Derrick’s POV“If a werewolf finds their mate within a human, then that wolf can change their mate through the mate brand.” I allow my words to hang between us for a heartbeat, before continuing on with explaining the situation we have found ourselves in. “Each werewolf is born with a wolf inside of their head that emerges between the age of sixteen and eighteen, it depends on the wolf.”Salara nods her head indicating that she is following along so far. “Our wolf is like a second identity that lives inside of us, talking to us- and sometimes taking control of us.” I shift on my feet, hoping that I don’t scare her away with my news. Salara looks at me for a moment, a look of concentration on her face before she indicates for me to continue. It is nice to have someone that is willing to just listen to me while I talk and not ask a thousand questions in between. Though I do see the many questions that are swirling around in her brain right now, she is patiently waiting for me to finish

**Trigger warning** Some scenes in this chapter depict physical and sexual abuse and might be triggering to some.Salara’s POVTomorrow is the day that we head back to the Evergreen Pack and move in with Henry’s mate Savannah. Ever since the night that we came back from Derrick’s pack almost a week ago, Henry has made sure not to hit me anywhere that would be visible. The bruise on my cheek has slowly healed during that time and is now a dull yellow color on the side of my face, thankfully easily coverable with a little bit of makeup. The last thing that I want is to have the added embarrassment of being physically abused broadcasted to the people of our new pack. It is bad enough that I have no choice but to live with Henry and his mate when I have a mate waiting for me living in the pack as well. I have been dreading having to speak with Derrick about my decision to live with Henry and Savannah instead of divorcing my husband and allowing him to lead his life with his mate. My hea

Salara’s POVHenry has been unusually gentle with me since waking up this morning. He even brought me breakfast in bed that we shared with our daughter. It was completely out of character for Henry, even before the events of this last week, and has had me confused throughout the whole day. Even Hayden looked at her father in confusion during our breakfast in bed adventure this morning. My heartrate starts to become erratic the closer we get to the turn that leads to the Evergreen pack territory. My heart is not looking forward to having to have the discussion with Derrick that I know I have to have. A part of me is hoping that Henry will take the initiative and tell him for me, but I know that is the coward's way out. A pressure on my thigh draws me out of my worrisome thoughts. Turning my eyes to my lap, I catch Henry’s hand on my thigh, his fingers squeezing gently in comfort. Surprise floods my system at the simple act of kindness from my tormentor of the last week. What could ha

Salara’s POVAfter walking us to Savannah’s place, Derrick quickly made his exit, leaving me standing awkwardly on Savannah’s porch while Henry wrapped her up in his arms. Tuning out the sounds of their kissing, my mind wanders back to the conversation Henry had with Derrick about our new living situation. Guilt had wracked me as I stood there silently staring at the floor while Henry explained that the three of us would be living together as a family. I could feel his eyes boring holes into me, but I couldn’t bring myself to look up and face him. Henry kept his arm around my waist the entire time that he spoke with Derrick, making me feel uncomfortable in my skin. An inner part of me desperately wanted to break free from Henry’s hold and put some space in between us, but his hold on my waist was too tight for me to break free of. So instead, I stood there like a coward, unable to meet his eyes or utter a single word to help ease the pain I could sense coursing through him. “Do we

Derrick’s POVIt has been the longest week of my life as I waited impatiently for Salara to wake up from the coma that she has been under. Hunter perks up and prances around inside of my mind once Miguel’s excited words reach our ears. “She squeezed my hand, Dad!”A sigh of relief leaves my lips, my body slumping from the stress of this past week finally leaving my aching muscles. Nothing has scared me more than losing my mate in this horrendous way. When Henry reached the clinic located on the far side of the packhouse, I felt my heart drop from my chest and disintegrate into the earth. The sight of Salara’s bruised, battered, and bleeding body in Henry’s arms sent Hunter over the edge and it took four of my best guards to hold him at bay when he lunged for Henry’s throat, claws out and jaw snapping. Henry claims that he found her that way when he came home from his first training session with his personal trainer, but Hunter was not seeing reason at that time. I have banned him fr