Sarah“We can’t return,” I tell Dustin before he can get his hopes up too high. Though I do fear it might be too late for that. As he already seems hopeful for our return.“We made a blood oath,” I explain. “We can’t challenge them for the position of Alpha. I know it wasn’t the right thing to do for the pack, and I’m sorry about that.“We had to do what was right for our family though. We had to save our son. We hope that eventually everyone might understand that and forgive us. Though we also understand why you wouldn’t.”That hurts me to say, but I do understand why our pack might feel abandoned in some way. As leaders, we were supposed to always protect them. We had to sacrifice that for our, but it still was difficult for us all.“I understand that,” Dustin says. “It was difficult for us to lose you as leaders because you are great ones. But we understand that you had to do what was necessary to save Fergus. “Many of us would sacrifice everything to save our cubs. But so
LucasIt’s a tough balance, something I know Sarah is all too aware of. We just came back as leaders of the pack, and despite our packing being understanding about it, we did recently leave them.We left them for good reason. We had to save Fergus. But we still showed that we were willing to sacrifice them. So, we have to do what we can to build back their trust.That’s going to be difficult to do though when we’re bringing someone new in. And with everything that has happened before this, I can understand their reluctance.“I can assure you that I’m not a murderer,” Brandon says calmly. “I know it will take a while to prove myself to this pack. I understand your reluctance.“But if you give me time, I will prove myself to you. I’ll show what an asset I can be. I’ll prove I can be trusted.”“That’s still a risk,” Liza points out.It’s tough because I can see why she’s guarded. She recently lost her twin due to horrible circumstances. But we can’t simply turn our back on Brando
SarahGoing out into the starlight with Lucas is simply magical. Everything feels more special when he’s with me, and I look forward to seeing his surprise. I know that no matter what it is, it’s bound to be beautiful.He leads me into the woods where it’s growing dark and quiet. The crickets play their cheerful song for us as he takes my hand. My mate. My forever.“It’s so nice to have things back to normal again,” I say. “It’s even better being out here with you.”“I feel so lucky to be here with you,” Lucas insists. “I’m lucky you’re my mate. And I hope that I can show you how much I appreciate you tonight."“You show me that every day,” I assure him. “That’s one of the reasons why I adore you as I do.”“You’re worth every moment of it.”He kisses me hand and the same chills I’ve always gotten from him scatter across my skin like butterfly kisses.Fireflies light the path for us as we continue walking. It’s like the night has been formed especially for us, as a reward for
BrandonThe last thing I want to do is fight a member of my new pack, let alone three of them. I just want to get along with them. I want to become part of the family. I don’t want things to go like this.I can’t let them kill me though. I’ve worked too hard to live. So, I shift too and prepare myself for the fight of my life, a fight where I’m heavily outnumbered.Thankfully, I’ve always been a strong fighter. So, as James lunges after me, I’m able to dodge his attack. I roll on the ground and nip at his paw, grazing his leg in the process.It’s the first drop of blood drawn which marks the start of a true fight. I know there’s no getting away from this now. James howls in anger.This fight is to the death. I either have to kill a fellow pack member or be killed.I harden my heart against it. Sure, I wanted to fit in. And I know that after this, I will be outcasted. I will be on my own again.There’s no way around it though, so I fight vigilantly. Liza comes after me next, st
SarahI’m expecting the worst kind of explanation. I’m expecting to be told that our decision was clearly wrong. Brandon attacked them and it’s all my fault for letting him stay.“It’s our fault,” Liza says, shocking me instead. “We saw how popular Brandon was becoming and what a natural Alpha he is. “That made us suspicious. We thought he might try to displace your position in the pack. So, we came out to try to stop him.“Brandon fought back, and he’s a great fighter. But he only fought to protect his own life. And when he had the chance to kill me, he showed me mercy. I owe him my life.”I look at Brandon in awe, thankful I was right about him. The others all agree with Liza’s version of events. “I’m sorry,” Ryan says, looking at Brandon with a new look of appreciation. “We were wrong. We thought you were a murderer, but you could’ve murdered all of us and you didn’t. “It’s just that this pack has been through so much lately. It’s difficult to trust strangers after that.
