***POV:Cyrus***It’s been weeks since the little pissing contest Trent and I had in my apartment. I was worried about him before, but now he has come completely unhinged. I fear for the safety of everyone within his grasp, but I am especially worried about Violet. Trent and his father aren’t stupid, they know our relationship is getting more and more serious and one of us will ultimately have to make the choice of changing packs. I am fully in love with Violet, it just happens to be a bonus that mating with her would give me the opportunity to switch packs. There is no way in hell I would allow her to join mine. This shit is beyond fucked.Trent and Heather completed their mating ceremony, both private and public, with all the ceremonial fanfare befitting a future Alpha. She marked him, but he can not mark her until she gives birth. Since all that went down, it has been a rollercoaster of power moves between them. Heather, trying to take on the role of Luna, supported by her father, e

***POV:Cole***After Amara unveiled her wolf to us, between her, Imogen and I decided to tell our parents that there was a strong possibility that Lauryn and Julian’s parents were alive and well. We did not share the supernatural side of things, but we all readily agreed that we need to take them to the colony if there is even a chance. We didn’t tell them why they were going, not wanting to get their hopes up. There was so much to wrap my head around. All these feelings that I have for Amara, the truth bomb that she laid on us, going to where she is from and her mixed feelings about returning.I look around for her, wanting to talk through our plan and see what she wants to do exactly. It has been 2 days since she shifted for us, and she has really maintained her distance from me since. I have no idea what is going on in that beautiful head of hers. We are supposed to be heading out tomorrow. Our route right now takes us straight to where she had left her boat so that we can pick it

***POV:Amara***We set our bags out on the porch and Cole and Julian took them down to the boat for loading. Cole’s parents had helped me gather some seeds and small plants to take back to the colony to help diversify our crops, and those are set on the dock ready to go. It will be a cramped ride back to my boat, just hoping it is still there. We will know within a few hours of setting off from here.I have mostly kept my distance from Cole the last few days, trying to process everything, but I know that I am running hot and cold on him, and it isn’t fair. After speaking with Imogen, I am as torn as ever. I’m walking by the water’s edge for a bit. We are supposed to be leaving in a couple of hours, and I want to clear my head as much as possible before being trapped on a boat with him potentially all day, being close to him, smelling him, hearing his intoxicating voice.Maybe I should speak with him and clear the air a bit before we go. The arrival at the colony is already going to be

***POV:Violet***The mind-link began and I could not believe what I was hearing. Amara is back! Tears streamed down my face, tears of joy and relief to have my best friend back finally. I had spent so much time missing her, being worried about her, and being angry about everything that had driven her away. I asked her if she had reached out to her parents yet and she said she had. As I raced down to the refugee center to meet her, her parents were running a little way ahead of me.We get down to the dock and I see the two boats coming in. I can make her out and the vice grip on my heart loosened. It really was her and she really is here. Then I take notice of the man standing next to her with his hand on the small of her back. What a hottie, and seemingly comfortable with my girl.I try to mind-link her again to ask, but I am kept out by her being in a link with someone else already. I guess my curiosity will have to wait. She docks and runs towards her parents and I. They embrace the

***POV:Trent***I am so pissed I can’t see straight. My woman comes back to me, and yet she doesn’t want to be with me. What am I supposed to do with this. Heather has marked me and is pregnant with my rightful heir now, but I can’t even stomach looking at her for too long. The only one I want is Amara. And now she shows back up here, with this human plaything in tow, who cares face off with me like he even stands a chance. I could rip him apart like a rag doll.I skulk back to the packhouse, infuriated. I don’t even want to go back there right now and deal with alpha father. He never supported Amara and I, and to him, there is no loss that I should even acknowledge. It’s not enough that I lost her, but our baby is gone too. I guess some small part of me feels responsible for that, seeing as she ran away and into trouble because of what she saw. Damn her, and her crappy timing. I just want her back, but even if Heather hadn’t marked me, I don’t know that it would be possible for me to