Lila was buzzing with anger. I could feel it through the bond, but I'm sure anyone nearby could feel it, too. Lila wasn't just angry, though. She hurt for Ezra, and when his dad mentioned selling his son to us, I could feel Lila explode with so many emotions. I knew it wasn't going to be good.I tried to reach Lila, but she shifted so fast that no one could stop her. Ezra's dad never stood a chance. I can't say I'm upset, though. If Lila hadn't k*lled him, I would have. There are rules, though, and I will need to report his death to the sifter council. This couple had so many complaints there wouldn't be any repercussions for what Lila did. I will need to file paperwork to bring Ezra officially into our pack.After everything that just happened, I expected Lila to be ready to fall apart; instead, she simply closed the door and gave me a look. She isn't sure what to do with the body but wants to shield Ezra from having to see his father that way. She smiled at Ezra as though nothing ha
Seeing Luke with Ezra this morning and chasing him through the house makes me so happy. It gives me so much assurance that he really is a good man and the type of man I have always wanted to be with. I never wanted to end up with someone like my father, and Luke doesn't seem like my dad. Thank goodness.Stephanie and Steven were busy tonight, so Donte and Jake are going to watch Ezra while we go on our date. Ezra likes them both and seems comfortable, so I don't mind them watching him. They ended up joining in playing with Ezra this morning, helping to chase him and rescue him from our big bad Alpha, aka the kiss monster.I don't know where we are going for our date tonight, and I don't have a lot of clothing to choose from, but I ended up deciding on skinny jeans, a white tank top, and black sandals. I put on makeup. I wear a little bit more than I normally would, lining my eyes and putting on an extra coat of mascara. I also put on just a little foundation and some light blush. I wo
I want to believe Luke when he says he's pulling back because he wants to make sure I'm ready to be a permanent part of this life of his life."Luke, before I agree to accept you completely, can we talk about Ezra?""Of course," he responded readily."What do you think we should do?" I asked,, biting my lip, nervous about his response."Well, I know you just turned eighteen and probably haven't been thinking about kids and a family. So I'll leave the decision to you," he said, and this answer irritated me."No, that's not fair, Luke. I won't make a decision for you that changes your entire life. I will say, though, that I love Ezra already and feel fiercely protective of him if that isn't obvious." I said, rolling my eyes dramatically."I would want him to stay with me if you are ready for that. If not, I understand, but Ezra is amazing." I said truthfully, locking my eyes on Luke."Are you sure that's what you want, it's a lifetime commitment," He asked earnestly."I have babysat and
I was down on one knee, waiting for Lila to answer. There aren't many things that make me nervous, but not knowing if Lila wanted me made my heart race. I could feel her gaze locked on me, searching my face. I don't know what she was looking for, but she suddenly threw herself into my arms."Yes, I will marry you." I stood holding her in my arms, kissing her. Her giddy laugh loosened itself against my mouth.I set Lila down and found my eyes looking at her lips, and I leaned down, biting them gently, and then teased her lips open with my tongue, wanting to pick back up where we had left off. Lila pushes me away."Luke?""Yes, mate?" I responded to her."Would you hate me if I said I wanted to wait until we get married? I never thought I'd wait, but knowing we are engaged now, I think maybe waiting is what I want." She bites her lip nervously, waiting for my reaction."If you want to wait, we will. I will never force you to be with me. I will wait if that's what makes you happy.""Than
The next couple of weeks passed all too quickly. I started classes online and just had to complete my finals. I did a brief refresher of the materials, and now I'll take my exams. We have fallen into a rhythm in the pack house with Ezra. Donte and Jake have become a part of my life as well. They are both searching and hoping to find their mates. I thought it would be hard to feel genuinely at home here, but everyone has been really kind.We have set our wedding date to happen as soon as I finish my finals, so in another two weeks. I never imagined I'd get married so young, especially to someone I had just met. The mate bond helps to push you together though, and being able to feel what Luke does provides me with a level of comfort that helps me to know that this is absolutely the right decision.One thing that's really bothering me though is my dad. I have had so much time to think about him, and I am terrified of what he is planning. My dad is drunk and that causes people to underest
I watched her the night her father tried to kill her. I knew what he was planning to do, and I stood there in the shadows watching, unsure if I wanted to intervene. I decided to wait and see how things played out. If I end up being needed, I can always change my mind.Her wolf was interesting. I saw it a few days ago, and the color is different on her birthday, though, which is intriguing. I'll have to let them know. I followed her to her new pack. She was settling in so well. I almost reached out to her at the diner until she started talking to Stephanie and Alice. What a shame that was. It was probably best, though, as I don't know where things will end when we talk.Sweet little Lila's mate is the alpha. I've continued to watch her, and she is settling in as well as they expected. I need her to get very comfortable and learn all that she can. To my surprise, she agreed to marry Luke. She moves fast; maybe she isn't quite as sweet and innocent as we all believe.Lila and little Ezra
