HILDA POV
I growl as I rub my temples. Irritation at my circumstances is causing me to have a headache. Not only do I have to deal with twenty spoiled second-born Alphas who feel like they are owed the world, but I have to also deal with my little brother. He won't stop whining, and while the change in his personality is endearing, I can not take it.
He is constantly barging into my office demanding that I get my mate competition underway so he can run back home to be with a very pregnant Vanessa. He doesn't understand why I am putting it off. He doesn't understand that when I look at these males, I feel nothing but repulsion.
My phone rings, and I pick it up with my eyes closed.
"Hilda speaking"
"Well, hello, sister-in-law."
"Vanessa, if you are calling me to hound me about the competition as well...I will kick your ass pregnant or not."
"Geez.
CROW'S POV "I'm not interested," I growl as Ronan makes his speech about how we should compete for Silvertail's Alpha title....again. "Look, I get it, Crow. You had your mate. You met her at 18, and your life was perfect. But that ideal life ended.....I know that it is hard, but we need your help. I'm 25. Gage is 27. We need to find a mate or win a mate. If you compete with us, you can knock out some of the competition for us. You don't have to win her. Help one of us win her," Ronan pleads as Gage stands with his arms crossed. I drop my 110lb dumbbells and grab my blue sweat towel. I think over my brother's words while looking around our tiny flat. Pictures of mom and us decorate the entire space. I close my eyes as I wipe off my neck. I picture my mother and my mate's faces...they would want me to help my brothers. They both would probably tell me it is time for me to move on also
HILDA POV Dark, handsome, smart...Crow is an admirable male. His body is in prime condition and looks as if he exercises regularly. A small smile tugs at my mouth as I scrub my scentless soup into my hair. I could see myself with a mate like Crow. A male who has loved. A man who has lost everything but kept going. I step out of my shower and dry off quickly. I don't have much of a morning routine. I'm not like other she-wolves, never have been. I like to get clean, get dressed, and be done. I don't prep and preen my face for male satisfaction. I get my old but clean undergarments on before throwing on some sweats with a matching worn-out tank top. Perfect. My phone chimes, and I open the message before pulling on my socks."Two new arrivals Alpha." I finish getting dressed before responding. "I will
CROW POVI hang my head and let the water cascade down my dirty body. I watch the dirt collect and move through the water by my feet-little specks, insignificant but irritating.....like our lives.I want to growl and argue with the new feelings brewing within me, but that would mean I acknowledge them. I don't know why I couldn't stop staring at Hilda today. My thoughts hadn't been anything but neutral and curious, but I never give females attention. Maybe my interest was stemming from our conversation last night. She impressed me.I shut off the water and step out. I hear the bedroom door bang open outside of the restroom, and my instincts kick in. I snatch the towel I had folded and waiting from the counter. I barely get it around my waist before I open the restroom door."Gage? What the hell? What's wrong," I ask as my eyes assess his pacing form.He seems unharmed, but some
HILDA POV Pain courses through me, and I curse the feeling back to hell where it came from. I have no idea why I gave myself hope. I should have known that I am doomed to be mated to a young second-born who has no idea how to lead. A male who can't place his own arrogance to the side to think about what is best for the pack. My fist connects with a tree, and the wood splits. My skin rips, but I ignore the irritating burn. Crow's stupid face is imprinted in my mind, and I can't help but picture it. His dark, almost black hair is thick and wavy. It shines and makes my hands itch to touch it. His dark eyes and thick eyebrows are expressive. They shout out his emotions, and my broken soul loves it. His nose is big and a little crooked, but the flaw makes him real; it makes the rest of him believable. I sigh as the first tear falls from my eye. For the first time in a long tim
CROW POV (R rated)She looks stunning today. If I hadn't already decided to compete, seeing her this morning would have been the nail in the coffin. Her blonde hair is down for the first time in two days, and it is beautiful. Natural blonde with soft waves......She is also dressed differently. She isn't in anything overly feminine, but the simple outfit looks sexy on her. She hasn't looked at me once, and that hurts a little. I know what I said last night broke something between us, but I hope by competing, it fixes it. I don't know what kind of relationship we can build between us, but her brother was right.My Cindy would be pissed if I spent my life sulking and missing her. She would want me to try for happiness, and I think I can have that with Hilda. She understands my pain. She is also intelligent, strong, and gorgeous. My brothers forfeit with honor, but no one else steps
