*Conrad*I stood still, staring at her while she slowly returned to the warm cabin wrapped in her blanket. Garret arranged everything as I instructed him, and I was left alone with Mackenzie for the entire talk if a conversation between a human and an unresponsive animal can be called one. ’At least you showed her that we cared.’ Rip reminded me, and I nodded.After Mackenzie’s request to leave the valley, I was so enraged that I considered it a miracle that Rip didn’t show up and tore the entire hospital wing apart. I was on the verge of damaging things, so I had to leave the hospital as soon as possible. I must have broken his trust that he didn’t react even at such a moment. I was pulled into a tornado of feelings, unable to decide, but I knew perfectly that my existence was pointless without Rip.I had to get him back, and if it meant giving the girl a chance, I wa

*Mackenzie*I tried to read the paragraph for the millionth time, but it was pointless as my mind was occupied by encounters that constantly gave me headaches. I huffed, tossed the book aside, and plopped in bed, exasperated. Meowing, Fireball shuffled towards me and lay on my chest, gazing at me with her penetrating eyes. „And what do you suggest I do?” I groaned and asked her, and she meowed again. „I tried calling, but no one answered. I left messages, but no one called back. It’s like Rob’s constantly out of the pack house or avoiding me for purpose.” I explained myself lamely. „Garrett told me that Caris has been sent on a mission and will be back in a few days and that even he, her mate with that magic voodoo mind link, cannot contact her. It’s like she used some magic shield and cut off the outside words.” I complained. „And Claire.” I huffed, on the verge of calling on my sanity. „Claire is so occupied with Luna's ceremony preparation that I'm left to myself. Not even Mrs.

*Mackenzie*I am still determining how we got into his office that fast or how I agreed to have dinner with him. But here I was, sitting at his desk, eating a delicious steak with veggies and sipping delicate and perfectly chilled white wine. Surprisingly, we spent the last forty minutes in complete silence, apart from when he asked me if I would have dinner with him.I ate the last piece of stake, put down the cutlery as I swallowed the meal, and gazed at Conrad, who enjoyed his dish, munching his two steaks and tons of veggies. I clasped my hands on my lap and waited for him to finish, as I didn’t want to start the conversation interrupting his meal time.I looked around the office and paid attention to details this time. I have been in this office before with Miles when he introduced me to this territory's rules. That time, I focused on Miles and Fireball sleeping peacefully in the basket at my feet. I didn’t pay any attention to the interior design other than noticing the consider

*Claire*I stirred the tea absentmindedly as I gazed into the space. My mind constantly repeated the words my son said as Caris opened the mind link between us, ensuring I heard everything that happened at the meeting. The first time Caris told me about her discovery, I almost shifted into Dara, and with her big paws, I dug up the beds that had barely been planted, ruining my new, freshly rebuilt greenhouse. Although I wasn’t expecting such a thing to happen, I knew that Mackenzie would be crucial in our war against her father.She was already hurt by him and held a lot of resentment towards him and his family. I didn’t have to hear her story to see the pain in her eyes, body, and behavior. She had no easy life there, and she never spoke about him with warm feelings. Heck, she never spoke about him at all.If it weren’t for Robert’s truth test, I wouldn’t know that most of her resentment toward that douchebag wasn’t because he hurt her but because he allowed others to do that. Specif

*Mackenzie*„I still think this is not how it should be. I mean, technically, you’re in my place, and I asked you for dinner.” Conrad objected from the living room.I chuckled at his antics, but in reality, it captured my heart, „You cooked, so let me do the dishes in return.” I insisted, rinsing the last plates.He huffed and murmured something under his nose so I didn’t hear. I chuckled louder, knowing that this massive wall of muscles could have a childish spark in him. Despite his age and intimidating physique, he turned out to be funny.„Why that red creature is rubbing on me like a bitch in heat?” He asked, sounding petrified.I exhaled deeply and wiped my hands on the cloth before joining him in the living room. He took almost the entire space on the couch without leaving too much distance to accommodate another person. Although my size could be described as half an average person, I doubt I would sit next to him comfortably.„Maybe because she is?” I teased as I stared at them