SarahThat night, I have a dream that seems so realistic. I’m running through the woods, on my way to somewhere. I don’t know exactly where I’m going, but I know there’s an important place where I’m supposed to be.I’m alone, yet I don’t feel like I’m alone. I feel like someone is watching me. Someone is waiting for me.Despite this, I’m not afraid. I only feel at peace here. Soft pink clouds tumble in the sky. Silver flowers whisper their encouragement to me. While lilac trees shake their leaves in a dance that I will never be permitted to be part of.I don’t mind the exclusion. This place is obviously not meant for me. Or at least it’s not meant to be my forever. So, why am I here?Finally, a turquoise pond comes into view. Gold sparkles rest upon it, making the water glitter in the sunlight. It captures the beauty of this magical place. And I feel blessed to be here, despite not understanding why or how I ended up here.The water calls to me, draws me towards it. For a momen
LucasAdmittedly, I’m a little worried about Sarah taking on this risk when she’s pregnant. But I won’t try to stop her or get in her way. I’ve learned that to respect her, I have to let her do her thing.It’s not easy though. So, as we meetup with Brandon and the others from our pack, I hope this won’t be too dangerous. I hope it will be simple getting him to the position of Alpha again.Sarah starts the meeting by telling all of those who are unaware of the predicament we find ourselves in. Liza speaks on Brandon’s behalf as proof as to why we should help him. I start the meeting by worrying that the others won’t be on board for this mission. But it turns out there was nothing to worry about. Brandon has already made a good impression on everyone in the pack, so everyone wants to help him.“Now, we have to figure out a way to defeat Brandon’s brother,” Sarah says. “Which might be as simple as helping Brandon get to the pack without any threats coming his way.” Sarah turns t
SarahIt takes a couple of days to get close enough to the pack to really begin our search. But soon enough, the incline grows steeper. The trees become denser and more clustered together.Then, we come across the real cold. We packed for this, but it was difficult to be fully prepared for this type of weather. I have no idea how anyone could survive like this. I already miss the fertile ground and perfect temperature of home.This is important though. I can sense it. So, we keep running until we run into a dusting of snow on the ground. It’s cold on my paws, a sensation I’m not exactly used to. But it’s nice. It’s grounding and my thick layer of fur keeps me warm.“I think it’s safe to start our search here,” Brandon says.So, the mission truly begins. We search through the snow, throughout the trees, and into various caves. Yet the whole day is fruitless. As is the next.“I miss Fergus,” I admit to Lucas as we sit in front of the fire that flickers by the cave we’re going t
SarahThe days that follow are sad ones. We all have to come together as a pack to work through the loss of so many loved ones. “I really thought we were finding peace,” Dustin says, as we gather together three days later. “I hoped it would stay.”“We’ll find that now,” I tell him. “There are always going to be times of peace and times of conflict. I’ve learned we have to accept that as a way of life. That’s the downside of being in a wolf pack.“But the good days outnumber the bad. And we’re strong, we’re fierce. We’ll get through this and defeat any enemies that might come up next. We just have to trust in each other and have faith in the pack.”The words resonate with me as I say them. Despite all the hardships, I’m more devoted to this pack than I ever have been. I’ve learned to accept the ups and downs which are easier to manage now that things between Lucas and I don’t feel quite as fragile.“That’s why you’re a great leader,” Dustin says. “You inspire us all to do just
LucasAs I watch my baby in Sarah’s arms, I’m happier than I ever thought I’d be. A son and a daughter. It feels like now our family is complete. Though I’m open to more children in the future. Right now, I’m just content.Sarah and I tend to be rough sleepers though. So, as Sarah dozes off, I take Evelyn from her arms and place her in the bassinet. Then, I join Sarah on the bed.“She’s beautiful,” I say, cuddling my sleepy mate. “You’re beautiful. I’m so grateful to you for bringing our children into our life like you have. “I know it’s never easy. I won’t even pretend to understand what you go through. But you give up so much for our family. I appreciate that more than I can express.”“And I appreciate you,” she says. “You’re a wonderful father and a fantastic husband. I’m so glad to share all of this with you. I’m so grateful to be building a family with you.”I kiss her and the warmth of having my true mate in my life envelopes me. It just feels so natural and right when y
Sarah“That is an incredible offer,” I say, my eyes staring right into Azar’s. “You’ve promised so much, and I know we’d both prosper within a formed alliance. However, we can’t promise our daughter’s hand in marriage.”My words prompt a hearty response. Some are mere whispers while others are outright defiant. Many can’t believe that we would turn away from this. But we have to do what’s right for our daughter.“Now, I’m not shutting down the idea of a future marriage completely,” I clarify. “Maybe our daughter will end up with your son. Maybe they will be mates.“But we’ll have to wait and see once she’s old enough to decide. Since we’ll be allies regardless, they’ll know each other. They can spend time together.“If our daughter decides that your son is her mate and they both love each other, then they can get married. We’re going to leave that up to her though. We don’t want to make such a big decision for her before she can even consent to it.”Azar’s demeanor falls. It re
