TALIA'S POV"I got the news that one of my councilmen left his home last night and rode towards the south. I have no doubt that he is my father's spy." Miles informs with a proud smile like he didn't just make his mate run out as if she was being chased.I shouldn't concern myself with their relationship. If Lacey feels really mistreated she will quit chasing after him. I don't know them better than they know each other. There is probably a good reason he dislikes her that much. Can't deny that her undisguised desire to be with him and desperate attempts to please him are a bit repulsive. She is trying too hard, throwing herself at him which is not attractive for a girl. I bet he already thinks she is a gold digger. I am also afraid that he actually looked nauseated when he first saw her. It was like he had seen something gross. He resents her and it's too difficult for anyone to turn that level of hate into love, least of all someone that is doing it the wrong way.Loving or being

TALIA'S POV"They must have seen us coming," Miles says looking ahead at the heavily guarded palace of the Blue Mountain pack. It's another palace without a tall wall surrounding it or massive gates to keep strangers from strolling in at will.What however surrounds the magnificent building ahead is a big army of werewolves that look well-prepared for battle. But they are not strong enough or too many to intimidate me. As long as my mother is within that palace I will get her out safely.They obviously didn't have the time to run off again since they had no way of knowing we are coming. They saw us coming from afar and hurried to get soldiers in a line outside to protect the palace. I objected to Miles's idea to bring with us his best lycan soldiers to attack and capture the palace. After witnessing how ruthless he can be I know he won't spare a single life if I let him fight. There is no need for bloodshed when I have my powers. "Don't worry about how many the

EVAN'S POVI knew this meeting was going to be fun, after all, Talia herself was so terrified of me the first time I appeared in her rented room. She didn't immediately forgive my mistakes and I didn't expect her to. But she reasoned like a sane person. Her sister is totally different, she reeks of witless hostility. She has been through hell and she is a teenager. Her cold demeanour is understandable. You don't live in a dark room for half a year and come out stress-free and amicable. "Go be a slave for three years then come back and say that you're sorry!" She yells, her eyes glowing with rage. She is clearly struggling to force the words out. She is still in pain and physically weak. Days of starvation have left her body emaciated and bony. I imagine her outburst is only fueled by anger, not strength because she can't have much."I don't need to experience what you have been through to understand your pain. But there is no way of changing the past so I am t

TALIA'S POV"Please quit trusting him too much. He is no different from his mother. Don't forget that her evil blood runs in his veins." Her venomous words make my stomach churn. Not because there is any truth in what she is in them, but because the bitterness in her voice is too much that I am afraid she may never be able to see the truth and admit she is wrong. I take in deep breaths and blink away the tears before turning to embrace my mate and my little brother. "What happened to our mom? She doesn't want us!" Michael cries as I hug him. I force a smile and cup his face. "No sweetie, mum still loves us. She is just . . . a little confused right now. She will come back and stay with us soon." I soothe even though I am not sure she will ever accept to return back here. I know she loves us, she would never abandon us forever unless she really doesn't have the chance to be with us. "She thinks you're bad," Michael says looking up at Evan. My stunning mat