SAMANTHA POV "I can't believe she is already three weeks old. Time is moving a little too fast," I grumble as I look down at my sleeping daughter. Daniel glances my way in the rearview mirror, and I see my emotions mirrored in his eyes. "I know, baby. But she can't stay squishy and small forever. We will make the most of it while we can," Daniel says, and my ears catch the slight note of excitement in his voice. "Mr. Daniel Gray, what do you have planned," I ask, and he grins. "Well, I knew today would be rough. So I scheduled a little photo shoot after we leave the doctor's office. I packed a change of clothes for us in the diaper bag. I picked matching clothes...Lauren approved, don't worry," Daniel says as he sees my face when he mentions clothes. "Really," I ask, and he nods. "You mentioned that you wanted to get pictures done, so I called a local bear shifter. She works as a photographer in town. She is going to meet us after we leave Dr. Hurst's office. I
SAMANTHA POV "The pictures are absolutely beautiful, Sam. I can't believe I still haven't met her, and she is over a month old. I do have a vacation week coming up, and I plan on spending the entire week there. Ever since I let Adam go, I have had to fill that position myself. I was hoping to be retired by now, but maybe in a few more years. Anyway, I can't just get up and leave like I used to, or I would have already taken a trip up there. Don't think I am a terrible grandfather. I promise it's just because of work, not because I don't care," Andrew says, and I laugh. "Stop stressing, Andrew. I don't think that at all. I know the company is demanding, especially during this season. On a little note, I have some exciting news. I have started looking at some blueprints for homes. Daniel and I plan on getting married soon, so we will be combining our land. We are going to build a big house in the middle for us and our ranch hands to share," I say excitedly, and he pauses. "Ran
SAMANTHA POV I spend the next hour reading and crying like a baby, only to learn that for the rest of 1974, my grandmother got no news about Grace. Kyle began walking, and my horrendous grandfather did force my grandmother into being intimate with him. He didn't get violent with her, and she didn't verbally refuse. But any sane person could tell she wasn't truly a willing participant. She only allowed him to touch her so that her daughter could remain safe. She did get to leave their bedroom for brief periods of time during the day. So that is a positive. After I finished that diary, Angelica woke up fussy. I fed her and changed her just for her to fall right back asleep. Now I am on to diary number two, and my palms are sweaty just thinking about it. The last few pages of diary one were left blank. I don't know if that means she lost it for a while or if she just decided to end that one, but it makes me nervous. I have no idea what awaits me in this book, but I fear it w
ADAM POV Rated R violence (skip if needed) "Mr. Polk, did you hear anything I just said? Ms. Layne's attorney is requesting we consider mediation instead of going to court. They are offering to take child support off the table if you agree," my attorney says, getting snappy with me. I ignore his attitude. I dislike dealing with him. My mother hired him. She loves him and brags that he is the best in town. I can't stand him. He is like a male version of her. I reread the paternity test for what seems like the hundredth, and he sighs out in annoyance. Angelica Renae Polk-Layne 99.9% match to Adam Curtis Polk. My mother was wrong. So wrong about Angelica not being mine. Of course, she was wrong. Samantha would have never slept around. Especially not with my father. What was I thinking? I listened to that snake for so long, and for what? So I could climb the social hierarchy? I never wanted that. I want something real. I wanted to love someone and have them love me back. I'm
ADAM POV Acting normally is easy. I have been at work all day secretly smirking about the fact my mother's body is probably being torn apart by alligators by now. God bless the Everglades. Last night after a few hours of numb meditation, I formulated a plan. First, I needed to get rid of Margaret's body. The longer it stayed at my house, the more evidence, so I wrapped it in a blanket and pulled my truck into the garage so no one would see me load it up. Then I headed out to a remote fishing spot that is thick with gators. I left my cellphone at home, so if the cops ever check my cell's location, it will show I was home all night. I used an old cinderblock as a weight and bye-bye, Margaret. I drove her car and her cell back to the Hotel she has been staying at and caught the bus home. No one should look for her for a while. Not even dad since they aren't on speaking terms. "Hey Adam, have you had a chance to go over that problem Hugh was talking about," Bryan asks from behind m