HILDA POV I smile as I watch Crow move around my den. His fresh scent is beginning to saturate the air, and I like it. My den has smelled like only me for far too long. "Wow, this is unique," Crow says while running his fingers over my quilt. I nod and give him a sad smile."I made that. I used all of my first mate's shirts. I wanted to keep him close," I explain, and Crow stills. "Are you uncomfortable with me having it," I ask as I watch his reaction closely.My stomach twists with fear. I will not allow Crow to act as if my first mate didn't exist. I care for Crow, but I loved my mate. "No. I was worried you wouldn't want my scent on it," Crow admits while searching my eyes."I don't mind. I actually like the thought of your smell on it. I know we are.....I know this is all new, and I
VANESSA POV I wake up and kick the bed above me. Rosy groans. She grumbles out multiple cuss wordsjust like she does every morning. My childish behavior always sets her off when it comes to sleeping. "Nessa, why do you dislike sleep," Rosalind asks in a hoarse morning voice that makes me laugh. "I don't. I love to sleep, but it is time to be awake," I answer, rolling out of bed.I turn and tuck my bedding tight, just the way Ms. Grimes likes. We aren't allowed to leave our beds unmade or our rooms messy. Luckily for Rosalind and I, we were moved to our own room three months ago. No more little kids messing up the room we just cleaned or wrinkling the beds we just made. Rosy and I were moved due to our approaching birthdays. We both turn 18 in a few weeks, and we will no longer be welcome here. This hous
VANESSA POVI stare out the window, trying to memorize the highways they are taking. I know if we escape, we can't return to Ms. Grimes, but I at least need to know where we are and the route the kidnappers took. I need to know so I can tell the authorities. They need to make sure she never does this again. I take a break from my pointless task to check on a now sleeping Rosy.She fell asleep about an hour ago after bawling her eyes out. I feel so bad for her. I know we are in the same situation, but she seems to be collapsing. She has been so stressed lately due to our living situation. This has definitely sent her over the edge. I sigh, and Mr. leader turns back to look at me.He cocks his head to the side while actually showing an emotion. Curiosity."You are an odd one, Sugar," he says lowly while looking at his sleeping companion and Rosy. The third stooge is driving."How so," I ask sarcastically, not genuinely caring
HILDA POV I smile as I watch Crow move around my den. His fresh scent is beginning to saturate the air, and I like it. My den has smelled like only me for far too long. "Wow, this is unique," Crow says while running his fingers over my quilt. I nod and give him a sad smile."I made that. I used all of my first mate's shirts. I wanted to keep him close," I explain, and Crow stills. "Are you uncomfortable with me having it," I ask as I watch his reaction closely.My stomach twists with fear. I will not allow Crow to act as if my first mate didn't exist. I care for Crow, but I loved my mate. "No. I was worried you wouldn't want my scent on it," Crow admits while searching my eyes."I don't mind. I actually like the thought of your smell on it. I know we are.....I know this is all new, and I
CROW POV (R rated)She looks stunning today. If I hadn't already decided to compete, seeing her this morning would have been the nail in the coffin. Her blonde hair is down for the first time in two days, and it is beautiful. Natural blonde with soft waves......She is also dressed differently. She isn't in anything overly feminine, but the simple outfit looks sexy on her. She hasn't looked at me once, and that hurts a little. I know what I said last night broke something between us, but I hope by competing, it fixes it. I don't know what kind of relationship we can build between us, but her brother was right.My Cindy would be pissed if I spent my life sulking and missing her. She would want me to try for happiness, and I think I can have that with Hilda. She understands my pain. She is also intelligent, strong, and gorgeous. My brothers forfeit with honor, but no one else steps
HILDA POV Pain courses through me, and I curse the feeling back to hell where it came from. I have no idea why I gave myself hope. I should have known that I am doomed to be mated to a young second-born who has no idea how to lead. A male who can't place his own arrogance to the side to think about what is best for the pack. My fist connects with a tree, and the wood splits. My skin rips, but I ignore the irritating burn. Crow's stupid face is imprinted in my mind, and I can't help but picture it. His dark, almost black hair is thick and wavy. It shines and makes my hands itch to touch it. His dark eyes and thick eyebrows are expressive. They shout out his emotions, and my broken soul loves it. His nose is big and a little crooked, but the flaw makes him real; it makes the rest of him believable. I sigh as the first tear falls from my eye. For the first time in a long tim
