Alyson's POV
Ryan wasn't there when I woke up, and my chest tightened till I saw that he was outside the cabin. He hadn't disappeared, but I knew he was likely getting ready and I would go with him.
My heart needed him. I might tell him at some point, but for now, I knew I was going with him.
I began to pack a small assortment of dresses and clothes. I wasn't sure what was best to pack, and I asked Donna for some guidance. We spent the day getting ready, keeping tabs on Ryan to make sure he hadn't gone far.
"We need to talk about the trip," I told Ryan in passing.
He
I was sobbing uncontrollably when I ran back into the cabin. I would grab a few items, and then I would follow Ryan. My bleeding hand from grabbing the necklace too tight stung as I wiped the tears from my eyes. Even when I was bleeding, Ryan had not come back. He must be so far from me; how far could he be? The sooner I left, the sooner I could catch up to him. Dylan must have heard me. He was knocking at my door, "Alyson! Are you ok?" I was not ok, and I didn't want to talk to him. He couldn't possibly understand. He was still knocking as I was trying to pack one more dress in a pack that I could carry even as a wolf. I put
I was in Dylan's carriage, traveling the road through the forest back to Featherwall. Any steps closer to Ryan soothed my constant anxiety. I could not stop wondering about his safety. Dylan had done everything he could to ensure I was comfortable, even so, I was becoming irritated whenever he'd ask, "Are you doing ok?" Ryan was far away and potentially in great danger on my account, so of course I was not ok. But I told him, "I'm fine." "I can't wait for you to meet my family." He said. It sounded nice, but it was also going to be difficult for me to enjoy anything for a while. On the second day of out traveling, I thought I
Ryan's POV I had traveled for days, making time to rest so that I wouldn't be in terrible shape by the time I arrived at Crowalt. They should expect me with their predictions of the future, and I was sending mental images towards my father so that he'd know my return. I considered sending something to Alyson, but I decided it might only encourage her to leave Dylan's protection, so I ultimately left her in the dark. I also knew that Jacob would know, with my messaging and his level of powers, he could persuade others that I was not coming, and try to take care of me unofficially. I was on high alert at every moment once I crossed onto Crowalt territory. I sensed that Alyson had been terribly upset, but Dylan had persuaded her as we
Alyson's POV I was getting a little nervous as the carriage pulled up in front of a lair built like a castle. I remembered the day I arrived at Jacob's lair, only to be thrown in the basement, and my heart beat fast with this memory. Of course, I believed that Dylan would never lock me away, but I was grateful to have a companion, Michelle who was growing loyalties to me, and could be a witness. I didn't feel alone this time. "I can't wait for you to meet my mother," Dylan said. "She will love you. Most likely my father is away on business, but he's not nearly as much fun anyway." My nerves were making my hands sweaty. "Are we meeting everyone right away, or do we have any time to clean up and prepare?" I looked at Michelle in my dress, and it didn't fit her. I liked the idea of her support.
Alyson's POV I was enjoying my time with the Harris family. Lilla invited Michelle and I every afternoon for tea, and Dylan joined us for dinner. They were a merry bunch with lots of jokes and laughter, they included their servants in the teasing, and even the more submissive servants seemed to be treated well enough that they also joked with them. I made sure to send money that settled Michelle's debts for her brother's doctors. Having her company really settled my anxieties since I was away from Ryan, even having her sleep in my room so that I was never alone with my thoughts and worries about him. Dylan knocked on my door one day, and I answered. Michelle was there, learning how to sew as Lilla had instructed. She was practicing, but I also knew she was listening.
