Alyson             When I wake, I feel more faint than ever, but at least I can tell I am safe this time, hearing Ryan's voice not far from me. my hand twitches, a tube knocking against my wrist where I feel a sore spot radiate from a needle that penetrates my veins. The pressure in my hand makes it feel swollen, like my head that radiates with a sharp, pounding pain.             "Why do you taunt me?" Ryan gusts, his berating tone obviously not directed to me. "You're aware that I can't kill you at the behest of my mates wishes and you toy with that power. If you want my help, why bother pissing me off?"             "I don't want your help," Olivera snarls back violently. "She persisted I tell you the truth, and I have. Like you, I wouldn't want to kill off her mate and wo

AlysonMy body is tired, my mind is racing, but my eyes are cold on the sight of Olivera. He is outside in the rain, slamming an axe into the center of a log, splitting the wood into two pieces. The healer hasn't returned, and neither has Ryan. I worry for my mate, not able to tap into the mind link because of the wolfsbane. I wait patiently for it to happen, for the toxins to wear off and for me to hear my mate again, but my mind is far too focused on the rogue Alpha.My knees are weak, and I sink to the floor, leaning against the window. I have half a mind to pull the tube from my wrist again, the over abundance of fluid in my system making my head spin rapidly. I wish it would end already and I could sleep until Ryan returns, but it doesn't appear to be working all that well. I'm wide awake.Olivera grunts, slamming the axe down, and tossing another stack of logs under the awning outside to keep the wood dry, even if he isn't. When he finishes, he grabs a handful of the wood logs a

AlysonI fall asleep in his arms. On one hand, it feels comfortable, almost familiar, but definitely safe. On the other hand, if Ryan were to see me in Olivera's arms like this he would be furious. I can't help it, though. I am ripe with fear. I tremble in his arms for what feels like forever, my legs and arms covered in bruises, my eyes replaying the moment of the rogue ready to defile me.I sniffle a cry, turning into Olivera's bare chest as his arms squeeze around me tighter."Do you think Ryan will find us soon?" I ask, needing to hear some kind of reassurance."I don't care," the rogue Alpha growls under his breath. "I will get us out of here, sweetheart." He pulls his lips near my ear, breathing low into my hair while both of us sneak a look over to the dead rogue that has been laid out, bleeding and lifeless for what feels like forever. "I will rescue you, princess."I shiver, hearing a noise down the hall but not being able to see who, or what, it is. Instead I hear the steps

AlysonI expect to wake up in chains, or beaten in my unconsciousness, punished for my status and the link to my mate, but I actually wake to the scent of coffee and bacon looming through the air. I struggle to sit up, taking in the sight of a small room with a kitchenette across the way, a large, bruting rogue Alpha meandering over the breakfast foods he prepares.My head is spinning from the wolfsbane but I still manage to throw myself out of bed, stumbling through the space between he and I, and slamming a hit directly into the back of his solid shoulder. I hit the floor onto my knees, trembling, my fist radiating pink from the punch.Olivera glances over his stout shoulder, mocking me with a grin. "Good try, sweetheart.""Filthy traitor," I snarl, wanting to hit him again and again until my wrist breaks. "Why did you do this, Olivera? Ryan trusted you! I trusted you. We were going to help you make things right with the elders—he is there with them now!""I don't want to negotiate,

Ryan"ENOUGH!" I scream, huffing in every breath and exhaling horribly as I lead my warriors out of the woods. The elder's warriors all halt as well, the war-torn woods outside my palace now torn to splinters. "BRING ME FRITZ! NOW!"My wolf is fuming, itching to come out and rip through everyone as I have been, but I am sick of this fighting. It was minimal at first, practically just tapping shoulders and screaming profanities. Then the wolves took over, including my own, and it was bloodshed after that. I just want my mate, I want her safe, and I am sick of their lack of transparency on why Olivera and the rogues are claiming atrocities against them.I pace in place, my heart beating so fast that I feel sick. I crack my knuckles, my feet bare and ripped and bleeding. I exude blisters all over and sometimes I consider shifting into my wolf and turning full Lycan, just becoming a monster. I feel that way without my mate.I feel loose and reckless without her calming touch."What is it,