DANIEL POV "Sam," I call as I open the door to our little oasis. I focus on trying to keep my voice down just in case Angelica is sleeping, but that thought immediately leaves my mind as my eyes spot at least a dozen lit candles scattered around our room. Rose petals are all over the bed, and the room is heavy with Sam's aroused scent. "Sam," I growl loudly as the door slams behind me. Just seeing what she has done to our room has me completely forgetting the conversation I just had with my brother. Pair that with the scent of her arousal...my dick is trying to break the zipper on my jeans. "Yes," Sam calls coyly from the restroom, and I growl again. My muscles are tight and ready to spring. I want to lavish her. I have waited patiently for so long, but now my wolf and I have reached our breaking point. "Come out," I growl, moving towards the door like a predator. "Nope...(laughs)... Sit down on the bed. I want you in your boxers," Sam orders after laugh
SAMANTHA POV "Benji, are you sure? I mean, maybe if you went looking for her again," I suggest, and he shakes his head. "No. It was hard enough catching her the first time. If she wanted me, she would have followed me home. I took the easiest route here, and I made sure to leave my scent heavily along the way. I...I have accepted the fact she doesn't want me," he says while trying to hide the pain in his voice. I sigh, and he lifts his gaze from Angelica's sleeping face. "I know you are trying to be strong, but it's okay to show us that you are hurting, Benji. In fact, it might help you feel strong if you start telling us the truth about how you feel," I say just as my phone starts to ring. He looks relieved at the sound of the interruption, and I scowl as I reach for the phone. "You aren't off the hook," I mumble, and he smirks before standing and walking towards the bassinet to lay Angelica down. "Hello," I answer without looking at the caller ID. "Hey, Sam," Andr
ADAM POV RATED R (TRIGGER WARNING) My head screams as I pull at my hair with my left hand. I groan out in frustration before slamming my other hand against the steering wheel. I have driven past my parent's house countless times since dad called me a few days ago, but I still can't think of a solution. Ever since he called, I have been unable to sleep or eat. I haven't been back to work, and I didn't answer when they called my phone. I can't calm myself down. I had no idea dad would care about her not responding to her attorney. I thought he would be happy she was leaving him alone. Now I have to worry about him filing a missing person's report. But I can't get rid of him. He isn't like mom. He works. People expect to see him every day of the week. If he goes missing people will notice, and then they will try to find Margaret. I've dug myself a hole that I don't think I can get out of. I'm going to have to act fast...maybe after I get Sam to accept my apology, we can cross
SAMANTHA POV Oh God, what have I done? I scream the thought to myself as I follow Daniel's scent trail into the old pine forest. It's been hours since he left. I tried to give him time to cool off and come back to me, but I think that was a bad idea. I need to find him. I never meant to hurt him or behave as if I am unhappy to be pregnant again. I'm just stressed. Angelica is amazing, but she is a lot of work. If we didn't have the pack's help, I have no idea how I would get everything done. And I don't even do that much. I also wasn't a massive fan of being pregnant the first time. Yes, it was a magical experience, but I disliked all the heightened dramatic emotions that made me not act like myself. Plus, being that big is extremely uncomfortable. You can't sleep or even walk without experiencing growing pains. I hit an area in the forest that is denser than the others, and I decide to shift. He should be close enough to hear me yell. "DANIEL," I yell out with m
DANIEL POV "No, Boyd and Mike went over to Andrew's. They are helping him move his larger furniture. The movers delivered his stuff before we arrived," I answer as I pat my favorite horse. I have missed the smells and sounds of home so much. It's so peaceful here compared to Florida. Florida is awful, to be honest. I have no idea why humans retire there. It smells of mold and dirty water. It's humid and loud. Plus, it's the home to alligators. I leave the stall and head for the tack room. I want to check on everything. Not because I don't trust my men, but because I have missed doing it. I have missed the routine and the scents of Wyoming. I have missed working away my stress. "That's nice. Is Andrew comfortable with that," Stanley asks as he follows me with his hands tucked in his pockets. "Yeah. He commente
SAMANTHA POV It's been a week since Margaret Polk's body was found, and you would think we would be over it, but we aren't. The funeral is today, and I have no idea how I am going to hold myself together. All week the press has been harassing and torturing Andrew with in-depth questions that tear at my heart. They ask him what drove his son to murder. They ask him whether he abused his wife or son. They asked him if Adam and Margaret were having an incestuous affair. They ask him if Kelly O'Neal was a part of the relationship. You name it, they have asked it. When they tried to bring Angelica and me into it, he shuts them down. He denied them any further interviews and said if anyone went near us, he would sue. All in all, it's been an absolute nightmare. "Love, I believe Boyd is all set with all of Angelica's things, but I might be wrong. He has four bottles, two pacifiers, a change of clothes, and a crap ton of diapers... Is there anything else you can think of that he might