I am going with Stephanie, Betty, Donte, and Jake to pick out my wedding dress. Donte and Jake have become some of the best friends I could have asked for. They will help make sure I choose a dress Luke will love. They are also coming for protection in case my dad is looking for me. Margot, Luke's sister, is also meeting us at the dress shop. It will be my first time meeting her in person. So far, we have only met through Facetime. We're going to Scottsdale to look for my dress.I tried on too many dresses at the first shop; none were right, though. I need something that fits and doesn't need any alterations as we won't have time for the wedding in a week. I finished my classes, and we set a date as soon as possible. I am so ready to marry Luke that it scares me a bit. I don't think there is anything I have ever wanted more. I'm a bit scared because I have never been this happy. Luke is perfect for me, and I am terrified I might somehow mess it up.The second shop we go into is smalle
I don't think I have ever felt the way I did getting the call from my mom that Lila had been attacked. I don't know how this happened. I don't know what would have happened if the doctor couldn't get to her as quickly as he did. Her heart rate was low, and her breathing was shallow.Being back at the pack hospital means she has the best treatment. Unfortunately, we don't know what happened and what she was given, but she is still unconscious. If there is anything to find, Jake will find it. My mom and Margot were just here checking on Lila. They brought me breakfast and a change of clothes as I refused to leave her side last night. I thought she would have woken up by now."Luke, the toxicology test came back," stated the doctor as he came into the room. I was on my feet and beside Lila."Morning glory" The doctor's eyes locked on mine.This was an answer I wasn't prepared for. You don't see poisoning by morning glory."What do we do now?" I asked, looking for anything the doctor's fa
I don't think I have ever been so furious as when I saw my father taking my son. The rage that coursed through my vends was like nothing I had ever felt before. My dad could hurt me. I'll deal with it, but no one, and I mean absolutely no one, will hurt Ezra again as long as I am breathing. My son has been through more than enough already.As I screamed for Luke, I charged at my dad. I saw his eyes widen in fear. He only knows the old me, the docile daughter he raised, the girl who catered to him, and all of his stupid demands. I'm not that same girl anymore. I have been training with Donte and gained a confidence that I didn't know was possible.As I could close the door, he pushed through it. I was mere seconds behind them, flying through the door in pursuit of my son, willing to do anything needed to keep me safe. As I came out the door, I saw Chelsea and Brendon. Brendon was at the back of a van, holding the door open, and Chelsea was in the driver's seat.I wasn't surprised my dad
I am beyond excited to be going home to our pack today. It feels like we've been away for a lifetime. I know Ezra will be happy to be back home, too. Unfortunately, we couldn't bring many toys, and he's bored. The new pack members have already started training and are settling in well. One of the first things we will do is announce that I will be selecting a Beta and Gamma. We are opening up a trail of sorts to see who is interested and would be best in these roles. The two things I am most excited about, though, are planning Ezra's birthday, which is in just a few weeks, and telling Luke I'm pregnant. We haven't talked about children yet, and there hasn't been time. With everything happening, we may not have planned to have a baby right now, but we haven't done anything to prevent it. I have ordered a cute shirt for Ezra that says - Currently Training For My New Position: Big Brother. I plan to get him ready for the day and put on a zip-up sweater over the shirt. I will take Luke an
"Hmm... Did you believe everything Margot said?" I asked Lila while kissing her neck just below her ear. We were lying in bed, discussing her private conversation with Margot. A less confident alpha might be upset that Luna snapped it in front of others and ran off to speak privately, though I love my mate's confidence. I find myself being proud of Lila and her fierce determination."I do believe her. She told me her story, and it was devastating. She also shared a lot about Hudson. If I'm honest, he sounds like a bit of a creep. He gave her drugs for s*xual favors. It's gross to think my brother is willing to do that to someone who uses someone's weakness for his self-satisfaction. I also learned it's really Gemma who is in charge of everything. People are terrified of her. I don't really know why they are all following her orders." Lila was deep in thought over this information. Her face is furrowed in concentration as she tries to work through her thoughts."Hudson is a creep, and