LucasSarah looks at me with an expectant look on her face, and I’m just not sure what I should say. The kiss still bothers me. It hurts me. As her mate, I have reason to be upset.The guilt still haunts me though. It reminds me of how I hurt her. It whispers that I deserve this. I know that I deserve this.“It’s nothing,” I insist.“Lucas, please open up to me,” she says. She takes my hand in hers and looks at me with those eyes I never can resist. “I saw you and Azar last night,” I confess. “I saw the kiss.”Sarah looks at me with shock and guilt written upon her face. I hate that. It’s proof that what I saw was true. They did kiss. She betrayed me.“I know I betrayed you horribly,” I continue. “So, I understand that I deserve that. But it still hurts, Sarah. “I thought we had moved past all of that. I thought we were solid. I thought we weren’t ever going to let anyone get between us again. But I guess I was wrong.”Jealous tears through me as the kiss replays in my min
LucasI’m surprised then when I wake, Sarah isn’t beside me. I panic. After everything that’s happened, I simply can’t help it. There are too many ways things can go wrong.I need her near me. I need to always know that she’s okay.After a deep breath, I realize that something feels wrong. Something seems off. I walk to Fergus’ room and see him sleeping peacefully. I tuck the baby monitor in my pocket and step outside. I won’t go far, I can’t go far without Fergus, so hopefully she’s close by.It doesn’t seem like she is at first. I look all around our home and don’t see her. Then, I go towards the back yard and I stop.Sarah is there, but the tree line, but she’s not alone. He’s with her. The anger from earlier boils within me again.I know I shouldn’t be jealous, especially not after what I did to Sarah. I have no right to worry about that after all I put her through. And nothing truly awful has happened between them. I don’t have a solid reason to be upset.Besides, I tru
Lucas“You don’t have to give an answer right now,” he rushes in to say. “I’m not expecting you to be sure of anything right now. It’s just something to think about.”I’m so taken off guard by this that I don’t know a single word to say in response. I have tried to push aside my fears that he wants to seduce Sarah and getting to know them all a little better has helped me to do so.My daughter though… I never thought he’d be after my daughter. Arranged marriage? “That’s a big topic,” Sarah says slowly. “We’d definitely need time to think about it further. We’d have to talk through this amongst ourselves.”“Of course,” Azar replies with a pleasant smile. “I’m not trying to force your hand or anything. Take as much time as you need. It is a big decision but I think it’s the right one.”We don’t stay out much longer than that. We circle back to the gathering for a little while. But everyone is tired, so we all head back home soon after.It’s only once we’re back home that every
SarahI take a moment to give Lucas a hug and another kiss before we step into the area where the feast is being hosted. I can sense that he’s still a little insecure about things, but he had no reason to worry. I’m going to be true to him always.I’ll admit though, I am intrigued by this new pack. I wonder about the kinds of magic they can do. I’m curious about all they have to offer.As we walk towards their Alpha, the pack starts to congregate together, which is a little strange. Before this, they were mingling with everyone else. There seems to be a shift though as we approach them.“We’re so grateful you’ve accepted us,” Azar says, flashing that friendly smile. Is there anything flirtatious about it? I don’t really think so.“To show our gratitude, we would like to show you something,” he continues. “A little show before dinner.”I hesitate. What if this is something malicious? I don’t know anything about this pack. Is it a trap?They’re already here though. They could tr
LucasAfter everything else that’s happened, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about this new pack joining us. It’s not like it’s uncommon for packs to approach each other, especially if they think a mutually beneficial alliance can be formed.The fact that packs are now approaching us like this shows our growth. I’m proud of Sarah for bringing this pack to greatness like this. I’m happy to welcome newcomers in.It’s just that there’s been a lot going on lately. And it still seems like a risk to allow anyone new to come into this peaceful place we created.Then, I realize that I’m sounding a bit like how Liza sounded when we brought Brandon in. It gives me more empathy towards her but also makes me realize that maybe I’m being a bit paranoid.It will be good to have another alliance. This could ultimately be beneficial to us. So, I help answer questions as the pack follows us. I remain as engaging as possible as I get to know them.“You’ve truly created something impres
SarahChills run down my spine as I listen to this prophecy about our daughter. I always knew our children would be great. But I never expected something like this.Could it be true?I assume it is considering the way this prophecy has been delivered. What does it mean though? How do we deal with something like this?Before we can ask any questions, the bubble floats off into the sky which grows lighter again. The lights turn back on. The candles are re-lit.Lucas and I look to each other as everyone looks to us for answers. Yet I’m stumped. Usually I know what to say, but not this time.“I have no idea where that came from,” I admit. I’ve found that when it comes to being Alpha, the best way to approach these sorts of things is from a place of honesty. “However, I can say that I feel blessed.“It’s clear our daughter will be special. I don’t know exactly what that means yet, but we will take care of her to the best of our ability. We’ll cherish her just as we do Fergus. We’ll