Saph POV The sounds of birds chirping and squirrels rustling between trees stir me out of the weirdest dream. I was dancing with a clown, the sexiest clown…if that’s even a thing. My head is pounding, my skin feels itchy, and when I peel my eyes open, they are heavy with sleep and crusty in the corners from dirt. The bright rays of the early morning sunrise slice into my eyes, making me flinch them close once again. Too early. I stretch my arms and legs out wide, like a human starfish, and feel the rough grass scratch against my skin. That explains the itchy feeling. Too nervous to open my eyes again, I feel for my wolf in the back of my mind. I can sense her sleeping, but our connection is weak at the moment. Doesn’t surprise me, given the cocktail I made myself last night. No regrets. I don’t even remember the full moon last night, which is exactly what I wanted. Full moons are just too painful to face sober right now. I’m happy to relive the vivid dreams of me

Saph POV Tobias sounded less-than-pleased over the mindlink. I didn’t even have a chance to shower or change my clothes. I feel so grimy, so I pull my hair up into a bun, hoping to look somewhat presentable. I walk past Pearl and Amy as I make my way out of the guest wing of the pack house, but they don’t say anything to me. Amy just scoffs and turns back into her room. Pearl looks at me with pity in her eyes. I don’t need anyone’s pity. I’m fine. Everyone is just sad that I’m not the old Sapphire anymore. No one is angry that Daya is more loving and gentler, or that Emmy is more outspoken; I become a little guarded and short-tempered, and suddenly everyone is running around worried about me. I’m fine! When I manage to find my way to the Alpha’s office, I can hear mumbling and shuffling on the other side of the door. If I wasn’t so caught up in my own mind, I probably would have been able to make out what was being said. “Come in alread

Asher POV I knew it! I fuckin’ knew it! I have had this twisted feeling in my stomach all week that something was going to go wrong during the full moon run. Originally, I thought it was finding out that Saph is my mate, but how wrong I was. ‘Archie, once you’re done taking Saph to her room, take Ruby to school, and meet me at Artemis’ cell!’ I holler through our mindlink. ‘Already finished up with Saph, I’ll scoop Ruby up right now. What happened?’ he asks with agitation clear in his voice. I wonder if it’s from Saph, or if he’s feeding off my anger. ‘Artemis escaped last night. Rory can’t find him,’ I seethe as I storm out of the packhouse to make my way over to the cells. ‘What the fuck?! How? When?’ ‘If I fuckin’ knew, I would have already found him. Just get over here quick!’ I order frustratedly. I don’t mean to be a dick to Archie, but I hate when people ask me stupid questions when I’m already stressed out, especially

Asher POV What the fuck has my life become over the last twenty-four hours? Last night I discovered my fated mate was none other than Sapphire Stone. Too bad she was too wasted to even acknowledge our mate bond. Which was confirmed this morning when I called her in for an emergency meeting to punish her for bringing banned substances onto my pack territory. She never flinched, or paused, or so much as sniffed the air, thinking I could be her mate. My wolf was whimpering in my head the entire time she was in my office, hoping she would recognize us, but no dice. She was oblivious. The only thing that was clear was how much she dislikes me, and how pissed she is about having to stay on my territory for the next month. I could see the hurt in her eyes when Daya, Darius, nor Tobias didn’t fight my decision. If only Saph understood that her family and friends just want what is best for her. If only the madness ended there, but nothing can be that easy

Asher POV Syl has been giving me regular reports on how Saph has been doing the last couple of days. I had a feeling they would get along well. Syl is just about the nicest person on the planet. You’d have to be pure evil and lack any sense of social intelligence to not get along with her. I also had a hunch that Saph would enjoy working in our pack garden. Yea, I was a dick on her first day and made her weed the entire pack. I can’t be a total pushover and not give her a real punishment. It makes me happy to know that Saph is secretly enjoying herself here, even if it’s not with me. I want her to smile and have fun. I want her to know that she can allow herself to be happy after losing Nathan. It took me a long time to figure that out for myself after losing Portia. It took Archie beating the shit out of me and stepping in as Alpha for a year before I finally got my act together. I know it doesn’t seem like Archie can be the take-charge type of person; on a typical day, he’s not. Ho