ElsaRex was right. Where was everyone?It was dark and the quietest I had ever seen Black Forest. Even that time when everyone was on lockdown there was noise. Here, nothing seemed to move. The trees stood tall and silent. No birds flew above our heads. It was eerily quiet.“The other Alpha’s, they should be back by now, right?” Nate asksThe other Alpha’s? Did he mean Vella and the others? I had only seen Brock.“I’m sure they are good. I made it out. Brock was challenging Craig when I helped Elsa get out.” Rex tells him.“You didn’t help Brock?” Nate questions Rex.“It was a choice of helping Brock or getting your mate out. From what I've heard, I'm pretty sure Brock can look after himself.” His grey eyes linger on me. "And from what you have told me. She is pretty important."“”You’re an Alpha?” I whisper to Rex.“Greystone Pack.” He gives me a wink. Why did they always wink at me?“Inside.” Nate whisper shouts at us as he scans the groundsHe gestures for us to go inside.I smell

Elsa.Nate pulls me from the room. Anger cascaded off him in waves. He was angry at me because I hadn’t said anything. Because I hadn’t told him when Finn was doing this interview.I couldn’t cry anymore. I had cried so much that even if I wanted to, there were no tears left.“Why didn’t you tell me?”“I…” The truth was, I didn’t have an answer. I couldn’t even say that I had forgotten, because it wasn’t the truth. I couldn’t tell him that I didn’t want to. I couldn’t tell him that I had no faith in humans anymore. I couldn’t tell him that Kyra being alive had broken the final thread of hope I had for the humans.“Elsa, I don’t understand.” He pleads with me.The tears that I thought were empty were now rolling down my cheeks again. His dark eyes search my face.“Did he order you not to tell us? Is that what this is about?”I shake my head, swallowing the lump in my throat. After trying to convince Nate not to attack, how was I supposed to tell him that I now agreed with Finn.The tea

ElsaHe wants us to hide. My eyes flash open at his words. What happened to fighting fire with fire?Leaving the pack, I could just about understand. At least it would give everyone a chance. But to hide, they had spent years hiding and what had it achieved? Nothing.Lola nudges me with her elbow. “I love my brother, but he is losing it.”“What do we do?” I whisper back. Hoping that maybe she had an idea.“I’m starting to think you should have gone with Rex and taken me with you.” Her dark eyes flash to Nate as he continues to tell the pack why they should hide.I look at my mate. Pack life was still a lot for me to understand. But I was gradually getting there. One thing I did know and understand is the lengths an Alpha would go to in order to protect their packs. Hiding didn’t seem like Nate was protecting his pack, it felt like he was running away from his duties.“Everyone needs to move out as soon as possible.” Nate declares. He had stopped answering questions. There was chatter

ElsaSurely it was some sort of joke. The only way I could get rid of the mark was if Nate accepted my rejection or if another man marked me.“Are you sure?” I mutter, staring into his grey eyes.“I have seen it happen.” He sighs. “But it rarely happens.”“Rarely?”“A mark is a sign that you are taken.” His brow creases up. “Unless your mate is dead, it will be rare for another to want to mark you.”I feel my shoulders drop. As if things weren’t difficult enough. I was going to be marked to Nate forever. A stupid rule, making people stick together permanently “We can use this to our advantage.” Lola tries offering a positive view.“You don't want anything to happen to him?”“No. He is still my brother. But if we are going to come up with a plan to get us out of this pile of shit, then maybe we can use our connections to him.”“Not a bad idea.” Rex mutters looking out the window. “Crap. Stay here.”Lola asks what’s wrong but he is gone.I was still in a lot of pain so there wasn’t muc

ElsaIt was okay here. It wasn’t the same as Black Forest. People here didn’t have a problem with being passive aggressive to your face. They would say it with a smile when really they were thinking about ripping out your throat.I didn’t know if it had anything to do with me staying in the house or because they knew what was going on back home.I stare at my reflection in the vanity mirror. My baby blue eyes looked dull. My skin had a horrible tinge to it, making me look sickly. Nothing was physically wrong with me, yet I looked like I was ready to meet death.I tried not to think about it as I brush out my dark hair. I quickly braid it,wrapping it up into its usual bun when Rex knocks on my door.Since the first night, when I had fallen asleep, he collects me from my room to take me to breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lola had offered as she was on the floor above me, but Rex always insisted. Telling me it was his duty as Alpha to keep his guests happy.“Why do you do that?” He mutters