Katalina's POV If losing my mom and witnessing my dad’s suffering wasn’t enough to make me swear off ever accepting a mate bond, my relationship with Jesse Klein put the nail in that proverbial coffin. Jesse, or Alpha Klein these days, was just what I needed right when I needed him. His dad was the Alpha and my dad was his Beta so we grew up together since the time we were infants. Gamma Thorn’s kids, Tyler and Larissa, as well as Sarah Woods, the Head Omega’s daughter, rounded out our inseparable little band of troublemakers. On any given day, we could all be found tearing through the pack house together playing tag or hide and seek, creating havoc in the kitchen while making cookies with Sarah’s mom, or engaging in some other mischievous activity. Jesse, Tyler, Sarah and I were the same age and we all just clicked from day one. Larissa was a couple years younger but she could always be found tagging along with her older brother. We were all best friends. Then as our sixteenth bir

Ryan's POV As I pulled into the drive of the RedWoods Beta’s house, I wondered about the man I would be meeting with. Ian Connor and my dad had been best friends for most of their lives. Despite belonging to separate packs, they had attended the same private school growing up. As a future Alpha and Beta they immediately clicked, bonding over the responsibilities of their ranks as well as their shared Irish heritage. Fortunately for them, our pack territories bordered each other so they were able to stay in touch over the years. Our families never spent much time together but Ian would come by the pack house to see dad fairly often. As a kid, I found him a little scary. He was a huge guy and always wore a serious expression. I remembered thinking he could easily crush me with one hand. He was a man of few words but when he did talk to Reegan or me, he was friendly enough. I was sad to hear his wife passed away a few years ago now. One day my dad seemed really down. When I asked him

Kat's POV My alarm woke me all too soon. I groaned as I dragged myself out of bed, wishing I could sleep a few more hours. But I couldn’t complain too much. I had two adorable little babies to go see. I really did have the best job! I had given myself plenty of time to get ready so I took my time stretching my stiff muscles and running my fingers through my tangled mess of hair, yawning lazily. As my brain started to catch up to my wakeful state, I noticed a scent I didn’t recognize. It was faint but the smell of vanilla and fresh pine was unmistakable. Weird! Maybe dad was trying out a new cologne. I pushed that thought aside and decided I would take the time to make my bed for once before getting dressed for work. I was too lazy to walk all the way around to the other side of the bed so I stretched across it, practically lying flat on my stomach to pull the quilt up. That’s the position I was in, my half-naked ass bent over the bed, when I heard my door being flung open. My still

Kat's POV I had just completed the check-up for the new mom and her twin pups and was packing up to leave when I heard my dad mind-linking me. “Kat? It’s Dad.” I heard him say in my head. I mentally rolled my eyes. Like I wouldn’t recognize him. “Hi Dad. What’s up?” I returned warily. “Are you about done at the Andersons’ mo leanbh?” He asked in a tentative tone. Uh oh! When he starts with the “my child” in Irish, he definitely wants something. “I was just finishing up here. Why? Do you need something?” I asked, trying to hide my suspicion. “No. I mean, yes. I uh . . . I sent Ryan to meet you and walk you home. I’m just letting you know to expect him.” He stated in his “don’t argue with me tone.” Well, too bad! I’m arguing anyway. “YOU DID WHAT? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?” I yelled. “Do not raise your voice to me Katalina!” Dad growled. “I’m sorry dad, but I don’t want to see him. I thought bolting from the house earlier would have made that clear!” I growled back, quiete

Ian's POV I heard Kat and Ryan walk in the front door and immediately went out to meet them. I needed to have a difficult conversation with my daughter and I was determined to do it before I lost my nerve. “Hi Daddy!” she said, walking over to kiss my cheek. That was a good start. At least she wasn’t mad at me for sending her mate to meet her. I expected the cold shoulder, if not outright fury. I looked over at Ryan to see him standing there with a smile and a dazzled look on his face. Apparently she didn’t eat him alive either. Maybe this won’t be as hard as I thought. “Katalina, I’d like to talk to you for a minute. Why don’t you join me in my study?” My tone indicated it wasn’t optional. “Sure Daddy,” she replied a little hesitantly, but followed me anyway. I belatedly remembered we left Ryan standing in the doorway. I stopped abruptly, turning to talk to him, when Kat smacked right into me. I reached for her, but Ryan was there to catch her before I could blink. He quickly set