Emilia’s POV—sometime later I can’t feel anything. I feel weightless, almost free. I am shrouded in darkness, and I can’t remember anything. What was I doing before I was here? I remember my name and the name of the pack I was in last. That’s something, right? I don’t know how long I have been here, and I don’t know how to get the hell out of here. For a second, I am terrified as I think about what it means to be here instead of the White River pack. Will anyone miss me? Did I have a family there? I slowly walk in the black abyss, trying to find light in the darkness. I walk for what feels like ages before I see a small light ahead. I rush towards the light, praying this will give me some answers on how to get back to wherever I am or at least provide me with some answers. The closer I get to the light, the stronger I feel. Once I reach the light, there is a door sitting under it and I hesitantly knock on the door, worried about disturbing someone if I just barge in.There is

Emilia's POV I stare in shock at the overturn chair in the room, my mind struggling to wrap around what just happened. The Alpha is my mate? How the hell does that work? Who the fuck is in charge of these things? Your mate is supposed to protect you...love you...cherish you. Just like my father did with my mother...And yet, Alpha Kade hates me, and he has made that painfully clear with me every freaking day since I met this man. I take a deep breath and slowly release it, trying to fight the tears that are starting to build. There is a small knock on the door, but I barely acknowledge it. I am trying to hold it together. They can't see you cry. Crying is a form of weakness and I refuse to look fucking weak. Dr. Evan’s pokes her head in the room and raises her eyebrows at me. “Is everything alright, Emilia?” Her voice is gentle as she talks, almost like she is talking to a small child and fears upsetting them even more. “Yes,” I respond softly. I’m scared to speak any louder for

Beta Marcus POVEmilia just left the hospital wing and I’m assuming she went to the kitchen. “Is she really his mate?” I ask Dr. Evan. “She says her wolf confirmed it and from his reaction when he left here, I want to say it’s definitely possible. You should have heard Alpha Kade when he left here. He wasn’t exactly happy. He was cursing and you could tell he was pissed. I’m not even sure he realized his aura was encompassing everywhere he was walking. When he stormed past me, it was suffocating.” She takes a hesitant pause before she continues. “Marcus, Emilia knows he’s going to reject her. She could see it in her eyes. That poor girl has been through enough already and it isn’t fair for her to suffer for things out of her control. I think if the Alpha just pulls his head out of his ass and comes to terms with her death, he would be able to move on.” A small smile touches her lips as she adds, “You know she told me she wishes it had been you instead of the angry Alpha. She says yo

Alpha Kade’s POVAnger courses through me as I think about the Omega touching her. “Kade, relax. She didn’t know any better. How was she supposed to know that it wasn’t a regular vase?” Garrett says his voice is soft and quiet as he tries to calm the raging beast inside me. I can feel Ghost’s anger too. One thing we agree on is no one is allowed to touch Leila’s ashes. People have tried to convince me to lay her to rest, but I can’t seem to do it. I need her close to me, so after she was cremated. I kept her ashes in my office. On days where I feel like I can’t handle anything else, I allow myself to hold Leila and think about her. I remember the good times and the bad. Most importantly, I think about the last day I saw her alive and healthy. ************************** *Two years ago** “Marcus, are you sure you got everything handled if I dip early?” I ask my Beta. Marcus laughs and raises his eyebrow at me. “I’m not incompetent, man. I would only worry if you left Garrett by h

Emilia’s POVWe start our walk down the hallway in silence, both of us consumed by our thoughts. My thoughts travel to the Alpha and every interaction I have had with him thus far. Beta Marcus told me that he had a first mate but didn’t tell me anything else about her. Maybe I can convince him to tell me about her. And if he isn’t willing to tell me, then maybe Alexis can tell me about her. “Beta Marcus?” I ask softly. “I have a question.” I continue in the same breath.He turns his head to me slightly, acknowledging me with a raise of one of his eyebrows.“Why does the Alpha hate me so much? What did I do to upset him?”Beta Marcus lets out a soft, barely audible sigh before answering my question. “Emilia, you haven’t done anything to the stubborn Alpha. Kade—Alpha Kade—he has a lot he has to work through, and he hasn’t given himself the time to work through it.” He hesitates for a split second before continuing. “If you want to know anything about the Alpha and his first mate, you