She tried to rip her arm away from my hand, but I held on to her wrist.Yes, I would have to let her go eventually, but not yet.Not right now.She took a deep breath, and then finally parted her rosy lips.“Good, you’re awake,” she said, her voice flat.I tried not to let my expression change at how calm and almost indifferent her tone was. She was acting as if she wasn’t experiencing any kind of emotional turmoil that I had been.No way that was true. I read the intensity in her eyes just now and when we were in the throne room. The pull between us was powerful, undeniable. She had to be feeling it, which meant she was fighting it.I didn’t say anything, just continued to observe her as she started to struggle in my hold. She refused to give in to her own feelings or the irresistible connection between us.Just how stubborn was this woman?“What are you doing? Please let go of me.&rd

“Wait a moment!” Kent went after me. “What?” I glared at him. He knew he couldn’t talk me out of it. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to stop you. It’s Avery. She just mindlinked me.” He paused, “Urgent.” “What happened?” I frowned. Ever since Claire’s departure, Avery did her best to avoid me. Deep down, she probably blamed me for everything, and she was right, I pushed Claire away. “She said she spotted Amanda and Damien together in the small woods near the lake, Amanda was arguing with him and mentioned something like ‘another vial’. Avery said she was going to tail them and asked me to tell you that…” Kent looked at me a bit worriedly, and cleared his voice and mimicked Avery’s voice “ ‘if the Alpha is upset with me, he can punish me when I’m back.’” “How dare she!” I growled. “You’re not really going to punish her, aren’t you,” Kent hurriedly defended her, “You know, she would never disobey you with ill intention. She’s just—” “Ask her to keep a safe distance and repo

*Claire* After Alan mentioned that our potential threats from Reeva, Todd and I almost immediately agreed to the alliance proposal. As a token of good faith, we shared half of our jerky. “Bryan and Frank can take turns to carry Todd,” Alan said while chewing the dry meat, “Sorry, man, we broke a few bones of yours.” “All good,” Todd grinned, “I’ll enjoy my ride for the next few days.” I knelt beside Todd, examining his wounds and the jagged line of his broken bones. “Hold still, Todd, I need to align your bones.” Alan stood a short distance away, watching me. “You're quite skillful at healing. It's not exactly a common skill among rogues. Were you a born healer?” "Not exactly." I secured a sturdy branch against Todd's leg with strips of fabric torn from my shirt. “Then how did you learn it?” “I was once told, that as a weak and useless omega, I should at least pick some skill and do my part for the…pa, people around me.” I realized that I almost let my past slip. I frowned.

*Claire*As we approached our camp for lunch, my nose twitched, taking in a medley of odors that didn't belong to Todd, Bryan or Frank. “Alan, wait a moment!” He responded with a nod. “We have visitors.”We slowed our pace and fell into a crouch. Peering through the foliage, I saw Frank's back was pressed against the tree where Bryan was tied up against. Next to him was Todd and Bryan. The ropes that had bound Bryan now lay discarded on the ground. They were circled by ten rugged scavengers, while two other were rummaging through our belongings."Thank Goodness you're back. Help, Claire," Todd's voice cut through the stillness, "Those freaking omegas, they are stealing our food!""Stay back!” One of the bigger attackers barked in a gruff voice. I assumed he was their leader. "If you don't want your friends to die."I shifted my weight, ready to charge. Despite them having a bigger number, there was no doubt in my mind that we were stronger and faster. Just then, Alan pulled me bac