Donte called Luke and me to update us on Margot. I can not believe she is his mate. She is struggling, though, and needs to get clean, so Donte took her to Sedona Sky Recovery. It is a drug rehab center for shifters. I don't know if getting sober is different for sifters than it is for humans. They have only been at the facility for a few weeks, which seems fast, but they should be meeting us tonight at the Red Oak Pack in Oregon. I made a mental note to ask Luke about this later.Donte did read the note Hudson wrote me, though. Margot contacted one of the people she knew who also went back and forth getting Wolfsbane from Gemma. I am sending my brother a letter that simply contains a cell phone number. It's a burner phone. Jake didn't want me to give him my real number; he didn't want someone tracking me or hacking into my regular phone, so this is one I could toss if needed. I'm hoping to hear from him any day now.Later that night, after dinner, Luke and I laid Ezra down for bed, a
This chapter contains Margot's story. It can be triggering. Read with caution. If you are in the U.S. and have been a victim of sexual assault, help is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline. 1-800-656-4673 I'm sorry, I don't know the resources available in other locations. I didn't have the money to get a hotel to sleep at. I could have shifted and slept in the woods, but I learned my lesson long ago that it is not safe for women to be alone in the woods, even in wolf form. There are plenty of rogue wolves who look for females, and that is why I ended up sleeping on a park bench. The last thing I expected was to be woken up by my mate. Mate? I didn't think I would ever find a mate. I am broken and have been for a very long time. My cousin knows I'm an addict. She doesn't know how I ended up this way, though, and I will never tell her. We weren't close and never have been. When I was ten, my dad passed away, protecting the pack. When someone loses their mate once bo
We have been to five packs so far, and four of them are taking the information seriously and have agreed to stand by us. Today, we are on our way to a pack in California. The travel locations are sporadic based on who agrees to see us. I can't say I'm upset that in just another three hours, we will be at the Chimariko pack, and we plan to stay for a couple of days, so if anyone needs me, they'll have to come find me at the beach. I'm in the driver's seat of the large eight-passenger SUV. Luke is sitting next to me in the passengers seat. Lila and Ezra are in the back seat, and we are followed by two other SUV's. When I heard Lila's phone ring, she was a little on edge lately. I can tell it is Abigail on the phone based on the excitement and hesitation I see on her face when I look into the rearview mirror. I know she's been waiting to her back from her brother or at least hoping to hear from him. I heard Lila's side of the conversation. "Really?! That's great news." "Yeah, I just c
Please, before you read this chapter, mention sexual assault with a very brief flashback. The scene is brief and doesn't go into terrible detail, but this can be triggering, and I want to ensure you know you can skip to the second paragraph and avoid this scene.I am sitting in my room reading the letter that the dumb sl*t brought me. Margot told me about the letter as she was kneeling in front of me; that girl would do absolutely anything for her next fix. It's hard for me to say no when she offers herself. She is beautiful with dark brown hair and mocha skin. I know many wolves wait to have sex until they meet their mate out of respect because our wolves are so jealous. I thought I would wait, but mom sent two girls, well, two women, to my room when I was thirteen. I tried to hold out against the temptation, but mom fed me a little blue pill after one of the women went back out to tell her I wasn't performing, and now look at me handing out drugs to get my d*ck wet.The letter Margo
The room Ray and Abigail let us stay in was gorgeous. It's different from my personal taste, but you can't deny the beauty. The room had three white walls, and the one that paralleled the foot of the bed was a dark navy blue. The furniture was all white. A four-post canopy bed was a feature of the room. The fabric draped on it was a sheer, almost silk-like tulle that was also navy but so sheer you only see that dark navy where it bunches together. A small living space hosted a white rocking chair, a love chair, and a coffee table. On the coffee table was a clear vase filled with blue flowers, cornflowers, and white roses. There was a stack of three books and a stationary set with a pen. On the stationary sat a small note-card. Lila, I thought you might need this. -Abigail My breath caught at Abigail's kindness. The fact that she sent this to the room for me meant so much. Luke read the note over my shoulder, kissing and nibbling along my neck and collarbone. A shiver went through m
As Luke finished telling Ray and Abigail all that had happened up until now, Ray turned to look at me."I am so sorry you have had to go through all of this." I could hear the pity in his voice, and I despised that. I haven't had the best of luck times, but I don't need anyone's pity. I have a beautiful life, even if it is unconventional. I have an amazing husband and the most beautiful son. I am nothing if not blessed in the family I have found. I sat up straighter and squared my shoulders."Alpha Ray, I am so grateful you are hosting us, but I don't need your pity. I need your help. As Luke said, we are building an army. I want you as an ally because what Gemma is doing won't just affect our pack. Gemma may be the woman who birthed me, but she is not my mother. She is a cancer, and she will spread her vile poison if not dealt with soon." I pick up the water before me and take a long drink, hoping to swallow back any emotion that may try to break through."I don't pity you. I apologi