Nox’s POV The sound of tires speeding down the narrow road to the barn has me tensing up. At first, I wonder how Nova got her hands on a set of keys, but with a quick glance at the driver, a different panic consumes me. Something’s wrong. Gideon doesn’t step out of the car, instead he barks orders through the open window, “get some clothes on, we have to go.” His face is emotionless and his shoulders are tense. It has my mind racing and muscles tensing. “What’s going on? Where’s Nova?” She said she was going to speak to him. Did she? Did she barge out of the house? Did she get her hands on a different pair of keys? Scenario after scenario race through my head. “Nova’s fine. The problem is Tariq. He has Roman and Michaela.” Shit. Sweaty and more than a little dirty, I put my shirt back on and hop in the passenger seat. We don't go back to the house to announce our departure. Instead, we leave immediately. Does Nova know we’re leaving? Does she know I’m leaving? Gideon’s priority

Nox's POV Time drags out. Minute by minute. The ride back to the pack house drags out. That terrible feeling only intensifies. “Stop.” I shout, “stop the car. Now.” Before Gideon brings the car to a complete stop, I leap out and run back down the street to the object that caught my eye. Luggage. Nova’s luggage. Suddenly, it gets too hard to breathe, the ground starts to teeter beneath my feet. This can’t be real. This is a dream. A nightmare. “It’s Nova’s. What the fuck is it doing out here?” I holler to no one in particular. Roman and Michaela stand dumbstruck and silent. Gideon mutters lies. It’s not hers, there’s an explanation. It is hers and there is no explanation. I trail along the street, sniffing her out. The trail is getting colder by the second, but I follow it into the woods. What the fuck was she thinking? Without wasting a second, I follow it. It doesn’t take much to figure out that I’m heading straight to the pack house. Barging in through the back door, I immedia

My breath is held as the door creaks out. A booted foot steps inside the room. I can hear him tsk me for my bad behavior. “Already being unruly.” He crosses the room slow and meticulous. “We punish those that don’t obey. Do you want to be punished, Nova?” He’s close enough to touch me. “Because I can. Punish you.” “You don’t need to keep on threatening me. more. I know you're not above murder.” He laughs in my face. "Already making me out to be a monster.” That’s because he is. I can see the evil in his eyes, the riptide of anger that’s waiting to be unleashed. “I’m not monstrous. I just expect submission like any alpha would. Like Nox would.” I want to believe he’s lying but the truth is I don’t know Nox when it comes to his leadership role with Gideon’s pack. We’ve had our tiffs even all those years ago. I don’t remember what they were about, but I have the feelings. The residual ache that comes from being hurt. Cato’s eyes lock with mine, a glisten of red mixes within the dark b

Solitary has never intimidated me. But here. Here it’s terrifying. Nerves make my mind race and my body react. My stomach growls with imaginary hunger. My throat turns dry and scratchy. My bladder acts up even. All the things that could be easily taken away from me. Food, water and something as stupid as using a bathroom.I hold out as long as possible. How long that is, who knows. But sooner rather than later, I need to pee. “Cato. I know you can hear me,” you fucking asshole, “Cato.” My fists bang against the door. How I would love to piss on everything Tariq and Cato own, I don’t want to be stuck smelling it. “Cato.”Nothing. Silence. Grumbling under my breath, I slam my palm against the door one last time before retreating. Slumping down onto the bed, I try to get my mind to focus on something else other than needing to pee. Mind over matter, right?The fact that he’s ignoring me is what bothers me the most. Does he not realize how hard it is for me to call out for him, to purpose

I remain on edge after Cato’s whipping. Every little creak outside the door has me spiraling. Heart attack, panic attack, you name it, I crash and burn. I’m pushed into the submissive role for fear of getting another beating before I get the chance to heal from the last one. I can only imagine the smirks on their faces. The only face that visits me is Miranda’s. She cleans my wounds, changes my dressings. The lashings are still raw and sore, but I’m learning how to move without causing too much pain. Miranda comes like clockwork to walk me to the bathroom even though I don’t need to go. She urges me to drink some water from the tap and to eat the food that sneaks from the kitchen. I’m more than thankful for her, but I can’t help thinking that it’s come too late. Dark thoughts cloud my head. Maybe Tariq is right, Gideon isn’t coming for me and I need to face the future of staying here. Nights are the worst. Restless and anxious. Painful and exhausting. Nightmares and self induced de