Chapter 83


    LEAH


    It’s been another day.


    I slept a lot and binged some mindless action series on Netflix. I didn’t venture out of my room because


    I’m not really relishing the idea of strapping a gun or knives to my body. But I’m also notfortable


    moving around unarmed.


    What does that say about me?


    About my pack?


    I still want to get into my dad’s room, but I’ve been putting that off too, in case his femme posse is still


    hanging out, which


    is ame reason, I know.


    I don’t particrly relish confrontations. I think deep down I’m


    a people pleaser, and that’s not what my new role demands of


    1.


    A textes through and I scramble to grab my phone.


    I punch my security code.


    exper deep


    It’s not Aaron.


    And this ping of disappointment I feel…I shouldn’t.


    Meet me in theb.


    It’s Adam.


    My stomach lurches with equal parts dread and anticipation. This is it. The test results we’ve been


    waiting for. I’d like to


    believe I’m cured.


    That this power actually has some meaning.


    Because the nights I’vein awake in bed trying to call on something of this “alpha” lineage, I get


    nothing.


    I can’tpel a packmate to do something.


    I can’t use my energy to force back an object-and I know that


    sounds like some full-on Star Wars Jedi stuff, but I’ve seen


    Aaron do it.


    He can project his energy into a force that can st a man


    back a dozen feet.


    I can’t shift.


    So I’m left wondering, for the thousandth time, what good is my role as Alpha, if none of the powers


    actually manifest in


    me?


    Well, if it heals me, then I suppose it is one gift.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    I drag on jeans and a cropped tee and head out of the house.


    I pass two wolves that nod respectfully.


    And then I see Ma. She waves enthusiastically. I need to warm up to her. She’s trying. And I can’t be


    wh iny to want


    people to wee me more and then act all standoffish when


    they actually do.


    “Hi Ma,” I say. “Want to grab lunch?”


    She nods like a seal. “Definitely!”


    “Great. I’ll be back in a bit.”


    It’s been three days; I need to limate. Hiding in my room


    isn’t the answer.


    Although, I haven’t been hiding as much as waiting for this.


    My stomach does that awful swirl again and I feel nauseous.


    It’s nerves.


    I step out of the main house and breathe deep.


    The air is cool but fragrant with spring. Flowers are blooming around the yard. It’s not manicured and


    neat the way Aaron’s house is. The grass is at least a foot tall. But everything is green and growing and


    vibrant.


    I cut across thewn toward the left side of the house.


    Already wolves are out working. Horses cut across the fields and pastures in the distance. The scent of


    cattlees in on


    the breeze.


    There are families spread out in houses surrounding the main packhouse. My brother’s been my


    father’s beta for a long time, and I know he has a separate residence although he’s been sleeping in


    the main house, probably to protect me.


    I haven’t seen nor heard from Tobin again. And that makes me edgy.


    I do see some wolves mulling around, but I can’t tell if they’re just hanging out or if they’re intended as


    security.


    Adam greets me at the door to the medical building. He


    wees me inside.


    “Dude, don’t drag this


    send a friend right now, Adam


    Not you in Decor made


    my ca ncer cured?


    He frowns son back more


    “Dude, don’t drag this out. I need a friend right now, Adam. Not you in Doctor mode. Just tell me. Is my


    ca ncer cured?”


    He frowns. “No, it’s not Leah. It’se back more


    aggressively.”