-MILA-I opened my eyes, confused and disoriented.I wasn't in the alcove anymore.But I would have chosen that over my current housing.I was in a large cage. Just big enough for a small bed and a place for me to stand up."Lobo!" I shouted. Outside of the cage, I couldn't see anything but an empty room with stairs leading upward.I heard a door open and shortly after Lobo walked down the steps."What the hell do you think you're doing? You locked me in a cage? What is wrong with you?"Lobo sighed as he walked over to the cage, "I know you probably hate me right now. But you aren't strong enough to go walking around. If this is the only way I can keep you safe until you're thinking straight, then I'll do it."I glared at him, "Lobo, I am in a cage. A cage! What part of this do you think is okay?"Lobo frowned, "Mila. You fainted while attempting to leave. What else was I supposed to do?"I scoffed, "You really don't get it. You marked me without my consent. And now you're keeping me
-MILA-I was asleep when I woke up with a loud noise."Lobo?" I turned in the bed but Lobo wasn't there.I got out of the bed and made my way out of the room."Lobo?"He was standing at the window, staring out."We need to leave.""What? Why?""It's getting worse. Had a bunch of humans out here, throwing shit, screaming that I'm not welcome here."I sighed, "They're blaming you?""I'm a lycan. They don't want us here.""I get it. Where are we going?"He shrugged, "I don't know. Go back to bed, I'll figure it out.""Shouldn't we be figuring it out together?""Mila, you don't need any further stress on your plate. Go back to bed."I sighed and went over to him, wrapping my arms around him, I leaned my face against his back, "You really have to get better at letting me in if this is going to work out."I could feel his body tense at my words, "Sorry. I'm used to doing things alone.""Well, you have to get used to not doing things alone anymore."He turned around in my arms, looking down
-MILA-I woke up after eventually falling asleep sometime through the night.I had been plagued by nightmares of the upcoming changes I would be facing.When I walked through the house I found Lobo in the kitchen."Morning.""Hey. How are you feeling?""I'm okay." I didn't feel like getting into the nightmares. The less I thought about it, the better."We're leaving later for the mountains.""Okay. Sounds fine." I sat down at the table and noticed my phone had a few missed calls from Lowell."Has he been calling all morning?""Yeah. I figured it would be better if I didn't answer your phone."I sighed, "I'll call him back later. I'm not in the mood right now.""That's understandable. Here, eat." He put a plate of food in front of me."Thank you," I took a bite of food, "This is good. Am I going to meet the rest of your Pack today?""Yes, probably. They will probably be there before we get there.""How many are there?""Ten.""That's a lot of new people. Does your Pack have a name?""I
-MILA-When Lobo said mountains, I hadn't been expecting an array of cabins. They were nestled between beautiful snowy mountains."Wow. I wasn't expecting this." It looked more like a resort than a Pack home."What, did you think we just lived out in the open when here?""Well, yeah?" I responded sheepishly.Lobo chuckled, his hand on my lower back, "Come on, let's go to the Packhouse, I'll introduce you to everyone."My stomach flipped from nerves. The beauty of the place had momentarily stilled my nerves about meeting the rest of the Lycans.He steered me to a larger cabin and as we stepped in I was met with a lovely smell of food. The cabin was a welcomed warmth from being outside in the stark snowy cold. Even though there was no snow currently falling, it felt like I was standing in a freezer out there.There were people around, talking in small groups and laughing.I quickly scanned them, trying to get an idea of them.There were only two women that I could see.It took them all
-MILA-I was waiting back in the cabin for Lobo when there was a knock on the door.Surprised, I went over to open it. Lewis was standing there with a smile."Hey, Lobo is having a few drinks, he sent me to ask if you would like to join him."I groaned, "No, I'm good with staying here.""I know it's all new to you, but it would be nice if you could join us. Get to know us a little better."I forced a smile, "Yeah, maybe later. I just want to have some time to myself right now."Lewis surprised me once again, this time by pushing his way into the cabin."Sure, come on in, then," I said sarcastically. Turning to face him I crossed my arms over my chest and watched him."Lewis, I don't mean to be nasty, but what are you doing here?"He turned to me with a broad smile, "I'm trying to make you feel welcome. Lobo has been good to me, and you're his mate so," he shrugged, "And I know the backstory of who you are."I nodded, "Yeah. Thank you, I appreciate it. I'm just getting used to everythi
-MILA-I woke up with the sun hitting my face from the open window. Lobo wasn't in bed.I got to my feet and walked around the cabin but he wasn't there either.He didn't even leave a note or a text to tell me where he was going and I wondered what he expected me to do to pass the time while he was off doing whatever it was he decided to do.I shoved my feet into a pair of slip-on and walked outside. Although I had forgotten about the snow, it wasn't that cold, it was definitely warmer than the previous night.I was still in my shorts and tank top with a light jacket pulled on."Hey, you're up!" Shauna called as she walked over to me."Yeah. Where is Lobo?""Oh, he's training with the others. Here," she shoved her hand into her pocket and produced a small bag, "I packed up some herbs to help with the transformation. You should start taking them right away.""Thank you," I took it and put it into my jacket pocket, "It's nice out here in the morning."Shauna nodded, "It is. It's a beaut
