ã€ŠBeauty and The Beta (Bailey)ã€‹


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    Chapter 1 ¨C Bailey

    I looked at the clock on my bedroom wall. I think I have dyed the inevitable for as long as I

    physically can. I should go to the packhouse to go and wish our pack¡¯s uing Alpha a happy

    birthday. The bane of my life. My brother¡¯s best friend. One day to be Alpha Miles. Today he will turn

    17, and meet his Alpha wolf. In all honesty, he was egotistical enough, thinking the world revolved

    around him, without him adding to that by finally gaining his wolf. Not your run-of-the-mill werewolf

    either. Oh no, Miles Davenport was destined to be an Alpha, so he would have a strong and

    powerful Alpha wolf, only adding to his arrogance and strength.

    The crazy thing is, Miles had once upon a time been one of my closet friends too. In my younger

    childhood¡­ Friends, that kind of thinges when your father is the Beta to the Alpha. The

    children spend a lot of time together, and be friends. My older brother, Jordan, became the

    wing-man to Miles. His closest friend and ally, who as his Beta when the time came, was only right.

    But as the years went on, the friendship between Miles and I changed.

    Friendship faded as he grew into a more popr sports star of our school. At the end of the day, he

    was always going to be popr, he was the uing Alpha after all, but as one of the top sports

    stars too, he was idolized. As was my brother. All the girls in school flocked around them like they

    were pop stars or something, and it was bizarre. I was nothing more to him now but a source of

    amusement for him and his sports buddies. A geek. Not one of the beauty queens who followed him

    around. Simply someone to make fun of.

    I had gone from enjoying time with my one-day Alpha, to hating him, in the space of a school year.

    He thought he was g od¡¯s gift, and in all honesty, if he was, he is a gift I would return¡­

    ¡°Bailey!¡± I heard my Mum call from downstairs, telling me I was definitely running it close now for

    time. I know Jordan had already headed over to the packhouse a while ago with my Dad to meet his

    friend and our Alpha.

    ¡°I know.¡± I yelled back, looking at the books on my desk, desperate to continue with the assignment

    I was working on. I would so much rather continue working on the assignment and gain the

    additional credit avable, work toward going to the college I want to go to instead of going to a

    party for the big-headed bully, I got to consider almost family, considering he was the son of my

    Dad¡¯s best friend.

    I stood from my seat, and walked to my mirror, adjusting my ck skater dress I had chosen to

    wear today. Something in and simple, easy to blend into the background, but a dress all the

    same if anyone asked why I hadn¡¯t made an effort. Along with my chunky ck sandals, I looked

    presentable, not that anyone would be looking at me. Today, all eyes would be on the birthday boy,

    as they always were. He would make sure of that. I flicked back my curly brown hair, before I

    walked out of the door, already dreading the hours thaty ahead¡­

    My Mum pulled the car into the parking spaces outside the packhouse, while my younger sister

    Morgan was flicking at the curls around my head, simply trying to irritate me. She knew I would

    rather be anywhere but here right now, and was loving everyst moment of it. ¡°Aww, you want to

    go home Bailey-boo?¡± she teased.

    ¡°Stop you two,e on, your Dad is waiting inside. Let us go and find the birthday boy.¡± Mum says,

    sounding cheerful,pletely oblivious to the fact how horr endous this party had the potential to

    be. She, too, worshiped Miles. Having seen him grow up alongside my brother, she seemed to think

    the sun shone out of his rear-end. It had always driven me insane.

    ¡°He won¡¯t even notice us there.¡± I muttered under my breath as I followed her up the steps of the

    back house, shaking my head at my sister and how overdressed she looked. She definitely looked

    like she was out to impress someone today. A small part of me wondered if she hoped she might be

    the fated mate of Miles. After all, he was meeting his Alpha wolf today. He will have shifted for the

    first time today, and today could potentially be the day he can sense his fated mate out there waiting

    for him! There had been so much buzz around school about this, so many of the girls were excited

    about the potential possibility they could be his fated mate. The one chosen for him by the moon

    goddess. The one destined to be with him. So many of them are desperate for it to be them. While

    there I was desperate for anything but. I could think of nothing worse! Yet, looking at the amount of

    effort my younger sister had made today, I am beginning to think she was one of the many she-

    wolves that was holding out that hope¡­

    We walked through the corridors of the packhouse, and it was filled with various pack members.

    Today was a day of celebration within pack, the birthday of the uing Alpha. And not just any

    birthday, the day he came of age. The day he met his Alpha wolf. The walls of the packhouse were

    adorned with decorations, music was ring from various speakers dotted around the multiple

    rooms.

    ¡°Ooff, sorry!¡± a giggling she-wolf said to me as she nearly knocked me off my feet as she knocked

    into me. I would rather be anywhere but here right now. This was far too hectic and far too loud for

    me. I simply re at the back of the girl as she moves away from me, not a care in the world.

    I followed my Mum and my sister, who was almost sk ipping as she walked, toward the main lounge

    area. I can only assume my Mum had mindlinked my Dad to let him know we had arrived, and he

    said they were there, or else we could spend all day looking around for them! It appeared almost

    every member of the pack had turned up to celebrate the birthday of Miles f**king Davenport.

    The lounge area wasden with people, music truly sting, and everyone seeming to have a good

    time. Everyone but me. I caught the eye of my brother, leaning against the wall of the lounge, the

    furthest away from the door we had just walked into. He nodded in my direction before simply

    turning away.

    ¡®Could have made an effort, Bailey.¡¯ he mindlinked. ¡®It is a birthday, not a funeral, you know?¡¯

    I felt my heart sink at his words. Great, the insults were starting already, which meant it would only

    be a matter of time until Miles started too. The two of them seemed to like working together like that.

    Finding great enjoyment in harassing me. I was only a year younger than both of them, and had

    desperately hoped the name-calling and insulting would ease off as they got a little older, but if

    anything, they seemed to get worse. All because I wasn¡¯t like the girls they were interested in, I was

    sure of it. I wasn¡¯t like the other girls. Made myself an easy target, my Mum told me, all because I

    enjoyed studying. Liked reading and learning. Said, I only made it harder for myself. The n was

    to make it easier for myself by finding a way out¡­

    ¡°Jordan says your dress looks like you are going to a funeral, Bailey.¡± Morgan teased, fluffing up my

    curls again. My long brown hair fell in thick, unruly curls down my back. They drove me mad at

    times. Especially when my brother and sister decide to mess with them.

    ¡°Oh well, I wore a dress, like you asked.¡± I snapped, moving away from them, feeling angry already,

    so tempted just to turn around and walk home, only to be pulled back by my Mum.

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°We are going to wish Miles a happy birthday. You will stay for a while at least. I do not need to be

    exining to your Aunt and Uncle yet again why you have walked out on a social event, Bailey.¡±

    Mum warned me, her tone sounding grumpy, I swear she had to have read my thoughts on leaving

    the party already. I am sure she hated having me as a daughter, likely wishing for one that was

    more sociable, and one that enjoyed being a part of everything, instead of one that would rather

    have her head in a book.

    ¡°A, Happy Birthday, Miles!¡± I heard my sister squeal from by my side. I swear she spoke at a

    pitch so high only dogs could hear. Goddess knows why she is so excited. It is only his birthday. He

    likely doesn¡¯t even care, he never normally does¡­

    As I looked up, his blue eyes were locked on me, I raised my gaze to meet his, and could see his

    eyes shift to a darker blue¡­ was that his wolf? I see a snarl across his face as he suddenly storms

    from the room. What the hell was that about?

    ¡®Get out here.¡¯ Miles is suddenly mindlinking me, and I have to say he sounded far from impressed.

    That,bined with the angry expression on his face, told me something was off. Would he have

    rather I had note? Well, he was not the only one¡­

    ¡®What?¡¯ I questioned,pletely confused. Was he annoyed over how I had dressed too? Jeez, it

    was just a dress. Does it really matter? I would go home if it was.

    ¡®Outside now.¡¯ He demanded once more, sounding even more irritated this time, making me realize

    I had little choice but to follow his orders, so I snuck away from the ongoing party back to the doors

    of the packhouse.

    Only to find Miles pacing along the bottom of the steps, looking a mixture of confused and angry. So

    why did he need me here? Someone to take his anger out on? I was not willing to be that, I was

    sure about that¡­ Just as I was about to walk away, he looked up.

    ¡°F**king took you long enough.¡± He snapped.

    I frowned, unsure what this was all about, but it was making no sense to me as I looked down

    toward him from where I stood at the top of the packhouse steps. His blue eyes shifted to the dark

    blue once more, like they had inside, taking me by surprise. His wolf is clearly lingering¡­

    ¡°What is wrong, Miles? Do you want me to get Jordan?¡± I asked.

    ¡°No I do not! I do not want anyone knowing this.¡± He snarls, a growl slipping from his lips, though

    whether that was aimed at me or whether his wolf was angry at him, I do not know¡­

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I understand¡­¡± I began.

    ¡°You soon will.¡± He sneers, and I simply look to him in confusion. Nothing he says makes sense to

    me. Until he continues. ¡°Only today did I realize. The thought makes me sick. Why our own moon

    goddess would y a trick like this on me, I don¡¯t know. I am an Alpha. A f**king Alpha. I deserve a

    strong mate. A beautiful mate to be proud of. Not some feeble pathetic wallflower.¡±

    My body trembles at his words. No. I had yet to gain my wolf. I did not know this yet. Why¡­ Why

    him of all people? ¡°I am your fated mate?¡± I question with a shaky voice. ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°Are you f**king doubting me?¡± he yells. ¡°And you won¡¯t be. The moment you have your wolf, I will

    decide when the time is right to reject you.¡±

    My heart twists and contorts at the thought. Rejection was meant to be the most painful thing

    possible. Why would he want to reject the mate chosen for him by our own moon goddess? Am I

    truly so repulsive?

 2

    2

    Chapter 2 ¨C Bailey

    A Year Later

    Yet another birthday party for our beloved uing Alpha. Ha. Not my beloved uing Alpha. I

    hated the f**ker. Breaking my heart without a second thought. What I had done to deserve that I had

    never got a proper exnation from him. Other than the frequent insults, of why would he want to

    be with someone like me? Did I look like Luna material to him? I had no clue. What the hell did Luna

    material look like in his eyes? Some blond bimbo, no doubt. They were the she-wolves he tended to

    spend his time with within our pack. The ones who worshiped the ground he walked on. That would

    do anything he asked of them. Ones that I highly doubted read much more than the work set of

    them at school.

    ¡°Bailey!¡± my Mum yelled at me from the stairway of our family home. ¡°Will you hurry up?!¡±

    ¡°Do I really need toe to the party?¡± I responded. ¡°I am telling you, Miles will not be bothered if I

    am not there!¡±

    ¡°Your Aunt and Uncle will be though. And I am not exining to them again why you are missing.¡±

    My Mum continues yelling. ¡°Do you not realize just how many events you have missed this year, all

    because you have your head in a book?¡±

    ¡°Yeah Bai-Bai. Such a geek. No wonder you have no friends.¡± My sister Morgan giggles from

    outside my bedroom door.

    ¡°P iss off.¡± I hissed. ¡°I have friends.¡±

    I stormed from my room, and down the stairs toward my waiting family. I nned to greet the

    birthday boy, not that he would care in the slightest. I know that he would rather not see me at all.

    And then I would sneak home.

    ¡°Ew, are you wearing that?¡± Morgan asked.

    I looked down at the skinny ck trousers I had on and the white tank top. Great. I can¡¯t win.

    Nothing I wear is approved of by my sister, evidently named the fashion queen without my

    knowledge. Oh well, I am dressed and wearing it. I think it looked good with my chunky ck

    sandals I had on¡­

    I scowled at my sister and walked out of the door. ¡°Are we going or not?¡± I snapped at them all, truly

    not able to wait for the following month when I leave to go to university. Get away from them, and

    this pack!

    The party was well underway when we arrived, music pounding from the speakers as couples made

    out in every avable space, so I averted my eyes as we walked through the corridors of the

    packhouse to the lounge where we would no doubt find Miles reigning over his people. Being all

    important, like he was partial to considering himself.

    ¡®Why are you here?¡¯ Miles¡¯s voice filled my mindlink, before I had even fully entered the room

    behind my parents.

    Great. ¡®I didn¡¯t get a choice. Trust me, I would rather not be.¡¯ I snapped back.

    I was getting more than a little tired of the way he would treat me. Yes, he nned on rejecting me.

    Decided I was not for him, but he could have left it at that. I didn¡¯t need treating like I was some sort

    of social pariah because of the fact he decided I was not right for him. I do not think I deserved that.

    I had endured enough bullying through my time in high school, for the fact I enjoyed my education.

    ¡®Oh. Excuse me? Are you implying you were not going toe to the party of your next Alpha?¡¯

    Miles links with some serious attitude.

    ¡®Miles, you just asked why I had bothereding. Now you are asking if I was not going toe?

    Make your mind up.¡¯ I argued.

    ¡®Remember who I am Bailey. You are not above me. Never will be. Could have been equal to me at

    most had I seen you as suitable to be my mate, but no. You were beneath that honor.¡¯ He sneers.

    I felt anger racing through me. ¡®And you think I would not have rejected you?¡¯ I snapped, moving

    back toward the exit, not wanting to be here anymore. Until I felt a hand grabbing the back of my

    tank top, yanking me back.

    My eyes darted upward to see the dark eyes of Miles. Sneering down at me. Our Pack¡¯s uing

    Alpha. The most arrogant man I think I have ever met. One, thankfully, I did not have to be mates

    with any longer as the stu pid f**ker had chosen to reject his own fated mate before even giving her

    a chance. ¡°Going somewhere Bailey?¡± he asked, his voice full of spite.

    ¡°Well, I do believe you asked me why I was here, so I assumed you wanted me to leave.¡± I told him.

    Miles bows his head down so it is level with mine, he inhales deeply, like he still enjoys the scent of

    me. He has done this numerous times ofte, which I find quite bizarre. But, I ignore him as he tilts

    his head to look at me, ¡°Hmm, I think my Mum and Dad may have something to say if you leave.

    Their clever little Bailey. Heaven forbid.¡± He presses his forehead against mine. ¡°Just stay away

    from me, and do not spoil my fun.¡±

    I shake my head in disbelief at him, as he stalks away. Did he even think for a moment I would be

    going near him if I could avoid it? I would rather be anywhere but near him!

    ¡°Bailey, why are you harassing my friend for?¡± I heard my brother, Jordan demand, as he suddenly

    approached, causing many people to turn around and look at me. Wonderful. Nothing like starting

    pack gossip is there. I am sure Miles would appreciate that!

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t harassing him, he came to speak to me. Asking why I hade.¡± I told him, and my

    brotherughed. He is as much an idiot as Miles. Any of my friends who have big brothers hate how

    protective they are. Me? No, my big brother is the one leading all the bullying and being a total di ck

    to me. He finds great embarrassment in the fact his younger sister is far from being one of the

    popr group, and is, in his words, ¡®far too into her books¡¯. I think, in all honesty, my entire family

    found me, in one way or another, a huge embarrassment.

    ¡°Well, he has a point. Not like you will be joining in with the celebrations. You will probably be sitting

    in a quiet corner somewhere reading.¡± He teases.

    ¡°Well, it is certainly more intellectually pleasing than any of you would be.¡± I smirked at him as I

    walked away from my brother who was standing looking confused. I am sure he had no clue what I

    meant. The scary thing is he will be the next, pack Beta. Heaven help our pack. Between him and

    Miles they only had one brain cell between them, and that was one that they shared, I am sure of it!

    And even then, I think it was rechargeable and started losing power and knowledge at a rapid rate!

    They only graduated high school because they paid people to do their work for them.

    As I snuck away, out of the busy lounge to the top of the stairway, where I hoped to hide out for as

    long as possible, I heard footsteps behind me. I quickly turned, hoping it was simply someone on

    their way to their bedroom or even to one of the spare bathrooms on this floor. But, sadly, luck was

    not on my side tonight. No. Miles was following me. Eyebrows raised and looking quite irritated.

    ¡°Oi. I want to talk to you.¡± he demanded.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°You asked me to go away a minute ago, didn¡¯t you?¡± I asked him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think so, think it was more a case of why you were here.¡± Miles says with a smirk. Sitting on

    the top step with me.

    ¡°Miles, you have the whole pack here for your birthday, I am sure whatever you need to speak to me

    about can wait.¡± I shrugged, desperately craving peace, which, considering the pounding beat of the

    music ying, would be difficult.

    ¡°No. Why didn¡¯t you tell me you were leaving?¡± he questions, like he is irate at the fact I had not let

    him know. Why would I let him know?

    ¡°Why would I? We aren¡¯t friends, Miles. You also are not my Alpha yet. It was arranged with my

    parents, me and your Dad, as Alpha.¡± I exined to him, unsure why this would even bother him. If

    anything, I would think he would be d to get rid of me.

    ¡°You are going away though.¡± he murmurs.

    ¡°That is generally what happens when you go to college or university. Yeah.¡± I said with another

    shrug.

    ¡°There wasn¡¯t one closer to home?¡± he hisses. ¡°Because it seems to me you picked the one furthest

    away.¡±

    ¡°What does it matter to you? You hate me. I won¡¯t be here, You get your wish of being rid of me.¡± I

    snapped, truly sick of him trying to dictate to me what I should and shouldn¡¯t be doing. I had worked

    hard in school, so I could do this. My parents had spoken to my Aunt and Uncle, the Luna and

    Alpha of our pack to allow me special permission to go to a university out of state to study, saying it

    was what I had dreamed of. I had nothing holding me back. And, with the fact Miles did not want me

    for his mate, or his Luna, I truly did not. Not that any of them knew of that. That was our own secret.

    Even despite the pull to him as my mate since my wolf had arrived, I still found him truly repulsive.

    He sickened me. Though, the pains when he slept with the many she-wolves that visited his bed,

    made it even easier to detest the man that he had be. I still had no clue what I had done to

    deserve this treatment from this man, other than not being one of the popr group. But, I knew I

    deserved better than him.

    Miles nced at me, momentarily a thoughtful look passed over his face, almost caring, before a

    hardness reced it. ¡°That much is true. No more having to see the disappointing failure the moon

    goddess made of mating me to you. At least not for a few years. Who knows, perhaps you will meet

    someone while there. I suggest you do. That way you won¡¯t have toe back, because, I, as

    Alpha, will be looking for my Luna.¡±

    ¡°Miles, I honestly do not care if you find someone else.¡± I told him, going to stand and head home,

    not wishing to spend another moment in the same ce as him.

    As I went to move away, he grabbed my hand, pulling me to him, so I was once more sitting level

    with him on the top step of the first floornding of our packhouse. ¡°Always so righteous aren¡¯t you

    Bailey? You say you don¡¯t care? We will see. Well, this will be on my terms. I, Miles Davenport,

    reject you, Bailey West, as my fated mate¡­¡± he began, and my head began to whirl as his words

    sunk in. The realization and excruciating pain of what was happening bing too much for me¡­

 3

    3

    Chapter 3 ¨C Bailey

    Three Years Later

    I drove the long road down to pack. I hated this drive. It was like returning to hell for me. Lotus

    Shadow Pack. My very own version of hell. Though, three years away, studying had been truly

    amazing. Transforming myself into the woman I should always have been. Confident. Self-assured.

    Brave. Just me. And now a fully qualified teacher.

    As a she-wolf, you spend so many years of your life being told your focus is finding your fated mate.

    Settling down with them and creating a strong matebond. A love. A family. Well, once I hade to

    ept that my na?ve, teenage dreams would never surface, thanks to the moon goddess pairing

    me with a mate so incapable of loving anyone other than himself, I decided that my focus would be

    my career. My education had always been something I took great pride in. I loved to learn, and I

    had decided that I wanted to pass that gift along. I no longer cared what others thought of me. And,

    while at university, it felt so wonderful to be surrounded by others who felt the same way. I finally felt

    like I fit in somewhere.

    And, I believe that is what allowed me to be the person I was meant to be. However, now, I

    had to return to my pack, at their orders. The agreement was, once I hadpleted my degree, I

    would return home. Unless, of course, I had found my fated mate. But, I knew within my heart, that

    was never to happen. For, my fated mate sat at home. Lording it over our pack. Acting like he was

    the best thing since sliced bread. Sleeping with any she-wolf that came near him, from what I heard,

    having rejected me.

    I pulled up at our guarded pack gates. Harley, one of our pack warriors, currently on guard duty,

    stepped forward to my car window. ¡°ID¡± he ordered.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I frowned at him. I do not think I have been asked for ID before when returning home, even in all the

    times I have visited home, though in all fairness, those visits have been few and far between. My

    visits were only when they were required of me. I had grown to loathe this ce, anding back

    had be less of a priority for me over the time I was away¡­

    ¡°Harley, it is me. Bailey.¡± I exined, trying not to smile at his mistake.

    Harley looked at me closer. ¡°Sh it. Sorry Bailey, didn¡¯t really recognize you there. You changed your

    hair. And you aren¡¯t wearing your sses. You look good.¡± He says with a shrug, quickly looking

    away, clearly embarrassed by his faux-pas.

    I smirk at his response. Yes, my hair is somewhat tamer than it used to be. The curls straightened

    out, and my hair now neat and sleek down my back. My sses I had worn for reading had been

    long gone. Having got my eyes fixed withser eye surgery whilst away. Plus, I now wore a little

    simple make-up to entuate my features. Nice to know somebody has noticed a difference¡­

    ¡°No problem. You still need ID?¡± I asked him.

    He grins at me. ¡°I think I know who you are. Nice to see you.¡± he nods at me in acknowledgment as

    the gate opens for me. ¡°Maybe catch you around while you are back.¡± He adds as I begin to drive

    away.

    I smiled in response, I guess there would be nothing to stop me catching up with any guy I wanted

    to now. Not that I was really bothered right now¡­ but it was not like I had a fated mate to wait for

    any longer. And it wasn¡¯t like Miles was making a point of staying single. Every time I had returned

    home, he had had a different she-wolf on his arm. Parading them through pack like a prized

    possession, only to have traded her in by the time I returned on my next visit. He was turning into

    quite the lothario. And quite a joke in my eyes.

    I set off along the quiet, familiar roads of our sweet old pack. The evening sun was settling in the

    sky as I moved my car down the route to my family home. No doubt my Mum would be there waiting

    for me, perhaps my Dad, if he was in from work by now. My brother and sister, I was unsure. They

    still both lived at home with my parents, but were back and forth to friends¡¯ homes and my brother

    was looking to move into the Beta suite in the packhouse soon enough, in preparation for taking on

    the role from my father when the time came. Either way, they rarely bothered to rush home to see

    me when they knew I was returning. I don¡¯t think seeing me was at the top of their priority list¡­

    I pulled my car up on the street in front of my familiar family home. I could not believe I was home.

    Stuck back here. The dread within my stomach churned heavily at the prospect of many years stuck

    here. Miserable and unhappy, with no way out, now my fated mate had rejected me. Not that

    anyone other than Miles and I knew of that. No. He had decided he would be considered weak if

    others knew an Alpha had gone against the powerful Moon Goddess¡¯s choice. So, this was our

    secret. Or he would make me pay in ways I did not want to imagine, apparently.

    And, in all honesty, I did not want to think of it. He had allowed me to go away to do my degree.

    Doing the final bit of convincing when my Uncle, the current Alpha, and Miles¡¯s father, along with my

    parents were on the fence. Or, so he said. How true that was, I would never likely know the truth,

    but it had been for that reason, and that alone I had chosen to do as he had asked.

    If he had done the things he said, then he had allowed me to fulfill my dream of gaining my degree

    of teaching away from pack. To allow me to be just me, not the daughter of the pack Beta. And I

    have thrived because of it. But, now, I had to return. Back to where I belonged. And, while I may

    have gained my degree, I had no real future prospects. I was likely stuck here.

    I stepped from the car, determined more than ever to find work, as I heard my Mum¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Bailey!¡± she greeted me from the porch steps, a big smile upon her face. ¡°You look beautiful

    sweetheart.¡±

    I smiled back at her, as I moved toward the front door. Only to see Miles leaving the house next

    door to ours. The Alpha home. Could I have timed my arrival home any worse?

    His eyes met mine, giving me a dark stare before looking at my Mum. ¡°Hi Aunt Brianna. You didn¡¯t

    say she was home today.¡±

    Mum smiled at Miles like she thought the world of him, though most of the time she generally did.

    ¡°Ah, I think it slipped my mind. Bailey is home for good now, Miles. How wonderful is that?¡±

    Once more, Miles gave me a dark stare. ¡°Hmmm. Truly wonderful.¡± he said with some serious

    contempt in his voice.

    ¡®You stay out of my way unless I say otherwise, you understand?¡¯ Miles mindlinks me, as he moves

    toward his car.

    ¡°Are you not going to speak to him Bai?¡± Mum tries. ¡°He will be Alpha this time next year, you

    know?¡±

    ¡°Oh it doesn¡¯t matter, Aunt Brianna. Bailey will be excused this time. I am sure she is tired from her

    drive back home. But no doubt I will be seeing her around. And yes, she will have to get used to me

    as her senior. Her Alpha.¡± He says with a sneer, and at his words my stomach twists into knots. I

    don¡¯t think I can stay here¡­ I not only need to find work, I need to find work away from my pack, so

    I can move away to get away from my psychotic Alpha and ex-mate!

 4

    4

    Chapter 4 ¨C Bailey

    I sit out in the garden drinking my morning coffee, with myptop open scrolling desperately through

    the job vacancies, when I hear a deep growl to my left, causing me to swirl my head to look. Miles

    was resting his head on the garden fence from next door, overlooking our back garden, to where I

    was sitting. Watching me intently, the look upon his face was one of sheer disgust¡­

    I had no clue how long he had been standing there, or what had angered him to the point of

    growling, but he had made me jump. ¡°F**king hell, Miles.¡± I snapped, giving him a dark scowl. I had

    done well the past week since arriving and stayed out of his way. Managing to ensure I avoided all

    pack events, and ensuring I dodged any ces he was likely to be. Yes, it meant I spent an awful

    lot of time in my bedroom at home, but I would rather do that than have to deal with him.

    Today, the sun was glorious, and I thought it would be nice to take my breakfast outside while I

    looked for jobs online. Sitting on the patio furniture we have in the back garden, under the warmth of

    the morning sunshine, my coffee was enjoyable, all until this st*pid f**ker disturbed me. I shook my

    head in his direction, wondering why he had snuck up on me. He had so many more ces he

    could be¡­

    ¡°Who do you think you are cursing at?¡± Miles snarled.

    ¡°The creep who did exactly that. Crept up on me out of the blue for no good reason.¡± I rolled my

    eyes at him in disgust, only to see this seemed to anger him further. Though, I think anything I did

    would anger Miles. He seemed to hold some serious resentment towards me at the moment, but

    should I really expect anything less?

    ¡°I wille over there and deal with you, Bailey.¡± He hissed.

    ¡°Deal with me?¡± I questioned his choice of words. ¡°Deal with me how? You asked me to stay out of

    your way. That is what I am doing.¡±

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± he chose to ignore my words, and looks to myptop screen instead, so I

    slowly shut the screen down, so he would be unable to see. I do not want him knowing I am

    applying for work outside the area. I would not put it past him to stop it from happening. He seems

    to be being deliberately nasty ofte, so I truly do not know what he would sink to, in order to be

    nasty towards me¡­

    ¡°Nothing of your concern.¡±

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°I am your Alpha. So, all that goes on in my pack is my business.¡± He tells me with a smirk.

    I shook my head with a smirk back, ¡°Hmm, not quite Miles, you are not. Your Dad is still Alpha, so

    don¡¯t be getting ahead of yourself.¡±

    An angry look red across his face once more. His handsome features contorted in fury. He did not

    like having people disagree with him. But I was not about to have him dictating to me¡­

    ¡°Just because you were my mate once upon a time does not give you the right to talk to me

    however you please, you know.¡± Miles snarls.

    ¡°She is your mate?¡± a voice questions, causing us both to whip our heads round, only to see the

    unexpected face of Miles¡¯s younger brother Ellis.

    I look at Miles with despair now, my heart pounding within my chest and my palms bing

    sweaty. Wondering what the hell he nned to do now the secret we had kept between us for so

    long was out now¡­ how had neither of us heard himing?

    ¡°No she is not. She rejected me.¡± Miles said coldly, looking at me as if daring me to disagree with

    him.

    Wait¡­ he was making it out like I had rejected him? I looked at Miles in shock, but the look within

    his eyes was like he dared me to argue.

    ¡°You rejected your Alpha? What kind of fool are you?¡± Ellis asked as his eyes looked me up and

    down like a piece of dirt. Sadly, a look I am more than used to. ¡°Do Mum and Dad know?¡±

    Miles shakes his head. ¡°No. I don¡¯t want them to either. It would worry them too much, Els, please

    do not say anything. Bailey and I were never a good match, so perhaps she made the right choice.

    Please for me?¡± Miles is pleading with his brother, and part of me wonders if he is worried what his

    family would do if they learned of his decision to go against the Moon Goddess. As an Alpha, this

    was almost unheard of. ming me was gutless. But, if that is what he wants to do, then let him.

    ¡®Do not even think of saying anything different.¡¯ Miles¡¯s voice reverberates through my mind via the

    link. ¡®Or you will learn to regret it. That degree you love so much could easily be destroyed.¡¯

    I took in the words Miles had said, and the sad thing is, I do not doubt them. I would not put it past

    him finding a way to have my degree removed. Having me stuck within our pack. He would be

    Alpha soon enough, and he would be the one able to dictate what I did¡­ I had little choice but to do

    as he asked. Yet i felt anger racing through my veins¡­

    I lifted myptop and stood from my seat. ¡°I will talk to you however I like Miles. When you seem to

    think you can treat me however you like.¡± and with that I walked away from the two brothers, both

    looking at me, walking away in shock. I know I woulde to regret what I had just said, but I truly

    no longer cared¡­

 5

    5

    Chapter 5 ¨C Asher

    I pace the corridor of the packhouse for yet another night. Sleepless nights are bing the most

    repetitive thing for me now. Almost tiresome¡­ or they would be if I could actually f**king sleep!

    Nightmares guing my dreams were the thing stopping my sleep¡­ making me fear sleep¡­

    visions of that night¡­ reurring time and time again¡­ the rogues invading our packnds¡­ us

    losing control¡­ and them hurting my precious I. My beautiful I.

    Fate had barely brought us together before snat ching us apart¡­ life could be cruel¡­ and it made

    me relive that night, time and time again through my dreams¡­ the pain as her life ebbed away¡­

    the inability to be able to save her¡­ the pain in her eyes¡­ the fear¡­ it made me hate life¡­ hate

    fate. And now, now it makes me fear sleep. Which is what found me pacing these godforsaken

    corridors every night¡­

    ¡°Alright Beta!¡± Marc, one of our young warriors, greeted me enthusiastically, telling me he had likely

    been out spending time with friends. Especially returning to his room at this early hour of the

    morning.

    ¡°Hey Marc.¡± I smiled, raising my eyebrows questioningly at him as he stumbled toward the stairs.

    He was barely able to walk in a straight line.

    ¡°I not been dinking, honest boss.¡± He mutters with a chuckle. These guys make me smile. How

    could they not? Barely past shifting age, and newly trained warriors. They clearly decided to drink

    themselves to the point of stupor. Which, considering we are werewolves and alcohol has little to no

    effect on us in small doses, they had to have been drinking excessive amounts! Likelying up

    with new and different drinking challenges to see who could drink the most, that was what they so

    often did.

    But, I can¡¯t say I had not done the same when I first shifted and on many a younger night with

    friends. It was all part of growing up for many, wasn¡¯t it? Especially for our warriors, I knew that,

    having helped many a drunken warrior home in the past. And I am sure they had had a good night

    and many good memories to look back on¡­ if they could actually remember any of them, of course!

    ¡°I never said a word Marc.¡± I gave him a nod as he fell up the stairs.

    I continued my pacing of the corridor only to hear a few more drunken voices approaching, I

    assume likely Marc¡¯s drunk friends. And, I, not in the right frame of mind to have to deal with anyone

    else tonight, ducked into the short corridor off the main hallway of the packhouse. Leading to my

    office. I could sit in here until they passed and then make my way back to my room, and hopefully, I

    could attempt to gain at least a few hours¡¯ sleep tonight, so I would be at least partially functionable

    tomorrow¡­

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°What are you doing down here?!¡± a voice made me jump awake from my sleep, making me stir,

    and realize just how ufortable I was. My whole body ached. The crick in my neck felt like it had

    been locked in a vice¡­ Though, as I moved, it was only then I realized I had fallen asleep sitting at

    my office desk. I had been asleep copsed over my office desk since the early hours of the

    morning when I came in here to hide from the drunken warriors¡­

    I sleepily raised my eyes upward, only to see my best friend, and the pack Alpha, standing next to

    my desk looking more than a little concerned, looking down over me. ¡°Asher?¡± he questioned. ¡°Why

    are you sleeping down here? This has to be the third or fourth time in a matter of weeks. And don¡¯t

    get me started on all the time prior to that.¡±

    I sighed. Just what I need, him on my case. The third degree once again. Am I ok? Do I need some

    help? Support? That is likely what Caleb was about to start with¡­ like always. He couldn¡¯t help it.

    Though, I didn¡¯t want to sound ungrateful. He was my closest friend after all, and he did just care.

    But, sometimes, some people just needed their space! It wasn¡¯t like he could help¡­ he couldn¡¯t

    stop my suffering¡­ this has been going on too long now¡­

    ¡°Was struggling to sleep, so I came down to work. I am guessing I must have crashed.¡± I told him.

    Not quite the truth, but it would do¡­

    Caleb didn¡¯t need to know that my sleep was so badly disturbed that I struggled to sleep every

    night. That my nights were so messed up I hadn¡¯t slept properly since I had left¡­

    ¡°Is everything okay, Asher?¡± Caleb asked, and I could hear the concern dripping from his voice, like

    it so often does ofte. ¡°Eden said she has been worrying about you¡­ that you just haven¡¯t seemed

    yourself since the rogue attacks began. She said you seem so distant. So withdrawn.¡±

    I shook my head with a disgusted roll of my eyes. So, they had been discussing me? Do they think

    that is eptable? Yes, Eden may be his mate, and the Luna of the pack, as well as my friend, but I

    do not need to be some sort of sympathy case that needs to be sat and discussed between them

    over their evening meal! I am fine! I am the pack Beta for f**k¡¯s sake. I focused my eyes upon my

    friend, a dark re hopefully saying all I needed to.

    ¡°Caleb, you may be a friend, but please, for the love of g od, f**k off. I am fine. Tired, yes. Stressed,

    yes. We have been dealing with rogue attacks regrly untiltely. We need to work on improving

    the pack, which is what we are working on doing. It doesn¡¯te easily. It takes time. It takes

    energy and effort. So yeah, I am stressed and tired. Is that not my f**king job?¡± I snap, knowing I am

    already overstepping the mark talking to my Alpha in that way. He knew I had lost my mate because

    of these rogue attacks too, so you would think he would have shown at least a little understanding¡­

    but I wanted to continue going¡­ needed to keep functioning or else I had nothing¡­

    Caleb looks to me with a shake of his head. ¡°Fine. Go get showered. You look like a f**king state.

    We have a meeting in half an hour.¡±

 6

    6

    Chapter 6 ¨C Asher

    A showerter and a couple of coffees down, and I felt slightly more human, or as human as a

    werewolf can feel on next to no sleep¡­

    ¡°Right Ash, we need to sort this sh it out.¡± Caleb¡¯s voice was sounding more than a little stressed

    out, telling me I was in for more than a fun day.

    ¡°What sh it now?¡± I asked with a deted sigh. I am sure we had dealt with everything that needed

    doing yesterday.

    ¡°Quit sounding like you are overworked.¡± Caleb gave me a dirty look. ¡°My Dad¡¯s birthday party for a

    start. Plus, Eden is on my case about the teacher for school. We still need to rece Eloise.¡±

    I do recall him mentioning needing to re-advertise for a new teacher, but I had thought Eden may

    have dealt with that. Being Luna, and a mother, I thought she may have wanted to be involved with

    those sorts of tasks. Evidently I was wrong. As for his Dad¡¯s party, I think he was more than capable

    of sorting out that himself, or his Mum was. Seriously, is it my job to do everything around here?!

    ¡°And you are doing what exactly?¡± I question, feeling more than a little pi ss ed off.

    ¡°Alpha duties.¡± Caleb says with a smug smile. Alpha duties knowing him would be sitting at his

    f**king desk with his feet up enjoying a coffee. Lazy f**ker. Delegating all his work to me, I am sure

    that is all he does.

    ¡°Well, I am sure your Dad would rather you took a part in arranging his party, or even his wife?¡±

    C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    ¡°It will keep you busy.¡± Caleb said to me with a smile, and I knew then the reason why he was giving

    me the responsibility of the job. He was trying to find ways to upy my mind. Something he had

    been doing since I had passed away. Something I did not need doing for me, yet something he

    and his mate seemed to find the incessant need to do. I truly wished they would stop¡­

    The loss of a mate is a pain like no other, but I did not need treating like I was broken. Incapable of

    functioning any longer. ¡°I do not need keeping busy Caleb.¡± I snapped, standing to walk from the

    office, needing to get away from my friend before I said something I regretted.

    ¡°Ash,e on, please, I am trying to help.¡± My best friend calls out to me.

    ¡°Cal,e on, if this is about I, she has been gone nearly seven years this year. I do not need

    keeping busy. I am doing that myself. I am Beta, that keeps me busy in itself. If I needed help I

    would f**king ask for it, okay?¡±

    I saw the concern on his face, and it did nothing but irritate me. The same concerned expression I

    see on the face of my other friends, or my parents¡­ the elder women in the pack¡­ all feeling

    concerned for my well-being because I lost my mate. Worried I was falling apart. Worried about my

    heart¡­ my soul. I got tired of sympathy. I didn¡¯t need it. It did not bring back my mate. It didn¡¯t make

    me feel any better. If anything, it made me feel worse¡­

    ¡°Ash, you aren¡¯t okay though. We can see that. You are withdrawn, you are angry. Moody. Isted.

    Borderline depressed¡­¡± Caleb looks to me with worry.

    ¡°That is your expert medical opinion, is it? Wasn¡¯t aware you¡¯d been studying to be a doctor as well

    as being the pack Alpha, I must have missed that!¡± I said sarcastically, with a shake of my head at

    my friend, truly not wanting to deal with all of this right now. ¡°Look, if you actually want me to help

    with sorting your Dad¡¯s birthday, you know I will, he is my Uncle, after all. As for the teacher, I can

    put another job advertisement out, but we had no responsest time. So I think we are going to be

    struggling with that, unless you want to look out of area.¡±

    ¡°We may have to consider that if there are no avable teachers within the local packs.¡± Caleb

    agrees, and I know that would be something we need to consider as the necessity for a teacher was

    bing urgent.

    ¡°I will sort the advertisement out again, but I will consider one for further afield too.¡± I told him, hating

    the idea of strangers within our pack, but we want a good teacher for our school. That has always

    been the case, and unfortunately this time there is none within our own pack that have decided to

    train.

    ¡°Okay. And I am sorry, Asher. I just worry about you.¡± Calebes and puts his hand on my

    shoulder, so I give him a friendly nod. I guess he means well, even if he irritates the hell out of me.

    I can¡¯t help the darkness that has clouded my life since I lost my mate. And I cannot make it go

    away. I have tried, numerous times. It appeared it was here to stay. The only thing keeping me

    going was my job. My pack. They relied on me. And that gave me a purpose. A reason to get up

    each day. But, the dark thoughts guing my mind and the mind of my wolf, Zion, were almost like

    a curse upon my being. They held me down. Almost suffocated me. Especially when I was alone.

    Yet, I preferred to be alone. The pain I felt was almost addictive.

    There was no other way to describe it. I think I almost enjoyed the pain I felt. I enjoyed the darkness

    that lingered over me now. It was who I had be. The Asher I had been was gone. He was gone

    the moment I¡¯s life was torn from her. The moment she was torn from me. The young, carefree,

    happy, joker alwaysughing and joking with pack members was long gone. Reced with a

    withdrawn, isted, lonely guy who felt down most of the time. Avoiding interaction with pack

    members whenever he could, and now had a reputation for being moody and snappy¡­ Gone was

    the happy, handsome Beta, leaving more a moody, f**king monster that nobody wanted to be

    around¡­

 7

    7

    Chapter 7 Bailey

    I sat at the coffee table painting my nails when my brother Jordan came storming into the room.

    ¡°What the f**k have you been doing?¡± he snarled at me.

    I nced at him with a sideways nce. ¡°Hi to you too big brother.¡± I smiled sarcastically, this being

    the first time seeing him since I had returned.

    ¡°Do not big brother me Bailey!¡± he snaps, throwing himself down on the sofa next to me. ¡°What the

    f**k did you do to Miles.¡±

    Was he having augh? What did I do to Miles? He says it like I attacked him! Or pounced on him¡­

    He is the uing Alpha for f**ks sake! It is not like he is unable to defend himself¡­ though I

    should have known he would go running to my brother to tell tales. Stir sh it like he always did.

    Make me look like the bad one.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything to Miles. Why?¡± I asked, my heart racing a little already, wondering why my

    brother was angry over this. Had Miles confided in him? Did he know more now than he previously

    had? The thought of him knowing I had been short-tempered with his friend didn¡¯t bother me in the

    slightest. The fact there was no love lost between Miles, and I was well known, but what worried me

    was now Ellis knew of our secret, would Miles have told others too? Because that was thest thing

    I wanted. Especially for my brother to know, and especially for him believing that I had rejected his

    best friend and our uing Alpha!

    ¡°So why was he cursing you out when we were at training? Him and Ellis. They would not be doing

    that for no reason. A little odd when you had just arrived home, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°Oh, that was because I was a little sarcastic this morning when I saw them in the

    garden. Both acting like they were Go d¡¯s gifts.¡±

    ¡°Bailey, they are the equivalent of Go d¡¯s gift to you and the rest of the pack. They are the Alpha¡¯s

    sons. Of Alpha blood. The future Alpha. So why the f**k are you disrespecting them?!¡± Jordan¡¯s

    voice is booming with anger.

    ¡°Hey! What is all the shouting about in here?¡± My Mum called through from the kitchen, but she

    didn¡¯t actuallye into the lounge to see what Jordan was shouting for. She would no doubt take

    his side, she always did. She thought the sun shone out of his rear end.

    ¡°Bailey doing Bailey things. Being the social pariah she has always been. The failure to the family.

    as always.¡± Jordan says with a roll of his eyes. ¡°A makeover doesn¡¯t change what you are, you

    know.¡±

    I red at him. ¡°And what am I, oh big shot Beta over here?¡±

    He widens his eyes at the fact I have stood up to him, when in the past I never had. Being away has

    made me change. It had given me confidence, and thest few times I hade home, I had

    avoided my brother as he was staying with his girlfriend or was away at his Beta training, ¡°Who the

    hell are you talking to?¡± his hand is suddenly gripping mine, tightly. His ws slipped out, digging

    into my skin, blood now trickling down my arm.

    My wolf Akira was rippling beneath my skin, I could feel her presenceing closer to the

    surface, trying to help me heal the damage done to the skin that my brother¡¯s ws were causing.

    But I can also sense her anger at how he is treating me. As werewolves, we are taught to respect

    our family, yet my brother is not showing respect to me. Not that he ever has¡­

    ¡°You.¡± I hissed, unable to get away while he had hold of me like that, and knowing that even if were

    to shift, my wolf would not be able to beat my brother¡¯s.

    ¡°Well, I suggest you remember your ce, Bailey. You may be Beta blood, but you are still a nobody

    in the pack. Nobody cares for you. Nobody would notice if you were gone, so bear that in mind

    before you go shooting your mouth off at people, Bailey.¡± Jordan says coldly, watching me with his

    dark eyes. And I see no love or care there for me. I hate that the man in front of me is my brother.

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I felt a cold chill at his words. They sound an awful lot like a threat to me, but I am not about to show

    my brother his words have affected me. I know nobody in the pack particrly cares for me. All

    because I never fitted in. I was never one of the popr ones. Not like my brother and sister. All

    because I enjoyed studying. I became an outsider. But did that mean they would harm me? I

    shrugged, not willing to show him any emotions.

    ¡°You say that like I want to be here, Jordan. It isn¡¯t like I wanted toe back. I asked not to. But I

    was told to. Alpha said I had toe home.¡± I told my brother sharply, and I saw his face contort in

    confusion.

    ¡°What? He did what? Like f**k the Alpha ordered you home! Miles said you begged toe home

    when they suggested you looked for work away, after your degree was done¡­¡± Jordan says in

    disgust, looking at me equally disgusted, telling me that this pack were not being honest. I do not

    know why Miles told my brother that, but I know for certain I had been instructed by Alpha Marshall,

    Miles¡¯s Dad and my Uncle, to return home immediately once my degree was achieved. I had

    begged, yes, but it was the opposite of what Jordan suggested. I begged for a chance to look for

    work away from the pack, not wishing to return to the mundane life I had here. Nor to the mate who

    had rejected me. But I had been told it was not to happen¡­

    I sigh to myself. I do not know why things were being twisted, but it only confirmed to me that being

    in my pack was far from the right thing for me. I needed to find something else, and I needed to find

    it soon¡­.

 8

    8

    Chapter 8 Miles

    +5 Pearls

    I move through the packhouse at a pace faster than I would like to at this time of the morning, but I

    would do anything right now to get away from my f**king father! He has not stopped wittering in my

    ear since the moment I stepped from my bedroom this morning. And he didn¡¯t even give me the

    chance to pour myself a coffee before he told me we shoulde to the packhouse to continue

    with the training he needed to give me.

    Yes. I want to get this transfer of power done with. The alteration of him being Alpha to me taking

    my rightful position as Alpha of the pack, but s hit, did he have to go on so f**king much?! I had

    done the necessary training away at Alpha training, so why my own Dad now needed to do his own

    training I did not know. But, he was adamant he would not hand this pack over to me until he felt I

    was ready. Personally, I think he just did not want to give up his power nor his control.

    ¡°Miles. We think you need to do a tour of the packs locally at least. Find your fated mate, or do more

    to do so.¡± My Dad¡¯s voice echoed around my brain as we walked into the Alpha office.

    I gave him a dark re. ¡°What?¡± This had never been mentioned before. Finding your fated mate

    was evidently something that

    itself. Something that was happened when the right time came. A moment left up to fate

    itself. Something that was out of our control¡­ So, why would they be pressuring me to rush this? I

    obviously know who my mate is no, rephrase that¡­ I know who my fated mate was. She isn¡¯t mine

    anymore. And I could not be more f**king d of that.

    Yes, there is such a thing as a second chance mate, but that doesn¡¯t happen for everyone, and it

    can take years¡­ so, I know looking around for my mate would be nothing but a waste of time and

    effort. I am ready to be Alpha. I do not need some woman by my side to establish my ce as

    leader of our pack. Once again, f**king Bailey West messing up my whole life. The world would

    have been a better ce if her Dad had pulled out that night and let the sh it that created that waste

    of space trickle down his wife¡¯s leg¡­

    I looked at my Dad, and the determined expression on his face bothered me. Surely my parents are

    not going to pause on the Alpha ceremony until I have my mate by my side? That would be sheer

    lunacy, wouldn¡¯t it? Who does that? Alphas rule on their own.

    ¡°Me and your Mum were thinking it would be wonderful for you to begin your reign as Alpha with

    your Luna by your side, son.¡± Dad says with a smile. ¡°Like I did.¡±

    I rolled my eyes in irritation. It was alright for him. His Luna was the pack¡¯s main cheerleader. The

    beauty queen. One any man would want to show off by all ounts. Not that I think of my Mum in

    that way, but I have seen pictures of her back in her younger years and there is no denying she was

    beautiful. My Dad, Alpha or not, had been punching well above his weight! So, of course, he would

    be one to promote how wonderful fated love is. He got dealt a truly wonderful hand by fate¡­

    Me, however¡­ I got dealt the pack geek. Why the f**k would I want her?! Yeah, we had been close

    growing up, and she was my best friend¡¯s little sister, but she was the biggest geek I knew, who

    spent more time with her head in a book than she did going out. It just was not normal. That is not

    what a guy wants for a woman! How can you show someone off who has her head in a f**king

    hank)

    Bnce:

    Thesest few years, while she has been away studying, have been wonderful. I haven¡¯t needed to

    see her face. Remind myself what I had done¡­ because, like it or not, my wolf hated me for the fact

    I rejected our fated mate. She was the one the moon goddess selected for us. In my f**king wolf¡¯s

    eyes, she was perfection. Did I feel guilty for hurting her? Hmm, maybe a little, when I thought back

    on the memories we shared¡­ but that was usually after a few too many drinks¡­.. otherwise, the

    thought of Bailey just

    irritated me beyond belief!

    She did nothing to make herself look appealing, and she wasn¡¯t like the other she-wolves in the

    pack that worshiped the ground I walked on. She barely bothered with me and spoke to me like I

    was stu pid at times. I was going to be her next Alpha, she should have been treating me with

    respect. She should have seen me as important. The fact she was so pathetic and barely noticeable

    made it even more devastating when I learned who she was to me. Why of all the she- wolves in

    the pack would fate mate me to her? She was a nobody. I deserved better!

    I contemted numerous times getting her to stay away after her studies had beenpleted. She

    was smart. Though when you spend all your time with your head in a book and with very

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    few friends to dawdle away your time with, I should expect nothing less¡­ And she passed her

    degree easily. Now a qualified teacher. She even begged to have permission from my Dad to apply

    for work away from our pack, but I told him we should make use of her here, and strangely, he

    agreed. I hadn¡¯t missed Bailey, so why I quickly put a pause on her dreams of leaving the pack, I do

    not know¡­ something stopped me letting her leave. A small part of me got a kick out of knowing I

    was ruining her hopes of escaping me and our pack. Destroying her dreams.

    A girl like her didn¡¯t deserve dreams. Didnt deserve a happy life. She had f**ked my life up by being

    my fated mate, so I nned to make her life miserable. Bullying her growing up had always been

    fun. Seeing her cry, though doing her hardest to hide her tears gave me a high 1 cannot exin. We

    may be adults now, but I still enjoyed seeing her cry. She deserved to suffer. And if she was now to

    be the cause of more issues for me, then I would most definitely be making her suffer¡­

    There was just a knowing feeling inside of me telling me to¡­ I did not want her to think she had

    earned-herself freedom from us. Our pack. From me. No, she may no longer be my fated mate, but

    she would always be under my control¡­

    ¡°Miles, do not roll your eyes at me. A Luna is a vital part of the pack.¡± My father interrupts my

    wandering mind. Why the hell was I allowing the thoughts of Bailey to take over?!

    ¡°Dad, I do not think there is any rush to find her. We visited packs not too long ago, and I found no

    mate. We know that. She wille when fate decides. Perhaps, I am one of the Alphas that is

    meant to have his pack prepared and built for his mate.¡± I suggest, lying through my teeth, because

    I know full well, that my mate is noting. There is no fated mate out there waiting for

    me.

    No. For she found me on the day my wolf came for me. And I was truly disgusted with the choices

    made for me by our moon goddess. So much so, that I turned my back upon her, and 1 never

    intended to allow her back in either¡­

 9

    9

    Chapter 9 Bailey

    +5 Pearls

    I strolled the sunshine-filled footpaths of pack, having got bored with sitting around at home, it was

    truly not the ce I wanted to be staying for long. My job searches were not proving sessful

    whatsoever. The school here had a fully equipped teaching staff, though I am sure Miles would

    ensure there was no hope of a role there for me anyway. He seemed determined to make my life as

    difficult as he could for me. I have no clue why, but it was like he was determined to punish me for

    being his fated mate¡­.

    Going along simr lines, none of the packs nearby would even speak to me regarding work. The

    schools within the nearby humanmunities I had applied to had yet to get back to me, and as

    time went on, the less hopeful I became that my applications for the teaching roles there were

    sessful. And much could be said for the ones slightly further afield too. It seemed nothing was

    going to work. I was giving up hope. I really began to wonder if Miles was influencing these in

    some way.

    ¡°Hi Bailey.¡± I heard a deep voice approaching behind me, and turned to see the warrior, Harley, who

    had been on guard as I arrived home earlier in the week.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°Oh, hey Harley. How are you?¡± I smiled at him, actually surprised he would even speak to me. Very

    few others our age bothered to, all choosing to ignore me.

    ¡°Not bad, just on the way to the gym for training.¡± He told me, lifting the bag he was carrying, as if

    he was showing me his kit.

    I nodded. ¡°Bit warm though.¡±

    He grins. ¡°I am a warrior, we don¡¯t have a choice. Have to train every day.¡± He says with a shrug,

    and I nod in agreement. ¡°Though I do have time free for ice creamster if you fancy something to

    cool yourself down?¡± he adds with a cheeky smile, and a twi nkle in his deep green eyes.

    I chuckle at his brazenness. ¡°Oh, is that right?¡±

    He looks at me a little sheepishly now, and I can see a hint of color on his cheeks. His dark hair

    flopping forward over his face as he looked at the ground, obviously a little embarrassed. ¡°Sorry,

    was that a little forward?¡±

    I smiled at him. He looked quite sweet, all embarrassed, I have to say. Far from the co cky image

    the warriors generally have. ¡°Took me by surprise, I will say that much.¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡± he looks to me with a tilt of his head, but the smile across his face his was so genuine it

    gave me butterflies. ¡°In a bad way?¡± I have to say it feels quite nice to have someone here pay me

    attention. It happened every now and again whilst I was away studying, but back here at pack I had

    always felt invisible¡­

    ¡°No, not in a bad way at all. Though, it is not often guys in the pack bother talking to me, Harley.¡± I

    admitted with a shrug. ¡°So, you may want to consider that offer carefully, unless you are only doing

    it to make me feel stu pid?¡±

    -? Lim ¡°I don¡¯t be if -a ha lundred Luther ¡ª¨C Dail¡­..

    am going to say this, I am not like that. And, how about we say screw them? We will go for that ice

    cream, yeah? Meet me after training. What do you say?¡± he looks at me like he is waiting. nervously

    for my response, like he is unsure of himself.

    As we reach the door of the pack gym, Harley pauses, still waiting for his answer, so I smile at him.

    ¡°Aww, I guess I had best not keep you waiting, had I? That sounds good, thank you, Harley.¡±

    ¡°I thought you were not going to give me an answer then. Trying to torture me there? Seems I may

    have to keep my eye on you!¡± he yfully winks at me. ¡°I shall see you in a few hours then, Bailey.¡±

    He lowers his head to softly kiss me upon my cheek, taking me by surprise, before he winks again,

    and walks inside the gym.

    I moved across the parking area to the doors of the packhouse, my head a whirlwind of confusion at

    what the hell had just happened! Harley had known me for years¡­. had been in my sses at

    school¡­ where had his intereste from all of a sudden? I know I have changed a little since

    school, thanks to my roommate at college being a dab hand with a make-up brush, and giving me a

    few lessons in make-up and also on how to tame my mane of curls. So, I now look a slightly better

    styled version of me, if nothing else. Plus, my eyesight had improved once my wolf had arrived, so I

    could rid myself of my sses¡­

    But, I still do not see there was that much of a difference that I would catch the eye of a warrior. A

    small part of me can¡¯t help but wonder if he was doing this for a dare¡­

    ¡°Bailey! There you are.¡± I heard my Dad¡¯s voice, the moment I stepped inside the packhouse,

    instantly distracting my train of thoughts.

    ¡°Oh, hi Dad, are you okay?¡± I looked up to smile at him, only to find the expression upon his face.

    was not a happy-looking one. No. In fact, he looked far from impressed. Did I even want to know

    what was bothering him?

    ¡°Hmm, heard you have been causing chaos with our uing Alpha.¡± He says with a shake of his

    head, and before I even had a chance to defend myself he began lecturing me again. ¡°Bailey, you

    have barely been back five minutes and you are causing problems. It is something we can do

    without. I know you and Miles do not get on, but he will be your Alpha one day, so show him some

    respect. It isn¡¯t difficult just to fall in line, is it? I think you need to go and find him and apologize.¡±

    I looked at my Dad in shock. Well, that exined the miserable face I suppose but did he actually

    expect me to apologize to that fool? Wonderful.

 10

    10

    Chapter 10 Bailey

    +5 Pearls

    My Dad literally dragged me to the Alpha office, where my Uncle was sitting at his desk, but sadly

    for me. Miles was sitting on the sofa at the opposite end of the room, his feet propped up on the

    coffee table, looking more than rxed. Doing what he did best, absolutely nothing¡­

    ¡°Ah, hi Bailey sweetheart. How are you finding being back on pack?¡± Uncle Marshall asked me with

    a big smile, like he was pleased to see me. Needless to say, the feeling was not mutual with his

    son, whose dark re was focused solely upon me from the moment I had walked into the room. If

    looks could kill, I would have dropped dead the second I came into the room. A painful death, no

    doubt too¡­.

    ¡°Hi Uncle, it is a little odd, I can¡¯t lie. I think I got used to being away.¡± I admitted, and saw him

    frown.

    ¡°Well, we are d to have you back sweetheart.¡±

    I heard what sounded like something crossed between a snigger and a cough from Miles, making

    me turn to look toward him, and he shook his head at me. He thinks he bothers me? That I care he

    doesn¡¯t want me back here? I didn¡¯t want to be back here. Strangely, it was them that told me to

    come home. I couldn¡¯t care less about his view on it.

    ¡®Bailey wanted toe and see Miles, actually.¡± My Dad began, and I felt myself wanting to curl up

    and die of embarrassment. ¡°She needed to apologize, I believe,¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± My Uncle questions.

    Though what catches my eye is the smug expression upon Miles¡¯s face. ¡°Is that so?¡± he looks at me

    with his brows raised. ¡°You realized you need to show me some respect, little girl?¡±

    I could see the confused expressions on the faces of both my Uncle and my Dad. Unsurprising

    really when this st*pid f**ker is addressing me in such a way. I don¡¯t care if they thought Miles

    deserved my respect or not. But I had no intention of apologizing to him when he was calling me

    little girl. I was a year younger than him. And even if I wasn¡¯t there was no need to be patronizing

    and call me that.

