Calvin’s POVAt first I thought she was with pup. It turned out she’d become bloated after a recent illness. It didn’t make me feel any better about things. Because I’d heard of ‘Jackman’s’ and deplored everything it stood for.Finding her was all down to Alex Rhodes. I couldn’t pretend I was grateful to the guy who’d preyed on her once more. Having him followed had been a master stroke. I knew now who was behind it all but Tommy was in the wind.If it took me the rest of my life I would hunt him down.With the identification and capture of Jason Moore, nicknamed ‘Lycan’, thanks to some great detective work by my security team, I was a step closer to that, too. My scarcely used downstairs interrogation room was coming into its own.Though he’d taken her under Archer’s orders, it seemed he hadn’t done much other than watch. Maybe I could turn this one. He might be a useful soldier in the fight to stamp out this kind of thing.I knew he was into the comparatively sanitised kink we provi

Tori’s POVI was starting to rebuild my life. It wasn’t perfect, but it was all I had. Then Alpha Calvin had to go and spoil it by insisting I join his pack. He took a different approach with Ellie and she was wondering why, in front of him, and I couldn’t stand it so I just blurted it out.“Alpha Joseph tried to molest me at ‘Jackman’s’.”“Never.”“He did, Els. If Alpha Thomas hadn’t rushed back from the VIP night his dick would have been inside my mouth.”I rubbed the spot on my neck where the leader of Waning Moon had bit me. Fortunately, there was no mark.“I can’t leave, Tor. What about Mom? Val would give me hell.”“So what’s new?” I said.“Please, don’t make me switch over, Alpha Calvin.”“Think about it. That’s all I ask. Otherwise you may end up on your own in that flat.”“That’s unfair,” I snapped.“Let’s examine that concept more closely,” the Alpha said. “What justification do you have for teasing my Delta in public?”I gasped, glancing across at Ellie, who was no help at

Calvin’s POVI wanted to laugh out loud as the mirrored room showed me how flustered Tori was by that statement.“Tell me more, Ursula,” I said.“Ignore him. He’s being a dick.”“Hey, may I remind you I’m the Alpha here?” The other she-wolf stiffened. “Don’t worry, I won’t punish her in front of you,” I added. Though it was tempting I had no desire to hurt either of them.“Some leader I was,” Tori commented.“It was very brave,” Ursula told her.“I totally agree. But you’re not here to compliment my employee or even to perform with her in front of me.” That was one reason I’d specified casual dress. For both of them. “I’m not that kind of Alpha.”“With respect, Alpha Calvin, in my experience everyone’s that kind of Alpha given half a chance.”“What happened to you?” Tori asked. “I thought the women were taken to safety.”“The Mistress acted quickly, directing some of us to the hidey-hole. It’s where VIPs go so as not to be discovered.”“So raids are frequent then?”“Three times a yea

Calvin’s POVI came very close to admitting the truth. The past few days there was an ache which not even controlling my sub could alleviate. I knew pain in its purest form and it didn’t sit well.My frustration needed an outlet.The Moon Goddess must have heard me. Because when Glenn mind linked me two days later, at first I couldn’t believe it.“Rhodes is long gone,” I insisted.“You asked me to alert you if he showed up and he has.”“Where’s Tori?”“Alpha, you’re not going to like this. She agreed to see him.”“Fuck,” I said. “Keep an eye on them, will you?”“Easier said than done. She asked for privacy.”“I take it you’re monitoring the room?”“Naturally.”“Thanks, Glenn. I’ll be there soonest.”When I drove the short journey to Still Water, her stepbrother had gone, leaving Tori a shaking mess. My Delta was consoling her in the courtyard and, from where I was standing, he wanted them to be more than just friends.A growl emerged but it didn’t come from me. Mel launched herself at

Calvin’s POVThe night before the mating ball I prayed as I had never prayed before, apologising to Goddess Selene for not paying her enough attention in the past. The Moon deity remained as silent and mysterious as ever.In contrast to my well hidden depression, Thaddeus was buoyant, and I used him as a front. It wouldn’t be the first time.Maybe I could reject her, my fated mate, causing controversy and making my late father angry enough to rise up from his resting spot and howl. If I chose another it couldn’t be Tori. My plan to make the pack accept her by accommodating her within it on the pretext of her still being in danger had backfired since many believed she had caused Mel’s death. So what if she was a psychopathic murderer.They were an unforgiving lot at North Shore yet I had to listen to them if I were to remain Alpha. I did think about handing over the reins to Glenn and stepping down early in order to run my rapidly expanding club. But my conscience wouldn’t allow it.In