chambers, I am blinded by the flashes of lights from cameras. Several of the most influential werewolf news outlets must have found out about the hearing and sent over their best reporters. I am always amazed at how fast gossip spreads through the packs.　　Mia hides her face in my arms, as we stand in front of the reporters, but their presence doesn't phase me. I am used to being bombarded with questions from the media.　　"Alpha Thomas," the reporters yell my name from different directions trying to get my attention.　　Nodding to one of the reporters, I give him the okay to ask his question. "Is it true that your Beta has run off with his mate?"　　This quest