    ¡°Lost your tongue Bailey?¡± Miles stood up, striding across the room and was soon standing in front

    of me, looking all co cky. I could feel my wolf, Akira rippling beneath my skin at how he was

    behaving. She did not like how he was treating me. She had never forgiven him for rejecting her.

    ¡°Or is it just hard to admit you are in the wrong?¡± he smiles smugly at me.

    I shook my head. ¡°No. I don¡¯t find it hard to admit when I am wrong, actually, Miles¡­¡± I began.

    ¡°I think it should be Alpha Miles to you.¡± he says with a jeer.

    ¡°Erh¡­¡± his Dad began, but was silenced by Miles with a wave of his hand. I would like to think my

    Uncle have been about to defend me. Or tell Miles to control himself.

    may

    C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    ¡°As I was saying, Miles, Alpha Miles, or whatever else you would like to be referred to, I am sure I

    earned, and you, I am afraid, are an awful long way from earning even an ounce of respect from me

    Miles, uing Alpha or not.¡± I said calmly, and I can see my Dad standing with his eyes wide at

    what I have just said.

    My Uncle is frowning. But Miles looks ready to burst with fury. His face contorts with anger. ¡°You

    have a f**king nerve. You b*tch! You know I have every right to throw you from this pack!¡± he roars,

    flying toward me, only for his Dad to grab the back of his shirt.

    ¡°Woah!¡± Uncle Marshall says, looking confused. ¡°Miles stop! You do not have that power. You are

    not Alpha yet, and this is exactly why I have said you are not ready to be Alpha! I have no clue

    what the hell is going on with you two, but that reaction was unnecessary. Bailey, as much as you

    may dislike it, you have to show him respect. He will always be your senior.¡±

    I see Miles smiling smugly at me. ¡°See, it doesn¡¯t need to be earned. You will always be below me. I

    should have you on your f**kking knees.¡±

    Uncle Marshall pped the back of Miles¡¯s head. ¡°That does not give you free reign to act like a

    total bell end. You are an Alpha. Act like one. The things Bailey said are not wrong, respect is

    earned to some degree. Not to mention you are expected to treat your pack with respect too, Miles.

    Or else I may have to reconsider your position.¡±

    ¡°You best be kidding me?¡± Miles roared. ¡°All because of this st upid bi tch?! Have you seen what

    you have caused now?!¡± his dark eyes were suddenly on me, and the hate in them was clear. He

    looked ready to kill me.

    ¡°Bailey, I think it is best we leave now.¡± My Dad grabbed my arm and pulled me from the office as

    quickly and forcefully as he could, the door mming loudly behind us as we left. I could hear my

    Uncle and Miles yelling as we retreated down the corridor.

    ¡°See the f**kking mess you leave? Would it hurt you just to have done as you were asked Bailey?¡±

    My Dad looks at me with a disgusted look. ¡°Anyone would think the quiet one would be the easiest

    child, yet you seem to do nothing but bring f**kking problems!¡±

    I clenched my fists in anger. He was angry at me over all of that? Had he failed to notice the way.

    Miles had spoken to me? Or did they all think that was eptable? I have had enough of all of this

    now. All I do is bring problems, yet for some reason they won¡¯t let me move away? Strange that,

    isn¡¯t it?

    ¡°Oh, so now you are choosing to ignore your own father?!¡± My Dad yelled, causing the two young

    she-wolves further down the corridor to turn around in curiosity to look at what was happening, and

    now they were rushing away muttering between themselves. No doubt I would be the new source of

    gossip. How truly wonderful!

    ¡°What do you want me to say Dad?¡± I looked at him. ¡°Anything I do is wrong. You always told us to

    stand up for ourselves, yet when I do, I am in the wrong. The way Miles spoke to me was not right,

    and you know it wasn¡¯t. Well, that is how he thinks it is okay to talk to me all the time, and I don¡¯t like

    it. That is why he gets angry at me because I stand up to him. So, if that means I am in the wrong,

    then so be it. If it means I am the cause of so many problems for you, I apologize. I apologize for

    being such a disappointment of a daughter. I thought you would be d you had a daughter who

    didn¡¯t take no sh it. Obviously, I was wrong.¡±

    Bnce:

    Bailey. You have to show him respect. End of. You are not a disappointment, I am incredibly proud

    of you. I just wish you didn¡¯t cause me so much drama sometimes, because: know

    you Uncle is going to want a chat with me over all that.¡±

    ¡°me me. Every f**ker else does.¡± I said with a shrug.

    your

    My Dad shook his head. ¡°Even your Uncle couldn¡¯t avoid the obvious that Miles was out of order.

    But you do need to apologize, even if it is to your Uncle. And I think it would be best to perhaps.

    stay out of Miles¡¯s way.¡±

    ¡°You not think I am trying? Why do you think I didn¡¯t want toe home, Dad? Why do you think I

    desperately want to find a job away from the pack? But, no, they want me here, apparently. Though

    goddess knows why!¡±

    ¡°Apply out of district, I will help you by reaching out to other packs.¡± Dad says with what could only

    be described as a pained smile.

    ¡°They don¡¯t want me to work away Dad. They made mee home. You know that.¡±

    ¡°I will deal with that when the timees.¡± Dad tells me with a frown, and I smile in thanks,

    because right now that is the biggest hope I can cling to. Because this would be the closest thing I

    have to a way out of this hell¡­

 11

    11

    Chapter 11 Asher

    The night of our former Alpha¡¯s party was here, and the pack was in good spirits. I was wishing I

    could be any ce but surrounded by so many cheerful pack members, but I was putting on my

    happy face, and being the ever gracious host.

    ¡°You have done a good job bro!¡± Caleb called over to me, as he walked across the dancefloor set

    up on the training field, his hand holding that of his heavily pregnant mate, and our pack Luna,

    Eden.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± I nodded at him.

    ¡°Asher, you look fed up, love.¡± Eden walked across to me, resting her head of long, dark braids

    upon my shoulders.

    ¡°Just tired Eden, not sleeping too good.¡± I exined. ¡°And hoping tonight goes okay.¡±

    ¡°You worry too much, you know that once everyone has a few drinks down them, they won¡¯t care

    how much nning went into the party.¡± Eden says with a light-hearted giggle, and I can¡¯t help but

    smile at her words, because I know she is right. Once the drinks begin to flow, then the majority of

    the pack will be having far too much fun to even care about the details.

    ¡°So long as Uncle Isaak enjoys himself, then I am happy.¡± I told her, giving her a hug.

    ¡°He wasn¡¯t expecting a party, so his face was a picture. You saw that. We made his day. And if he

    keeps drinking he won¡¯t remember a blo ody thing anyway!¡± Caleb says with a grin.

    We had the whole of our pack here, plus many of his friends from neighboring packs too. As an

    Alpha, my Uncle had been much respected and gained many allies, who, inter years, had

    be friends too. Most of whom were delighted toe and join him at his birthday celebrations

    tonight. And seeing my Uncle walking around catching up with them all now shows we have made

    the right decision.

    I grab myself a drink and linger at the edge of the party. I can see my Uncle chatting to some

    friends, and the sheer joy upon his face tells me he is happy, which means, all the has sle and hard

    work was worth it. The family he is speaking to I can¡¯t say I recognize. So I can only assume they

    are from off pack. But, I can see my Uncle chatting to a man and his family. As I look, one of the

    women, who I could only assume is the daughter of the man my Uncle is speaking to, looks up to

    meet my gaze. Big brown eyes, almost like a deer caught in headlights, bless her. Looking like she

    would rather be anywhere than here right now¡­

    Hell, I have to say I know that feeling only too well. As much effort as I may have

    put into organizing this party for my Uncle, I do not want to be here. I smile politely, but she quickly

    looks away, so I assume I may have made her feel ufortable. Not my concern, not like I know

    who she is.

    I returned my gaze to the others enjoying the party, and could see the drinks were flowing freely and

    there were many of our pack members that looked like they had already had too much to drink. I

    have a feeling the clean-up duties tomorrow are not going to be fun. I think I best to avoid those¡­

    ¡°Are you okay Asher?¡± Eden¡¯s voice interrupted my train of thoughts, which had been excuses I

    could use for getting out of the clean-up.

    I smile at our pack Luna. Her heavily pregnant bump seemed to be making her look heavily out of

    proportion now, and she was beginning to look ufortable. ¡°I am fine.¡± I replied. My set and

    standard reply. Easier than going into anything deeper than that. I am sure she did not need a

    detailed analysis of my feelings. ¡°Are you? You like tired, chick.¡±

    She rests her hand on her belly and gently strokes it. ¡°This little swine in here. Saps all my energy. I

    can tell he is Caleb¡¯s pup. He doesn¡¯t know how to lie still. Just like his big brother was!¡±

    I chuckle. I remember her foreverining during her first pregnancy that their son, Matty, was

    forever kicking ten bells of sh it out of her insides. Seems this little one was doing the same. A

    standard part of pregnancy I would assume¡­ I can¡¯t say, as I never got to go through that with I.

    She had gone before we experienced that¡­

    ¡°Make sure you use it to your advantage. Get Caleb running around after you.¡± I tell her with at

    smile, and she begins tough.

    ¡°He tries, but then he gets under my feet and gets on my nerves!¡± she rolls her eyes, and Iugh. It

    swear there is no pleasing her!

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You think everyone is enjoying the party?¡± I asked Eden¡¯s opinion, and she looked at me with a

    shake of her head.

    ¡°You really need to ask that?¡± she asks me, resting her hand upon my arm. ¡°You know they are.

    Listen¡­¡± she tilts her head to the side as if to listen, her chocty brown skin catching the glimmer

    of the fairy lights we were standing underneath. ¡°You hear all theughter? The happy chatter? That

    is enough to tell you people are having a great time.¡±

    I listened like she said and had to say she could be right, and found myself nodding in agreement. ¡°I

    guess so.¡±

    ¡°There is no guessing about it, Ash. I know you may not want to be here, but everyone else does,

    and they are enjoying it. You did good, like we knew you would. Why do you

    would. Why do you think we asked you to help organize it?¡± Eden rests her head against my arm.

    ¡°Because you guys like to find me things to do to keep me busy, I am sure I am too fussed about

    being here.¡± I admit.

    of it. And no, I can¡¯t sav

    Eden looks up at me, her big blue eyes gazing at me, full of concern, before she shrugs. ¡°Well, I

    guess you have shown up. You have had a drink, so you don¡¯t have to stay too much longer. Your

    Uncle can¡¯tin too much.¡± She grins. ¡°Besides, I think he was on the tequ before, so a few

    more of them, and he won¡¯t even notice you aren¡¯t here. He won¡¯t notice anyone is here. He could

    be in an empty room, and he would still be chatting away like the room was full.¡± She says with a

    mischievous grin, and Iugh, because she is right, my Uncle was terrible once he has had too

    many tequs¡­..

    ¡°Asher!¡± I heard a voice calling my name, and I turned to see where it wasing from, and as I

    thought, it was my Uncle. Strange, considering the conversation I was just having¡­.

    ¡°Vou were

    were cavino?¡± I muttered to Eden who grinned before wandering away though

    it was more of a waddle now, to her mate.

    ¡°Asher, there you are boy¡­¡± my Uncle, our former pack Alpha Isaak, came walking over to me,

    though from where I was standing it did look like he was already struggling to walk in a straight line.

    I wonder if Eden and my estimations had been right, and he had already had a few too tequs¡­

    many

    ¡°Asher!¡± he yelled again, though why he felt the need to shout I have no clue. ¡°I have someone I

    need you to speak to.¡±

    Great¡­ So much for a quick escape¡­

 12

    12

    Chapter 12 Bailey

    I adjust my skirt as I look out across the party wishing I could be anywhere but here. My Dad had

    requested us all attend with him. Represent him as a family. Goddess knows why, but that is what

    was asked of us. The party of a former Alpha of a pack on the edge of our region. Yet all we had

    done so far was follow my Dad around looking like weirdos. I was sure of it.

    ¡°Heard you been causing sh it with Miles again.¡± Jordan said quietly as my Mum and Dad stood

    together chatting having a drink together.

    I gave my brother a dark re. I had managed to avoid him since the incident in the Alpha office, so

    he hadn¡¯t had a chance to say anything about it, but I could only imagine his best friend would have

    had something to say to him about it. ¡°Not going there, Jordan.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I can imagine.¡± Jordan shakes his head while looking ahead. ¡°You know you are pushing your

    luck with Miles. His Dad will only protect you for so long. He changed the conversation to mindlink, I

    assume, so nobody else could hear him.

    ¡°Not going there, Jordan.¡± I repeated.

    ¡®You think you are better than us all, do you because you have a degree? Sorry to disappoint you

    Bailey, you are below us all, because we have titles. What are you? A Beta¡¯s daughter, and a f**king

    pathetic geeky one at that, one that nobody gives a sh it about. One that best watch her back before

    she gets kicked out of her pack!

    I bite my lip to stop the tears that are threatening toe. My brother is not going to get the better

    of me. He is almost as bad as Miles. You would think as my brother he might want to protect me¡­

    haha, no. It seems he enjoyed seeing me suffer as much as Miles did. Saw me as nothing more

    than an embarrassment.

    I could see my Dad chatting to a man I did not recognize. Though reading their bodynguage and

    the friendly way they are chatting to one another, I would say they are familiar with one. another.

    They areughing and talking, both seemingly happy to see one another. I looked. around the party,

    wondering why my Dad needed us here. We don¡¯t know anyone.

    -Bailey,e here please.¡± Dad called me over. So I walked over to where he and my Mum were

    stood talking to a man dressed smartly in suit trousers and a gray shirt. He had to be my Dad¡¯s age

    if not a little older.

    I smiled politely as I reached them, and my Dad ced his arm around my shoulder in what felt like

    quite a proud gesture. ¡°Bailey, this is the former Alpha of Autumn Valley Pack, Isaak Garcia. Isaak,

    this is my eldest daughter Bailey.¡±

    I smiled politely again, offering my hand to him to shake. ¡°Pleased to meet you, Alpha.¡±

    ¡°No need for that dear.¡± He says with a wobbly smile, making me wonder if he has had a little too

    much to drink. Though this is his birthday party after all, so I am sure he was entitled to a few

    drinks. ¡°Isaak is fine. Or Mr Garcia.¡±

    and thin and nod. ¡°I was just telling Isaak that y

    are a teacher Bailey.¡± My Dad interrupts,

    I smile and the moment he says that, I feel my hopes begin to build. Has my Dad found somewhere

    that

    may be able to offer me work? All my recent job applications seemed to have gone unanswered. I

    was truly beginning to wonder if Miles was somehow having some effect on them.

    ¡°Ah, yes, I am. Are you looking for a teacher, Mr Garcia?¡± I asked, going for a formal title, seeing

    that I was asking about employment, and he did ask me not to call him Alpha.

    ¡°I think we could be. Are we?¡± he asks me, and I hold back the smile that is threatening toe. I

    definitely think he may have had a few too many drinks.

    My Dad chuckles. ¡°Is Alpha Caleb around Isaak? Maybe we could let Bailey talk with him?¡±

    ¡°Caleb is here somewhere. But it is Beta Asher who is fixing jobs I think.¡± The older man says,

    though he looks at my Dad like he is asking him a question. I don¡¯t think we are going to get much

    sense from him, and I am beginning to lose any hope I had of finding work with them in their pack.

    ¡°Asher!¡± he suddenly yells, making me jump out of my skin.

    ¡®Sh itting hell! What is wrong with the old man?¡¯ Akirained, and I have to say, she makes a

    valid point. That came from nowhere, and I have no clue who he was yelling at! It could be anyone

    that was here¡­ one thing that he had caused was many people to turn and look at us¡­ lots of

    which were smiling affectionately at the old guy. He was clearly much loved, even if he seemed a

    little crazy after a few drinks¡­.

    ¡°Asher, there you are, boy¡­¡± he spoke again in close to a yell, and began to walk at somewhat an

    unsteady gait across the party. He definitely did not have the ability to walk in a straight line

    anymore, only further solidifying my thoughts that he had been drinking. I nce at my Dad in

    uncertainty, who simply shrugs before quickly following the former Alpha with a smile.

    ¡°Asher!¡± he yells again. ¡°I have someone I need you to speak to.¡± He deres, but this time he has

    stopped in front of a tall man, his skin decorated with many tattoos. Almost cor length ck hair

    with a slight wave to it. A muscr man, and at first nce, a f**king scary looking man. He looked

    moody as all hell!

    This man, who I can only assume is called Asher, raises his gaze to look at the former Alpha. He

    has piercing green eyes. Yet his gaze somehow remains dark¡­ ¡°Uncle?¡± he says, looking more

    than a little confused.

    Uncle? If he was calling the former Alpha his Uncle, did that make him rted to him? Like a child

    of one of the Alpha¡¯s siblings? Or was he his Uncle like the Alpha was mine? I pondered¡­

    ¡°Asher! Where have you been?¡± the former Alpha greeted the man with a p to the back, and

    even I winced at the sound of the impact.

    ¡°I have been right here, Uncle. Watching you enjoy your party. Is everything okay?¡± This man I

    assume is called Asher, looks at my Dad before he looks at me momentarily before looking away

    again like I was meaningless.

    ¡°This is a teacher!¡± Isaak said with a smile, and Asher looked confused.

    ¡°Right?¡± he urges, like he needs further information.

    ¡°Your Uncle wasing to introduce my daughter to you, Beta Asher, because she is a newly

    qualified teacher. He said you were looking for a teacher for your pack, and as it happens, Bailey is

    looking for a job.¡± My Dad took over, which I have to say I am a little embarrassed about, because it

    makes me look like I am incapable of speaking for myself. And I don¡¯t think I want to put that

    impression across, especially not in front of this man.

    C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    Beta¡­ okay, so that makes sense. Exins his bigger build too. He looks to me with critical eyes.

    ¡°So you are the teacher?¡±

    Wow, this guy is friendly¡­ ¡°Yes, Beta Asher. I am Bailey West from Lotus Shadow Pack.¡± I informed

    him, smiling politely, and he nodded.

    Just as I was about to begin exining a little about my training, he interrupted me with a cold.

    nce. ¡°Arrange a meeting with the pack, we will speak with you and decide if you are suitable. I

    was just about to leave, and a party is not a ce to be discussing work. Beta Asher says as coldly

    as he looked at me, like even talking to me was an inconvenience.

    ¡°Oh, okay, I apologize.¡± I muttered, unsure what to

    man was looking like he wanted to kill someone do or say, especially as this moody-looking

    ¡°What for?¡± he rolled his eyes, like he thought I was st*pid. ¡°As I said, contact the pack, an

    appointment can be made, and we will discuss things then. Goodnight.¡± And with that the Beta

    walked away without even a second nce in our direction.

    ¡°Well, he was a friendly fe!¡± My Dad said with a chuckle.

    I nodded, attempting to smile, trying to be as lighthearted about it all as he was, but I was beginning

    to wonder if I would want to work for someone that angry and moody. He seemed to have some

    serious darkness lingering over him¡­

 13

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    Chapter 13 Bailey

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    The rest of the party had been nothing more than a drag. My brother and sister had done what they

    do best and chose to throw insults at me, before wandering off and leaving me alone. So, I had

    chosen to go and find a quiet seated area, while my parents were circting. I could only assume

    my Dad knew many of the people here. Though as a pack Beta, it was not umon for him to

    have to socialize or to work alongside other packs. Personally, I can think of nothing. worse. The

    thought of having to make polite conversation with people I either don¡¯t really know or I don¡¯t really

    like is my idea of hell.

    Thankfully, I was considered unimportant, so I was able to fade into the background. I don¡¯t even

    think my own family had noticed 1 had disappeared. Much like they rarely did at our own social

    events in our pack. I would stay for a minimal amount of time before making my excuses and

    leaving. Usually I would just sneak out, and this was rarely noticed. Unfortunately, here was not our

    pack, so I did not have the option of escaping to our home, so instead, I sat upon a quiet bench in

    the shade of some beech trees and from here have a perfect spot for people watching.

    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    I had noticed the ever so happy beast of a Beta had already made his excuses and left. Seems he

    was even

    less sociable than me. You would think, as the Beta, he would be expected to stay for the duration

    of the party, but it was definitely implied when he spoke to us that he was wanting to get away. And,

    by that point, the party had been going on for less than an hour. He seemed such a strange

    character. Not what you would expect for a Beta.

    I know a Beta is meant to be strong and dominating, much in the same way as an Alpha, but, they

    are also meant to be approachable and decent. Kind and caring. Friendly and hard-working. Much

    like my Dad. I was unsure if my brother held all those traits, but that was a different story. Hopefully

    he would improve as he got older, or that is what I kept telling myself, despite the fact he had

    already attended his Beta training. But, this Beta here seemed tock most of these skills too, or

    that was my first opinion of him.

    And don¡¯t they say first opinions matter the most? He came across as mean and moody, and quite

    honestly terrifying. I could not imagine anybody wanting to approach him for assistance, het would

    likely eat them alive sooner than help them.

    I could see the former Alpha, his ability to walk was somewhat declining. But boy, did he look

    cheerful! I could not help but smile at the older man as I watched him pose for pictures with some of

    his pack members. The biggest, toothiest grin he could smile upon his face as he posed. Like he did

    not have a care in the world. He looked like he was enjoying his birthday party, and I guess, at the

    end of the day, that was what mattered the most. Though I could only wonder if he would actually

    remember any of the party in the days that followed!

    ¡®Bailey, can you head to the car please. Morgan is being sick so we need to go home. My Dad

    suddenly mindlinks, taking me by surprise. I had expected to have to sit and endure the boredom of

    the party for hours yet. I wonder why my sister was sick? Not that I am going toin, it meant

    we got to head home a lot sooner than nned.

    ¡®On my way.¡¯ I responded, and began to head to the car, walking through the beautiful gardens of

    the pack to the parking area at the front of the packhouse. This pack certainly took care of their

    pds. All so well maintained and truly beautiful.

    ¡°Oh, and you thought it was okay to let her drink?¡± I heard my Dad chiding my brother as I

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    reached the car, which suddenly exined why my younger sister was being sick. My idiot of at

    brother had obviously thought it would be okay for her to drink alcohol. As werewolves, we generally

    have a better tolerance to alcohol, but this does not form until we have our wolves. And, for Morgan,

    she had only recently shifted, so this was definitely something that was still developing. She was not

    used to drinking. And I would say the pool of vomit at my Dad¡¯s feet was proof of that.

    ¡°She is plenty old enough. Stop being so protective.¡± Jordan says with a dismissive shake of his

    head. ¡°Was good fun, wasn¡¯t it Morgan?¡± he now grins at our sister, who is hunched over, with Mum

    holding her long dark hair back from her face so she doesn¡¯t get her own sick in it. Morgan looked

    up, looking decidedly green, and far from impressed.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t feel fun.¡± She mutters, before hurling up her guts a little more, making my own stomach

    turn.

    ¡°You are a disgrace.¡± My Dad says, as he opens the car to get inside. ¡°Meant to be responsible as

    the next pack Beta and look at the things you do.¡±

    ¡°Oh and you were holier than thou, were you and didn¡¯t have fun when you were iny age because

    you were the pack Beta?¡± Jordan argues. ¡°Like f**k you did. I have heard the stories of the sh*t you

    and Alpha Marshall did.¡±

    I rolled my eyes, knowing this could easily escte to something more than it needed to be, like. so

    many of the arguments did between these two. ¡°What we did is irrelevant. This is your sister, you

    are meant to look out for her.¡± My dad said with a warning tone.

    Hmm, chance would be a fine thing Jordan looking out for his sisters. Or me, more specifically. He

    never bothered looking out for me once I was a teenager. If anything, he was one of the leaders of

    the gangs of idiots picking on me for being different. Teasing me for studying. Far from being a

    protective brother, if anything, he was a lousy brother.

    ¡°I am being a good brother. Letting her live a little. Having some fun. Shame you have forgotten.

    what that is in your old age.¡± Jordan says with a sneer.

    Dad shook his head. ¡°And that is why you are not ready to be the Beta. I am beginning to wonder if

    you ever will be.¡±

    Jordan gave our Dad a dark re, before climbing into the passenger side of the car. ¡°I will sit here

    Mum, you can sit in the back with Morgan to help her if she is sick again.¡± He informed her.

    Great, so I get to sit alongside Little Miss pukey-pants all the way home, and a very happy looking

    Mum. Though, looking toward the front of the car, and the atmosphere that was forming between

    my Dad and my brother, I could only imagine the journey home was not exactly going to be

    pleasant. The two of them were so alike, not that they would admit it, but that meant that they

    shed a lot. And it meant we had to listen to far too many arguments.

    Why I couldn¡¯t just be blessed with a decent family who just got along I don¡¯t know¡­

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    Chapter 14 Bailey

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    The drive home was proving to be an awkward one. Morgan, thankfully, had not been sick again but

    had done nothing but moan loudly the whole time we had been in the car, and I had to listen. to my

    Mum talking to her like she was a little baby. Reassuring her she would be okay, because Morgan

    was truly acting like she was dying. Jeez, it was self-inflicted, and it isn¡¯t like most people don¡¯t

    experience it at some point in their life. She had drunk too much. That was all. Yet here she was

    acting like she was at death¡¯s door, facing her demise.

    Goddess help her tomorrow morning when she wakes up with a raging headache if she thinks this

    feeling is bad! The way she will feel with a hangover will feel like death itself¡­ I will have to make

    sure I am out of her way, because I don¡¯t think I could tolerate that. I am trained to deal with kids,

    but a poorly Morgan, sheesh, she is on a whole other level. A true nightmare.

    But my Mum coddling my sister was almost bearable whenpared to the atmosphere. between

    my Dad and my brother. That tension could be cut with a knife. It was so tight. It was a good thing

    my Dad was driving, or they would likely be physically fighting by now. The insults. being thrown

    back and forth were ridiculous. Anyone would think they hated one another. But, in truth, they were

    actually quite close. That is just what they do when they disagree on something. Unfortunately, that

    seemed to happen quite often. Something I had be. ustomed to over the years, but it still

    didn¡¯t make it any easier when you got caught in the middle of it with no means of escape.

    After Dad had criticized his abilities as an uing Beta, Jordan now seemed to think it was his

    ce to disagree with our Dad on everything. From his opinions on work decisions to training

    sessions. Jordan seemed to think all of a sudden he was an expert on anything and everything. and

    he was ensuring my Dad knew about it. Including the fact he didn¡¯t think introducing me to the

    former Alpha was appropriate when I am a minor pack member, though why it was anything to do

    with him, I do not know.

    ¡°So why did you think she needed to be speaking to senior members of another pack?¡± Jordan had

    decided to continue this argument, and is giving Dad a dirty look. ¡°She is not of importance within

    our pack. Alpha Marshall has not asked for her to speak with them. She is not a representative of

    our pack.¡±

    ¡°Have I not exined this? And besides, it is nothing to do with you.¡±

    ¡°If you are going behind the back of our senior pack members it would be.¡± Jordan argues, and I am

    shocked he would report his own Dad, because that is certainly what it sounded like he was

    implying.

    ¡°I will be speaking to them. Do not worry your pretty little head, Jordan. It will explode if you put too

    many thoughts in there.¡± Dad says sarcastically, and while I hold back a smile, I can see the anger

    upon my brother¡¯s face. He doesn¡¯t like it when Dad patronizes him, but he likely deserves. that for

    undermining Dad, and for all the insults he has thrown at him previously.

    ¡°So, why was she speaking to them?¡± Jordan¡¯s voice was demanding now, like he felt he had a

    right. to know what was happening.

    ¡°For f**ks sake Jordan, have I not told you, this is none of your business?¡± Dad snaps, as we

    approach the pack gates.

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    Chapter 14 Bailey

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    ¡°We are meant to be a family are we not? You want me to step up as part of the family, yet your

    keep secrets from me. Yeah, that works doesn¡¯t it?¡± Jordan says, angercing his voice..

    ¡°Oh, excuse me! We are a family, are we? Yet you talk to your own father like a lump of sh*t. And,

    That is

    you want to step up? Yet you just said you are going to go running to Miles to tell tale And

    not stepping up. That is choosing sides.¡± Dad said before pulling up at the gate and waving at the

    guard at the gate, as he opened the pack gates for us.

    ¡°So you are hiding things then.¡± Jordan shakes his head in

    ¡°You causing more sh*t 1 sey. It is all you seem to dust, before turning to look at me.

    Nothing but a f**king shame upon our family name.¡± he hissed. ¡°We should have stopped you

    coming back after you finished studying.

    ¡°Jordan! There is no need for that.¡± My Mum says, looking to me, with an uncertain look upon her

    face. I know she doesn¡¯t like to discipline Jordan, she thinks he is truly wonderful. Her firstborn, not

    to mention the heir to the Beta role. He is good at manipting Mum too. So, obviously she will

    think he is amazing.

    ¡°Oh, whatever, Jordan. Your head is so far up Miles¡¯s a*s, you wouldn¡¯t know if things were being

    hidden from you, unless, of course, they were hidden up his a*s. You want to know what we were

    doing?¡± I began.

    ¡°Bailey, you don¡¯t need to do this, not until we know.¡± Dad interrupted.

    ¡°It is fine Dad, he thinks he is so important and needs to know it all, so let him know. We will deal

    with whateveres.¡± I said to my Dad before looking at my brother again. ¡°Dad wanted me to

    speak with them because they need a teacher. You know, someone to teach in their school. The

    thing I am qualified to do? The job I have been looking for since gaining my degree. So they want

    me to get in touch. To see if I would be suitable. Happy now?¡± I snapped, hating that my brother

    thinks this is any of his business, but knowing full well that before the end of the night this would

    already be reported to Miles.

    ¡°Are you f**king kidding?¡± Jordan says, as we pull up outside our family home. ¡°You told me Alpha

    Marshall asked for you to be back in pack when your degree ended. If that is true, what makes you

    think it is eptable to go outside of the pack to work? You belong to pack Bailey.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me? She belongs to nobody. Other than her mate when hees along.¡± My Dad says

    bluntly, and at those words I realize I am in a deeper mess than I thought. My family are oblivious to

    the fact my mate had alreadye along. He hade along and rejected me for not being good

    enough. For not being the sort of she-wolf he saw as suitable to be his mate. But, is that why Miles

    is still trying to control me? Yet he had chosen to reject me, so didn¡¯t that mean I was no longer his

    mate? My head was spinning now, because, for whatever reason, Miles seemed to be the reason I

    was tied to this godforsaken pack. And, the more this went on, the more I could only think that he

    may never let me leave¡­.

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    s

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    Chapter 15 Asher

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    I looked at theputer disying the security cameras. This was bing too much. How can

    one pack be expected to hold back so many rogues? Wolves from all directions. Rabid wolves¡­ I

    was sure of it¡­ Where were they alling from? This random attack hade so unexpectedly,

    all the wolves had been called to fight. Sending our entire pack into turmoil. We trained for this, yet

    when it came to it, nobody seemed to remember a thing about the training.

    Ash, stay back, we cannot risk you or Caleb my Dad mindlinked.

    My Dad was the current Beta of the pack, and I know he was right, but it was an instinct to want to

    fight. To protect our pack. But I know why he was saying what he was. Caleb would be the next

    Alpha, they did not want him risking, and me, as the nert Beta, was viewed in much the same way.

    But, that did not stop me wanting to be out there. We had to protect our people!

    ¡°Dad, please. I urged him. We can help.¡±

    ¡®No. Alpha¡¯s orders. He tells me, and I look across to Caleb, already pacing the office, where we

    had been instructed to wait,

    ¡°Not happening, you know that, right?¡± Caleb told me as he looked at me, noticing the tell-tale signs

    of the zing of a mindlink had faded from my eyes.

    ¡°Why do you think I am already moving toward the door?¡± I grinned at him as I spoke. Neither Caleb

    or I had ever been good at following instructions, and we had both been keen fighters. Besides, I

    wanted to get this situation dealt with, I had a new mate I wanted to get home to!

    Literally moments before the attack was announced, I had been getting settled in my house with my

    new- found mate, I. I had only just turned 17 a matter of months ago, and I had been visiting a

    neighboring pack for training, when I came across my mate. A daughter of their lead Warrior. A fiery

    red-headed warrior queen. A true beauty. And she had blown me away. Some men wait years for

    their mates, yet I had been lucky enough to find mine within weeks of me shifting and gaining my

    wolf. And da mn, had I been blessed.

    She was currently safely with the women and children within the safe rooms we have within our

    pds. Yet, I was so desperate to go to her, already craving her scent and the need to be with

    her. This da mn rogue issue needed dealing with. It was bing out of hand. Caleb and I ignored

    the orders of our fathers and headed out of the door, to join our pack members in defending our

    pack. We will not leave them fighting

    alone.

    My wolf pushed forward the moment we left the packhouse doors, my bones twisting and cracking,

    altering shape and position to form therge and strong shape of my Beta Wolf, Zion. He took off

    after the strong Alpha wolf of Caleb, Thor, toward the area we knew many of our pack were.

    The breeze rustling through the thick, ck fur of Zion as he ran at speed, his paws pounding on

    the grass. My mind was focused on the fight ahead of us. I was desperate to get back to I, but I

    needed to be focused on the fight, of that there was no denying. We need to end this¡­

    Suddenly, a tan-coloured wolf lunged at Zion at full speed with his ws out. Zion fell, but soon

    steadied himself. He was more than used to fighting and getting out of unexpected tackles. Zion

    aggressively grabbed

    this sman-malsbe thew almmaking hirian dann hood and I would fail tha hamna na

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    looked around through his eyes I had lost sight of Thor. He had to have already gone and joined the

    others fighting.

    ¡°Go and find them.¡¯ I told my wolf, desperate now to go and help defend my pack. The way it should

    be.

    ¡°Where do you think I am going?¡¯ He responds, and with that he is running again, his movements a

    little more cautious this time after being attacked unexpectedly before.

    The

    As we came around the edge of one of the many storage buildings on the pd, I could see a

    flurry of wolves, some I recognized, others I did not. All attacking one another. It was a free for all by

    all ounts. rogue wolves we had seen on the security cameras were out to do as much damage

    and destruction as they could. I could see dead bodies littering the ground, and sadly many of them

    I recognized. Zion too recognized them, causing a small whimper to slip from him, before he began

    to move closer to the fighting when suddenly the most painful sound came through the mindlink.

    Asher!¡±

    My name was almost a shriek of pain. So much so, I could not recognize who it was. My heart was

    pounding as I thought of I. She should be safe in the safe rooms. That is where the women and

    children went when our pack waspromised. So they were not in any danger. Surely she had to

    be okay? The rooms were

    secure.

    ¡°I?¡¯ I mindlink, hoping that the scream had not been hers, though I don¡¯t like to think of anyone in

    that pain.

    ¡°Baby, help us! They have got in.¡¯ She screams, and at that moment I felt like my heart had stopped.

    Zion turns his back on the pack fighting and speeds toward the packhouse. The speed at which he

    reaches is likely the fastest I have experienced him run, darting and dodging between the trees and

    buildings as he moves. A few short sharp kicks to the asional wolf we pass along the way that is

    within our path¡­

    Zion knows his mate needs him. He needs to be with her. He needed to save her. As we reach the

    doors, Zion gives me control back, but the stench of blood is overpowering and my stomach churns

    with nerves. Zion is still present despite giving me control, his presence rippling beneath my skin,

    and he is whimpering within my mind. Scared for our mate¡­.

    The state of the area around the safe room is not good. It looked anything but safe now. Where is

    she? I allowed my body to dislocate and shift back to my human form as quickly as possible, not

    caring at that moment I was naked. I needed to get to my mate, and I dashed through the

    underground passage to one of the safe rooms, the safe room I had sent I to before going to the

    offices to meet Caleb. A safe room that I believed would keep my girl safe¡­

    The corridor is littered with bodies¡­ the walls stained with blood¡­ I feel tears filling my eyes as I

    begin to run, stepping over bodies as I do. Needing to find I. A sense of desperation filling me¡­.

    ¡°I?!¡± I called. ¡°I, where are you?!¡±

    I entered the room, and I saw so many wounded pack members, a mixture of children, elderly, and

    women all trying to tend to one another. But there were many dead bodies too. The rogues had

    clearly done their damage and left the room, likely to find another to attack¡­ My eyes darted

    around the soul-destroying vision of a room, searching for my mate, hoping beyond all hope she

    was still okay. Only for my eyes to settle upon her. Her beautiful fiery red hair stained with blood, as

    she leans against the wall. The beautiful features of her face grimaced in pain. As I looked down to

    see gaping wounds to her chest and lower stomach, it made

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    My heart feels like it is crumbling at the sight of my injured mate, as I rush over to her, having to

    ignore the many pack members reaching out to me for help. ¡°I!¡± I so b, as I drop to my knees,

    and gently pull her to me. her eyes are open but the look within them is so vacant I fear she is

    already gone.

    I am sorry baby.¡± She mindlinks, telling me she isn¡¯t strong enough to speak. I tried to help. But they

    kepting.¡±

    ¡°Let me mark you again, me doing that, along with your wolf trying to heal you may help?¡± I

    suggested, seeing that her wounds did not seem to be healing. I fear they are too much for her wolf

    to heal.

    She slowly shakes her head, just a slight movement. I don¡¯t think it will work, Ash. The wounds are

    deep. It hurts.¡±

    ¡°Let me get the Dr¡¯I told her.

    Ash, people with stronger chances of healing need their help. I think I will struggle.¡¯ I see her eyelids

    keep flickering as she mindlinks me, like she is struggling to maintain consciousness and tears are

    flooding down. my cheeks.

    I reached for her hand, as I pulled her closer to me, gently kissing her head. ¡®I please, we need to

    try.¡±

    Ash, I am tired. I am hurting. I am sorry. She links, a lone tear trickling down her face, though her

    link sounds so weak, and I can feel the link fading. I cling to her as I gently stroke her hair.

    ¡°Okay beautiful, you go to sleep. You will stop hurting then. There is nothing to be sorry for. I love

    you.¡±I whispered, knowing she was already going. She was likely already going the moment she

    screamed my name. And the pain filling my body is the worst pain imaginable. I was her mate. I was

    supposed to protect her and I had failed. I had failed in my duty as her mate, and it had cost my

    beautiful I her life. I had lost my mate¡­ my other half¡­when we had barely been given a chance

    to build our lives together. Zion is howling within my mind, as tears flow from my eyes, mixing with

    the blood upon the floor.

    My heart is pounding within my chest as I sit up, sweating, tears dripping from my eyes as I wake

    up. That dream¡­. no¡­. more nightmare, again. The same one¡­ reliving that day¡­ over and

    over¡­ it is what turned my life into a living hell. It is what makes it impossible to sleep. Fate blessed

    me when they gave me I, then cursed me by sn*tching her away. Cursed me to a life of misery

    and loneliness.. reliving the pain of losing her. How was a man meant to live with that? Or his wolf?

 16

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    Chapter 16 Asher

    +5 Pearls

    After tossing and turning, for goddess knows how many more hours after my recurring nightmare, I

    had given up all hope of sleep finding me again. Though in some ways I think sleep was something

    I dreaded because it brought that vision over and over. It meant I had to lose I again and again.

    The pain had been the worst pain I could ever imagine. I, like so many others, had heard of wolves

    losing their mate and the damage it could do to them, but never thought much of it. Though, I

    suppose, as a young and carefree boy, enjoying my life and having fun, why would you?

    But, at the age of seventeen, fate had decided that was what fate would be dealt to me. I was to

    discover exactly what the pain could be. Discover the agonizing sensation as agony rippled through

    my body as the matebond was torn from me. Experience exactly how torturous the loss. would feel,

    and despite being surrounded by a pack, just how lonely you could feel when the one person

    destined to be by your side was no longer there. I had barely had a chance to develop a long-

    standing bond with my mate, but she was mine all the same. The connection was there, like it was

    with all fated mates. And losing her felt like my heart had been ripped from my chest and shredded

    into pieces.

    And now, near seven years on, I felt like I was still trying to piece it all together, and I still felt like

    there were pes missing. Pieces of my heart are missing and pieces of me are missing. And these

    dreams¡­ these visions, reliving it all meant I felt that pain¡­ experienced it all¡­ so often¡­ too

    often¡­ I could see how losing a mate could send a person to the brink of insanity. I think I may

    have verged upon that edge many times. I sometimes wonder if my own pack members question if I

    have already teetered over the edge. But, my focus in coping was my role as a Beta.

    Soon after I lost my beautiful girl, Caleb became Alpha and I became Beta. It gave me a sense of

    purpose. I had a pack to be there for. I had failed my mate. I knew that, and would never forgive

    myself for that. But, I could be there for the people within my pack. And that is what I had tried to do.

    Doing so many more duties than were expected of me, just to keep my mind busy. But, in my own

    time, I was very isted. I became withdrawn. But, that was what felt right. That was where I

    wanted to be. Alone.

    I know I caused many concerns and rumors to be spread about my darkness and the fact I was so

    withdrawn. Living alone within the packhouse, now Caleb lived within his Alpha home with his mate

    and our pack Luna, only made the situation worse. But, I could not bring myself to live in my former

    Beta home that I and I had moved into when she hade to the pack. The home held too

    many memories. We had only been there a short time together, but it held memories of love. Hope.

    Excitement. Dreams of new mates and their future. The two of us together. Returning there alone

    after she had gone, it felt like the house was empty. Like something was missing. I couldn¡¯t stay¡­

    So, I had moved into the Beta suite within the Packhouse and I had stayed there. Our pack was

    unique in that it had many homes for all our pack members, so despite the bedrooms within the

    packhouse, they were not needed. There was nobody living in the packhouse now other than me.

    So, once the crowds from the day had left, it became quite lonely. But, I have to say I preferred it

    that way.

    I had showered and sat myself in my office, coffee in hand, reading through files in preparation for

    my meetingter in the morning. Some she-wolf from a pack further out in the region, I believe, who

    my Uncle was suggesting as a potential teacher for the pack¡¯s junior school. As much

    12:23 PM

    Chapter 16 Asher

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    as I respect my Uncle, he had been drinking the night he was trying to suggest this woman to me,

    so I had decided it would be best to invite the girl to the pack for us to speak with her ande to

    our own conclusion on whether she would be suitable. I did not want just anyone being brought into

    the pack, no matter how desperate we may be.

    ¡°Good Morning handsome!¡± Eden greeted me, as she came into the office, Caleb holding the office

    door open for her, a smile upon his face.

    ¡°That is more than I got. She red at me, and hissed that this was all my fault while she, in a far

    fromdy-like manner, rolled out of bed.¡± Calebughed, and I held back the smirk ying on my

    lips. Eden had a habit of ming her pregnancy difort on her mate.

    ¡°What he fails to mention is that he offered to give me a push!¡± Eden says, yfully ruffling Caleb¡¯s

    dark hair.

    I raised my eyebrows at him. ¡°Well, you likely deserve everything you get.¡± I said with a shake of my

    head, trying not tough.

    ¡°Not like either of you have to go through this.¡± Eden argues, easing herself down onto the sofa at

    the edge of my office. ¡°What time are our visitors from Lotus Shadow Pack arriving?¡±

    ¡°Honestly, she makes out like she is the first she-wolf to go through pregnancy and childbirth.¡±

    Caleb says with a shrug, and a wink in my direction, indicating he is being yful, but even I know

    he is asking for trouble. His mate is not going to appreciate the implication that she is not capable of

    pregnancy. Or that it is easy. I nce across to Eden and the angry look upon her face. tells me she

    is ready to rip her mate apart. Hmm, yeah I don¡¯t think I will get involved in this¡­

    ¡°They should be on their way anytime now for the interview.¡± I answered Eden¡¯s question, choosing

    to ignore Caleb.

    ¡°Why are you interviewing them? We need a teacher, she is qualified andes rmended

    from Alpha Isaak.¡± Eden questions, looking at me with confusion. This irritates me when she

    suddenly decides how I do things is not the right way, despite the fact I have been doing this job a

    job, not to mention

    lot longer than she has been here. And I have undertaken training to do ¡°e been doing this job a

    watching my Dad do the job for years as well.

    ¡°Oh, so you are happy to let anyonee into the pack without checking their details first? And I¡¯m

    pretty sure Uncle Isaak was more than well gone on tequ when he was making that

    rmendation, so yeah I think we will do our own checks first.¡± I say, knowing I sound more than

    a little snappy, but being past caring. This has be a regr urrence ofte. But, I had little

    patience to deal with others. Everything they did simply irritated me. I prefer to be alone.

    ¡°Ash, no need to be like that.¡± Caleb says with a warning tone. Funny how he was being a d*ck with

    his mate a matter of minutes ago and now suddenly he is jumping to her defense. I simply shrugged

    in response.

    ¡°Well, they are on their way. An interview has been arranged. We will decide from there.¡± I said,

    standing from my desk, needing some fresh air before I said something I regretted.

    2

 17

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    Chapter 17 Bailey

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    I got myself ready to leave the house, dressed smartly in a pair of high-waisted, wide-legged, ck

    trousers. With a simple white tank top. My long dark hair I chose to tame, so the curls were

    manageable, and I clipped the sides back from my face. I slipped on a pair of simple ck heels to

    finish my outfit, along with simple but stylish make-up too. I needed to make a good impression. I

    needed a job. There had still been no responses despite all the applications I had

    sent out.

    ¡°You ready to go Bai?¡± My Dad called up the stairs, and I smiled. He was not wasting the

    opportunity to go and see his friend, former Alpha Isaak, again. After we had called the pack and

    requested an appointment to discuss the role of teacher in the pack, my Dad had messaged Alpha

    Isaak to let him know, and instantly he was invited toe along too. Personally, I think it was just

    my Dad¡¯s way ofing along to keep an eye on me. Ever the protective father..

    I have since learned the two of them had yed football together in the inter-pack football squads

    many moons ago. Back when my Dad considered himself quite the footballer. Back when he could

    actually run around without feeling like he would copse and have a heart attack. No, I shouldn¡¯t

    be mean, my Dad was still in quite good shape for a guy his age. That came with being a Beta of

    the pack, I guess. He had no choice but to keep training and had to stay at peak fitness.

    I picked up my bag from my bed with my qualifications as well as examples of some of my teaching

    styles I preferred. ¡°Coming!¡± I called, slipping out of my bedroom. Only to be greeted by my older

    brother leaning on the doorframe of his bedroom door, with a dirty look upon his face. ¡°I¡¯d say good

    luck, but¡­¡± he paused. ¡°Nope, I don¡¯t want to. You will f**k it up, like you do everything else.¡± He

    says with a nastyugh.

    I rolled my eyes at him, sticking my middle finger up at him, before turning my back on him. before

    walking down the stairs to meet my Dad. ¡°Come on Princess, let us get you to this meeting.¡± He

    smiles, as we move toward the door, and for once I am actually d to spend time with my Dad,

    because he doesn¡¯t seem to be on my case.

    ¡®Good luck Bailey. I suddenly received a mindlink from Harley. I felt a warm feeling rush. through

    me. I was touched that he had even remembered my interview. The two of us had been for ice

    creams as nned the other afternoon, and had found plenty tough about as we caught up. He

    seemed quite an easy-going guy, and really friendly. He seemed quite interested in the fact I had

    done my degree and asked lots of questions about it.

    We had seen each other a couple of times since, casually around pack. And chatted via text and

    call too. He had been really enthusiastic for me when I told him of my potential job interview,

    knowing how desperate I was to find work. Though I don¡¯t know if he realized how far away this

    pack was¡­

    ¡®Thank you, Harley!¡¯ I replied. ¡®And thank you for remembering. I am just leaving now.¡±

    ¡°Aww, just in time then. I just woke up, so I am d I caught you. You will smash it, sweet cheeks.

    He tells me and I hold back a little giggle, he keepsing up with funny names to call me,

    knowing they will make meugh. But my Dad being with me means it is not a good idea to be

    laughing, as I do not need to be exining this to him¡­.

    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Thank you. I am with my Dad now, so I will speak to youter.! I told him, knowing it wouldn¡¯t be

    Chapter 17 Bailey

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    long until my Dad were to notice my zed eyes to signal I was mindlinking, and then he would be

    asking questions. Plus, I would soon lose the ability once we left the pack as we would be too far

    away from him for the link to work.

    ¡®Okay Bai, see you soon. Drinks on me if you get the job!¡¯ Harley tells me cheerfully before cutting

    the link.

    I sit in the passenger seat of the car as my Dad is driving through the quiet roads of pack. Few

    people would be about at this time of day. We were setting of quite early as the meeting was

    scheduled for mid-morning, and we still had to get there yet. I was nervous, but I was excited too. I

    had been working toward this since I went away to study. This is everything I am wanting. I hope

    they like me and see the potential in me. I am a good teacher, I know I am¡­

    I feel my mindlink cra ckling like someone is trying to get hold of me and I wonder if Harley is trying

    to reach me again, but suddenly a voice I did not want to heares through loud and clear, I

    especially did not want to be hearing his voice today of all days. Miles. ¡®Where the f**k do you think

    you are going?¡±

    I chose to try and ignore him, knowing we wereing toward the pack gates soon, so hopefully

    the pack link would be lost and he wouldn¡¯t be able to continue mindlinking me. I go to put my block

    up, but as I do, he forces through again. ¡®Don¡¯t f**king ignore me Bailey. You were told you would

    stay within the pack. That you belonged to our pack. Yet you chose to apply for work away from the

    pack all the same? Go to your interview, or it will reflect badly on our pack, and you will not make us

    look bad. You cause us enough issues as it is. But you will not take that job. Do you hear me? Or I

    will find ways to make you regret it.¡±

    A cold chill spread across my body at his words. Why would anyone threaten something like that?

    As my Dad pulled the car out of the pack gates onto the road ready to drive to Autumn Valley Pack,

    I was beginning to doubt my decision now. Miles is not going to allow this. It seemed my brother had

    gone running to his friend after all and done exactly as I feared he would. And if they offered me the

    job I had so desperately wanted, Miles would make me regret it, and knowing him, I could only

    imagine what that could mean.

 18

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    Chapter 18 Asher

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    The silence within the office was palpable. Awkward. I tried to keep myself upied with some of

    the paperwork thaty upon my desk, but I found myself persistently checking the time. This

    appointment was due anytime now, and I truly did not want to be dealing with some randomer from

    out of pack.

    Yes, it had been my choice to bring her here to interview her, but I am certain that the interview did

    not need three of us. The coffee in the mug upon my desk had not done what I needed in waking

    me up, nor making me feel better. Being polite and friendly was most certainly not. within my

    rhetoric today because of the amount of sleep I had managed¡­

    ¡°Does she have much experience?¡± Caleb suddenly interrupted the deafening silence.

    I turn to look at my friend and shrug. ¡°This is all your Dad¡¯s suggestion,¡± I said, slightly too snappily,

    and I saw both Caleb and Eden nce at one another. That knowing look upon their faces. The

    look I tire of. One of sympathy. Pity. Concern. Like I was such a worry for them. Yet, strangely, I was

    still more than capable of being the Beta of the pack. Completing my role and many of the tasks of

    Caleb¡¯s too, if I am not mistaken, to lessen his responsibilities to allow him the time to spend with

    his young son, and his heavily pregnant wife. But they seem to forget that when they have these

    moments of great concern¡­

    ¡°I think she is newly qualified from what your Dad said.¡± Eden adds, with a small smile. ¡°Are you

    sure you are okay, Asher?¡± her voice seeps concern and care, which only further irritates me. Why

    do they have to treat me like I am damaged? Like I am a fragile piece of ssware or a ticking

    timebomb¡­.

    I looked toward her, raising my brows as I met her beautiful blue eyes. ¡°Yes, Eden. I am fine. Think

    we covered this already. I am just tired.¡± I dismissed her. ¡°Though if this girl is not here soon, her

    meeting will be canceled, we have better things to do than sit around and wait all day for her.¡±

    Eden nced at her husband and mate once more, before smiling a tight and ufortable smile.

    The sort of smile that was bing more frequent around me. ¡°She isn¡¯t due for another ten

    minutes, Ash.¡±

    Another ten minutes? So why are we all sitting here already? Ten minutes¡­ And that is before we

    even have to start the interview? My brain will be ready to evaporate into nothingness by the time I

    am done today! Either that or simply explode. My limit for dealing with others was going to be have

    been far exceeded. To think I used to be one of the pack¡¯s more sociable members would likely not

    be believed now¡­..

    ¡®SECURITY ALERT! Rogues detected on the southern border!¡¯ a mindlink suddenly came through

    from one of the pack warriors running border patrol, and I stood from my desk. There was no way I

    would be staying within the office now. I had other ces I was needed.

    ¡°I will §Õ§à and deal with that.¡± I told Caleb and Eden, knowing they too would have heard the security

    alert. An opportunity to deal with rogues is always a wee prospect. Rogues are who took my

    mate. Sn*tched the life from her beautiful body. So now I take great pleasure in

    watching the life beingatched from them Seeing the life dein from their pune The fear and

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    Chapter 18 Asher

    ¡°Ash, we have the meeting set up any minute.¡± Caleb chooses to inform me.

    +5 Pearls

    I looked at him, a look of displeasure on my face. ¡°Yeah, and it does not take three of us to interview

    for a teacher. Whereas when a rogue or multiple rogue

    infiltrate our borders, you, I or both have always gone to help deal with it. That should not change

    just because some random she-wolf is here to visit. She is not of that much importance.¡±

    I turned away and walked toward the door. Not willing to stand around and debate this any further. I

    needed to get outside to the border. Help the warriors that would already be on their way. I would

    not have rogues putting our pack in danger again¡­

    ¡°Keep me updated.¡± Caleb says with a sigh, knowing that it is not worth arguing with me.

    ¡°Will do. And make sure this she-wolf is capable of doing the role we need. And is not going to be a

    risk to the pack.¡± I said, knowing I am telling Caleb things he already knows, but he has been

    irritating me this morning, so I shall irritate him too. I give him a dark nce, before opening the

    door, nearly walking into the pretty young she-wolf standing outside the office door, alongside one of

    our pack omegas who I assume has escorted her here.

    Her eyes went wide as I almost walked into her, and likely because she heard half the things I had

    just said. Oh well, I am sure she would get over it. Not like she would see much of me even if she

    did join the pack to be a teacher here. And, besides, she needs to learn if she is part of our

    pack she needs to follow the rules and not put us at risk in anyway.

    ¡°Sorry Beta.¡± The young omega by her side acknowledged me, obviously reading the expression.

    upon my face as being far from impressed.

    I simply nod, not in the mood for pleasantries now. My mind was already focusing on the rogues

    that had crossed onto ournds. The rogues that need to be handed their punishment. I did not

    need to be wasting my time with some frail little she-wolf here for an interview. I had somet rogues

    to destroy. I moved away as fast as I could, my eyes focused upon the corridor ahead of me. My

    wolf, Zion, rippling beneath my skin, desperate to be let out. He, too, enjoyed bringing these rogues

    to their retribution. And that beat chatting with some random she-wolf any day of the week¡­

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    Chapter 19 Bailey

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    Well, the interview went well, despite the awkward start of nearly being plowed over by the Beta

    escaping the room like he had a rocket up his a*s. I could see his friendly demeanor had improved

    massively since the party. He was clearly a joy to work with. Radiating sunshine that

    one.

    However, Alpha Caleb and Luna Eden, who had done the interview, both seemed lovely, and Luna

    Eden, bless her, looked ready to pop in thetter stages of pregnancy. Though she did seem to be

    glowing with it too. I never understood how that worked when I had heard people describe pregnant

    women in that way, but to see Luna Eden she generally looked to be shimmering with happiness

    and health. The affectionate smiles down to her swollen belly as she stroked it told me she likely

    already adored the little one growing there.

    I was proud considering this was my first official interview. We had practiced ones many times.

    during our studies, but they were not the same as the tutors always guided us. This

    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    had been nerve-wracking, but the Alpha and Luna were so calming and friendly. Both so

    enthusiastic about their pack, and the young children within their school. I could see that the future

    of the pups meant a lot to them, as it should, and that hit even harder that I would not be able to

    work for them. But, I was happy to be able to say that I had been able to answer all of their

    questions in what I felt was a professional way. And they both seemed happy with all my answers

    too.

    It was a shame really that it was all going to go to waste. ¡°Would you like to stay for a coffee and

    some cake in the gardens with me?¡± Luna Eden offered, with a friendly smile as she led me from

    the office. ¡°An excuse for cake is always good.¡± She told me with a wink, and I couldn¡¯t help but

    laugh. How could I refuse that offer?

    ¡°I guess I could do that. And, to be fair, I have likely lost my Dad for a while anyway, he came with

    me to see Alpha Isaak.¡± I told her, with a small shrug.

    ¡°Oh, I will set you up a bed, because once he starts talking you could be here forever!¡± she grins,

    and again I find myself smiling at her friendly disposition.

    ¡°I am not going toin about coffee, I love coffee.¡± I tell her and she nods. ¡°And like you. said,

    an excuse for cake is always good.¡±

    ¡°See, you are perfect! Agreeing that coffee and cake are needed instead of telling me I don¡¯t really

    need them. Though I am not supposed to have as much now. Coffee I mean.¡± She tells me, stroking

    her belly as we walk along the packhouse corridor. ¡°Apparently not good for the little one. I followed

    all the guidelines with my first, and he still came out as daft as a brush. So, I do wonder if it truly

    makes a difference.¡±

    I smile. Obviously, I have never had children, and now my fated mate has rejected me, it is highly

    likely I never will. But, having trained to work with children, I do know that no matter how you try,

    they were all characters in their own rights, and I thought it was truly wonderful. They had the ability

    to brighten your day with the simplest of words. ¡°I imagine he is adorable.¡± I said to her as we

    entered the kitchen.

    ¡°Well, if you will ept the role of teacher in our pack, you would have the pleasure of teaching him

    in a couple of years. I bet you will soon change your mind!¡± Luna Eden says with a chuckle, as she

    walked to the coffee machine.

