SAMANTHA'S POVMy mind reeled in a million and one directions about what Manuel had said.It sounded more like a threat when it was said.And the abrupt way he had left had gotten me agitated by this predicament.The first person I had called was Rick.Who arrived just in time."So he threatened to take the kids away?"He asked.He was sitted on the kitchen alse while I poured myself a glass of drink. "His exact words were along the lines of I was going to have to suffer the consequences of my actions"I repeated."And you think that means he is going to take the kids?"He asked again. I frowned. "What are you getting at?"I asked as I downed the contents of my wine glass."That it might have not been as threatening as you thought"He said.My mouth stood agape as I stared at him.I plopped the glass down on the counter with a clang."Are you by chance taking his side?"I asked disbelievingly."No,don't get me wrong. There are no sides.I don't think there ever was"he responded .

MANUEL'S POVI was lost for words.I felt like Samantha wanted to hear something from me but I was falling short of the man that she thought me to be.I loved her.I didn't know her true feelings for me yet but I still did.It hurt me anytime she felt pain or discomfort and I wanted to be everything she wanted me to be but not at this time.It was all I could do to not hold her right there and profess my love to her."Manuel?"she asked with a tremble in her voice.I turned my attention back to her."Do you love me?"she asked.I hesitated and for a split second I saw a slither of pain glow through her eyes as she gauged my reaction.I opened my mouth to speak but was interrupted when the door swung open.Olivia's head popped in."Sir,am sorry to interrupt but you're needed in the boardroom"Olivia said.I wanted to stay but with one last glance at her pained smile,I walked away with my heart piling up in sadness. Arriving at the boardroom, I was surrounded by familiar faces."A

MANUEL'S POVMy pants constricted with the pressure from my aroused loins.I haven't had her in so long .She threw her head back in ecstasy as my kisses trailed downwards.She broke apart the kiss and scrambled away from me breathlessly."We're in the parking lot"she whispered."So?"I asked,frowning and agitated from sexual fustration.It hurt so much to walk to the elevator with her.Unable to hold it in the long ride up the elevator,I slammed her back on the elevator wall,planting a kiss on her lips as my hand trailed up her blouse,she tried to wriggle out of my grasp but I held her down.I used the opportunity to slip my tongue deeper into her mouth as I drove my hips into her in order for her to feel how much I craved for her."Don't do this"I begged as the elevator dinged to a stop at our destination floor.She gave me a knowing smile."Don't turn me away.Its a long ride back for a cold shower"I told her."So you do acknowledge that you're such a maniac "she joked."And a

MANUEL'S POVThe news had been devastating.Kane was dead.And all the men he had employed to go rescue Alpha Raymus had been killed as well.I felt my heart throb as the sorrow hit me differently. Kane and I grew up together. To find out that he was dead was...I felt a stray tear fall down my cheeks as I watched Rdyer writh in convulsive shock.The doctors had done all they could to revive him but all it did was send him into convulsive shock almost like something had still been in his system.He stretched out his hand to me.I clasped his tightly as I watched him try to control the waves of convulsion."Rdyer.Its going to be okay"I reassured him I heard the tremble in my own voice as he shook violently."They ...are...coming"He stammered inbetween shocks.His hand gripped mine tightly, digging into my palm so hard that it drew blood."You have to get well,Rdyer for your wife and your unborn child.For the pack and for me"I said as the shocks stopped.He had fallen asleep again.

MANUEL'S POV As I walked down the narrow path,I saw the abandoned building ahead.The area was quiet and hidden.I felt my legs carry the brunt of my weight as I squatted to watch the activity that happened around the area.Right after I had left,Micheal had called to tell me the route to take to arrive there faster ,I had had to ditch my car farther away from the place to ensure that I came undetected. My heightened hearing had been activated and I knew for sure that were people in there laughing and obviously enjoying themselves while someone was dying in the hospital due to their carelessness. My hand fisted by my side as my mind went straight to the unconscious Ryder and all my dead soldiers that had sacrificed their lives to rescue Raymus.I had to wait for the perfect opportunity to strike because this was their territory and I had to trend carefully because I was steep deep in murky waters.I noticed movement towards the east,as a guard came out to light a cigarette.He wa