-MILA-I felt sick to my stomach and didn't bother waiting to see what happened next.I turned and marched my way down the little pathway toward the stoney area they were training on.I was aware of Shauna calling to me to wait but I wasn't listening.I was fuelled by a mix of anger and pain.I marched into the clearing with my hands swinging by my sides.Betty wasn't as close to Lobo now, and if I had paused I might have realized the look on her face.But my eyes were on Lobo.He turned and his eyes widened in surprise to see me walking angrily toward him."Baby, you're-""What the fuck was that?"His brows furrowed in confusion, "What? Lala, what are you talking about?"I realized all eyes were on me and forced myself to get it together.I raised a brow and pointed up to where I had been standing, "Shauna and I were watching the training session."His frown deepened but then realization dawned on him, "Oh.""Yeah, oh," I turned to Betty, "And as for you, who the hell do you think yo
-MILA-Walking out the cabin beside Lobo there was a heavy feeling of awkwardness hanging in the air.We had barely spoken after our conversation about love and I was left with a feeling of deep confusion.We walked into the clearing between the mountains and the trees, a little away from the cabins.The other members of the Pack were standing and I wondered what exactly would happen next.I knew that I had to accept to be his mate, but I was suddenly realizing that I didn't know what else to expect, and that worried me slightly.Lobo stepped up onto a large, smooth boulder and extended his hand out to me.He was shirtless, wearing some type of fur hung over his shoulders.I wore a long indigo dress provided by Shauna.I took his hand and climbed up beside him.To anyone looking in, no one would have realized that we were having any issues between us.He masked it well, no one would have guessed that we had such an awkward conversation only minutes earlier."I, Alpha Lobo of the Midni
-MILA-Lobo.I paused mid step, Theo was forgotten.I fell to my knees as I shifted back into my human form and Lobo immediately came over and placed his jacket around me."Are you okay?"I shook my head. The fever was worse, my limbs were weak and shaky, my body flushing between chills of ice and boiling heat.Betty came over to help me to my feet, "The fever is worse."Lobo looked between the two of us, "Fever? She's sick?"Betty nodded, "Yes.""Why the hell are you running around on this stupid scavenger hunt then?!"Despite the growing pain in the joints of my body, I straightened, "Now is not the time for arguments, Lobo. I need to get to the cure.""The cure?" He looked at me in disbelief, "You're burning up hotter than a furnace and you're worried about the cure?"Betty cleared her throat beside me, "Mila, I'm with him on this one.""We must go on, we are so close." Theo piped up.Lobo glared at him, "Who the hell are you?""A friend of Elena's. I know how to get to the cure."
-MILA-My eyes widened as I looked at the hilt in Elena's pocket. Betty was walking slightly ahead which gave me no chance to warn her about what I was seeing and my heart rate sped up in panic.Was Elena the one who would kill Betty?My mindwas racing, I had to find a way to stop the vision from happening, but I didn't have the slightest clue how to do that.An idea struck me,but I wasn't sure if it would work or not.I took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on Lobo."I don't know if you can hear me-""I hear you, baby, what's wrong?""I need your help. We're on our way through -" My thoughts were interupted as Betty yelped, a figure running at such a speed it was blurred came rushing passed us."What was that?" I asked, pausing to look around."Mila?"Theo seemed calm, "It was a vampire.""Excuse me?" I spun to him with wide eyes, "You said there weren't any vampires here!"He chuckled, "I guess I was slightly mistaken." He spoke with a comical tone to his voice. He spoke as if
-MILA-The test was all but burning a hole through my pocket. But I couldn't go anywhere near it with Theo right beside me.Betty's eyes were glued to the road ahead as we drove toward the spring with the cure.Theo was barking directions and Elena was dead quiet.I turned to look out the window, and said a silent prayer that the test would be negative.If it was positive I wouldn't be able to take the cure. And if I couldn't take the cure, all of this would have been for nothing."What test, Mila?"Shit! I jumped with fright, I hadn't realized that Lobo could hear me. I wasn't even trying to communicate with him at all."Mila?"I didn't look at Elena when I responded, "I'm fine. This fever is killng me." It wasn't a lie, the fever did seem to be getting worse.Theo turned to me, "Perhaps I can distract you a little?"I turned with a frown, "And how do you plan to do that?""I would like to know more of your mate."It seemed strange to me that he would ask about Lobo so suddenly."Why
