ATTICUS Listening to males and females who have trained to serve a King is bizarre. They act as if we are royalty, but we aren't. We are Atticus and Roman. We are simple and uneducated. We are scarred and scared. We are not worthy of such devotion, but we will use their loyalty. They will see to the correction of this world. We refuse to let another Rupert exist and because of their undying obedience one never will. "King Atticus, there is a fresh meal of venison in your medical room. Adeline has received food as well. Would you like to stop the meeting to go eat," the female asks from behind her black mask. Our eyes raise from the floor and we stare at the seven members of W.O.L.F who are watching us. They don't seem to realize how uncomfortable it is to receive this much attention. They seem intent on spending every second with us. They hold these meeting and we listen, but so much goes over our heads. They talk about the vermin they are tracking who have killed or hurt othe
The soft patter of rain on the clinic's roof wakes us, but we don't get up. The click on the ticks as the seconds pass by without us moving. We have hidden away long enough, but we still aren't ready to face Karina. Accepting the fact we would not be leaving the world left us feeling anxious. We realized we were scared. We were trying to take the coward's way out. It would be much easier to die than to fail at being Karina's mate or the world's king. Living with the shame of failure after everything else is terrifying, but dying would also be failing. Adeline would be stuck with guilt on top of everything she has experienced. A knock sounds on the door to our room and Logan's scent seems to spill in from around the seams of the painted wood. We scowl and sit up. Out of all the possible visitors we were not expecting it to be him forcing us from our bed. "Yes," we grumble and the white door opens just slightly to allow the young Alpha to peek inside. Logan looks us over cautiously
KARINA POV "Atticus," I say as my body comes to a screeching halt. His order over my body takes hold and his dark eye examine me cautiously. He seems lost. Almost as if he wants to say something, but can't find the way and it breaks my heart. I want to touch him and take away all his pain, but he won't let me. We could help each other but he won't let us. The past is going to rule our lives forever. He deserves so much better than that, but he won't allow himself to have what we could have. "I can only go back up the stairs, Atticus. Your order won't allow to move any further since you are right there," I whisper, and his face scrunches up as if he is confused by my statement. "I lifted it. I took the order away," he says and my eyebrows pull together in confusion. I haven't seen Atticus since the execution. He couldn't have lifted the order. But of course he doesn't know that. Rupert wouldn't have educated Atticus about orders or how to lift them. "I... I have to h
ATTICUS POV Our breath comes out ragged as we run through Logan's land, but our labored breathing isn't from the physical exertion of exercise, but from our emotions. Having Karina touch us and care for us was more than we could handle. It was an internal explosion of emotion. Happiness, longing, insecurity, fear, self-loathing. It was all we could have ever hoped for, but it was terrifying. We aren't good enough for Karina and we know it. Being hugged and questioned by her was one of the scariest moments of our lives. As we push our legs to another level scents and noises erupt from the trees around us. W.O.L.F members flank behind us acting panicked and we realize we have caused them to worry. We weren't in the clinic and now we are running through Thurman's pack as if we wish to kill something. We skid to a halt and the members stop on a dime to stare at us. Their pants fill the silence for a moment as we gather our thoughts. "My King, what is wrong," the biggest male
ATTICUS POV Everything we said was ignored. Not one of the pack members trusted us enough to listen to us. They blatantly displayed their dislike for us by remaining silent and cold no matter what we said. In the end, we decided to walk away and allow the W.O.L.F agents to fix the food shortage issue. It was obvious the members wanted us gone because they immediately began to communicate with the agents. Ruperts lineage seems to be continuing. We gaze up at the open sky and sigh. The stars look like twinkling diamonds in the dark sky and we wish we could fall into them. The stench of shame has coated our flesh and we know there is no escaping it. Rupert Kincaid was our father. We hurt and helped imprison several young wolves who are now gone. Their families have no reason to forgive us. Even if we were under orders or afraid for Adeline we hurt them. We can't blame them for not trusting us or listening to our suggestions. "Atticus," Karina whispers from about five feet back
KARINA POV "Outcast is amazing. The people are very understanding and everyone tries to work together. Of course, you have your occasional jerks. Not everyone who comes there is perfect, but I really had a great time living there. Chloe and I formed a strong bond," I explain as my parents beam while sitting on our tiny couch and Atticus studies me with an almost blank expression from the kitchen table. "That's wonderful, honey. We hoped you were getting to live a much better life," Mom says and Dad puts his arm over her shoulders. "What's your plan from now on," Dad asks and I look toward Atticis quickly before blushing. I still can't push our kiss from my mind. Every time I look at him I remember the feeling of having his warm lips on mine. I have no idea what his plans are, but mine are simple... Stay with him and help heal him. He needs me so that is where I will be... Next to him. Logan needed Chloe to become a good Alpha and my mate needs me to do the same. "I am goi