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    Chapter 19 Bailey

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    I held back the frown that was threatening upon my face. I would love to take the role here, I truly

    would. The pack is beautiful. And the way they described the school and the teaching role sounded

    so lovely, it would have been ideal for me. But, I know I need to seriously consider the things that

    Miles has said to me. I don¡¯t know the things he may do. He has threatened the removal of my

    degree before. I am not entirely sure how he could go about it, but if anyone could do it, it would be

    an Alpha. And without that, all my hard work would be gone. Everything I had dreamed of, sn*tched

    away. Years of hard work and dedication, taken from me. All because Miles is holding a grudge over

    a decision fate appeared to have made. Did he think it was a choice. I was happy about either?

    ¡°Are you okay Bailey? You look awfully deep in thought there.¡± Luna Eden¡¯s voice interrupted my

    thoughts, her beautiful blue eyes focused on me with a look of concern. ¡°I am only joking, Matty isn¡¯t

    that bad, please don¡¯t let what I said about him put you off the role of teacher here.¡±

    I don¡¯t want her thinking badly of me, so I just smiled. ¡°Oh, not at all. Sorry, just me, daydreaming.¡±

    ¡°Of working here, I hope.¡± She says with a wink, moving toward the refrigerator to remove some

    cakes. ¡°Because me and Alpha Caleb had said we think you would be perfect for the position if you

    would like toe and work for us.¡±

    I let out a guilty chuckle. She truly seemed determined to convince me to take the job here. And I

    wished I could ept, but Miles¡¯s threat isying heavy on my mind. I know how nasty he can be. I

    don¡¯t think it is worth the risk. ¡°It is something I will be giving some serious thought to.¡± I lic. Because

    I know that, in truth, my decision had already been made for me the moment Miles had mindlinked

    me as we left the pack. He would not allow me to work elsewhere, or for another Alpha. Especially if

    that meant living off our pack. He may have rejected me, but he still considered me his. And

    because there was nobody else who knew of this other than Ellis, there was nobody I could turn to

    for help nor advice. Miles knew I was stuck. He knew he could do as he pleased. And he seemed to

    be loving every moment.

 20

    20

    Chapter 20 Bailey

    After a lovely hour sitting in the beautiful gardens with Luna Eden, enjoying the most delicious of

    cake and coffee, my Dad hade to find me, and see if I was ready toe home. He seemed

    excited to hear that Luna Eden was keen to have mee and work for her. So, when he told her

    she would be hearing from us very soon, I did not have the heart to disagree. Because, yes, they

    likely would be hearing from me, but it may not be in the way they were expecting.

    My Dad had tried talking to me on the way home, wanting to know all the details of the interview, but

    in all honesty, I had lost all interest in conversation. I felt deted. My mood low. I had been building

    up to this moment since the day I began my degree. Excited about the day I would gain a job offer.

    And now the seemingly impossible had happened, I was likely going to have to turn them down. All

    because of an over-bearing and controlling Alpha and ex-mate who seemed to think he still had

    some say in what I did with my life.

    As a mate who had rejected me, he didn¡¯t have a say. But as my uing Alpha, sadly, he would

    always have control and that is what he was using against me. Because that meant he could

    threaten me with a whole host of things, which is what worried me. Miles had changed from the guy

    he used to be. As hising of age had approached, his attitude had grown. And since his wolf

    had arrived, he had be more and more egotistical. Narcissistic and self-centered.

    As I hadn¡¯t felt like chatting, my Dad had given up, and we drove the journey infortable. silence.

    I watched the scenery fly past the window of the car, losing my thoughts as we went. Wondering

    how to approach this whole mess, I found myself in. I know my Dad said he would deal with the

    Alpha when it came to me leaving for work, but I wasn¡¯t expecting Miles to be so heavily

    involved. And my Dad had no clue he had been my fated mate. And if he did, I am certain he would

    not be so willing to allow me to leave the pack so freely then. I had nobody to

    turn to.

    ¡°Am I okay to drop you outside the packhouse Bailey and you walk home? As I need to go to the

    office.¡± Dad asked as we came through the pack gates, the guard signaling to my Dad as he

    opened the gates.

    I guess a walk wasn¡¯t going to do me any harm. A little fresh air may even do me some good. ¡°Yeah

    sure, that is fine.¡± I agree with a nod.

    ¡°Are you sure everything is okay sweetheart? You have been awfully quiet since we left Autumn

    Valley. Did the interview not go as well as you wanted?¡± My Dad asked as we approached the

    parking area outside the packhouse.

    I smiled a sad smile at him. Ever the concerned Dad, thinking he was being so observant, yet he

    had no clue as to the things I have had to tolerate from my own pack members over the years that

    him and so many others have missed. ¡°It went fine, Dad. I just need to decide what to do

    now.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, decide what to do? You want a job. They are offering you one. A bit of a no-

    brainer, Bailey.¡± He says with a roll of his eyes, like he despaired at how my mind worked

    sometimes.

    ¡°Ir ie uite a dictance away Dad. And we don¡¯t know set what Alnha will eau¡± I nointed out

    ¡°Like I told you, leave your Uncle to me.¡±

    +5 Pearls

    ¡°It isn¡¯t just him, Miles apparently told Jordan that I shouldn¡¯t be working for another pack. That I

    belong to this one. So I think he may be reluctant to all

    it.¡± I stretch the truth a little, so I don¡¯t have to admit everything to my Dad.

    ¡°Well, King Lazy a*s can get off his high horse, because he ain¡¯t the Alpha yet. And he should see

    the good in interacting with other packs in this way. Don¡¯t let the jumped-up jerk get to you. I know

    you probably find that difficult when you are in love with him, but, he is not worth it, Bailey.¡± Dad said

    with a shrug.

    I looked at my Dad with a frown. I am what now? I don¡¯t f**king think so! ¡°I think you have me

    confused with someone else there Dad, because I am most definitely not in love with that kn ob. I

    would rather eat my own eyeballs than be with someone like him.¡±

    Dad chuckled to himself. ¡°I know he is intolerable at times, but that seems a little extreme all the

    same. We just assumed you were, that is what he has always told us.¡±

    My eyes widened at my Dad¡¯s words. Miles has been telling our families that I was in love with

    him?! Either he was deluded or he saw some strange benefit to lying about something so ridiculous.

    But, what bothers me, is that one, they believed it. And two, if he would lie about something so

    ridiculous, what else would he be willing to lie about?

    ¡°Well, I can reassure you, Dad. That there is no hope in hell that I would ever be in love with that

    thing. We have more chance of the moon goddessing for tea than we have of me falling in love

    with him.¡± I say with a roll of my eyes. ¡°But, I doubt he will make this easy for me, he is more

    involved with pack decisions now in preparation for taking over as Alpha. So he will do his best to

    make my life difficult, as he always has since being a teenager.

    ¡°I apologize, Bailey. But, I will do my best for you.¡± Dad says as he steps from the car. ¡°I had best

    get to the office, your Uncle has already been pestering your Mum about where I was. Anyone

    would think he couldn¡¯t manage the pack on his own.¡± He says with a grin.

    I smile and step from the car myself, but go to walk the other direction toward our family home.

    nning to hide out there. ¡°See youter Dad!¡± I called as I walked away, looking down to my

    phone. To be greeted by lots of messages from Harley saying he hoped today went well and that he

    was looking forward to seeing me. He was sweet bless him.

    I was just about to mindlink him to let him know how it went when a heavy hand gripped hold of my

    shoulder. ¡°So, you are back then? Decided not to run away?¡± Miles¡¯s voice was h o ar se. Angry.

    I turned to look at him. ¡°I had no intention of running away, Miles, and you know I didn¡¯t. My Dad

    took me.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Still went without permission.¡± He hissed, his eyes almost squinting in anger. Causing me to

    roll my eyes in irritation. This guy is now in his twenties but still acts like a petnt teenager. Being

    demanding and spoiled.

    ¡°I am going home now, Miles, so if you don¡¯t mind.¡± I said, moving away from him.

    Bnce:

    dismissed you. And I am sure I told you it was Alpha Miles.¡± He snarls,

    C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    +5 Pearls

    ¡°And I think I told you, I would call you that when you gain your title, which is not yet.¡± I snapped. I

    know I am only going to anger him further, but I have had just about enough of his attitude towards

    me.

    ¡°You will regret this.¡± He hisses, as he lowers his face toward mine, his breath smelling of stale.

    cigarettes. I hadn¡¯t even realized Miles had begun smoking. But, that is none of my concern. ¡°You

    chose to go for a job off pack, when you were told toe home after studying because you

    belonged here.¡±

    I rolled my eyes again. ¡°Miles, I am not doing this. Why do you need me here? You made it perfectly

    clear you did not want me as your fated mate. You rejected me. So, why keep me here? Why do

    you feel the need to have me here? Does it make you feel in control? Because I will not have that. I

    will go to your father and exin it all. The rejection, everything.¡±

    Miles¡¯s eyes sh darker, telling me his wolf is lingering now. His hand holding me is shaking now. I

    have definitely caused him to be angry¡­ ¡°You will not go to my f**king Dad!¡± he roared. ¡°I would

    lose everything then. They would either make me take you as my f**king mate, and why would I

    want you for a mate? Or he would take away my title for rejecting the fated mate I was given!¡±

    ¡°Bailey?¡± I heard Harley¡¯s voice nearby, and both Miles and I turned to look at him. Eyes wide. The

    look upon his face was one of shock. There is no denying he had heard everything. Thought talking

    about something like this out in the open, and when so angry too, was never going to be the best of

    ideas¡­

    ¡°Harley¡­¡± I began.

    ¡°He is your fated mate?¡± he stutters, his tone a mixture of shock and hurt.

    ¡°No.¡± Miles interrupted. ¡°She wanted me to be. Though she has always been in love with me. Clung

    to me, like so many of the other girls. But, this time she was telling me of about the fated.

    matebond. She was adamant about it, but I wasn¡¯t feeling the bond.¡± he lies, and I see a disgusted

    look pass over Harley¡¯s face. Like, his whole opinion of me had changed in an instant. He believed

    the words Miles was telling him? The pain in my heart at that realization was immense. Everyone

    would always believe him over me. ¡°So, I rejected her to make sure, just in case.¡± Miles says with a

    shrug.

    Harley shakes his head in disbelief. The look he gives me is one of confusion. Disgust. Gone is the

    friendly, flirty looks that gave me butterflies. No, this is a look that tells me he finds me repulsive. All

    because of some twisted lie from Miles¡­ Then, he turns and simply walks away without another

    word.

    s

 21

    21

    Chapter 21 Miles

    +5 Pearls

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Today was not going well. Hearing my former fated mate had disobeyed what she had been.

    ordered by going to another pack for an interview infuriates me. Her brother needs to get her under

    better control. Well, both her brother and her father. But, this is what happens when a she- wolf is

    allowed too much freedom, too much ess to education. She learns too much. She thinks she is

    above all others. Well, not in my pack she wasn¡¯t, nor would she ever be.

    I would not permit her to work for another Alpha. That girl would forever belong to this pack. So she

    knew her ce. I may have rejected her, but she was the mate the moon goddess had blessed me

    with, and I did not know if her going somewhere else would make me weaker. When she was away

    at university, I did not feel the same. I felt less strong. Though, at that time, I had not rejected her

    and my wolf pined for her, the pathetic f**ker.

    He would whimper and whine for his mate. Beg for me to bring her home. Why he would want that

    pathetic excuse for a she-wolf I do not know. Even when she came home having undertaken.

    something of a makeover. Less of a wallflower, more of a show-stopper at first nce, but

    underneath it all she was still Bailey West. The pack geek that did nothing but irritate the f**k out of

    me.

    But I had told nobody of our predicament. Why would I share that she was my mate? She was an

    embarrassment. Forever aughing-stock of our pack. So I had nobody to gain advice from. And all

    the books I had scanned through within the pack library had not brought me the answers I needed

    about whether her presence orck of it, within the pack, rejected or not would make me weaker. I

    was going to be the next Alpha. I could not risk being weak. I needed to be the strongest I could be.

    Or I would be theughing-stock of the region. Of all the other Alphas.

    So, I told her she must stay here. Because with nobody to turn to for advice to learn if her being

    absent would make me weaker, I had no other option. When my brother discovered the truth, I

    hoped he might provide some enlightenment, but he was as much use as a chocte teapot. And

    spent more timeughing at the mess I was in. He knew as little as me. So I was no better off. So,

    as much as I despise the st*pid b*tch, she had to stay. I could make her suffer. Make her feel the

    pain as I found conquests to enjoy¡­

    While she slowly went crazy through rejection and herck of purpose with no role within our pack

    and no potential for a job outside of the pack. I would make her suffer for ever thinking she was

    better than me.

    I nced at the warrior as he walked away. Before darkly looking at Bailey. ¡°See what you have

    done now? Another f**king person knows about this sh it?¡± I snapped.

    She widens her big brown eyes at me almost innocently. ¡°I think it was you that was yelling.

    Miles.¡±

    I growled in anger. I don¡¯t understand her. Out of all the people in pack she seemed to be the only

    one who thought it eptable to answer me back with disregard for my rank. She infuriated. me.

    Though since she returned from her studies she was a lot more pleasant to look at than she ever

    had been before. Not that it was relevant.

    ¡°Do not go there Bailey, you stu pid b*tch. And I will say again, that job you went for the interview for

    is not happening. You belong here. This is your pack. I will be your Alpha soon enough. You

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    Chapter 21 Miles

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    will answer to me and no other.¡± I dictate, because I know that I need her here to ensure my

    strength. She was my fated mate. Or had been until I rejected her. The fated mate brings strength to

    their significant other¡¯s wolf. I would not risk that. Not for anything. She would have to suffer.

    ¡°So you keep saying.¡± She rolled her eyes, and I felt anger rippling under my skin. I needed to get

    away from her, before I knocked her flying. I have been taught not to hit a woman. But this one,

    well, she pushed those boundaries, and certainly tested my control. Besides, I needed to speak to

    that warrior, Harley, I think Bailey called him.

    I shook my head at her and walked away. ¡®Harley? Are you free to talk?¡¯ I mindlink as I move away

    from the psy cho b*tch.

    I truly did not need this today. My head was battered as it was. Seeing your best friend find his fated

    mate was not the easiest thing in the world. I don¡¯t think it would ever have bothered me if I had not

    been through what I had with Bailey. If I had been blessed with the fated mate I deserved, then

    seeing your friend meet his fated would be a good thing. But instead it filled me with rage. Rage and

    envy.

    Especially when she was a stunner. A she-wolf to be proud of. Like a f**king beauty queen. Curves

    in all the right ces. A seriously amazing personality too. How is it that Jordan has fate bless him

    like that, yet I get lumbered with his f**king sister? Something seemed to be wrong somewhere, it

    truly did.

    But seeing Jordan meet this new mate of his, Gia, when she was visiting with some training.

    warriors, was like something out of af**king romance chick-flick. Quite sickening. And Jordan now

    was all puppy-dog-eyed over her. And it just made me realize how much I have missed out on by

    being fated to Bailey. It makes me hate her even more.

    ¡°Sure Alpha, what is up?¡¯ Harley responded.

    I think he likely knew what was wrong. He had overheard a private conversation that was not for the

    ears of the pack. But, if he wanted to go down that path, then we would do that. ¡®I just wanted to

    discuss what you overheard.¡± I told him via our link, as I had lost sight of him while arguing with

    Bailey.

    ¡°That Bailey was your fated mate?¡¯ he replies, and I feel my temper rippling. Did he not believe the

    things I told him? I saw the way he looked at her. He didn¡¯t look impressed with her. Though I had

    not realized he and her were that close. Jordan had mentioned there was a warrior sniffing around,

    not that I cared, of course. But, he looked hurt by my revtions, so I assumed he had taken what I

    said at face value and believed me.

    ¡®She believed she was. I never felt that connection. I repeat my lie from earlier.

    ¡®I don¡¯t think you can have one-sided bonds, Alpha.¡¯ Harley argues, taking me by surprise. This is

    some random warrior, and he is questioning my view on something? Howf**king dare he!

    ¡®Are you saying I am lying?¡¯ I snarled through the link, feeling my wolf, Jet beginning to push

    forward. Desperate to go and punish this f**ker. I was his Alpha! Or would be soon enough¡­

    ¡°Well

    you seem to be saying Bailey is lying. He came back.

    The blood numning through mu hody feele like ir ie racing right now My head hurte Myiaur

    2/3

    Chapter 21 Miles

    +5 Pearls

    clenched so tight. ¡®Bailey lies a lot. I am surprised you haven¡¯t worked that out if you spend so much

    time with her. I counteract. Giving him something to think about. I imagine he won¡¯t think so highly of

    her if he believes that. ¡®Now, where are you?¡±

    ¡®At my training session. He says, knowing da mn well I can hardly go, and confront him in front of a

    crowd of warriors and the pack Ga mma. ¡®And then I am going to see your father.¡±

    His words register in my mind. Why the f**k did he n to talk to my father? If he thought for one

    second he was going to expose any of this sh it then he had another thinking. I would kill him

    before that happened¡­

 22

    22

    Chapter 22 Bailey

    I strolled through the rest of the pack while trying not to think of Miles. He was nothing if not

    persistent. I could think of no reason why he kept me here, other than the fact he gained some sick

    pleasure from seeing me suffer. And, the way he has changed in recent years, I would not be

    surprised if he had turned into some sort of masochist.

    I hated that things between Harley and I were likely now ruined. The way he had looked at me had

    hurt. He had believed the wordsing from his uing Alpha. But, then who wouldn¡¯t? He was

    the next Alpha. Most, if not all, would believe him. Why would they doubt him? He was the golden

    child of the pack. Ha. Little did they know the only thing golden about him was the reflection of his

    glowing satanic eyes.

    I knew I had been na?ve to think there could be anything between Harley and I. Harley had a fated

    mate out there. He would have believed I did too. Obviously I knew better. But, I have been enjoying

    our time together. He made me feel good. And perhaps, st*pidly, a tiny part of me had considered

    that if things continued then a chosen matebond one day could be something to contemte,

    couldn¡¯t it? A chosen mate bond is sometimes thought to be stronger than a fated one, because it is

    one that is chosen. Your heart and soul pick it. The connection is already there before the bond is

    created.

    Not that it would even matter, we had barely been seeing one another. We have been on a few

    dates. And he had taken the word of Miles over me anyway. My eyes drifted to the warrior training

    field as I walked past toward my home. I could see them working hard under the rays of the

    sunshine. Some in human form, some shifted into their wolf form. Rather them than me in this heat,

    that is for sure.

    ¡°Bailey!¡± I heard Harley¡¯s voice, as I continued walking, and turned around, to find him jogging

    across the field, and he suddenly leans on the wall separating the field and the path.

    I was so unsure of what to say, so I simply smiled in greeting. He looked a little sweaty after training,

    and no doubt the run from the training field. He was wearing training shorts and hist chest was bare,

    revealing his toned chest and upper arms. I did my best to avert my gaze from his body, which I

    have to say was quite difficult when there was quite a lot to admire! You can definitely see why he

    was a warrior¡­

    ¡°Having fun there, Bai?¡± Harley¡¯s voice was light and yful, which took me by surprise considering

    the way he had walked away from me earlier.

    I met his gaze with a frown. ¡°Hmm?¡±

    ¡°I am sorry about earlier. Not that it likely means much. But, why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± he questions,

    and I can sense irritation in his voice, despite the fact he is trying hard to stay calm.

    ¡°He told me nobody could know.¡± I whispered, avoiding his gaze.

    ¡°How long have you known?¡± Harley tilts his head to look at me curiously, and I can see his mind

    working overtime. ¡°Bailey, you and he have known each other forever. Was this since he first

    shifted?¡±

    Miles had sworn me to secrecy. Never to say a word to anybody. Yet, here I was being confronted

    1/4

    +5 Pearls

    by someone who had worked it all out because of Miles yelling at me. Would that be considered. my

    fault? I don¡¯t know what to do. I just looked at Harley, my eyes meeting his, as I chewed my lipContent is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    nervously.

    ¡°I will take that as a yes.¡± Harley says with a sigh. ¡°All that time and you have not said a word? He

    has dated since then too. Not to mention all the times he slept around. You have had to suffer the

    pain of him cheating?¡±

    I shrugged. My own family had barely noticed. I became good at hiding it. Feigning injuries. Or

    illness. Anything to cover up what was truly happening. Anything to stop the truth being revealed.

    Because I was terrified of what Miles would be capable of if the truth was revealed. The first time it

    happened I was terrified, and genuinely thought I was dying. Until I realized what it was. I didn¡¯t

    even have my wolf at that point either. I cried myself to sleep. But I lied to my Mum, and said I

    wasn¡¯t feeling too good, put my TV on loud to cover up my cries of pain, until I dropped off in so bs

    of pain.

    ¡°It was only a year.¡± I whispered. ¡°He decided to reject me then.¡±

    ¡°A year of making you suffer though, Bailey.¡± Harley growled. ¡°And he still treats you like sh it. He

    has done for as long as I can remember.¡±

    ¡°It is better not to get involved, Harley.¡± I whispered. ¡°He could make your life hell.¡±

    ¡°Not if I go to his Dad, he won¡¯t.¡±

    My heart felt like it fell through the floor at those words. No. That cannot happen. Uncle Marshall

    cannot know. Nobody else can know now. No. Miles would go on a f**king rampage!

    ¡°Harley, no!¡± I begged. ¡°Please, do not do that!¡±

    Harley simply frowns. ¡°He needs to be made to pay for what he has done, Bailey.¡±

    ¡°I am fine with it. It doesn¡¯t matter. Don¡¯t get yourself involved, or he coulde after you. There is

    no reason for you to be doing that to yourself over this.¡± I told him, looking at him with

    fear.

    ¡°I care for you, isn¡¯t that reason enough?¡± Harley reached for my hand, and I could feel butterflies in

    my belly, though they are far from pleasant when added to the heavy churning of nerves that is

    already residing there. ¡°Miles is a f**king idiot for not seeing how lucky he is for being blessed with

    you as a fated mate. Why the f**k would he reject you?!¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I am not Luna material. Not the sort of woman he or most guys want. I get that.

    Having your head stuck in a book isn¡¯t appealing. But, please, Harley, do not get yourself involved.¡±

    I removed my hand from his. Suddenly aware of many of the warriors on the training. field watching

    us in curiosity.

    ¡°Trust me, you are the type of woman most guys would be proud to call theirs. And having your

    head in a book is irrelevant, Bai, maybe it is to Miles because your intelligence intimidates him,

    because he is as thick as two short nks. But, a decent guy would see your intelligence, again, ast

    something to be proud of. I think it is f**king awesome you got your degree. And if Miles was any

    proper sort of man he would too.¡± Harley says with a smile, and I feel my heart fluttering. Why

    couldn¡¯t the moon anddess have blessed me with someone like Harley for a mate? He

    2/1

    ¡°Difference is Harley, he is the Alpha. And he had made his choice. So, we have to go with that. So,

    please do not make this harder than it is.¡± I begged him and he rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Fine, but you should know I don¡¯t agree with it, Bailey. It is for you, I am keeping quiet, not him. At

    least tell me your interview went well?¡±

    I sighed. ¡°It went really well.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s my girl!¡± Harley grinned proudly at me. ¡°I knew you would smash it. So, when do start?¡±

    I slowly shook my head. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±

    His face changed in an instant. ¡°This is him again, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    I avoided his gaze as I spoke. ¡°It isn¡¯t that simple, Harley.¡±

    ¡°You are a f**king fool, Bailey.¡± He says, before turning away to walk to the training field.

    you

    Again, intensely aware of the many warriors ncing in our direction, I did not want to call hist

    name to try to get him toe back. So, I went for mindlink instead. ¡®Harley! Please. Try to

    understand. He scares me.¡±

    ¡®Well why do you think I am saying his Dad needs to know?¡¯ he responds, but he doesn¡¯t turn back,

    he continues to walk toward his training session, so I assume our talk was over.

    ¡®He has told me if I do anything he will make me regret it. Making me lose my degree was one

    threat. The other threats have been he would find ways to make me regret my decisions. I dare not

    think what he could do. Harley, you all see him as the wonderful uing Alpha. I have seen him

    as a lot worse, trust me. I can¡¯t tell you it all. Please take my word. I tried to find a way to stay away

    after my degree, but he wouldn¡¯t allow it. And now it seems he won¡¯t allow this job either. He said I

    belong to the pack.¡¯ I blurt through the link, not sure why I was telling Harley everything. Because I

    know if someone else knew, then he could do something. He could well confront Miles and I would

    be in serious trouble.

    ¡®Sh it Bai. You need to get away.¡±

    ¡®I know, but every time I try, he blocks it. My only way out would be a mate, but as you know, that

    won¡¯t happen because he was my mate. I told him.

    ¡°What if I took you as a chosen mate?¡¯ he suggests, and my heart feels like it is going to burst from

    my chest. Butterflies flutter through my tummy while goosebumps spread over my skin. Did he

    really just suggest that?

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to do that.¡¯ I tell him, though the idea sounds amazing.

    ¡°I am being serious. I think you are awesome. I think we make a f**king amazing couple. I could

    request a move to my Mum¡¯s pack to be a warrior there, and you coulde with me. Get your

    away from him. My heart soars at his suggestion. That would be truly amazing. I had the

    sikilim of catting aUME

    ¡®You would do all of that for me?¡± I can barely link, and even my wolf, Akira, is almost purring at the

    man she had begun to be fond of.

    ¡®Well, it would kind of benefit me too. He teases. ¡®I would get to call the most beautiful geeky girl

    alive my mate. What do you say?¡±

    ¡®I say, I think you are amazing!¡¯

    ¡®I will call around to yours once I am done with training, and we can discuss it all properly. But I can¡¯t

    wait to make all of that official baby doll!¡¯ he links yfully, making me giggle.

    ¡®Me either!¡±

    ¡®Right, I best get back to training, or I am going to get an a*s-who oping. Start thinking of all the

    things you want as a couple beautiful, because I n to make sure you are forever walking around

    with the biggest smile on your face!¡¯ Harley tells me before cutting the link, leaving me walking the

    remainder of the way home with the biggest smile on my face. Could the sweetest guy in pack have

    found me a solution? And, I think he would likely support me in working too! He was truly the

    best¡­.

 23

    23

    Chapter 23 Bailey

    I approached the house with a content feeling in my chest. Harley could be my savior. Yes, I was

    disappointed about this teaching role, but perhaps I could look for one closer to his Mum¡¯s former

    pack he nned to move us to. Wow. A chosen mate. A handsome warrior too. One that actually

    liked the fact I had gained my degree.

    Taking him as a chosen mate is okay, isn¡¯t it?¡¯ I asked Akira.

    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡®Fated mate not want us. He reject us. This mate does want us. Akira almost purrs as she replies. I

    think it is safe to say she was just as content. I had felt her bing fond of Harley as we spent

    time together. She had always previously been against building close bonds with other male wolves

    in the hope Miles would want us back, but once he rejected us, it had hurt her massively. The pain it

    caused her nearly tore her down. But, we have got there in the end. Hopefully, Harley can be the

    thing that fixes us. A savior in so many ways.

    ¡®A fresh start Akira!¡¯ I told her excitedly.

    ¡°If he lets us go, of course. She snarls, like she expects a fall-out.

    ¡°We just don¡¯t tell him until thest moment. I told her. If Harley had marked me, I could go with him

    and there would be nothing Miles could do about it. Because a mate goes with her mate, and that

    was the procedure. I don¡¯t think even the Alpha would argue with that. And would he really want me

    around if I had been marked and mated by another?

    I pushed open the front door to the house and relished the peace that enveloped me. Not to

    mention the cool. Everyone loves the sunshine when it arrives, but I have to say I am more a cooler

    weather person. d to be in and out of the scorching sunshine. I dropped my keys on top of the

    drawers by the door before moving through to the kitchen in hopes of making myself a coffee. Only

    as I am sorting the coffee machine do I hear movement behind me, causing n me to quickly turn

    around. I hadn¡¯t realized there was anybody home.

    Jordan, my older brother, was leaning on the doorway of the kitchen watching me with a dark

    expression. Of all the people it could be, it had to be him. ¡°Hear you been causing issues.¡± He says

    coldly.

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Jordan please, can we leave this? It has been a long day so far, and it isn¡¯t even

    over yet.¡±

    ¡°Trust me, I have ces I would rather be, and people I would rather be with. But no, I want to ask

    you this. Besides, you found time to chat to the warrior boy though?¡± he questions, and I can¡¯t help

    but wonder how the hell he knew I had been speaking to Harley. I can only assume Miles had told

    him of the confrontation when I was walking back earlier. It seemed these two were connected by a

    speed dial when it came to exchanging even the slightest piece of gossip or information.

    ¡°Harley and I are friends. Of course, I will speak to him if I see him.¡± I argued, feeling the need to

    defend myself, like I so often did with my brother, who seemed to see negatives in everything I

    did.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think your fated mate would appreciate it thinking you are whoring yourself out to some.

    random warrior.¡± My brother said with a sneer. ¡°Who would have thought that of the ss nerd?¡±

    I rolled my eyes. I have had just about enough of this now. My brother has turned into a top tier kno

    bhead. All through spending too much time with Miles. When the pair of them became Alpha and

    Beta, this pack stood no hope. I was d Harley had given me the opportunity to get away.

    ¡°I am whoring myself out to nobody. You should have better respect for your sister.¡± I hiss. ¡°Though

    the way he seems to have you trained up to do his bullying and dirty work, I¡¯d say it is you that is

    whoring yourself out to Miles.¡± I snarled, not caring now that my words are below the belt. My

    brother seems to think it is eptable for him to speak as he chooses to me, so I will return the

    favor to him.

    The look of fury upon Jordan¡¯s face is a picture. ¡°What did you just say?¡± he demanded.

    ¡°Sorry did I use words that were too big for you?¡± I asked sarcastically, going to move past him,

    having lost the desire for my coffee and just wanting to get away from my brother.

    But instead, he puts his arm up to block my path. ¡°I don¡¯t believe I was done with you yet.¡±

    I raised my eyes to meet his. Dark brown eyes. Full of anger. All aimed at me, his younger sister. So

    much for looking out for your family. No. This delightful brother of mine is too dedicated to his best

    friend and uing Alpha. Yet he doesn¡¯t even know the stuff he had done!

    ¡°Jordan, I haven¡¯t done anything, okay? I went for an interview, which you chose to run to Miles

    about. He went crazy about it and has been making threats about since.¡± I said angrily. ¡°There, that

    is the sh it you are implying. Though I imagine Miles the muppet said it was something a whole lot

    worse to make me look like I was in the wrong.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t try to get clever. It doesn¡¯t suit you.¡±

    ¡°Well, it sure as hell doesn¡¯t suit you big bro. Because you believe whatever b*lls hit your numskull

    of a friend tells you.¡± I said with a shake of my head, beginning to wonder why my brother was even

    here at this time of day. He should be out working. I had assumed I would be safeing home

    now. He was always out at this time.

    ¡°When is it going to hit home that Miles and I are going to be your next Alpha and Beta? You need

    to start learning to show us respect. I owe him my loyalty. So, yeah, youe way down. that line, I

    am afraid. You betrayed your pack today by going behind their back.¡± He snarled, lowering his face

    almost next to mine, his eyes glowering at me.

    ¡°f**king hell Jordan, it was a job interview. I wasn¡¯t nning nuclear war! Maybe you want to ask

    yourself why that big, bad friend of yours is so desperate to keep me here in his pack.¡± I said,

    leaning back against the kitchen counter, my arms crossed aggressively, finally having given up with

    trying to hide the truth. If Jordan knows, he f**king knows. Miles would have to deal with it. Because

    then, perhaps Jordan may have a little understanding.

    Jordan¡¯s head tilts momentarily as he considers my words. ¡°What the f**k does that mean?¡± he

    demands.

    I shrug. ¡°Well, other pack members are permitted to work out of the pack, some even work away.

    Yet Miles will not my brows at my

    brother and allow that for me, will he? Ever questioned why?¡± I raised

    caw a crowl cross his fare

    ¡°Miles always said you had a thing for him. I told him he was off his f**king head. But he is right, isn¡¯t

    he? You want him. Is that why he lets you stay, because he feels bad for you?¡± Jordan¡¯s face

    grimaces in horror. I imagine mine would pretty much reflect his, because the thought of that to me

    is truly horrific.

    Iughed sarcastically. ¡°No. Try because fate yed a cruel game.¡± And with that I saw an

    opportunity to leave the kitchen as Jordan was away from the door. And I snuck out of the room and

    ran up the stairs to my room.

    ¡°What the f**k are you talking about?!¡± Jordan now mindlinks.

    I chose to ignore him, letting him think over my words. I was sure at some point he would work it

    out.

    Iy c

    on my bed, needing some time to chill out. I will find some time to message the Alpha or Luna of

    Autumn Valley Pack tomorrow I think. Thank them for their offer, but to let them know it just wasn¡¯t

    the right time for me. Their pack was truly beautiful. But, I had other priorities. I just hoped Harley

    could fix the things he said he would. Because I truly loved the prospect of him and I building a

    future together far from here¡­

    ¡®I had stuff to deal with today, Bailey, and now my brain is f**king fried. Tell me you are not saying

    Miles is your f**king fated mate?¡¯ Jordan suddenly mindlinks, and from the tone alone he is far from

    impressed. Oh dear, I wonder how Miles will cope with that now¡­

 24

    24

    Chapter 24 Jordan

    +5 Pearls

    I hear my sister footsteps pounding up the stairs. Evidently she does not want to talk. And quite

    honestly, I have not got the energy to chase her. I wasn¡¯t expecting to see her home. I was here to

    gather some things together so I could travel over to my fated mate¡¯s pack, spend some time with

    her while she gathered her things together toe and move here with me. My fated mate.

    Seriously, meeting her for the first time today was like the ground had slipped out from under me.

    Like time had stopped.

    You hear tales of what meeting your fated mate was meant to be like, but meeting Gia was

    everything they described and more. Her eyes sparkled like precious gems, and da mn, I thought

    my

    heart would beat right out of my chest! Don¡¯t even get me started on the sparks from her touch¡­

    My wolf, Rory, was going crazy the moment we caught her scent. He was ready to scoop her up

    and take her home. Mark her and mate her there and then! We had been waiting for our fated mate

    for what seemed like eternity. And now to have her here felt truly amazing. I wanted to have her

    home with me as soon as I could, so I had suggested that she return with her family to her pack,

    gather her things, and I woulde and stay with her for a few days in her pack. Allow us to get to

    know one another, and then return to her new home, my pack, as mates.

    That was why I had been home in the middle of the day. Or else I wouldn¡¯t have been home when

    Miles had been mindlinking, shouting his mouth off, for the goddess knows how many times today

    alone, about my sister. She seemed to be a constant source of irritation for him, which meant she

    became a constant source of irritation for me.

    Bailey had never been normal. She wasn¡¯t like the rest of the girls in school. She forever had her

    head in a book, or was always studying. It was humiliating having a younger sister that knew more

    than you. Not to mention embarrassing that she didn¡¯t take much pride in her appearance like so

    many of the she-wolves within our pack. She was just not normal. I mean, she was never ugly, she

    had gained our Mum¡¯s curls, and big brown eyes. She would always be considered pretty. Event

    with those ridiculous sses she used to wear. But, she wasn¡¯t bothered about the recent fashion

    trends like most of the girls, which drew attention to her. Making her a source of amusement for

    many, and a source of embarrassment for me. I hated that she was my sister.

    Once we reached our mid-teens, Miles seemed to start hating her. Foreverining about her.

    Picking on her. It became almost fun to torment her. She never cried, so it wasn¡¯t like it was bullying.

    She was tougher than she looked, Bailey. I mean, in herte teens, soon after I shifted, I had heard

    her suffering badly with nightmares. She was screaming at night, but never once did she speak to

    anyone about them or go to anyone for help.

    So, I think she was just more resilient than most. Able to take whatever was thrown at her. I don¡¯t

    think it ever really bothered her. If it had, she would surely just have stopped the reading and tried

    harder to fit in, and she never had.

    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    Her attitude had grown since she came back from university. More confident. More clever too, no

    doubt. I was proud of her, of course I was, not that I would ever tell her that. She has caused so

    much drama over the years. And continues to do so even now. All this sh it over her finding a job,

    made no sense to me. If she wanted a job outside of the pack, when at present we had no role in

    our pack for her, then I didn¡¯t really see the issue, but Miles said she asked not to leave the pack,

    yet she said Miles would not allow her to leave. It made no sense. Why would she apply for jobs if

    1/4

    Chapter 24.Jordan

    she didn¡¯t want them?

    +5 Pearls

    Miles had told me so many times Bailey had a crush on him. Even that she had made a move on

    him at his birthday party when he had first shifted, when she followed him outside. I couldn¡¯t

    imagine Bailey wanting someone like Miles. But, then the tension between the two of them it all

    added up, so I believed him. But then, her almostughing at it when I suggested it, made me

    question it all.

    And now she is saying fate yed a cruel game. Fate? What the f**K is she meaning? She is right

    though, if what she is saying is the truth and Miles has been stopping her working out of the pack,

    then there has to be some reason as to why. It made no sense. My brain was fried! He hated her. I

    was sure of it. So why would you keep someone you hated so close to you? Unless you didn¡¯t

    actually hate them¡­ did Miles actually like my sister? Eww¡­

    Fate ying a cruel game? What cruel game would fate y with two people that seemingly hate

    one another? Then a realization hit me.

    ¡®Tell me you are not saying Miles is your f**King fated mate?¡¯ I mindlink my sister quickly, my hands

    trembling in shock. That can¡¯t be true, can it?

    I am met by silence. Is she choosing to ignore me? ¡®Bailey. I swear you will answer me, or I ask

    Miles. I tried again, knowing she likely would not want me speaking to him about this.

    I hear soft footsteps on the stairs again, and I step from the lounge where I had been sitting, and my

    gaze meets her tear-stained eyes. ¡°I¡¯m right, aren¡¯t I?¡± I question.

    She shakes her head. What? So why the f**K is she crying? Did she want him as a mate? Had he

    been right all along, and she had been in love with him?

    ¡°He rejected me. So, no, I am not his mate anymore.¡± She whispers, her voice barely audible, and I

    feel a pulse of anger through my body. He may be my best friend, but this is still my sister. Rejection

    is one of the cruelest things you can do to a werewolf.

    ¡°When?¡± I demanded.

    ¡°The year after he first shifted.¡± She says with so little feeling like she had be ustomed to

    all of this now.

    ¡°Why did we not know?¡±

    ¡°He did not want anyone to know. And that hasn¡¯t changed. I just get sick of being made to look like

    I am in the wrong.¡± She says, sitting herself down on the bottom step of the stairway.

    ¡°Bailey, he is the Alpha, he should not have rejected his fated mate, that isn¡¯t what they expect of

    him.¡± I tell her, knowing what the pack traditions are here, and she nods. She knows all this, but she

    has clearly had no say in any of this either.

    ¡°Is that why he won¡¯t let you leave?¡± I question, unsure why that would affect anything. He had

    rejected her. She should be free to go out and live her life now. He made the choice to kick her to

    the curb.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. He wan¡¯t rius me an ancwer

    2/4

    Chapter 24 Jordan

    +5 Pearls

    ¡°Did you get this new job?¡±

    She nods, ¡°But he told me not to take it.¡±

    I shook my head in irritation. What gives him the right to keep her here like a f**King prisoner? No

    wonder she has held so much resentment toward him over the years. I just thought she was being a

    moody teenager. And after that, a hormonal woman. But this fool had turned down his fated mate.

    The woman the moon goddess had selected for him. Hurting her in the process an unbelievable

    amount. I can only imagine the pain she had been through.

    Knowing now, having experienced it myself, the draw to my mate, I can¡¯t imagine ever rejecting her.

    Or the pain of not being with her. So the thought that Miles has done that to my own sister infuriates

    me. Not only that, all the nights we would go out to bars and clubs. He would pick up women. Sleep

    with them. Plus, he had dated multiple women over the years. She must have felt the pains of him

    cheating¡­.

    Another sudden thought hit me. The nightmares. The screams. They weren¡¯t nightmares at all. They

    were Bailey in agony at Miles cheating while he and her were still mates. Before he had rejected

    her. No wonder she had nevere to any of us. How could we have been so blind? Mum and Dad

    sleep like the dead, so I doubt they would have heard her. But how had I not known something was

    wrong?

    ¡°Bailey, why didn¡¯t you tell us?¡± I dropped down to my knees in front of her.

    ¡°Think about it Jordan. Who were you going to believe? He told Harley today, who happened to

    overhear an argument that I had imagined the matebond. That it wasn¡¯t even there!¡± she says to me

    in exasperation. ¡°I have been nothing but an inconvenience.¡±

    I feel like crap hearing this. I have failed my sister here, and I know I have. Though never in my

    wildest imagination would I have thought my sister would be fated to my best friend. It seemed like

    such an unlikely pairing. But, no matter what, she had felt unable toe to us for help, and that

    meant she felt trapped by the whole situation.

    ¡°Look Bai, I am sorry. I f**Ked up. Let me make it up to you? I met my mate today, so I am going to

    visit her pack for a few days, and then I will be home. We will speak properly about all of this then,

    yeah? But please speak to Dad, he needs to know.¡±

    ¡°You met your mate?¡± her gaze meets mine, a soft smile on her face, and I can see she hasn¡¯t got

    the energy for any of this anymore.

    I nod. ¡°Yeah. She was visiting with some warriors. Her name is Gia, she will love you, I am sure!¡±

    ¡°That was why you were home? You were getting sorted to go?¡± she asks, like she suddenly knew

    why I was at home, and I nodded in agreement. ¡°Well, get your things together and get to your

    mate! You don¡¯t want to keep a girl waiting. Especially not your mate. This sh*t with me isn¡¯t going to

    be going anywhere, it has been here for years, it will still be here when you get home.¡±

    I smiled, pulling her to me in a big hug. ¡°I am sorry Bailey. I wish I had known.¡± and those words. are

    ones I have never meant more in my life. Because I cannot believe how my best friend has treated

    my sister.

 25

    25

    Chapter 25 Bailey

    I was taken aback by my brother. That was not how he normally acted. Could him meeting his mate

    have changed him? As happy as I am for him that he has met his fated mate, his sympathy and

    kind thoughts all feel a little toote. He had been acting like I was some sort of social pariah for

    years. Like I was something to avoid, like the gue, all because I preferred to read rather than

    hang out by the football field cheering for them. All because I preferred something different.

    I never intended to embarrass my brother, or my family by being the way I was. I just wanted to do

    well in life. I wasn¡¯t aware that it was such a crime, yet the way my brother and sister had spoken

    over the years, you would think it was first degree murder I hadmitted. But, I guess I should be

    grateful now he was showing some remorse. Maybe it was a sign he was growing up? The worrying

    thing was, what would happen when he confronted Miles? Because that was bound to happen. And,

    I doubted that it would go down well when Miles discovered that I had shared this with yet another

    person. Especially one so close to him. One that he held in high-regard. He would hate to lose the

    respect of my brother. My brother was meant to be the next Beta.

    Jordan, can you not say anything to Miles about this please?¡¯ I mindlink him before he leaves the

    pack. He had only just set off, so he still had to be on the pds by now.

    ¡®I will need to speak with him at some point about it all. And Dad. Likely his Dad too. He broke the

    rules, Bai. Not to mention treating you terribly. He replies.

    ¡°That may be the case, but as I see it, it is in the past now. I tried hard to dismiss it, so focused on

    the future that Harley had promised me. I don¡¯t want that to be put at risk. The things Harley had

    spoken of had given me a chance of an escape from Miles. From this pack. From everything I had

    struggled with for years. Harley respected me for who I was. I could be me around him, and he liked

    me for that. I could not put that on the line!

    ¡®It will never be in the past. It needs facing up to. Jordan¡¯s tone through the link was terse.

    ¡°I just want to be able to move on. Have a future. He won¡¯t let me have that.¡¯ I exined.

    ¡°Well, maybe you should take that job without telling him. Leave without telling him. Let Dad deal

    with the aftermath.¡± Jordan suggests, and I am shocked that he would even suggest it, he is telling

    me to go against the orders of the uing Alpha. Everything he had previously been telling me

    not to do. Something had definitely changed in my brother. This was so strange¡­

    ¡°That is disobeying a direct order, Jord¡± I link, my hands trembling, and the thought of what could

    even happen.

    ¡®Yeah, but I, as future Beta, am giving you an order. And I imagine when you tell Dad all of this he

    will tell you the same. They are orders to follow. He broke the rules, Bai. You need to do what is

    right for you for a change. I hate that you were hurting for so long and never said a word. Don¡¯t think

    of anyone else now. Think of you. Right? You worked hard for that degree. Everything you dreamed

    of, so go do the job you worked your a*s off for. Don¡¯t let him ruin that.¡¯ I can hear Jordan¡¯s

    determination through the link, and I find myself smiling.

    ¡°I will think about it¡¯

    *No, not thinking. Doing. Talk to Dad, please. I will call when I arrive at Gia¡¯s pack to make sure

    you do. Okay? I am not letting this go now, Bai. I failed you before. I won¡¯t do it again. You haven¡¯t

    got a mate to have your back, so you need us to have your back instead, more than ever now. We

    haven¡¯t had it properly so far, and we should have. Time we made up for it.¡¯ Jordan links.

    I take in all the things he says, and I wonder if he is right. Maybe I do need to put myself first. Could

    I actually do that?

    ¡°Tell your mate I said hi.¡¯ I told him, with a smile. ¡®And tell her good luck, she will need it with you for

    a mate.

    I hear himugh through the link. ¡®I sure will sis, and I will speak soon. Do not let him bring you

    down. He obviously never deserved you in the first ce.

    C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    The link cuts out, telling me he is either out of the area now or he is ending the link. I guess I should

    go and find my Dad and start to exin this mess to him. I put my sneakers back on when I receive

    a mindlink.

    ¡®Bailey?¡¯ a voice I do not recognizees through the link,pletely confusing me. Who would be

    mindlinking me?

    ¡®Hello?¡¯ I responded, a little uncertainly.

    ¡°This is Ruth, Harley¡¯s Mum. I am sorry to link, but I have heard a lot about youtely, and know you

    and Harley have spent some time together. So I thought I should let you know he is in the pack

    hospital. He has been attacked. He has some serious injuries and is currently in surgery. My heart

    feels like it is shattering at the link as the words she tells me sink in.

    ¡®What happened?!¡¯ I almost so b through the link, though I have a sinking feeling I may already

    know.

    ¡°We don¡¯t know, they believe it could be a rogue attack. He was found in the forest, so lucky to be.

    found as he was losing so much blood¡­¡¯ Harley¡¯s Mum links, her voice trembling even through.

    mindlink, as I run down the stairs of my house, ready to head to the hospital. All thoughts of

    speaking to my Dad were put to the back of my mind. I need to go and see Harley. See if he will be

    okay. For if my thoughts were right, he was likely not meant to survive¡­

 26

    26

    Chapter 26 Miles

    +5 Pearls

    My mind had been distracted all of the day. After seeing Bailey, I had gone to the gym, and took my

    anger out on the punch bags. But, it had not done what I had needed, not like it usually did. My wolf,

    Jet, enraged at the sense of distrust from one of his own pack needed to be allowed out. He needed

    the freedom of space and time to run. He enjoyed the thrill of hunting and taking his anger out on

    some innocent small prey. Making them suffer because of his wrath.

    And today was worse than normal. This warrior boy had truly gotten under both of our skin. I was

    the next leader. Yet that fool was questioning me and my words. He was questioning the things I

    was saying. Bailey was a nobody. She had always been, yet some small-time warrior was taking her

    word over the words of his next Alpha? The moment I had left the gym I had headed for the treeline,

    and stripped myself of my clothes. cing them into some broken bark, ready to retrieve them

    when my anger had subsided enough. Though I doubted small prey would be enough today. The

    thing I wanted to destroy most was the face of that pretty boy warrior¡­

    But, I knew that I had to control that violent streak within me. As the uing Alpha, I could not be

    seen to be hurting my own pack members; or at least not without a decent reason. I may just have

    to find myself conveniently paired with him in the next pack training session. Warrior or not, he and

    his wolf would stand no chance against me and my Alpha Wolf. And, I would enjoy every second of

    destroying the irritating little f**ker; and thankfully, nobody would question it. Perfect!

    The resentment swelled through every pore of my body and every part of my wolf¡¯s being too, as

    my bones snapped and twisted. Cracking and dislocating through the now swift and smooth shifting

    process of turning into my aggressive wolf form. And oh, today was he aggressive! The connection

    we shared was boiling with rage. It was bad enough that Harley thought he could answer me back,

    but to think he could go to my father, bring my whole reign into question, was something else

    entirely. He would live to regret that threat. I would make sure of it.

    Jet¡¯s feet pounded the floor of the forest at a speed so swift, as the breeze caught his gray fur while

    he dodged between trees and undergrowth. His eyes darted back and forth, searching for the sight

    of any prey he could punish. Anything to take his anger out on.

    I allowed myself to fall back within his mind to give him the freedom he was craving to run and hunt.

    I sadly would find no freedom from the many thoughts weighing down my mind. Bailey had been a

    burden upon my life and mind since the moment I had realized what she was to me. I have since

    had to witness my own younger brother and now my best friend, meet their fated. mates and see

    their joy. Both blessed with fated mates worthy of the men they were. Yet I was given some pathetic

    excuse of a she-wolf.

    C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    Seeing both Ellis and now Jordan with their mates only made me hate Bailey more. I had been.

    brought up as the uing Alpha. Always given the things I wanted in life. That was how my

    parents had been. Some would call that spoiled, but to my parents, it was just preparation for what

    would happen when I became Alpha. As Alpha, I would have all the things I wanted. I would be at

    the top of the pack and nobody would argue with me. I would be denied nothing. So, I was used to

    having everything I wanted, and I wanted the most beautiful of mates. One to show off. One to be

    proud of and one that my friends would look at and be jealous of.

    So when the time came Lexnected the moon goddess to deliver Lexnected a perfect fated mate

    Bnce:

    1 Coins

    BO +

    1 Pearls

    Chapter 26 Miles

    +5 Pearls.

    sent me that f**k-up. Bailey the f**king-know-it-all. Well, she didn¡¯t know that day that she would

    have the hardest kick to the gut when she was told I was her mate and that I would never want her,

    did she? Ha, no. She clearly isn¡¯t all that smart. Her face was a f**king picture that day. And I made

    her wait too. Wait for the rejection. Knowing it wasing, but never sure when. Always knowing

    she was never good enough. And, I certainly made sure she suffered¡­.

    ¡®When the f**kwere you going to tell me?¡¯ I suddenly got a mindlink from Jordan,pletely taking

    me by surprise. Was he not meant to be heading to his mates¡¯ pack for a few days? I am sure we

    had given him permission to take time away.

    ¡°What are you talking about bro?¡¯ I responded, wondering if he mindlinked the wrong person.

    ¡®You. Rejecting my sister. His words are cold and hold some venom, even through the link, but

    regardless of that, I want to know how the hell my best friend suddenly seems to know about this

    now too. Had that f**king warrior gone mouthing off?

    ¡°What?¡¯ I question, hoping to be able to avoid the subject. ¡®Where did you hear that?¡¯

    ¡®Do not bull sh it me, Miles. Bailey told me everything you sick f**k. You hurt her. Not to mention you

    broke pack rules. He snarls at me through the link, only making me even more angry, and I can hear

    Jet snarling too, though I think that may be at the small rabbit he is now pouncing on¡­

    So, it was Bailey shooting her mouth off again? Seemed the little b*tch had decided that this was no

    longer our secret? Well, she would live to regret that decision. I would ensure of that. I would not

    have this put at my feet. Oh no. This would all be her fault.

    Since when do you care if your sister is hurt?¡¯ I asked him, with a nastyugh. Jordan had always.

    been one of the first to pick on his sister alongside me. Had always had fun teasing her. Though she

    made it easy being such a nerd.

    ¡°There are limits, Miles. And you know it. He snaps, and I begin to question if my friend is going to

    be as trustworthy as I thought he was.

    ¡®You want to watch who you are talking to like that, Jordan. You need to remember, breaking the

    rules or not, without me as Alpha, you would lose your ce as Beta. So, before you go running to

    Daddy, or go running to my Dad, think of the consequences for you too. Is protecting Bailey really

    worth losing everything you have trained for? She is not worth that. She is worthless.¡¯ I snarled, not

    liking to threaten my friend, but knowing I had no other option, he needed bringing into line.

    Are you threatening me?¡¯ he demanded.

    ¡®Were you not going to your mates¡¯ pack?¡¯ I asked, ignoring his question.

    ¡®I am heading out of pack now, but could not leave without confronting you. Not after this.

    ¡®Well, I suggest you run along, take some time with your mate, and take some time to think if your

    sister is really worth losing everything over. Because without me as Alpha, you will not be a Beta.

    So that means a nobody in the pack, Jordan. Think carefully. And with that I cut the link, blocking

    him from contacting me further. If he contacts my father, then I will make him nav.

    Bnce:

    1 Coins.

    45 +0

    1 Pearls

    Chapter 26 Miles:

    time he has had to run. ¡®Time up for today. I slowed him as he slows his pace slightly.

    +5 Pearls

    I sense his disappointment through our bond, but he does as he is told and turns back toward

    where we began, so I can gather my clothes. Jordan not happy. He tells me.

    my wolf,

    ¡®I know. He will see sense. He wants his title more than he cares for her. I reassured knowing my

    friend. He has worked hard to prepare to gain the title of Beta that his father currently holds. Hell, he

    was still trying to prove to his Dad he was worthy of the title. He would not be willing to give that up

    without a fight. Especially not for something as pathetic as Bailey.

    Jet suddenly slowed, sticking his nose in the air, like he smelt something good. Then he let out a

    small growl. Deep but angry. ¡°Warrior boy¡­ he was soon off running toward the edge of the tree

    line¡­

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27

    Chapter 27 Bailey

    I rushed through the hospital doors, my heart racing, my mind full of worry for the man I had begun

    to grow some sort of affection for. My eyes settled on one of the pack doctors, and I smiled. politely,

    hoping they could help me. ¡°Hi, is Harley here?¡± I asked.

    ¡°The warrior that was brought in?¡± he asked me, and I nodded, fearful he was about to tell me the

    worst. ¡°Second floor, though I think he is still in the theater, but his parents are there.¡±

    ¡°Is he okay?¡± I asked.

    ¡°I can¡¯t share any information, I am afraid, but I am sure if you speak with his parents they may be

    able to update you.¡± the doctor nodded toward me, before walking further along the corridor. I

    assumed in doing so, he was telling me he was done talking to me. So, I turned around and made

    my way to the stairs and tried to gather someposure to talk to Harley¡¯s parents. I don¡¯t even

    think I know them. I mean, yes, we are all from the same pack, but it doesn¡¯t mean I pay to every

    family here. At social events, I did all I could to avoid people¡­

    attention

    ¡°Bailey?¡± a shaky voice greeted me the moment I walked through the doors at the top of the stairs.

    I looked up to be greeted by a tall, dark-haired man, his features so simr to Harley¡¯s there was no

    denying he was his father. I smiled. ¡°Hi.¡±

    ¡°Thanks foring sweetheart.¡± A smaller, dark-haired woman spoke as she stood from her seat at

    the edge of the corridor. Her face looked understandably drained. I cannot imagine the emotions

    she must be experiencing right now with her son in there. There is still no word from the theater.¡±

    My heart dropped at her words. I hoped he would be out of surgery by now. Though, why his

    parents would have been out in the corridor if that was the case, I don¡¯t know¡­ I just hoped that

    they might know even a little something. Know that he would be okay. The wait is killing me, so I

    can¡¯t begin to imagine what it must be doing to them¡­..

    ¡°What happened? Do they know? I didn¡¯t know there had been any rogue alerts.¡± I said quietly.

    Harley¡¯s Dad raised his brows towards his mate and nodded at me. ¡°No, me either. That is what

    makes no sense to me. But, that is what the Alpha boys said when they found him in the forest

    whilst on a run.¡±

    The thudding of my heart must have been loud enough to hear, and I swear it became ten times.

    louder at the mention of the Davenport sons. The sons of our Alpha. Was this him saying Milest and

    Ellis found him? Both of them? They worked together to attack him¡­ I would not put attacking

    Harley past Miles. In fact, my suspicion had been that it was likely that that was what had

    happened. He had seemed irate earlier when we were all together, though I had assumed hist had

    been more directed at me as usual. Perhaps I had misread it, and he was just as furious. with

    Harley or something else had urred that I was unaware of. But, I thought better of Ellis. My mind

    once again drifted over the possibilities. No. I can¡¯t believe he would do that. Surely not.

    anger

    ¡°Miles and Ellis found him?¡± I stuttered, my voice more than a little shaky.

    ¡°It was a good thing too, or else he could have died out there.¡± Harley¡¯s Mum tells me, and I can see

    the relief on her face. Hmm, I wouldn¡¯t wonder if that was the n¡­.

    ¡°His injuries were so severe his wolf was struggling to heal him. Ellis rushed him here.¡± Harley¡¯s Dad

    told me, and this was beginning to make a little more sense now. Was it that they had tried to teach

    Harley a lesson and Miles had taken it too far? Whatever it was, it seemed Ellis had been the

    reason he was still alive right now. Because I have no doubt in my mind that Miles would not have

    brought him here for help if it had been left to him.

    I feel anger flowing through me, but try hard to look as calm as I can for the sake of Harley¡¯s

    parents. They do not need to know the things going through my mind. They do not need to question

    if the person they believe yed a part in saving their son may in fact be the real reason he was in

    factid her to begin with. I have had a block on mindlinks to Miles all day, but I am so tempted to

    unblock him to demand answers about what he had done to my friend. Just as I am about to, a door

    to the left of where we were standing opens and a doctor in scrubs walks out, he looks to Harley¡¯s

    parents with a concerned expression and a sense of unease passes over me.

    He is gone, isn¡¯t he? Harley has had his life snat ched away from him all because he was friends

    with me¡­ I feel tears pric kling in my eyes, while I see the doctor move a little closer to Harley¡¯s

    parents. It feels like time has slowed down. Like it is moving in slow motion. A sense so horr end

    ous I wish I could stop it. I feel sick. Why do things like this happen?

