We decided to run in wolf form to Alpha Jerome’s pack. From Canyon Ridge, it’s about four hours over rocky terrain. We leave early, Lily riding on Donovan’s back. Our plan is to stop in about three hours to regroup and send out scouts before walking to the Silver Dawn borders to make our stand. When we stop, I make sure Lily eats. Now that she’ pregnant, she eats small meals all day long. She hasn’t had any morning sickness, unlike Calista who doesn’t emerge from her bedroom until after 10am when her nausea finally settles. I have to assume it’s a Guardian thing. If anything, Lily looks even more beautiful pregnant. Her skin glows, her hair seems thicker, and her body moves with more grace than before. Or maybe it’s just me loving my mate being pregnant with our child. When the scouts return, we decide to run halfway in our human form, then move more slowly to Silver Dawn’s borders. Our pack is the largest in the country, so while we left a full contingent of warriors at home to pro

A week after we laid Luna Estella to rest, Calista gave birth to their son, Rik. Anders and Calista allowed Lily and I to be there immediately after the birth. Lily went straight to Calista, hugging her while she laid on the bed, holding her child. I gave Anders a slap in the shoulder and hugged my dearest friend. I know this is one of the proudest days of his life. It’s made even more precious knowing what happened in Shadow Falls a week ago. I was worried that Lily would suffer after hearing the news that her friend had passed. She took it hard, but thankfully she’s early enough in her pregnancy that it didn’t affect our little girl. Yep, that’s right. We’re having a girl. Lily and I are already thinking of names. I think Lily was worried at first, that I wanted a boy, but honestly, I’m thrilled. I know she’ll be daddy’s little girl in no time. Donovan is just as taken with our little girl as I am. All he talks about is how he’s going to take her for runs in the forest and show her

My girls are the highlight of my life. There is nothing better than having the two of them in my arms together. Some nights, like tonight, I come into our room and my mate and my daughter are on the floor playing together. They are playing with blocks and building what looks like a packhouse and pack lands. “There’s my girls.” I say as I walk in. “Daddy!” My baby girl gets up and runs over. I scoop her up and throw her in the air, listening to her squeal. I catch her and pull her against me, kissing her face and neck while Donovan purrs against her. “Daddy, stop!” She says in a fit of giggles. Lily comes over and wraps her arms around me, hugging me. “Welcome home, love.” I hold Cara in one arm while Donovan continues to purr at her and take my mate in the other, kissing her until I hear her moaning softly. “I missed you.” I tell her, finally letting her come up for air. She looks up at me, her eyes filled with love. “I missed you, too.” I lean in, nuzzling her ear. “Maybe you c

When the call came out, I realized Lily and I would once again be separated. I hate when we’re separated. It’s easier for me to fight when she’s by my side. But Calista and Rik were exposed and away from Anders. He couldn’t get to them. When Donovan got to Anders, he was fighting off eight wolves at once. Without my help, he would most likely be killed. He’s a strong Alpha, but eight is too many, even for me. I jump in, not thinking twice. This is what I do, it’s what I’ve always done. I protect my Alpha, my friend. Five of the wolves come after me, recognizing me as the bigger threat by the gold color of Donovan’s eyes. I’m fighting them, injuring them, but not able to take them down, when I feel Lily’s pain. It’s everywhere. She’s injured and she’s injured badly. “Hold on Lily, I’m coming!” I say and I rip the throat of the first wolf I can get to. My mate is in trouble. She needs me. Donovan grabs the back of the neck of another wolf and shakes his head violently, paralyzing him.

When I returned to the packhouse after being in the hospital, Anders had moved most of my things to a room on the first floor. It was just another reminder of how far I had fallen. The name stuck and I could hear people whispering about ‘the broken warrior’. I waited until after Lily’s funeral before approaching Anders. “I’m leaving Anders.” “Where are you headed, Clint.” He asks me as we navigate through the packhouse. It was never meant to house a wheelchair. Anders has made accommodations for me, but it’s not how the packhouse was built. “I’m taking Cara and we’re leaving. I can’t stay here.” He stops, turning to look at me. “No.” “You don’t have a say in it. I’m no good to you anymore. I’m not even capable of being your Guardian.” "You're still a warrior in this pack." "But a broken warrior, right? Isn't that what everyone is calling me, the broken warrior? I can’t live like this. I won’t live like this." Anders snarls and he immediately sends out an Alpha command telling