Mandy POV It was the day of the ceremony. We would be swearing in Josh and me as the Gamma couple. I still could not believe it. Carrie had been quickly bringing me up to speed on what I would be expected to do. I still had reservations as to whether I would be able to live up to everyone’s expectations. I hear Josh enter the bedroom as I was trying to decide what to wear. “What are you fretting over?” he asks as he moves closer to me. I look at him, “Everything!” I say as I turn back to my clothes and pull out a pair of skinny jeans and a t-shirt. “Everything will be fine,” he says as I look at him. “It is taking me forever to remember everything,” I say to him. He laughs, “It has been two days, Mandy. Give yourself a chance to learn it. At least a week,” he says sarcastically as he laughs at my expression. “Funny,” I snarl as I move to the washroom to get dressed. I was still shy around Josh. He had not seen my scars yet, and for that

Jackson POV “Pack members, distinguished guests, I welcome you all to the ceremony this evening, where we will install the Beta, and the Gamma couple,” I say. Surprising me were the cheers from everyone in the crowd. This was clearly a welcome change from the past Beta which caused me a moment of pause. How had I missed how unliked he really was? I would be more present in the day-to-day operations of our Pack, but by the response I could tell this was a welcome shift in power. Everyone was comfortable with the direction the Pack was going. Continuing, “I am more than confident we have selected individuals who will put the Pack’s protection first. Our Pack members will be treated fairly and justly. And finally, we will be a stronger Evergreen Pack. Our businesses continue to thrive, as do each of you. We are a strong unit and will only get stronger under the leadership of our Beta and Gamma couple,” I say to everyone. There are loud cheers u

Carrie POV I could understand why Jackson was so upset about everything that was happening around us. I was disheartened as I watched the young woman try to help me clean the stains out of my dress. When I envisioned taking this dress off, it was with Jackson removing it from me. Not me removing it because it was ruined. But ruined it was. I heard Rosie’s friend being dragged away, as Pack members looked at me sympathetically. I simply smiled, “I did not care for this dress anyway,” I say as those around me chuckled knowing I was lying but wanting to help me by moving past the awkward moment. “I need to go change,” I say to Jessica. “Need any help?” she asks. “I could likely use a hand getting this zipper undone,” I say noticing that Jackson was still caught up in the drama. Nodding to her, we walk out together and head up to my suite. On the way to the staircase, I see Rosie’s doctor. “How is Rosie doing?” I ask genuinely concerned.

Jackson POV After we finished our dance, we made our rounds to see everyone thanking them for coming and wishing them a fun evening. I wanted nothing more than to get Carrie on my own. After we said our final good evenings, we went through to the lobby of the Pack house to find a red-faced Jessica and an amused Carleton coming out of a washroom. “What’s going on?” Carrie asks equally amused. Carleton smirks, while Jessica pulls back her hair, “Look,” she says as Carrie steps forward and gasps. “What is happening?” Carrie asks while I look at the half complete mark. “I do not know,” she replies while Carleton interjects, “I think it is my amazing …” but Jessica stops before he can finish what we all know he was about to say. Laughing out loud, Jessica hides her face in Carleton’s neck, as I ask them to explain what we are looking at. “Earlier, the mark was only half complete. Now it has filled in a bit more,” Carrie observes. “Perhaps the mar

Carrie POV The pain that raced through my heart had me staggering backwards. Jackson turns to me taking a hold of me and pulling me into his arms. “Just breathe, baby,” he says as he rubs my back. Dead. She was dead. I had no recollection of her. I had hoped, for a moment that maybe she was out there searching for me. Instead, she died and left me with the weak man in front of me. “You are lying,” I reply to him. My mind cannot believe she is dead. “Why would I lie?” he asks. “Who knows why you would sell your daughter? Yet, you did. You could easily be lying,” I say the words making sense to me. I feel Jackson tighten his hold on me, but it only serves to frustrate me. I push him away from me. I move closer to the rogue standing in front of me. “Tell me the truth,” I say coldly to the man. He steps back out of my grasp. I know it would take me seconds to destroy the bars of this cell. I felt the strength inside of me. “Carrie,” Ja