<One year and half later>
*** Matthew's POV ***
"Matt... Matt, wake up. Carl is crying." Susie's mind-links, waking me up from my slumber.
In my boxers, I get up from our bed and drag my feet toward Carl's room, just across from ours. There is also a room next to ours for our guests, should any decide to stay over. It used to be my room before we had Carl.
"Hey, bud, I am here," I reassure him as I open his bedroom door. He steadies himself on the crib's rail with one hand while the other opens and closes towards me, letting me know he wants to be picked up, which I do, as he cries non-stop.
-"Shh, I am here, baby."
Two years after the silver chains ***Naomi's POV*** It has been two long torturous years, and a lot has changed. Firstly, I was forced to train with our elite warriors. And when I say forced, I mean it. I would just sit by the training ring and wait until it ended the first few times. But my father decided to join the training, and if I refused to participate, the warriors were ordered to beat me up until I was unconscious. In the end, I had no other choice but to experience and learn how to defend myself. Although my parent's room was on the fifth floor, soon-to-be Lee's floor, I could hear them argue about my situation every night. Mother had become extremely upset with my father's behavior towards me. She even threatened to leave the pack if he didn't stop.
*** Morgan POV *** Naomi told me she wanted my help. We are still at the bar, and I have to be extra careful not to alert the two giant werewolves sitting behind us at the far left corner. I don't know what it is about her, but the moment she walked into the bar, something compelled me to help. It wasn't just me. My wolf Lily was too unsettled, especially after we realized the men she walked in with were watching her like hawks. It didn't feel right. Let's not forget all of her scars. It felt as if she was a prisoner. I pondered for a second, maybe they were rogues, and she was their victim, but they didn't smell like rogues. They didn't smell of burn and decay flesh. Naomi walks to the guys and tells them she's tired and wants to go back to her motel room.
*** Mathew's POV *** My pact is a mess. The loss of their Luna two years ago had left them demotivated and disorganized. In part, it was my fault. After Susie's death, the void she left inside me was constant torture. I had become a disgrace, drinking my sorrows away bottle after bottle. Without her companionship, I felt lonely again. I sit on the floor, enclosed in my room while holding one of Susie's pieces of clothing close to me and drowning my pain in whiskey. This room isn't the one that Susie and I shared. That one has been closed since she passed away. Standing up, I steady myself against the dresser. The movement causes the mirror to shake. I lean in closer and observe the man reflected in it. I can't recognize myself with the long messy blac
***Matthew's POV*** Carl and I spent the afternoon together after picking him up from the packhouse Daycare, which isn't too far from the mansion. Just a 20 minutes walk down the road, five by car. I decide to take him out into the children's park. I watch him as he plays with the other kids. Boy, he had so much energy. He sure resembles Susie. They share the same blond hair and emerald green eyes. I watch as he leads his group of friends and makes sure everyone is included. He treats girls with extra care and makes sure they are safe. I can already tell, by the way, he plays with the other children. He will be a good alpha. Charlotte had done a great job of educating him while I was absent. -"Daddy, wanna come to play with us?" He shouts across the playgro
***Morgan's POV ***-"Morgan?"Alpha Matthew's mind links as we approach my motel room. I had forgotten to fill him in on the details. I guess I wasn't used to having him back yet.-"She said yes. We are gathering some basic stuff. After that, I plan on taking her to our closest ally, Grayfang Pack. Susie used to take me through these woods. I remember seeing a cabin not too far out from where we are. We will take shelter there for the night and leave towards Barkmer Forest at the first light. We should reach Grayfang's territory by mid-morning." I squinted and brought my palm to my forehead in a facepalm motion. I mentioned Susie's name, and I shouldn't have.-"I will be going to Grayfang's territory tomorrow anyways. So I will meet
*** Naomi's POV ***I slowly opened my eyes to face myself in an unfamiliar place. The room has an old musty, earthy smell to it. The floor under me is wet and cold. I feel like my body has been hit by a truck, and my headache is on the brink of making my head split open. I lift my right hand towards my head only to realize I can't because I am chained. My wrist burns where the shackles touch my skin. I palpate the ground, mapping the floor underneath me. My fingers brush against the chain links, and once again, my skin sizzles at the point of contact. The chains are made of silver.I lean closer to the wall, and bring my knees close to my chest and wait for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. The wolfbane injection given to me earlier by the strange woman had taken away my werewolf abilities.
*** Naomi's POV***I ran as fast as I could, dodging from trees to fallen branches to roots sticking off the ground. The sun is setting down slightly to my left, indicating I am on the right path.The rogues are still following us. From the sound of their paws on the muddy floor, I estimate them to be more or less ten wolves, but I am not stopping to count.Exiting the tree line onto a clearing, I spot a big house on the horizon up ahead. As I go further into the clearing, I notice the rogues didn't follow us. Morgan's body rests on my back while she uses her right arm to grip tight to my fur, preventing her from falling off. I was still running when, out of nowhere, Grayfang warriors surrounded us. Let me add that they did not look happy or friendly.
*A couple of hours before the reunion**** Matthew's POV ***I arrived at the wedding reception a little earlier and waited for Morgan to contact me.It was a formal event, so I wore a button-down white shirt, with the sleeves rolled back to my elbows, skinny gray blue-toned trousers, dark brown leather belt, and matching shoes. To finish my look, I accessorized with an oxford wristwatch and a pair of black aviator sunglasses.Mid-morning came and gone, and we were halfway through the festivity. Both grooms wore matching navy blue suits with a small white peace lily above their hearts. I was happy Rob had found a fantastic mate. Their happiness was contagious, and the entire pack see