Shock gives way to anger as my wolf paces and growls in my mind, only adding to my unease. I feel cornered, like Artemis was planning to keep me from Tatum. He can’t possibly know that Tatum and I are second chance mates, can he?I shake my head and look at River as she watches me, waiting for something and I realize I can’t waste a minute, but I also can’t leave without getting permission from Artemis. “Come with me,” I growl, blazing past River, my legs carrying me closer and closer, my mind whirling trying to come up with a logical way to handle the situation. Shit, it’s whirling with how to explain my need to go after them to Artemis without revealing the truth of what Tate means to me. “Where are we going?” River asks, ambling behind me as she struggles to catch up.“To the Alpha’s office.” I tell her, my eyes forward, focused on getting to Artemis so I can inform him of what is happening. He has to know something is off, doesn’t he? Unless these assholes have really done a gre

*Maverick*“You can not trade Clem.” Artemis tells me like I hadn’t heard him the first four times he protested my plan. “Clem can speak for herself,” River argues. “She is unconscious at the healers. Explain to me how you think she can speak for herself,” Artemis growls, moving toward River, who scrunches her nose in distaste. “She is probably awake by now.” She argues back. Artemis tilts his head to the side. “Why do you want her gone so badly?” He questions. River furrows her brow, peeking over at me, looking for the answer. I shrug. “No offense, Alpha Artemis, but I’m beginning to think you have brain damage. I WANT MY BEST FRIEND BACK. Have I not made my motives clear enough?” She raises her voice and Artemis’ nose twitches, his body tense as he scowls at her. “No offense, huh?” He snorts in anger, pacing away. “Are you always this infuriating?” He asks, and she rolls her eyes. “Yes,” I answer for him. “Yes, she is.”“It’s true,” she admits. “I don’t bend easily, so you m

***Twigger warning: This chapter is a little graphic and DOES have an assualt of the sexual nature (there is no rape or penetration of any kind****Tatum*Alpha Kit watches me from the other side of the room, his eyes trained on me like I might make a run for it. While I have every desire to leave, I have zero to get myself killed.So instead I will just bide my time wandering the massive room. Everything feels darker here, no modern touches, it’s as if they have been suspended in time with no modern technology. Where Artemis’ pack house is more of a modern mansion, this one is castle-esque. Large bricks line the walls outside and in incredibly high ceilings and candelabras. They have electricity. They aren’t living in the dark ages, but they have clearly been in the family home since the very beginning. Alpha Kit’s desk is a sanded slab of beautiful cherry wood, with its raw edges showcased in the clear varnish that preserves its constitution.“Has this place been here all along?” I

Gamma Colby holds the door open to our room, Tatum in my arms as I step through and look around. It’s warm with a fire roaring in the fireplace across from the bed and a thick, lush carpet laid before it with two large cushy chairs. It feels like we have stepped into a romantic medieval getaway with the lights overhead dimmed and a tray of fruit for snacking on a side table. “You should have everything you need. There is water in that small fridge in the bookcase,” He says pointing to an area next to a large bay window. “The herbs for her wound are in the bathroom with instructions.”I look down at Tatum, who gives me a pointed look and I press my lips together, not happy with what I know she wants me to do. So I sigh and turn to face the Gamma, her in my arms. “Thank you,” I say with a tight smile, and he smirks. Tatum slaps my chest and I growl softly. “And, uh, sorry about your head.”“I get the feeling you aren’t, but that’s okay. One day I hope to find my mate, then I will unde

The soft sound of snoring wakes me, as I turn my head, smiling up at a sleeping Maverick. So much for him not sleeping. Though not that I can blame him. Yesterday was a crazy day and last night…my cheeks heat as I remember what we did. So out of the usual for me, but still so precious. I watch him as his chest rises and falls; me wrapped up in his arms and then I lean forward, dropping a gentle kiss on his cheek. His arms tighten on me, and I chuckle. “How long have you been awake?” I ask him and he smirks, eyes still closed. “You don’t think I actually snore, do you?” he looks amused with himself as I roll my eyes.“Honestly, I thought it was sexy. It’s a shame you don’t actually snore.” I tease, and his eyes open, focusing on me. Then he quickly closes them, snoring loudly, his chest heaving up and down with effort and his lips upturned with a flirty grin. He peeks open one eye, watching me. “How’s that? Super sexy?” He asks, and I snort out a laugh. “Oh, I can hardly restrain