By the time dinner was ready, Killian still hadn't appeared. I felt a pang of abandonment, the room spinning around me.Linda sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. "Hailey," she said, addressing me directly, "would you mind going to the office and fetching the men? They're so engrossed in their work, they'll never come out on their own."I hesitated, not eager to venture into the unknown territory of the office. However, I didn't want to appear weak or uncooperative, so I agreed. "Okay," I replied, trying to sound confident. "Can you point me in the right direction?"Christine, the former Alpha's mate, gasped in surprise. "You mean Killian hasn't even shown you around the house yet?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.I flushed, feeling a surge of embarrassment. "He planned to," I mumbled, stuffing my hands into my pockets."That man!" Killian huffed, her lips pursed in disapproval. "He's always so consumed by his work. I'll have to have a word with him about his priorit

Chester's PovThe inky shroud of midnight draped over the forest, casting an impenetrable gloom that only the moon's ethereal glow managed to pierce. I, Chester, a lycan security guard, tread cautiously through the dense labyrinth of trees, my senses heightened to the slightest whisper of the night.The cloak of darkness was heavy, punctuated only by the sliver of moonlight that pierced through the dense canopy of leaves. The air was still, the only sound was the rustle of leaves beneath my boots. I inhaled deeply, the crisp, cool night air filling my lungs.The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying vegetation, a symphony of nocturnal creatures providing the only soundtrack to the serene darkness. My heart pounded in my chest, a primal rhythm echoing the anticipation that coursed through my veins.Tonight, I felt an inexplicable unease, a foreboding that lingered like a persistent shadow. Rumors of Lycan hunters patrolling the forest plagued my pack's rest. Killian,

"Josephine, this is a surprise." Romeo's greeting supplied the answer. His voice was neutral, but I could tell that the Beta wasn't overly pleased to see the newcomer...Ahem annoying trouble maker.The look in his eyes was icy rather than his usual friendly blue I had come to expect. Neither of the other two women were overjoyed either, if their suddenly stiff postures were any indication. It was a relief to know I wasn't the only one displeased by her presence. "I heard about Chester and rushed right over to see if there was anything I could do." She flipped her long, blond hair over her shoulder seemingly oblivious to her cool reception."Since he's in the infirmary, and we all know how you can't stand to be around anyone who is hurt, I fail to see how you'd be of any help." Christine bluntly addressed the beautiful she-wolf.Jospehine bared her teeth at Christine in what loosely could be taken as a smile, if one wasn't too fussy. "I meant that with Killian being up all night, he m

Feeling like i'd collapse into his arm at any second I decided to change the topic, "What are the extent of Chester's wounds?,""It's...its..pretty bad," Killian told with a sigh. It seemed he didn't enjoy keeping secrets from me. Speaking of secrets, there was one I was dying to know.However it seemed now wasn't a good time to ask Killian his direct involvement with Chester's disappearance. I didn't want to dampen his mood further."He was attacked by Lycan hunters and a lycan shifter, Luckily he was able to escape barely alive," "Why didn't you tell me earlier?," I asked with a frown on my face."I didn't want to worry you," He said running his thumb across my cheeks, "Helena, our nurse-practitioner, was waiting for us when we got back. She handled everything efficiently, a transfusion, cleaning the wound, and stitching him up,""Is she one of us?" I asked."Uh-huh," Killian confirmed. "We're lucky to have her. And if something serious happens, there's a local doctor who knows abo

After Killian's failed assassination attempt we headed towards the infirmary. Although not a word was spoken through the rest of the journey Killian's arms enveloping mine was all the comfort I need. After watching Killian defeat the attacking Lycans I knew there was no safer place than with Killian.Still, I couldn't help but wonder how Killian had gotten so strong and skillful at fighting. He fought like he was no stranger to battle."Killian! I thought I told you to go home and get some sleep!" Helena's voice echoed across the clearing, her tone a blend of annoyance and concern. She stood outside the infirmary, her efficient aura radiating even from a distance. Her brown hair pulled into a neat braid, complimented her crisp white lab coat.Killian stopped, turning to face her with a slight smile. "I did go home, Helen," he assured her, his voice calm and deep. "But now I'm back." He then placed his hand around my waist, drawing me closer to him in a protective gesture. "Helen, this