ATTICUS POV Adeline watches me with a small smirk tugging at her lips as we pace the hospital room. We have been like this ever since we returned from dropping Karina off at Logan's pack house. Our adrenaline won't settle down. We were terrified of meeting her parents and horrified by the way the pack responded to us. The trip back to Thurman did nothing to ease the turbulent emotions inside of us. We want to succeed as King and make our mate proud, but how can the past disappear for us to do that?"So her parents accepted you... A big bad Kincaid," Adeline jokes in a quiet voice and we grunt. They accepted us and they were caring toward us. They didn't fear our new form or place blame for Rupert's actions on us. They let us remain silent while we ate. Karina answered questions and we didn't have to talk to feel included in the conversation. Karina's father was the first older male we have ever felt safe around. Not even Patrick Thurman eased our senses like that male does. It'
KARINA POVHe looks so tranquil while he sleeps. Even the grayish tint to his skin and fangs peeking from under his top lip look innocent. His body is so big I can't see the twin-size bed underneath him, but that doesn't take away from the cuteness either. He is like a muscular mountain with the face of a handsome child. He snores slightly and I grin. He didn't fight me telling him to lay down in my bed like I thought he would. He simply did what I said and watched me for maybe a minute before passing smoothly out. I sit down at the little desk and lean my chin on my hand. He has been asleep for three hours so my chores are done, but I don't want to wake him yet. I want to let him rest for as long as I can. He deserves a peaceful slumber. I know from my hospital stay both he and Adeline have a hard time sleeping throughout the night without experiencing a nightmare. I sigh and glance toward my door. Chloe will be showing up here soon expecting to hear all about my picnic da
KARINA POV"Twins. I mean animals have twins. I have seen the sheep have them," Chloe says as she looks down at the two miracles.I smile and nod. It's been three days and I still can't believe it. When I told Chloe I had given birth I didn't tell her I brought two lives into the world. She wasn't expecting the tiny female wrapped in pink lying next to her brother."She is so tiny," Chloe says as she gently strokes the dark hair on Klaire's small head.I nod and wrap my arms around myself. I still get overwhelmed when I look at them. I can't seem to handle how much love I have for them and the thought of the day they will leave me forever is already weighing on me."You okay," Chloe asks as she looks up from my pups to see me hugging myself.I nod and give her a forced smile.She cocks her head and gives me a cut the bull shit glare. I sigh. She knows me too well to fall for that."I am so happy and so lucky. I mean I made history. I gave birth to not one but two Alpha pups. Klarc is h
ATTICUS POV Pain rips up our spine and we hold back our scream just before Karina's tears through the air. "That's it. You are doing great," the healer says as she stares at our mate's exposed privates. Karina's water broke ten hours ago and we have been anxious ever since. Our pup is over a month early. He isn't supposed to be coming and we are terrified something is wrong with him. Karina's pregnancy has been easy. We haven't had a single worry until today. "Ahhhhhh," Karina screams as she squeezes our hand again and we try to focus on her instead of the pain. From our time in the dungeon watching other females give birth we know she seems to be doing okay. She is having regular contractions and she isn't bleeding abnormally. "I can see the top of his head. Push, my Queen. He is almost here," the healer says and Karina releases our hand so she can grab her knees. She bares down harder than before and his head emerges in between her thighs. We gasp but no one focuses
KARINA POV I smile as little Pat flies up into the air and Logan catches him again. He giggles every time his brown hair lifts off his forehead and it couldn't be more adorable.Our little Klarc pushes against my hand as if to say he wants to play with Logan too and I look down at my stomach with my smile still on my face.I know Atticus wasn't a fan of my favorite name for our little Alpha, but I decided he would come around to it so Klarc it is. "So everyone has settled in nicely," Atticus asks as he focuses in on the main Alpha that he trusts.I look up from my protruding stomach to see Logan settle Pat in his lap. He looks at Atticus and gives him his full attention. I do the same.This is why Atticus invited them to our new pack house. He wants to find out how the others are adjusting. I study my mate's features intently. He has been strained the past few days and I have grown concerned. He wants everything to be perfect for everyone. Even though that isn't possible. What is