BENJI POV Mariah leans in a little closer as Lauren continues to eye her suspiciously from across the table. My anger towards the pregnant female grows. The other members have all moved past the fact that she is here, but Lauren is refusing. She is purposefully making Mariah feel uncomfortable, and I am ready to tear her hormonal head off. The only people that needed to accept Mariah were Luna and me. Lauren needs to realize we have accepted Mariah as a pack member. My mark is on her flesh. "The Hay sold, so that's a relief. I spoke to a couple of companies about the foundation of our future home, but without a set blueprint, they can't move forward," Stanley says, and Finley nods while swallowing his bite of brisket. "I'm sure Luna will move forward with the house once she returns. Right now is a stressful time," Finley says, and the stiffness in Stanley's shoulders eases. His face creases with sympathetic emotions, and we all feel that familiar pinch of sadness for wh
DANIEL POV "This seems promising. There is an off-road path to the water here," Boyd says, and I nod. "Roll down the window. See if you can smell anything," I urge, and he instantly follows the order. He closes his eyes and inhales the outside air as we slowly drive down the dirt/grass road. After about two seconds, his eyes snap back open. "She's here....and not just her normal smell. Her body is still here. This whole area smells like death," Boyd whispers, and I roll down my window. As soon as the first wave of air enters the car, I smell it. I smell death and decay emitting from somewhere nearby. I slowly stop the car. Boyd and I climb out in silence. The pit of my stomach is tight, and I almost feel nauseous thinking about seeing her. But we have to do this. We have to close the c
DANIEL POV "Sam said he would have chosen a spot with water. He might have been crazy, but he wasn't an idiot," I say as I drop one of Margaret's shirts in the backseat. Boyd and I already familiarized ourselves with her smell, but bringing her scent along will help. "Did he have any special spots," Boyd asks as he rounds the car to the passenger side. I nod as I recall mine and Andrew's private conversation last night. "Yeah. Andrew said he loved to fish. He gave me a list of the most private spots. But the thing is, most of the areas have some pretty big predators. Alligators being the main ones. We might be searching for a body that is being digested. So let's focus on locating her scent. We won't focus on finding the body, just her scent. I think Andrew would benefit from just knowing her final resting place," I say as I s
BENJI POV RATED R I growl as my dominant side pushes forward. Her lips try to keep up with mine, and it makes my fire build. I love that she didn't give up. I love that she refused to just let me walk away. I love that she took charge, but now it's my turn. I need to show her that I do want her. That it was my hurt pride talking. Her words reminded me of my fear when we voted. How I felt knowing if my pack said no, she would have to leave. She is right. I said I wanted her, and I do. I trust that what she is saying now is the truth. It just hurt my pride that she didn't come back for me. I wanted to be the reason. When she brought up everything she did, it made me angry again. It made me forget what I already knew. She is mine! I want her! We will forgive her, and she will earn our trust. I growl as I let my index claw grow. I slice her dirty dress in half at her back, at she gasps. She pulls away to look at me, and I smirk. "Show me what's mine, sexy kitty," I growl,
BENJI POV "Mariah," I say as I open the guest room door. She has been hiding out ever since Lauren blew up, and I need to check on her. I haven't checked on her yet, and I feel like a terrible mate, but it's because I don't know what to do. My heart is torn between loving my mate and loyalty to my pack. I never thought I would have this dilemma. I thought I would meet my mate and she would love me. That's how shifters are. The only time a shifter has to work harder is if their mate is human. They have to win their mate over and reveal their true identity. But a shifter with a shifter mate has nothing to disclose. Both their inner animals call to one another. They love instantly...except in my case. My mate is a secret assassin sent to kill my Luna. Kill my Luna, not because of her crimes, but her family's crimes, which is bullshit. My Luna is an amazing woman. She is strong, loving, and loyal. My mate has been dishonest and withdrawn....ahhhhh. "I'm here," Maria
SAMANTHA POV I don't know why I am so nervous. I mean, Andrew is one of the nicest men I have ever met. He shouldn't blame any of this on me. I know I had no control over Adam's actions. But I also know people who are grieving aren't always rational. He could have warped what happened in his mind, because he is upset about losing his loved ones. I mean, I did kill his son. He could be upset about the way I handled things. He could think I should have used nonlethal force. He could be disappointed that Adam never got his day in court. "Do you think seeing me will be too much for him," I ask Daniel quietly as he follows the rental car's GPS? "What do you mean? Too much? Are you asking about whether he can handle you being a shifter" Daniel asks, giving me a quick glance? "No. No. Well, that too...But umm, I was meaning he might get upset when he sees me. I mean, Adam killed his wife, and now Adam is dead. And Adam is dead because I killed him. Andrew might resent me," I