Ryan's POVJacob had left before dinner the other night, after his threats to me. He was unwilling to dine with an enemy, and I was glad to be rid of him.I had been at my father's house for a day, preparing for the match. It was odd how coming back to the Alexander's territory had strengthened my powers, I needed Clark blood, and I could smell that there were many Clan Clark she-wolves nearby. Not that I would take from them, but their presence seemed to enliven the witch's abilities. It made sense that once Alyson had come into my life, I had a resurgence of the talents and the curse.Michael walked into the room, he had joined me yesterday, making the journey after me as planned."Will you be ready, Alpha Ryan? What can I do for you?" He asked.Jacob was a big wolf, but I was confident that I could overpower him physically. I had never lost a match since I'd g
Alyson's POV Michelle and I were sitting together in the stadium on the day of the games. We had gotten there early and the audience was rolling in. I couldn't stand it any longer, I had to be there, as close to Ryan as I'd been since he left me.I was fraught with anxieties, unable to smell him. There were too many smells here, and I wasn't sure where he'd be. But Crowalt was a large pack, and I dared not go wandering around where the Alexanders lived- as a Clan Clark she-wolf, I would stand out, and they might ask who I was mated to, opening me to danger.Making my nervousness worse, there were so many faces that I recognized who even looked right at my face but said nothing. It seemed that my new face was enough to fool most anyone, and I hoped that it would fool Jennifer. Her knowing me before I was ready to take revenge was my greatest concern. At least, she'd seen me
Stephanie was back while the match was about to start. I sat closer to Michelle, trying not to be too obvious in how I leaned away from her. Ryan had allegedly sent her to watch over me, I would have a talk with him about that, couldn't he have found someone who didn't have a major crush on him? "I did not look at your message as promised, and Ryan really appreciated it," the stupid girl went on and on as if I would congratulate her. I let her voice become a meaningless thrum in the background as she bragged. I was on the edge of my seat looking towards the stadium, where I should see Ryan appear. "Stephanie," I turned to her, and her mouth shut for the first time in minutes. "What is the first round again?" 
Alyson The pain is insurmountable. I fight through it, thinking of the pups that need me, that are clinging to the hope that I will always fight for them, and I won't disappoint them now. I turn over, laid out on the floor of the bathroom, the healer working at the cramps in my spine. I grab the towels, grab my own shirt, desperate to get through this sooner than later. My wolf whines and my heart hurts. "RYAN!" I need him, I want him, and I fear I can't do this ordeal without him beside me. I lay out, exhausted from the agony, crying inconsolably until I hear heavy steps parading through the bedroom. Soon, they find the healer and I in the bathroom, my eyes dizzy as I spot Ryan, naked and drenched in rainwater. My breath catches, curious if I am dreaming. "Right here, Alpha, come help me with this," the healer grunts. I feel my mate hold my head, pushing deep into my spine as I straighten my back out in reflex, feeling th
Ryan "Damn this weather," I mutter. The storm has yet to let up and in fact, I believe it's started pouring down harder, with more vigor, and still shows no signs of slowing for my benefit. "Have you tried linking to the healer?" Olivera asks, his antsy attitude not helping my worried state right now. "I mean, if you can't reach through the link to her, she might just be asleep and everything is okay—that could be possible, right? I mean, if you think about—" "Hush," I beg. "You're rambling again." "I'm sorry that I'm flustered," he grovels. "I'm just trying to keep calm." I raise my brow, trying to stay focused on my mate but I can't seem to shake this infatuation Olivera has had for my mate. I should ignore it, as I have in the past weeks, but something about being stuck in this small cave with him has my mind tethering off too many emotions at once. "Enlighten me, please," I sigh, shaking my head out at the storm. "What is this weirdly possessive, sympathetic binding you thi
Ryan I fight through the winds, the rain cascading over my warriors and me. It wasn't the best idea coming out during this type of storm but we lacked one natural ingredient that grows just south of the waterfall trail and then the cure would be complete for the last facility of rogues. I have healed slowly in my weeks of developing the cure, but I could use a dose myself. Thankfully it hasn't affected my poorly mate, spending most of her days passed out in bed until I force her to get up and move around a bit. It's been exhausting for her, but she is the patriarchy of a new family, the strongest she-wolf I know who is capable of carrying these pups. "Dammit, lover boy! Where are you?!" I barge out of the mouth of the cave where my warriors have been taking shelter from the monsoon outside. I see that rogue alpha in the distance, throwing his hands up in a small fit of rage. It's almost amusing if he didn't also sport a petrified look of angst as well. "Over here," I call out. H
