Jackson's POV"Do you know how brave Rachael is?" I asked Caroline, cutting into my steak. "She's so brave; one of bravest people I've ever met. No one in my entire family could have ever stood up to my father, not even my mother, but she did just that."Caroline said nothing. She's been quiet from the get go, but I didn't mind."She elevated herself to the head of the servants," I further narrated. "Now, she's not a servant anymore but an important guest. What's so amazing about it, is how bravely she did all that. She had the nerves to declare a fun game in the Pack and she pulled it off!""Uh-huh...""Yeah," I nodded. "For the first time, I saw my mother stand up against my dad. I had never seen my mother act out of place until that day, and guess who made that happen? Rachael! She has made the entire palace much more bearable to live for everyone. It's no longer that boring place where nothing interesting happens, so I'm happy with the contest.""Wow, you're happy with the contest

Rachael's POVI sat on the floor, right next to my bed with Jake beside me. We had a bowl of ice cream in front of us and we did justice to it as much as we could."Can I say that this is our thing?" I asked, scooping the ice cream and putting it into my mouth."Yeah. Sure," he smiled. "It's our secret thing."We both laughed for a moment and then resumed eating in silence, just enjoying the lovely mixed-flavoured ice cream in front of us."You–" we both said at the same time which made me giggle."Go first," Jake said, gesturing with his left hand."No. You go first," I countered."Fine, I'll go first," he shrugged. "It's not like I have much of a choice here. If I don't, we'll just keep going back and forth without end.""I'm glad you know that.""Well, it's about what happened earlier. I mean the K.i.s.s," he said, dragging the words as much as he could."Yeah– About that...""See, Rachael, I like you. I really really do have feelings for you and like I said, it has nothing to do w

Rachael's POV"Can you do this?" I asked Jared who sat on the bank of the river, at our secret spot as I swam.I turned around and swam with my back in the water. It was a skill that I'd only recently learned so I thought to show it off to Jared."Seems cool." He smiled uninterested, moving his legs which were in the water.Jared had called me out here, so we could have fun. And sincerely I wanted to take my mind off the guys, Justin, Jake, and Jackson. It's been one hell of continuous confessions of love, and the worst part is.. I also feel the same way for not just one person, but all. When I think I know who I love the most, I realize I'm wrong. Right now I just want to stay from all three of them, no kissing, no lovey dovey, till I figure out if this is all just some mate bond playing with us all. And now Jared is bringing down my spirit, with own sobbing spirit. I don't know what's wrong with Jared, but— he is not being his best self right now. And that is totally weird, cause

Rachael's POV"Rachael! Rachael!"I gently opened my eyes on hearing the distant calling of my name. sounded like Jackson's voice. As my eyes got fully open, I was able to confirm that the voice belongs to Jason. He stood in front of me, gazing down at me.I groaned a little bit as I tried to sit up. I had been crying all night before falling asleep. I feel so exhausted."You should head back to your room and sleep, Rachael." He said. 'My father won't be too pleased to find you sleeping in the dining room.""To hell with what your father thinks." I quickly refuted. "How can I have a good night's sleep when Jared, my best friend, is probably being tortured to his death?""Listen."I stayed still and paid keen attention.... I listened. Nothing. I heard nothing. "See? Jared has stopped screaming. He's probably fast asleep right now and you should do the same, in your room.""No. I can't." I shook my head in refusal. "I'll stay here instead. I will not go to my room to enjoy the comfort

AUTHORS POV: "Did you really think that you— a lesser man, could actually bring down an Alpha?" Alpha Blackwood asked, raising an eyebrow at his son, Jared, and with a cheeky smile on his face.. he broke free from the stems hold without much effort."If you weren't who you are, I would have clapped.. you impressed me with the whole stem thing. For a second there, I was probably scared. But I can't let you go unpunished, can I?" Alpha Blackwood asked, grinning wickedly, taking slow steps to Jared."No, you won't hurt my boy. I won't let you do that." Annie Blackwood cried out, standing in front of Jared protectively."Mother, you do not have to do this." Jared said to her, but Annie was adamant.. "I won't let him hurt you, I won't." "And how are you going to do that? I thought we had established your little scream power, can't stop me." Alpha Blackwood state laughing in mockery.Annie stared at her son, then back at her husband. She knew he was right, her screams wouldn't be able to