My last breath felt like was knocked out of me. Logically, I knew what he was capable of. To conspire with Alpha Raymond for the demise of my entire pack. His entire pack. The pack he swore to protect above all else.He was capable of orchestrating the slaughter of those closest to him, no matter how big a part he played. Any part he played was too much. But somehow, hearing that he wanted me dead still shook me. To my very essence, the part that still unwillingly held on to my past.I slipped back into who I used to be before this all for a blissful and haunting moment. The child in me that knew him as my uncle, my confidant, my family, knew he wouldn’t do anything to harm me. He would protect me at all costs.Protection, protected. Something so foreign it made me crumble. My labored breathing and heaving chest brought me back. I wasn’t a child; I wasn’t protected. I realized that the blanket of shock I was holding since I found out still was weighing on me, however lightly. Ma

I woke from a drowsy sleep, completely comfortable, warm, and safe. Shit. I shot up; those were feelings I should not be feeling when I woke up. My hand rested on Ezra’s warm, hard chest. I blinked as the memories of last night unfurled, and heat rushed to my cheeks. Ezra took my hand in his and kissed the back of it. “Good morning,” he said, but I was still trying to get my bearings. The fire was mostly embers, and the sky outside black. “It’s early,” he stated. “Good,” I managed, sleep coated my throat. I couldn’t remember the last time I slept that well. “That was the best sleep I’ve ever gotten,” Ezra admitted. His morning voice was even more throaty than normal, and it sent fire skittering through me. “Easy,” he growled, his mismatched eyes turned to matching black. I swallowed. “Today is it,” I said, looking out the window. The back of his fingers trailed across my cheek. “It is,” he murmured. We sat there for a moment before he said, “I guess we should get ready.” The

It was still early, but The Omegas were awake, and I had been itching to leave my room since I had gotten there. The packhouse felt different, but I knew it was just me. The place wasn’t intimidating or scary anymore. When I first arrived, it was a blur. I didn’t feel anything. Then came the anger. But now… I was someone that I wouldn’t have expected. That even if I had been capable of thinking of the future in those first blurry months, I would never have been able to fathom this. That I could feel not just like a fraction of my former self but something more powerful, more sure. It was a heady feeling and a discovery that made me stand taller as I walked the too-familiar halls. I followed my routine, edging toward the dining room and pausing outside the kitchen. There was a bustle, but it was more languid than it had been the past few days. I was correct in thinking this would be a slow morning. It put me at ease only a little. I was anxious to get this day going, and the longer i

By the time I was done, the packhouse had awoken. No one noticed me slip out of her room. I blended in with the visiting Alphas and Lunas walking to the front; their confused chatter swelled around me. The air in the packhouse was cold, confused, and anticipatory.I ran into an Omega I didn’t know the name of and stopped in front of her. “Keep all the Omegas out of the new wing for the next few hours,” I said in as much of a command as I could muster; it still rang through me, and she bowed her head. “And any others,” I added. “Close this place.” “Y-yes,” she agreed.I hoped that would be enough, just in case, and I continued on. Someone grabbed my elbow gently, and I turned to find Sam. He kept looking ahead, walking next to me, his hand not dropping my arm. It was steadying. “There’s a new development,” he said. “I know,” I replied. “It’s part of the plan. He finally looked at me with wide eyes. “I'm ready,” I stated.He nodded, but I could tell he was trying to process this. A

“Alpha John of The White Forest Pack.”“We, uh, I back your challenge.” I nodded deeply to him, keeping my face passive. I caught Ezra’s eye briefly, and his gaze was so intent on me I had to look away, afraid my body would give me away.“Alpha Issac of The Blue Mountain Pack?”Alpha Issac stepped forward. “We support your claim, me and my heir both do.” He bowed his head, and I returned the gesture.Then I moved to the ones I wasn’t sure of. I was saving the one who started it all, the one who put the idea in Sam’s head for last, hoping I could count on him to sway the crowd.“Alpha Owen of The Starry Ravine Pack?” I willed the nerves down, tucking them away with the anger I kept so carefully leashed.Another Alpha stepped forward; he looked at Raymond and not me. “I do not back this silly game.” Raymond smiled at him with a deep nod and turned to me triumphant.I ignored him and addressed Alpha Owen instead. “That is your prerogative. Thank you for voting,” I said calmly. “Alpha Ti