    ¡°I am pleased to say we have managed to control the bleeding both externally and internally. The

    next 24 hours will be critical. But I hope we have done enough.¡± The doctor tells Harley¡¯s parents,

    and I see his Mum sobbing, throwing herself into the arms of her mate, relief etched across both of

    their faces. I hated that I was the cause of their pain. I imagine they would not want me here if they

    knew their son had been injured because of me. Because, no matter how else I viewed this, Harley

    had been injured by Miles because of his connection to me. It had to be¡­.

    ¡°Can we see him?¡± Harley¡¯s Mum asked.

    ¡°Of course, we have taken him up to a room in the ICU.¡± The doctor tells them, and I smile at her.

    ¡°I will leave you to spend some time with him. I am d he will be okay.¡± I said, at barely a whisper.

    ¡°Oh, no, Bailey, you muste and sit with him, he would be happier knowing you are there. too.¡±

    She tells me, reaching for my hand like she needs reassurance. I would feel bad if I didn¡¯t go now.

    So I smile, and do the decent thing and follow the two of them into the room the doctor leads them

    to.

    It feels as though my breath has been knocked from my body as I see Harley¡¯s battered bodyid

    within the hospital bed. His handsome face was now covered in bruises and deep cuts. Bandages

    adorn various parts of his body that could be seen above the nket that lightly covered his body.

    He looked like he had been through a war. Not attacked by a rogue. I heard Harley¡¯s Mum gasp as

    she burst into tears, and I too had to fight the tears that were threatening. He did not deserve this.

    He looked broken. He may be a warrior, but an unsuspected attack, and one I believe came from an

    Alpha, and he would stand no chance.

    ¡°Oh Harley!¡± his Mum was holding his hand, leaning over the bed, as she sobbed, softly stroking his

    hair back from his head. ¡°What did they do to you baby?¡±

    Harley¡¯s Dad stood quietly observing. His face a mask of bravery. He, too, a warrior, was likely used

    to seeing severe injuries, but I doubt nothing prepares you for seeing your own son bruised. and

    broken, lying in a hospital bed close to death.

    ¡®Bailey?¡¯ my Dad suddenly mindlinked. ¡®Where are you?¡±

    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡®At the hospital visiting Harley. He had been attacked. Why?¡¯ I responded, feeling a little rude when

    Harley¡¯s parents were clearly struggling to see their son this way.

    Jordan just messaged while stopping for fuel. Telling me to talk to you urgently. I am in my office if

    you want to drop by?¡± he tells me. ¡®Or do you want to leave it?¡¯

    I looked to Harley lying in the hospital bed. The damage that I know Miles had to have yed a part

    in. And see his parents barely keeping it together. I knew what I had to do. ¡®Ok.¡¯ I responded.

    ¡°Erm, I am sorry, I am struggling right now.¡± I exined to Harley¡¯s parents. ¡°And I think it is

    important you both have some time alone with your boy. So, maybe it would be better for me to give

    you some space for a little bit. But, do you mind if Ie back a littleter? I still want to spend time

    with Harley. Make sure he is okay. Let him know I am here for him.¡±

    ¡°Of course sweetheart.¡± Harley¡¯s Mum nced up from next to his bed with a sad smile. ¡°He would

    appreciate that.¡±

    I nodded, and walked out of the room, knowing now I had something important to do. I just hope

    that Jordan was right, and that my Dad believed me. If not, I didn¡¯t know what I was going to do.

    But, one way or another, Miles needed to be made to pay for all the wrongs he had done¡­

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28

    Chapter 28 Asher

    Office work was bing repetitive for me today. But, I had already done the pack training and

    been out for a run, so I had dyed my paperwork for as long as I think I possibly could. Poor Eden

    was suffering terribly now with theter stages of pregnancy, so Caleb was having to tend to her a

    little more than we would have expected at this stage. So, additional duties have fallen to me.

    Not that I minded particrly much as it kept my mind busy. And, I have to admit, I found it

    somewhat amusing watching Eden give her mate holy hell for the slightest thing, because it seemed

    him making her pregnant meant he was somehow to me now for every little thing that

    inconvenienced her, or simply irritated her. And watching Caleb trying to steer his way around the

    ticking timebomb that was his mate and wife was like aedy show in itself¡­

    But additional paperwork was such a drag. After so long, numbers began to blend into one another.

    And I am sure they began to move about the page too. And as for having to read, words began to

    switch and not make any sense, or they simply stopped sinking into my mind. It was usually at that

    point I knew I was done for and that no work was happening. Coffee was the only thing fueling me.

    But even that was beginning to fail me.

    I stood away from my desk and walked to the coffee machine at the opposite side of my office, and

    nced toward the window as I did. The sun was shining gloriously outside, telling me how lovely it

    would be to let Zion out for another run. I bet he would love that. A run through the trees, his fur with

    the breeze blowing through it as his feet pounded on the forest floor. Instead, I am holed up in my

    office slowly losing my mind¡­. though I guess to lose my mind, I would have to be sane to start

    with¡­

    I sort myself a fresh coffee, and a strong one at that, before moving back toward my desk, just as

    my phone begins to ring. Hmm, who would be calling my office phone? Anyone in the pack would

    mindlink, right? And anyone else wanting me would call my mobile¡­

    *Answer it and find out you thick f**ker¡­ Zion chuckles, evidently thinking he is highly amusing.

    Mmm, a top ssedian my wolf.

    I reach across the desk quickly before the call is cut off. ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Is that Autumn Valley Pack?¡± a voice at the other end of the line says, making me wonder who the

    hell is calling us. Surely they had to know it was, or they wouldn¡¯t have called, would they?

    ¡°Yes, Beta Asher of Autumn Valley Pack talking, can I help you?¡± I answered, doing my best to bite.

    back my sarcasm and state the obvious, and remain polite.

    ¡°Good. This is Alpha Miles of the Lotus Shadow Pack. Thanks for taking my call. Hope you are

    well.¡± He greeted me, more cheerfully this time. Alpha Miles? I was almost certain their Alpha wast

    called Marshall¡­ I know my mind was not at its best ofte, but I am pretty sure I had not missed

    the death of one of the regions¡¯ Alphas¡­

    ¡°Is there something I can help you with Alpha?¡± I asked, suddenly suspicious as to why this guy was

    calling. My mind is racing, until I remember that it is Alpha Marshall, but the uing Alpha is

    called Miles. So I assume this could be the uing Alpha I am talking to. Trying to y the big

    boy here, is he? Definitely all the more suspicious now.

    ¡°Oh, it is nothing of concern, Beta Asher. I am just helping my father with some paperwork. I am

    sure you know what it is like being snowed under with too much work. But, he asked me to thank

    you for interviewing our Beta¡¯s daughter for a teacher¡¯s position in your pack recently, and from what

    I understand, offering her the role too. Miss West is a wonderful teacher, as I am sure you saw, and

    a well respected member of ourmunity.¡± The voice at the other end of the phone says to me.

    Making me wonder why he had called to thank us for giving this girl an interview. Did she not thank

    us herself?

    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°That was arranged between her father and our former Alpha, I believe. Nothing to do with me.¡± I

    said curt/

    already not liking the fact the young uing Alpha was trying to act like he was all important.

    ¡°Well, we wanted to know from one pack to another, that it was appreciated. Always good to

    maintain pack rtions.¡± He says with what I can only wonder is a fakeness to his tone. Something

    about this boy I do not like. I don¡¯t know what it is. ¡°And while the offer of employment is

    appreciated, especially by Bailey, as she had yet to have any offer of employment, we apologize but

    have to decline on the offer, I am afraid.¡±

    I found myself frowning at his words. Nothing like insulting the poor girl. Everything I heard from

    both Caleb and especially Eden, she had given a good interview. And she was well qualified. Eden

    loved the ideas she had and was excited at the prospect of bringing her into the pack for the

    benefits she could bring to the children here. Yet this fool was making her sound like she was barely

    capable of teaching and nobody would look at her for the role. But, what intrigued me was they

    were refusing the job offer?

    ¡°Miss West does not want to work at our school?¡± I questioned, bing more suspicious of this

    character by the second. Something does not seem right about him. Even Zion is unsettled. If she

    did not want the role, then why evene for the interview to begin with? Why waste our time?

    ¡°Bai¡­ Miss West, has¡­ erm¡­ been allocated a position in our own pack. So she is now

    unavable for a position in the pack of any other Alpha.¡± He says, but this time I am certain there is

    some anger in his tone. Did this man not like the idea of one of his pack working for another Alpha?

    Was he the sort of Alpha that was controlling of his pack members? If so, that could spell trouble for

    the future when hees into power¡­

    ¡°Well, wish Miss West all our best. And thank you for letting us know. Though I have to say I am a

    little surprised that Miss West herself has not informed us. That in itself is somewhat rude.¡± I said

    bluntly.

    I hear a stutter at the end of the phone. Unsure if it was augh or a cough, possibly even a

    combination of the two. ¡°I am sure you are a Beta, are you not? Yet you appear to be questioning an

    Alpha?¡± he says, and suddenly Zion is rippling beneath my skin. Not liking the tone this imb ecile

    seemed to be taking with me. Uing Alpha or not. My wolf was ready to push forward. I do all I

    can to push back the threatening growl.

    ¡°Hmm. An Alpha? Is that so? Because if I am not mistaken, you are an uing Alpha, are you not

    Mr Davenport? I do believe it is your father that is still running your pack. Therefore, you are not the

    Alpha just yet, so do not be getting ahead of yourself.¡± I say coldly, not caring if I am stepping out of

    line. Let the sma rt a*se and start something if he so wishes. I think I could. enjoy a good fight.

    I am sure I could give the little f**ker a good a*s who oping. It sounded like he had been short of a

    few of those growing up considering the attitude seeping from him.

    ¡°Erm.. Well¡­ I¡­ No. That still makes me an Alpha.¡± He stutters awkwardlv. Evidently not happy to

    have been called out for his previous mistake of introducing himself by calling himself the Alpha.

    And now talking down to me. Unfortunately for this spoiled little brat, I was past caring about

    pleasing people, especially ones that irritated me. So, I was more than happy to stand up to him.

    ¡°Not just yet.¡± I said with a smirk. ¡°Was that all?¡±

    ¡°If this is how you run your pack, then I can tell you, my pack member will most definitely not be

    coming to work for you.¡± he says bluntly as he hangs up, like he thinks his words are going to affect

    me. Instead, I find them amusing. This guy sounds like a little boy who has grown up with the world

    at his feet. Everything having been handed to him, and he acts like the world owes him a living. The

    type of guy I cannot stand. f**king heaven help us all when he bes Alpha!

 29

    29

    Chapter 29 Bailey

    I stepped through the doors of the packhouse. Harley had not left my mind since I left the hospital,

    bor I knew I must focus my mind, ready to speak to my Dad. I walked down the empty corridors my

    stomach already churning at the conversation I knewy ahead. I turned down the corridor to my

    left which leads to where the offices are. Strangely, despite the time of day, there are very few

    people within the packhouse.

    Just as I am walking down the corridor, my phone rings, and I quickly take it out of my pocket.

    ¡°Hello?¡± I answer quickly, not recognizing the number and suddenly panicking, thinking it could be

    something to do with Harley, despite the fact that. logically, I know anyone linked to Harley is within

    pack and would mindlink me if they needed to contact me

    ¡°Bailey?¡± the voice greeted me, and I realized immediately it sounded an awful lot like Luna Eden

    ¡°Yes¡± I replied, beginning to wonder if it was in fact the Luna calling for a response on the job role. I

    thought they may have have given me a little longer to think about the job offer if I am honest.

    ¡°Hi chick, it is Eden. How are you doing?¡± she greeted me enthusiastically.

    ¡°I have been better.¡± I admitted without even thinking.

    ¡°Oh, is everything okay?¡± she asks, suddenly sounding curious. ¡°Anything I can help with?¡±

    I realized my mistake instantly, and gave my head a quick shake, as I sat myself on one of the

    window seats. ¡°No, sorry, ignore me, just having a bad day.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Luna Eden urges, like she is wanting me to confide in her, but I have no n to be

    doing that. Especially not to someone out of our own pack.

    ¡°Yeah, just a friend of mine isn¡¯t well.¡± I said, hoping that would be enough to stop her asking more

    questions and making this conversation awkward.

    ¡°Ah okay. Was that the reason you decided against taking our job offer?¡±

    My nose wrinkles at her words as I scowl. Wait, I hadn¡¯t declined their offer yet. So why did she

    think I had decided against their job offer? ¡°Sorry?¡± I question, a little puzzled by the implications.

    This made no sense. How had theye to that conclusion?

    ¡°Beta Asher received a phone call, telling him you had to decline the offer.¡± She tells me, and within

    that moment I needed to hear no more. Miles. Of course. Who else was it going to be? He had

    already made the decision for me before I could tell them any differently. He nned to keep me

    here as his prisoner for as long as he could. When he had told me I belonged to the pack, he meant

    it

    The thing was, no matter how much I wanted the role of teacher away from here, and as nice as

    their pack was and the things we had discussed sounding truly wonderful, I knew I would never be

    allowed to go. So, I am going to have to agree that what they had been told was correct, which

    makes me seem extremely unprofessional for not calling them myself

    ¡°Oh, I apologize, I did not realize anyone was making a phone call on my behalf. I would have

    preferred to do that myself.¡± I exined to her. ¡°But, yes, I suppose that is one of the reasons I

    made the decision to stay where I am for the time being. My life is a littleplicated, to say the

    least,

    1/3

    12 12 Wed Jul 31 BG.

    1212

    Chapter 29 Bailey

    unfortunately, Lama.¡±

    + Pratis

    ¡°Oh? Are you sure you don¡¯t need help with something Bailey? I may not be in your pack, but from

    one woman to another, I would not like to think you are struggling.¡± She says, sounding a little

    concerned now. ¡°And I like to think we got on well when we met

    I smiled at her words. Yes, I suppose we did get on quite well. ¡°Thank you, Luna, I appreciate your

    kind words. I loved your pack, I truly did, and I would have loved to ept your offer if I am honest,

    and I had hoped I could. But, things are not as simple as I hoped.¡± Is all the information I gave her.

    Though deep down I had already known I could not go. Miles would never allow me. Which is why

    Harley and I came up with our own n, but even that would be in doubt now¡­

    I heard her sigh. ¡°See, you make me worry more about you now. Is it your mate? That would be a

    reason to stay, that I understand.¡±

    Iugh despite myself. I know I shouldn¡¯t have done, but I was unable to hold back the almost

    sarcasticugh that slipped from my lips. ¡°My mate doesn¡¯t want me.¡± I said and then realized what I

    had just said.

    I heard a gasp at the other end of the phone. ¡°He rejected you sweet girl?¡± Luna Eden sounded

    almost heart broken for me. She was sweet bless her.

    ¡°I am sorry I should not have said that. And it does not matter now. Things can¡¯t be changed, I just

    have to deal with the aftermath, so to speak, I suppose.¡± I exined and knew I needed to tread

    very carefully now, because my n of not giving too much away was very close to being

    completely f**ke**d, if not already having been messed up beyond repair.

    ¡°Bailey, look, I don¡¯t know what is going on with you, and I can only assume you feel you can¡¯t share

    it with me, but I will say if I can help, let me know. The job offer still stands. Even if we find another

    teacher, I would still find a job for you in our school. You are a brilliant teacher, and we would be

    lucky to have you. Your pack should see that. All you need is somebody to see your potential, and it

    is a shame nobody has before. But, please, whatever is happening there, don¡¯t let it destroy you.

    Get help. Even if that is me.¡± Luna Eden says, and I feel my hands shaking at her words. Help?

    Hmm, that would be a no. Especially from another pack, though the job offer, I may keep them in

    mind for if I was ever able to free myself of this hellhole¡­

    ¡°Thank you.¡± I whispered, but then I noticed my Dad stepping from his office, his head turning from

    side to side looking up and down the corridor angrily Likely looking for me. ¡°I am sorry Luna, I will

    have to go. But thank you again.¡± I told her.

    ¡°Anytime, and remember where I am. And where that job is if you need it?¡± She tells me with a

    chuckle.

    ¡°Bailey?¡± my Dad called, pacing down the corridor toward me, looking a little puzzled at why I was

    sitting on the window seat rather than in his office.

    ¡°Hey Dad, sorry Luna Eden called me. Apparently, they had a phone call to let them know I would

    not be epting their offer of a job.¡± I told him and I saw his face tighten in anger.

    ¡°What?!¡± he snapped. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I nodded. ¡°Yeah. Miles called, I believe. And there begins the start of a very long andplicated

    story, which is what Jordan wanted me to talk to you about. So, maybe we should head to your

    office and sort

    en coffee and cookies ton if you have them Dad¡± heran already dranding avery moment of thie e T

    2/3

    12:12 Wed, Jul 31 G

    Chapter 29 Bailey

    saw my Dad¡¯s eyes narrow at the mention of the future Alpha of our pack¡­

    S

 30

    30

    Chapter 30 Bailey

    I watched my Dad as his list flew toward the wall of hollice as he raged in anger. I had literally just

    told him a portion of the things that had happened. The main thing being that Miles had rejected me

    ¡°Dad, please calm down!¡± I begged him, knowing I could not risk my Uncle, the Alpha, hearing and

    coming in. I did not want all of this to get out, not yemyways

    We needed to decide what should be done. We needed to decide what was the safest thing to do. I

    think the safer thing for Harley, as hard as it is for me to adjur, is for him to stay away from me, I

    hate that he got hurt because of me, but the more I think about it, the more I know that that is what

    happened. Once I had finished speaking to my Dad, and before went back to the hospital to see

    how Harley was,

    I nned to mindlink Miles to demand answers.

    ¡°Bailey, he rejected his mate!¡± my Dad snapped. ¡°Tha is not allowed for an Alphal He hurt you,

    Bailey, My little girl!¡± he growls angrily, and again the irony is me that he sounds suddenly protective

    when, for so long, he had beenpletely oblivious to the persistent jibes and bullying I had

    endured due to my studying. My geekiness. Basically for not fitting the way that was expected of

    me. I was the Beta¡¯s daughter. I should have been beautiful Sporty Popul. Much like my sister,

    Morgan, I guess, So, 1 suppose, one out of two daughters being a stereotypical Heta daughter was

    something I suppose, My Dad hadn¡¯tpletely tailed.

    He had just failed me, in that he had never been awal of the fact I was suffering so much. Just as

    my Mum had been ignorant of it too. Sometimes I could¡¯t help but wonder if they knew and chose to

    ignore it because it was easier than having to deal with it.

    ¡°I know he did, Dad, but it is done now. And in truth, would not want him for a mate. He is nasty to

    me. He has done nothing but bully me for years!¡± I told him, and my Dad spun around to look at me,

    his face full of anger once more. Hmm. I don¡¯t think y n of calming him down was going so well

    right now¡­

    ¡°Bullying you?¡± he snarled.

    ¡®F** it¡¯ Akira snarls within my mind. He needs to kilow T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I feel her rippling close to the surface. This whole situation is truly pushing her to the edge of her

    limits right now. Pushing harder so she was so close to shifting without crossing that limit. ¡°They all

    did!¡± my voice snaps without me even nning to speak, but its tone is rougher, telling me Akira is

    in control right now. ¡°I was the source of ridicule for years, Jordan, Morgan. Miles. Ellis. Half of the

    school. All because I like to study. Because I didn¡¯t like to party.¡±

    My Dad¡¯s face fell at my words. ¡°Oh.¡± He murmured.

    Akira seems to simmer back a little now, like she feels she has got what she needed off her chest

    and she was happy for me to deal with the consequence. ¡°Pad, that is unimportant now. What is

    important is this stuff with Miles. He rejected me but he won¡¯t let me leave. I believe he hurt Harley

    too.¡±

    My Dad¡¯s face contorted somewhere between a confused expression and an angry one. ¡°The

    warrior guy?¡± he looked at me with his tows raised in question, and I nodded.

    Dad shook his head, like he wouldn¡¯t quite believe my words. ¡°Surely not. He is going to be the

    Alpha one day, Bailey. Why would he be s**d enough to attack one of his own warriors?¡±

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    Chapter 30 Bailey

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    ¡°Because Harley and I have been seeing one another a little. And Harley discovered we were fated

    mates.¡± And as I added those final few words a look of realization crossed my Dad¡¯s face.

    ¡°Is he okay?¡± he demanded, and I could only shrug, tears filling my eyes. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were

    at the hospital with him?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if he is okay. When I came here they were still waiting for him to wake up. He was in

    theater. They said they thought it was a rogue attack. Ellis took him to the hospital. He said he and

    Miles found him in the forest. So badly injured, his wolf was struggling to heal him.¡± I exined all

    that I knew, and I saw my Dad chewing his lower lip, deep in thought.

    ¡°I suppose a rogue attack could be logical, Bai.¡± He smiled sadly, and just as I was about to argue

    with him, he continued. ¡°But we would have had some form of intruder warning if they had crossed

    the border and there was none. I would have known about it. It makes no sense. It is too

    coincidental. He learns of the fated mates and then suddenly he is attacked and conveniently found

    by Miles and Ellis. But I thought Ellis would have known better.¡±

    ¡°That is the part I can¡¯t work out.¡± I told him.

    ¡°Hmm. Maybe he caught him?¡± My Dad suggested. ¡°Why else would he bring the boy to the

    hospital? Because I can guarantee Miles would have left him to bleed out in the forest.¡±

    And, deep down, I think my Dad could be right.

    ¡°Bailey, you need to get out of here. You are not safe. No, he was never right for you. I have no clue

    what happened with that boy. But the moon goddess made an almighty fail with her mate bond

    between the two of you. He would be better fated to a lump of s**t. About the same intelligence

    wise, about as much heart and soul as a lump of s**t, so a perfect match, right?¡± he drops his head

    to his hands in frustration.

    ¡°What will happen Dad?¡± I question suddenly, unsure what would happen now Miles was at risk of

    knowing everything that could be revealed now. Especially if Jordan had been in touch with him.

    ¡°He would be angry I had told anyone.¡±

    ¡°We need to have you leave the pack. So, I think we should contact Autumn Valley Pack and ask if

    that role is avable after all.¡± He tells me.

    ¡°But¡­¡± I begin.

    He shakes his head, a firm look of determination upon his face. ¡°No buts, Bailey. This needs to be

    done. I will deal with the mess here. And I mean deal with it. All of it. I will make sure that boy pays.

    For everything.¡±

    My eyes widened at my Dad¡¯s words. ¡°What about Harley?¡±

    ¡°I think it may be best for him to relocate for a while too, once he is better. I will ensure the pack

    compensate him for his trouble.¡± He says calmly, like he was already forming a n within his mind.

    Though my Dad was an excellen Beta, he was experienced at forming ns and skilled at putting

    the ns and their details into action.

    ¡°Can I see him before I leave?¡± I ask, and my Dad smiles.

    T 1.

    Test Wed, JUUST

    Chapter 30 Bailey

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    move on, Bailey. His attachment to you has put his life in danger. And in theing weeks, the

    situation in the pack could be a little hazardous, to say the least. I will speak with his parents, I think,

    to see about him being removed to another pack for treatment so he is not essible to Miles.¡± My

    Dad is already licking through a notebook upon his desk, like he is nning ahead. ¡°And you call

    Autumn Valley, ask about that job, or do you want me to? I can exin the predicament if needs

    be?¡± he says with a concerned smile.

    ¡°I will call Luna Eden.¡± I quickly told him, knowing she would have no issue with that. And definitely

    not wanting my Dad telling everyone my business. Making me into a s**b story! ¡°When should I ask

    to

    move?¡±

    ¡°As soon as possible. Tomorrow if you can. The sooner you are away from here the better. But we

    will wait until nighttime and leave. He is usually out between 11 and 4, drinking I assume, so we

    have a perfect time slot to make your escape unnoticed.¡± My Dad tells me with a smile, just as there

    was a knock at the door.

    We both turned around in shock, as the door opened uninvited. ¡°Ah, I thought I saw you guys

    walking in here.¡± Ellis said, quicklying in and closing the door behind him as my heart rate

    rocketed. ¡°I ? think we need to talk.¡±

    s

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    Chapter 31 Ellis

    I had been looking for this girl all day. She was like hunting for f**g gold. I thought I had found her

    when I got told by the doctors she had arrived at the hospital, but by the time I had got away from

    Miles and reached the hospital, Harley¡¯s parents told me she had left. Telling them she needed

    some time because she was struggling.

    Struggling with what exactly I am not sure. I am sure as hell that his parents were struggling a

    whole lot more. Their son mauled by my older brother to within an inch of his life¡­ not that they

    knew that part of the story¡­ oh no. I was under strict orders to depict a tale of a rogue attack. Us

    having been on a run together and finding him. In truth, Miles would not tell me what he was doing

    there, likely running off his temper like he so often did. His temper was beyond control at the best of

    times. But, I had been out for my usual training run, and had caught the scent of blood.

    It wasn¡¯t a small amount either, making me concerned, because neither me nor my wolf could

    dismiss that as injured prey and continue on with our run like we truly wanted to. Integrity won over

    and made us go and investigate to find my brother¡¯s wolf, Jet, ripping into the warrior guy. A guy I

    now know is called Harley. The moment I yelled his name, he oddly retreated like he didn¡¯t expect to

    be caught in what he was doing, and he ran off for the trees.

    The blood¡­ was everywhere¡­ his injuries were h**d**s¡­ worse than I have ever seen before¡­

    though I have never been in war myself¡­ his clothes were torn, deep wounds littered his body¡­

    bites across his body¡­ I was terrified Miles had already killed him¡­ but I had to help. So, I

    scooped him up in my arms, my wolf pushing forward to lend me his strength, and we ran toward

    the hospital. Linking forward to allow them to prepare for his arrival.

    I could see smaller wounds were closing, but therger ones I think were simply too much for his

    wolf to heal with the amount of blood he was losing. This guy was close to death. Of that there was

    no doubt. But, what I didn¡¯t understand was why my brother would attack one of our own pack. He

    was meant to reign that temper in. Our Dad had told him he could attack rogues if he felt the need

    to take his temper out on anythingrger than small prey¡­ had he mistaken him for a rogue? Yet he

    had so clearly been in human form, attacked unawares before he had a chance to shift and defend

    himself. This all looked intentional to me. That is what worried me.

    ¡®Leave him to die. Miles¡¯s voice had suddenlye through the mindlink. He did not sound in the

    slightest bit shaken by what had just happened. In fact, he sounded calm. Collected. Cold.

    ¡®Miles. No. He needs help. His wolf is not healing him. You have injured him badly. Why?¡¯ I asked as

    I continued the dash toward the hospital, d of the additional support of my wolf.

    ¡®Why?¡¯ Miles roared through the link. ¡®He deserved to die. You had no right in interfering.¡¯

    Interfering? How was I interfering? Was I not doing the decent thing and saving the warrior¡¯s life?

    No man deserved to die at the hands of their Alpha for no reason. And, if I discover there was a

    logical reason for him to be punished, then he can be punished in an appropriate way when he is

    healed. If he can be healed¡­ of course. Because the amount of blood that seemed to be leaking

    over me, was worryinglyrge.

    ¡®He needed help. He is dying. I am taking him to the hospital. I told him bluntly.

    ¡®Well, you tell them it was a rogue attack. Do you hear me?¡¯ he

    was not with me, the attem

    Chapter 31 Elis

    +5 Pearls

    power over nie, being the next in line. He was trying make me do what he wanted. Trying to make

    me lie on his behalf. He knew he had done wrong.

    You want me to lie?¡¯ asked as I got closer to the hospital.

    ¡®He deserved it. That is what I will say. I will exin when you hand him over?

    So, s**dly, I had done as he asked, I handed him over and the doctors did what they could. He was

    in a bad way. And when I returnedter to the hospital look for Bailey, Harley¡¯s parents were both so

    grateful to me for saving his life. Yet, in truth, I could not feel like a hero, not when I knew the truth.

    Not when I knew my brother was to me.

    Miles had been waiting for me outside the hospital after had dropped Harley off, anger written on his

    face. He looked like he wanted to tear me limb from mb.

    ¡°Why?!¡± he snapped, the moment I came close, and imply shook my head.

    ¡°There is a guy in there literally knocking on death¡¯s door because of you. And you say he deserved

    it. I want to know why. Because he had to have done something serious to deserve that I mindlinked

    him, not wanting to risk any of the pack members wandering by overhearing our conversation.

    Miles gave me a dirty look. ¡®He questioned me.

    I felt like my heart s**d a beat. He had to be joking, right? He questioned him? And that is what he

    did to him? How is he ever going to rule as Alpha if this is how he reacts to things? ¡®He questioned

    you? And that was all?¡¯ I linked in disbelief.

    ¡®He has been with Bailey. And he implied I was lying about there being no matebond. He knew of

    our matebond. Knew I rejected her. He needed to go. His eyes look like pits of fire right now, as he

    stares at me. He seemed to think everything he did was more than reasonable. But, his words sunk

    in, he said he rejected her. That was different to what he had originally told me. He said she had

    rejected him. He had lied? My mind whirled with possibilities. He wasn¡¯t focused on his words here,

    so chances are he was saying the things that first came to mind, making them more likely to be the

    truth. He had med Bailey back then to take the heat off him.

    ¡®You almost killed him because of Bailey?¡¯ I asked. I was surprised when I learned she had been his

    fated mate. I was shocked then that she had rejected him, but I am even more shocked now that

    Miles had rejected his own fated mate. Having met my fated mate, Hazel, I know the draw to them

    is something so strong once your wolf is there that it would be difficult to fight. How he had been

    able to torture her the way he had. Keeping her hanging on for a year, and seeing her around pack

    and not wanting her desperately made no sense to me. He hadughed with me so many times,

    telling me tales. of the things he had done to get to her, like he gained some sort of sick pleasure

    from hurting her through the matebond. Now, when I think back to the tales he told, there were so

    many signs that it was him that had done the rejection¡­.

    But, a small part of me wondered if he did like the connection they shared, and that was why he

    kept her around. He could not fight the decision my Dad had made to allow her to go to university,

    and I am d for her, because I had heard how hard she had worked to gain that ce. But, Miles

    had pushed for her toe back to our pack, despite Bailey begging to be given permission to

    work away from the pack. Dad was going to allow it, but Miles intervened saying he would be taking

    over soon so he should be making that choice, and he thought she would be of benefit to the pack,

    so no permission was given. Now, I wonder if that was so she was close to him.

    2/3

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    +79%

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    Had he hurt the warrior because he was close to Bailey? Or simply because he had somehow

    discovered their matebond, and he feared that it could get out? Either way, neither one was a

    reasonable motive for hurting someone, let alone putting them on the edge of death.

    ¡®He argued back with me. I did not want him being a risk. I did not like how he was. Miles snarled,

    his head turning to look at me. ¡°Did you tell them it was a Rogue attack?¡± he asked, and I began to

    regret my decision to do as he asked, but I nodded,

    ¡°I told them we were out for a run, and we found him Said you had gone to check the woods, see if

    you could see anything. Make it seem more believable.¡± I exined, hating myself even more, for

    the lies I had helped my brother create. I did not like the man he was bing. And in truth, I think

    I feared for the pack under his control.

    It was at that point I realized I needed to go and speak to Bailey, which was where my hunt for her

    hade in. I had misjudged her, because, of the things Miles had said. And, I owe her an apology.

    But, not only that, I needed to talk about this with her. I needed her opinion on it. I cannot hide this

    for my brother, even if it means putting my own life at risk, our pack deserves better than this. He is

    a danger to himself and to the others around us. But, I know I cannot do this alone.

    Miles harassed me non-stop about keeping my mouth shut. Threatening me with so many things.

    Including ejecting me from the pack the moment he became Alpha, so I was made a rogue if I so

    much as breathed a word of this. Though he also tried to use the fact I had lied about Harley¡¯s

    injuries at the hospital as it already implicated me, so I would be seen as part of the problem, not

    the solution. I felt a little trapped, but I knew I had to do something. But, I knew I would have to

    watch my back, because I did not think my brother would think twice about harming me.

    The moment he had left me, I was onto my hunt for Bailey, her mindlink blocked. Though if myContent is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    brother was giving her s**t I could not me her. And she was likely in pieces, having been told her

    boyfriend was severely wounded. Which was why I had decided upon trying the hospital first,

    thinking she would be by his side.

    After dashing from the hospital once I realized she wasn¡¯t there and after spending a little time with

    Harley¡¯s parents, I decided to make my way to the packhouse in the hope of seeing her Dad, our

    pack Beta. He may be of some help. I had tried his mindlink, but it was blocked for some bizarre

    reason, so I could only try his office. And it was only as I reached the corridor and I saw Bailey

    being led into his office that I knew I had struck gold¡­

 32

    32

    Chapter 32 Bailey

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I eyed Ellis suspiciously. Why was he here? Turning up unannounced, and just walking in the way

    he had had irritated me. Yet, his appearance made no serise. Why would he need to talk? He had

    evidently been involved somehow with how Harley had ended up in the hospital. From the things I

    heard while sitting with his parents, it had been Ellis telling the doctors of the rogue attack. But, at

    the same time, had it not been for Ellis, Harley would not have got to the hospital, and he would

    have bled out in the forest somewhere. That is the part that confuses me.

    ¡°Sit down then son.¡± My Dad says, acting perfectly normally with Ellis, a boy he considers his

    nephew. His best friend¡¯s son. A boy he has seen grow up from the day he was born. The same as

    Miles. The benefit of being best friends with the Alpha, I suppose.

    ¡°Thanks Uncle Donovan.¡± Ellis drops himself onto one of the chairs. ¡°I am guessing I have disturbed

    you?¡± he looks between the two of us, a little ufortably, clearly aware of the fact he had caught

    us in the middle of a private conversation.

    ¡°Well, we were talking yeah.¡± My Dad says with a smile.

    ¡°Hmm, I have a feeling I may know what about.¡± Ellis says. ¡°Which is why I am here. Well, I was

    here to talk with Bailey really. But I think talking to you both may help.¡±

    I looked at him confused. He had been looking for me? And he wanted us to help?

    ¡°What do you want?¡± I snapped, unable to forgive him for the way he had been with me since the

    day in the garden.

    ¡°Bailey, give the boy a break!¡± My Dad says with a small chuckle. ¡°Let him at least try and talk

    before you jump down his throat!¡±

    ¡°It is fine, Uncle, I likely deserve it. I owe you an apology, I think, Bailey. I learned a few things

    today.¡± Ellis says, looking at me, and he looks decidedly green around the gills. Making me wonder

    what he is talking about.

    ¡°You owe me an apology?¡± I chuckled, that was not what I was expecting from him. Our Alpha sons

    were not ustomed to admitting they were wrong, nor to apologizing.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t reject my brother, did you?¡± he says, and simply shake my head. How had he learned

    that? Perhaps if he had used the few brain cells in that pretty little head of his when he disturbed me

    and his brother in the garden he may have been able to work out that his brother was lying when he

    said it was me that had rejected him¡­

    ¡°I should have known really, with the things he was saying and doing. But, I am sorry, the way I

    spoke to you was wrong. You deserved better. And after what I have witnessed today, I have seen

    what my brother is capable of, so I can only imagine the things he has been putting you through.¡±

    Ellis speaks with a tone of unease. Okay, maybe I have been a little harsh on Ellis, as he seems to

    be being genuine right now, and he seems to be worried about how he had treated me. But, right

    now, that was the least of my concerns, something else he had said caught my attention a little

    more¡­

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a rogue attack was it?¡± I demanded, knowing I was right. My gut had told me all along the

    moment I had heard Harley was hurt that it had been Miles.

    Chapter 32 Bailey

    45 Pearls

    Ellis looks to me and slowly shakes his head. ¡°I hate that I lied to cover for him. I was out for my run,

    and found him attacking Harley. I shouted at him, and he stopped, before running off. The injuries to

    the warriors were so bad, I knew I had to help him, so took him to the hospital. Miles told me to

    leave him to die, but I could not do that. So he ordered me to tell them it was a rogue attack, saying

    the guy deserved what he got, and he would exin why once I had left him at the hospital. I

    borated on the rogue lie. Only when I learned why he had done it was I shocked. Disgusted, my

    brother would sink

    that low.¡±

    I could see my Dad¡¯s face taught with concern, while Ellis¡¯s hands were trembling. ¡°I messed up.¡±

    He whispered.

    ¡°No son, you didn¡¯t. My Dad tells him. ¡°You saved that boy¡¯s life. You stood up and did the right

    thing. You didn¡¯t know what the reason was when Miles asked you to lie, so you took the word of

    your brother and the uing Alpha, so many others would do the same. And when you

    discovered the truth, you have chosen to speak out. That boy should be okay. I spoke to the

    hospital. He is in and out of consciousness now. That is because of you. But, we need to speak to

    your Dad, Ellis.¡±

    I chew at my lips anxiously. This was such a mess. All because of the matebond between me and

    Miles¡­ though, I think even without that, Miles was dangerous¡­

    ¡°Should I get him?¡± Ellis asked.

    ¡°No!¡± My Dad urged, taking us both by surprise. ¡°We will wait it out. Are you up for that?¡±

    Ellis looks at my Dad, confused. Though, I think I was equally confused. ¡°You want to let Miles think

    he has got away with it?¡±

    Dad nods. ¡°We need to get the warrior away from the pack to his mother¡¯s former pack for treatment

    and recovery, somewhere he will be safe. Speaking out now will bring awareness to the fact we

    know of his involvement, and likely bring attention to what we are doing.¡±

    Ellis nods as if in agreement. ¡°That makes sense.¡±

    I sat in an awkward silence, before Ellis looked to me, ¡°Bailey, I know you won¡¯t consider it genuine,

    but I am sorry. I know better than anyone how s**y it can be being the sibling that gets overlooked

    because you were born second. I know as kids we were b**ds to you for being a bit different. You

    didn¡¯t deserve that. Nobody does. I think some of it was frustration that you didn¡¯t have to try to do

    well in school when all of us struggled. But, you didn¡¯t deserve that. I got to say, I respect what you

    have done though, ignoring all the c**p people gave you, and pushing harder and getting your

    degree. Miles was more than likely the fool for rejecting you.¡±

    My Dad sat nodding his head, while I simply shrugged. ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t matter now, does it? He

    called the school I had an interview at and told them I was declining their offer of a job.¡± I told Ellis.

    His eyes widened in shock. ¡°Seriously?¡±

    I nodded. Not wanting him to know of my n to leave. I was terrified somehow that he knew that it

    would be leaked to Miles and everything would go wrong. I assumed that was why my Dad hadn¡¯t

    mentioned that part of our n too. I still wanted my chance to escape¡­

    ¡°So you have your degree, but he will not permit you to work?¡± he questions, and I nod. ¡°I think he

    still considers you as his.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, Ellis. What matters is that he is dealt with now for what he did to Harley. What

    reasons did he give? What scares me is that he could hurt others.¡± I told him, and I saw Ellis look

    down at his hands anxiously.

    ¡°Just said he had questioned him, so perhaps he felt his rank was being doubted. Plus, he

    mentioned him being with you, so maybe jealousy. And, of course, the fact he knew about your

    matebond. And that he didn¡¯t believe him when he said there was no mate bond.¡±

    It sounded to me like Harley had stood up to Miles for me, and in doing so had found himself the

    victim of an attack. Miles had gone from a slight threat, to a serious danger now. Hopefully with the

    help of Ellis we could do something to change that¡­

    s

    10

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    Chapter 33 Bailey

    My Dad decided to walk back to the house with me, terrified for my safety after what had happened

    to Harley earlier, but I had yet to visit Harley at the hospital, so I had to inform my Dad the moment I

    was stone visiting him. So, I walked through the doors of the ICU department, to be greeted by

    Harley¡¯s parents, embraced in one another¡¯s arms outside the foom where I was sure I had left

    them carlier with Harley: Why were they outside his room? Why were they not in there with their

    son? My head began to pound, as did my heart.

    Aly mind spun with the many possibilities. My Dad said he had spoken to the hospital¡­ that

    everything was okay even that Harley was in and out of consciousness¡­. so why did this look like

    something had gone wrong? My heart clenched at the thought of losing Harley¡­

    I didn¡¯t know if I should leave them in private. Maybe I should not be here right now¡­ but as I was

    about to turn and walk away, Harley¡¯s Dad looked up and caught sight of me. ¡°Ah Bailey, you came

    back?¡±

    ¡°I said I would.¡± I told him, with a sad smile. ¡°Is everything okay?¡±

    My heart felt like it was racing out of my chest right now as I waited for his answer, but thankfully he

    nodded. ¡°The doctor is just checking him over. You know, Harley has been asking for you.¡±

    I could not help but smile at his words. ¡°Has he?¡±

    ¡°The moment we said you had been here, he was asking when you would be back.¡± His Mum said

    with a chuckle.

    ¡°I am sorry, my Dad needed to see me.¡± I felt I had to exin.

    ¡°Ah yes he did mindlink us, and we feel the things he is suggesting may be for the best. Harley too.

    He said you and he had spoken of going there anyway. We did not realize you, and he were so

    serious.¡± His Dad said with raised brows, making me blush.

    ¡°Erm.¡± I stuttered a little. ¡°I would not go with him. Not now. Harley needs to do what is better for him

    to keep him safe, I assume my Dad exined everything?¡±

    Harley¡¯s Dad nodded. ¡°We know not to say a word. We will be headed there with him. Steffic has

    spoken to her former pack, they are arranging things, so we will be going as soon as get the green

    light. But, when Harley told us you, and he had nned to go there before this, I had assumed you

    might

    come too.¡±

    I slowly shook my head. Truly shocked at the spped this n was now taking shape. Though my

    Dad had said it needed to happen quickly. And, I have to say, I agree. The sooner things happen,

    the safer everyone will be. ¡°I am going to speak to Harley. He means so much to me, and has been

    the sweetest guy to metely, but, he has a fated mate out there, and he deserves to find her. He

    needs to put his safety first too. And that is not being with me. Even if that means hurting myself.

    Oh, sweet girl¡± His Dad shook his head. ¡°You seemed to have been dealt a c**y hand.¡±

    ¡°That is one way to look at it.¡± I said to him.

    ¡°Can always ask for a re-deal, right Bailey?¡± Harley¡¯s Mum, who I now assume i

    Chapter 34 Bailey

    D

    a smile. ¡°You are a smart girl. You seem to know what you want from life. So, you go out and get it¡±

    I nodded, maybe she is right, I do not need to ept the hand I was dealt. Me moving is the right

    thing. While we wait for the doctor to finish doing their checks on Harley, I take my phone from my

    pocket and message Luna Eden.

    Hi.

    This is Bailey, I am sorry to have messed you around going back and forth like a yo-yo, I

    appreciated everything we spoke about on the phone, and I can¡¯t begin to tell you how things are for

    me right now, but I have had a chance to consider all that you said, and I don¡¯t think I can turn down

    the opportunity toe and work for you, so please would you consider me for the role of teacher

    that you offered me, and allow me a ce within your pack whilst working there due to the distance

    from my own pack, as we had previously discussed?

    Thank you.

    Bailey.

    The corridor of the hospital was quiet, with the unnatural light that made it so ufortable to sit

    and wait. But soon enough, the doctor came out and smiled towards Harley¡¯s Mum and Dad. ¡°All

    done.¡±

    His parents wasted no time in rushing back into the room, and I reluctantly followed behind, nervous

    about facing him considering the state he was in when I had seen him earlier, and now knowing the

    things he had gone through due to Ellis exining what he had seen. Knowing that everything he

    had suffered was because of his connection to me. Because of the doomed matebond between

    Miles and

    me.

    I heard Steffie chuckle as I walked through the door. ¡°Could you make it more obvious you were not

    bothered about us being here, Harley? Literally straining to look around us to see Bailey¡­¡± she

    says, and I feel myself blushing.

    It seems he had been more open with his parents about me than I had with mine about him. I had

    barely spoken about him with anyone. I didn¡¯t want to embarrass him if anyone knew he was linked

    to me. I was far from the most popr person in the pack, and I didn¡¯t know if it would be a source

    of humiliation for him to be seen with me¡­ evidently, I could not have been further from the truth,

    ¡°Bailey.¡± Harley¡¯s voice was h**e, like he was struggling to speak, understandably so, I wouldn¡¯t

    wonder. As his eyes settled on me the moment I went into the room.

    I smiled at him. ¡°Hey you.¡±

    ¡°Maybe we should give these two some privacy.¡± Harley¡¯s Dad said, taking the hand of his mate,

    and leading her from the room, making Harley blush a little this time, while I perched myself on the

    seat next to his bed.

    ¡°I am so sorry for all of this, Harley.¡± I told him, reaching for his hand. ¡°I hate that this is because of

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    He frowns. I can see instantly that some of the wounds are a little less severe than they were when

    I was here earlier telling me his wolf was trying hard to help him. Though the motion of frowning

    causes him to wince as it must disturb the wounds upon his face. ¡°Bai, this is not you. This is him.

    All him¡±

    ¡°But, it is because you are with me¡­ well, connected to me.¡± I told him, and again he shook his

    head.

    ¡°You know I am headed to my Mum¡¯s pack?¡± he questions, and I nodded.

    ¡°My Dad suggested it as a way of keeping you safe.¡± I told him. ¡°And I think he is likely right. I don¡¯t

    know what he might do next, Harley.¡±

    ¡°I likely made it worse disagreeing with him. But, you spoke with your Dad?¡± he asked, sounding

    shocked. ¡°That has to be good, right?¡±

    ¡°Dad, Jordan, Ellis.¡±

    He nods. ¡°I think Ellis helped me.¡±

    I smile. ¡°Yeah, he did. He saved your life. Found Miles attacking you, stopped it and carried you to

    the hospital. Though he did say it was a rogue attack because that was what Miles told him to say,

    he then discovered the truth about it all and came to me and my Dad.¡± I exined and Harley shook

    his head.

    ¡°I am done here, Bai. I won¡¯t being back. I can¡¯t serve under him.¡± he tells me, and I don¡¯t think

    I can me him. He will be a dangerous and ruthless Alpha. It scares me. I just hope that Luna

    Eden will be willing to give me the opportunity to get away too. If not, I will be moving to the human

    world to apply for work. One way or another, I will not be staying here while he is here, and most

    definitely not while he is in charge.

    ¡°That was why my Dad said about your Mum¡¯s pack. Keep you safe there, especially while you

    heal.¡± I told him, feeling relieved that he agreed to go and do just that. d that he had seen it the

    exact same way I had.

    ¡°So, why not go together. Live that dream we had together? It can be possible. Make those ns a

    reality.¡± I can see the excitement in his eyes, and I feel my heart aching at what I am about to do.

    ¡°Harley, I don¡¯t think we should. You are safer on your own. Being with me is what got you into this

    mess.¡± I tightened my grip upon his hand and I saw him bite his lip, as if in deep thought.

    ¡°This is it? You have done with me now?¡± his voice falters.

    ¡°I think the world of you, Harley. But you are better without me. You have a fated mate out there, so

    it was always going to beplicated taking me as a chosen mate, right?¡± tried.

    ¡°A chosen matebond is stronger, because it is one your heart and soul decides upon Bailey. But if

    that wasn¡¯t enough for you, then I don¡¯t know what it is I can offer.¡± He slides his hand out of mine.

    And I felt tears stinging in my eyes as they began to drip. ¡°No, Harley, don¡¯t do that. I am trying to do

    the right thing for you here. Trying to keep you safe. I wanted everything you offered me. I truly did.

    But, you know deep down in your heart that being with me is putting you at risk. At least right now it

    is. So, we can¡¯t do that¡±

    ¡°You wanted all that?¡± he stutters.

 34

    34

    Chapter 34 Bailey

    After giving Harley a hug, and fighting tears, I walked from the hospital to find my Dad waiting for

    me just as he had promised. Leaning against the walls of the pack hospital, taking the moment to

    enjoy a chance to rx, basking in thete afternoon sunshine. He must have heard me

    approaching as his head turned to look at me the moment I moved down the steps, and I watched

    as his eyes darted across mine, taking in my tear-filled eyes, and his face filled with concern, ¡°Is he

    okay?¡±

    I assume he had jumped to the conclusion he had passed away or something along those lines with

    me battling tears. I simply nodded. Not feeling up to borating on everything I had just discussed

    with Harley. It had been difficult enough the first time. I did not need to go over it again with my Dad,

    because he would want to analyze it too, and I most definitely did not nhave the energy for that.

    ¡°We going home?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Well, I am walking my little girl home, yes, but I do have to head back to the office. I have a few

    things I need to see to, before I am done for the day.¡± He says with a smile. I find myself smiling

    back at him. I am d he wants to walk me home, and appreciate him looking out for me. I do not,

    however, appreciate him referring to me as a little girl¡­

    ¡°Little girl? A little less of that Dad. I am an adult now, do you not think I have grown past being

    called your little girl?¡± I asked him, and he chuckled to himself, like he found himself so amusing.

    Though my Dad had always had a habit ofughing at his own jokes.

    ¡°Always my little girl, it doesn¡¯t matter how old you are, Bailey. Something Ellis said bothered me

    though. Does being the second sibling really cause you to feel like you weren¡¯t important?¡± his face

    had gone from smiling to looking downhearted now, which tells me he never thought of it that way.

    Obviously, in my mind, he hadn¡¯t been a bad parent, and neither had my Mum. They had ensured

    we all had everything we needed. But, their priority did tend to fall to Jordan, with him being the

    Beta heir, and, of course, with Morgan, with her being their youngest. Not to mention she had a

    habit of being quite demanding. So, I think it was sort of a natural thing that I sort of got lost

    somewhere in the middle. I didn¡¯t mind, I was always quite happy to sit and keep myself upied

    with my books¡­

    ¡°I think it is quitemon, Dad. Honestly, you don¡¯t need to worry. You made sure I had what I

    needed. You made sure we all did.¡± I said, not liking seeing my own Dad battling with his guilt here, I

    had enough to deal with right now. It was easier like this. It wasn¡¯t like they had neglected me.

    ¡°No, Bailey, don¡¯t lie to me. Is it true you were bullied?¡± he questions, and I suddenly feel unable to

    meet his gaze. He wants answers, and a part of me wonders if this is before I leave, so he can deal

    with it all in his mind, and process it all, before addressing everything, the same as Jordan, I guess.

    But, the bullying was never my parents¡¯ fault. Yes, they would lightly tease me for forever having my

    head in a book, and I guess my brother and sister picked up on that and copied, but the serious

    bullying was in school. Around pack¡­

    As we walked along the paths of the pack, the roads and paths were both quiet, so the two of us

    just enjoyed one another¡¯spany. I slowly nodded, not sure how best to approach the subject. ¡°It

    was since school, Dad. Just because I studied more. Did well in school. You know what kids can be

    like. You know that, Mum was forever telling me I made it worse for myself.¡±

    ¡°Your Mum knew?¡± he asks, sounding more than a little surprised, making me wonder if he lived in

    his own little world sometimes. So busy with his ownmitments to his work? Or did he just block

    out his own failings? I was sure I had gone to both my parents over the years about the struggles I

    had

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    faced. Yes, more so my Mum, because she was the one at home more frequently. But, that was

    purely because my Dad had a lot of responsibilities in his role as Beta and was in the office a lot. It

    was no fault of his own, it was a part of his job, and we had epted that. So, much of the parental

    responsibilities fell to Mum. But, could he really have been so na?ve about all of this?

    ¡°Yeah, but she told me I had to try harder to fit in Dad, Why do you think I avoided the events so

    much? It was what made Miles not want me as his mate, I think. The fact I was not the stereotypical

    Alpha mate. I would have been an embarrassment.¡± I told him, and my Dad growled, telling me his

    wolf was lingering, and getting angry at what I was telling him. Werewolves were protective of their

    family. Notoriously so, especially fathers with their daughters¡­ though, I can¡¯t lie, I had wondered at

    times if my Dad had been bothered about me¡­ but it seems his wolf did not like hearing all of this.

    ¡°Well, he was a fool then. If he couldn¡¯t see what he had, then it was his loss.¡±

    ¡°Thanks Dad. But it is irrelevant now. And the one guy I thought I could have something with I have

    had to let go to make sure he is safe.¡± I whispered.

    ¡°Ah. I understand the tears now. You told him it couldn¡¯t work?¡± he wrapped his arm around my

    shoulder, pulling me close to him, softly kissing me upon my head. A father trying tofort his

    daughter. Something I needed all those years ago at that birthday party. When Miles told me to

    keep everything secret, when all this mess had begun¡­

    ¡°Time is a healer, sweetheart. He has a mate out there, and if he found her, that would have torn

    him in two. He will always crave his fated, despite choosing you. Some say a chosen matebond is

    stronger because your heart chooses it, but a fated mate bond is so difficult to fight. You crave it

    with every inch of your being. No matter what he may say. It is our instinct, Bailey. He would

    struggle. I don¡¯t doubt that boy thinks the world of you, but when ites to meeting his fated mate

    he would not know what to do.¡± My Dad gently stroked my hair back from my face as he spoke,

    something he hadn¡¯t done since I was a little girl, when he used to read me bedtime stories. I used

    to love it as I found it so reassuring, So soothing.

    I nodded, knowing he was right, that was the thing I had failed to see when Harley had offered me

    the chance to be his chosen mate. Neither one of us had thought of his fated mate out there. She

    was waiting for him somewhere. And they both deserved the happiness that being with a fated mate

    should bring.

    We neared our house and my Dad still had his arm around me. I don¡¯t know if it was for his own

    comfort or for me. Maybe a little of both. But he seemed reluctant to let go. Yet, as we wandered up

    the path to our home, the door of the house next door opened, and the one person neither of us

    wanted to see stepped out. Miles¡­ And his eyes settled instantly on me, a dark, evil stare building..T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

 35

    35

    Chapter 35 Bailey

    I felt my Dad¡¯s hand settle in the center of my back as if to guide me to the house, though I can now

    also feel the presence of his wolf suddenly. Not to mention his anger rising at the abrupt arrival of

    Miles. He did not want to be seeing him right now. Not after everything he had just learned. This

    was not going to be pleasant¡­.

    ¡°Hi Uncle!¡± Miles greeted my Dad with such a fakeness, and my Dad raised his brows at me, before

    looking across toward Miles. Who seemed to believe everything was normal between them, though

    his fakeness truly got under my skin, especially after everything today. He was acting like he had

    done nothing wrong¡­

    ¡°Good afternoon Miles. You look awfully run down. Have you had a busy day or something?¡± he

    asked, and I could sense the sarcasm in his tone, but I didn¡¯t know if Miles had. ¡°You should start

    taking better care of that wolf of yours, so he can take better care of you. It is all a little give and

    take, you know? I am sure your Dad has taught you this. But, truly, you look shocking.¡±

    I bit my lip to hold back the smile that was threatening. My Dad had a way with words, but Miles

    seemed to not have noticed the little digs my Dad was having at him. And he simply smiled at my

    Dad, like it was normal day-to-day conversation with his Uncle.

    ¡°Oh, just the usual things. You know what it is like, Dad, keeping me busy. Training to be Alpha and

    all.¡± Miles said cheerfully, and my Dad chuckled, though to me, it sounded forced.

    ¡°Hmm. I am sure. But, our pack only deserves the best as their Alpha, so you need to understand

    why your Dad does what he does. Training to the best of your ability is vital, Miles. And then

    pushing yourself that little bit further to refine your skills. Being the best of the best. That is what our

    pack needs as their Alpha. Don¡¯t you think?¡± My Dad said, the meaning hidden within his words,

    which Miles would likely bepletely oblivious to, but I knew what he was trying to imply. He didn¡¯t

    believe Miles was suitable to be our Alpha. He didn¡¯t believe he deserved his title.

    ¡°Should you not be in the office at this time of day, Uncle Donovan?¡± Miles asked, ncing at me

    with that same dark stare as the moment he had noticed me, before then looking at my Dad with the

    same darkness. The darkness that seemed to reside within him now. He was not the same happyThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    and cheerful boy he had grown up as. He was nasty. Ruthless. Vile. Not a man most people would

    want to be around.

    My Dad raised his gaze to look toward Miles. ¡°Oh, excuse me, being dictated to by a child! You

    aren¡¯t the Alpha yet, Miles, so you don¡¯t have the right to be questioning me where I should and

    shouldn¡¯t be, and for that matter your Dad doesn¡¯t even get away with that. I do my job. Thank you

    very much. I saw my daughter while she was in the packhouse, so I said I would walk back to the

    house with her, as it is not often we spend time together. I wasn¡¯t aware there was a crime in that.¡±

    My Dad did not like to be spoken down to, nor did he appreciate being insulted, and would always

    come back with an argument. Miles, however, clearly did not expect theeback, which I have to

    say, was some what amusing¡­

    Miles scowled deeply at my Dad standing up to him. While I was struggling to hold back the smirk

    that was teasing at my lips.

    ¡°I am not a child. And I am sure there is still work to be done.¡± Miles told him.

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    ¡°Well, as I said, my work is alwayspleted by the end of the day, and as you are not Alpha yet,

    that is not even any of your concern. So, little boy, wind your neck in.¡± My Dad snapped angrily this

    time. telling me he was bing inpatient with what was bing close to a reprimanding from

    Miles.

    Miles stormed off, giving us both a dirty look as he walked away, causing my Dad tough loudly as

    he did. And when I say loudly, I mean without a doubt loud enough for Miles to hear while he threw

    his tantrum and walked away. Though, I had a feeling, that was exactly what my Dad intended to

    happen. He wanted Miles to know he wasughing at his petnce. He wasn¡¯t happy with the fact

    Miles had spoken down to him. ¡°That is it little one, run away, like the little boy you are.¡± Dad

    muttered as he unlocked the front door for me.

    I shook my head at my Dad. ¡°Anyone would think you enjoyed that.¡± I said, and he simply grinned.

    ¡°Considering the things I have heard today, my view on that sc**m has changed considerably. He

    has treated my family badly, and I shall make sure now that he pays. One way or another. And, I

    believe your brother is equally determined.¡± Dad tells me.

    ¡°Dad, Jordan has his Beta role to protect. He can¡¯t risk that.¡±

    ¡°First we deal with the things that boy has done. He seems to think that, because he has been

    spoiled all of his life, he is above punishment. Always thought your Aunt babied him too much. Your

    Uncle let him get away with too much, and neither one of them would hear a bad thing said about

    him. Believing that as uing Alpha he did nothing wrong and should not suffer any punishment.

