Ashton POV Day 1 at the cabin was, almost, perfect. I did kinda burn some rice… Not enough to set off the smoke alarm, thank goddess. As I walked from the room to the kitchen I realized I didn’t ask her what she would like to drink. I couldn’t have been gone more than 30 seconds and she was out, snoring like a little lumberjack, and looking like an angel. I couldn’t help myself; I stood there watching her sleep for far longer than the sweet to creepy ratio allowed. The look on Alaina’s face when I told her I learned how to cook a few dishes made every second of torment the kitchen staff inflicted on me. I say torment, but in reality, it was fun. There was a lot of laughing, a literal cr.ap ton of burnt food, and getting to truly know some of the pack members. Doing this, for Alaina, made me realize that I could be a better Alpha, a better mate, a better prince… all in all just a better person. I have been so wrapped up in the issues we have had to face, thanks to Kushim, that I have

Austin POVI have Gerhard take Jack to a room that has been prepared for him before Alex, Osain, and Zach can rip his head from his body. We are all pi.ssed about what he said, but we need more answers before we can do anything. Plus, I’m pretty sure that Ashton and Alaina would have MY head if he was ki.lled before they could talk to him. Jack does seem to leave us with a lot of questions though. A big one being, how does he know about Were’s but not know there is a pack not too far from where his family lives?I vaguely notice that everyone is trying to talk over each other and yelling. I can’t think with all the noise. “OI! What the fu.ck? Must you yell?”I call out over top of them.“If he was supposed to keep her from her mate what do you think he’s supposed to do now?”Dante asks. “Your guess is as good as mine at this point.” “Do you think he’s part of the prophecy?”Clara murmurs, almost like she didn’t mean to say it aloud, making us

Ashton POV I walk out of the bedroom completely stunned. The three of them, I swear! I start to make supper, or lunch, not really sure of the… SH.IT! It’s already 8 at night. I double check my watch to see that we are well into day 2 at this point. We still have tonight and tomorrow night, at least, before we leave. I start pulling out some pork, apples, honey, and some bourbon. 'Blue raspberry? What the fu.ck man?' 'What? I love when you eat blue raspberry Jell-O.' 'You seriously don’t understand do you?' 'Understand what?' 'They weren’t actually talking about Jell-O.' 'Then what were they talking about?' 'What else do you like to eat?' He’s quiet for a while, a lot longer than I though he should need, but I leave him while I make some mashed potatoes to go with the roast. 'OOOOOH!' 'Yeah.' 'And you were…' 'Yes, Jan, I w

Ashton POV I convinced Alaina to stay at Wild Rose pack for, at least, a couple days. Giving me time to talk to this Jack guy and see what he’s all about. On my way back I see someone come out of the woods and start walking down the road. When I get a little closer they turn around. When they put their arm up, to block my headlights, I can see his face. NOT the person I want to deal with right now. I’m not sure when, or even if, I will ever want to deal with him, he has put my mate into a situation that could end up getting her hurt. “Austin?” “Uh… yeah…” I watch as he lowers his head and looks at the ground. “Gert in the car.” As pis.sed as I am I can’t in good conscience leave him to walk back, it would take him all night at least! I watch as he heads to my back door. “Get in the fuc.king front. I’m not a fuc.king taxi!” Once he get’s in I can’t help but ask, “What the fu.ck are you doing out here?”

As the stapler flies apart my phone starts ringing again and Dan quickly glances at the number on the screen then tosses it to me. Looking I see the number for Wild Rose flit across the screen. “Scott?” “I’m sorry Ash, I need you to get out here like yesterday.” I start running out the door towards the garage. “What happened?” “Alaina had an ultrasound…” His pause stops my heart, and my feet. “SCOTT!” “I’m sorry Ash… it’s the pups.” I start running full tilt. “I don’t know much just that there is an issue and she might loose one… some… I don’t know.” “I’m going to run.” I say as I toss my phone and shift mid step. 'We never should have left her there! She should have been with us!' 'Arguing about it now isn’t going to change anything, but we both know that, with what we knew it was the safest place.' 'And now?'