Kamari's Point of View The covers here were better than at home. Softer. Comfier. It was strange to think that I had lived with such scratchy bedding most of my life. Even stranger to note that I now slept in a room fit for a queen. Only the highest thread count that you could possibly find was right. Only the most expensive towels that melted against your skin after a shower. Opulent luxury. How did the pack not hate my mother for all the money she spent? The sheets alone could feed an impoverished family for well over six months. The curtains in my room could cover several medium-sized windows in any given home. No wonder Arik could rally them up so easily. Their Luna gave most of her money away on bettering her own life than theirs. Which wasn't what an Alpha stood for. An Alpha had to give his or her life for their people. It was that simple. Yet Jagged Rock had little to no homeless. No one went unfed at night. Shelters for those in need had been raised during my grandfather

Kamari's Point of View Everything around me was green. Green and shimmering with life. The flowers were in bloom. The trees rustled with squirrels and birds. Everything was serene. Nothing out of place. For a second, I felt at home in my own skin. No bad memories could get to me here. One with nature and the lives all around me. Hunter and Randal were looming close but even their presence wasn't fully known to me. All I could feel was the wind nipping at my arms and the dirt squishing beneath my toes. This was what I needed. The reprieve of my mind. A break from the constant questions and answers. Push and pull. This moment, it only belonged to me. When I became Alpha, I knew this wasn't going to be an option all of the time. I would have to abide by other people's schedules. Make sure that everyone was happy and not just me. Meetings, charities, events. All of it would consume my time. Hopefully, it would make all of my bad thoughts go away as well. "Someone is approaching he

Kamari's Point of View My mother took absolutely no shits when it came to formal events. None whatsoever. It was just my first debut within the pack since I left. The first time that I would face most of the elderly within the pack as their new heir. And here she was, organizing several stylists for the day, not only for me but for Nolan, Zayan, and Malakai as well. We were going to be color co-ordinating our clothes but to a more subtle degree. We were together but I was still to be set apart from them. I wasn't going to be close to anything red as well, as today I had to seem like a sweet and approachable young woman. Not intimidating in the slightest. Pastel pink was the color of choice but would be difficult to match with the men. So, we settled on a light blue and white. Easy enough. Bodyguards would be stationed outside of the old-aged home but none were permitted to enter. Approachable, once again. Rachel even organized an entire squad of journalists for the occasion to ph

Kamari's Point of View By the end of our visit, I could no longer feel my feet. Or rather, all I felt was their throbbing in the heels my mother had chosen for me. My cheeks were cramped as I let go of the last smile I could muster for the day. Waved happily as I climbed into the car alongside my mother. Most of the able-bodied elderly stood outside. Waved us off with goofy grins. Sweat beads on their brow and spittle in the corner of their mouths. The look on their faces was enough to give me pause. Made me rethink everything I was doing. College could wait. I would have loved to go more than anything but with just this short visit, I felt more alive than I had ever before. Yes, my introduction to the pack wasn't fully planned. Felt rushed. We also did it more out of necessity rather than anything else. But it still warmed my chest to see so many hopeful faces. So many people were elated that I was now among them again. "That went over smoothly," Rachel murmured from beside

Malakai's Point of View Storming off wasn't the most mature thing to do. In hindsight, it was the worst thing to do. My therapist would have scolded me for it. Branded me a coward. An emotional mess. Kamari likely thought I was hot-headed now. Someone she couldn't rely on in tough times. A burden. Fucking hell. Why did I care this much? Why does the thought of losing her rip my soul to shreds? She wasn't my mate. She was supposed to be a means to an end. Now this? Was I growing soft? No. No. I was still the Alpha. Still someone Keanu could look up to. And I had to keep it that way. Had to make sure I didn't fuck things up. Following the back of the house, I trudged into the garden. Nodded at the guards that were standing on their post. Rachel was on the back porch. Had already gotten herself a martini. No Gaelan in sight. Just the Luna, sipping away at her martini as if she had no care in the world. "You look worse for wear." She stated but her eyes hadn't moved. Remained st