    Well, thatck of punishment is bing more than evident now, because he acts like the world

    owes him a living. He walks around here like he owns it already, well not if I have anything to do

    with it.¡± My Dad says and the determination within his voice takes me by surprise.

    ¡°You are a Beta Dad, you don¡¯t have the power to stop him bing Alpha.¡± I whispered.

    ¡°No, I may not, Bailey, but with his brother¡¯s assistance, once you are gone, we will go to his father.

    If he does not listen, I go to the werewolf council. They have to listen. That boy broke rules, and

    many of them. He is a danger to himself and others. He is not fit to rule. I will not allow him to take

    over this pack. Even if I kill myself in the process, I will make sure he does not be the Alpha of

    our pack.¡± My Dad says, his voice calm and collected, like there is no doubt within his mind about

    his n, and the thing is, I think he may be right. He would have a fight upon his hands, but he had

    every right to fight¡­ I just had to hope it would not cost me my father¡¯s life¡­

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 36

    36

    Chapter 36 Bailey

    My Dad had left me in my room, with strict anders to begin to pack my things, and also to chuse up

    my peration within the Autumn Valley Pack Which had reminded me I had yer to check if Lea Eden

    hat responded to my cather message I had been so distracted with everything else that had been

    going on, that the message hadpletely slipped my mind.

    I dropped to my bed as I pulled my phone from my pocket, only to find a short message from Earr

    Eden, a simple message of two words ¨C Call me!

    I could not help but chuckle at her message, but Iid back onto my bed, and did exactly as she had

    asked, because, as my Dad had pointed out, my position within their pack was not yet secured,

    needed somewhere to go to get away from Miles and the mess he seemed to be creating around

    me all because of the f**d up mate bond we had been given between us.

    ¡°Hello you! I wondered when you would call!¡± Luna Eden greeted me, like a long-lost friend.

    ¡°Nothing like keeping a girl on edge is there!¡±

    ¡°I am so sorry, things have been so hectic here.¡± I told her honestly.

    ¡°So I gathered from your message. Are you going to confess all to your new Luna then?¡± she

    teased. making me smile, but I wonder just how much I should be sharing with her. If she knew

    everything would she consider me too much of aplication for their pack to allow a job and a

    home?

    ¡°I have had some issues with my fated mate. Let me say that, he rejected me, so, I was told I

    should remain here, but now, I have been told it is for the best and for my own safety, that I look to

    move away, so if the role is still avable, I would love toe and work for you.¡± I say quickly, not

    wanting to say too much, but needing to give some information at the least to exin my quick turn

    around in my decision.

    ¡°Oh bless you, though I do think you did say some of that already. But, if you don¡¯t feel able to tell

    me just yet, that is fine, I understand. But, like I told you, we were so impressed with your resume.¡±

    Luna Eden tells me, making me hopefully she was going to agree to what I needed her to,

    ¡°I haven¡¯t even worked anywhere yet other than the work cements I did during my degree.¡±

    ¡°I understand that, but the fresh ideas you have intrigued me, and I think they would be good for our

    pack school. And, if you need to get away from your pack, then it is even better for you. We are a

    few hours away. We can offer you a home, and a job. A nice pack, a peaceful one at that, where

    your former mate is not.¡± She said with a chuckle, obviously amusing herself.

    ¡°You honestly would have mee and work for you?¡± I said, my relief so immense I felt almost

    breathless. I could get away from here! Away from Miles and the constant fear of him being close.

    ¡°Without a doubt, Bailey! When were you thinking?¡±

    ¡°Would tomorrow be okay?¡± I asked without even needing to contemte it. The sooner I left this

    ce the better. And the sooner was gone, the sooner my Dad and Ellis could do what they needed

    to do. I knew that Harley was leaving tomorrow too. Leaving for his fresh start. I should leave for

    mine 100. Two fresh starts apart from one another. Not what I had expected a few days ago. But

    something I woulde to ept, I am sure.

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    ¡°Wow, tomorrow?¡± Luna Eden sounded a little takenck at my request, making me realize that it

    was rather fast. Did I ask for too much? Were they expecting a few weeks¡¯ time?

    ¡°I am sorry, is that too soon? I could just do with getting away¡­¡± I began.

    ¡°Aww sweetheart, no. If you need to get away, then tomorrow is perfect. We will get you sooner. You

    will just have to stay in the packhouse until I have arranged you a house, if that is okay?¡± she tells

    inc, and I am happy to agree to anything right now that means I am leaving here. I had honestly

    expected a room within the packhouse anyway. Not a home of my own!

    ¡°A rooi in packhouse is perfect, thank you so much!¡± I said, tears filling my eyes.

    ¡°Well, Bailey, wee to Autumn Valley Pack, and we will see you tomorrow. Let me know when

    you are setting off. I realize, with it being such short notice, it could bete, so whenever you arrive

    it will be good. We can get everything sorted. Okay?¡± Luna Eden sounds so genuinely pleased to

    have meing to the pack that I feel enthusiastic about it too, I am scared about the change, but

    excited now

    100.

    ¡°Thank you so much.¡± I say as she hangs up the phone, knowing my focus now needs to be getting

    my things packed.

    It was only as I was packing that my phone rang again, making me wonder if Luna Eden had

    forgotten to tell me something. It was only when I looked down that I saw Harley¡¯s number and my

    heart began to race. What did he want? Had we not said all we needed to carlier? That had been

    hard enough¡­ I wondered why he was calling and not mindinking? But I answered anyway.

    ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Hey Bai.¡± His voice greets me sounding a little emotional.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked, feeling suddenly ufortable.

    ¡°I just wanted to hear your voice. Mindlink still a little weak. Everything is underway for tomorrow

    now. Mum and Dad are packing things up at home. You will keep in touch, won¡¯t you? I know we

    may not be together now, but we can still be friends, right?¡± he asks, and I can hear the emotions in

    his tone once again. He is finding this all as hard as me. Which only makes me feel worse about it

    all. But, as much as it isn¡¯t what I want, I know it is what we both need¡­

    ¡°Of course, that is all I would want, Harley¡± I can feel tears building in my eyes again at the thought

    of not seeing him properly. Things between him and I had barely gone beyond the asional kiss.

    And he was always incredibly sweet. But, him offering to take me as his chosen mate seemed to

    indicate a deeper level of feeling there. It had meant so much to me. Given me hope and I don¡¯t

    think he knew just how much that meant to me.

    ¡°We might not be in the same ces after tomorrow, Bai, but I am still there if you need me. If you

    need me, you only have to yell, right? Call. I will do what I can to help. I know we can¡¯t be together

    right now, but there is nothing to say, maybe down the line when things have calmed down, it isn¡¯t

    something we can¡¯t look at rightYou can¡¯t say there isn¡¯t chemistry there. A connection¡­¡±his voice

    falters, and I close my eyes trying to stop the tears that are trying to fall. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Harley, you have a fated mate out there. If shees, the feeling will be overwhelming for you.

    You

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    ¡°But Bai bow How can that be when I already had the most wonderful girl in the world when I had

    neone else can¡¯t be that and I am already missing out, because I am having to let you go.¡± He says

    with a sigh

    I find myself sighing too. His words were too much. ¡°Harley, it will be different. I promise. If she

    comes, promise me you will give her a chance. She will be worth every bit of pain we have felt

    ¡°Do you not want me, is that it?¡± he whispers.

    ¡°I want nothing more than you. Harley, but I don¡¯t want you at risk because of me. And I don¡¯t want

    you taking sacrifices because of me. This is for the best, I know it is. But, you will always be the first

    to

    have a ce within my heart. Know that okay? And we will forever be friends I told him ng away

    the tear that had slipped down my cheek

    ¡°Always¡± He whispers as the call cuts out

 37

    37

    Chapter 37 Asher

    I looked out through the eyes of my wolf, Zion, as his paws pounded along the undergrowth of the

    forest. Another report of a rogue gave me another opportunity to take my energy and anger out.

    Zion. once more deeply focused on hunting down the f**k*r who thought it was eptable to

    overstep onto ournds¡­ I was more than ready to allow him to take them down and punish them,

    like the ones before. Punish cach and every rogue we could get our paws upon.

    Rogues are the reason I lost my Ida. And each and every rogue after her that crossed our border

    would be made to pay. This may be seen as irrational, but to me, it made perfect sense. Absolute

    sense. And that was always going to be my n

    ¡°No scent of rogues here: Zion tells me, sounding more than a little disappointed, and I have to say I

    ¡°Try further along, maybe they went deeper into the pack. I suggested, getting off the report we had

    been sent. We needed this chance to burn off energy. Something to allow ourselves to take our

    anger out Make them pay.

    Tale report A mundlink from border patroles through ¡°Repeat Reports of rogues were false

    reports. Sensor at the border was faulty. Nothing triggered it

    I felt numb at the thought, and I could sense the same frustration through my connection with Zion. I

    had been looking forward to a hunt. A fight¡­

    Guras you can go hunt some prey I told him, defeatertly

    Don¡¯t suppose there are any spare wolves knocking about I can take down are there? he jokes with

    a grunt. Telling me just how irritated he was In this part of the forest he would be lucky to find

    smaller prey. Therger forest, potentially the asional deer, but they are rare now. Otherrger

    things to hunt were off our parnds and much more mky. A**l something Caleb would most

    definitely not be impressed with me for if I went hunting at this time of day

    No, it looked like my fun was over for the day Not that I have even had any fun. I would be headed

    back to the pai khouse. Allowing Zion to run there for me to save me the walk and to give him that

    httle longer of a run, I continued to watch the views of the pack flicker past through the eyes of wolf,T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    wondering what mayy ahead now for the rest of my day.

    my

    I had needed something to take my dark mood out un I cannot exin the dark mist that seemed to

    desrud upon me the moment I realized myla had gone. A must that I had tried desperately to

    fight, but a must that only seemed to grip me tighter and be thicker and more powerful the

    hunder I fought it. A mist that made me so desperate to seek out revenge on those that had taken

    my girl. M; beautiful, beautiful giri

    I had been sent from the heavens. Perfect in every way. Perhaps they had called her back needed

    ber for better things that is what I keep telling myses. That she was not able to stay long upon our

    earth because the heavens needed their angel back yet she had touched my heart and my soul and

    ow I was forever broken, now at the was gone. And try felt like a long battle at times. When at work I

    was fir. It was the times I was alone.. at night when my

    I may. I could not find thoughts had time to wander, the must grew out of control and the darkness

    became muver powerful

    Cif a terrible thing It can destroy a person. And truly believe it was d**he de

    12:16 Wed, Jul 31 ti G

    Chapter 37 Asher

    +5 Pearls

    had a pack to assist with running, so I continued to function. Albeit barely. The dreams¡­ more

    often. nightmares of I¡­ and losing her guing my nights. Torturing my mind. Torturing the mind

    of Zion too. But, this was the life I had been fated and it was one I had to ept. Darkness had

    be a part of me. I had forgotten what light and happiness felt like now.

    Zion ducked behind the trees behind the packhouse, providing me with some shelter to shift. Our

    clothes from earlier were left here to allow us to dress upon our return. I felt as he handed power

    back to me, his whole mood as low as my own. He, too, missed his mate, and had hoped to take

    out his wrath on the rogues who had caused her death. My bones fracture and dislocate, twisting

    back to their human form, in a swift and easy shift, while Zion went to curl up in theher regions

    of my mind to sulk. We may be grown, but he still liked to act like a child when he didn¡¯t get his own

    way.

    cutting

    I quickly slipped the clothes over my naked body in case there was anybody else around, before cu

    through the gardens at the back of the packhouse to get back to my room. My Beta suite was the

    only room within the packhouse that somebody actually lived in. And, that was only because I could

    no longer bear to live in the home I had shared with my mate. The many rooms downstairs were

    used during the day, the kitchen, the dining room, the offices, lounge and library¡­ but after a certain

    time, the packhouse would empty, and I found myself alone there. Often wandering the dark

    corridors, unable to sleep.

    ¡°Hey Ash, you looked pi**d off, what¡¯s up?¡± Eden¡¯s voice startled me a little as I walked up

    the steps onto the patio area. I had been paying little attention to my surroundings, which is never

    good as a werewolf, especially considering I had just been out looking for a rogue, and I had not

    even noticed her, which, considering her ever-increasing size, is quite a feat in itself!

    I turned to look at her, she was sitting, looking rather ufortable on one of the outdoor benches,

    looking out over the gardens. Her long dark braids pulled into a ponytail today. ¡°Why does there

    always have to be something wrong?¡± I asked her with a slow smile. ¡°Though I could say the same

    for you to be honest, you look far from impressed.¡±

    She red at me darkly. ¡°I am sick of being pregnant now. I feel so ufortable. And I swear you

    could bounce me down the steps. I am bing so round and squishy!¡± she grumbles, and I do my

    best not to smile at her words and at the image she had now put within my mind.

    I leant myself against the balcony area of the patio, and smiled at her affectionately. Eden was like a

    sister to me since she had be Caleb¡¯s mate. She irritated me like one too at times, I have to

    say, but I didn¡¯t like the thought of her being fed up. ¡°Eden, you know the baby will be worth it, and it

    won¡¯t be too much longer.¡±

    She shrugged. ¡°Enough talk of babies. We have the new teachering tomorrow. Could you

    make sure things are prepared for her for me?¡±

    I rolled my eyes at her question. I was d the pack finally had the new teacher we needed, but

    why I was being involved when I had no involvement in her interview process, in the end, I do not

    know. Eden had arranged this, so why is it I am sorting things for her? Not like she was queen.

    ¡°Tomorrow? Why so soon? Could she not at least give us time to arrange things and get things in

    order.¡± I snapped.

    Eden raised her eyebrows at me in shock. ¡°Ash, don¡¯t be like that, you know we need her toe

    here. We have been looking for a teacher for ages. She sounds perfect. She asked if she could start

    as soon as possible, so I said yes. I didn¡¯t want to risk losing her

    2/3

    12 16 Wed, Jul 31

    Chapter 37 Asher

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    47641

    +5 Pearls

    ¡°Why did she need to start as soon as possible?¡± I demanded, something here sounded odd. I don¡¯t

    think anyone would ask to start the next day, especially when it involved aplete relocation too.

    Hmm. This girl appeared to be running from something

    Eden res at me. ¡°Look, Asher, she ising tomorrow. Are you able to help me get things sorted

    for her or not? I do not know why there is a need for so many questions. Even the pack Alpha didn¡¯t

    ask so many questions when I told him. And I am not in the right frame of mind for you being a

    p**k.¡±

    ¡°Caleb probably didn¡¯t ask many questions because he is too busy keeping you sweet.¡± I said

    sarcastically.

    Once more she is scowling at me, her face full of irritation. I find myself sighing Feeling bad for

    making her feel worse than the already had. ¡°Yes, I will help get things sorted. I just find it a little odd

    that she is so desperate to start so quickly. Makes me wonder if the girl has something to hide. So, I

    will be watching her.¡±

    s

 38

    38

    Tonight has been hectic. Packing bags, yet trying hard to act like nothing was amiss. Keeping my block up against any mindlinks from Miles had been a priority because I knew he had wanted to say something the moment he had seen me with my Dad. He had been on edge, and my Dad had likely made that worse with the way he had dealt with him. But, I can''t me my Dad for how he had treated him, he truly needed taking down a peg or two. This was one big mess, and I knew it was only going toe even more out of control when Miles realized that my Dad, Ellis and my brother all nned to go and discuss this with my Uncle, our Alpha.

    Alpha Marshall could not simply dismiss this like he had dismissed so many of Miles''s other errors. There were too many things he had done this time. They would have to seriously consider his ce within the pack, because if this got out, then many of our pack members could seriously question if he was the one they wanted to take over from my father. And, even if my Uncle did what he did best, and made excuses for his son, there was a big difference this time; my Dad and Ellis were going against him. They both disagreed with everything that had happened. They wanted Miles dealt with appropriately.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    I don''t think Ellis was particrly bothered about what Miles had done to me, but I think it had shocked him to the core that his own brother would attempt to kill one of his own pack. That was just not the thing you expect of someone you love and care for.

    My Mum had helped me pack a few extra things, and I swore there were even a few tears in her eyes as she looked across at me. "Are you sure about this Bailey?" she whispered.

    I sighed. "Mum, you have been telling me I make things worse for myself. Well, this time I am doing what is right for me. I am getting out. Standing up for myself."

    I know she doesn''t yet know the whole truth about Miles rejecting me. My Dad has asked me to keep it quiet, and told me he will exin it all when I have left. I don''t truly know why. Maybe because my Mum would be unable to control herself and be straight around to their house to give him what for and spoil our n... so, we were acting like it was all down to the constant bullying I needed to get away. I only hoped my Mum would forgive me for keeping secrets when she discovered the truth.

    "But it seems so drastic, Bailey. So far away." Mum says with a shake of her head. I don''t think she thought me leaving my pack was the right thing. But, she was not going to make me change my mind. "And you never thought toe and speak to me about it all before making the decision?"

    I look helplessly toward the door, desperately needing my Dad toe and save me now. He would tell her it was not her choice to make. Because I am terrified I will say the wrong thing and give something away. But, my Dad is monitoring next door to see when Miles leaves for his usual nightly outing. The moment he has gone, we will begin to prepare to leave ourselves.

    "Mum, it wasst minute. I am a grown woman now. I took my degree, you had to know there would be a chance I would get work out of the pack?" I said with a shrug as I zipped up my final holdall.

    "But this is your family, your home, until you find your mate. Only then would it be deemed okay to move. I don''t see why you feel the need to leave your home." She sounded desperate. Yet, so many times over the years, she had sounded so irritated by me, even to the point it sounded like I was more an inconvenience than anything else. Little did she know my fated mate had been in this pack. So, finding my mate would not take me away from the pack I had called home. But, I wanted this fresh start. I needed it. And, nothing she said was going to change that.

    "Mum, I am not doing this. I have a job. It isn''t like I can''t visit. One day all your kids will move out, get used to it." I say with a sarcastic grin, and she rolls her eyes at me. I know she hated the thought of us all growing up. And now Jordan had found his fated mate, I would assume he would be moving into his own home now too. So, very quickly she was losing two of her children from her home. I perhaps should have a littlepassion I suppose, but at times my Mum made it difficult.

    I wandered away from my Mum, to find my Dad, and discovered him in the front bedroom looking out of the window with a pair of binocrs aimed at our neighbor''s house. The Alpha home. Not suspicious at all. "Hmm Dad, that doesn''t look dodgy much." I joked.

    *They are from warrior supplies." He tells me, without so much as looking back. "Need to be certain it is the little shit that is leaving.

    "Well, if he leaves in his car you''d know it was him, right?" I question.

    Dad simply shrugs. I think a small part of him may be liking this acting like a spy, albeit a far from discreet one. Definitely not the next James Bond. "Everything packed, Bai?" he asks me, like he was trying to change the subject.

    "Yeah. Mum is trying to convince me to stay." I exined.

    He chuckled. "Her little girl is leaving, of course she will. I will exin it all once I have spoken to your Uncle. Don''t worry. She will see why this is for the best, sweetheart. Go and say goodbye to your sister."

    I nodded, despite the fact my Dad couldn''t see me, as his eyes are still stuck to the binocrs, desperate not to miss anything, and with a smile I walked to my sister''s bedroom and just as I was about to knock on the door, I realized she was on the phone, as I could hear her talking.

    "Mmmm, you look good, do that again. You know that sounds fun. So, when are you actually going to make this happen? All these promises and no action yet..." Morgan says with a giggle, and I realized that the conversation I had caught part of may be somewhat inappropriate and probably not one I want to be listening to, and most certainly not one my sister would want her family to hear!

    Just as I turned to quickly walk away, deciding toe back a littleter to talk to her, the person Morgan is speaking to replied, and it made me freeze. A voice I was definitely not expecting. Why? Of all people...

    "Morgan. So impatient! I am worth the wait." Miles almost purred at her, over what I could only assume was a video call or else they would be mindlinking, surely. And my stomach felt like it had dropped through the floor. Miles and Morgan?! This could make things a lot moreplicated...

 39

    39

    Chapter 39 Bailey

    The drive so far had been long, my Dad had been quiet now the time for me to leave had arrived. I

    didn¡¯t know if he was beginning to second-guess his decision, but irrelevant of that, I was not

    changing my mind, nor was I going back on the n we had made. Morgan was still unaware of the

    n we had made. After overhearing the snippet of her conversation with Miles, I had decided

    saying goodbye was not the best thing to do. She could mention my departure to the one person we

    did not want to know about my exit from our pack, and the whole n would be destroyed.

    My mind was still reeling from the fact that my younger sister was involved with someone like Miles,

    in whatever way it may be. I did not stick around to listen any further to hear just how serious it had

    been between them. But, hearing what I had, told me all I needed to know. Morgan had always had

    a soft spot for our uing Alpha, as had so many of the young she-wolves within the pack.

    Seeing him as somewhat of a heartthrob. A hero. A role he relished and yed up to. I, however,

    knew him for what he truly was

    I was torn whether or not I told my father of this new development. As much as Morgan and I may

    have shed over the years, as sisters so often do, she was still my sister, and Miles was

    dangerous. He could do her some serious harm if he got his ws into her. She was young and she

    was naive. Probably seeing the potential of a rtionship with him through rose-tinted sses.

    Hoping to be his Luna. Loved and worshiped by the man in the pack that all the she-wolves

    wanted¡­ the thing is, so many of them knew he was not capable of loyalty.

    In recent years, he was a well-known womanizer. A lothario. He had the potential to break my

    sister¡¯s heart. And I could never forgive him if he did that to her. Destroying her innocence and

    happiness all for his own gain.

    I looked briefly across to my Dad, his face frowning as he sat alongside me as I drove. He had

    decided toe with me to my new pack, nning on getting my brother to collect him tomorrow.

    Though, by the time we had arrived there, it would be the early hours anyway. He truly looked deep

    in thought, like his mind was full of too many things¡­ so many worries. I felt bad for him, because I

    had likely caused so many of them¡­..

    ¡°You know you didn¡¯t need toe with me, Dad.¡± I told him with a smile. ¡°I would have been fine

    coming on my own.¡±

    ¡°I wanted to make sure you got there okay.¡± He tells me softly. ¡°Ask them to take care of my little

    girl.¡±

    I find myself smiling again, my Dad once again referring to me as his little girl. I swear he would

    never consider us grown up¡­ but I do appreciate that he was taking it upon himself to ensure

    everything was okay, and to ensure I was taken care of now, I just wish they had done a slightly

    better job of this over thest few years¡­.

    ¡°Well, I appreciate that, thank you. Though, I am going to have to get used to being out there on my

    own now. Besides, I think you need to speak to Morgin when you get home.¡± I said to him quietly,

    totally unsure if this was the right thing to do or not, but desperately worried for the safety of my

    sister.

    I feel my Dad¡¯s eyes upon me, add as I momentarily nce across to him, before returning my eyes

    to

    the road. I see confusion in his eyes, Did not exin to her your reasons for leaving when you

    said goodbye?¡± he asked me.

    have lied, but it seemed like the better thing to do at that moment to make sure Morgan didn¡¯t know

    what was happening. I could not risk her telling Miles we were leaving the pack, and stopping it from

    happening

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say goodbye to her Dad¡± I said, my palms bing sweaty upon the steering wheel,

    unsure of just how he was going to react to the things I was about to tell him.

    ¡°Bailey!¡± he chastises me. ¡°I know you and her don¡¯t always get on, but she is still your sister. You

    should have said goodbye!¡±

    1 smile sadly, knowing he is right, but I know I still did the right thing, or I would have been forever

    trapped within that pack. Forever a prisoner to Miles. ¡°I was going to Dad, but as I went to say

    goodbye. I heard her on the phone to Miles. I told him, and again I saw the confused expressionThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    appear on his

    face.

    ¡°Miles? Why would she be talking to him? Especially at that time of night. They are not friends, are

    they? He is years older than her.¡± He says, like he is trying to process the information I had given

    him. and he is right, Miles was a number of years older than Morgan, but not massively so that it

    would be frowned upon.

    ¡°Obviously they would be considered friends, Dad, because of you and Uncle. Miles and Jordan.

    But, from what I heard, they may well be more than friends.¡± I said slowly, knowing this would be the

    piece of information he took the worst, as he is ever so protective of Morgan with her being his

    youngest child, and daughter.

    ¡°They are dating?¡± he almost roared from by my side.

    ¡°That I don¡¯t know, as I didn¡¯t stick around long enough to find out. But they sounded pretty close.

    So, I didn¡¯t want to say goodbye just in case she idently mentioned to him that we were leaving,

    and he blocked it happening. You know if he knew we nned to leave the pack without their

    permission. Dad, he would have done everything within his power to stop it happening.¡± I exined

    my reasoning.

    ¡°Why would you not tell me about this?!¡± he demanded, and I could tell he was furious.

    ¡°Because I feared if you knew while we were at home you would go in there all guns zing Dad.

    Dy us leaving. Potentially let it slip I was leaving and again Morgan could have mentioned it to

    Miles. We could not risk him discovering our n, you know that!¡± I told him, but from the dark scowl

    forming upon his face he was not best pleased with my decision.

    ¡°She is not to be seeing someone like that. I forbid it! he snapped. Like it was anything to do with

    me!

    ¡°Well, Dad, that is something you will have to discuss with Morgan and Mum, too, when you get

    home, but I can tell you now, that unless you exin the situation with me and Miles to Mum first,

    then Mum will be all for Morgan being with Miles, because she thinks the sun shines out of his a**¡± I

    say with a sideways nce to my Dad who chuckled.

    ¡°Hmm. Don¡¯t they all. Well, the f**g glow-worm will soon have his light turned off, I am afraid,

    because I am going to ensure oug whole pack sees him for what he is!¡± My Dad says with a snarl,

    making me look at him with a shake of my head.

    ¡°A glow-worm?¡± I questioned, and he grinned.

    and I find myselfughing at his weird attempt at humor. But nod

    ¡°If you say so Dud. Either way He needs stopping, and you need to make sure Morgan does not get

    hart in the process Not just physically, but emotionally too. He has the potential to break her heart.

    She has worshiped him for as long as I can remember. Thinks he is some sort of g**d. Please, stop

    this before it goes any further 1 told him, genuinely concerned for my sister now, the more I think

    about it. If they did go further to actually doing things together, then it would devastate Morgan that

    she had been foolish enough to fall for someone like him¡­..

    This is such a mess. That boy seems set on destroying our family¡± My Dad says, running his hand

    through his hair in frustration.

    ¡°Oh, he will be the moment he realizes what you n to do to him, Dad. So, you need to be careful,

    and ready for any s**t he throws your way. He will not go down without a fight.¡± I warned him.

    *I am more than ready for him, Bailey, as is your brother. More than ready to fight for my family and

    my pack

 40

    40

    Chapter 40 Asher

    +

    Leaving my office for the night, nning on going to the gym, despite it being almost midnight, I

    heard footsteps up ahead of me, and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder who would be in the packhouse at

    that time of night. The packhouse is always abandoned about an hour after dinner has finished, with

    everyone returning to their homes for the night. And the ce bes my lonely hideout. A ce

    where I am free to roam in the darkness and silence. Not caring for anyone else.

    Though, tonight, I worked a littleter than usual as there was a backlog of paperwork with Caleb

    having to stay with Eden and take care of her. She was truly struggling with this pregnancy. I was

    thinking this baby would not be long until it decided to make its appearance and arrive in our crazy

    little world. At least then, I suppose, it would stop making its mother suffer¡­ well, then it would just

    be causing both its mother and father to suffer sleepless nights¡­ah, the joys of children!

    packhouse

    I listened carefully for the noise of the footsteps once more, wondering who they would be at this

    late hour, and could feel Zion pushing forward too, feeling unsettled at someone being in the when

    they shouldn¡¯t be. He is rippling beneath my skin, ready to push forward and shift should the need

    present itself. The sound of someone here had him on edge as much as it did me¡­¡­

    protect me

    I increased the speed of my own steps, to turn the corner, to walk straight into Eden, and nearly

    backwards as I almost bounced off her pregnancy bump.

    ¡°Ooff!¡± she mumbled, stumbling backward herself. I quickly went to steady myself and go to help

    her. but she had already leant against the wall, her breathing quite rapid as she held her belly. ¡°S**t

    Asher!¡± she snapped now, sounding far from impressed with me. Though I could hear the fear within

    her voice, so I think the snapping was more because I had scared her.

    ¡°What are you doing in here at this time of night, Eden?¡± I asked her,pletely puzzled. She

    should be home in bed by now surely? ¡°You should be at home!¡± I had to say I was more than a little

    concerned at the fact to get here she had to have walked across the pack on her own in the dark

    too. Why hadn¡¯t Calebe? Or called for me?

    ¡°Oh should I?¡± she snapped again. ¡°Thanks Dad.¡±

    My eyes widened at her grumpiness. Jeez, if this is what Caleb has to put up with on a daily basis,

    then he was wee to married bliss. ¡°Fine, go back to wandering around in the dark then, oh

    happy one.¡± I snarled, not in the mood for dealing with her mood swings, as I turned to move away.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Eden asked me, like she was shocked I was suddenly leaving her.

    ¡°Away from you.¡±

    ¡°Not rude much.¡± She is eyeing me with a scowl. I don¡¯t know if she thought her evil eyes were

    going to scare me, but they simply amused me.

    ¡°Well, if you are talking to me like that, you can¡¯t expect me to want to talk to you, nor spend time

    with you. Besides, I am going to bed.¡± I lied, still nning on going to the gym, knowing it was far

    too early yet for me to even try getting any sleep.

    ¡°Well you can¡¯t expect me to be in a good mood at this time of night when I want to be asleep she

    grumbled.

    12:17 Wed, Jul 31 G.

    Chapter 40 Asher

    -5 Pearts

    I frowned. ¡°So why are you up then?¡± I find myself asking, despite me saying I didn¡¯t n on talking

    to her. ¡°Let alone wandering around the corridors of the packhouse!¡±

    ¡°I am ling for the new teacher to arrive,¡± She told me with a shrug. I already told you would be

    arriving. Do you not listen?¡±

    earlier she

    I rolled my eyes. Yes, she may have told me, but I still would not expect her to be arriving at this

    time of the f**g night! Why on earth would she allow a new member of the pack to arrive in the early

    hours? Needing to get away or not, desperate for her to join our pack or not, it still seems illogical to

    allow someone toe at this time of day¡­ or night, as the case may be. This woman did not think

    sometimes, I swear. Though her excuse for anything she did ofte that we disagreed with was that

    it was pregnancy brain. Personally, I think it was just bad nning, or being too big-hearted¡­ C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Go home Eden.¡± I said to her with a sigh.

    ¡°No, I need to wait for the new teacher. She should be here anytime, or in the next hour or two.¡±

    ¡°I will stay up and wait for her. Why did you not just ask me? You know I am here anyway, and I

    rarely sleep well.¡± I said to her, already hating myself for even suggesting this, but knowing I would

    be awake for hours yet, and it seemed silly Eden struggling to keep herself awake, and making

    herself feel more ill than she already does in the process. I would just have to fight all my natural

    instincts to avoid. interacting with people I don¡¯t know or like and wee the teacher the best way

    I could.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± she says to me with a small smile, and I give her a reluctant nod, knowing that I

    would regret this

    ¡°Aww, thank you, Asher!¡± she gave me a big hug

    ¡°And when you get home, give Caleb a big kick, preferably in the head, and tell him he is azy f**r.

    it should have been himing here doing this and not you. Especially at this time of night.¡± I told

    her and sheughed.

    ¡°He looked all sweet, all snuggled up fast asleep, sucking his thumb, I didn¡¯t want to disturb him she

    said with an affectionate smile.

    I found myself smiling too, in spite of myself. I can¡¯t believe my best friend still sucked his thumb. I

    knew he had done for as long as I could remember.. ¡°Hmm, you may want to keep that quiet, it kind

    of ruins his big, tough. Alpha image when you say he sucks his thumb.¡± I told her and sheughed.

    ¡°Thanks again Ash, I will go home and try to get some sleep now. If this one will let me. Please be

    nice to the new girl. Her name is Bailey, remember?¡± she tells me, with a warning stare. Like she

    thought I couldn¡¯t be trusted to wee someone into our pack nicely¡­ not like it was that difficult

    to do, was it? And, besides, if she decided to turn up in the middle of the night, then that was her

    look out, she would have to take us as she found us. Can¡¯t say I was bothered if she was here or

    not. It was more for Eden that she wasing¡­.

 41

    41

    Chapter 41 Bailey

    After what had felt like the longest drive in history, though perhaps that was something to do with

    the Each my Dad had done nothing but rant the whole time since the moment I had mentioned the

    whole Miles and Morgan situation, we had arrived safely at the gates of Autumn Valley Pack

    heading toward Zam I felt terrible arriving at that time, wishing we had found a hotel nearby to stay,

    rather than turning up at the pack now, but my Dad was adamant somebody would be up. Not to

    mention Luna Eden had said anytime would be fine..

    The guard at the gate had greeted us cheerfully considering the ungodly hour, and he had said he

    had bern expecting me, so at least Luna Eden hadn¡¯t forgotten about my arrival. He allowed me

    through the gite with no issues, giving me directions to the packhouse, telling me that someone

    would meet me there. So, I assumed Luna Eden would find me there. She did say she would be

    giving me a room in the packhouse for the first few weeks possibly, until a home was arranged, but I

    was fine with that Their packhouse was lovely, from what I recall Their whole pack was

    So wee to your new home. Bailey Dad said to me with a smile as he looked out of the windows

    at the park we passed despite it being pitch ck outside.

    ¡°Only while I work here.¡± I said with a shrug, knowing that because I was not finding a mate, or

    officially Having my home pack, the Lotus Shadow Pack would always remain my home. Here

    would remain my temporary home whilst I was working Though, with things as they were back at

    Lotus Shadow, and the current situation with Miles, I think visits back there would be few and far

    between. I could only imagine his response when he discovered I had nned my escape without

    his or his father¡¯s

    mission. But, I had no intention of returning. I would beg for refuge here if needed, if Miles came

    demanding my return.

    *Still, you are away from Lotus Shadow, and from Miles. He told me.

    ¡°Do you think you will be able to get him dealt with properly?¡± I can¡¯t help but question, as this doubt

    is so frequently popping up within my mind.

    ¡°I will do all I can to ensure it. Bailey. So will your brother, and Ellis.¡± He says with a somber smile,This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    as the parkhousees into view. Quite the sight, even in the dark. ¡°And I hope your Uncle will be

    backing that too when he hears everything we tell him.¡±

    I find myself sighing at his words. I wasn¡¯t too hopeful in all honesty at my Uncle¡¯s response. I didn¡¯t

    have the greatest faith in how he would react nor in how he would deal with it. He had allowed Miles

    to get away with far too much for far too long, and that worried me, that this would be no different.

    ¡°Oh wonderful! My Dad chuckled to himself as we pulled onto the parking area outside the

    parkhouse, making me look across at him, wondering if he was losing his mind. ¡°It looks like the

    cheerful one is here.¡±

    I looked at him with serious confusion. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Do you not remember from the party?¡± he said with a smirk, and it was just as I said that my eyes.

    settled upon the tall, dark-haired man leaning upon the walls of the packhouse. All dressed in ck.

    If

    wasn¡¯t for the delicate outdoor lighting and my car lights, I would have missed him. More like a

    warmpire than a werewolf this one¡­

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    were that it was him meeting us. I thought it would be Luna Falen. I am beginning to wish more than

    ever it was anyone but this grumpy b**d¡­

    I stopped the car, and as I did, the moody-vampire-n moved down the packhouse steps to meet me

    by my car. ¡°You arrived then?¡± he stated as I stepped from my car, his voice sounding far from

    weing. Nothing like stating the obvious was there

    ¡°Looks like it.¡± I said with a smile, trying hard to be polite,

    ¡°You not heard of the daytime hours?¡± he asked with a hint of sarcasm, though I am unsure if that

    was an attempt at humor or if he was p**ed off that he was having to meet me at this time of night

    My Dad stepped from the car now too. ¡°Sorry Beta Asher, that was my fault, Got held up before we

    left. Though your lovely Luna did say anytime. Seemed awfully keen to have our Bailey here to work

    as soon as possible.

    I saw the face of the Beta contort in what I can only assume was irritation at my Dad¡¯s words, while I

    was trying hard not to smirk.

    ¡°You brought your father with you too? Not able to travel alone? Or are you still scared of the dark?¡±

    he asked with a smirk of his own, making me want to p the smirk right off his face.

    ¡°Beta Asher, I would ask if you got out of the wrong side of your bed, but looking at your face I am

    not sure whether you have been to bed. So, what is with the attitude?¡± My Dad demands, making

    me wish the ground would swallow me up whole¡­

    Beta Asher turned to look at my Dad with a dark stare, evidently not appreciating the fact he had

    spoken to him that way, though my Dad truly would not care, and the big smile on his face made

    that

    clear.

    ¡°I do not have an attitude.¡± Beta Asher says grumpily. Just don¡¯t understand why you chose to arrive

    at an ungodly hour. And why she chose to bring her Dadily with her.¡±

    I feel Akira rippling beneath my skin now at the attitude of the man in front of us. ¡®Bite him. Cheeky

    f**¡¯ She snarls. Beta or no, he is an a**

    Akira leave it, he is our new boss. Along with the Alpha and Luna. I warned her.

    ¡°Still, it wouldn¡¯t hurt him to be nicer¡¯ She tells me.

    ¡°Well, if there was an issue, perhaps your Luna should havemunicated that a little clearer. 1 a

    mind reader, Beta.¡± I said to him, giving him a dark stare, and as I did, his big green eyes looked at

    me. I saw a glint of humor there, I am sure of it, as he raised his eyebrows at me.

    ¡°Hmm¡± He says, but his eyes are regarding me with curiosity. ¡°Let me take you to your room. Luna

    Edens allocated you a room in the packhouse, I am afraid, Miss West. Until a house has been

    prepared for you at least. That is what happens when you demand a position at such short notice.¡±

    He says bluntly, and once again 1 lil myself a little irritiged, but fight back the urge to be rude.

    ¡°Thank you¡±

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    Donovan¡± Beta Asher says to my Dad with an almost dirty look in his direction like him being here

    was such an inconvenience, Evidently, socializing and being weing were not this guy¡¯s strong

    points.

    ¡°If it is going to be a problem, I could find a motel.¡± My Dad said, giving Beta Asher the same dirty

    look back, Jerz, this was not awkward much¡­.

    ¡°And the two of you couldn¡¯t have just done that until a decent hour beforeing here?¡± Beta

    Asher asked, as he signaled to the nearby staircase.

    I rolled my eyes once more at hisck of people skills, ¡°You mean this isn¡¯t a motel?¡± my Dad said

    with a sarefistic sanile, and I held back the smirk that was threatening, because right about now

    Beta Asher looks like he wants to drop-kick my Dad down the stairs, and probably right out of his

    packhouse wasn¡¯t going too well so far¡­

    ¡°Do you know what day I am due to start at the school?¡± I asked the Beta, hoping a change in the

    subject may help the awkward and ufortable atmosphere and may improve the situation.

    Beta Asher looked across at me as we walked up the stairs. ¡°Did someone tell you I was in charge

    of you?¡± he asks coldly. ¡°Becausest time I checked I don¡¯t believe I was. Luna Eden employed

    you. So. I haven¡¯t got a clue.

    Wow. I didn¡¯t know what to say or where to look now. Did he realize how rude he came across when

    he spoke? Did he even care?

    Stick your foot out. Akira grumbled within my mind, getting tired now, as I was, ¡®He might fall down

    the stairs. Imagine the fun watching that big lump falling all the way down the stairs. She chuckled

    to herself, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile to myself at her words.

    ¡°Something you find amusing, Miss West?¡± Beta Asher asked me, looking over at me, with curiosity.

    ¡°Well it most certainly isn¡¯t you.¡± I said sarcastically, and again I saw that slight glint within his eyes,

    as ! heard my Dad chuckling behind me,

    That is it Bailey, you get the f****r told. My Dad mindlinked me, making me smile. Oh, I intended

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    embarrassing me. I definitely did not say that, I am sure of it¡­

    ¡°As close as He winked at his daughter, evidently teasing, making me want to punch the old man

    right on his b**dy nose. Trying to stir s**t. I simply said she looked tired and should try getting some

    sleep. Was that me being insulting? I thought it was me being considerate. Evidently, I misread that.

    Ah well. what is done, is done,

    ¡°Right, Beta Donovan, follow me, I will sort you a room. I assume it is just for the night?¡± I said,

    deciding to change the topic of conversation, and escape the pair of them as quickly as I could.

    ¡°Considering the service here. I would think so.¡± He says with a wry chuckle. ¡°Definitely not five

    stars, is it?¡± Clearly, this guy thought himself quite the joker. Unlucky for him. I didn¡¯t have much of a

    sense of humor left anymore, so I wasn¡¯t going to find him funny, no matter how many jokes he may

    try and c**k.

    ¡°Fine.¡± I said, moving along the corridor, grabbing some bedding from theundry cupboard as I

    went. The sooner I got him settled in his room, I could get myself to bed too. Then, tomorrow, Eden

    could deal with her new guests. I would have little to do with them, the way I preferred. I do not like

    new people. Well¡­ in truth, I did not like people in general anymore¡­

    ¡°literally came to make sure she got here safely. I have let her downtely in that regard. Don¡¯t

    judge her for that.¡± he says quietly as he walks behind me, as if he suddenly decided he needed to

    exin his presence. Making me wonder exactly what had been going on in their pack¡­ This

    sudden need to take the position ande here¡­ Arriving in the middle of the night¡­ and now the

    words of her father¡­ all made me question if there was more to this young she-wolf than we

    realized.

    I had asked Caleb and Eden to be careful when they had interviewed her, so we knew who exactly

    we were allowing into our pack, but this girl seemed to be holding secrets, and I did not like that.

    Not one little bit.

    ¡°Should I be concerned?¡± I asked him, without even turning back to look at him. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Of my daughter?¡± he questioned. ¡°No. She is no risk to you, nor your pack. It is me that needs to

    be concerned. I think.¡± He said as I turned to unlock the door of the room I was giving him for the

    might and his words only confused me further. Why would he be concerned?

    Was his daughter in some sort of trouble? Because as much as he may say we are not at risk from

    her. surely if she was in some sort of trouble, or if she was on the run, then could that not potentially

    bring trouble to our door? Because that was a risk we did not want to be taking¡­

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    The happy Beta left me in what was to be my new room to get settled and wandered off with my

    Dad at his heels giving him a hard time it sounded like. I am sure by the time he had allocated him a

    room he would be ready to throw my Dad from the stairway, because he truly seemed to be

    enjoying riling the Beta up. Though, his miserable face did seem to have forgotten what a smile

    actually was, so my Dad likely saw that as a challenge.

    I threw m

    my bags down in the corner of the room with the intention of sorting through them tomorrow, as my

    eyes were already beginning to droop. Thete drive had been far from ideal, but I was finally here

    now. My fresh start could begin. I just dreaded what the oue would be when Miles discovered. I

    was gone, but I nned to speak to Luna Eden tomorrow and exin my predicament, asking that

    they give me some form of protection at least. If not, at least I would have given them a heads-up of

    any potential trouble from Miles if he decided toe here to cause issues, which I could only hope

    he wouldn¡¯t..

    But, for now, it was time to sleep. Because, just as the cheerful ball of sunshine of a Beta had so

    kindly pointed out, I looked knackered, and I needed some decent sleep, and that was exactly what

    I nned to do, as soon as I had got myself washed and sorted.

    The following morning. I was awoken by a hammering at my bedroom door. I rubbed my eyes in

    to try

    to waken myself, wondering momentarily where the hell I was, then remembered the new pack, and

    instantly felt brighter. I will be seeing the Luna today and being shown around my new home. The

    knocking at the door was relentless, and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if it was my Dading to find

    me to say goodbye. I quickly slipped from thefortable refine of the bed, and plodded over to the

    door.

    Opening the door sleepily, I was shocked to see the Beta fromst night standing there, looking just

    as cheerful as he didst night. What the hell did he want? I simply looked at him through half dead

    eyes. truly lost for words. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Shut the door. Akira grumbled. ¡°He is bad enough when we are awake, let alone half asleep¡¯

    ¡°Oh, I am sorry, did I wake you?¡± Beta Asher said, I would like to say politely, but I am certain there

    was sarcasm in his tone. Akira¡¯s suggestion of shutting the door on him was bing more

    tempting by the minute. I have to admit.

    ¡°What gave you that idea?¡± I replied, not even trying to hide my sarcasm, and this time he actually

    did smile, though it was the tiniest smile, but I am certain his face might c**k if he smiled properly.

    ¡°What was that? Akira chuckled. Did he malfunction or is he having a stroke? I swear he almost

    smiled!¡±

    I really have to fight the smile forming on my lips because I do not want to be exining to him why

    I am smiling, as he looks at me with curiosity. I can¡¯t imagine I was the best of sights, in small ck

    jersey shorts, and a gray tank top that I wore to bed, and my long dark hair in disarray. I likely

    looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards. But, in all honesty, I didn¡¯t care what

    the cheery Beta thought of me, if he didn¡¯t want to see me in a mess, he shouldn¡¯t turn up at my

    door when he likely knew I would be in bed. Feb¡­..

    ¡°Well, perhaps you would like to sort yourself out and make yourself more presentable, and I will

    take you down for breakfast, Miss West?¡± he said curly

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    Make myself more presentable? Wow this guy keepsing with the insults. I know I look rough,

    but 1 had literally just woken up. Besides, why is he taking me for breakfast? I thought Luna Eden

    was spending the day with me? I could feel my face frowning in confusion without even intending to,

    and he raised his eyebrows at me as if in distaste. This man seemed to have a whole range of facial

    expressions disying p**d-off and angry emotions¡­ he would definitely regret that when he was

    older and left with some serious frown lines¡­

    ¡°Oh, that idea not up to your liking?¡± he says with a dirty look.

    ¡®No, but he is definitely not up to my liking. Akira mutters, as sheys curled up within my mind.

    trying to settle.

    ¡°I believe I am meant to be seeing Luna Eden today? I suggested, hoping that might remind him of

    the ns he told me ofst night.

    Heughs, and it is quite a dry, sarcasticugh, making me scowl at him. ¡°Oh, you think I decided to

    wake up and think a wonderful way to start my day would be to es

    the new girl to breakfast? Sorry

    to disappoint you, Miss West. It ain¡¯t my sort of thing I do have better things to do with my time, you

    know? Luna Eden is struggling with thetter stages of pregnancy and is quite unwell today. Alpha

    Caleb has had to take her to the pack hospital to be checked over, so I have been allocated to take

    over your induction. Is that an issue?¡±

    My heart drops at his words. He makes me out to be desperate to spend time with him, like he

    believed I had thought he had chosen toe and take me for breakfast. D**n, I can¡¯t imagine this

    jolly f**r would want to have breakfast with anyone¡­ Perhaps Satan, going off the look in his

    eyes¡­ I imagine they would get on well! But his words make me feel like I have thought the wrong

    thing about expecting Luna Eden here, when that was what he told me was happening, onlyst

    night! And then he made me feel like an inconvenience too! Like I actually wanted this¡­ Eurgh, he

    was going to be infuriating!

    ¡°Never toote to close the door on him¡¯ Akira muttered sleepily, telling me she had chosen to give

    up listening to him now. Wish I could take the same option¡­..

    ¡°No, not an issue, just different to what you had told me was happeningst night.¡± I said with a

    forced smile, trying so hard to be polite.

    SOTT

    ¡°Oh, I thought as a teacher you would be able to cope with the unexpected. Are you going to

    yourself out then? That way I can show you to the dining hall before they stop serving breakfast. I

    could do with a coffee.¡± He says sharply.

    ¡°Too f**g right he could! Akira chuckled. ¡®By the bucket load.¡±

    I ignored my wolf¡¯s snarkyments, though, in all fairness, she wasn¡¯t wrong, he seemed to have

    missed a fair few coffees, considering his mood. But, how he expected me to get sorted with him.

    standing there, I do not know, I gave him a short nce. ¡°Well, I won¡¯t be getting ready with you.

    standing there, will ?¡±

    ¡°You are able to close the door, you know? It is quite a clever invention, once you open it, you are

    able to close it again.¡± He says, and again I am sure that little t**kle of amusement resides within

    those green eyes of his at his words. ¡°But, 1 shall wait over there.¡± He signals to the edge of the

    staircase, so I nod, closing the door. Already dreading spending the day with the strange man. I now

    have the

 44

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    Chapter 44 Jordan

    My stay with my mate had been shorter than I had intended, and my mind had not been as on her

    as much I would have liked. As terrible as it may sound, my mind has been on my sister for a great

    portion of the time. The conversation we had had before I left had been reying within my mind.

    The things I had learned tortured me. How can we not have known the pain she was in? All of us

    had failed Bailey as a family, yet she never onceined¡­.

    Not only that, I had put my friend first far too many times. Like so many others in the pack did, as

    the uing Alpha, it was an easy mistake to make. He knew the control he had. I should have

    known better, but I had looked up to my best friend. Saw him as quite thed. The womanizer.

    Never realizing that in the things he was doing he was hurting my sister. They seemed such an

    unlikely pairing.

    Tales of matebonds always seem to suggest that matebonds of fated mates are with couples that

    are well-matched. Perfect couples. But, with Miles and Bailey, they were far from that. Miles had

    found. Bailey an irritation since she began high school. Looking back, it was likely because she was

    more intelligent than him¡­ not that that was difficult. But, she made him feel s**d, I guess. And,

    even when he tried to belittle her, she seemed to have a way with words that made him look like the

    fool. So, he turned to vile words. Bullying words to attempt to break her..

    And, looking back. I know now that it was nasty, I was a terrible brother. But, Miles was my best

    friend. He and I were due to be the next Alpha and Beta. We were meant to be close. Like brothers.

    So s**dly, I allowed my loyalty to lie with him. And it had done until I learned of this. And that only

    got worse when I spoke to my Dad. The shock at the things I had learned was overbearing. How

    could I not have known that this was the Miles I had grown up alongside? Hearing that Miles would

    hurt one of our own pack altered the way I looked at him.

    Hurting that warrior because of the things he knew and the fact he was close to Bailey was not right

    no matter how he may want to twist it, and it made me concerned about the state of mind Miles was

    in. But, deep down, I know that it is the power of his role as the uing Alpha that has gone to his

    head. I have heard him speak of the things he nned to do as Alpha many times, and he sawThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    himself in that role as a** l *most g**d-like figure. He saw himself as untouchable as the next Alpha.

    Too powerful. And that made him dangerous¡­.

    When Dad told me that Bailey had found a job and had finally got away, I was relieved, she needed

    to, but I knew that the difficult thing was what was toe after that. Dealing with Miles, and

    ensuring he stayed away from her. Because, I am not so sure that our current Alpha, and my Uncle,

    would believe his son was capable of all the things we were saying he was. And, if he didn¡¯t take

    our word for it, then we were going to have a fight upon our hands. But, it was a fight we were

    willing to battle out. This needed dealing with¡­.

    ¡°Hey handsome.¡± Gia wrapped her arms around my waist, the scent of her filling my s

    senses and instantly soothing me and my wolf. Being with my mate was truly wonderful, and I

    cannot believe I had ever coped without her. She has filled a void within my life; so much so, that I

    cannot contemte being without her now. So, that in itself has made me find it hard to understand

    how Miles could ever have considered rejecting the mate fate had chosen for him. The draw to her

    was so powerful. The need for her overpowering..

    I turned to look at the beautiful girl I was able to call mine, and smiled. ¡°Hey you. We all sorted to ge

    I asked, knowing my Dad would be expecting us soon. I had told him we would collect him from my

    sister¡¯s new pack, which had allowed him to travel there with her to ensure she had arrived safely.

    Yes it meant my stay with Gia in her pack was shortened, but in truth. with everything that was

    happening

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    within my pack. I was needed there now. I needed to step up for both my family and my pack now.

    And, thankfully, Gia had understood.

    ¡°Everything is sorted. I have said my goodbyes.¡± She kissed my shoulder softly. ¡°Are you ready for

    the troubles ahead?¡± she asked, sensing my worries,

    ¡°I am not sure, baby. This is not going to be easy. Miles is not going to take this lying down.¡± I

    exined to her, but she knows all of this. I had not held back in confiding everything to her. She is

    my mate, and I have held nothing back from her, and she has been a wonderful listener, and a

    wonderful support. I wanted her to understand the situation she would be arriving into when we

    arrived, so she was not shocked by it, especially if I was suddenly not to be Beta, as I knew

    there stood a big possibility of that if Miles was to have his title taken away from him.

    ¡°We will take things as theye.¡± She reached for my hand, and squeezed it reassuringly, resting

    her head upon my shoulder. ¡°Now, had we best not get on the road? I think your Dad will be waiting

    for us, will he not?¡±

    ¡°Yes, he likely will. Though it will give him another opportunity to chat to his friend, the former Alpha,

    there so I doubt he will have anyints, or he will be spending some time with Bailey.¡± I told

    her as we left the room we had been staying in, and moved toward the stairs. Our things already

    having been ced in the car. This was going to be a long day. One I am not entirely sure that I was

    ready for. But, I knew theseing weeks were going to be a challenge. A challenge I needed to

    face, and hopefully, I could prove myself as both a leader for my family and as an uing Beta,

    so that even if Miles does have his title taken away. I may still be considered for mine¡­

 45

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    I stood waiting for the new girl for quite some time. As time was passing my irritation was beginning

    to build. I mean, how long does it take to get ready? I paced thending. I stood waiting I got

    bored¡­. all until she emerged from her room looking somewhat more alive than she had when the

    opened her door to me earlier. She looked a whole lot different in fact

    Her long dark hair was now neatly twisted back into a long braid down her back, with a few loose

    strands curled by the sides of her face. A face that I was almost certain had make-up on now too.

    Her big brown eyes were framed by longshes, and those big brown eyes were ring at me

    something chronic right now. Hmm, I think I may have not made the best of impressions on this one.

    ¡°All sorted?¡± I said with a smile as she approached me.

    ¡°Well do I look like I am still in my Pjs she smirks back, and straight away I am ready to turn around

    and walk back to my office. I was not ready to deal with someone who was going to be dever with

    me. I had tried to be friendly, and I think it was safe to say, it just wasn¡¯t for me!

    ¡°Oh please do stay and let her be clever with you!¡± Zion chuckled, and I could sense his amusement

    her sarcasm. She is funny!

    ¡°Well, because you took so long. I am not sure that there will be all that much left for breakfast, but

    let me show you where the dining hall is. There is always the option of using it, though a lot of

    families tend to use their own homes. I exined as we walked down the stairs. She followed

    without much of a response. Today she was dressed in ck jeans and a simple white tank top.

    Red converse upon her feet. Evidently, she was going for the casual look. Though. I guess she

    wasn¡¯t starting her teaching job as of yet, so there was no need for a more professional look.

    We walked into the dining hall, a ce I generally avoided at all costs, because it was always far

    too loud and far too busy. Too many people and too much h**le. But, I had been put in charge of this

    girl¡¯s induction, so I was going to do it to the best of my ability, because if I didn¡¯t, then Eden would

    never shut up about it, and quite honestly, that woman couldin until you felt like your ears

    would bleed if you didn¡¯t do things the way she thought they should be done, and I did not need to

    be dealing with that! Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    The dining hall was oddly still quite busy, and many curious faces turned to look in our direction as

    we walked in, and I had a few pack members waving in my direction as they saw me walk in. I

    nodded. politely, quickly looking down, because I knew the moment they made eye contact I would

    be dragged into conversation and that was thest thing I wanted. Some of this lot could talk

    forever.

    ¡°Well, Miss West, this is the dining hall, as you can probably tell.¡± I tried to be amusing, but she

    looked at me like I was s**d, so evidently my humor failed.. again. So, I simply continued. ¡°The food

    is set up along here¡± I pointed to the serving area, before pointing to the area where the drinks are.

    ¡°And drinks there. You simply line up, wait to be served, or help yourself if no omegas are there to

    help.

    ¡°Okay. Thanks.¡± She nods at me with a polite smile.

    So, if you would like to grab yourself some breakfast, go right ahead, because I n to go and grab

    a coffee¡± I exined, moving toward the wall where the coffee machines are located, desperately in

    need of another coffee, despite the fact I had already had multiple since I had got up this morning.

    Coffee was the one thing I needed to help me function, especially with so little sleep. As I fiddled

    with the machine, setting it up to make my coffee, and turned to grab a mug. I realized the girl was

    still behind

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    me. Did she think I expected her to stay with me? I really hoped she didn¡¯t¡­ I wanted my coffee in

    peace.

    ¡°You can help yourself to breakfast, you don¡¯t have to stay with me, you know¡± I said to her, maybe

    being a little blunt. But, I like my space. Is there a crime in that? It is bad enough I have to be here

    with all these people..

    She raised her brow at me almost critically. ¡°Yes, I heard you. And, I am not really one for eating

    breakfast. I would like a coffee. Or would you rather me wait until you have finished making yours

    before Ie over?¡±

    I can hear Zion chuckling in my mind. He seems to like this girl and herck of filter with me.

    Though I suppose all she is doing is giving it as good as she gets back, because I haven¡¯t exactly

    been the best. with her. I chose to ignore him because now he, too, is p*g m**e off, but he is the one

    person I cannot escape from, since we are almost the same f*g p**erson. D**n wolf!

    How did she manage to make me feel bad?!

    ¡°No, it is fine. Do you need me to show you how to use the machine?¡± I asked, trying to be kinder.

    ¡°Tam sure I can work out how to use a coffee machine thanks Beta Asher.¡± She says sharply as I

    pick up my coffee, throwing my kindness back in my face

    ¡°Bailey¡±¡± a voice calls from across the dining hall, and I look up just as she does to see her Dad

    arriving with the former Alpha. F**ki**g marvelous. Dealing with himst night was bad enough, let

    alone with my bl**dy Uncle thrown in for good measure¡­

    ¡°Dad! I wondered where you are. I thought you might havee to meet me this morning. She

    greeted him with a bearning smile. So bright her whole face lit up. Those big brown eyes almost

    t**d¡­ It was a smile so big¡­ clearly she was pleased to see her Dad¡­ a smile I most certainly was

    not honored with when she saw me.

