CHAPTERI was dragged along by Mario. I knew his eyesight was better than mine because he saved me a few times from braining myself into a tree, so I just trusted him, going along with it. He was sticking to the trees, staying away from civilization. I realized we were heading in the general direction of the villa.Five minutes after Gina left with my dress, we heard howling. Mario stopped short.“They figured it out. Those were hunting calls.” I took two steps forward, tugging at him. “Then let’s keep going. I don’t want them hunting me.”“Wait just a minute,” Mario said. “I’m going to shift. My wolf can go faster than us. Just climb on when I’m ready.” He squished up his face and with a horrific popping noise, shifted in front of me. His wolf was a lot smaller than Lupo and I was worried I would squash him. He swung his head wide and bobbed it and I pushed my worries aside, scrambling on to his back. I felt his legs buckle a little but then he gathered himself, trotti

CHAPTER 63HOPE POVI opened up my eyes to Nicco staring down at me. I smiled at him and then groaned. Everything hurt.“I need to ask you a very important question,” Nicco said, his voice serious. I nodded and winced. Even that little bit of movement was excruciating.“Hope. Did you know about your wolf?” Nicco’s voice was insistent.I slowly sat up, looking at him with concern. I don’t remember him hitting his head but maybe he did. I know he fought and killed at least two wolves. Or maybe he was poisoned with whatever they gave me. “Nicco, honey. I’m human, remember? I don’t have a wolf. I wish I did, but I don’t.” I spoke softly and in the most reasonable voice I could. Nicco looked at an old woman who was holding a vial of what looked like blood and gave her a helpless look.“She thinks I’m crazy,” he said in Spanish.“Ask her about her strength,” a man said in the same language. I rolled my eyes to the side and saw Mario standing with another woman I didn’t know.

Chapter 65NICCO POVI was brooding. Everything had worked out, but it still felt like something was wrong.Vinnie had sprung into action and taken care of almost everything for me. The house was cleaned out, the staff paid, and I was sticking around to sign a few papers. Each night I went back to stay with Hope at the hotel where she had mostly recovered and was very bored. I insisted that she stay inside where I could be sure she was safe, and she was becoming increasingly irritated with me.“Nicco?” she asked, snuggling up to me. "Hmmm?" I replied, sleepily. I normally didn't need much sleep anyway, but since the night Hope was attacked the little sleep I did get was interrupted by dreams that seemed more than dreams. Memories, maybe."I understand why we can't go home right now but I don't want to be stuck inside anymore." Her voice was soft, like a little girl's. "Please, can't I go out to the beach tomorrow? Mario and Gina would come with me.""Mario and Gina are Omeg

Chapter 67HOPE POVI woke up with a start, not sure of what had awakened me. I was laying in the only private bed in the back of the plane with Nicco. I listened carefully and his breathing was still even. Whatever woke me up didn’t wake him.The only noises I could hear were the normal noises of the plane. There was no turbulence. So what had awakened me?I carefully rolled on to my back, trying not to waken Nicco. There was a moment when his breathing changed so I lay still until it went back to normal. Then I slipped out of the bed.I used the bathroom in the dark, not wanting to waken him. Something was still nagging at me. It was like I had forgotten something very important and my brain was trying to remind me.I sighed. I wasn’t going to go back to sleep anytime soon. I slipped out of the bedroom in the back and into the main part of the aircraft. Vinnie opened one eye and looked at me, going immediately back to sleep. Mario and Gina didn’t move.I reached up into

NICCOMila’s attitude shifted and her face got dark. “You’re never around anymore,” she complained.“What did you do?” I asked, suddenly tired. I always felt guilty about Mila. The attack that killed her parents had taken place right after I became Alpha. I had been warned that it was coming, and I was too arrogant to listen to anyone. We had found Mila in the rubble, her limbs mangled and her little body limp. It had taken the talents of multiple healers and doctors to get her to where she was. “I just wanted to get your attention,” she said, the tears starting. I forced my emotions to harden. She was manipulating me, and I knew it but my guilt made it easy for her to do so.“Who?” I asked. Mila shrugged. “I don’t know. It came in an encrypted message.”“And you thought it would be a good idea?” I asked, dumbfounded. Mila was never one to consider the consequences.“They only borrowed the money. It was always put back,” Mila said, pushing out her lower lip. “I should k