Dana’s POV When the encampment was attacked, I rounded up as many women as I could and led them north into the woods. I didn’t know who the attackers were and I couldn’t ensure their safety with those men. I watched from the trees though as Ian went with a woman into a helicopter and flew with this group south. I knew that if Ian went with them willingly, we could follow them to safety. Over the following week, we watched from a distance as vans came and collected the remaining women. They brought with them food, water, medicine and medical personnel but I still was apprehensive about following them into the unknown. The camp was finally emptied. We returned to salvage what we could but had nothing of substance to rely on. Winter is approaching and with children amongst us, I needed to find a real solution. I decided to hike south and find where Ian had gone. Leaving the group, I headed by myself until I came to a pack border about twenty miles away. I observed w
Emma’s POV It’s been a few days now since I’ve been allowed to leave the hospital. Liam won’t let me out of his sight, not even for a few minutes! I feel like a burden more than anything. Half the time I’m just sleeping so I don’t feel like I need a babysitter. He’s moved his desk into our apartment so he can get pack work done and be near me. He’s still convinced that somehow, some of this is still his fault which is ridiculous. If I’m not sleeping, I feel like a science experiment. Grace is constantly checking vitals and asking me questions. She’s trying not to take unnecessary blood right now so I can build up my strength. For some reason, we can’t figure out what this baby wants to eat though. I throw everything up or just can’t stomach anything, it’s bizarre. I feel completely useless. I just sit around or sleep. I wake up from one of my many naps when I overhear Zak talking to Liam about the housing projects. They’re talking about different ideas and s
Ruth’s POV The rest of the day I spent showing Emma around the pavilion and introducing her to all of the families. Liam finally, after much convincing, allowed her to come with me and Ian to the project sites so she could see the buildings we were erecting for real apartment buildings and family homes. Seeing the sheer happiness on her face, free of worry and pain could almost make you forget what happened just two weeks ago. How Emma could push past all of her suffering so painlessly just astounds me. A pair of arms wraps around my waist, pulling me from my thoughts. “Penny for your thoughts, beautiful”. Ian has been so patient with me. He hasn’t once mentioned mating or marking. It’s come across my mind a few times. Sure we’ve made out a few times but we’ve been so damn busy settling all of these families and to be honest, it feels selfish to even think of my own desires. “It just blows my mind how selfless and strong Luna is”. He smiles, following
Liam’s POV Fuck! I flip over my desk, sending papers all over the place. I was supposed to protect her, was supposed to keep her from getting hurt and I didn’t. How am I supposed to do that if she doesn’t do what I say or doesn’t allow me to take care of her? I collapse on the floor with my head in my hands, in frustration. I feel the couch dip behind me and Emma’s scent surrounds me. Her arms wrap around my neck and legs wrap around my torso. “Shh… it’s okay baby”. She kisses the top of my head and gently strokes my hair. I know Ruth was right but I didn’t want her to be, I didn’t want to hear it. “Baby, there’s no fault in loving me as fiercely as you do. You are my alpha. You only know how to be dominant. There is no fault in that”. I listen as she consoles me. “You know my weaknesses. You know I’m stubborn. I forget to eat, I push myself too hard. You know me better than other people do. For these things I love you so much. You fill in the gaps where I fail.
Zak’s POV I prayed to Selene last night for the first time in a while. I never thought I’d have a second chance mate. To be honest, I never thought I could love after I lost my wife and son. I’m conflicted. The thought of loving again and being loved would be a blessing. For now, the only feelings I can feel from the ‘mate bond’ that is barely existent is fear, insecurity and… anger? I think. So I’m giving her a lot of space. I have been checking on her from a distance today. I’m drawn to Dana like a moth to a flame but obviously she’s been hurt… a lot. I also don’t want to become attached only for her to turn around and decide to leave. It would be easier to stay distant if that is her decision. So, I decided it’s best for me to keep away from the pavilion as much as possible. I ask Dan to run things as much as he can there and I opt to work on warrior assignments and anything else I can away from there. He eyed me warily at my request, but understands I think. I
Dana’s POV It was midday and I had tried keeping busy all day. I kept expecting to run into Zak all day which kept me nervous. I didn’t know if I was ready to have a mate. I don’t trust men obviously but more than that, I grew up an orphan and a pack slave. My ‘mate’ and pack knowledge is limited to observation. The pack I grew up in, well let’s just say they weren’t model citizens. I’m helping some of the younger children with an activity when I overhear one of the older she wolves ask about Zak. “Say Dan, where’s Zak today? He’s always here”. He chuckles and I swear I saw him glance at me. “Yeah, he’s got a lot of pack duties to keep up with and I guess he’s got warrior duties today”. Annie chimes in, “he’s probably avoiding our crazy ass since you fucking stabbed him you jerk!”. Annie has been fuming with me today. “Annie, how many times do I have to say ‘sorry, not sorry’ for stabbing someone I didn’t know was our mate. Besides, what’s so damn special about a
Zak’s POV My wolf Beteo hasn’t laughed this hard in quite some time. “Come on girls, keep up the pace”, I yell at the warriors. “Zak, we’ve only run 6 miles, why are they so slow”, he chides. I just shake my head. “Beteo… I do not know but I will be having a nice long chat with Leo here in the near future. This is damn sad”. We finally make it back to the training grounds. They fall over as if they’re dying. “Wow- you guys do know this is warm up yeah?”. I grab my water bottle, taking a small sip. I hear a lot of complaining. “If you have room to complain, you aren’t tired enough. Up, let’s go”. Beteo starts laughing… “make em do pull ups, then they’ll really like ya”. Beteol has always been a bit of a jock and a show off, unlike me but it’s kept us in good shape I suppose. A few of the guys are panting as if they’re drowning. “Josh man, what the hell? Does Leo not make you move at all? What is wrong with you lot? This is embarrassing. Pretty sure Ruth is in bett
Dana’s POV “For starters, I thought I’d address the notion of what a ‘second chance’ mate is. I’ve always hated that term. It makes it seem like somehow our love will be ‘less than’ or sub par. For wolves, most are only granted one mate in their lifetime. Some, are blessed with two. Somehow this is the ‘phrase’ that was come up with. It sucks if you ask me”. His explanation, I like. “But I want you to know, you are no less special. You are my mate Dana, my only mate. Don’t you forget that”. His words make my heart swell. I can feel my eyes watering. I feel a burst of courage. Leaning forward, I quickly peck his cheek. “Thank you for that Zak. I needed to hear that. I uh, I was internally thinking I was somehow damaged goods and maybe not good enough to be a ‘primary’ mate or something”. He rubs the spot I just kissed, “it’s still buzzing”, he says smiling like a school boy. “And absolutely not. You are my mate. None of this ‘second’ anything ok?”. I nod, happy