I’m vaguely aware of Keller coming in and putting a sandwich in my hands. I may have even eaten a few bites, but I can’t remember for sure. The words move from the computer screen into my brain and nestle in, making themselves comfortable until it feels like my head is full of alphabet soup. My eyes are dry and itchy from staring at the computer for so long. I save my documents and lean back in the chair to rub my eyes. The clock behind the whiteboards says it’s four-thirty. I take time to stop and look out the window for a moment. The snow in the dying light of the day makes me smile. Serene and quiet. It's a beautiful sight. How is this my life? I thought it would take years to prove myself in scientific circles to work independently on a project. Let alone one that helps me. What would Mom and Dad think if they could see me now? I think back to my last conversation with Mom. She said she and Dad had orders from Alpha Williams. Were they just following orders my whole life, or did

I hand him the tablet and pull him up. “I don’t get my first paycheck from Dad until next week, and I knew you would get upset if I used my savings to buy you something.” “You’re right. I would get upset. Did you make me something?” His sweet smile makes me blush. “I was thinking we could make something together.” I turn toward him and hook my fingers on the edge of his pockets. “A little… artistic project?” “Artistic project?” A mix of confusion and mischief crosses his face. “What kind of art were you thinking? I’m not very creative, Zara.” “I’ve seen your directing capabilities.” I motion my head to the tablet. “It’s not too bad.” “You… watched those videos?” He suddenly looks pale. “Keller, please don’t be mad. I was curious to see what you were so worried about.” I smirk and slide my hands under his shirt, letting the sparks of our mate bond flow. “Besides, you just deleted everything. Seems like a perfect time to start a new collection. No?” He stops walking. There is no

Estelle sits on the edge of the tub next to Keller and plops her medical bag on the floor. She has Keller pull away the towel. Her face turns into a quick cringe, then she takes the towel from Keller so he can get me a robe. While we wait, she holds the towel against the wounds again. “It will take a few stitches, Baby Girl. Do you remember what happened?” She is speaking to me, but focusing on her medical bag once I’m wrapped in my fluffy gray robe. She pulls out a needle filled with a slightly yellow liquid and lays it on the counter. Next, she pulls out a pouch that is paper on one side and plastic on the other. There is a curved needle and wire inside. When she has everything set up, she looks back at me intently, waiting for my answer so she can start working on my face. “I-I was washing my face and then I heard whispers? And then they got mad at me and started yelling, so I told them to stop. Doctor Khe told me not to believe any voices in my mind except for Lavender. That’s w

“Zara, what the Hell happened to your face?” Mom gasps when I walk in the door. She grabs me by both shoulders and stares at me with panic in her eyes. “Keller, what the Hell?! What did you do?!”“Mom, it’s okay, I-”Before I can explain, Dad rushes past us and slams Keller into the wall next to the door. I hear Keller get the wind knocked out of him before I can turn around. Avalanche growls deeply, making the whole room rumble. “What did you do to her?”“Papa M! No! You’re hurting him!” Jasper yells. There’s a scuffling sound behind me as Sam and Estelle try to push Dad off of Keller, too.“Dad, no! Avalanche stop please! It wasn’t Keller!” I squirm out of Mom’s grip and push myself between Dad and Keller. “STOP! Avalanche! Please let me explain! Don’t hurt my mate. Please!”I feel Dad’s posture soften when he realizes I could get hurt in the fray. He lets go of Keller, who falls to the ground coughing and choking. Estelle and Sam drop to the ground to help him while Jasper stands b

“So it doesn’t bother you to work for werewolves? You’re not afraid?” I ask curiously, watching Estelle draw blood from Jasper’s arm. “Most of the time, no. Sometimes Phil can be a bit intimidating, but I know he won’t hurt me,” Estelle waves off the notion, “Keller’s brothers, though. That’s another story. Fortunately, they don’t have a lot of reason to come into the lab.” “Oh. Yeah. Amy told me they don’t pay attention to pack news, so they don’t know the trials were about Keller and me, but I think they know…” I frown, hoping it’s not true. “When I went for dinner, I’m sure Jensen knew he recognized me because he chased Lavender when we were in heat.” “I don’t think either of them is smart enough to figure it out. Alright, Jasper, do you need a lollipop like Keller, or are you good?” She motions to Keller, who is sitting in a chair, looking pale and clammy. “No, I’m good. Keller is going to take me upstairs so we can talk to Papa M about work.” He pulls his sleeve down and cla