This was nerve-wracking. Since high school graduation last spring, I haven’t been on a stage in front of a crowd. And even then, it hadn’t been this many people. Just the family of those in my graduating class.  Several hundred Madonie wolves are sitting in the amphitheater. That’s a lot of people looking at us. The only thing keeping me from freaking out is that I’m touching the small of Amelia’s back. She’s just as nervous as I am. I need to remain calm so we both can remain calm.  ‘How am I supposed to make my oath if I can’t talk to anyone but you?’ Amelia frowned as Darren stepped aside so Alexander could take his oath. ‘Drink first to make the link, then say your pledge to Alpha André.’ I suggested. I certainly can’t say her oath for her. It was the only way I could think of.  ‘You’ll be fine.’ I encouraged her as it was her turn. I watched as Amelia nervously approached and carefully knelt, not wanting to ruin her

Things have been going rather well for us these past five years. Madonie is prospering, and our people are happy. It has been difficult for Amelia and me when others have babies. It reminds us of what we cannot have, especially for Amelia, as she watched other she-wolves, including her sister-in-law, going through their pregnancies. But that makes us appreciate having Grace all that more. Grace is an intelligent girl, she may not have understood fully, but she always knew when Amelia was feeling down because she’d climb into her lap and give her hugs and tell her how much she loved her. She has been a bright spot for us. Just as Grace’s arrival into our lives helped Amelia through the news that she couldn’t have children. She then helped her get through watching others she is close to having pups with their mates. So rather than focusing that we will never have a pup that Amelia birthed, we have poured our love into Grace and the pack. I’m always amazed Grace doesn’t behav

Returning from Incubi was hell. As glad as I was to be home in Bloodmoon territory, I returned in a sorry state. I was one of the few injured sent home first and in the worst state. Only I would manage to lose a leg in a fight. I made a stupid mistake, and now I’ve fucked up the rest of my life. Grandma will probably fuss until grandpa tells her to stop babying me. I can just imagine what grandpa is going to say. I’d try to imagine what dad will say, but I am sure I’ll be met with indifference. As Doctor Bryant finished his examination, my hospital room’s door flew open. The whirlwind of the Shelton family burst through. They got here faster than I thought. “Clemmy!” My grandmother called, hurrying into the room with a tote full of I don’t want to know what. Probably another sweater or scarf long enough to turn me into a mummy that she knitted. “Michele, stop trying to fuss over him.” Grandpa commanded in his gruff voice. In an instant, grandma took two steps back and low

I’ve spent the last five years getting my life together. Unless it’s required for all pack members, I have distanced myself from the pack. Not in a sense that I want to turn rogue or something stupid like that. I don’t want to leave the pack. But early in my recovery, if I trained in either human or wolf form around others, I got unsettling looks and heard their whispers. Which shows they wanted me to listen to them bad-mouthing me. We’re werewolves, so they know I could hear them, and if they didn’t want me to listen to it, they’d have used a direct link to who they were gossiping to. So it was done with intent. I get it. I was an asshole for… well, my whole life. So to avoid such situations, I trained at human gyms and would let Jax out in areas where I wouldn’t run into packmates. Random pack members weren’t the only people I spent less time around. Grandpa has written me off and for the stupidest of reasons. He’s pissed that I decided I wanted to be known as Austin f

I haven’t seen nor heard from or about Suzanne Walterson in months. She hasn’t had to come to the office now that her sessions are over. And I tend to keep my distance from pack gatherings so we don’t cross paths. Even if she lives down the street, we don’t generally cross paths. I went years without seeing that kid. Since her brother moved to Madonie, I haven’t had any reason to go by her house. Not that Stephen and I were ever good friends. Mostly I was his ride since I had my car. And given how we left things, his fist in my face, we will not be mending fences. I hadn’t thought that three months of seeing her three times a week would change anything. I got by just fine, not talking to or seeing her before. So why have I missed seeing her? Miss the low-key banter during her sessions. I’ve attempted to distract myself with Denise. She’s not a bad person. I get along with her well enough, but she’s human and not my mate. Unlike the she-wolves at the pack who have snubbed