-MILA-I sat with a blanket around my shoulders curled up on Theo's sofa after having emptied the contents of my stomach. The nausea was strong and I was extremely fevered.Elena and Theo stood together talking in hushed tones while Betty sat on the arm of my chair."I don't trust him." She whispered."Neither do I. Something is up.""Are we going to go with them to the spring?"I nodded, "Of course we are. I need that cure. For all we know I'm getting sick because the Goddess is pissed at me."Betty frowned, "Or you're getting sick because the prophecy is already underway."My head spun in her direction, "What?" A shiver ran down my spine, that was a possibility I hadn't thought of."You have the symptoms."I shook my head, "No." I was in denial. I didn't even want to think that it could be true.Not now when I was so close to the cure."How about you take a test before we leave?" Betty suggested.I glanced over at Elena and Theo, "I don't want them knowing anything about this.""Don
-MILA-We arrived after sundown in the small homely town. The cottage styled houses lined the roads with picturesque front yards and trees set behind them.The moonlight cast blue hues along the bark of the trees."It looks like something out of a fairytale." I commented, slightly in awe of the beauty of it as we drove along."It's a pretty old town. They try to keep it as close to the original as possible." Elena spoke with pride in her voice.I wanted to ask why she left such a beautiful place, but I didn't want to pry."Why did you leave?" Of course, tact was not one of Betty's strong suites.Elena shrugged a shoulder, "I fell in love with a man who shattered my heart and in an attempt to heal, I ran away."The silence that fell between us was dense with sadness. When Elena spoke, she spoke with such emotion that I could feel the heartbreak rolling off of her."Is he the one who thinks wolves are monsters?"I wanted to reach over and smack Betty.She really didn't know when to stop
-MILA-"Can you turn that racket down?" I asked while holding my pounding head.We were drivng toward Elena's hometown and the music on the radio wasn't helping my already pounding head."You're suffering because you refuse to eat." Elena stated matter-of-factly.I rolled my eyes and laid on the back seat. My head felt as if there were tiny construction workers in it, hammering away."When will we get there?" I wanted this all over and done with, the sooner it was over the sooner I could attempt to move forward."It takes a few hours." Betty responded.A few hours? Although it was only now reaching sundown I was already growing impatient."Mila. You better get your ass back here."My eyes darted open but I didn't dare tell Betty and Elena what I had heard.With the way the pair had panicked earlier, I didn't want to risk spooking them any further."When we get to my friend, let me do the talking. He's a little panicky." Something in Elena's voice told me she was hiding something.I sa
-MILA-I stood with my arms crossed over my chest while leaning against the hood of the car while staring at the little motel. Elena was inside the motel arranging rooms for us."I thought Lobo would be mad and want nothing to do with me after this." I spoke suddenly.Betty scoffed, "Like I said before, you clearly didn't think this through.""Obviously not. And now I've put the two of you in danger.""Elena has her own reasons for this, that's not on you. And as for me, I haven't belonged in that Pack for a very long time. I just needed a shove to leave."Her words surprised me, I always assumed that Betty wanted to be apart of the Pack forever.Before I could question her, Elena stepped out and came toward us giving a thumbs up."We've got rooms. We need to check out tomorrow at eleven. But we'll probably be gone before then, right?"Betty nodded, "Yeah, we need to get to your hometown as soon as possible," she looked around the parking lot, "Is there anywhere I can stash my car? If
-MILA-The trees blurred as we drove past. Betty and Elena were talking up a storm in the front while I sulked in the back seat. Although it was by my own doing, I still couldn't get over the pain I was feeling over my choice."Mila?" Betty glanced into the rearview mirror before turning her attention back to the road."Yeah?" I asked, the single word seemed to take more effort than usual, feeling as if it sucked a boat load of energy from me."Are you-""Don't ask if I'm okay, because I'm not, and I don't know when I will be."Elena turned in her seat to face me, "I think you did the right thing. You made a selfless choice based on love. Not many of us would be able to do that.""Well, it doesn't feel like I've done anything good.""Why is it so important to become human again?" Betty asked."When I was with Lowell, I knew the day would come where I would be marked. But he made it sound easier. Since I've been marked it's been hell. I hate this. And now with the prophecy... I can't d
-MILA-I woke up feeling a heavy dread in my stomach and a sense of anxiety beginning to set in, complete with nausea.I looked over at Lobo who was asleep beside me, it was one of the first times he was actually sleeping in for a change, it was also one of the few times where he looked completely peaceful.It calmed me slightly to look at him and a smile crept onto my face, a feeling of warmth spreading through me.I sighed, snuggling closer to him while admiring his beauty.It came to mind that he was misunderstood in many ways. It was easy to see why, he had a way of oozing power.His very presence demanded respect.But that was only his outward appearance. Deep within, he was a soft and caring man.I would even go as far as saying he was emotional and fragile.Suddenly a frown came to my face at the thought. He was willing to give up his whole life for me. Was it fair of me to expect him to do that?The answer was no, it wasn't.I was being incredibly selfish. With a heavy heart,