Edric's POV: My poor mate. She looks like something that had been left out in the summer sun to roast alive. Her whole body, from her hairline to the soles of her feet, is red. Blisters and scabs cover her from head to toe. Not one part of her has been spared. I can’t find one patch of clear skin. Silver leaves scars. I expected some scarring, but nothing like this. It doesn’t matter to me what she looks like, but what will this do to her health? If she looks like this on the outside, what kind of damage did the silver do to her insides? I don’t move. I can’t leave her alone when she’s like this. She must be so afraid. I mind-link Doc instead. “Get in here.” I don’t even bother to be polite. He must have waited just outside. Doc steps into the room, but registers no surprise or concern. Maya groans softly when he pulls the sheet down to her waist. My wolf growls at Doc. I silence him, but Clarke just ignores us. I’m sure I’m not the first

Someone’s calling my name. “Maya?” “Just ten more minutes, mommy.” “Maya, wake up!” “Do I have to go to school today? I don’t feel well.” A hand on my shoulder sends a lightning bolt of pain down that side of my body, and my eyes fly open. Jolie is leaning over me, a small frown on her face. “Thank Goddess. I thought you were hallucinating or something.” “Just dreaming…I think.” I clear my throat. It still burns a little, and it feels scratchy when I talk, but it’s not unbearable. “Doc gave you the good drugs,” she chuckles and runs her hand over her belly. I can see a definite bump forming already. “Are you okay? Is the baby okay?” “Yes,” she smiles, “the little munchkin’s just kicking up a storm.” “Already?” “Hm-hm. My mother only went four months with me and Edric...but we are twins, that’s usually a shorter pregnancy…I shouldn’t go over five months.” Werewolves have shorter pregnancies than h

Edric's POV: I sit on my bed, running the day’s events through my mind. A lot has happened in the last three days, and I haven’t had a moment to absorb and process. Doc decided to keep Maya sedated until tomorrow. She isn’t healing as fast as he’d like, and he figures she’ll heal faster if she sleeps. It doesn’t help that she is malnourished and underweight, but there’s no quick fix for that. I haven’t slept for several nights. After he sedated Maya, Doc sent me away with instructions to get some rest, but I can’t still my mind long enough to fall asleep. Usually, it helps if I go out for a run, but I’m too tired to shift. Darius returned by himself a few hours ago. He handed over a box that contains the texts. There are only two people in the entire house that knows the box is here, and I plan on keeping it that way until I know what’s written in them. It’s safely locked away in my office. For a few minutes, I toy with the idea of go

I haven’t really spoken to or seen Edric since my last day in the clinic. I see him in the mornings before he leaves for work, and if I can stay awake long enough, I see him at night when he’s done with pack business for the day. The last time I spent more than five minutes in his company was on Sunday, a day after I left the panic room, for the weekly council meeting. He barely looked at me, keeping his eyes on his Beta or Gamma, even his sister or the wall. Anywhere, it seemed, as long as he didn’t have to look at me. As a result, I felt less confident and was quiet – something Joshua noticed and questioned me on later, but I didn’t give him an answer. What was I supposed to say? I’m so insecure that I need a man’s approval and attention to feel better about myself? I’d rather die. The next few days, Jolie and I spent most of our time on preparing for the arrival of the tribunal. She’s been more tolerable, treating me with cold respect, instead of the usual hateful

Edric's POV: What have I done? Last night, I watched from a distance as Maya met up with the rogues, finding more love and acceptance from them than I’ve given her in days, and if I’m brutally honest with myself, I have to admit it's my fault that she ran to them. I made it pretty clear that I don’t accept her for who and what she is. I wouldn’t let her shift with us. Letting a wolf shift with your pack is the ultimate sign of trust and acceptance, and I denied her that. Why? Why did I do that? Now, my two most trusted advisors are pissed at me, my father made it clear that I’m a failure as an Alpha and mate, and even Jolie took her side. She may not like Maya, but she’s slowly starting to accept her. And I fucked it all up. ~ Where is she? ~ * I don’t know. * ~ She should be back by now. What if she’s hurt? ~ * She’s not hurt. * I don’t know who I’m trying to bluff here. She could very well be hurt