    ¡°I am d I found you, your brother will be here any time to take me home. So, I wanted to say

    goodbye.¡± He told her and I see her face fall. And, a small part of me feels bad for her. She looks

    quite scared even at the prospect of her father leaving her, but then, at the same time, a part of me

    is trying hard not to be harsh and thinks, this is what she had chosen to do, was it not? It was time

    for this little. girl to grow up and be a big girl. Join the grown-ups if she ns to stay in our pack¡­

 46

    46

    Chapter 46 Asher

    I sat and waited in my office for the new girl, while she waved her father off could not be behered

    dealing with tears, nor with her irritating father, in all honesty. My fine le had mentioned that the

    uing Beta from their pack wasing to collect is father, so there was no way in hell I nned

    to hang around in case the young guy was anything like his Dad Spending time with his Dad had

    been taxing enough, I did not need to be forced to spend time with two of them, the older version

    and the younger version F**k that

    So, I had told the new girl how to find my office, and toe and find me when the was done. Give

    her some privacy to say her goodbyes, and then I would continue this induction before leaving her

    to her own devices. The sooner, the better, in my opinion, for I had things to do, and having to art as

    friendly host was hurting my

    ¡°Friendly host!¡± Zion chuckled, like he found my thoughts highly amusing Tod 1 blink and miss that

    bit

    Pi** off I warned him. ¡®Or I will block you out too!

    Like you do half of the pack?¡¯ he pushed: Why the hell I got a wolf with an attitude I don¡¯t know

    Though Caleb says he kind of reminds him of me when I was younger, but I don¡¯t know what he is

    talking about. I was nothing like that¡­.

    I lifted my coffee mug off the table and focused my eyes on the papers in front of me just as my

    office door opened. I looked up with a scowl. So, the new girl thought she was able to just wander

    into my office because I said she coulde and find me here? She never heard of knocking Think

    she¡¯s got some learning to do! Just as I was about to get her told, my Uncle strides into the office,

    that annoying smile upon his face.

    ¡°Ah Asher, there you are!¡± he says, sounding far too cheerful for a morning. Though where the hell

    else he expected me to be, I have no clue. Not like I¡¯d be on the beach with a c**ktail, is it?

    The new girl steps in behind him, looking more than a little awkward, and rightly so, justing in

    here like this. ¡°Not sure where else you would expect me to be Uncle¡± I said with a roll of my eyes.

    ¡°Well, not leaving the young girl to find her way back night have been the gentlemanly thing to do. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    you

    know? But then I don¡¯t suppose you are a gentleman, are you? Or you have forgotten how to be. I

    had to help poor Bailey find her way here.¡± He tells me almost angrily, like I was the worst host ever

    Talking down to me like I was a naughty little schoolboy. Had he not worked it out? I didn¡¯t want to

    be doing this

    ¡°Well, I gave her directions.¡± I said with a shrug,pletely disregarding my Uncle¡¯s telling off. I had

    simply been expecting her and her wolf to have been able to find their way here between them.

    Evidently not. And that was not my fault.

    My Uncle shook his head at me and gave me a disgusted look. ¡°I swear your mother had to have

    dropped you on your head, boy. She has just moved here, so she doesn¡¯t know the pack. You are

    meant to be showing her around. Plus, he was upset because she had just said goodbye to her

    father and brother. Use that little pra inside of your head that you call a brain for something other

    than thinking up ways of being an a**¡±

    Bnce 134.0

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    Chapter 16 Asher

    Finished

    Alpha after all. have been taught to respect him, but goddess help me, does he irritate the c*p out of

    me sometimes! I don¡¯t see how I did anything wrong. She said she would be time, so I took her at

    her word. If she suddenly realized she wasn¡¯t, that was not my fault! I may be a bubbling pot of fury

    right now, but. Zion, however, could not be more chilled, he was once again chuckling, this time at

    my Uncle giving me a hard time. Seriously, I need a new wolf, one that actually shows some loyalty

    to me, not thatughs at everyone giving me s**t.

    ¡°Lapologize, when Miss West said she would be okay, I assumed she would be.¡± I said with a dark

    nce in her direction, but she was now avoiding my gaze, but even from that momentary look I

    could see there were tears upon her face. Heaven knows why, it wasn¡¯t like she was leaving them

    forever, they were a phone call away. She wasn¡¯t going to war, though I think I would rather go to

    war than work with kids

    ¡°Well, try and find the gentleman within you, Asher, if he is still even there, and be nice. Bailey has

    had a diflicult day. She is a little upset because it is never easy having to say goodbye. So, go

    complete the induction, show her around our beautiful pack, all of it, and maybe even take her to

    dinner. Wee her to our pack properly. We are lucky to have her here, so make sure she knows

    we appreciate her being here. My Uncle says with a smile upon his face, like he believed he had

    juste up with the most wonderful of ideas.

    Wait¡­ what? Take her to f**g dinner? This was sounding more like a date than an induction now. I

    don¡¯t think so. I signed up to a brief induction to pack, not a full-on, top of the range tour of the pack

    with me as tour guide and dimer included. And as for being lucky to have her here, how did they

    know until she actually started teaching? She could well be a terrible teacher for all they knew.

    If my Uncle wanted her to be treated like that, why the hell was he not doing it himself? But, in true

    Uncle form, he walked out of my office, that irritating smile upon his face, humming that song he

    likes to himself, leaving me and the new girl alone. I looked across to her awkwardly. I hope she is

    not expecting all the things my Uncle just mentioned, because she would be sorely disappointed¡­

    S

 47

    47

    Chapter 47 Bailey

    Oh goddess, the happy one¡¯s face at the things his Uncle and former Alpha had suggested looked

    like he had suggested be allowed me to go and s**t on his bed or something. Beta Asher was not

    exactly doing much to hide his displeasure at the suggestion. Though Lam quickly learning this man

    does not have many friendly facial expressions anyway, but the one currently upon his face looked

    like he wanted to go and attack his Uncle. Who, incidentally, had wandered out of the room happily

    humming to himself like he was extremely pleased with himself. Something told me he enjoyed

    irritating the

    Beta

    Not that it did me any favors, as it now left me alone with the big bundle of happiness, unsure what

    to do or what to say, and now the room was in a very awkward silence. In all honesty, I didn¡¯t

    particrly want to be spending that much time with the Beta, so the things the former Alpha had

    suggested sounded h**nd**s, but I remained with a neutral expression upon my face to be polite.

    Evidently not a skill Mr Cheerful here had discovered.

    ¡°Erm¡­¡± Beta Asher began, avoiding my gaze, looking anywhere he could within the room other

    than at me. How was this a fully grown man? He had no people skills¡­..

    ¡°It is fine.¡± I said sharply, instantly irritated by his actions. ¡°I do not expect any of that.¡± I told him.

    knowing the thought evidently disgusted him. And, as I said, it didn¡¯t particrly fill me with pleasure

    either¡­.

    I heard a big sigh of relief from the Beta while Akira was chuckling in my mind. Did he think we

    would want to spend time with him?¡¯ she says. ¡°I don¡¯t think my brain could take it. Imagine all the

    happiness!¡± she adds sarcastically. And she sure has a point. Once I have my induction, I think he

    will be one I avoid within the pack.

    ¡°Erm¡­¡± Beta Asher began again, sounding both ufortable and awkward, but he seemed

    determined to exin himself. ¡°Erm, it is just that I have work to do as well as this induction.¡± He

    says with what I could only describe as an ufortable expression upon his face.

    ¡°Is he constipated or is he trying to smile? Akira asked, and I had to bite my lip to stop myselfThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    smiling at her words. ¡°Either way, I don¡¯t believe a word of it

    He is the Beta, so he probably does have work to do. I told her.

    ¡°If he is as good as he so clearly believes he is, and acts like he is, then a break to give you your

    induction wouldn¡¯t affect his work. Akira says with a chuckle. She seemed to find the behavior of this

    new Beta quite amusing, to say the least. I, however, find him quite irritating.

    ¡°I can wait for the induction until Luna Eden is better if that would be easier for you? Less of an

    inconvenience to you.¡± I told him, standing awkwardly by the door.

    He stood up quickly from his desk, making me step back a little. ¡°Did I say this was an

    inconvenience?¡± he snapped. Okay, I seemed to have angered the beast.

    Akira growled within my mind his temper. She wasn¡¯t finding him quite so amusing now. My heart

    was pounding, and I felt a little intimidated by this grumpy f**r in front of me. I took a deep breath. ¡°It

    isn¡¯t always what you say, Beta Asher, sometimes actions speak louder than words.¡± I told him, my

    voice a little wobbly. And his actions since I had arrived had more than told me he would rather not

    be

    I saw him taking me in as I stood anxiously by the door, and I am certain I saw his face drop at my

    words ¡°Well, if that is the case, I apologize. Shall we go and begin this induction, Miss West?

    Because I wasn¡¯t actually lying when I said I had work to do after this. I have an increased workload

    while Luna Eden is unwell.

    I felt bad now, he seemed genuinely sorry, and I obviously did not know he was taking on additional

    work so his friend and the pack Alpha could be there for his pregnant mate. Don¡¯t feel sorry for him.

    He will make you feel guilty, then be an a** again. Either that or he¡¯ll just eat you because you got

    on his nerves or looked at him the wrong way! Akira says with a weird little chuckle, like she found

    herself funny. Well she would have to find herself funny, because right now I wasn¡¯t.

    ¡°You can call me Bailey, you know?¡± I told him. having wondered why he kept calling me Miss West

    ever since my arrival. It was beginning to drive me crazy. It sounded far too formal, and I would

    rather make the situation feel less formal and more friendly.

    ¡°I will try to remember. He says curtly. I don¡¯t think this guy knows how to do friendly. ¡°Did Eden,

    sorry. Luna Eden show you the school when you came for your interview?¡± he asked, like he was

    trying to change the subject quickly.

    ¡°Briefly.¡± I answered.

    -We could go and look at the school properly if you wish. I imagine you would like to see where you

    will be working. I know I would. It is a lovely little school for the younger children.¡± Beta Asher

    exined, and I am actually surprised he had thought of it in that way, but I had been desperate to

    get to the school and have a proper look around, see where my new workce would be, so he had

    definitely not been wrong in his words.

    I smiled and nodded in response. ¡°Is Luna Eden okay, do you know?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Just the baby causing issues, she struggles in theter stages. She did with their first too, though

    not quite this much. The doctor said perhaps because of her smaller build. It will all be worth it when

    their little one is here. But. I don¡¯t think that helps her when she is finding the pregnancy difficult and

    suffering. She says she won¡¯t have anymore, but she said that after Matty, so I do not bank on that.¡±

    he says as we walk through the packhouse, his voice is quite calming when you listen to him

    talking. Animated and interesting, but when I find myself ncing across at him. there looks to be

    little or no emotion upon his face nor within his eyes. Like he is dead inside.

 48

    48

    Chapter 48 Jordan

    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    Saying our goodbyes to Bailey had been difficult, but leaving her there at Autumn Valley Pack had

    felt right. I knew she would be better there than she ever would be in our pack, and she seemed so

    positive. about this new teaching role. This is what she had worked so hard for, for so long. She

    deserved it, and I hoped she would thrive now she had the job of her dreams. We just needed to do

    our part now and deal with the s**t back in our pack. Ensure Miles got everything he deserved.

    The drive back across to pack had been long, and we were all ready to get some food, but had

    been determined not to stop and make the drive home as quickly as we could. There was far 100

    much to deal with when we got home, and the thoughts of any dys in getting there were not

    ideal, so we had agreed it would be a direct journey. My Dad seemed full of positivity about the

    things we had to do, so I could only hope his ns were possible. He immediately took to Gia,

    which made me happy. That is all I wanted, my family to ept my mate, and they had. I just hoped

    she would like our pack and settle in there when we finally had things sorted there.

    We were about half an hour from pack now and Gia was snoozing lightly in the back of the car. ¡°You

    are happy now son?¡± My Dad asked me, as he nced across the car toward me as I drove.

    ¡°With my mate, yes. Everything else I want to sort out, Dad. There is so much unsettled.¡± I told him,

    having waited until Gia actually settled to be able to talk to him, and I think my Dad had waited for

    the same. ¡°It unnerves me. The things that have been going on and we had no clue. The things he

    has been capable of, and we didn¡¯t know,¡±

    ¡°I understand, and I am the same. We can only do so much though. We need your Uncle to listen. If

    your Uncle does not listen, we have the power of the werewolf council if needed. Your Uncle will not

    want that. He will not want the risk of them in pack, no pack does.¡± My Dad tells me, but I still fear

    what the reaction of Miles is going to be when he learns of all of this happening behind his back.

    This is not just one thing, this is many things, by a number of people he considers close to him.

    Many betrayals by many people. He would be seriously angered. He and his wolf could go on a

    rampage if not handled properly.

    Not only that, he was yet to learn that Bailey had been brave enough to go against all the orders he

    had thrown at her, and leave the pack without the permission of him or his Dad. However, she did

    have the permission of our Dad, who was the pack Beta, and when Uncle hears the things that

    Miles has done he will have to see why it was important for Bailey to leave. She was never going to

    be safe here. It never made sense to me that he rejected her, yet kept her here. A small part of me

    wonders if he still wanted her. Or if he simply gained some sick pleasure from it all.

    may

    ¡°What if he goes looking for Bailey, Dad?¡± I asked him, because I know there is a strong chance that

    he

    do. He seemed to see her as his possession, so there was a strong chance he might go to Autumn

    Valley demanding her return, but I hoped Bailey would speak to the Alpha and allow them to protect

    her. But, knowing her, she was too shy, and would not want to cause any problems for the pack and

    would not say anything. Likely terrified, they would judge her for the situation that wasn¡¯t even her

    fault.

    ¡°I briefly exined the situation to the former Alpha. He is aware. He said it would not be discussed,

    but if she needs help she will had it. She will be

    fe there. My Dad told me, taking me by surprise. He had gone behind Bailey¡¯s back to discuss this

    with his old friend, but I have to say, I am d he did, if that meant my sister was safe. We had

    done a terrible job so far in keeping her safe.

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    Wed, Jul

    Chapter 48 Jordan

    G

    Finished

    ¡°I believe so, but we have another issue, which I was a little unsure of mentioning. Bailey overheard

    your sister on the phone with Miles. It would appear your friend is involved with Morgan in someway

    My Dad¡¯s words bounced around within my mind, trying to make sense. No. That cannot be right.

    Why y would he be involved with my youngest sister? She had a mate out there. I knew she had

    always had a bit of a crush on Miles, but so had the majority of the younger she-wolves in the pack,

    so 1 thought nothing of it. I don¡¯t think it is umon for she-wolves in the pack to have a bit of a

    crush on their Alpha, especially one as handsome as Miles. Though, I suppose, any given an

    opportunity would take it¡­ but what didn¡¯t make sense to me, was, after being fated to Bailey, why

    would Miles choose to pick Morgan to date? Were they even dating? No.. just no!

    ¡°Are you sure?!¡± I snapped, my hands tightened around the steering wheel in anger. He was

    dangerous. He was not right for her.

    ¡°From what Bailey overheard. I think we need to speak to Morgan.¡± He says with a sad smile. ¡°She

    will think it is wonderful, as would any of the she-wolves in the pack¡±

    ¡°Could this be in a bid to get at Bailey?¡± I asked. I hate that it sounds almost critical towards

    Morgan, but it was the first thought that came to my mind. That Miles would use my youngest sister

    to get at Bailey. Or to gain information on her to hurt her¡­.

    ¡°Hmm, that could be true, but you know Morgan will not be willing to hear that, and Morgan does not

    know of their situation. My Dad tells me, as we pulled up at the pack gates, the guard waving at us

    as we did, to allow us through into the pack.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell her yet?¡± I asked, unsure how this would go down. ¡°What about Mum?¡±

    ¡°Not properly¡± Dad says, running his hand through his dark hair, now dappled with the asional

    gray, I think having us as his kids was definitely taking its toll. ¡°I wanted to get Bailey away, and then

    come back and deal with the rest.

    I can see his logic, but my Mum would not be happy being kept in the dark. Today or the next few

    days was not going to be easy. But, this was what was needed to move forward, and put our pack

    on the right path again, because with Miles as the nned next Alpha with the person he had

    changed into, we were on a path into the fiery pits of hell, of that I was certain.

    I turned onto our road, driving closer to our house, and as I did, I saw a familiar figure sitting on our

    porch steps. I looked across to my Dad, instantly knowing this was not going to go as we had

    nned at

 49

    49

    Chapter 49 Miles

    Finished

    I had managed to evade my father for most of the day. Hunting down the warrior who p**d m**e off

    has not gone my way, so I have a few people asking around for him. The hospital staff said he was

    discharged, which implies to me, he recovered awfully quickly, so evidently I didn¡¯t do enough

    damage after all. So, I think I may need to find him again.

    Someone to take my anger out on, because quite frankly that is what is rippling through my body

    the majority of the time right now. Seeing Ellis in this sickly loved-up state with his new mate is

    beyond. sickening. Yes, his new mate is hot. A former cheerleader. **g wh**pee doo for Ellis. Once

    again, I don¡¯t get how that worked, he got this curvy, vivacious littledy, who cannot do enough for

    him, giggling sweetly at everything he says, and I got f** Bailey West with her out of control mane of

    curls and her over the top brain power and intelligence.

    Ellis had been different in recent days since he caught me attacking the warrior. If anything, I would

    say he was avoiding me, and that irritated me. But, then he had this new mate too, and no doubt

    they had things to be seeing to as well. That meant spending time with friends and family would

    most certainly be taking a back seat, much like Jordan who had done a runner to the pack of his

    mate to get to know her better before bringing her back here to settle in. Both whipped by their little

    ladies, it would seem. Pathetic f**rs I would much rather have the freedom of a single life where I

    get to have

    77k of any she-wolf I want, and then I can toss them to the side when I am bored with them.

    Morgan, however, was proving to be quite fun. She seemed so desperate to please me, so I had

    kept her around for longer than usual, though she had yet to give anything up to me properly yet.

    But, the real reason I was using her was to gain information on the b**h of a sister of hers. Inside

    information, of course, because Jordan was f**g clueless as to what was going on within his sister¡¯s

    life or her mind. So, I decided to try getting to know Morgan, and it soon proved that she was more

    than willing to give up more than her time for me.

    Morgan was definitely the prettier of the two West sisters, and going from what I have experienced

    the easiest too. Not that I had ever tried anything with Bailey, nor would I want to. The thought

    repulses me. But, I knew that me spending time with her sister would get under her skin. And,

    thankfully, Morgan had not questioned a thing. She was just simply desperate to please her Alpha.

    It was upon one of our video calls, after I had convinced Morgan to do a little strip tease for me, that

    we were sitting chatting, and she briefly mentioned that she hadn¡¯t seen her sister since yesterday,

    which raised my suspicion. My anger began increasing as I felt my wolf Jet pushing forward,

    desperate to go. and look for her. That b**h was meant to stay within our pds. I needed her

    here to maintain my strength. She may not be my mate after I rejected her, but a fated mate gave

    their fated one ther strength, right? I needed her!

    ¡°Where is she then?¡± I demanded.

    ¡°Not sure.¡± Morgan said nonchntly, like it was unimportant.

    ¡°Well, do you not think you should f**g check?!¡± I snapped, and her eyes shot to me on the screen,

    confused.

    ¡°Why are you so bothered? It is only Bailey.¡± she argued. And I suddenly realized that she would be

    wondering about my overreaction. But I did not care. How can she not have seen her own sister

    since yesterday? They lived in the same house for f**k¡¯s sake!

    Fished

    ¡°Ask your Dad, he has to know where she is right? He keeps tabs on you all, right? Or mindlink her.¡±

    |

    told her.

    ¡°Not seen my Dad, for that matter. But, I will try mindlinking if it means so much to you¡± she almost

    snarled at me through the video call, and I realized at this point the fact we had be closer had

    meant Morgan had be a little too confident. Too c**k **y, and I did not like it. She would not be

    talking to me like that again.

    But, something she said bothered me more right now. So she had not seen her Dad either? Both

    her Dad and Bailey had not been seen since yesterday? Jet snarled at that thought. Our very own

    Beta had betrayed our orders and helped his daughter to leave the pack. I believe. Yet, for someT¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    reason, I do not feel surprised. Well, if I found that to be the case, then he would live to regret it. I

    would make sure of

    ¡°Erm, there is no connection to the mindlink, so I don¡¯t think they are in pack¡± Morgan says with an

    awkward smile. ¡°Can¡¯t we just carry on what we were doing? We were having fun, Miles She said.

    fluttering hershes at me, seductively.

    Previously, that sight would turn me on, but right now it simply irmated me. I needed to deal with the

    f**kwit of a dad of hers who thought it¡¯s eptable to betray us, and the st*d b***h of a sister. And

    deal with them, I would. I would make sure of it.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think they are in pack. Which means I want answers, Morgan.¡± I told her, and the little

    w**e rolled her eyes at me, further irritating me.

    ¡°Look Miles, you wanted my attention, you had it, now you are here having a hissy fit over my sister,

    want to tell me what that is all about?¡± Morgan said, sounding more like the teenage girl Bailey had

    been when I rejected her.

    I smirked. ¡°Oh, did you forget your ce there, did you, Morgan? Because if I am not mistaken. I

    never agreed to anything with you. And I am still the uing Alpha. So f*g r**emember your ce

    and do not talk to me like that! Your sister is a pack member who was told she should not leave the

    pack. and yet here we are. It appears she has left the pack with the help of your father, so yes, as

    the uing Alpha, I would say I have every right to be p**d. If you don¡¯t like it, you know where

    the f**k off button is.¡± and with that I hung up. I would not have anything else to do with her. She

    was not worth my time nor my energy. I would not be spoken to like that by anybody.

    Jet was once more rippling beneath my skin. I was tempted to go for a run, let my wolf out, but I

    knew with the mood he was in, he would likely rip the ce apart, so I pushed him back. I had

    something else I wanted to do. I walked out of my house, and went to sit on their front porch. I knew

    Jordan was on his way home because he had texted to let me know.

    So I would wait and speak to him, demand answers from him, because without a doubt he had to

    have spoken to his Dad. If i found my friend knew about this and had betrayed my trust too, then he

    would be made to pay too. I would wait for as long as it took until they got home. The longer I

    waited would mean the more time my anger had to simmer. But I was good with that. More anger,

    meant more punishments for them. I would wait for as long as it took to deal with them. All of them,

    the way I see fit. I would not tolerate being unglermined by some old f**t who thinks he has the right

    to go against the decisions made by me. I would make him pay.

    As for Bailey, I would bring her back to the pack where she belonged, kicking and screaming if

    needs.

    Bnce:

    would not be going anywhere.

 50

    50

    Chapter 50 Bailey

    Well, I had my detailed tour of the new school I would be working at, and who knew a four could be

    quite so detailed¡­ it seems Beta Asher is a s**k**r for the finer details. maybe a little OCD lingering

    under that mean and moody exterior¡­ but, still, I now knew every inch of the school, in great detail,

    and I loved it! Now the two of us were walking through the pds, while the happy one did his

    best at showing me around.

    Bless him, it was so obvious to me that he was notfortable in thepany of others, or maybe

    it was just in thepany of me¡­ but he looked so uneasy I felt bad for him.

    Do you want me to go back to my room?¡± I asked, looking up at him with a polite smile.

    ¡°What? Why would I want to go to your room?¡± he almost choked on hs words, and I had to try to

    stop myselfughing at him. Is that what he actually thought I was suggesting?

    What in all holy hell does he think we are proposing? Akira almost squealed within my mind.

    sounding truly horrified, and to be honest I found it more amusing that he had misheard me Though,

    I was a little insulted at how disgusted he looked. I wasn¡¯t that bad¡­

    ¡°Woah there sailor, I think you need to get your hearing tested! I most definitely was not inviting you

    back to my room. Oh, hell no!¡± I grinned at him, and saw his checks flushing with color at my words.

    ¡°I simply said would you rather me go back to my room. As in alone. You know, meaning without

    you.

    He ran his hand through his hair ufortably, and sighed. ¡°Okay, don¡¯t make it worse than it was.

    Haha. Worse for him, he means, I quite like him looking ufortable. Make it worse. Say more!

    Make it worse!¡¯ Akira urges, and once again I am trying hard not to smile.

    I bit my lip to prevent myself from saying anything, and looked ahead as we continued walking. I

    feel Beta Asher¡¯s eyes upon me, and I try so hard not to look at him, because I know the moment I

    do I willugh, and with Akira¡¯s input I don¡¯t think I would be able to stop¡­

    ¡°You¡¯re trying not tough, aren¡¯t you?¡± he said, with a little huff to his tone.

    ¡°No¡­. what gave you that idea?¡± I struggled to speak.

    ¡°I can just tell. Not to mention the fact you are nearly eating your lip.¡± He says, and again his eyes

    are. still upon me, though I sense a little humor in his tone this time, and I slowly move my gaze to

    his, and I note a small smile upon his lips.

    ¡°It was kind of funny.¡± I whispered.

    ¡°No, it was embarrassing, Miss West. He says just as quietly.

    ¡°Will you please just call me Bailey?¡± I asked him, with a roll of my eyes. ¡°I am not your teacher, you

    know. And it doesn¡¯t need to be embarrassing, justugh it off. You know how tough, right?¡±

    He suddenly stopped walking and gave me a sharp and dirty look, his eyebrows raised at me, like

    he did not quite believe I had asked him that.

    ¡°S**t. You pi**d him off. Take it back. Take it back Akira urges me. Though I don¡¯t think he knows

    1/3

    hapter 50 Bailey

    Finished

    whatughing is, she adds with a giggle.

    ¡°Seriously?¡± he asked. ¡°Of course I know how tough. I just don¡¯t find you funny,¡±

    ¡°Oooh roasted!¡± Akira was giggling again.

    ¡°Well, excuse me. I do apologize for not being funny enough for you, Mr Cheerful.¡± I said with a

    smirk, and he shook his head at me as he began to walk again.

    Keep up, Miss West, I still have the rest of the pack to show to you.¡± he said to me, with a nce

    back at me. his big green eyes looking straight at me.

    ¡®You don¡¯t want me to go back to my room?¡± I asked, surprised, as he had said he had work to do.

    Yet he was taking his time showing me around what seemed like every inch of the pack.

    ¡°I believe I said I would do your induction, and I n to do it properly.¡± He said to me with a smile.

    ¡°And it has not been as bad as I thought.¡±

    I chuckled. ¡°Aww, was that an attempt at apliment there, Beta Asher?¡±

    I would not go that far, Miss West. I simply said doing the induction was not as bad as I thought. I do

    not usually do them. But, as I said earlier, I do have work to do, so speed up.¡± He said to me with a

    nod ¡°Because the pace you walk, I will still be doing this at Christinas.¡±

    Wow. What a guy. Gone from what I thought was apliment to insulting me. Truly remarkable. Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    D**k¡­

    ¡°Oh, because I hurt your feelings, you are going to be mean to me now?¡± I said sarcastically. ¡°Bad

    news for you is, I am used to people doing that, so it won¡¯t work.¡±

    He looked at me with a frown. ¡°What does that mean?¡¯

    Oh¡­ maybe I shouldn¡¯t have said that. His tone did not sound impressed. I didn¡¯t expect him to pay

    attention to what I had said, or at least not ask questions. Hmm, what do I do now?

    ¡°Oh, nothing major.¡± I did my best to dismiss it, not wanting to be exining to the man with no

    heart nor a sense of humor the stuff I dealt with growing up. He would likely think that was normal.

    ¡°No, I want to know what you meant.¡± He says, and this time his voice sounds irritated. ¡°Is that why

    you had toe here so quickly?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± My heart was beginning to pound now. Where did that questione from? How was that

    even rted to this conversation?! And, why did he need to know about my sudden need toe

    here quickly?

    ¡°I found it quite odd that you had toe here so suddenly, usually processing a new job could take

    a few days to a few weeks, depending on the papers. Usually closer to weeks. Yet with you, we

    needed to have a space ready the next day, And for some reason nobody could give me an answer

    as to why. So, perhaps, now you have said that, you will exin why¡± Beta Asher is watching me

    again, but now I feel myself feeling suddenly anxious. Was there a way to get out of this one?

    Because I truly do not feelfortable telling this moody monster of a man anything

 51

    51

    Chapter 51 ¨C Asher

    This girl in front of me looks on edge, and it makes me feel ufortable. Well, in truth, being

    around her in general has made me feel ufortable. I do not like being around people I do.not

    know¡­ no, scratch that, I do not particrly like being around any people anymore. But, was doing

    my best at the induction, and she seemed to be enjoying herself.

    The way her face lit up at the different things I showed her within the school made me want to show

    her more, so I found more things to show her, so the tour of the school took longer than it probably

    needed to, but she would now know where everything was.

    But, this conversation has since made me uneasy. She had implied things that didn¡¯t sit right with

    me. Was she here because she wasn¡¯t wee in her own pack? She had been the Beta¡¯s

    daughter for f**k¡¯s sake¡­ they were stereotypically popr¡­ and it wasn¡¯t like she wasn¡¯t beautiful,

    she was stunning¡­ she was clearly a character too. I could see that with the cheeky interactions

    she was attempting with me. So was that not what you would consider the whole package? Smart,

    beautiful, funny and evidently kind and caring, being a teacher¡­ so why would she not be wee

    in her own pack?

    No. Something about this girl and her past did not add up. I watched her as we continued to walk

    through the pack, and she fidgeted nervously with her hands as an awkward silence had fallen

    between us. She was unsure what to say to me. Even Zion was on edge with her now, and he had

    been enjoying the back and forth with her literally moments before¡­ not many

    09:35

    Cheater 51- Asher

    288 Vouchers

    people do that with me, and he found it amusing.

    ¡°Bailey, I would appreciate knowing the reason you came here. I worry about the safety of our

    pack.¡± I exined to her, surprising myself by using her first name as I had been formal so far, but I

    have to say her name sounded good on my lips¡­

    She nced across at me with a dark expression. ¡°Your pack isn¡¯t at risk. It will be that is.¡± she said,

    and I could hear the tears in her voice.

    ¡°And what does that mean?¡± I found myself asking. ¡°Because if you are at risk would that not mean

    the pack is?¡±

    ¡°Oh for f**k¡¯s sake, should I just go back? Would that be better for you, Beta Asher? It took me long

    enough to get away from him. But if it is that much of an issue for you, I will just go back. Let him

    have his own way. Be his prisoner in his pack despite not being good enough for him. Would that be

    better for you?¡± she yelled, before rushing off, leaving me standing open- mouthed at her rant.

    Where the hell did thate from?

    ¡®Well, aren¡¯t you a p**k?¡¯ Zion helpfully adds, causing me to block out my own wolf, truly not needing

    him to make me feel any worse for what I had just caused, because I could now hear Bailey crying

    as she rushed away from me. F**k it. I do not like crying women¡­ especially not when it was my

    fault they were .crying.

    My mind is spinning with all the things Bailey had thrown at me just then, but I know the decent

    thing to do is to go after her. I don¡¯t know what had gone off in her pack or her life, but evidently

    something has happened to cause her to seek refuge within our pack. Did Eden know of this? If she

    did, why hadn¡¯t she exined this properly to us, so I could have avoided this

    09.37 M

    Chapter 51-Asher

    208 Vouchers

    sort of s**tshow?

    ¡°Bailey, wait.¡± I called after her as I ran to catch up with her, and as she turned to look at me, I saw

    tears glistening down her cheeks. D**n, I feel like a d**k now. Everything she said sounded like she

    had been through enough s**t, and I likely made it worse.

    ¡°It is fine, Beta Asher, I will head back to my room and get my things.¡± She nodded at me, wiping

    her eyes. ¡°I will message Luna Eden and exin that this won¡¯t work out.¡±

    Oh s**t. Eden would kill me.

    ¡°Bailey please, give me a moment?¡± I asked, motioning with my hands to the treeline not far away.

    Maybe a walk through the forest could be a good ce to talk. At least we wouldn¡¯t be disturbed.

    ¡°Are you going to kill me?¡± she suddenly asked, and I couldn¡¯t help myself butugh. I have no clue

    where this girl gets her ideas from, and I knowughing at her isn¡¯t the right thing to do either, but

    her question was just so random.

    ¡°Why would I be killing you?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know, my wolf said, and my head is a bit battered, so I just wondered.¡± She sniffed, wiping

    away another tear. I can¡¯t help but smile.

    ¡°I don¡¯t make a habit of killing people, especially not ones we have just employed. Luna Eden would

    have my balls on skewers if I did that. I was suggesting a walk so we could talk. I think I likely owe

    you an apology.¡± I said, hating having to apologize, but I know in this instance I do need to.

    00:38

    Chapter 51-Asher

    288 Mouchern

    She frowned at me. ¡°That hurt, did it?¡±

    I smiled again. ¡°Funny.¡±

    ¡°It is fine. We don¡¯t need to talk. It won¡¯t change things.¡± She said, taking a deep breath like she was

    trying to push back the thoughts of everything that had happened. I know that action, one I have

    done many a time myself. The difference is, I think this girl is struggling to push things back, or

    things were bing too much for her to manage.

    ¡°Bailey, you are part of our pack now. Do you not think we should know what happened, so we

    could help?¡± I asked, curiosity was killing me now. I truly wanted to know what had happened to her

    to make her scared so much she wanted to get away from her pack. Who was keeping her like a

    prisoner in her own pack?

    ¡°My own family only just found out, that was hard enough.¡± She told me as we began to walk toward

    the forest.

    ¡°They didn¡¯t know?¡± I asked, no clue what they didn¡¯t know, but desperate to learn, and to keep the

    conversation going.

    Bailey slowly shakes her head. ¡°Messed up, right? It is easy to be missed when you are the middle

    child who is an

    embarrassment.¡±

    ¡°Your father did not seem embarrassed of you.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± She shrugged, and as I looked across to her again, I saw her wipe away another

    stray tear. Whatever this is that happened, it still hurts her. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t force her to talk about

    it. She doesn¡¯t know me. And from the things she has said to me, she certainly doesn¡¯t think too

    highly of me. Maybe I

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    should let her settle here and decide if she wants to open up to us about it, likely to Eden. I knew it

    was not going to be me. I didn¡¯t do being friends¡­

 52

    52

    Chapter 52 ¨C Jordan

    I pulled up the car onto the driveway of the family house, despite the fact Gia and I now had a home

    of our own allocated within pack, but I did not intend to leave my Dad here alone to deal with Miles.

    Especially not with that look upon his face. He looked set for a f***g rampage

    ¡®How much do you think he knows?¡¯ My Dad mindlinked as I switched the engine off.

    ¡®Not a clue, but don¡¯t give anything away. Especially not our n.¡¯ I told him. ¡®We need to speak with

    Uncle Marshall. Admit we allowed Bailey to go for a new job, but say that was because you did not

    want her degree to go to waste, and we have agreed she returns the moment we have a vacancy

    for her, right?¡¯

    ¡®Good thinking.¡¯ Dad agreed, as he opened his car door, like he did not care that Miles looked ready

    to kill someone.

    ¡°Right baby, go straight into the house, my Mum should be in, or maybe Morgan. Once we have

    spoken to Miles we will head to our home, okay?¡± I said softly to Gia, and she smiled that gorgeous

    smile of hers at me, telling me all would be okay. I have her to think of now. I need to focus on my

    life with her.

    I stepped from the car, to see my Dad standing in front of the porch steps, in front of where Miles

    was sitting, yet he is not saying a word, he was simply staring at him. Gia is getting out of the car

    and I watch as Miles¡¯s eyes drift over her, causing my heart rate to race and my wolf to snarl.

    Chapter 52-Jordan

    288 Mouchers

    ¡°Oh, you not like someone else looking at your littledy Jordy?¡± Miles said sarcastically, and

    something in his tone told me he had been drinking. ¡°See, that is the plus side of not having a mate.

    It doesn¡¯t matter as a woman is a woman. You don¡¯t stay with them long enough for them to matter.¡±

    Heughed an almost sa**icugh, making me want to go and punch him, one for talking of my

    mate that way, but also for dismissing my sister in such a way.

    ¡°Shut your mouth boy.¡± My Dad suddenly decided to speak. ¡°And shift yourzy behind too.¡± He

    pulled Miles by his t-shirt, until he was face down in the dirt, before looking at Gia. ¡°There you go

    sweetheart, get yourself inside, I do believe this waste of space was waiting to talk ot us.¡±

    I looked down at my friend, who, as I had thought before, could only have been drinking to have

    allowed him to have been pulled over so easily. He was an Alpha, he should have been easily able

    to put up a fight against my Dad, despite my Dad being an experienced Beta. But Miles didn¡¯t even

    bother. He had to have been drinking heavily.

    ¡°What is going on Miles?¡± I offered him a hand as he was getting up off the floor.

    ¡°I would ask you two f*k**rs the same question.¡± He snarled. ¡°Where is my mate?¡±

    I looked at my Dad in sheer confusion. Bailey had said he had rejected her. He had said he had

    rejected her¡­ so why was he calling her his mate?

    ¡°Miles, she isn¡¯t your mate, you rejected her, remember?¡± I told

    him.

    Chapter 52-Jordan

    2.88 Vouchers

    ¡°You know what I f***g mean. Ex mate. F**g b**h. She has disappeared.¡± His words were slurred,

    but still sounded angry. ¡°And so had you.¡± he suddenly poked my Dad in the chest.

    My Dad looked down at the finger poking him in the chest, before grabbing hold of it, and twisting it.

    ¡°Want to watch yourself there f***kface.¡± He snarled at Miles, and I pulled my Dad away from him

    before he started something we really do not need right now. I know he is desperate to defend

    Bailey, but it is not the right thing, not now.

    Miles rubbed his finger, scowling. Before ring at my Dad. ¡°Think it is you that needs to watch

    themselves. Going against pack orders.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t go against a pack order. I used my Beta initiative, which oddly enough your Dad trusts me

    to do. So, I chose to give my daughter permission. And n to okay it with your Dad. She will return

    when a vacancy bes avable here, as agreed with her when she gained her degree, that she

    works for us. But, as you know, there are no vacancies, so it seemed silly for her degree to go to

    waste. And for her to be sat twiddling her thumbs until we needed her, so I agreed she should find

    I

    something until we need her.¡± My Dad says with authority, like he dared Miles to argue, but I knewT¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    d**n well he would.

    ¡°That was not your choice.¡± He snarled.

    ¡°Hmm, I believe it was.¡± Dad said.

    ¡°No. Bailey was told she was not to work for anybody else. She had to remain in the pack.¡± Miles

    snarled.

    ¡°Why? To be at your beck and call for you to make her feel even

    0038

    Chapter 52 Jordan

    288 Wouchera.

    worse than you already had? I don¡¯t think so little boy.¡± And suddenly my Dad was taking out his

    phone, scrolling through the contacts, and I could hear the dialing tone. Miles stood looking equally

    confused as my Dad began to talk once more. ¡°Hey Marshall, how are you?¡±

    Miles flew toward my Dad, but I pulled him back, hard until he was once more sitting down on the

    porch steps, forced to listen to the conversation, as my Dad continued. ¡°Look, I hope you don¡¯t mind

    me making a decision without you, but I could not find you, and it was sort of an on the spot sort of

    thing. Autumn Valley urgently needed a teacher, and as you know, Bailey was at home twiddling her

    thumbs. So, I suggested she take it. I did not want her degree going to waste and her rotting away

    being bored here while we had nothing for her.¡± Dad said with a sly smile at Miles, whose eyes were

    dark, telling me his wolf was close to shifting.

    ¡°I was aware of the order you gave to her, and I didn¡¯t want to gopletely against that, but at the

    same time, I didn¡¯t want my daughter suffering either, so Ipromised and told her as soon as a

    vacancy here became avable she must return. Is that okay with you?¡± My Dad is nodding, I

    assume, in response to whatever my Uncle is saying to him, before he is suddenly hanging up and

    looking at Miles with a smile.

    ¡°Oh, dear. Look at that, Daddy agreed with me.¡± Dad said with a smirk. ¡°So if there is nothing else,

    perhaps you should run along.¡± And with that he walked into the house, leaving me with a furious-

    looking Miles who looked ready to kill someone.

    ¡°What the f**k?¡± he roared.

    him. ¡°But, right now, I have my mate to get settled into our new home, so I think that can wait for

    another day.¡± I added, before I too walked away from him to join the rest of my family. Hoping that

    my Dad could soon arrange that meeting with my Uncle to get Miles dealt with before he brought

    the pack down¡­

 53

    53

    Chapter 53 ¨C Asher

    We walked through the forest in what I could only call afortable silence, which was unexpected.

    Bailey was happily looking around, enjoying the scenery, while I was fighting hard not to ask

    questions and also fighting Zion, who was pushing hard to push through and shift. He was

    desperate toe out and go for a run. But, I knew we were here for Bailey right now, and I didn¡¯t

    think my wolf out on one of his rampages was what she needed to see¡­

    ¡°Thanks for not asking too much.¡± Bailey suddenly said as we approached the treeline, heading

    back toward the pack. ¡°When didn¡¯t want to talk.¡±

    ¡°It is fine.¡± I said with a small smile. ¡°I realized that somethings are difficult to talk about. I know that

    better than anyone.¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡± she looked at me curiously. I could tell from the expression on her face she wanted to know

    more. Well, she would be disappointed. I did not share my thoughts nor my worries with anyone.

    The things within my mind were mine. Nobody else needed guing with them. They were beyond

    messed up most of the time¡­

    ¡°Yeah, and you don¡¯t need to be asking¡± I said to her with a sharp look, causing her tough.

    ¡°Kinda figured.¡± She shrugged. ¡°You don¡¯te across as the talking type.

    I held back the smirk ying on my lips while Zion was

    07:38

    Chapter 59-Asher

    288 Vouchers

    chuckling to himself. ¡®She got you sussed pretty fast.¡±

    ¡°We have been around most of the pack, I believe. Was there anything else specifically you needed

    to know?¡± I quickly tried to change the subject. Not wanting to get into talking about me and myck

    of willingness to talk. I got enough h**le about that from Eden.

    I saw her trying not to smile now, her eyes lit up when this happened, which seemed to be fairly

    frequently. I looked at her. ¡°Something funny there, Miss West?¡±

    ¡°Back to Miss West now am I?¡± she asked, and I simply shrugged, while she continued. ¡°My wolf isT¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    being her usual snarky self, so nothing for you to worry about.¡±

    Ah, so it seemed I was not the only one who had to worry about their wolf giving them a hard time,

    though she was smiling, which made me wonder what her wolf had said to make her smile.

    Whatever it was she had clearly found amusing. It seemed her and her wolf had a decent bond¡­

    ¡®And we don¡¯t?¡¯ Zion grumbled, sounding almost hurt by the implication that we were not close.

    ¡®Depends on what type of mood you are in.¡¯ I responded, as I stepped back onto the paths of the

    pack now. Knowing time was moving along rapidly, and I should be returning to my office soon to

    get on with my work.

    ¡°So, Bailey.¡± I said, putting emphasis on her name, which made her smile. ¡°Were there any other

    questions?¡±

    ¡°When can I start work?¡±

    960

    Chapter 53-Asher

    288 Wouchers

    I chuckled. ¡°Nothing like being eager.¡±

    ¡°I have been desperate to find a job since I finished my degree, but I haven¡¯t been allowed to get

    one out of the pack, and there were no vacancies within my own pack.¡± She said

    absentmindedly as if in exnation, as she wandered along, but once again my mind was drawn to

    her words. She was not allowed to look for work outside of her own pack. So, has she been made

    to stay in her own pack then?

    That made little sense to me. If one of our pack members had gained a degree, but we had no

    vacancies within our pack for them, we would permit them to work elsewhere, or what would the

    point of them having their degree be? Something about her pack and how they treated her bothered

    me. Even more so, after her rant at me¡­ no¡­ I cannot pry. It is not my ce. She has nothing to

    do with me. This is her business.

    ¡°Something changed then?¡± I smiled.

    ¡°Huh?¡± she looked at me confused.

    ¡°You said you were not allowed to look for work away from the pack, yet here you are, working away

    from the pack. So, I guess something changed to allow you to look for work?¡± I asked, but instantly

    cursed myself internally for being nosy. I swore I wouldn¡¯t do this. But it just seemed to happen. A

    curiosity to .know more¡­

    Bailey raised her brows at me. ¡°So much for realizing some things are difficult to talk about.¡± She

    said to me with a smile, and I found myself looking down at my feet, looking guilty.

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    Chapter 53-Asher

    1288 Wouchers

    ¡°I am joking, Beta.¡± She giggled, and it took me by surprise. It was the sweetest sound¡­ ¡°All that

    changed was I didn¡¯t have to apply as such, my Dad was friends with your former Alpha. So, the

    saying it¡¯s not what you know it¡¯s who you know, kind of worked in this instant.¡±

    ¡°So it all could be arranged without any official contact.¡± I said as I realized, and she simply nodded

    as we approached the doors of the packhouse.

    ¡°Was there any news about Luna Eden?¡± she asked me, and I figured that this was her attempt to

    change the subject, telling me not to pry any further, despite the fact I was desperate to know more.

    ¡°Not yet, but I n to call in to see herter. She will want to know how this has gone. She will eat

    me alive if I haven¡¯t done a good job.¡± I joked.

    And I saw Bailey¡¯s face light up as she smiled. ¡°I will be sure to give you a good report, Beta.¡±

    ¡°Why, thank you, Miss West.¡±

    ¡°Keep calling me that, and I may change my mind.¡± she smirked, and I found myselfughing as I

    held the door open for her.

    ¡°Back to where we started.¡± I said to her. ¡°You think you can remember your way back to your

    room?¡± I asked her. ¡°Because I do have things I need to do before the end of the day.¡±

    ¡°Sorry for holding you up.¡± She looked to me with an ufortable smile.

    ¡°That was not a criticism of you, nor aint of having to do

    the induction, Bailey.¡± I told her. ¡°It was not as bad as I expected.¡± And oddly, I wasn¡¯t lying when I

    told her that. I actually found herpany bearable¡­

 54

    54

    Chapter 54 ¨C Jordan

    My first night in our new home with Gia was truly amazing. If this was going to be life with a mate,

    then I could most certainly get used to it. Waking up next to her in her pack for those first days had

    been incredible, but here in a house that I knew would be our forever home, well, it was on another

    level. Seeing her as I opened my eyes, brought a contentment to me and my wolf I could not

    describe. This was what I had needed, yet I had just not realized it.

    I snaked my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me, loving the contact of her skin against

    mine. ¡°Again?¡± she

    giggled.

    ¡°Can I help it if I find my mate irresistible?¡± I purred into her ear, causing her to giggle once more,

    making me smile.

    ¡®Jordan need you in my office asap.¡¯ My Dad suddenly

    mindlinked, and my heart dropped. Wow. Nothing like c**k- blocking your own son was there?!

    ¡®Are you sure I am needed?¡¯ I tried, desperately hoping he would get the message and would

    realize I wanted some time with my

    mate.

    ¡®You have all of your life to be with your mate, Jordan. Keep your mucky mitts to yourself, and get to

    my office. We have this mess to deal with. Your Uncle is on his way, and we need to speak with him

    about everything. My Dad linked, and I knew despite his slight joke he added in there, he was

    deathly serious. This was our only chance we would get to put this across to my

    09:38

    Chapter 54 Jordan

    283 Wouden

    Uncle. And if he didn¡¯t listen, then we would be facing the council, seeking their help on the matter.

    And that was thest thing we wanted.

    ¡®On my way.¡¯ I grumbled reluctantly, with a big sigh.

    ¡°Everything okay baby?¡± Gia looked up at me with those beautiful eyes of hers, and I instantly hated

    this mess, but I knew what I had to do.

    ¡°I have to go out, I am needed at the office to deal with everything that has been going on, so as

    much as I do not want to leave you, and trust me, I cannot tell you just how much I do not want to

    leave you, I really need to be there.¡± I exined, with a sad smile.

    Gia smiled, her calm and caring smile. ¡°It is fine. I will still be here when you get home. This needs

    dealing with, so go and deal with it.¡±

    I softly ced a kiss upon her head as I mbered from the bed and rushed to the shower, knowing

    if I did not rush then my Dad would be on my case, and I did not need my previously good mood

    completely ruined by him.

    I got to the office in record time, to find Ellis just arriving too, and he smiled enthusiastically as he

    saw me. ¡°Your Dad disturbed your time in bed with your new mate too, by any chance?¡± he asked

    with a grin, and I couldn¡¯t help but smirk at him. I had heard Ellis had found his mate too, so it didn¡¯t

    surprise me that my Dad had disturbed him as well as me.

    ¡°Hmm, I wonder what gave you that idea? The ever so cheerful expression on my face?¡± I said

    sarcastically.

    0938

    Chapter 54 Jordan

    288 Vouchers

    ¡°You mean the same one I am wearing?¡± he grinned. ¡°But, he is right. This does need dealing with,

    and Miles is passed out right. now, so no better time, right?¡±

    Of course, that would have been why my Dad was up and doing this as early as he was. Miles will

    be rough today after histe night drinking session, because he continued drinking long after I left

    himst night because he was persistently mindlinking me to go and join him. I think he had

    forgotten I had found my mate now and did not need to be going out to the bars to pick women up

    like he was suggesting.

    Him being out of it gave us an opportunity to speak to my Uncle, the pack Alpha, and Miles¡¯s father

    without any chance of Miles disturbing us. Offering us the opportunity to exin all that needed to

    be exined to him. And, hopefully, he would see things the way we needed him to. He would see

    our side.

    ¡°You think your Dad will listen El?¡± I asked him, as we approached my Dad¡¯s office door

    ¡°Not a clue, he has a habit of not seeing any w in anything Miles does, so if that is what happens

    here, then in truth, we are in trouble.¡± He says with a shrug as he knocked on the door.

    ¡°Yep.¡± My Dad called, as Ellis opened the door, slowly sticking his head around the door.

    ¡°Hey Uncle, oh hey Dad.¡± He smiled, as I followed him in.

    ¡°Oh, why do I feel like I am being ambushed here?¡± My Uncle suddenly says, crossing his arms

    ¡°We need to talk, and we feel the more of us here to express our concerns the more likely you are

    to listen.¡± My Dad said, and I

    Chapter 54-Jordan

    1288 Vouchers

    suddenly felt more than a little concerned, especially, going off the angry expression upon my

    Uncle¡¯s face.

    ¡°Oh, is that right? And what is it we are talking about? Because this does not feel right.¡± My Uncle¡¯s

    eyes darted between the three of us, and I could see his eyes were flickering between those of

    himself and his wolf, and I knew if his wolf came out we would be in trouble.

    ¡°We are worried about Miles Dad.¡± Ellis took center stage, and the moment Miles was mentioned,

    Alpha Marshall stood up, his anger ring immediately.

    ¡°Yet you didn¡¯t think it was right to have him here to defend himself?¡± he snapped.

    ¡°Considering he is passed out because he has been drinking heavily again, that would be difficult.¡±

    My Dad said almost sarcastically, telling me he would not be taking any messing. ¡°He has issues

    Marshall, and we need them addressed, before he destroys the pack you have worked hard to

    maintain.¡±

    ¡°What the f**k do you mean he has issues? He is a young Alpha wolf enjoying life is all.¡± My Uncle

    dismissed the bad behavior as nothing of concern, which did not surprise me.

    My Dad shook his head while Ellis suddenly walked across and stood in front of his Dad, ¡°And what

    about attempting to kill a pack member? Is that a young Alpha wolf enjoying life?¡± My Uncle¡¯s mouth

    dropped open and was about to speak, but Ellis continued. ¡°Or meeting his fated mate and rejectingContent is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    her because he deemed her not good enough for him?¡±

    Once again, my Uncle¡¯s mouth was wide open. Shock etched all across his face. ¡°No. Not Miles.

    Surely not.¡± He muttered,

    Chapter 54 Jordan

    looking at my father as if he expected to tell him Ellis was wrong. ¡°Did you know about this?¡±

    1288 Vouchers

    ¡°I only just discovered it. Why do you think I moved Bailey?¡±

    Alpha Marshall looked confused now. ¡°Bailey? What has she to do with it?¡±

    ¡°She was his fated mate. He treated her like s***it, Dad. Total **t for years. Then he had tried to

    keep her here, for whatever reason, despite rejecting her. And then attacked a warrior she was

    friends with to the point he almost died. Had I not found. him and stopped him, I am certain that the

    warrior would be dead. Had I not then taken him to the hospital, he would have been dead.¡± Ellis

    snapped.

    My Uncle dropped into his seat, shaking his head. ¡°Why? No, it doesn¡¯t make sense. That does not

    sound like Miles.¡±

    ¡°It is true, Uncle, believe us. Bailey has suffered at the hands of Miles for years. Bullying and then

    rejection. He did not want her working away from here, he wanted her by his side yet did not want

    her. And then tried to hurt the one man that was making her smile again. We had to allow him and

    his family a safe passage out of our pack. Have you ever heard of a pack having to do that before

    for an Alpha? Because I don¡¯t think that is normal behavior?¡± I said, knowing I was treading a thin

    line in how I spoke to him, but I needed him to hear what we felt. He needed to see how dire the

    situation had be.

    ¡°The warrior and his family left the pack?¡± he murmured. ¡°Because of Miles?¡±

    ¡°He couldn¡¯t be trusted not to do the same again, Dad. Do you not see that? He is **g dangerous. I

    have heard some of the

    Chapter 54 ¨C Jordan

    288 Vouchers

    things he says. Because he is the uing Alpha. He sees himself as untouchable. It makes him

    dangerous. Harley was told to leave for his own safety. As was Bailey. Though she wanted to leave.

    She hasn¡¯t been happy here for some time, and who can me her with how Miles has treated

    her?¡± Ellis says with some spite to his tone. ¡°Miles deemed her not good enough and made sure all

    across pack thought the same.¡±

    ¡°Bailey wasn¡¯t happy here?¡± My Uncle chewed his lower lip. ¡°Sweet Bailey? I thought she loved her

    home.¡±

    ¡°Why do you think she wanted to study away? And then why do you think she begged to go and

    work elsewhere?¡± I pointed out, hating that I likely yed a part in that in how I had treated her too.

    But, I am doing my part in putting that right now.

    ¡°Miles has be out of control, Marshall. He needs dealing with. He is out each night drinking

    heavily. Sleeping with random. she-wolves. And being aggressive now around pack. He broke pack

    rules in rejecting his fated mate, which is not allowed by an Alpha, not if you follow the older rules of

    a pack. He has bullied and made Bailey suffer needlessly for years, yet she has kept quiet. None of

    us knew, even her own f**g family! Do you know how bad that makes us feel?¡± My Dad yelled, and

    my Uncle looked to him with wide eyes, shocked at just how angry he had got. ¡°That boy has been

    given far too much freedom over the years and now the power has gone to his head. He feels

    nothing can touch him. But, he needs pulling back into line. He needs dealing with appropriately

    before he bes so much out of control that there is no way back. So, the question is, are you

    going to deal with him yourself, or are you going to continue to make excuses for him like you

    always have and force me to go to the werewolf council for the benefit- and safety of our pack?¡±

 55

    55

    Chapter 55 ¨C Ellis

    I saw the look upon my Dad¡¯s face at my Uncle¡¯s words and I think it was safe to say he wasn¡¯t

    happy. I had known my Dad long enough to know he hated to have his authority questioned. The

    thing is, my Uncle knew that, even more than me, he had been his Beta longer than I had been

    alive, and they had been friends even longer than that. But, I can¡¯t say I disagree with a word my

    Uncle has said. I know my Dad would expect me to take the side of my family, but on this, I couldn¡¯t.

    My Uncle was right. We had to look out for the safety of our pack, and with Miles in the current state

    he was in, he was a serious risk to the pack.

    My Dad needed to deal with him. The thing was, I didn¡¯t know how was best to do that. He had

    almost killed a man. Yes, we are werewolves. Yes, we kill, but that is when it was deemed

    necessary. We generally do not go around needlessly killing. That is not how we were brought up.

    And, Miles was to be the next Alpha, his reputation mattered massively. There was being respected

    for your strength and being feared for your ruthless and heartless manner. And being feared in that

    way, I did not think was right.

    I nced across to Jordan, he had his head in his hands. I could see this was taking its toll on him.

    ¡®Are you okay?¡¯ I mindlinked him. He and I had always been close. Much like he and Miles had.

    Growing up with our Dads being best friends, it was always going to happen, though he was always

    that bit closer to Miles, knowing he would be his Beta. He was likely worried for his best friend, like I

    was about my brother.

    Chapter 55-Ellis

    208 Vouchers

    ¡®Stressed. Wondering what will be. Tired. Brain feels like it wants to explode.¡¯ He replied, and I

    couldn¡¯t help but smile. I don¡¯t think I could have put it better myself.

    ¡®Yeah, I get that. Hopefully they sort this. But going from that look on my Dad¡¯s face, he wants to

    kick some a**es.¡¯ I warned him.

    ¡®So long as it isn¡¯t mine, I haven¡¯t had a coffee yet.¡¯ He replied, and I held back the chuckle that was

    threatening. He was not the only one that hadn¡¯t had a chance to have his coffee this morning, after

    being rudely disturbed by my Uncle, during mid- morning fun with my new mate.

    ¡°So not only are you throwing all this s**t at me, but now you threaten me with the werewolf council

    too?¡± My Dad suddenly yelled right back at my Uncle, telling me this was likely far from

    over.

    ¡°If needs be, Marshall, yes. This needs dealing with. He is going to destroy this pack, and himself if

    he is not dealt with, can you not see that?¡± My Uncle says, and he is not backing down. I got to give

    it to my Uncle, our current Beta. He is a tough cookie. He is one of the few people, besides my

    Mum, who will stand up to my Dad so willingly. He does not take his s**t, and if he believes he is

    wrong he will tell him without faltering or fear.

