‘Sky. You need to sleep.’I groaned, rolling over under the cool sheets. Raine continued to wake up and remind me that I needed to sleep. It seemed stupid now, since it was almost five in the morning and we were set to leave at six-thirty again.‘At least get an hour.’I sighed. ‘No. I’ll sleep in the car. It’s fine.’Slowly, I got up and slipped into the bathroom. I didn’t want to disturb Sam who was sawing logs in the other bed. I took a shower, letting the water flow over me but it didn’t do much to the tension in my shoulders. My outfit I had picked the day before. Without knowing what we were going into, I wanted to at least look like me.That meant all my piercings went in. I took the time to shave the side of my head properly and wore a shirt that dipped low in the back to show off my mantle. My lips thinned as a looked at my phone. It was still dark and it hadn’t lit up since leaving Red River.I’d tried calling everyone. Carl, Waylin, Jaxon, Bernard, Drake, Paul and even Hele
“Are you ready?”Sam asked the stupidest question as we drove closer to the territory line of Silver Mountain. I’d taken the lead when I took over driving. The Escalade with the Alpha King’s knights already fell back and were no longer following us. Part of me was surprised but I was more grateful that they didn’t pull anything. Justin was in the passenger seat and Sam was in the back. Ethan was driving behind us with his dad.My thumb tapped against the steering wheel until Justin leaned over and put a hand on my thigh. “It’s okay, Sky. You’re not alone.”“I know. I know.” I took a deep breath as I continued to drive.Slowing up to the territory, I stopped just where the line was and Justin leaned in. He was squinting at the line of wolves in front of us.“Who…?”Throwing Thing into park, I unbuckled my seatbelt. “Stay here.”“Wait! No! Sky! This isn’t part of the plan!” Justin looked from me to the wolves.“Don’t worry. They won’t hurt me. I need to confirm something before we go fo
“You insolent child! After everything…!” Francesca tried to speak up first but Father put up his hand, silencing her.“Anastasia, you have disappointed me.”I rolled my eyes. “Damn. I was aiming for higher. I guess I’ll have to settle for only disappointing you.”“Pup, don’t test me. Need I remind you that you are not the one with the power here.”My eyes slipped to Emmett, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. “Neither are you.”My father growled but Ethan pulled me back, growling and baring his canines. “Watch yourself, Alpha Cross.”“Who is the pup baring his canines at me?”Alpha Alan stepped up, putting a hand on both Ethan’s shoulder and mine. “My son and current Alpha of the Red River pack. As well as Skylar’s mate.”I watched with a sense of satisfaction of the horrified looks from Francesca and my Father. Caleb looked shocked but it was Emmett that I kept my eyes on. He was furious as Alpha Alan moved my hair just a bit to show the mark. My fa
‘You, mostly. About Alpha Moore and what it means to have mated with Ethan.’I hummed and nodded. Taking Justin’s hand, I walked into the chaos. My father with his red face and Ethan with the blank look on his face he pulled out when he was especially livid.“Girl, you think you are off the hook but I swear, you will be punished for running off.” Francesca tried to grab me by my hair but Justin was quick to pull me to his side, out of her reach.“We will have none of that, Luna Francesca. Skylar is Luna of the Red River pack. I suggest you treat her with the same respect that you would be afforded.”I snorted. “If she wasn’t such a bitch all the time, she might know what that felt like.”The slap I was ready for the moment I let the words fall from my lips. Justin I could hear sighing in the background as Ethan’s growl reverberated throughout the pack house.“You touch my mate again, and I will see that you hang by your fingernails, Luna Francesca.”Surprisingly, Father pulled her bac
The sun shone through the window and I winced at the brightness. Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes and looked at Justin and Ethan. The two of them were both still asleep. They stayed up later than I had, making sure that no one could get into the room and steal me away in the middle of the night. Eventually, they must have agreed it was safe and came to bed.Slipping out from under the blankets and looking out the window, there was an entire set-up in the backyard. Complete with hanging lights, a couple smokers and tables all over the back yard. I wondered how many people they intended on inviting to this ‘welcome home party’ but from the look of it, a good portion of the pack that was housed in the city could fit.I quickly took a shower and dressed, but somehow didn’t disturb the two sleeping beauties in the bedroom. Quickly closing the guest door behind me, I looked around the hallway. It was quiet but there was a lot of yelling and talking downstairs. Not wanting to brave whatever was
The party officially started at four. I stood near the back porch of the pack house, away from the crowds. It was mostly made up of the people who Francesca deemed her circle or my Father’s head warriors. Then sprinkled in were my team, their families, and a few other people I knew from the pack. Caleb was talking with Snow White and I smiled. Maybe they would be good for one another. At least Caleb could pull himself up after that bitch Alice.Ethan and Justin had taken it upon themselves to act like my security guards. Alpha Alan was actually being social and speaking with people but there was something he was digging for as he spoke with people. My eyes widened when I saw Helen headed towards us.Throwing my arms around her, I hugged her tight. “Helen. Thank the goddess you’re okay.”She chuckled. “A little dungeon time never killed anyone.”“Don’t start.” My eyes narrowed. “You’re okay though?”Helen nodded and pulled me into a hug again, dropping her voice low. “I’m just sorry yo
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the warrior shift his claws and put them to her neck. She whimpered and I nearly did too. Kat didn’t deserve this. What I did see was a partially shifted Alpha Alan stalking through the crowd. I quickly looked back at Emmett.“Em, I’m not going to be Alpha. Caleb is going to be Alpha. He is going to be good for this pack.” I tried my best to smile as I took another step towards him, keeping his attention. “I don’t need to be anything and neither do you. You are better than all of this.”“Better? No. I’m weaker. But with you, together, we can become the most powerful pack. Together we can take down whoever we want. You and me, we will take on the world like we talked about when we were little.”I shook my head, sadness filling my heart. “That’s not what it meant; to take on the world. I’m not fighting the whole world, Em. I wanted to see the world. Travel and get to experience different foods and cultures. Together we were going to see the world and t
I didn’t look at Emmett. I couldn’t. My tears fell as I shifted my hands into claws.“Sky…what…?” Emmett’s voice sounded confused.“I’m so sorry, Em.” I chocked out a sob. “I failed you. I fucking failed. I’m so sorry.”My claws tore into his back, digging in deep as I held onto him tight. He cried out, trying to pull desperately away. Crying, I held him tighter to me.“Don’t…Em…don’t fight me. Please.”Taking a breath, I opened my eyes and looked up at Emmett. His eyes were looking at me in fear and pain. My eyes reflected red in his.“This isn’t you. This never was you. You’re not a monster. I am.”“Sky…what…are you doing?”I smiled sadly. “I’m taking it all away.”His emotions shifted from confusion, to fear, and then anger. “You can’t!”Swallowing hard, I pulled him closer. The tendrils of darkness started to lash out at me. Their poison and acid trying to corrode me. I shook my head, not even flinching as they attacked.“You can’t hurt me. This isn’t your darkness, Em.” Pushing