*Ali POV* I come halting to stop when I finally make it to the center of it all. Buildings are ablaze, wolves snarl and tear at each other while others fight in their human form. It looks like a terrible, low-budget apocalypse movie. I slowly start forward trying to figure out where to go and who to help first. I have to admit I'm struggling to figure out who is on who’s side anymore. I scan the crowd hoping to spot a familiar face or wolf. My eyes settle on Alpha Nick who is fighting off two larger men at a time. Deciding that he is definitely the good guy, I rush over to aid him. The larger of the two throws a kick at Alpha Nick’s back while he blocks an attack from the front. I insert myself between his leg and Alpha Nick’s back, catching his leg, and moving my leg out to swipe his other out from under him. He tumbles to the ground with a surprised grunt and I descend down onto him punching him as hard as I can, clobbering his jaw. His eyes roll back and his body goes slack as hi
*Wade POV* I look over Ali’s face as she sleeps so peacefully with her head on the side of my bed. Her right eye is black and blue, but noticeably fading. Her black hair is sprawled across her face, obstructing my full view of her face. I reach out and gently wipe the hair from her face taking in all of her. My eyes drop to the nape of her neck where I see my mark and I can't help but reach out to touch it. My fingers trace along the pink scars of my mate's mark and I smile at the electricity that dances across my fingertips. She stirs slightly at my touch so I quickly retract my hand. Ali wiggles around a little bit then she opens her eyes looking right at me. “You’re up,” She says smiling “How do you feel?” “Not too bad. So what happened?”
“When can you break out of here?” Ali asks, standing. “I can go now.” “Hah! When did the healer say you can leave?” she asks clearly not believing me. “Honestly. He said I was good to go before you came in.” I try to convince her. “Prove it.” She says hiking her chin up like she somehow triumphantly beat me. “Fine!” I toss the blankets aside and swing my legs over. The moment my bare feet hit the cool linoleum floor and a shiver runs up my spine. Suddenly I want to crawl back into bed. I gently lift myself to standing, half expecting my leg to give out, but it doesn’t. I stand tall with victory written all over my face. That is until the doctor walks in and scowls at
*Ali POV* Wade intertwines his hands with mine as we walk out of Francis' room. The sparks twirl and dance across my skin reminding me that no matter how bad things have gotten, this moment made it worth it. I’ve never been a sappy lovey-dovey type of girl or the girl that craves constant touch. But with Wade I’m afraid of the moment he lets my hand go. I'm addicted to his looks and his touch. It’s quite possible it’s the bond that has changed me and my outlook, but I also have a feeling that it’s just what love does to someone. We also have never had the chance to really just be together. I slide him a quick glance and I can see a smile on his lips. “What are you smiling about?” I ask tugging on his hand. “This is the first time we’ve really actually held hands arou
“I would be honored to help you in any way you need help, Wade.” Alpha Nick says. “But perhaps we should see what it all entails and if you are the one they are picking before we get ahead of ourselves?” “Agreed. I just wanted you to be aware of the fact that I will be using you as a stipulation for me to accept any position.” I glance over my shoulder at the clock and balk at the time. The committee is going to be here in two hours. I haven’t had a chance to shower and Wade is still standing very proudly in his t-shirt and scrub pants. I clear my throat to get his attention and nod in the direction of the clock. “Alpha Nick, do you perhaps have a room where we can prepare for the committee meeting?” I ask. He smiles kindly at me and nods.
*Wade POV* I walk out of the bathroom and spot Ali looking the picture of perfection as she frowns in the mirror. She tugs at a pink oversized sweater uncomfortably and I gravitate in her direction stopping just behind her. Her presence is magnetic now that we have marked each other, not that I mind. I’ve always had these feelings for her even when the bond wasn't recognized. Her eyes snap up to mine and she smirks at me. “Pink is not my first color choice,” she explains. “You look beautiful,” I say honestly. Even with her bruises and healing cuts adorning her face she is perfectly mine, which makes her perfect. “You’re biased,” she says, whipping around to face me. “It’s true. I am predestined to love you for all
“Mate?” The man in Burgundy asks, his eyes going wide. “That is correct. When Samuel was torturing me he destroyed my oath so I was able to sense my mate.” Ali says her eyes not moving from the woman. “Torturing you? The report we received is that you had gone rogue” The man in the navy suit says, looking around for any indication that Ali is joking. “Hardly.” Ali snorts. “Ok!” I say breaking in. “How about introductions? I am Alpha Wade of the Moon Shadow pack. You already know my mate, Ali. And this is Alpha Nick, the alpha of this fine pack and my good friend and trusted associate” “It is nice to finally lay eyes on you, Alpha Wade. I am James, and this is Joseph. And that fine specimen at the end of the table is Rita
“Do you know what happened to Alpha Liam?” Joseph asks “I stabbed him somewhere in his face, but we didn’t find a body” I answer “Shit.” James rubs his temple. “Well, we will try to find him.” “What happens when you find him?” Ali asks. I slide her a glance but she avoids eye contact. I love and hate the mate bond. I love that I have finally found my mate, but unfortunately for me, Ali still has a connection to her first mate. Even though the bond was severed and never acknowledged, that tiny thin thread will always be present for them. I try to restrain my jealousy, be a united front in the committee’s presence. But her concern for his well-being after everything is a hard pill for me to swallow. “That is up to Alpha Wa