~~~ Valic had stepped outside to take a call from the Council. It seemed that Jerry’s pack had petitioned the council to postpone the trial a day so new witnesses could be flown in. Alpha Marcus Ryle had looked over the new evidence the witness was claiming and ruled it out. The dates were two weeks after the attack on Paradise Falls Pack and Beta David and Alpha John’s death. He was about to return to the pack house and hunt down his mate when his cock and nose twitched at the scent in the air. His wolf pushed forward. Mark mate. Now. He growled trying to break free of Valic’s hold. “Soon my friend,” he grinned as he walked into the pub. It didn't take him long before his eyes landed on his prize. Hope was leaning over the pool table, lining up a shot. Her well-defined heart-shaped ass was in the air. He could see several other men and one woman checking out her long legs. A growl suddenly erupted from his chest, silencing the pub. Hope didn't have to look to know that

~~~ If Kathy was affected by Jerry’s outburst she hid it well. She simply walked around the desk and approached Alpha Cullen. “Alpha I can agree to give the defense a moment to discuss this new witness.” Cullen nodded and mind linked with Aaron. “I am going to push the hearing back thirty minutes. Please double the guard on Miss Jones and the kids. I do not trust Alpha Richards to make an attempt on them. Also, have Beta Nick from the Davis pack ready to speak.” Aaron was just walking into the packhouse when he got the message from Cullen. “Of course, Alpha”. He responded as he continued through the long hallway that led to the basement stairs. Beta Nick was still an unknown in this case. When he was brought in, he refused to talk to anyone other than Alpha Chase Parker of the Eufaula pack. Aaron asked Oscar to do a background check on the two men. It was discovered they were half-brothers though they were not raised together. Aaron walked to the small holding room. T

Later that evening one of my paws was in a leather-lined silver cuff and chained to the wall. Silver suppressed my abilities. I couldn’t shift or fully use my heightened senses. I also couldn’t fully communicate with my wolf. I could see I had enough room to move about the room but not leave it. I was placed in one of the guest bungalows on a massive dog bed. I was large for a female juvenile wolf, my shoulders were just three feet. I had a rust-colored coat with a white diamond on my chest. The tip of my right ear had a black patch. My blue-gray eyes were the only oddity. When human I had blue eyes and as a wolf gray took over. I was laying there on my side, resting. The last time I was used as a wolf, it took a week to recover from the numerous bites. There were two bowls set to the side of my bed, one filled with ice water and I was certain if I performed well, the other would be filled with meat. I looked around the room, realizing I had never been in this room before.

“Dallas Henry,” he said with a smile. “We should get you cleaned up.” He added, motioning her in the direction of the main house. “I’m sure you have questions.” I nodded, but I spotted Charles and headed towards him. I wrapped my arms around him, ignoring the growling from behind me. I leaned up and kissed Charles on the cheek and hugged him again. “I can’t believe you are here,” I said, feeling my anxiety rising. Honestly, if I could cry I would have broken down, again. I noticed he was looking over my shoulder at Dallas, who was still growling under his breath. “We have so much to talk about, but I think Alpha Dallas would like to speak with you first. I promise you that I’m not going anywhere without you.” He leaned down and hugged me again. I closed my eyes and held onto him. He was my link to my past. But I knew I needed to wash up. And I’m sure holding him while I was naked was probably not comfortable for Dallas who was standing to my side. I glanced at him and

~~~ Leesburg, Georgia The night before the trial Alpha Anthony Rossi sat in his private office looking at several reports. He was deep in thought reading the evidence his men gathered about a growing pack of rogue Were’s. It seemed a few wolves along with several cat breeds were hunting the northern states for Werebears and a rumored dragon. Anthony knew the whereabouts of a bear and a dragon. Three months ago, Colin Andrews along with Cullen Steiner had approached him with a request for sanctuary on his lands for two separate breeds of Weres. Jericho, a Werebear, along with his mate Josephine wanted to settle down and have kids. Bears are territorial and with so few shifting bears left, Jericho wanted a safe haven to start a family. He approached Colin who contacted Cullen. The trio sat down and looked at a map of the United States and Canada. They narrowed possible locations and contacted Anthony. In the end, he agreed for the couple to settle on his pack lands and made