"No.""But, I think it would be better if I -"Benji's sharp tone cuts me off. "I said no. It's final."It's times like this that I question if Benji and I have even made any progress in our relationship. The finality in his words are set in stone. He's firm in his opinion that he doesn't want me to come, but I don't care. I know better. Gwen will care if I'm there or not. I shift my weight in my seat, silently moving food around my plate as I contemplate my next step. Gwen is being temporary released from the cells in a holding room tonight, similar to where I stayed when I first got out. She'll get assigned her own personal Belinda to look after her before decisions are made on where she'll stay. Decisions that Benji doesn't want me involved with."I know you don't want me there," I start, catching the warning stare from his narrowing eyes. "but I know Gwen. She won't react well not knowing what's going on. It'll be good to have a familiar face.""A familiar face?" He ar

The moon looked beautiful, illuminating the dark sky with a soft hue. It was comforting to watch, putting some of my anxious thoughts at ease. I used the back of my hand to rub some of the sleep out of my eyes despite the ungodly hour. My eyes were red and puffy, any tears were long gone. I gave up on crying after Benji left the house hours ago.After leaving the pack house, we journeyed back to his home in silence. I had tried to reason with him, begging for him to change his mind on the cells in between tears. He offered me nothing in return, instead locking me in the home and sending guards to watch after me.At first I was sad, but in certain moments where I regain my sense, I'm angry. Furious that this is how he reacts during conflicts. No wonder he has such a bad track record with other packs - the second something doesn't go his way he blows up and revisits his former self. If this is how he reacts with Gwen, how can I realistically think this whole situation will work? How

The rest of the day passed by in a blur of colors and tuned out noises. My time with Gwen was short-lived when Benji came to collect me. He was happy to see I was in good spirits, but behind my tight-lipped smile, my head was alive with new worries and concerns. "It's only a rumor," Gwen had assured me before we left, sending me a comforting smile. "A lot of people say things down there. Hell, we used to say we would killer that bugger the second we had a chance, and look where we both are now? I wouldn't sweat it, really. If there was an issue, he'd tell you." I replayed the words in my head, letting my gaze slid over to the man beside me. Would he really tell me if there was an issue? It doesn't seem like Benji welcomes any cracks in his perfectly placed mask of being a fearless leader."What did you do today?" I asked, using the back of my fork to push around some vegetables on my plate. It was just the two of us, like usual, eating dinner in his dimly lit kitchen. He swallo

I had almost forgotten about my unease until it hit me like a crashing wave. Relentless and without warning, in the place I least expected it. "I'm not much for gossiping, but I've heard an interesting rumor." I tore my gaze away from the kids playing in the open field, blissfully unaware to the fall winds that nipped at their skin. Ever since I came back to the daycare center, Elise has picked up on my change of moods. I tried my best to conceal it with a timid smile but I couldn't completely erase the worry from my expression. I thought looking after the pups would help distract me from my thoughts. Benji was increasingly busier by the day with pack business, and Gwen had become consumed with the difficulties of adjusting to a new life outside of the cells. Her feelings were at a delay, coming and going at odd times. Sometimes Gwen was herself - snarky and full of life with a witty comment to fire Jeremiah's way whenever he even attempted to approach her. But, other times, she

The room was painfully silent as my question festered in the air. For a moment, all I could hear was Benji's labored breathing as he tried, and failed, to control his reaction. A snarl ripped through his chest, breaking the noise. "That's enough." He snapped, standing up from his seat so suddenly it screeched against the floor. "We're leaving." I hesitated, frozen in my seat. I had expected him to get mad, sure, but I didn't expect this level. When I didn't get up right away, he pulled on the back of my chair, startling me. "I said, we're leaving." He repeated through clenched teeth.Dotty got up before I did, thrusting herself between us. "Aria may be too nice, but I won't hesitate to rip your throat out if you keep this attitude with her." "Attitude?" He scoffed, clenching and unclenching his fists at his side. "Go back to playing dress-up or whatever you do with your free time. I don't need you to lecture me on how to talk to my mate.""Are you in heat or something? Your