CROW POVI hang my head and let the water cascade down my dirty body. I watch the dirt collect and move through the water by my feet-little specks, insignificant but irritating.....like our lives.I want to growl and argue with the new feelings brewing within me, but that would mean I acknowledge them. I don't know why I couldn't stop staring at Hilda today. My thoughts hadn't been anything but neutral and curious, but I never give females attention. Maybe my interest was stemming from our conversation last night. She impressed me.I shut off the water and step out. I hear the bedroom door bang open outside of the restroom, and my instincts kick in. I snatch the towel I had folded and waiting from the counter. I barely get it around my waist before I open the restroom door."Gage? What the hell? What's wrong," I ask as my eyes assess his pacing form.He seems unharmed, but some
HILDA POV Dark, handsome, smart...Crow is an admirable male. His body is in prime condition and looks as if he exercises regularly. A small smile tugs at my mouth as I scrub my scentless soup into my hair. I could see myself with a mate like Crow. A male who has loved. A man who has lost everything but kept going. I step out of my shower and dry off quickly. I don't have much of a morning routine. I'm not like other she-wolves, never have been. I like to get clean, get dressed, and be done. I don't prep and preen my face for male satisfaction. I get my old but clean undergarments on before throwing on some sweats with a matching worn-out tank top. Perfect. My phone chimes, and I open the message before pulling on my socks."Two new arrivals Alpha." I finish getting dressed before responding. "I will
CROW'S POV "I'm not interested," I growl as Ronan makes his speech about how we should compete for Silvertail's Alpha title....again. "Look, I get it, Crow. You had your mate. You met her at 18, and your life was perfect. But that ideal life ended.....I know that it is hard, but we need your help. I'm 25. Gage is 27. We need to find a mate or win a mate. If you compete with us, you can knock out some of the competition for us. You don't have to win her. Help one of us win her," Ronan pleads as Gage stands with his arms crossed. I drop my 110lb dumbbells and grab my blue sweat towel. I think over my brother's words while looking around our tiny flat. Pictures of mom and us decorate the entire space. I close my eyes as I wipe off my neck. I picture my mother and my mate's faces...they would want me to help my brothers. They both would probably tell me it is time for me to move on also
HILDA POVI growl as I rub my temples. Irritation at my circumstances is causing me to have a headache. Not only do I have to deal with twenty spoiled second-born Alphas who feel like they are owed the world, but I have to also deal with my little brother. He won't stop whining, and while the change in his personality is endearing, I can not take it.He is constantly barging into my office demanding that I get my mate competition underway so he can run back home to be with a very pregnant Vanessa. He doesn't understand why I am putting it off. He doesn't understand that when I look at these males, I feel nothing but repulsion.My phone rings, and I pick it up with my eyes closed."Hilda speaking""Well, hello, sister-in-law.""Vanessa, if you are calling me to hound me about the competition as well...I will kick your ass pregnant or not.""Geez.
VANESSA POV"Max, be careful," I call after my two-year-old nephew as my phone rings.I pick up the phone quickly after seeing the caller ID."Hello, Love,""That's my line. How are youfeeling,""I'm fine, Gunnar. She won't be here for another month. How is Hilda,""Pissed. She hates all the males who have signed up to compete so far,""That doesn't sound good,""If she keeps me from coming home for much longer, I am going to challenge for the Alpha position. I will be King of werewolves and Alpha of Silver Tail before I miss the birth of our first pup,""Calm down. Why does she hate them,""Because they are all second-born Alphas. They are only competing so they can be an Alpha. They don't care who they mate. Hilda wants love,""Tell her to open the competition up to everyone. Maybe she will meet someone genuine,""Yeah, but he still has to win,""I don't understand. Why doesn't she jus
VANESSA POV"Okay, I have a deck of cards,three books, monopoly, and Life," I say, spreading out my games so the others can see them."I brought battleship and two books," Rosy says, adding her games to mine.A couple of the other Omegas also pull out decks of cards for everyone to play with.The medium-sized room is packed with slim but tall bodies. There are at least thirty female Omegas and about fifteen male Omegas. And while the room is a little stuffy, everyone seems to be in a good mood. I smile as I turn my attention back to Rosy."Ready to be defeated in battleship," I taunt while wagging my eyebrows at her.Rosy rolls her eyes and scoffs. Jaxon just smiles at our interaction. He kisses Rosy's forehead before sliding through the compacted bodies to reach another male."Bring it, Ness," she says, with a playful growl, and we sit down Indian style in the back of the crowded room."So have you thought of any names,"