I feel a sense of unease coming from Winter as we stand on the stage. The ladies hung back so us men can address the pack.More pack members were arriving and we waited patiently until everyone was situated. I can hear Winter’s heart beating loudly. I know she’s worried and I understand how she must feel.She has never experienced anything like this. My mind raced to the night of the attack on our pack when George died. Does Winter think that’s going to happen to me?Winter doesn’t know how experienced I am at fighting. Before she came into my life, I spent hours upon hours training and sparring only to walk away without a scratch or bruise on me.There has to be a way to reassure her that I will come home to her. That we will all come home to our loved ones.I thought about Winter’s panic attack on our way here, and then it dawned on me: Winter is worried about her mom.She loves her mom with everything in her. I have to make sure Jared comes home to Donna.My dad taps the microphone
After mingling with some people, Blake and I hit the dance floor. We danced for what felt like hours when Paige and a few of her friends begged for my attention. Of course, I couldn’t say ”no” to the children and allowed them to dance with me and Blake.Blake held a little girl in his arms and I held a little boy in mine. We danced with each of the children until they were worn out and went back to their parents to get some food.Tonight turned out to be so much fun that I almost forgot about Blake leaving tomorrow. I’m dreading the time when he leaves.Winter, you need to let loose and have some fun. Stop worrying. Enjoy your time with Blake. Avalanche advised.She’s right. I shake the worry from my mind and continue to enjoy the evening.“Are you hungry?”, Blake asks coming up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.“Starved,” I answer grabbing his hand and start making our way to the table where all the food is. The selection is incredible! Burgers (ones Alpha Pierce didn’t burn)
We are almost at the Black Howl pack. Shadow whined in my head when we left our pack lands. He hates leaving Winter and Avalanche at home and so do I, but there’s nothing I can do. I couldn’t bring Winter with me even if I could. She has no experience fighting a real battle and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something were to happen to her.We stopped a few times to let our wolves rest and rehydrate. The cars with all of our belongings should reach Black Howl before we get there. We only have a few more hours to go.“Hey man, can I tell you something?” Jade came up to me questioning.“Sure, what’s up?” I ask.“I marked Maddie.”That’s wonderful news! “Congrats, man! We will be home in time for her first shift. We still have a whole month until the next full moon.”Leo hangs his head low and I don’t understand why. Shadow gently nudges Leo as a sign of comfort."Talk to me. What's going on?" I press."It's just that, I shouldn't have marked her knowing she's going to be star
It’s been four days since our warriors left to help Black Howl. Four days of missing my mate. Four days of working out at the complex nonstop. Four days since Maddie was marked by Jade.Since I‘ve discovered Maddie’s mark, I haven’t really been able to talk to her. The day everyone left, and Maddie walked home with me, she was so upset about Jade leaving that she didn’t even want to go into details about her mark. She’s been working nonstop at the hospital trying to keep busy.My mom has also been trying to find things to keep busy with to keep her mind busy as well. Since my mom is the Lady Beta, she’s been helping Gloria and Jani around the pack doing volunteer work at the hospital and she even started picking up some shifts at Suzy’s diner.I really think my mom is trying to not let herself go back to her depression that she had after my father passed. Usually after I get done training, I’ll go to Suzy’s to see my mom and even help her if she has orders or needs help clearing table
Three more days have gone by, making it a week since we have arrived, and the Black Howl has much improved on their fighting. At first, a lot of the pack members groaned and protested. Alpha Stephan got tired of their complaining and put his foot down like an Alpha should.The ferals have yet to attack and we take it as a good sign. "Again!" Max shouts to the trainees. He has them sparring in their wolf forms for obvious reasons, while myself and everyone else walk around and help if anyone has questions or suggestions.Three hours later, and the sun has started to go down. "Alright everyone great job! Head to the showers and we will have a big cookout at the pack house. I think you all deserve it!" Stephan says causing everyone to cheer.He's not wrong, they do deserve to celebrate a little for putting in their hard work. I watch as the Black Howl members leave the training field, and I noticed a young she-wolf side-eyeing with a smile starting to curve her mouth while she looks at J
We ran like our lives depended on it. I had a strong gut feeling something was horribly wrong. With as fast as we ran, we reached the Black Howl pack in an hour and a half. A very foul stench hit my nose and bile began to rise in the back of my throat. Chaos could be heard through the forest.Avalanche was on autopilot. Following the sounds, a clearing could be seen. The foul scent got stronger and became more unbearable. I recieved a massive headache out of nowhere.That's the mate bond. Something’s wrong with Shadow. Avalanche said.My stomach dropped and that's when I saw Shadow and Leo being flung off of a massive feral. Rage burned inside of me.****We left the Black Howl pack and headed home. I can't believe I killed someone. or rather a feral. I have never killed anyone before, and yet, I don't feel a pang of guilt. Making it back home, a crowd was waiting outside of the pack house.Nerves began to rack in my body. How am I suppose to tell these people where we went? Won't the
********MATURE CONTENT********Yesterday was certainly a wild ride. No one expected Lydia to be behind the attacks on Black Howl. Although, now it made sense why Winter’s ex looked familiar to me.He was the one I caught with Lydia in the woods right before I broke up with her. I don’t know how we didn’t know he was a rogue let alone the feral leader.When I met him in Georgia, he had no scent of a wolf on him. He smelled strictly of human. I won’t dwell on it because I’m glad he’s dead. Lydia has proven she’s a psychopath and Winter has decided that Lydia deserves to be executed. I stand by my mate a thousand percent and Shadow huffed in agreement.Winter may be a sweet and caring person, but I would not want to cross Avalanche by any means. I woke up early in the morning to meet with my dad and go over Lydia’s hearing.A few of the guards have been complaining about Lydia‘s obnoxious behavior down in the cells. I apologize to them as though there isn’t anything I can do. I give them
Having a lazy day with Blake is just what the doctor ordered. I feel completely refreshed and ready to take on the day. Lydia’s trial is tomorrow and I am curious as to what her punishment will be. But for now, I am not going to think about her and all the damage she’s caused.Today, me, Maddie, mom, Gloria, and Jani are going wedding dress shopping. The five us piled into Jani’s large SUV and headed to the closest town where the cutest bridal boutique is.Forty-five minutes after leaving the pack border, we arrived at Enchanted Bridal Haven. The shop is a quaint little hole in the wall and has everything a bride can dream of. Dresses upon dresses lined the walls, tiaras, earring, and necklaces, were in enclosed cases in each corner of the shop. Different veils, all sizes, hung on the wall behind a counter.Four massive mirrors graced the main wall with small circular platforms in front of them. The dressing rooms were off to the side down a small hallway. All of us were in awe of thi