Rage has turned the blood in my veins into lava. My skin is hot and the fire in my chest is blazing. How dare she run from me. How dare she go against my orders. I told her to remain in the house until I returned. Her needs were taken care of. There was absolutely no reason for her to leave our home. I slam my fist into her dresser and the wood crumbles. She thinks I hit her before? I was controlling my strength with every strike. The stupid human has no idea what kind of damage I could really do to her. Every strike was controlled and for a purpose, but she never understood. I was trying to make her better. I was trying to turn her into a mate I actually deserve. "Nick, her scent is long gone. She must have taken off right after you left," my brother says as he comes strolling into the room I shared with my mate. I march across the rubble-covered floor and grab his throat. "This room is private. Don't ever step foot in it again," I growl, and he whimpers like the weak

STANLEY POV I watch Tabitha closely as Sam and Mariah soothe her with gentle words. I know we are all shaken by what we just saw, but my mate seems to be taken it the worst."Any idea who this Nick guy is," Dan whispers and I shake my head without altering my gaze.Stress is beginning to creep its way through my body and depressing thoughts are filling my head. Shameful thoughts...I was already keeping an eye on the grieving Alpha and his pack, now we have to worry about an abusive ex. Our pack has had so much to deal with...should we be adding more? Mariah and Tabitha are both pregnant. Adding Carmen into our home has brought yet another danger. "We all need to talk," I mumble lowly before meeting my brother's eyes. He nods and I jerk my head toward the door. The rest of the guys follow and I lead them to the barn. My stomach twists into one big knot as I walk, but my wolf ignores it. We have to think like a mate now. We have to think like a father. I swing the barn door ope

CARMEN POV My heart and mind are torn. I have this big rugged cowboy sitting next to me saying he will protect me and my heart wants to fall for him. But my head is more cautious than my heart. My head remembers the pain and fear I have lived through with Nick."Yes, really. I...Carmen, I had a mate. She didn't want me. Her and her sister wanted males with Alpha bloodlines. I am not an Alpha. I will never lead a pack, nor do I want to. What I do want...I want to always protect you. I want to see you smile and giggle. I would love to win your heart, but I know that might not happen. I am okay with that. I have chosen you and wolves mate for life. Even if you don't want me I will always be the shadow following and protecting you," Mike declares, and my eyes widen to an almost painful level. "Why," I whisper, and he smiles. He slowly reaches across the blanket and gently takes my hand. So gently that no warning bells go off. Fear doesn't slide down my spine...In fact, the opposite

STAN POV My legs are dead. I haven't run that much in years. Even my wolf is out of shape and wanted to stop before our patrol was over.The shifters of old would be proud. I groan as I stretch my back and tug on the warm clothes I left in the barn. I am eager to go eat and climb into bed next to my mate. I haven't heard my family's heartbeats in six hours. I missed them. "Stan," a sharp voice snaps and I spin around in surprise. I search the dark wall behind me as my heart tries to jump out of my chest. "Hell, Mariah! You scared the crap out of me," I gasp as I spot the petite brunette hidden against the wall. "And that's how easily a skilled assassin would have killed you," she says, and I stiffen. I look over her appearance in shock. She made sure I wouldn't see her when I came in by rubbing manure and muck all over her body. Her scent isn't detectable and she doesn't have an inch of skin visible. The brown texture matches her hair and eyes perfectly. If she hadn't

STANLEY POV Benji's stress is clear to all of us. He hasn't been able to stop pulling at his hair or stand still. Tabitha and Sam keep on giving him worried glances, but Mariah is acting as stone-faced as ever. "So who would you trust then," Daniel asks Mariah after she runs through a short list of people she knew from her work. "Garth. He is older and more experienced... He never asks questions and his rate is the same every time. His kills are clean and untracable. He moves around and keeps his nose clean. The others used their earning for more... They are just rougher. Not nice and they could easily turn on us if paid more. Garth doesn't negotiate. He gets a kill order he fulfills it. No one talks him into switching teams. That would be the person I recommend," Mariah says flatly and I glance at Carmen's calm face. She fell asleep against Mike before we were even done with the main meeting. I guess knowing we were on her side made her calm enough to sleep some more. I t