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Mallory’s POV “No! My pups!” I woke with a start, frantic and disoriented. My hands flew to my stomach as if to shield my babies from imminent attack. But a heavy hand covered my heart, pushing me back and holding me down. My legs kicked out and my arms thrashed, trying to throw off my assailant. “Shh! Calm down, little Omega. I’ve got you. You’re safe.” A deep masculine voice murmured. I blinked once, twice, trying to make sense of what I heard, searching for visual confirmation. A brief examination of my surroundings revealed I was in the back of an SUV, my body stretched out across three sets of muscular thighs. I followed the length of the arm on my chest to its owner. “Colton?” I blinked again, willing my vision to clear. It was a cruel trick for my brain to make me think he was holding me when I knew he would never do that. “I’m here, love. We’re all here.” His voice was so reassuring, so real. I lifted a shaky arm to run my fingers over the stubble on his chin. It f
Colton’s POV We were on our way back to Black Moon. On our way home. Nathan had agreed to stay in Hazelwood for the time being, to settle the pack and keep an eye on things. It had been an easy choice since his mate had been reluctant to leave with him. Mallory had put up a fight when my brothers and I announced our intention to leave. She felt Hazelwood was her responsibility and needed her attention. It did. But we’d finally convinced her that the pack was in good hands, a fact she was hardly in a position to deny given her history with Nathan, and she needed to put herself and the pups first. She’d been through a trauma, physically and emotionally, and as her mates, we were desperate to get her the care she needed and check on the condition of our pups. Not that there was any real concern for their well-being. Their three heartbeats were audible now and grew stronger every day. Still, our Alpha natures required reassurance. All of that was well and good. But soon the doctor
Mallory’s POV “I’m listening.” I prompted Cotlon while I waited for him to explain whatever it was that he felt so compelled to say to me. I had to say, as far as explanations went, he was doing a shit job so far. I didn’t understand him at all. On one hand, he was apologizing for hurting me by being intimate with Darcy, then in the next breath he said he did it to protect me, How was causing me unspeakable pain protecting me? In what universe was I supposed to be okay with him taking my virginity, telling me he wanted me, then going back to his girlfriend the next day? The idea was ludicrous. Yet here I was, waiting on tenterhooks to hear what he had to say. “I’m sorry.” He apologized again which was beginning to irritate me. “I know it doesn’t make rational sense. I see that now. But it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.” “Colton, please just start at the beginning.” I didn’t even try to hide my exasperation. “Okay. Good idea.” He agreed, then took a deep br
Cary’s POV “Darling, please sit down and rest. Between your pacing and your frustrated scent permeating the air, you’re triggering every Alpha instinct I have. Colton, please make her sit. She’s driving me crazy!” I pleaded with my brother to step in and help me settle our mate before my wolf lost his mind. By the way Mallory was biting her nails and wearing a path in the carpet, she was obsessing over something again. It had been her favorite pastime since we’d brought her home and I was beginning to worry. It was almost like she couldn’t let her mind be quiet for fear of the memories that might creep in if she did. Colton’s head snapped up from the report he’d been reading and he fixed me with an irritated glare. I’d asked him to be the bad guy this time and it was a role he was nowhere near ready to play. When Mallory had allowed him to move in, Clay and I thought we’d have an ally when it came to taking care of our mate, but that just hadn’t been the case. How dare we sugge
Clay’s POV “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I snapped at the woman on the phone. The Wolf Shifter Council’s secretary didn’t deserve my rudeness. She was just a messenger. But when it came to the safety of my mate, no one was exempt from my incivility. “This is ludicrous! After what he did to my mate, he shouldn’t be allowed inside a courtroom. He should never see the outside of a cell again!” I snarled. “And you’re only giving us a week to find witnesses. You’re practically handing him his freedom on a silver platter!” “My apologies, Alpha. The council has deemed him deserving of a trial and I was tasked with informing you of the date. If you’d like to file a complaint, there is a process for that. In the meantime, if you do not show up to the council hearing as scheduled, we’ll be forced to dismiss the case.” She rattled on, giving me the company line. “Sure. What the fuck ever!” I cursed, hanging up on her as I entered the bedroom. I’d been roaming the apartment during the
To all my wonderful readers, I just wanted to drop a quick note to apologize for being unable to update today. I tried to write but am not feeling well and unable to give it the attention it deserves. If I am feeling better and able to get enough done, I will try to post an update on Sunday to make up for the missed day. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding! On another note, I wanted to let you know that when RTAT wraps up, I will be including a short novella at the end of this book for Nathan and Charlie. Nathan is a good guy and deserves his own HEA, though it won’t be without its challenges. Much love, Cara
Trigger Warning: This chapter contains descriptions of physical and sexual abuse that may be difficult for some readers. Darcy’s POV I hated being here in Hazelwood territory. I hated being any place where Quade’s presence lingered. I could feel him everywhere I went, like a waking nightmare I couldn’t escape. But I had nowhere else to go. He may be locked in a cell, but the memory of his tyranny still roamed free, haunting these people who suffered under him for so many years. It was in the drab walls of this ramshackle packhouse while he used their wealth for his own gain. It was in the hopeless and defeated expressions of the people who lived here. Not that I saw much of the Hazelwood people. The crippling anxiety that plagued me prevented me from leaving my room most days. Besides, Alpha Nathan Richardson had taken charge of the pack, and while he never treated me unkindly and seemed to tolerate my presence, I knew he blamed me for what happened to Mallory. “Let’s go outside
Mallory’s POV “Everything is going to be okay, little wolf.” Clay reassured me again, pulling me into his lap and nuzzling my neck to soothe me. I suspected my leg nervously bouncing so fast it could have taken flight was the real motive behind him trapping me in his arms but I couldn’t help myself. The closer we got to Hazelwood, to the place I knew Quade was, the more anxious I became. It was maddening to let him have this power over me but I felt helpless against it. “Sure. I’ll believe that when that monster is behind bars for good.” I muttered. “Hey,” He tipped my chin up and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “Do you trust me?” I nodded, earning a lopsided grin from him that made my stomach do somersaults. “Good. Then trust me when I promise you I won't let anything or anyone hurt you again.” “I trust you. All of you.” I sighed, leaning my head against his chest and letting him rub comforting strokes up and down my arm. It was the truth. I did trust them. And sudd