~ KAGE'S POV ~ "Has anyone seen Kalli? I need to talk to her." I ask, frowning at the group of wolves sat in the living area."Have you checked the office?" Zed raises his eyebrows, never particularly interested in anything Kalli does."Multiple times." I sigh."When was the last time anyone checked in on her?" I ask, slightly irritated that none of them know where she is."I saw her yesterday morning, she was in the woods." Again, Zed responds. In the woods? I thought, utterly confused as Kalli hasn't the left the house since she buried her pups.Beck and Lori share a fearful glance, one that doesn't go over my head."What is it?" I growl lowly. What are they hiding?"The Elders found Kades Gamma, mutilated." Lori says, exhaling shakily as she begins to pace."So?" I scrunch my face up, not caring for some wolf in my fathers pack."They found two more, but they haven't been identified yet. If they're from Kage's pack...the Elders think that Kalli is involved, she has every motive to

"No one has anything to say?" I question.Silence meets my ears for the second time, not a single word of argument. What did Beck say to them? Do I even care to know?"Good, line up!" I command.The newbies rush to do as they're told, I couldn't be bothered to wonder why they're suddenly obedient, so I didn't mention it."Today's lesson is about punching." I announce."Strike first, strike hard." I state, my tone frosty as I gaze over the youthful faces of the wolves.The glances they share tell me they're confused, because Hardin wasn't known for teaching lessons. While he was ruthless, he was also strategic and intelligent. I'm not him, I don't have it inside me to teach them mercy, when I no longer know the meaning of it.Instructing them on how to properly make a fist, I begin showing them correct feet placement and hip movement that comes with punching."Beck." I call, gesturing for him to join me from the side lines.Standing face to face, I make a fist and straighten out my arm

"Alpha Kalli!" The familiar little girl calls my name with excitement."Tell her I'm busy." I mutter to Lori, heading off into the woods away from the child before she can reach me.Hearing Lori tell the pup to that I've got work to do, I shift into my wolf and head off to my place of peace. It's become the only place that I don't feel angry, or the need to kill. It makes me sad, but I feel more myself with my pups than I do anywhere else.Hardin is still healing, I've barely seen him for the last two weeks due to him working with physical therapists and doctors to help him heal quickly, and safely. Whenever we're in the same room, we just clash and I know that it's my fault for pushing him away, even if I'm not happy with how things are.It's better this way, he'll never have to know about me killing our pups. The pack know better than to open their mouths, I'm not exactly known for being gentle anymore.After a while of watching the sun, I head back to the house. But today, somethin

Hands grab me again, but this time I physically couldn't escape no matter how much pain I inflict on the wolf holding me. At some point the pack head off elsewhere, leaving Hardin, Zed, Lori, Jackson, Beck and the man gripping me. "Are you going to lock me up until I'm sane?" I spit at Hardin, glaring at him icily."I was wrong to say the things I said, and I'm sorry." Hardin responds calmly, sincerely.I stare for a short second, before turning my head away. I didn't want to hear his apology, or anyone else's, because deep down they have nothing to apologise for. I did this, I made sure I wouldn't feel the pain, I made certain that they no longer loved me.Why can't he just give in like they did?"You are not to blame for what happened, you were protecting them...you couldn't of known what would happen." Hardin says firmly."I don't hate you, I will never hate you, do you understand? I love you, and I'm here for you." Hardin comes closer.Don't listen."How?" I whisper."How can you

It had been a whole week since the Elders got in touch, and I don't think Hardin or I have slept properly since. Everyday Hardin is gaining more and more strength back in his legs and back, but balances that, the pack, the training, the paperwork, and my therapy sessions...plus a baby that is arriving today.How are we going to cope with all of that? What if this is a mistake?What if I hurt it? Or don't know what it wants?"Nappies, wipes, bibs, clothes, vests...mitts, bottles..." I list the items as I place them on the bed, for what feels like the hundredth time this week.What if I'm missing something?"Try and relax, everything is going to be fine." Hardin takes my hands, leading me away from the stressful baby items."What if it's not? What if we're making a mistake?" I breathe, my heart pounding. The Elders will be here any minute.Hardin stares into my eyes, those silver orbs instantly stealing my attention. He gently takes my face in his hands, ensuring he has my complete atte