Alyson It's hard to feel not included in the cure development, but I watch Ryan and Olivera get along for many consecutive weeks. At least I have that peaceful energy around, watching them work with the palace pack healers to help the rogues locked up in the facilities, still sick. Thankfully there wasn't an enormous outbreak and everything seems to have worked out. I can't help the feeling of doom, though, thinking about every time things were perfect, something horrible happened. I thought once we defeated Jacob and sent away Jennifer, everything would have worked out forever. I was wrong, but if none of that bad stuff happened, I wouldn't be pregnant. I fear these pups won't be okay, the healer making a daily visit, sometimes twice a day, at least to check on my progress. I worry everyday he will say something bad has happened and they're hurt, or worse. I would give my life for these two pups but I hope I don't have to. "Morning, sweeth
Alyson "Relax," Ryan coos, brushing my hair back. He has finally come to my side, forcing my eyes to stay on his, even as he paces his attention back and forth between me and the healer. I squeeze my mate's hand, feeling pressure build in my abdomen. "There you go, he's done." The healer removes his gloves, my eyes catching a glimpse of Olivera in the hall, seeing him pace frantically fast back and forth in the hallway. I look at my mate now, glimmering with sadness as he peers down at me. I know he feels like I've grown feelings for the rogue Alpha, and I haven't, but I can be sympathetic to the wolf who lost everything; just like I had. "Are the pups okay?" I breathe. Ryan flinches. "More than—more than one?" He watches the healer as though waiting to hear so magical, good news. "What is going on? Are they okay? How many are there? I—" The healer settles his hands together before his body, like a man with bad news. "It's hard to tell
Alyson Whatever causes the fight, I'm not exactly sure, but it breaks out anyways. Every single wolf in the courtyard has shifted, the movements so fast that I don't even release that I've been thrown out of the hecticness, my side slamming against the brick wall and my head smacking right up against it until I feel the blood flow from a cut on my temple. I curl into a ball, my hands instinctively curling to my stomach, so dazed that instead of being able to see what has caused this fight to break out, I only spot wolves tearing into one another, biting into flesh and blood being poured. Ryan, I reach through the mind link, not capable of spotting him through the haze in my eyesight. What the hell is going on? Rouges came from the pack lands; they must have been waiting to ambush. Where are you, mate? Get out of here! Go inside, now! I aim to sit up, my head so discombobulated that I can't even dictate which direction would take me bac
Alyson It only takes a moment for me to catch my breath, and another for me to sprint across the hall, watching Olivera struggle to stand, instead melting to the floor where he slams his fist against the tile floor—it cracks instantly under his bold knuckles. I dare flinch, seeing him so angry almost a warning for me to be careful, but I instead charge forward anyways. I grab his cheek, forcing him to meet my eyes, and he relaxes ever so slightly. When he does, I drag my palm across his face in a single, sharp slap. He jolts upright, standing suddenly and staring me down with a pure look of surprise written across his face. "What the hell was that for?" "That's for doing something so stupid," I growl, my fists trembling at my sides. "You could have died from that cure, Olivera, how dare you try something that risky in my palace?" "You might be the Luna, but you're not my Luna," he says, snide. "I am free to make any decision I want if
Alyson I find myself sitting in the hallway between office and bedroom. In one, my mate suffers with an ill mark on his shoulder and back, and in the other sits an enigma of a wolf. He has kissed me, he has fondled me, and unknown to us both, he has poisoned me while I was newly pregnant. If anything, I should hate the rogue Alpha, but I don't have it in me to leave him completely. So I sit in the hall between them both, curled up with my hands resting on my stomach as if I have already blossomed outward, waiting for one of my favorite Alpha's to wake up. If I leave here to be with one, and the other wakes, I'll feel guilty forever. For now, I wait, hearing steps breach my silent mediation between Alphas. "My Luna, why are you out of bed?" I hear Fritz hum, my eyes watered and wide, shocked to see him here of all places. We didn't exactly part on the most amicable of terms. "You're still looking pale." I wave off his words and
Alyson I try to fight Olivera from going into the office, but he easily grabs my wrist, twists it, and nudges me out the doorway. He's too smart and too strong for me right now, my head blotted with the sleepiness that I can't seem to shake. I grab at his arm, at his shirt sleeve, and dig my heals against the ground. He drags me a few paces before finally stopping. "You're a persistent little bug," he snaps, releasing my hands off of his shirt and giving me a stern look. "We have to find out what this cure does to an Alpha and as it stands, I'm the one best capable here of verbalizing the aftermath of taking this cure. If it makes things worse, so be it." I feel my heart patter to a screeching halt. "What does worse contain?" He looks to the healer, the vial on the desk nearby, and then back to meet my eyes. "I could die, of course, or I could only loose my wolf. I'm happy to put both on the line to see if this stuff is worthy of fixing Ryan, fi