    I have to say, I have always respected him for that, because, friends or not, he would always be the

    weaker of the two, because my Dad was the Alpha, yet that never stopped my Uncle, he was

    always ready to give my Dad **t when it was needed, which many a time had brought much

    amusement to me. Sadly though, right now, this was far from amusing, and much more concerning.

    Neither one seemed willing to back

    00.39

    Chapter 55-Ellis

    1288 Wouchers

    down, and Uncle Donovan was ready to stand up for both his family and the pack without a doubt,

    and this time I would have his back whether my Dad liked it or not.

    ¡°So, smart guy, what the f***k do you expect me to do?¡± My Dad looked to my Uncle, and for once

    saw uncertainty upon his face, and that filled me with fear. My Dad is an overpoweringly strong

    Alpha, always meticulous in his work. Ruthless yet logical and decent andpassionate when

    needed. He was much respected as an Alpha both within our pack and beyond. He was always so

    certain of what he was doing, so to see this look of indecision and doubt upon his face worried me.

    ¡°You know all of this is true of Miles, I assume?¡±

    ¡°You think we woulde to you with things we weren¡¯t sure of, Marshall?¡± Uncle Donovan says a

    little less harshly now. ¡°This is some serious s***it. We cannot hand the pack to someone so

    dangerous. He could destroy everything. He is already running around like he has no rules to follow.

    Like he believes, as the next Alpha, he is not touchable. He broke rules in rejecting Bailey, and

    thought nothing of lying about that and covering it up. Hurting her over and over while he slept with

    other she- wolves before rejecting her. And now he won¡¯t even let her leave the pack. He is drinking

    excessively night after night, going to w**e houses, getting into fights in clubs. One of the guards

    had to go and pay bail the other night and pay extra to allow the issue with the police to disappear.

    This can¡¯t continue.¡±

    I saw my Dad drop his head into his hands. ¡°This was all Miles?¡± he muttered, while I reeled in

    shock at the revtions, many of which I hadn¡¯t heard of either. It seemed my older brother had

    been doing a whole lot more than even I knew of. My Uncle was right, we needed to fix this, and

    soon. My Dad had to see that though¡­

    Chapter 55-Ellis

    288 Vouchers

    ¡°I am afraid so, Marshall. He isn¡¯t the sweet kid he once was. The power of knowing he is going to

    be Alpha seems to have gone to his head. And, as for this, almost killing a pack member. That is it

    in my mind. That is not a man fit to be an Alpha. He needs help. He has anger issues, but he has

    had since being a child. You know that. Had Ellis not been there, that warrior would be dead. Miles

    was ready to me it on rogues. It was only because Ellis spoke up the truth came out.¡± My Uncle

    exined, and my Dad looked across to me.

    ¡°He said it was rogues?¡± he asked, and I nodded. ¡°He tried to lie to cover it up? To cover up his

    disgusting actions?¡±

    And I nodded once more. ¡°I am sorry Dad, but yeah. He asked me to lie for him too. Saying the

    warrior deserved it. I did lie initially until I realized the truth. Then I told Uncle. We knew then we had

    to speak to you.¡±

    My Dad shook his head. ¡°I need to speak to your Mum.¡±

    ¡°Dad, you can¡¯t make excuses for him anymore. This is the pack s safety you are talking about

    now.¡± I warned him and he nodded.

    ¡°I know son. I feel sick knowing Miles is capable of all of this. This does not sound like him at all. He

    should be with his mate. Maybe Bailey shoulde home?¡±

    I saw the eyes of Jordan and Uncle Donovan dart towards one another, before looking at me and

    my Dad in shock. ¡°Marshall, he rejected her. He treated her shockingly. She is not going back to

    him. She is finally free of him, and she will stay that way. If you want him to have a mate, then it will

    be a chosen one. And it will not be my daughters!¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

 56

    56

    Chapter 56 ¨C Bailey

    Iy on my bed after a quiet second day in the pack. Luna Eden was still in hospital, apparently on

    bedrest now, until she had the baby, which from what Beta Asher had told me had gone down like a

    lead balloon. So seeing her would likely wait until I was given the green light to visit her, or she had

    the baby. Other than a brief visit to my bedroom door to notify me of that information early in the

    morning, I had not seen anymore of Beta Asher either.

    I had wandered around the pack on my own, seeing if I could remember where things were, and I

    think I was doing okay. A

    few more days of exploring and I think I will know my way around. Thankfully, as bad as my sense

    of direction could be at times, I could just rely on the sense of direction of Akira, and she generally

    put me on the right path.

    I had spent the rest of the day sitting in my room creating name badges for all of my new ss

    members with supplies I had brought with me. I was a s**ker for arts and crafts and always had

    supplies lying around, especially for sses I had done at university. While visiting the school with

    Beta Asher, I asked for a ss list of the children I would be teaching, which he had reluctantly

    given me with a confused expression. But, it allowed me to create them all individual name badges

    as a little gift for me arriving, but also that would help me learn their names too.

    Plus, it had been a good way to kill time, as I was so desperate to begin my teaching role now. But I

    still had a few days to wait, with Beta Asher saying I would start on Monday, likely thinking a

    beginning of the week start would be best. I felt full of

    Chapter 56-Bailey

    288 Vouchers

    excitement about whaty ahead. My new pack was beautiful. I had the job I had been training hard

    for, and I could not wait to meet the children I would be teaching! And, I was finally away from Miles.

    Yet, as Iy and looked up to the ceiling of my new room, I felt a little alone. I thought instantly of

    Harley and wondered if he was okay. I know he had left the same night I had. I could only hope he

    had reached his new pack safely like I had. Was it truly what I wanted, not to be with him? He still

    seemed keen on being with me¡­ and I missed him¡­

    I picked up my phone¡­

    ¡°Hello?¡± his familiar and warm voice filled my ears, and immediately I smiled.

    ¡°Hey Harley.¡± I greeted him, so d to hear his voice, realizing then just how much I had been

    missing him.

    ¡°Bailey! How are you?!¡± he sounded enthusiastic at the sound of my voice, and instantly I felt

    uplifted.

    ¡°Well, I am in a new pack. Just like you.¡± I joked.

    ¡°You got your job?¡±

    ¡°I got my job. But, that isn¡¯t important. How are you doing? Are you okay now? Did you get to your

    new pack okay?¡± I bombarded him with questions.

    ¡°Woah, lots of questions!¡± he chuckled. ¡°And, let me just say your new job is massively important

    Bai, do not forget that! I am so happy for you. But, in answer to your questions, I am doing okay, still

    a little tender here and there, but thankfully, I am

    Chapter 56-Bailey

    208 Vouchers

    slowly healing now. Wolf is finally able to do what he is meant to do. And, yes, we got to the new

    pack.¡±

    ¡°Aww, I am so d to hear that. I have been so worried about you.¡± I admitted, with a sigh. Wishing

    he was here to hug right now. I won¡¯t lie I missed him.

    ¡°Guess what, Bai?¡± he eximed, sounding super excited, and this made me smile. Though the

    more I got to know him, the more he knew how to make me smile.

    ¡°What Harley?¡± I teased. I wondered if he was about to tell me he missed me or something.

    ¡°I found my mate!¡± he eximed, and instantly the smile upon my face was gone. ¡°She was here all

    along, in my Mum¡¯s old pack!¡±

    The excitement in his voice was so clear. Yet my heart felt like it had fallen through the floor right

    now. But I knew I had to say something. He would be expecting an answer¡­

    ¡°Wow! That is amazing Harley.¡± I said with as much happiness. as I could force within my voice.

    ¡°Bailey, are you okay? I am sorry, maybe I shouldn¡¯t have said anything¡­ I was going to message

    to tell you, but then I thought it was better to speak and tell you¡­ d**n it, I messed up, didn¡¯t 1?¡± he

    muttered, and I can hear the excitement gone from his voice now too, making me feel terrible.

    I feel so bad now. His initial reaction told me he was happy about the fact he had met her, so I did

    not want that to change. This was his fated mate. Like my Dad said, he would want her. Instinct

    would kick in. He would grave her. And he so evidently

    Chapter 56 Bailey

    1288 Vouchers

    had. He sounded overjoyed at finding her. Just the way it should be too. He should not feel anything

    less because of me¡­

    ¡°Harley, it is fine. She is your fated mate. You sound so happy, what is her name?¡± I asked, despite

    not caring one little bit, but trying desperately hard to be interested for Harley.

    ¡°Dana. She is a female warrior, Bai! They have female warriors here! She is tall, with long dark hair,

    and the biggest blue eyes. She was on guard duty as we arrived and I knew then. Boy¡­¡± his voice

    faltered, and it felt like my heart was crumbling at his words. But, I did my best to stayposed.

    He deserved this. This was the girl picked for him by the moon goddess. The one he was meant to

    be with.

    ¡°Aww, she sounds perfect, Harley.¡± I told him. ¡°You will be back to full strength in no time with her by

    your side. And a warrior too, she will be able to wh**p your a**¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°I think she probably already could, though I think I may let her¡­¡± his voice trailed off

    as if he was thinking of it, and I knew then, I needed to get off the phone, I didn¡¯t think I could listen

    to much more of this. I was d he was safe. I was d he was healing. And now I knew he would

    be happy too. He didn¡¯t need me anymore.

    ¡°Aww, sorry Harl, my Dad is trying to call, I am going to have to go. I had just wanted to ring to

    check if you were okay, and it sounds like you are doing amazing.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay Bai. Thanks for calling. Call again soon, won¡¯t you?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Sure thing.¡± I told him as I hung up, but I knew that we likely wouldn¡¯t be talking too much now he

    had found his mate.

    Chapter 50 Hailey

    1288 Vouchers

    Seems things had worked out the way they had for a reason. Had me and him gone to his Mum¡¯s

    pack together like he had suggested, him taking me as his chosen mate and his fated mate had

    been there, things would have been beyond awkward. He would never have been able to resist her,

    not when you listen to how enamored he was with her. Things would never have worked for us. He

    was with the right girl now. I needed to ept that. Fate had done the right thing¡­

    I slid off my bed. I wandered out of my room and down toward the kitchen. I needed a drink, seeing

    as I couldn¡¯t sleep. The corridors were empty now as I walked along them, but I had expected

    nothing less, it was gone ten o¡¯clock at night. My head filled with thoughts of Harley.

    I had genuinely thought we could have had a future. Perhaps as chosen mate further down the line.

    I should never have allowed myself to get close to him knowing there was his fated mate out there. I

    was just risking getting hurt.

    ¡°Bailey?¡± a deep voice says from behind me, making me jump as I turned around, only to find Beta

    Asher looking at me, a little confused, likely as to why he found me wandering the corridors of the

    packhouse at thiste hour. Then he tilted his head slightly as his eyes drifted across my face.

    ¡°Have you been crying?¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

 57

    57

    Chapter 57 ¨C Asher

    Another usual night of me workingte. So much additional work to do with Caleb on Daddy duties

    while Eden was on bed rest. Though listening to his tales of his mate being restricted to bed, she

    was far from an ideal patient, I definitely think I had it easier with additional work! Poor Caleb

    sounded knackered and ready to pull his hair out. I think it is safe to say both Caleb and Eden were

    ready for this little bundle of joy to arrive, and soon!

    Sitting at my desk in my office, I knew I would be there for a few more hours, so I had wanted a

    coffee, though I had run out of coffee in my office. So, a much needed wander to the kitchen had

    been needed. Stretch my legs too. However, one person i did not expect to see was Bailey

    wandering the corridors too¡­ (well no, that is a lie, I would not expect to see anybody because

    nobody was in the packhouse at this hour, but that is beside the point). I had expected her to be

    tucked up safely in her room by now. But, her room had minimal facilities, like many of the

    packhouse rooms, so perhaps she needed a drink?

    ¡°Bailey?¡± I called out to her, and saw her visibly jump a little at my words, making me smile. So

    much for being aware of everything around you as a werewolf. Seems this one was off in another

    world. It was a good job it was only me. It was only as she turned to look at me, and I got a little

    closer that something caught the light of the corridor lighting. Tears. I was sure of it. Had she been

    crying? Had someone upset her? ¡°Have you been crying?¡± I found myself asking, though I know in

    truth it was nothing to do with me, and I doubted she would want to tell me either.

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    Chapter 57- Asher

    1 288 Vouchers

    ¡°Erm¡­¡± her voice faltered a little as her gaze moved away from mine, suddenly looking down to the

    floor.

    ¡°Should I take that as a yes, but mind your own business, Asher?¡± I asked, and she suddenly

    looked up at me. Her big brown eyes looked in pain.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to know. It is pathetic.¡± She said with a shrug. ¡°I was just going to grab a drink, I am

    sorry for being out of my room.¡±

    I found myself frowning. ¡°Bailey, you are not in a prison, if your need to be out of your room, it

    allowed, you know? Yes, I have lived alone in the packhouse for quite some time, but that does not

    mean I expect you to stay in your room the moment you arrive here.¡±

    I have heard the things said about me in the pack. The nasty rumors. Comparing me to a monster

    living in a castle. All alone in the packhouse because nobody else is safe to live with me. No, in

    truth, I live here because I could no longer face living in the Beta home I had begun to share with

    my mate. If that meant living alone in therge packhouse, then so be it. It would be the way it was.

    I preferred to be alone anyway.

    Bailey simply shrugged as we stood awkwardly in the corridor now. ¡°Come on, let us go and get you

    a drink. I need another coffee. I ran out in my office.¡±

    Bailey nodded and followed me as I began to walk along the corridor. As I nced across at her, I

    could see tears still fresh within her eyes. Even Zion was whimpering at the sight of her like this¡­

    and that made my heart clench at the sight too¡­

    ¡°Bailey, I know we said some things were difficult to talk about,

    Chapter 57-Asher

    1290 Vouchers

    so I apologize for asking, but I don¡¯t like to see people cry. What has happened? Is something

    wrong at your pack?¡± I asked.

    She looked over at me with a small smile. ¡°Aww, there is a little heart in there somewhere, isn¡¯t

    there Beta?¡± she teased, and I smiled, but before I could respond she shrugged and continued. ¡°Not

    a clue what is going on in the pack actually, still awaiting an update. All hell breaking loose I would

    imagine.¡± Then her eyes widened like she realized she had said too much. ¡°Forget I said that.¡±

    I raised my brows at her, desperate for her to tell me what the hell was going on. All these little

    pieces of information were not giving me anything and I needed to know more. I wanted to know

    what risk this girl brought to our pack.

    ¡°Please?¡± she looked at me almost pleadingly. Before, I found myself nodding as we walked into the

    kitchen.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± she said, cing her hand upon my arm, the contact making me jump. ¡°As for why I

    was crying, the guy I was kind of seeing, well, he just found his fated mate. Pathetic, I know.¡±

    I raised my brows again. So she had been seeing someone? That was always dangerous. Feelings

    be involved and when you are a werewolf, you know there are fated mates, and once they

    come into the picture nothing else matters. The feelings that were once there be almost

    invisible to you, because the draw to your fated mate is everything. It is why we are advised not to

    date. The pain can be too much.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, that can¡¯t be nice to hear.¡± I admitted, knowing how hard it can be, having seen my friend

    go through the same a number of years ago before he had met his own fated mate. He

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    was all for taking the girl as his chosen¡­ until her fated mate came into the picture, and suddenly it

    was like he was barely visible to her. Nigh on broke his heart.

    ¡°It was one of the reasons I turned down his offer to be his chosen mate. When he offered me a way

    out of pack.¡± She said, gazing distractedly out of the window. I don¡¯t think she realized just how

    much she was saying. This guy had thought enough of her to offer to be her chosen mate. He

    wanted her to be his. That meant a lot. Yet she had said no¡­ did that have more to do with the

    control her pack seemed to hold over her?

    ¡°He must have thought highly of you to offer you that chance, Bailey. He will be hurting as much as

    you.¡± I reassured her, but she looked at me confused.

    ¡°He definitely did not sound like he was hurting. He sounded happy.¡± She said with a sad smile, but I

    nodded.

    ¡°Of course, it will be a mixture of emotions right now. His instinct would be all for his fated mate. We

    are built to want them. Crave them. Desire them. We wait for them¡­¡± my voice falters a little at that

    as I instantly think of I, and I see Bailey looking up to me, concern within her big brown eyes.

    ¡°You know what, I will give you the space you need Bailey. But trust me, he is likely hurting too.¡± IT¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    said as I rushed from the kitchen, needing to be alone. The thoughts of I suddenly took over my

    mind. I do not need Bailey witnessing me falling apart¡­

 58

    58

    Chapter 58 ¨C Miles

    I have no clue what day it actually is now. I do the things in pack. expected of me the best I can,

    avoiding most people as much as possible. But I escaped as soon as I could to have a drink. Quite

    simply, drinking has be a normal part of my routine, and I did not know what I would do without

    it now. But, the thing with being a werewolf was alcohol had little effect in small amounts. So, I had

    to drinkrger amounts. And the more I drank, and my body adjusted to it, the more I had to drink to

    gain the same effect. This pack felt like nothing but a constant pressure upon my life I did not want.

    Yet the power that came with it was too good to walk away from. That was the only thing stopping

    me from handing over my title to Ellis. He would likely make a better Alpha than me. He was more

    sensible. More kind and caring. More logical. And, of course, now he had the perfect f**g fated mate

    too. Me, on the other hand, had none of those things. And never would either.

    I am sure Jordan walked away from me the other night. I can¡¯t quite remember, but I have a

    memory of it, so I believe it happened, though it may have been a dream¡­ who knows? The drink

    makes it hard to tell sometimes the difference between reality and imaginary¡­ One thing I do know,

    is he ignored my calls too. He was picking that new w**e in his life over me. Was that how he

    thought things would be? I didn¡¯t like that. Jordan was my closest friend. My closest ally. Had been

    since we were small. He was going to be my Beta. We have always been together. So, why was it

    all of a sudden I was second best

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    Chapter 58-Miles

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    to some second-rate bimbo that had appeared in his life?

    He surely realized without me, he had no title? No im to the Beta role¡­ He needed me more

    than he needed some cheap. woman! It wasn¡¯t like he and I had ever struggled to pick up women

    when going out together, so why could he not just be content with that? Be a decent friend to me?

    My f**g Dad had not listened to me when I had told him that Uncle Donovan had manipted him

    with the whole Bailey situation. I exined the whole sorry mess. Telling him in detail why she

    needed to be here, obviously not the real reason, as he could never know she had ever been fated

    to me. That would be the worst possible oue. My Dad had always taken my opinion into

    consideration before, but this time, he simplyughed in my face! Laughed in my f**g face and told

    me to get over it. That Uncle Donovan had consulted him and it was fine. So, I needed to find some

    other way to bring her back¡­

    ¡°Miles?¡± My Dad yelled as he walked into the house, while I tried to nap on the sofa.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± I grumbled, already sick of him, having managed to avoid him as much as possible over the

    last few days. Getting sick of lectures about my drinking and attitude. Since when was he f**g

    g***d? I was a grown man. Was I not capable of making my own choices? If I want to drink, that

    should be my choice¡­

    ¡°Sit up.¡± He ordered.

    ¡°Think I am good.¡± I muttered, staying where I was,id out, with my eyes shut, no intention of

    moving for him just to please him. I am sure the lecture he no doubt wanted to give me could wait

    for another time. It was no doubt a repeat of the same one he

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    Chapter 58-Miles

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    seemed to have on rey. About responsibility¡­ behavior¡­ Alpha role¡­ expectations¡­ boring¡­

    boring¡­ boring.

    ¡°I suggest you move before I move you.¡± My Dad ordered again, and this time I sat myself up and

    looked at him. He looked. f**g furious. What the hell had got into himtely? Mum suddenly decided

    to shut up shop and stop giving it up to him, and he had turned into a sex-starved moody b**d? That

    was not my issue, and did not need to be taken out on me¡­

    I rolled my eyes at him. ¡°What is wrong?¡± And just as I spoke, my Mum walked in, her eyes falling to

    my Dad and then to me.

    ¡°We doing this now?¡± she asked my Dad, making me all the more cautious. What the hell were they

    were talking about? Whatever it was they had evidently spoken about previously.

    ¡°I think it is time.¡± Dad said, looking at mum with a nod, motioning for her to sit herself down in theThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    armchair where she always sits, especially for all her favorite shows.

    ¡°Anyone going to tell me what the f**k is going on?¡± I snapped, suddenly feeling angry at the fact

    that it felt like my family were keeping things from me.

    ¡°Yes, if you actually give us a moment. We are concerned about your behaviortely, Miles. Some

    information we learned has made us even more concerned.¡± Dad began, and instantly my mind was

    whirring into gear, wondering what information they had learned and from whom. I would kill

    whoever had given them information about me that put my reputation into doubt.

    ¡°So, we are not permitting you to be Alpha. You need to seek treatment. Then we might

    consider it. Also, you need to find a mate. Obviously, it will now be a chosen one, won¡¯t it?

    1288 Vouch

    Seeing as you rejected the mate fated to you by the moon. goddess, breaking one of the rules given

    to you as an Alpha.¡± My Dad barked out once more, but I don¡¯t care for him right now. It is his words

    that get to me. They hit me like a spear through my chest. Someone told him I rejected Bailey¡­

    ¡°Who the f**k told you that?!¡± I roared, standing from my seat.

    My Dad stood to meet me. ¡°You want to fight me Miles? When ny-five percent of the time you

    are inebriated, right now? I wouldn¡¯t advise it. Even when you are fully sober, I am still stronger. I

    can see your brain ticking. You are in doubt now. Wondering who betrayed you, right? You want to

    know who told me? Your pack. People who were concerned for the safety of their pack. Because it

    seems their uing Alpha has let his power go to his head. And trust me, as an Alpha, that is the

    worst thing he can do. So it is about time he reins his neck in, and sorts himself out, or he will not be

    bing Alpha after all. I thought I had taught you better than that. But, I am telling you something,

    Miles. I will not tolerate this s**t. I will not put my pack at risk because of you. Never!¡±

    My hands trembled in anger. He dared to threaten me with taking my title away? Something was

    born to inherit? Something I have lived toward earning my whole f**g life?! Some f**ker within my

    pack had betrayed me in speaking up¡­ But I know my Dad is right. I cannot take him. He is

    stronger, and my head does not feel fully with it at the best of times. My wolf has barely been with it

    for days. And I swear that is because Bailey has been gone. That was why she needed to be back.

    Why did they not see that?!

    ¡°This is not right. You want me married off and getting anger management?¡± I demanded, because

    that was the only logical

    treatment I could imagine they meant. I knew my anger had grown out of control and was

    something my parents were so frequently mentioning¡­

    ¡°Pretty much.¡± My Dad said. ¡°Or you will not be the next Alpha, got it?¡±

 59

    59

    Chapter 59-Asher

    My heart would not stop racing the moment I left Bailey. The thought of I was fresh within my

    mind. It tore at my very core. All my efforts at pushing thoughts of I back were failing so

    miserably. I did not know what to do. All I had known was that I needed to get away from Bailey

    before she saw me fall apart. She was new to the pack¡­ I was to be her Beta, and I was expected

    to be strong andposed. Her father was a Beta, she knew what was expected of a Beta and I

    did not need her to see any weakness in me.

    There would be no hope of sleep finding me tonight. No.

    Perhaps it was more a case of there was no way I wanted sleep to find me tonight. I knew that

    dreams of I would be too overpowering. Too painful. All from a conversation about finding your

    fated mate. Maybe avoiding the new girl was a better idea.

    I returned to my office without the coffee I needed so badly and continued with the work that I

    needed to do. Processing all the files that Caleb had given me to do on his behalf. Never mind them

    being d when that new baby arrived, I would be too, so that my additional duties would be gone. I

    would have that extra time to be out running, allowing Zion his extra freedom he so frequently

    craves to escape the day-to-day stresses and to take his pain out on some unsuspecting rogues¡­

    Hour after hour passed as I sat focused on the work in front of me. Determined not to allow myself

    to fall asleep. Determined not to allow the thoughts of I take over my mind. Despite. that, her

    name was not far from my thoughts. And the

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    persistent pain within my chest reminded me of why I was here. Why i could not go to sleep. I could

    not witness the pain of losing her all over again.

    Suddenly, the office door opened and I looked up, irritated that whoever it was had not bothered to

    knock. One of my major bug bears. This was my office. Would it hurt them to knock?

    However, Caleb walked in, looking bright and breezy. Something I felt so far from it was unreal¡­

    ¡°Morning Ash.¡± He greeted me with a smile, then as he looked at me, he frowned. ¡°**it bro, you look

    like you haven¡¯t slept, are you okay?!¡±

    Hmmm¡­ I wonder¡­ little did my friend know I hadn¡¯t slept, but he also didn¡¯t need to know that. I

    didn¡¯t need him to have anything else to worry about on top of his wife being in the hospital. I know

    he worried about me and my m**l state sometimes, and I don¡¯t need to be an extra cause of

    concern for him right now. That was thest thing he needed right now.

    ¡°I am fine. A lot of work is all.¡± I said with a shrug. ¡°Been up early.¡±

    ¡°Early? It is 7 now, what time you get up?¡± Caleb questions, a suspicious look upon his face. F**k¡­

    did he know?

    ¡°Not sure. I was awake early, so I thought I was best getting a head start.¡± I lied.

    I

    ¡°You sure about that? Because I am pretty sure they are the clothes I saw you in yesterday.¡± Caleb

    says with a frown. ¡± You haven¡¯t been to bed again, have you, Asher?¡± This time he sounded angry.

    09.401

    ¡°Caleb I a fine. Give it a rest.¡± I snapped.

    288 Wouchers

    ¡°No. This is not okay, Ash. Things are difficult enough as they are right now. With Edenid up, I

    don¡¯t need you burning yourself out. You know you need to be careful. What is wrong? I thought

    things were okay? Are you struggling again?¡± Caleb¡¯s face was full of concern and I hated myself for

    adding more pressure and worries to the shoulders of my friend. He does not need this right now

    and I know it

    ¡°Caleb, I said I was fine, so will you just take my f**g word for it for a change?!¡± I said bluntly. ¡°You

    know ever since I lost I my sleep has been knackered. It was a bad night is all, so I decided to

    make use of the fact I couldn¡¯t sleep and do some work, okay? I do it fairly often. It is of no major

    issue, so stop making it one. It definitely isn¡¯t something you need to be concerned about.¡±

    ¡°It isn¡¯t healthy, Asher.¡± He snapped.

    ¡°Well I ain¡¯t dead yet Caleb.¡± I snarled.

    ¡°Should I ask your Dad to take over your duties for a little while, so you can take a break?¡± Caleb

    suggested, and instantly Zion was rippling beneath the surface, anger pulsating through my body.

    How dare he imply I am not capable of doing my Beta role because I struggle with the loss of my

    mate: Because I struggle with sleep. Yet the cheeky f**k**r was quite happy to offload all the

    mediocre tasks he couldn¡¯t be bothered to do himself¡­

    ¡°Are you for real?!¡± I found myself roaring, knowing then Zion was involved now too. This was not

    going to end well if Caleb got angry.

    Caleb raised his brows at me, ¡°Really?¡± he snarled. ¡°Do I not

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    have the right to be concerned for my friend and if I think your aren¡¯t able to do your job, then too

    f**g right I am for real, Asher.¡±

    I pushed my chair back angrily, so I was standing. Zion was so close to shifting now, but I knew the

    moment he did that Thor, Caleb¡¯s wolf would be shifting too, and all hell would break loose. My

    office would be destroyed and the two of us would be seriously injured. Like thest time we

    fought¡­ Caleb was needed right now¡­ he did not have time to recover from a full- on fight¡­ as

    much as I wanted to kick his a**, I fought hard to push Zion back.

    +

    ¡°Why am I not able to do my job, Caleb? Have I not been doing everything expected of me and

    more?¡± I said a little more calmly this time, so he could see I was not as angry, I needed him to see

    my anger was under control¡­

    ¡°But this not sleeping and being on edge all the time isn¡¯t normal, Ash. Can you not see that? Did

    you see the pack doctor like I asked? Or the therapist?¡± Caleb asked softly. I know he was

    desperate for me to seek grief counseling after the loss of my mate. Why he thought that would help

    me I don¡¯t know. Sitting in a room with some randomer discussing how much it hurt to lose my

    mate, and analyzing all the things that came with it¡­ no that was not for me¡­ I would rather stab

    myself in my f**g eyes with a needle. It was not going to help me. Not in the slightest.

    ¡°Sleeping tablets were the treatment option from the doctor.¡± I told him. ¡°And I am not relying on

    medication.¡± Besides, it isn¡¯t that I can¡¯t sleep, I added silently within my mind, knowing I cannot

    share this with my friend¡­ It is just that my sleep is gued with visions of my mate. Losing her.

    Reliving the pain

    Chapter 59-Asher

    288 Wouchers

    as she leaves me. Waking me in floods of tears¡­ or sweating, desperate to try to save her¡­ yet

    can¡¯t¡­ having to relive her loss all over again¡­ all on repeat¡­

    ¡°Therapy could work though, and you know it could, Asher.¡± Caleb began, but I gave him a dark

    look.

    ¡°Not going over this again. Not happening. Was there something you came in here for? If not, then I

    have work to do, you know, the work you should be doing, but I am doing for you. because I am a

    good Beta?¡± I snapped, knowing I am being a d**k, but he had irritated me that much I couldn¡¯t help

    myself.

    Caleb sighs, dropping himself on the sofa. ¡°Eden wanted me to find out how the induction went is

    all.¡±

    ¡°Well, the new girl is still alive if that is what she needs to know. I didn¡¯t eat her or lose her.¡± I smiled

    sarcastically at my friend.

    Caleb chuckled. ¡°I don¡¯t think she thought you would. But, I may tell her you did just to see her

    reaction¡­¡± I see him thinking, so I can only imagine where his mind has gone.

    ¡°On your head be it, if you do.¡± I warned him, as Eden was grumpy at the best of times in a morning,

    even more so during her pregnancy.

    ¡°Seriously though, did the induction go okay? Bailey know all she needs about pack? You show her

    around all the pack? Please tell me you were nice to her?¡±

    I rolled my eyes. Did they think I was incapable of being nice? I think I was nice¡­ wasn¡¯t I? I even

    gave her some sympathy¡­ or tried¡­ oh I don¡¯t f**g know. I tried, that was the best she was going

    to get. It was the best I could do.

    Chapter 59- Asher

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    ¡°Yes. It went fine. She had a full tour of the pack. Full induction. Seemed happy enough. Starts

    Monday.¡± I exined, and Caleb nods.

    ¡°Eden is d to have her here, she says she should be good for the school. New teacher, with new

    ideas. She seemed nice too, right?¡± Caleb looked at me, as if he waited for an answer.

    What the hell did he expect me to say? She was a she-wolf I didn¡¯t even know. Sure, she seemed

    okay¡­ can¡¯t say I even knew her, other than she seemed to have one hell of a messed- up past¡­This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

 60

    60

    Chapter 60 Bailey

    Chapter 60 ¨C Bailey

    I strolled through the pack enjoying thete afternoon sunshine, wasting thest of my days before

    my start at school. I could not wait now. I was so excited about starting my new role. I was getting

    good at finding my way around the pack now too, with Akira¡¯s assistance, albeit, but I was getting

    there slowly. I had decided to escape my room for a few hours and walk around the whole pack,

    while most people were likely enjoying azy Sunday with their families.

    My mind had been on home thest few days, but I had barely heard from home. When I did reach

    out, my Dad just kept telling me things were in hand and not to worry about anything. Which, I

    cannot lie, kind of made me worry all the more. This made me feel like he was likely hiding things

    from me. Were things happening, and he didn¡¯t want me to know? I had blocked Miles¡¯ s mobile

    number, so even if he wanted to get hold of me there would be no possibility, or at least not from his

    own phone.

    Sunday back home was definitely a family day. A day for a big meal together. Or possibly a BBQ

    with friends and family. And here I had neither. The closest I had to a friend was Luna Eden, and

    she was still in the hospital. The only other person I had spoken to was the Beta. I had a few funny

    looks in the dining hall from pack members, likely wondering who the strange girl was, but nobody

    actually spoke to me, and I had yet to find the courage to speak to them¡­

    I could not lie, I was feeling lonely. And sitting alone in my room only enhanced that feeling. It was

    not nice. I thought I felt lonely at home, despite being surrounded by family, but this was

    ¤¿

    09:4100

    Chapter 60 Bailey

    <

    288 iVouchers

    equally as bad, because here nobody knew I was here. And I don¡¯t think anyone cared. But, I was

    determined not to feel sorry for myself and had been determined to go out and keep myself busy.

    Which was how I found myself out and wandering the whole of the pack. Needing to keep myself

    moving. Exploring every inch of the pack. Get to know my home. So, while I may not know the

    people here, I could still say I knew the pack¡­

    I had be a little braver and had even decided to wander through the forests too. Despite the

    persistent pushing from Akira for her to shift and go for a run, I pushed her back, not wanting her to

    take over. I wanted to explore the pack myself. Allow myself to get to know where I would be living

    now. Though it now meant Akira was in a mood and had retreated to theher reaches of my mind

    to sulk. Leaving me alone to enjoy my walk in total silence. The forests were beautiful, and as well

    taken care of as the pack was. Alpha Caleb evidently took great care of his pack, and that to me

    showed what a great Alpha he was.

    As I wandered through the shade of the trees, enjoying the sight of the smaller animals I saw, and

    the slight warmth of the sun breaking through the branches above me, I heard footsteps behind me

    and my heart began to race. ¡®Akira?¡¯ I begged, desperately needing my wolf ready to defend me in

    case this was a loose rogue¡­ someone here that should not be. I didn¡¯t even know my way back to

    pack in a hurry if I needed to¡­ nor did anyone know I was here¡­ s**t¡­ I didn¡¯t think this through¡­

    +increased my speed as I moved back in what I thought was the direction of the pack, desperately

    in need of getting away from whoever else could be in the forest. Why did I think it a good idea to

    come for a walk here? Bravery was not brave after all, even less so when my b**dy wolf had gone

    awol after being in

    Chapter 60 Bailey

    288 ?Vouchers

    a mood with me¡­

    My palms were bing sweaty as I moved faster, almost to a run now, just as my foot got caught

    in a root in the undergrowth, and I tripped, going flying, the flooring to meet my face far too

    quickly, before I could even stop myself. And as I fell, I heard the footstepsing even closer.

    ¡°Who is there?¡± a deep male voice demanded, angrily.

    My head felt fuzzy, while my heart raced. Surely a rogue wouldn¡¯ t demand you identify yourself,This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    would they? Either way, my mouth did not seem capable of working right now. I was

    struggling to breathe, let alone speak, as I was so panicked. Suddenly, two feet, heavily d in big

    boots were in front of

    me¡­

    ¡°Who are you?¡± the voice demanded once more, as my eyes rose up from the heavy military boots

    the man had on his feet all the way up his strong body, to his big blue eyes. His sandy blond hair

    slicked back off his face into a small bun, despite his hair also being s**d undercut. The strong,

    chiseled features looking down at me with curiosity, a small smile ying upon his lip. ¡°Are you

    going to answer me?¡±

    ¡°I¡­erm¡­¡± I stuttered, still struggling with my words. I would say going from how he was dressed he

    could be a guard¡­ maybe a warrior¡­ definitely not a rogue.

    Suddenly, a hand was ced in front of me, as if to offer me assistance in getting up. ¡°Come on,

    let¡¯s get you up.¡±

    took his hand, surprised by the strong grip of his hand, as he helped me up. I felt his eyes upon me

    as I now stood in front of him, in my navy yoga pants and matching cropped top, and

    Chapter 60- Bailey

    288 Vouchers

    trainers. My long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. I likely looked hot and sweaty and a total

    mess. Now with added features of twigs and leaves for added effect¡­ not a look any woman would

    want when encountering a man, but I did not expect to be seeing anyone whilst I was out walking.

    ¡°So, for the third time. Who are you?¡± he smiled, he didn¡¯t seem quite so intimidating when he

    smiled like that. His big blue eyes almost t**d. ¡°And then I may even move onto the question of why

    you are up here, if you can manage that.¡±

    I scowled at him, not appreciating his patronism. ¡°I am not **d.¡±

    ¡°Did I say you were?¡± he smiled again. ¡°Though in my defense, all I have seen of you so far is that

    you fall over your own feet and until this point,cked the ability to talk, so it didn¡¯t look great.¡±

    I pouted in annoyance. He was a cheeky f***ker this one, and I don¡¯t even know who he was!

    ¡°Are you going to give me an answer?¡± he asked again.

    ¡°I am the new teacher, I was going for a walk around pack, and wasn¡¯t aware I wasn¡¯t allowed to!

    ¡°Didn¡¯t say you weren¡¯t allowed to, did I? No need to get your panties in a twist over me

    sweetheart.¡± He winked, with a deep chuckle, making me look at him with a raise of my eyebrows.

    This guy seemed awfully confident.

    ¡°Oh, believe me, you had no effect whatsoever on my panties.¡± I said c**ly, only making him chuckle

    more.

    Chapter 60 Bailey

    288 ?Vouchers

    ¡°Hmmm, there may be time for that yet.¡± He winked again. ¡°Now, do you know your way back, that

    is the question?¡±

    ¡°Erm¡­¡± I faltered, desperately not wanting to admit I likely wasn¡¯ t sure of my way back, not with

    Akira gone awol, off in her little temper tantrum somewhere. But knowing if I didn¡¯t admit it, I could

    be wandering around the forest and even pack for some time yet¡­

    The guy next to me grinned. ¡°I will take that as a no. Come on, my shift is almost done. I will show

    you how to get back. Always nice to help a damsel in distress.¡±

    I give him a dark re, but again he only chuckles. This guy seems to find everything funny. ¡°Jeez,

    do you not have a sense of humor hidden in them curves there?¡± he questions as his eyes drift over

    my body, making me shiver¡­

    ¡°For me to use my sense of humor, first would you not have to be funny?¡± I said with a smirk, and

    he smiled.

    ¡°Ooooh b**hy.¡± He wiggled his brows at me. ¡°You might want to remember that without me, you will

    be lost.¡±

    I sighed, I honestly don¡¯t know which would be worse right

    now¡­

 61

    61

    Chapter 61 ¨C Bailey

    I had no choice but to ept the help of the most irritating man ever, and we were walking through

    the forest together. He stomped heavily through the trees, evidently knowing where he was going.

    Which I could not lie, was definitely a good thing, because without Akira here with me, I had no clue

    where I was going! Of all the times for her to go off in a huff, now was definitely not an ideal time¡­

    ¡°Were you on patrol?¡± I asked. I only spoke because I was hating the awkward silence between us,

    but at the same time I so desperately not wanting to talk to him either. ¡°Will you get in trouble for

    leaving?¡±

    ¡°Yes I was, but nah I shouldn¡¯t think so. Found some loner wandering in the forest, so I am bringing

    her back to pack for interrogation. Don¡¯t think they can argue with me on that one.¡± He winked at

    me.

    ¡°Interrogation?¡± I rolled my eyes.

    ¡°Hmm, well, your name could be a start?¡± he grinned.

    ¡°Oh.¡± I felt my cheeks heating at his joke, he had clearly been teasing me, and that had worked. He

    was such a d**k. ¡°Bailey.¡± ¡°Well, Bailey, nice to meet you. I am Marc.¡± He offered me his hand, but I

    chose to ignore it, not willing to shake his hand after he had done nothing since meeting me but

    tease me, and going off his response, he had found great pleasure in it too!

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    *288 Vouchers

    He looked at me a little ufortable before slipping his hand into his pocket and muttering,

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    I felt bad about how guilty he looked, and realized I had likely offended him now. Dammit, I was

    being grumpy, and I knew I was¡­¡± No, it is fine, I am sorry. Just me being grumpy I guess.¡± I

    admitted with a sigh¡­

    ¡°You missing home?¡± he asked and I shrugged,

    ¡°Worried about home, more like, but nobody is telling me much.¡± I said without really thinking, as I

    focused on not tripping over again. I think tripping over once in front of this guy is enough for

    today¡­

    ¡°Oh, that doesn¡¯t sound good. S***t going down there, is it?¡± he questioned, though I didn¡¯t note any

    judgment in his tone.

    I shrugged, not sure if to give him any further information. ¡°It isplicated.¡±

    ¡°That your way of telling me to mind my own business?¡± he chuckled, and I smiled. ¡°You are brave

    heading out here on your own then if things are not great back home.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± I smiled at him again, not even willing to tell him it was a case of needing to get away

    from there now.

    ¡°So, are you excited about the new job then? They have been looking for a new teacher for what

    seems like forever!¡± he told me with a smile. ¡°My Mum works there.¡± he added, as if he felt the need

    to exin why he knew that.

    ¡°Really?¡± I looked at him in surprise, feeling suddenly bad for being horrible to the son of the woman

    who would soon be my

    Chapter 61-Bailey

    288 Vouchers

    colleague.

    ¡°Yep, good ol¡¯ Mrs Sullivan.¡± He grinned. ¡°Sure she will be happy to have you there.¡±

    ¡°We will see when I get there, I may be terrible!¡± I told him with a wry smile, and he gave me a

    shake of his head, as we crossed over the road from the forest heading toward the main part of the

    pack. I knew had Marc not helped me it would have taken me forever to find my way here, because

    I still had no clue how we had got here!

    ¡°I highly doubt that, or Alpha Caleb would not have taken you on, they have been pretty fussy. Trust

    me, I would know, I heard it all from my Mum!¡± he grinned at me, and I found myself smiling back.

    ¡°You are weird.¡± I told him with a roll of my eyes, and he chuckled.

    ¡°Got me sussed.¡± He suddenly h**d his, arm around my shoulder in what appeared to be a yful

    gesture, giving me a squeeze,pletely taking me by surprise. ¡°And you have known me about

    ten minutes!¡±

    I looked up at him, curious at what he thought he was doing, when a deep voice from across the

    road suddenly disturbed us. ¡°Get your hands off her.¡±

    Instantly, Marc¡¯s arm slipped from around my shoulder, and I saw fear cross his handsome features,

    telling me he knew that voice. He looked at me anxiously before looking in the direction of the angry

    sounding voice, as I too looked up, only to be met by the angry stare of Asher. Why the hell was he

    being like that?

    44.75%

    been helping her find her way back to pack.¡±

    ¡°She has only just arrived Marc, I am sure she does not need your womanizing ways interfering with

    her life.¡± Asher snapped, and I saw Marc¡¯s face flush, looking guilty. But, despite the fact he may be

    adies¡¯ man, my anger raced that Beta Asher was being so rude towards him, not to mention

    interfering in who I was talking to¡­ What is it to do with Beta Asher if I choose to talk to him?

    ¡°Would that not be my decision, Beta?¡± I questioned and both their eyes darted to me, a look of

    surprise on Marc¡¯s face, and one of anger on Asher¡¯s face.

    A dark scowl appeared upon Asher¡¯s face as he looked to Marc. He looked like he was ready to kill

    someone¡­

    ¡°You have been here a matter of days, and you have already found yourself a recement for the

    guy you hoped to be your chosen mate that found his fated, I see?¡± he looked at me as he spoke

    icily, and his words hit me hard¡­

    I stood in shock at his words while Marc looked at me awkwardly, my whole body was trembling, so

    desperate toe back with a good argument, but, I needed to get away. I could not believe this

    nasty f**r could throw such an evilment at me when he knew how much I had been struggling

    with the situation with Harley. His kind words after had made me think there was a nice guy inside

    his tough exterior after all. Ha¡­ Evidently, he wasn¡¯t the nice guy I was starting to think he was.

    I didn¡¯t want to be there a moment longer, because I could feel tears pr*g in my eyes, so as fast as I

    could, I rushed away from the two of them. To hear Marc exining that he thoughtThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    the Beta was out of order and that he had simply been helping me find my way back to pack. But I

    am past caring. I would be staying out of Beta Asher¡¯s way.

 62

    62

    Chapter 62 ¨C Asher

    I saw the disgust in Bailey¡¯s eyes at my initialment, but the disgust soon turned to pain at my

    sly dig. I don¡¯t even know where it came from¡­ I was awaiting a sarcastic reaction from her like

    previously before. She seemed good at them, but then I saw the tears building in her eyes and she

    quickly walked away with no further words.

    Marc, one of our pack¡¯s senior warriors, and definitely one of the more popr ones with thedies,

    looked at me with disdain. ¡°Was there any need for that?¡± he snapped, taking me by surprise. ¡°I was

    simply helping the poor girl back to pack, Beta. She was lost in the forest. And, going from the look

    on her face, she looked like she wanted to cry.¡±

    I looked down at my feet momentarily, angry he felt he had any right to talk to me like that. ¡°Well,

    how was. I to know that?¡± I snarled.

    ¡°What difference would it make to you anyway?¡± he asked, and I paused. He was right¡­ what

    difference did it make to me? Absolutely none. If she wanted to get involved with one of our pack¡¯s

    most eligible bachelors, that would be her look out. I was trying to protect her was all¡­ it had took

    me by surprise seeing him with his arm around her and thought he was trying it on with her¡­ I was

    defending her honor the same way I would my sisters if I saw him doing that to one of them¡­

    ¡°I thought you were hitting on her and I was defending her. Warning you off. Giving the poor girl a

    chance. Same way I would my sisters¡­¡± my voice faltered as I saw the way Marc

    11.07

    208 Vouchers

    was looking at me. He had his brows raised and he was shaking his head.

    ¡°You looked like you wanted to kill me, Beta Asher.¡± He muttered. ¡°And the way you spoke to her

    was out of order. If she has lost a mate, be it because he found his fated mate or been rejected or

    whatever, she did not need it thrown in her face like that.¡± And suddenly I feel confused. I knew I

    was being spiteful when I spoke. But I had never intended to hurt her. Yet, I did not need telling my

    mistakes by a warrior either¡­

    ¡°Thank you for your time Marc.¡± I said bluntly, moving away from him, because the way I feel rightC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    now, and the fact Zion is pushing forward, his presence undting beneath my skin, means I am so

    unbelievably close to going for this guy. Likely punching him right on the nose. And, as much

    pleasure as I may gain from doing that, I don¡¯t think it would prove to Caleb that I was in the right

    state of mind to continue in my role as Beta. Nor would it help me in proving to Bailey I regretted my

    behavior¡­ And I don¡¯t think Marc¡¯s Mum would forgive me.

    ¡°There is no harm in having mixed feelings for her, you know Beta?¡± Marc¡¯s voice was speaking

    once more, but it was suddenly a lot softer, attempting to reassure me, I believe. ¡°Nobody would

    think badly of you for having feelings for another woman, you know? It is only natural. It has been a

    long time. since you lost I. I know it still hurts. We all still miss her too. But, being alone forever

    doesn¡¯t have to be the way you live your life.¡±

    looked across at the brother of my lost mate, and I hated him all the more. How dare he imply I had

    feelings for the new girl. I was simply protecting her from his womanizing ways. He was a

    asman and always had been. Ever since I¡¯s Mum had

    20.10%

    11.071

    moved here once her husband had died, to be closer to where I had been. To make a fresh start

    after the loss. Bringing her warrior son with her. Who had worked his way up the ranks to senior

    warrior he had be quite the hit with thedies¡­

    ¡°You are f** clueless.¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°I thought you were hitting on her.¡±

    ¡°And if I was?¡± he questioned.

    I thought about it and realized it would be none of my business. I simply shrugged. ¡°Thought she

    ought to be warned.¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°Cheers, bro.¡± he nudged me with his elbow. ¡°But incidentally, as cute as she may be,

    I genuinely found her in the forest. She was running away from me. I think I scared the poor little

    thing, she tripped up. I didn¡¯t know who she was because I didn¡¯t recognize her. When she

    introduced herself, I realized she likely didn¡¯t know her way back, especially in the heightened state

    of panic she seemed to be in. My shift was near done, so I offered to walk her back. That was it.

    Being a gentleman, was all.¡±

    I shook my head at him, surprised he thought she was cute¡­ ¡°Ever the hero, eh Marc?¡±

    ¡°Always. Women love it.¡± He grinned. ¡°But I do think you owe her an apology, Asher.¡±

    I noticed he was back to calling me by my name and not using my title now, which meant he felt

    more rxed, and didn¡¯t see this as being formal¡­

    ¡°I am not good at dealing with people Marc, you know that.¡± I told him. ¡°Got lumbered with her

    induction because Alpha and

    Chapter 62-Asher

    268 Wouchers

    Luna are dealing with pregnancy stuff.¡±

    ¡°I hope you didn¡¯t say it to her quite like that. I can see why she wouldn¡¯t think too highly of you if

    that was the way you have spoken to her.¡±

    ¡°Thanks again Marc.¡± I rolled my eyes, as I reached the packhouse.

    ¡°No worries. I got to go sign off for the day. But seriously, go. apologize to her. Try to be nicer. And

    rein in that temper. I don¡¯t think that would kill you¡­ it may kill someone else if you don¡¯t.¡± he looks

    at me knowingly. The poor guy who had once been my brother-inw had been at the end of my

    temper many a time, yet still acted like a friend. And, despite everything, he had still been there for

    me once I had gone¡­

    I walked through the doors of the packhouse, deciding then I would go and find Bailey. But in

    making that decision, I was shocked at the churning within my stomach, the nerves at having to go

    and talk to Bailey. I was the pack Beta, I ahd to talk to pack members all the time¡­

    ¡®Well you did f**k up.¡¯ Zion helpfully piped up.

    ¡®Do not start, or I will shut you up again!¡¯ I warned him.

    And my delightfully helpful wolf simply chuckled in response, going to curl up in the pit of my mind.

    Not caring in the slightest that he had irritated me. If anything, I am sure he goes out of his way to

    do so¡­

    walked through the busy corridors of the pack to the stairway, knowing I was going to have to try

    hard to allow this new girl to forgive me or else Eden would be on my case forever, and she

    §º

    11:07

    Chapter 62 Asher

    1288 V

    already found so many excuses as it was. I nned to visit themter, and no doubt she would

    want to know how her newest pet project was getting on. It would not go down well if told her I had

    already found a way to upset her and make her cry¡­ I mean that should at least wait a few

    weeks¡­right?

    ¡®Or you could just stop being a jacka*.¡¯* Zion threw in, making me roll my eyes, knowing, despite the

    fact he was chilling withi the pits of my mind, he was still more than aware of my thoughts.

    Ignoring my wolf, I ran up the steps, dashing across thending to reach the door of Bailey¡¯s room.

    But instead of knocking, I stood there awkwardly looking at the door. Looking down, I noticed my

    palms were sweaty. Why was I anxious about havin to apologize to some new girl? Yes¡­ I was out

    of order, I know that, but she was rude to me when all I was trying to do was protect her¡­ I was

    grumpy, as always, because I hadn¡¯t slept¡­ she would understand that, right? F**k this. I don¡¯t

    even know what I would say. I am sure she would get over it.

    And, with that, I quickly turned and walked away from her door. She would just have to remain upset

    with me. I am sure she would rather cry in peace anyway without having to discuss it a with me¡­

 63

    63

    Chapter 63 ¨C Bailey

    I had spent the rest of the day alone in my room. The incident with the Beta caused me to feel the

    need to curl up in bed. I wanted to be alone. I had been struggling with the thought of Harley finding

    his fated mate. I know it was crazy. It truly felt like I had suffered a major loss¡­ yet he was never

    mine to lose. Maybe I just allowed myself to get a little too close¡­ and nothing had really happened

    between us¡­ but I knew feelings were there. They were developing. The promise of a chosen.

    matebond had meant everything to me. Knowing someone saw me as enough¡­

    And then for Beta Asher to so coldly throw what felt like my loss back in my face when he had seen

    how much it was hurting me had been difficult. I had wanted to speak to my Mum, but she wasn¡¯t

    answering my calls, her messages in response to my calls told me things were a little hectic in the

    pack¡­ hmm, yeah, I can only imagine if my Dad and Jordan had gone in there all guns zing.

    But, again, not one of them would update with me any news. When I messaged them to see how

    things were going, all I got was ¡°All going ok.¡± Or ¡°A work in progress.¡± Or ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± I mean,

    come on! Don¡¯t worry?! How was a girl meant to not worry when nobody would tell her anything?!

    Do they not realize how a mind works?!

    I have already arranged everything for starting my new job tomorrow. Two or three times over. So, I

    knew that I was well- prepared. Tomorrow, all my hard work, and dedication (not to mention going

    against the d**k of a fated mate I was given) to

    III

    11:00

    Chapter 83-Bailey

    288 Vouchers

    gain my degree came to fruition as I began my first teaching job. I just hoped the kids liked me! I

    had already had a soak in the bath to rx, but, despite that, and thete hour, I was struggling to

    settle down.

    I decided to go for a walk around the packhouse. See if I could find the library and find a book I

    could read, as s**y, I had left most of my good books at home. That may help me fall asleep easier,

    as reading was my go-to thing of a nighttime before bed. I walked slowly down the empty, dimly lit

    corridors. of the packhouse, finding it quite eerie while it was empty. I tried hard to remember where

    the library was from when I had my tour, while Akira decided it would be funny to make ghost noises

    at me in an attempt to scare me.

    ¡®Stop. Akira. It is not funny!¡¯ I warned her.

    ¡®It is every time you jump!¡¯ she giggled. ¡®You sp**k to easily!¡¯

    I swear I have the most irritating wolf! Maybe wandering around a dimly lit packhouse I am

    unfamiliar with was not the greatest idea in the world¡­

    My heart was pounding in my chest as I turned down one of the adjoining corridors, to where I

    believed the library was. Thankfully, as I pushed the third door I tried open, I found the library, my

    idea of heaven in a room. Shelves upon shelves of books line the walls. I was not a girl that needed

    expensive gifts, no¡­ just a new book and I was happy¡­

    I quickly turned therger light on, and walked into the room, in awe at the many shelves of books. I

    could spend hours here! I began to look along the shelves, Akira soon losing interest and curling up

    in the back of my mind, likely for a nap. Reading was definitely my thing and not hers..

    19.12%

    slid thedder which was attached to the shelves to allow ess to the higher shelves on the wall

    further along, so I could climb up to see what was on the higher shelves. I was beginning to wish I

    hade to explore the library earlier in my spare days¡­

    As I stood at the top of thedder I could see some good books, and I leaned a little further to be

    able to reach one, but as I did, thedder shuddered a little, causing my foot to slip. As my foot

    slipped, my whole body began to tumble downward in one big jumbled mess. Time seemed to slow

    as I slipped through the air with no way of stopping myself, as my arms syed around in panic,

    knowing what was toe. As I came down with an awfully big thud, as the floor came rushing to

    meet me.

    Thankfully, Akira had been partially alert and had helped mend in such a way that I hadnded on

    my butt rather than my neck or anywhere else that would cause serious injury, because falling from

    that high up could have caused some serious injury. But still the pain radiating up my back was not

    nice¡­

    I sat myself up, rubbing my back. Want to do that again?¡¯ Akira giggled.

    ¡®Pi** off.¡¯ I grumbled, not appreciating the fact my weird wolf would find it funny I had fallen. She

    should be trying to help me heal! ¡®That hurt.¡¯

    ¡®Aren¡¯t you supposed tond on your feet?¡¯ she was still giggling.

    ¡®Pretty sure that is a cat. Now shut up, you are not funny. My back is killing.¡¯ Iin, as I rub

    where my back hurts.

    ¡®Be d I helped, or else you¡¯d likely have had a sore head

    288 Wouchert

    Instead. Akira said smugly. D**, I hate my wolf sometimes.

    Suddenly, the library door opened, making me jump, and my eyes darted toward it in shock. Who

    would that be at this time of night?

    Beta Asher rushed in, looking concerned. ¡°Oh it is you!¡± he said, bluntly. Before he appeared to be

    taking in that I was on the floor, surrounded by a number of books. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Yep. All good.¡± I muttered.

    ¡®Is he just s**d?¡¯ Akira joined in for good measure now. Just what I needed. ¡®Surely he can see you

    are hurt?¡±

    I decided to ignore her. Not needing her input right now.

    He suddenly walked over to me. ¡°Did you fall, Bailey? I heard a loud bang.¡± I saw him looking at the

    ladder, then down to me.

    I raised my brows at him and gave him a sarcastic half smile, as if to tell him to work it out himself.

    Surely he wasn¡¯t that s**d, was she?

    ¡°Why are you in here at this time of night? And for that matter, why are you climbing adder with

    socks on?¡± he said in the most patronizing tone ever, leaning down to try to help me up, offering me

    his hand, which I ignored. Yes, I knew it hadn¡¯t been the smartest idea in the world attempting to

    climb thedder in the slipper socks I had on my feet, but there were books up there¡­ books I

    wanted to see¡­ books that I may want to read¡­ and I didn¡¯t have shoes with me, as I had decided

    to leave my room in my PJs and slipper socks, so I made do with what I had. I may be regretting it

    now¡­

    59.54%

    11:08

    Akira says suddenly, and I have to ty

    Though, I have to say her idea is not a bad one¡­

    ¡°I am fine. You can go now.¡± I dismissed him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you are. You have just fallen. How far up thedd were you?¡± He questions, literally

    pushing his hand into mine t help me up.

    I saw no option but to ept his assistance, and take his help to stand up, feeling a little unsteady

    on my feet, almost falling over. ¡°Woah.¡± Beta Asher instantly h**d his arm around my waist. ¡°Right,

    come and sit down on the sofa.¡± He helped me walk to one the many sofas within the library.

    He softly helped me sit down, before sitting down next to me, and I could now feel his eyes looking

    at me. I felt ufortabl under his gaze, yet I slowly raised my eyes to meet his. ¡°I am fine.¡± I told

    him with a slow shake of my head.

    ¡°It looked like it.¡± He smiled, a tight and forced smile. ¡°But, seriously, how far up thedder were

    you?¡±

    ¡°The top.¡±

    ¡°Shit, Bailey. Maybe I should get you checked at the hospital.¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t hit my head. Stop stressing. I am still alive. You don¡¯t get rid of me that easily.¡± I red at

    him, and he was smirking.