ATTICUS POV We grunt with effort as we push down the last wall to another member's old house. All belongings have already been removed from most of the old houses so the pack's move has transitioned to stage two, demolition. "Move to the next group of homes," we call out to the other males helping us break apart the homes. The cleanup crew will follow behind us and dispose of the rubbish. They will also pile the wood and burn it. We don't want to leave a mess behind us for nature to deal with. We want the land to return to normal after we leave. We also told all of the other packs to do the same. We begin to head toward the next group of homes while wiping the sweat from our brow.The new territory is now ready for all of us to move in, but we have decided to move in one pack at a time starting in the center, and since that is Pack Kincaid's we are moving first. "Ready," we call out as we surround the midsized home. We receive a varied response of yes and yeahs from the o
KARINA POV rated R I knock on Atticus's office door lightly as I open it and he smiles as he sees me. "How was your visit," Atticus asks as he puts down the paper he is scanning. I smile and close the door behind me. "Perfect. Thank you for calling her. I didn't realize I needed to talk to her so badly," I reply as I sit down in the chair across from him. He gives me a knowing smile and I get lost for a second as I look him over. His dark eyes and hair make him so sultry. Not to mention the shirt he has on is a little on the tighter side. All his muscles are on clear display. His broad shoulders and hard pecks make me want to drool. "She always knows how to get you to talk... and I know some things you aren't comfortable sharing with me," Atticus says as he lifts the piece of paper back up. Something in his tone draws me out of my ogling and I look back at his face. He seems almost sad like his feelings are hurt because I spoke with Chloe instead of him. I need to smooth
KARINA POV My eyes flutter open for a brief second before they snap closed again. The light from the window paired with the grainy feeling already in my eyes hurts as I roll onto my back. I want to groan and go back to sleep, but I know I freaked my mate out last night. He will need to be reassured that I am alright. I sniffle a little and my eyes snap open once more, but this time in alarm. A familiar but out-of-place scent has filled my nostrils and sleep has completely left my mind. "Chloe what are you doing here," I question as I sit up and focus on my best friend sitting in my reading chair. She smiles at me but doesn't answer. Instead, she moves to my bed and sits down. "How are you feeling," she asks and I shake my head. She is skipping past my question because she knows I don't like causing problems. Pulling Chloe away from her son and her mate is definitely a problem. "I am fine. You should be at home with your son and your mate," I say voicing my thoughts a
KARINA POV As the last of the Alphas board the train to return to their packs, I glance up at my mate. He has seemed withdrawn and pensive ever since Alpha Johnson overstepped. Even Logan couldn't draw out any more direct answers from him. "What's wrong," I ask as we begin to walk back. He glances down at me for only a second before looking away and I grow anxious. Maybe he is mad at me for suggesting the meeting. Now there is tension with an Alpha who leads the biggest pack. He probably caused the other Alphas to have an issue with Atticus's authority too. I am such a bad mate. I made this harder for him."Alpha Johnson has a large pack. His father and Grandfather eliminated a few Alpha families. They took over their lands and gained control of their packs. He is going to be a problem. I am wondering what the ex-agents know about him. We should look into how he treats his pack before the move," Atticus says and I bite my bottom lip.This meeting was supposed to smooth out our
ATTICUS POV Light beams off the surface of the fresh snow and we squint as we try to look out over the miles of simple buildings. In a few more months everything will be complete. Werewolves will finally be able to move to their safe new homes. New schools and new businesses will hopefully thrive and thousands of bonds will be strengthened. "What do you think," Karina asks as she looks out at the progress. "I like it. The homes are closer together than what we are used to but between each pack, I put a few miles of cleared land. That way we have places to roam. Plus outside of all the packs is plenty of wilderness for all of us to use together " we reply and she nods. She seems worried as she bites her bottom lip and looks down at her hands. Her baby bump is more pronounced now and I know she stares at it when she is deep in thought about things. Something about this move is upsetting her and we don't like it. "Do you think we can all get along this close to one another," Kar
ATTICUS POV Unease fills our gut as we sit with the exhausted-looking father and our attention drifts toward the open office door. Karina's scent is still strong. We can faintly hear Chloe as she talks to her, but still, the feeling in our gut worries us. "I have told him he needs to take a break," Gavin says and our eyes flick back toward Logan. His worn face does nothing to hide his annoyance with his beta. "I am fine. Chloe deserves rest. I am okay," Logan snaps and we glance toward the wall behind him. A picture of Patrick with his beta Hank from their teenage years smiles back at us. Curiosity and sympathy for the young Alpha joins our inner turmoil. "You named your son after your father," we say quietly and the two males go silent as they follow our line of sight to the picture."Yeah. He was a great... male," Logan says stumbling a little."He was. He wasn't perfect. But he was a great leader and a good Father," we reply and the room goes quiet as we all look at the