After everything, I want to just sit and stay here for a bit. I’m exhausted, completely used up. Now I have a moment to myself, it all hits me.I almost died. I married someone I hate. Then, I killed him. My pack is gone, slaughtered. And I don’t have anywhere to go.That’s the worst part. The fact that my pack is slaughtered and I’m alone without a home to go back to.What am I supposed to do now? My only goal before was to get away from Tobias and get my revenge. I’ve done both of those things, and I hope Kara has escaped by now too. So, what’s my purpose?“To get yourself away from here,” I mumble to myself. “That’s your purpose, of course. They’re going to come after you.”As silly as it sounds, talking to myself helps. Especially because it’s true. I’m not in the clear yet. I’m not safe yet.Tobias’ pack is going hunt me down once they realize Tobias and I aren’t coming back.I have some time, since we were both supposed to be on the island to mate. They’ll expect us to

“Thank you so much, Zach,” Sasha says, as she looks at me in adoration. “I owe you my life for attacking those wolves, for saving me, and for offering me a chance at a future. A place to go.“Words can’t express how much I appreciate you.” She blushes and looks away. “I truly don’t know what I would do without you.”Her appreciation flatters me. I’m glad I can be her hero. I want to help her more than anything. I want to be her hero. Someone she can trust with everything. The way I feel about her strange and so sudden that I can’t make sense of it. I barely know this woman, but since the moment I saw her, I felt this intense need to protect her.I still feel that way. I want to be close to her. The thought of being away from her makes my heart hurt.“You seem to be able to hold your own pretty well,” I say. “I’m impressed. Where did you learn to fight like that?”“From my father, mostly,’ she answers. “I was responsible for leading the charge against the rouges who threatened o

“I think the best way to test out her fighting skills is to do a mock fight,” Lavender says as the crowd disperses.They watch me warily as they go back to their daily lives. But it’s like they’re not sure how to approach me, and I certainly don’t know how to approach them.“It’s been a long day. I’m sure she’s tired,” Zach says. “How about a mock fight tomorrow?”Yet I see my chance right now. I am beyond tired. It would be so much better to wait until tomorrow. It’s unfair to expect me to be able to fight after everything that happened today.But the smug look on Lavender’s face is enough to convince me that I have to do it. I have to prove myself to her and everyone else in the pack. “It’s okay,” I say. “I am exhausted, but I’m always up for a challenge. Let’s do this.”Lavender’s smile falters a little. I don’t think she thought I’d agree.“Okay,” she says. “Let’s do it.”Zach looks hesitant, but he doesn’t try to stop us as we walk to a dirt circle in the middle of their

“I love you,” Zach says.I unravel.“I love you too,” Sasha replies.I can’t believe it. I knew when I saw them together. I just knew they were interested in each other. But I thought I had time. That’s why I threatened her.I thought I had time enough to stop this. I thought if I kept her away from him, I’d be able to keep my mate.Zach is my mate, but now he’s saying all these awful things to her. And I just can’t believe it. I can’t fathom it.Why?What does she have that I don’t have? How could he be so cruel to me like this?I shake with fury and pain.I plan on being the Alpha’s mate someday, no matter what I have to do to get there. I want that status. I want that power. I know I can be a good leader.I know what I need to do.*“I miss you,” Caden says. “I miss you too,” I reply.And I do. Though Zach is my mate and I’ll always want to stay with him because of his status, what Caden and I have is different. It’s hard to explain so I try not to think about i

“Good morning,” I say, to the first member of the pack I see. “Good morning,” she replies shakily. “Are you adjusting well?”“I think so,” I reply. “Though I guess only time will tell.”She seems uncomfortable around me. Most of the members of the pack seem uncomfortable around me. But I’ve accepted that.I’m a stranger who brings some drama with me. I’m not going to let it get to me though. I’ve decided I’m going to do my best to fit in here.Of course, that’s mostly because I love Zach.I love him with my whole heart, and he needs to be here. He’s the Beta of this pack, so I need to figure out a way to belong here as well. So, of course when I see him, it makes my whole day better.I want to kiss him right in front of everyone. I want to show the world he’s mine.“Good morning, Sasha,” he says in a rather cold demeanor.It’s difficult but it makes sense. He has to be careful as the Beta of the pack. He probably hasn’t told them about us yet. “Good morning, Zach,” I say.