    ¡°Well, if you had died like that, at least Eden couldn¡¯t have med that one on me.¡± He said with a

    sarcastic smile.

    hot.¡±

    ¡°he questioned now, and I

    ch only drew my attention to :hed into two fists. ¡°I am

    he asked softly.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

 64

    64

    Chapter 64 ¨C Asher

    I had been doing my usual nightly patrol of the packhouse when there had been one hell of a tter

    and thud from one of the rooms down the corridor, causing me to go and investigate. There should

    be nobody in the rooms, so I was on the

    defensive. But the moment I approached the room I could smell Bailey¡¯s smell. What on earth was

    she doing up and down here at this time of the night?

    ¡®Never mind that you b**d. Is she okay? What was the bang?¡± Zion added bluntly, and I realized he

    likely had a point, so I quickly opened the door.

    As I nced around the room, my eyes instantly found her, sitting on the floor. Dressed in her

    pajamas, and her hair a mane of big brown curls, so different to the tamed straightened hair I had

    seen her with since she had arrived. As her eyes met mine, she did not seem pleased to see me.

    And her attitude proved much the same.

    ¡°Oh it is you!¡± I said to her, so she realized I had been wondering who the hell had been wandering

    around the packhouse this f**gte at night, disturbing what I was doing. Though as I looked at her,

    she looked in difort and was surrounded by a number of books, which looked like she had

    dropped them. ¡°Are you okay?¡± I added, wondering if she had hurt herself.

    ¡°Yep. All good.¡± she muttered. Of course, she was. She wouldn¡¯t admit it if she wasn¡¯t, would she?

    I quickly walked over to where she sat, needing to check she

    1108

    was okay. If she had fallen, she could have hurt herself. ¡°Did you fall, Bailey? I heard a loud bang.¡± I

    asked before looking up at the nearbydder, and back down to her sitting on the floor, her face

    grimacing in pain. Had she been on thedder? Surely she wasn¡¯t that silly?

    Then she simply raised her perfectly shaped brows at me and gave me a sarcastic, barely there

    smile. What the hell was I supposed to decipher from that? wasn¡¯t a f**g mind reader! I wanted to

    know if she had hurt herself, not if she was annoyed at me¡­ G**d d*it s*e was infuriating!

    ¡°Why are you in here at this time of night?¡± I asked her,pletely confused as to why she isn¡¯t

    tucked up in bed ready for starting her new job tomorrow. ¡°And for that matter, why are you climbing

    adder with socks on?¡± I added, desperately wanting an answer to why she would be so

    irresponsible as to try to climb adder in socks. Wasn¡¯t she supposed to be clever? Common

    sense would tell you attempting to climb adder in socks would be a bad idea, wouldn¡¯t it? I offered

    Bailey my hand to help her up, but her being stubborn seemed to ignore me. Eurgh¡­

    ¡°I am fine. You can go now.¡± Bailey told me coldly, with a dirty look. Wow. I am trying to help her, and

    I get a dirty look. And to be fair, she doesn¡¯t look fine. She looked in pain and far from fine¡­

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you are. You have just fallen. How far up thedder were you?¡± I asked again, this time

    not giving her an option, I pushed my hand into hers, to ensure she had help in getting up.

    Her hand clenched around mine, though I had a feeling it was more because she felt she had no

    choice with my literally

    and the pelted herself up. Yet, the

    bat a little, and she stumbled

    went to steady her, not wanting her to fall

    ed as booked my arth around her waist to steady

    wing har to Man on me. The scent of c**n**t from her Biding thy senses as I was that close to her.

    ¡°Right,e and et down on the sofa ¡°I walked her to one of the sofas, and with shaky legs she sat

    down, and I joined her.

    Sing alongside one another, feeling more than a little uncofrifortable, I looked at her, trying to see if

    she had hurt herself, also a little intrigued by how different she looked with her natural hair. Why she

    would spend ages taming her curls I didn¡¯t know, not when the curls were quite beautiful¡­

    Bailey¡¯s eyes moved to meet mine. ¡°I am fine.¡± She dismissed me with a slow shake of her head.

    ¡°It looked like it.¡± I said with an ufortable smile. ¡°But, seriously, how far up thedder were

    you?¡±

    ¡°The top.¡±

    ¡°Shit, Bailey Maybe I should get you checked at the hospital.¡± I found myself mumbling, genuinely

    worried about her now. That was quite a distance to fall.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t hit my head. Stop stressing. I am still alive. You don¡¯t get rid of me that easily.¡± She said to

    me, with quite the dirty look upon her face, yet I cannot help but smirk at her. She is a sarcastic little

    thing when she wants to be.

    ¡°Well, if you had died like that at least Eden couldn¡¯t have

    med that one on me.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but say with a sarcastic smile.

    Bailey is looking at me, but simply shakes her head, her curls. bouncing as she does. ¡°I guess not.¡±

    While I looked at her, I couldn¡¯t help but ask again. ¡°Why are you down here thiste?¡±

    With a shrug, she answered bluntly. ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep.¡±

    Hearing those words makes me wonder if the incident earlier was to me? I knew she was

    struggling with the issue with the guy finding his fated mate and I had been a bit harsh about it. all¡­

    I found myself clenching my fists in anxiety. I had likely been out of order¡­ she didn¡¯t deserve me

    being like that earlier¡­ I can¡¯t help but wonder if her mind was struggling to settle because of my

    actions¡­ I guess that would be understandable¡­

    ¡°I am guessing that could be my fault?¡± I asked quietly, and I saw her looking at me with raised

    brows.

    ¡°What would make you think that?¡± she says, leaning against the arm of the sofa, wincing slightly as

    she does, telling me she had hurt herself more than she had let on as she had fallen.

    ¡°Because I was out of order earlier, and I should not have said what I did.¡± I said, the words painfully

    slow toe from my mouth, as I avoided her gaze. I hated admitting I was in the wrong, but in this

    instance, there was no denying it, I knew that.

    ¡°You found that hard, huh?¡± she tapped my foot gently with her foot, as if she was teasing.

    57 18

    1109

    My gaze met hers. But I found no criticism in those big brown. eyes of hers. Just warmth.

    Friendliness. ¡°I am not good with. people, Bailey. I haven¡¯t been since I lost my mate.¡± I said quietly,

    surprising myself at my honesty.

    She nodded. ¡°I think I can understand that. Losing your mate can be the hardest thing in the world. I

    don¡¯t think it would be unreasonable for it to make you feel like you hate the world.¡±

    Her words shock me. She didn¡¯t seem to be judging me, she seemed to be genuinely open to

    understanding how this had been for me. ¡°It likely shouldn¡¯t have been when I had barely had

    chance for the bond to form¡­¡± I muttered quietly, something I barely mentioned to anyone,

    something that I struggled with constantly. I had barely been mine. Our matebond was barely

    established, not developed. But losing her felt like it had shredded my whole heart and soul apart. I

    probably wasn¡¯t suffering like someone who had lost their fated mate of decades. But I felt like I had

    my heart ripped out¡­

    I felt Bailey¡¯s eyes upon me. ¡°A matebond is a matebond. I don¡¯t think time can alter the feelings

    when your souls were tied together. Fated to be together. It is difficult to lose who was meant to be

    your other half.¡± She says gently, before looking down at her hands. I can¡¯t help but wonder how she

    must feel then¡­ if her fated mate did not want her and then the man she had chosen had now

    found his own fated, and taken the path fate ned for him, leaving her alone once more¡­

    I looked across at her, and I saw her chewing her lower lip deep in thought, before she nced at

    me. ¡°I think I will go to my room again now.¡± She said quietly, making me wonder if she too had

    been thinking about the same thing.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Will you be okay?¡± I asked, worried about her, not only with the fact she had fallen, but now with

    how she must be feeling too.

    ¡°I always am.¡± She said with a quick nod, before quickly moving away from me, leaving me to watch

    her walk away¡­

 65

    65

    Chapter 65-Jordan

    Life at home could not be more perfect. Waking up to the most. beautiful of mates each and every

    day was sheer heaven. Wearing her mark upon my neck, showing the world that I was hers¡­ and

    her wearing mine, to show the world she was mine¡­ made for one another. I would happily spend

    every day in our new home. But, things within the pack were unsettled. News. had spread that Miles

    had been sent away. Sent to treatment. for his anger as well as for additional training, for if he were

    to be Alpha. Though the official line for pack members is that he is gaining additional Alpha

    training. Wanting to be the best Alpha he can be¡­

    Ha. I don¡¯t think there was a good Alpha in him anymore. I am not certain there ever was. It was

    only in recent weeks I had seen the truth. And the clearer it had be. How I had never seen it

    before, I honestly don¡¯t know. I think perhaps a small part of me was swept away by it all¡­ in him¡­

    in his power¡­ the aura of him¡­ he certainly had that ability. So many of our pack idolized him.

    Power had gone to his head. And it had changed him for the worse. Thankfully, my Uncle, our

    current Alpha, had listened to all we had to say, though I do think the fact his own son, Miles¡¯s

    brother, being there had helped massively. He had gone home, thought it all through, spoken about

    it all with his wife ande back to discuss it all with us.

    They had decided Miles needed to seek treatment. Saying his anger was out of control. While I

    agree, to some degree, in my opinion, that has always be . an issue. And, I am not sure if I

    11:09

    could ever see that changing. I think the power of being an Alpha was what fed the anger and

    nastiness within him.

    But, they wanted him to gain this treatment and seek a mate. Oddly, my Uncle had even asked my

    Dad if he thought Bailey would consider returning home to take Miles as her fated mate like fate had

    nned. Saying she was made for Miles. That they could be perfect to run the pack together.

    Desperately trying to convince my Dad how wonderful it could be to have their children mated¡­

    My Mum had told me all hell had broken loose, and my Dad was ready to kill my Uncle when he

    suggested that. So, needless to say, that idea was quickly scrapped, which was definitely for the

    better. And there would have been no way in hell that Bailey would have agreed to that anyway¡­

    I thought when Alpha Marshall had mentioned it in the office he would have realized it was a no-go.

    But, evidently not. So, they had decided Miles would be seeking a chosen mate, and all I could say,

    was goddess help any woman mated to him. For he did not know how to think of anyone but

    himself. And he did not do being faithful. I knew from the many times he had a girlfriend through the

    years, he would still go out and seek women to hook up with on the side. So, if my Aunt and Uncle

    truly thought finding a mate would settle him down, they were mistaken I think¡­

    I had been summoned to the office by my Uncle, so I had left my mate at home, and was walking

    through the pack now. The early morning sunshine did nothing to brighten my mood. I was sure the

    pack members knew something was not right within the pack, but were too afraid to ask. As I

    crossed the road, Ellis came into view. I knew he too was settling into life with his new

    11.00

    2 Vouchers

    mate, and he seemed happy, as I did. Strange how meeting your fated mate can have such an

    impact on you. Yet, having met Gia and experiencing this myself, this puzzled me, as

    discovering Bailey was his mate had never changed Miles, not in the slightest¡­

    ¡°Hey Jordan!¡± Ellis greeted me with a smile.

    ¡°Hey.¡±

    ¡°You off to the packhouse?¡± he asked, and I nodded in agreement.

    ¡°You?¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°No, off to say bye to my Mum. Going to Alpha training.¡± He rolled his eyes, like

    he thought it was such an inconvenience, though in some ways I imagine it would be, because it

    would take him away from his new mate.

    I raised my brows at him, this was new information. Did this mean they were now preparing for the

    likelihood Miles would not be a suitable Alpha after all? ¡°Alpha training?¡± I asked, trying to sound

    nonchnt.

    He nodded. ¡°Think it is a precaution they want to take. They need to have a capable Alpha to take

    my Dad¡¯s ce, and right now, Miles is not it, and while I could to some degree, they want me to

    take the official training.¡± He said with a shrug, like it is nothing. But this is not nothing, this is huge.

    This is the second son, potentially taking the title from the first son¡­ the next in line¡­ The heir¡­

    Miles would go batshit crazy if he learned of this¡­

    ¡°So, you are going to be the next Alpha?¡± I asked, once again

    11.09

    1 288 Vouchers

    trying to sound as if I was making everyday conversation, not asking such a huge question. A

    question that could alter the future for him, my best friend and me¡­

    ¡°Not a fucking clue, but the fact Miles is being a jackass in treatment, it is looking more likely, I

    would guess.¡± He shrugged again, like he wasn¡¯t bothered. It was fine for him. For me, this could

    mean the difference between my future role as Beta. A role that I have trained for for years, to

    suddenly being nothing but a standard pack member¡­

    ¡°His treatment isn¡¯t going to n then, I guess?¡± I asked, though I have to say I am not surprised.

    He was taken there nigh on kicking and screaming, so the fact he was fighting the treatment now he

    was there did not surprise me in the slightest.

    Ellis shook his head. ¡°Couldn¡¯t be further from going to n. Fighting it with everything he has got.

    But, that is Miles, isn¡¯t it? He is there and that is what we need.¡±

    I rolled my eyes. ¡°No, what we need is him actually doing the treatment.¡±

    ¡°He has always been this way J, you know that. I don¡¯t think there is any fixing him. Maybe calming

    him a little. Finding him the mate my Mum and Dad want, pop a few pups out, and he should be

    okay.¡±

    ¡°Are you having augh?¡± I eximed in shock. ¡°Pop a few pups out?! You would curse a child to

    having him as their Dad with the way he can be right now? Especially when he is likely to be

    cheating on his mate, as he has yet to find a girl he can stay faithful to.¡±

    Ellis stood looking at me with his eyes wide, like he was not

    Chapter 65-Jordan

    288 Vouchers

    expecting my outburst, but I didn¡¯t care. It sounded like he was as deluded as his parents if this wasC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    what he believed. ¡°We need to give him some hope J.¡±

    ¡°No, Ellis, he needs help first. Hopeester.¡± I said, walking away before I end up saying

    something I regret.

 66

    66

    Chapter 66 ¨C Asher

    After what can only be considered very little sleep once again, I was awake. Though myck of

    sleep had not been purely down to my recurrent thoughts of I. Reliving the pain of losing her.

    Last night my thoughts had been riddled with concerns about Bailey too. Something that had taken

    me by surprise, I have to

    say¡­

    But, she had looked hurt when she walked away from me in the library. I still never got my answer

    as to why she was down there sote. Other than that, she couldn¡¯t sleep. Hell, I know that feeling,

    but still, surely she wouldn¡¯te wandering the corridors of somewhere she is still unfamiliar with.

    But, I suppose,mon sense tells me the obvious answer would be to find a book, but I hate the

    thought of her sitting alone struggling with her thoughts because of something I had said in the heat

    of the moment. And, for some reason, I could not shake the thought that that was what she was

    likely doing.

    Yes, I was a jacka** at the best of times, but I would like to think I was still a decent guy deep down.

    Sometimes, you have to dig pretty deep to find the decent guy, because he got hidden or lost in the

    s***t that was going on in the mess that was my mind, but I like to think he is still there or still

    capable of being there when I need him to be. And, I do not like the thought of a perfectly innocent

    woman hurting because of my words.

    That is not how I was brought up, and that was not the sort of guy I wanted to be either. Nor did I

    want Bailey thinking that of me. She had been here a matter of days, and already her opinion of me

    was probably already scraping the barrel. Can¡¯t

    say I was doing well¡­

    1 still hadn¡¯t apologized to her properlyst night either. It had been a half-a**d attempt at an

    apology, but she had rushed. out before I managed to finish, so I nned to find her at some point

    today and apologize properly. That was the right thing to do. No matter how difficult that might be for

    me.

    ¡°Wow. Personal growth.¡¯ Zion chuckled to himself as I got dressed, and my thoughts were running

    through my mind.

    ¡°Seriously man, do not start with me today.¡¯ I rolled my eyes, my bl**dy wolf was dead set on giving

    me a hard time! And I hadn¡¯t. even had my coffee yet¡­

    ¡°Well, the poor girl deserves an apology.¡¯ He told me, and I know. I done bad if my wolf, the

    animalistic side of me, was telling me right from wrong¡­

    I walked out of my suite, and onto thending, looking around to see if I could see Bailey, knowing

    that she, may well be around early too, heading out for her first day at her new job. I had even

    contemted calling for her to go to breakfast together, but then reconsidered, thinking it would

    maybe look a little.

    presumptuous, not to mention a little over-friendly. And, I don¡¯t think she considers us friends.

    I noticed with slight disappointment, there was no sight of her, so instead of going to the dining hall

    for my coffee, I figured I would make my way to the office instead and grab a coffee there, before

    going to the hospital to see how Eden was doing. Hopefully that little one would decide it was

    cooked enough and hop right on out of its mama¡¯s belly, so his Daddy could get back to work,

    because all this extra work was beginning to take its toll on my poor brain. Not that would ever tell

    Caleb that, he

    ´¨

    didn¡¯t need the additional stress. knew he was worried enough about Eden and the little one,

    without being made to feel guilty about piling the additional workload on me.

    I reached my office quickly, doing my best to avoid any interaction with the many pack members

    beginning to arrive. The corridors beginning to be busier as more pack. members made their

    way to the dining hall, and to various other areas of the packhouse that were used during the day.

    Such a stark difference to the eerie silence of the nighttime. Though, I have to say it was a peace I

    craved by the end of the day¡­

    I softly closed my door behind me, moving straight to my coffee machine, d that supplies had

    been topped up. As I began to make my coffee, my phone began to ring, and I answered.

    ¡°Hey Ash¡± Eden greeted me cheerfully.

    ¡°Good morning Eden.¡± I smiled. ¡°How are you doing sweetheart?¡± Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Still fat. Still ufortable. Still pregnant. Thanks for asking.¡± She grumbled. ¡°You?¡±

    ¡°Erm, would you hate me if I said not fat, not ufortable, not pregnant?¡± I teased.

    I heard her almost hiss down the phone at me, only making meugh, telling me my teasing had

    worked. She was always so easy to wind up, and had brought a lot of amusement to Caleb and me

    over the years. ¡°Not ufortable?¡± she questioned. ¡°Aren¡¯t you ufortable in most situations

    that involve other people?¡± she said sarcastically, and I cannot help but smile, as she got me good

    on that one.

    51.836

    ¡°Haha.¡± I responded. ¡°Difference is Eden, I am on my own right. now, enjoying my morning coffee.

    So not ufortable in the slightest.¡±

    *Asher Alcott! I wille over there, albeit I will have to waddle to get there and kick your a** Why

    are you not at the school?¡± Eden yelled down the phone at me. Was I supposed to be at the school?

    ¡°Huh?¡± I answered in confusion.

    ¡°Bailey begins her new job today, and you are sitting on your sorry behind in your office enjoying

    one of your luxury coffees, feeling far from ufortable.¡± Eden snarled down the phone at me,

    and at that moment I truly wish I hadn¡¯t even bothered answering my phone to her¡­ she gave me

    more of a hard time than my own mother!

    ¡°And why does the fact she starts her job mean I need to be at school?¡± I asked. ¡°I know you like to

    think.I am***d, but I am pretty sure I am past needing teaching.¡±

    Eden made the hissing noise again, making me seriously wonder if she was not the werewolf she

    was meant to be, and perhaps a snake or a cat¡­ because that hissing sure sounded along those

    lines¡­ ¡°Because the decent thing for her new employers would be to be there to greet her.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I do that when I stayed up until s**id o¡¯clock to greet her and her far too happy Daddy?¡± I

    asked sarcastically, only to be answered with a snarl from Eden, which told me all I needed to know.

    It also told me where I would be spending my morning¡­

    G***d d****t. Seemed I was heading to the school to pretend to

    11:10

    1288 Vouchers

    be cheerful again, and wee Bailey into her new job¡­ sure she would be over the moon to see

    me!

 67

    67

    Chapter 67 ¨C Jordan

    I stormed through the packhouse, rage rushing through me at everything Ellis had told me. How can

    he be so dismissive of his brother? He had to know that Miles was out of control. He had seen it as

    much as I had¡­

    ¡®Baby, are you okay? I can feel you through the bond and you feel so angry. Has something

    happened?¡¯ Gia¡¯s voice, almost purrs at me through the mindlink, and instantly I feel better. D**n, I

    wish I could have stayed home with her¡­

    Sorry beautiful, I forget you can feel my emotions through that thing sometimes. Yeah, I am okay. I

    just saw Ellis, and something he said got on my nerves. Are you okay?¡¯ I replied, not wanting her to

    be worried. She didn¡¯t need to know all of my worries. I wanted her to enjoy her time here in the

    pack and not be caught up in all of these recent dramas, Yet, since the moment she had arrived,

    she had been trapped in every bit of the drama, and I hated that. It was not the wee to my pack

    I wanted for my mate.

    ¡®Yeah, I am just making some breakfast, then I am going to meet your Mum.¡¯ She told me. ¡®You think

    you will be long? I am missing you.¡¯

    ¡®Who knows? Though I am missing you too, beautiful. You know I would be home with you if I could.

    But, I have no clue what my Uncle is wanting with me. Whether it is a quick chat, or more, a chat,

    and then he chooses to send me off to do something. Bearing in mind, I have just seen Ellis on the

    way to say goodbye to his Mum because he i aving for Alpha training.¡±

    0.00%

    ¡®What?¡¯ I could hear a wobble in her tone even through the mindlink. You think they will be sending

    you away?¡±

    Okay, maybe mentioning Ellis being sent away for his Alpha training was not a good idea, the panic

    in Gia¡¯s tone was more than evident. She clearly was no worrying I would be packed off somewhere

    now¡­.

    ¡®Stop worrying Gia! I didn¡¯t say that, did I? I have already done my Beta training. Though if Ellis took

    the Alpha role, I may well have wasted my time. Because he will get to choose his own Beta and

    G** positions. So all my years of training and working toward that could be for nothing, and you may

    be mated to a standard pack member, I am sorry to say beautiful.¡¯ I told her, suddenly anxious as to

    what she might think of that. And beginning to question if I should maybe have waited until I had got

    home until I spoke to her about this, and broke it to her properly. What if she didn¡¯t want me?

    ¡®Wait, first, let me just say, you think it would bother me for even a second if you were just a

    standard pack member, Jordan?¡¯ her tone through the link was calmer this time. Determined almost.

    ¡®But I would be hurting for you. Because I know how much it means to you. This is your family

    heritage. Something you have dreamed of since being a young boy. Trained for since being at

    young boy too. Doing all those extra training sessions. You were meant to be a Beta, so for you to

    lose that chance would break your heart, I know it would. But, I know that they would be doing what

    was right for the pack, removing Miles. So do you. You have said yourself how dangerous he is,

    baby.¡±

    And, despite all her words messing with my mind, and the fact it would hurt so much, I know she is

    right. I would have to find a way to ept whates. With the training I had done I could

    11

    maybe look to

    That would still give me a purpose within the pack¡­

    ¡®Look beautiful, I need to go and speak to my Uncle. He will get grumpy as hell if I keep him waiting,

    but I will be back to you the moment I can. But thank you. Your words mean the world to me. And

    you were right. I will find a way to ept whateveres.¡¯ I told her as I cut the link, rushing

    through the remainig part of the packhouse corridors toward the Alpha office, ignoring everyone I

    passed along the way. Definitely not in the mood for polite conversation this morning.

    I took a deep breath as I reached the door, trying hard to prepare for the conversation that could

    possibly await me inside, before knocking lightly on the door. ¡°Come in.¡± My Uncle¡¯ s voice bellowed

    from inside. Great, he was already sounding stressed, and the day had barely started!

    I opened the door, and walked in, trying hard to disguise my nerves. ¡°Good morning Uncle

    Marshall.¡± I greeted him, only for him to simply nod at me from his seat behind hisrge wooden

    desk in the corner of the room, covered in papers. He never seemed to get through his paperworkC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    well, and I know it drove my Dad mad. He was forever saying he was the most disorganized man in

    the world¡­

    I walked to the seat on the opposite side of the desk, and sat myself down. ¡°Is everything okay

    Uncle?¡± I asked, feeling even more nervous now, because he hadn¡¯t even looked up from his

    papers on his desk. His face etched into a deep frown.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± he looked up at me, just as there was another knock at the door, causing my Uncle to sigh.

    ¡°Come in!¡± he ordered once again, and this time a pack omega walked in with a tray of

    59 07%

    11:10

    1258 Vouchers

    breakfast food and some fresh coffees. The smell of the food filled my senses, causing my belly to

    rumble. I hadn¡¯t realized how hungry I was, but knowing my Uncle was waiting for me, I had rushed

    out of the house, not wanting to keep him waiting.

    ¡°I¡¯d say someone sounds hungry! I had banked on you having not eaten. Bet that new mate of yours

    is keeping you busy.¡± My Uncle chuckled at me, standing up and taking the tray from the omega.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± he nodded at her, before walking toward the sofa across his office. ¡°Come on son, we

    need to chat.¡±

 68

    68

    Chapter 68 ¨C Jordan

    Only a moment ago I had been looking forward to the food hel held, now my stomach had dropped,

    desperately nervous about. what he wanted to talk to me about. But, I did as he asked, and followed

    him to sit on the sofa, waiting for him to start with whatever he wanted to discuss, but instead, he

    chose to torture me and began to arrange some food on tes for us both. Was he for real?! Did he

    not know I wanted to know what was so urgent he had called me from my bed with my mate?

    ¡°So, is having your mate going well son?¡± he asked me with an affectionate smile. The Alpha and

    my Dad had been close. friends since childhood, and with my Dad being his Beta, the Alpha had

    always been in my life. He treated me like one of his own family. Hence, he forever referred to me

    as son, and me calling him Uncle. It wouldn¡¯t seem right any other way now. ¡°Has she settled well

    into the pack?¡±

    I assume the chat is not of major importance then¡­

    I nodded. ¡°She is amazing. Can¡¯t believe I ever managed without her.¡± I began, and my words made

    my Uncle chuckle. ¡°I think she is settling in okay, a bit difficult to tell with things a little. unsettled.

    She is spending the day with my Mum today.¡±

    My Uncle nodded. ¡°You do find yourself knocked sideways. when you meet your fated mate. It is

    like a section of you was lost, and it hase back. So, I fully understand you saying you

    wondered how you managed without her.

    I looked up at him, and he was smiling. The look in his eyes told.

    |||

    me he was likely thinking of when he met my Auntie, our pack Luna Pheobe. I know he likely won¡¯t

    appreciate me asking, but I cannot help myself. ¡°If it feels like that, then how did Miles fight it? How

    could he not have felt the same things when he realized Bailey was his fated mate?¡±

    My Uncle¡¯s face changed in an instant. Suddenly, frowning. ¡°That I can¡¯t tell you. I know they always

    shed those two. But, I would have expected the bond to correct that to some degree. I guess the

    bond can¡¯t be strong enough sometimes¡­¡± his voice fumbled a little, like he was not sure what to

    say. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Perhaps he was too young? Maybe the moon goddess made a mistake?¡±

    ¡°Age shouldn¡¯t matter, should it? And does she do that?¡± I asked, and again my Uncle looked

    uncertain.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have all the answers, son. I won¡¯t lie to you. I never have done, and I don¡¯t intend to start

    now. I hate what my boy did to your sister. I am struggling toprehend his actions. She is the

    sweetest girl. No, not the usual type Miles goes for, but she is still beautiful, a natural beauty, and so

    intelligent. A mate to be proud of in so many ways. But his actions¡­¡± he paused momentarily, as if

    he was thinking. ¡°Well, there is no excusing them. Bailey deserved so much more. She must have

    been in so much pain, and yet she never said a word.¡±

    ¡°He told her not to. Threatened her. I heard her screaming at night when he was with other she-

    wolves before he rejected her. I thought she was having nightmares. Only when I realized what had

    happened did I put two and two together.¡± I exined, and I saw my Uncle¡¯s face drop, like he

    hadn¡¯t considered all the consequences of his son¡¯s actions.

    288 Wouchers

    ¡°Jordan, I have always been honest with you, now I need you to be honest with me. Be it as your

    Uncle, or your Alpha. But, I need you to answer me a question. You likely know Miles better than

    anyone else. Do you think there is anyway back for him? Do you think he can get better?¡± My Uncle

    looked at me hopefully. My mind was full of so many thoughts in this instant. I could see the

    desperation within my Uncle¡¯s eyes. He wanted there to bel hope, and who could me him? This

    was his son, after all. But, if I said there was no hope, then I was basically handing over my title¡­

    Yet he had asked for my honesty¡­

    ¡°I think it will be difficult, Uncle. The power of being an uing Alpha is what he craves. It scares

    me that when he bes Alpha he may be even more ruthless and brutal. He could damage

    the pack and those in it. His anger has always been an issue since he was a child. I had hoped

    meeting his fated mate would calm him. You know you hear stories of that happening. That is what I

    had clung to as we grew up, and I saw him doing the things he did. But when I discovered he had

    met his fated mate, rejected her and treated her so badly, I began to fear hope may be lost.¡± I

    admitted honestly, knowing my chance of my rank of Beta was looking less likely now.

    My Uncle nodded. ¡°Thank you for being ¡®so honest, Jordan. I know it must have been hard. You

    probably feel you are betraying your friend. But I need to decide what will happen. I need to put the

    pack first.¡±

    I nodded, fully understanding his choice. He was the current Alpha and the safety of his pack and

    the members who lived here was his first priority. Even if that meant going against his

    own son.

    ¡°And if you are looking for a chosen mate for him, she will need

    11.100

    112

    to be as strong-willed and fiery as him to be able to deal with him. Coping with him at his worst is

    not easy.¡± I exined, knowing he needed to hear this too. Though in truth, he likely knew it, as he

    had to deal with him regrly. ¡°Plus, I am not sure whether he will be faithful. He has always

    struggled with that.¡±

    My Uncle smirked. ¡°Yes, I know son. He isn¡¯t the best at that. Again, that was the reason we hoped

    his fated mate would be a perfect fit. Because his wolf would fight him for it all. Your wolf would do

    anything they could to protect that bond. But, for whatever reason, Miles seems able to fight that

    bond. He will take a chosen mate once his treatment is taken, see if that calms him.¡±

    I nodded, not surprised they still clung to that hope, but I doubted it would make the difference they

    were so desperate for. ¡°And if it doesn¡¯t?¡± I questioned, despite feeling I likely knew the answer.

    ¡°Then Ellis will take the Alpha role.¡± He tells me with a small smile. ¡°I am thinking that may be the

    safer option anyway, he is a smart boy, he has a strong and secure bond with his mate, and he is

    willing to listen and learn. But, Miles is my heir, I have to give him this chance.¡±

    I think I knew that was likely. It would take our pack by surprise, but if they knew the truth, they too

    would be grateful. He would be saving them years of suffering if Ellis were to be Alpha. ¡°I think

    that makes sense.¡± I smiled at my Uncle.

    ¡°And that brings me to the reason I wanted you toe and chat to me.¡± He says, confusing me. I

    had assumed the things we had spoken about already were what he wanted to talk about, but I

    nodded in agreement.

    288 Vouchers

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°I know you have alreadypleted your Beta training, son. You were always destined to be the

    pack Beta following the line of your family. And being Miles¡¯s best friend.¡± He began, and I realized

    now, he wanted to prepare me for the fact that Ellis. would be allowed to choose his own Beta and

    Ga**a, people he was close to and would want to work with. Creating an effective team. That was

    the reason he had brought me here. To tell me what I already knew. That my future role here was at

    risk if Miles¡¯s treatment failed¡­

    I nodded. ¡°I know Uncle, you don¡¯t need to tell me, if Miles fails his treatment, and you chose to

    make Ellis Alpha in his ce, I would not be Beta. I worked that out as soon as it was all being

    discussed.¡±

    My Uncle raised his brows at me, a small smile twitching at the corners of his lips. ¡°So

    presumptuous aren¡¯t you, J?¡± he shook his head. ¡°You aren¡¯t wrong to some degree, we have

    discussed the situation with Ellis, and asked if he would alter the senior line if he was to take his

    brother¡¯s ce as Alpha, and while he would prefer to rece Preston Ford as the uing G**a,

    as he doesn¡¯t get along too well with him, he said he couldn¡¯t think of anyone he would rather have

    as his Beta than you. So, no matter which one of my sons bes Alpha, you will always be the

    next Beta. The way it was meant to be.¡±

    My head felt like it was spinning at his words. Ellis had said he still wanted me as his Beta? I

    wouldn¡¯t lose my role? I had been terrified of losing everything¡­ I knew Miles needed this

    treatment, and I had desperately wanted the right thing, but I knew the right thing meant I could lose

    everything I had worked so hard for¡­ but now I could have everything I wanted!

    74.401

    (Chapter 18 ¨C Jantan

    1 288 Vouchers

    ¡°Really?!¡± I eximed, and there was no hiding the excitement within my voice.

    My Uncle smiled. ¡°Without a doubt, son. You are close to both boys, so it made sense. You are

    already trained, but I want you to do some additional training with me and your Dad, to ensure you

    are well prepared. We want this pack to be at its best. Is that okay with you?¡±

    I nodded enthusiastically. More training? If that was what they wanted from me, I would do it! I didn¡¯t

    care. I was not losing my role as Beta and that meant everything to me¡­C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

 69

    69

    Chapter 69 ¨C Asher

    After being snarled at down the phone far too many times by the ever so cheerful Luna of our pack,

    I made my way to the school. Avoiding eye contact with the pack members as I walked through the

    corridors of the packhouse, a sure fire way to avoid conversation with them. I had not even been

    allowed time to have my coffee thanks to Eden being so grumpy and demanding I make my way to

    the school immediately, before the school starting time, so to ensure that Bailey was okay.

    What she thought would be wrong I didn¡¯t know. Not like she wasn¡¯t capable. She was a trained

    teacher after all. This is what we employed her for. If she was going to need monitoring all the time,

    then I think we needed to look elsewhere¡­ She should be perfectly able to manage. A perfectly

    capable she-wolf.

    Who fell off adder, after deciding it was a good idea to climb it in socks? Zion pointed out, and I

    chuckled.

    ¡°Yeah fair point.¡¯

    ¡®So, do we get to sing nursery rhymes with them at school when we visit? Zion asked, sounding far

    too cheerful.

    ¡®Piss off.¡¯ I grumbled. ¡®I do not need your input this morning. I haven¡¯t even had my coffee.¡¯ the

    thought of kids singing out of tune sounded like sheer torture¡­

    ¡®Well, if Miss Bailey needs a big bad wolf for her stories, she has definitely got one in you.¡¯ Zion

    chuckled, and I simply wanted to strangle the irritating pain in my ass that I was cursed with for a

    wolf.

    ¡®Ooooh so funny.¡¯ I hissed. ¡®Think you are the wolf,st time I checked.¡¯

    ¡°Hmm, good point. Well, don¡¯t be going all big bad Beta on her ass today. You might scare her, and

    the kids for that matter.¡¯ Hel pointed out.

    ¡®I have no intention of going anywhere near her ass, thank you very much.¡¯ I snapped, and now

    found myself with my wolfughing almost hysterically at my response. I had to have been given the

    most irritating wolf in history. One I was no choosing to ignore.

    I left the doors of the packhouse, almost blinded by the bright All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    sunshine. Yeah, a coffee may have been a good idea. I was not ready for this¡­ It felt like I was

    going to melt¡­ more vampire than werewolf this morning without my coffee, without a doubt¡­

    I quickly made my way down the path toward the school. When I heard a familiar voice. ¡°Hello

    Beta.¡±

    And I quickly turned around to see Mrs Sullivan. Alli. My former mother-inw. I should have

    prepared myself for seeing her. I knew she worked at the school. But, in my haste to do as I was

    told by Eden, I hadn¡¯t given her a thought. It had been quite some time since I had seen her. I used

    to regrly spend time with her after she had arrived in our pack. I know she came here to feel

    closer to her daughter after she had died. To make a fresh start. And I thought in spending time with

    her, I hoped to feel closer to I too. A final link to my lost mate. Clinging onto what I had lost. But,

    it never worked.

    15 80

    288 Wouchers

    I knew my visits brought somefort to Alli, but after some time I couldn¡¯t continue. The pain was

    too much. And I began to find excuses for not going any longer. Often using my role as Beta as my

    excuse. I smiled at her. ¡°Hi Alli, long time no see.¡±

    ¡°Indeed. Are you heading in my direction?¡± she asked, sounding a little unsure, yet what surprised

    me was that she didn¡¯t once criticize me for not visiting anymore or the length of time since I had

    last seen her. She was just chatting like I had seen her only a matter of days ago¡­

    ¡°I am yeah. On my way to the school, actually.¡± I told her.

    ¡°Oh, is something wrong?¡± she sounded a little concerned now. And, I suppose I couldn¡¯t me her,

    a visit from the Beta was pretty unusual.

    ¡°Of course not, you are doing a terrific job, you always have done. Luna Eden asked me toe

    and wee your new lower ss teacher. She would be here doing it herself but that little one of

    hers is still causing some issues.¡± I exined.

    I saw a look of relief cross her face at my exnation. ¡°I had heard we had a new girl starting. It will

    make our lives easier. Is the Luna okay?¡±

    I chuckled. ¡°Last time I asked, I believe her words were, still fat, still ufortable and still

    pregnant.¡±

    Alliughed. ¡°Oh dear. Theter stages of pregnancy are difficult, especially when you are as petite

    as Luna.¡±

    We approached the doors of the school, and I opened them to allow Alli to walk in. She nodded at

    me in thanks. ¡°Well we got here a little early, Beta, o, would you like a coffee?¡± she asked

    1 Vouchers

    and I smiled.

    ¡°Seeing as Luna disturbed my coffee, I would not say no. Feeling far from functioning fully as of

    yet.¡± I smiled back. I had always got on well with my former mother-inw, and she had be the

    lead teacher within our pack junior school in recent years. She was an exceptionally highly

    respected woman within the pack.

    She wandered through to the small staff room, ¡°Ah Good

    Morning, Gabby.¡± She greeted the other teacher, ¡°And I assume you must be our new teacher.¡±

    My eyes darted across the room to meet the curious gaze of Bailey. Those wild curls of the previous

    night were gone, and her hair was neatly tamed back into a high pony-tail, with a red bow in her

    hair. And she wore a simple ck maxi dress, with red converse on her feet. An unusual outfit, but I

    have to say she looked kind of cute¡­

    ¡°I am Alli, the lead teacher. I think I missed you when you came in for your interview. I was visiting

    family.¡± Alli introduced herself, and offered her hand to Bailey, whose face broke into a smile, her

    delicate features lighting up as she did.

    ¡°I am Bailey.¡± She introduced herself, as she shook Alli¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Well, Bailey, all I can say is, wee to the mad house, and boy are we d to have you!¡± Alli

    joked, before looking at me. ¡°Beta, you still have your coffee the same way?¡±

    I nodded politely. ¡°Please.¡±

    When my gaze fell upon Bailev adain cho

    And I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if that was because of me being here¡­

    ¡°Bailey, do you have a moment please?¡± I asked, and her eyes darted to mine.

    But, she nodded, quickly standing from the seat, as she stood, I couldn¡¯t help but notice the dress

    she wore seemed to enhance the curves of her body¡­ wait¡­ where the hell did that thoughte

    from?

    ¡®Ooohh you naughty boy you!¡¯ Zion chuckled. ¡®Thinking of her ass earlier and now checking out her

    curves!¡¯

    I quickly blocked my wolf out, because I did not need hisments messing with my mind. I do not

    know what made me think that. And I did not his input causing me to analyze what caused me to

    think it either¡­

    ¡°Is everything okay Beta?¡± Bailey was suddenly in front of me, and I found myself almost frozen, like

    I was unsure what to say. No. I need to sort my brain out. It is simply because I have not had my

    coffee yet. That, and the fact I have had Eden and Zion on my case already today¡­

    ¡°Sure,e on, I just wanted a quick chat.¡± I led her out of the staff room, so the others weren¡¯t

    listening in.

    ¡°Oh, if it is aboutst night, I am fine.¡± She says bluntly, avoiding my gaze. I figured that may be a

    little awkward¡­

    ¡°I was a little concerned about that, but actually, I know talking about that when you are about to

    start your new job would likely not be the best idea. Luna Eden asked me toe and check in with

    you.¡± I exined, and suddenly her face seemed to ease,

    66 201

    288 Vouchers

    like relief had spread over her whole body.

    ¡°Oh!¡± she said, a small smile teasing at her delicate pink lips. ¡°She had messaged me, I said I was

    okay.¡± She said with a shrug.

    Wait¡­ Eden had already messaged Bailey, so why the hell had she made me feel bad? And then

    sent me here? I had rushed across pack to do something it seemed like she had already done¡­

    ¡°Oh right. Well, she was adamante and see if you were feeling okay about starting your new

    job and see if there was anything you needed.¡± I told her with an awkward smile.

    am good. Looking forward to it, actually.¡± She looked up at me, and I could see the enthusiasm

    within her eyes. I had no doubt this girl was going to be just fine. She was evidently made for this

    job.

    ¡°Good. If you need anything, you know where I am, right?¡± I urged her.

    ¡°Avoiding me?¡± she said with a cheeky grin, and for some reason, I find myself unable to stop

    myself smiling back.

    ¡°And why would I be avoiding you?¡±

    ¡°Well, I can only imagine that would be the case if Luna Eden had to force you toe and check in

    on me.¡± She said with a yful wink, and I felt my heart begin to race unexpectedly.

    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t quite like that¡­¡± I began.

    She gently ced her hand upon my arm. ¡°I was teasing Beta.¡±

    11121

    1288 Vouchers

    She said softly, her big brown eyes looking up at me through long darkshes.

    ¡°Hmmm.¡± I nodded at her with a shake of my head. Struggling to exin why she made me feel

    nervous. ¡°You can call me Asher, you know?¡± I suddenly suggested, though I have no clue why¡­

 70

    70

    Chapter 70 ¨C Bailey

    I could see a hesitant expression upon his face as he looked at me. Perhaps I shouldn¡¯t have

    touched him, or have teased him¡­ ¡°You can call me Asher, you know?¡± he suggested out of the

    blue, flooring me a little with his words. Why would I do that when he was the Beta here? That

    would be deemed awfully unprofessional of me. I was merely a guest within their pack. And, I

    wouldn¡¯t call us friends. So, logically there would be no reason for me to use only his name¡­

    But as I looked up to meet his gaze, ready to question why I would do that, I saw nerves upon his

    face. Uncertainty within his eyes, and I couldn¡¯t bring myself to say anything. Because I believed he

    was already wondering why he had suggested it. Instead, I simply smiled, not wanting to hurt his

    feelings or make things ufortable. Yet, an awkward silence fell between us. As my mind

    desperately grasped for ideas of things we could discuss. I didn¡¯t know him that well¡­

    ¡®Well, whaddya know, maybe he isn¡¯t a robot after all.¡¯ Akira said with a giggle, making me want to

    push my wolf to the back of my

    mind. She could be so b**h*y when she wanted to be! I think he was just trying to be friendly. Even

    if it was so unlike the Betal he had been so far, and it made no sense to me whatsoever¡­

    ¡°So¡­¡±

    ¡°Is¡­¡± the two of us began speaking at the same time, and I flushed a little. ¡°Sorry. Go on.¡±

    ¡°No, go on.¡± He nodded at me, signaling for me to speak, and I

    suddenly felt ufortable again in his presence.

    ¡°I was only going to ask if you knew anymore about how Lunal Eden was doing? She didn¡¯t say

    much in her messages.¡± I

    exined, and he rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Likely avoiding discussing it because she is getting a little fed up with it now. Not the baby, of

    course, just being pregnant. Shel is ready for the little one to arrive.¡± He told me with a polite. smile.

    I nodded. ¡°I can understand that. What were you going to say?¡± I urged him to continue.

    ¡°Oh, just that we should go have our coffees.¡± He suggested, and I found myself smiling, but

    nodded to agree, and he walked into the staff room, knowing I would be going to meet the children I

    would be teaching and their parents very soon.

    ¡°I hope you haven¡¯t been giving my new girl a hard time, Beta Asher.¡± Alli says to the Beta as she

    passed him his coffee, al smile upon her face. ¡°I don¡¯t want her to be leaving before she has even

    started.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe so.¡± He says curtly, ncing toward me, and I slowly shook my head, any familiarity

    or ease between us gone. Was he just notfortable around people? He seemed fidgety now, like

    he didn¡¯t want to be here. And Alli making jokes toward him had only made it worse¡­

    ¡°Good. I know you are here to do a job, but I am capable of making sure she is okay, you know?¡±

    she looked at Beta Asher with a grin. ¡°But feelfree to call inter to check inter if Luna Eden is

    breathing down your neck to make sure Bailey is managing okay. Though I am sure she is more

    than capable of

    1289 Wouders

    doing her job.¡±

    I saw a frown momentarily pass across his face, but he moved toward the counterside, and ced

    his mug on it with a nod. ¡°Okay, I know when I am not needed.¡± He looked toward Alli with a smile,

    before looking toward me. ¡°Enjoy your first day. My being here was never doubting your abilities

    Miss West.¡± And with that he walked out of the staff room. Leaving Alli and Gabby both looking at

    me curiously. And it seemed I was back to Miss West. That guy¡¯s personality was enough to give

    you whish!

    ¡°Well, you are honored, Miss Bailey!¡± Gabby said with a giggle. ¡°A personal visit from Beta Asher on

    your first day.¡±

    1 felt my palms go sweaty at her words. Was she implying there

    was something going on there? Did they not realize the only reason he hade was because he

    was under duress? I forced augh out, and shook my head. ¡°He was only here because Luna

    Eden had told him he had toe and check I was okay, while she is in the hospital. He just said

    so.¡± I quickly exined, and I saw Alli watching me. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she nodded as

    if in agreement.

    ¡°Yeah, he told me the same.¡± She agreed. ¡°Shall we go see your ssroom, Bailey, dear?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I nodded, desperate to get away from Gabby before she tried to imply anything else about me and

    the Beta. I did not need idle. gossip about me spreading around the pack before I had even settled

    in. I needed this job to work for me. I needed to be able to stay away from my pack. But, as I walked

    from the staff room with Alli, she was still watching me, and then she smiled at me, almost a

    knowing smile.

    |||

    11 12

    388 (Vouchers

    ¡°He is a good man, the Beta, you know?¡± she told me.

    I looked at her with confusion. Not sure where she would be going with this conversation. ¡°Okay.¡± I

    nodded, suddenly wanting to be away from her too. What was the point of her telling me that?

    ¡°I know hees across as intimidating and awfully dark¡­ And moody¡­ And grumpy¡­ And, well,

    let us just say the list is likely to go on. But, that is just the effect of losing his mate, I believe. He

    wasn¡¯t like that when I met him. When my daughter met him.¡± She said, opening the door to where I

    already knew was my ssroom, and I was suddenly curious why she felt the need to tell me this.

    And why did she mention her daughter?

    Of course, I knew he had lost his mate, things like that tend to spread across the packs¡­ rumors¡­

    I had also heard it had turned him into somewhat of a recluse too. Isted himself. And, from what I

    had seen, I could believe it. I wasn¡¯t going to judge him for it. What right did I have to do that?

    Losing your mate was meant to be the worst pain there was. The forceful breaking of a matebond.

    He must have suffered terribly. So, why would he not be withdrawn? But, why this woman felt she

    needed to exin it to me, I don¡¯t know.

    ¡°I had heard he lost his mate. News like that does tend to cross through packs.¡± I exined. ¡°But, I

    would not judge him for struggling, Mrs Sullivan. Everybody deals with grief differently. He seems

    like a wonderful Beta.¡± I said, trying hard to sound professional. I needed this woman to like me, she

    was, after all, my new boss at the school.

    She nodded. ¡°I am d you see it that way. Many fear him because of his darkness, and he doesn¡¯t

    deserve that. We all

    11-12

    Chapter 70-Bailey

    288 Wouchers

    struggled when we lost I. She was the light of our life, my sweet girl. But because of their

    matebond he seemed to take it the hardest. I experienced the same loss when I too lost my mate,

    so I know his loss. But, he was young, and he deserves a future. A life.¡± She says with a sad smile.

    My mind quickly tried to process her words. Was this woman the mother of Beta Asher¡¯s former

    mate? Well, that was not something I was expecting to learn¡­ didn¡¯t that mean the warrior I was

    talking to, and the man he was yelling at for being near me was his former brother-inw? How

    strange¡­

    ¡°I am sorry for your loss.¡± I said quietly, wanting to acknowledge all she had said, but not sure what

    to say.

    She gently ced her hand upon mine. ¡°I apologize, I have dulled the sparkle of your first day, dear.

    We need to brighten things up. Are you excited? You should be! The children are a delight. Quite a

    bundle of fun. I am sure they will love you. The stand-in teachers we have had to use have not been

    the same as a regr teacher.¡±

    ¡°I have been looking forward to this since doing my degree.¡± I told her with a smile.

    ¡°Well, let us go and meet the little pups. And get the fun started. You are going to be perfect dear.

 71

    71

    Chapter 71 ¨C Miles

    I felt the pain of impact as my fist went through the drywall, and it shattered under the pressure of

    my fist, as I punched the wall hard in anger. I was sick of this ce. Why my own family had felt the

    need to actually send me to a different pack to gain treatment for my anger I did not know. Being

    away from my own pack was not what I needed right now. And being in this ¡°secure environment¡±

    as they called it, was more like being kept in a f*g p**rison.

    Therapy and anger management were making no difference. There was nothing wrong with me, so

    there was nothing to treat. So, I do not know what they expected to happen while 1 was here. Were

    they expecting some sort of miracle and expecting some sort of angel to emerge from the wreckage

    that I had apparently be? They would be seriously disappointeted if that was the case.

    ¡°Miles, please calm down.¡± Ben, one of the therapists, urged me ¡°All we ask is youe and do a

    small amount of the session with us.¡±

    ¡°I already f***g told you I wouldn¡¯t be leaving my room. So f**k off.¡± I roared, sick of the sight of this

    fool. What would it take for him to get the message?

    I heard him sigh. This time it was more than audible. I think I was beginning to irritate the s***d little

    f***k*r, so my n may be working. Hopefully, he would start to get bored with asking.

    Next

    Chapter 21. Miles

    288 Vouchers

    had soon learned that if I got angry enough, and used my Alpha aura, they struggled to cope with it

    and after so long they would back down and walk away. Meaning, I got the peace I craved. And I

    got my own way, as it should be.

    I have to say it was almost amusing. Watching them run away like terrified little ants under my shoe.

    They had to realize by now that their pathetic attempts at treatment were just not going to work.

    Whatever their f***d up ideas of treatment were, they were simply not needed. I was not ill. I was

    not broken nor damaged. I was simply too strong. I had ideas too powerful for my own Father to

    contemte, and he didn¡¯t like it. I believed he feared me and this was his solution. Panicking, heAll content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    had sought out a solution by locking me up. He would be disappointed.

    ¡°If you want to finish this treatment programme, Miles, and leave, then at some point you are going

    to have to begin the treatment at some point.¡± A different voice began. A voice I didn¡¯t recognize. A

    beautiful voice. A she-wolf. My head spun around to look at her. Tall. Slim. Long blond hair twisted

    into a bun upon her head. Big green eyes focused upon me.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± I demanded.

    ¡°Me?¡± she asked, cing her hand over her chest. A curvy chest. Perfectly in proportion to the rest

    of her body¡­ curves to die for actually when I take a closer look at her¡­

    ¡°My name is Kaia. One of the staff here, and I could hear you from down the corridor.¡± She says to

    me with a disparaging look. Did she not know I was an Alpha? She should not be talking to me like

    that or looking at me like that either. Did she not even care?

    2414%

    ¡°And?¡± I said bluntly, irritated by herck of respect for me.

    ¡°Well, I wanted to know who was throwing a tantrum like a little boy. And decided toe and tell

    him to put his big boy pants on ande and do his treatment.¡± She said to me with her brows

    raised a little as if in challenge. Who the f**k was this woman? Her big green eyes seemed to

    sparkle as they red at me, not an ounce of fear there. I did not understand this she- wolf. And

    why was she not respecting my title? Even more so, why was she turning me on that she would

    challenge me like that? I quickly sat down to hide the increasing issue within my trousers that she

    was unexpectedly causing¡­

    ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± I snarled, and she tossed her head back with augh, and it was a joyful

    sound¡­

    ¡°Yes I do, but at the end of the day, the title means very little here. Especially when you choose to

    act like a small child throwing a fit of rage all because you are being asked to do something you

    don¡¯t want to do. Perhaps; if you were more of a man you wouldn¡¯t even be here.¡± Her word¡¯s hit me

    hard, and I saw the other member of staff give her a dark re as if in warning, but she simply

    smirked in response.

    I felt anger pulsing through every vein within my body, yet even more surprising to me, was there

    was a desire there too. A need to grab her¡­ kiss her¡­ no. I need to stop thinking like that. She

    was nobody. A simple member of staff, and she was not showing me the respect I should be given.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know who the f**k you are talking to me like that.¡± I snarled again.

    ¡°I am your ticket out of here if you f**g do as you are told, you thick piece of s**t.¡± She said to me

    with a smile.

    11.131

    18

    ¡°K!¡± Ben mutters. ¡°You have been told about this!¡± Hmm, does this girl think she is something

    more than she actually is? Because she certainly should not be talking to me like that. And I

    imagine she should not be talking to patients in general like that¡­

    ¡°Well, he is getting on my f**g nerves. Acting all entitled all because his Daddy is the Alpha. We

    could all do that, couldn¡¯t we?¡± she raised her brows at me. Wait¡­ was she implying she was an

    Alpha¡¯s daughter? Was that why my rank did not bother her? If so, why was she working here?

    ¡°You are the Alpha¡¯s daughter?¡± I demanded an answer. My mind working overtime.

    She walked over to me, leaning down so her eyes were level with me where I was sitting. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t

    you like to know?¡± And with that she walked toward the door. ¡°But I do suggest you sort your sorry

    head out and get some treatment done, or you will be here for an awfully long time Miles, and trust

    me you don¡¯t want that.¡± She added as she left the room.

    My eyes were on Kaia as her body swayed almost seductively out of the room. My mind was blown

    by how she was being toward me. When Ben¡¯s voice disturbed my line of thoughts. ¡°So, Miles, are

    we going to try some treatment sessions today?¡± he suggested. I considered everything Kaia had

    just said. I guess trying them wouldn¡¯t hurt¡­

 72

    72

    Chapter 72 ¨C Asher

    The way Alli had dismissed me had made me feel like my presence had been unnecessary. Made

    me feel like a fool, despite the fact Eden had asked me to go there on her behalf. I could not shake

    the thought now that perhaps Bailey was wondering why I had turned up to see her before she

    began her new job. Would she think I didn¡¯t think she was capable? I truly hope that wasn¡¯t the

    case, or else I would owe her another apology. I seemed to be racking up a list of apologies I owed

    the poor girl¡­

    Why do you care so much?¡¯ Zion piped up as I stepped back into the packhouse.

    ¡®What?¡¯ I questioned.

    ¡®Why do you care so much what the new girl thinks?¡¯ he asks. gleefully.

    ¡®I don¡¯t care. I just don¡¯t want her thinking badly of me when she has just arrived.¡¯ I huffed.

    ¡®So you don¡¯t care what she thinks. But you do care if she thinks. badly of you when she has just

    arrived?¡¯ Zion chuckled to

    himself. ¡®Go figure. But it is okay, I assume if, after a few

    months, she realizes you are a total jacka** and thinks badly of you?¡¯

    ¡®Seriously Zion.¡¯ I warned him.

    ¡°What?¡¯ he asks innocently. ¡®I not doing nothing.¡±

    I stormed along the corridor angry now, by the way my wolf seemed to love irritating me, not to

    mention I had yet to even. have my f**g morning coffee, since Alli had booted me from the school

    before my coffee had been drinkable. It had still been at the hot asva level when I had put the

    mug to my mouth. So drinking it hadn¡¯t been an option.

    ¡®Hey Asher.¡¯ Eden¡¯s voice rang through the mindlink just as I opined my office door, making me roll

    my eyes. Great, just what I needed. Her giving me a hard time now. Did I ever get a break in this

    b**dy ce? I swear it was one thing after another¡­

    ¡®Hello Eden.¡¯

    ¡®How is my new girl doing?¡¯ she asked sweetly. How kind, she doesn¡¯t even ask how I am, or how

    my day is going. Straight to the work she has me running around doing for her. Nice¡­ Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡®You should know, seeing as you had already messaged her.¡¯ I said bluntly, far from impressed that

    she had sent me all the way to school to apparently check in with Bailey for her when Eden had

    already messaged her.

    ¡®Oh, she told you.¡¯ Eden chuckled. ¡®I was kind of hoping she wouldn¡¯t.¡¯

    ¡®Hmm. Imagine that. So, why did you make me rush over there?¡¯ I demanded, far from impressed

    with my friend¡¯s mate. ¡®Missed my morning coffee because of you.¡¯ I snapped.

    ¡®Oh Ash, stop being such a grump-a-lump.¡¯ She teased. ¡®Missing one of your million daily coffees

    isn¡¯t likely to harm you. May even do you some good, you know? Besides, I thought getting out of

    your office might do you good too. And it does look good that we are going there to show her the

    senior team are

    17.90%

    ?

    11:14

    weing her.¡¯

    I already told you, that I weed her when she arrived. That was difficult enough. And you

    weed her by messaging her Eden. I don¡¯t think I needed to get out of my office. If I do, I can.

    make that call. I don¡¯t need you doing it for me.¡¯

    ¡®Ash, don¡¯t be snappy. I know it is difficult, and I know you have likely reached your monthly people

    interaction level for this month, but we cannot risk losing her. So, go check how she got on when

    she is done for the day, for me, please? You know I would do it, but this mini-Caleb inside my huge

    belly is being a pain and making life difficult, you know that, right?¡¯ she links, sounding almost

    deste with me. Go**it. She was maniptive when she wanted to be. Making me feel sorry for

    her. It isn¡¯t her fault she is stuck in the hospital¡­

    ¡®Fine.¡¯ I snapped. Hating that I was too soft. Giving in far too easily.

    ¡®Aww, you are the best. Thanks!¡¯ and with that she was gone, cutting the mindlink, like that was the

    only reason she had linked me in the first ce. There and then gone, leaving me to my paperwork.

    Eurgh, I swear, sometimes Eden was unbearable.

    After hours of paperwork and dashing to various ces around the packpleting tasks of both

    mine and the Alpha, I realized the time was now nearing for the end of the school day, so I figured I

    had best make my way up to the school or else Eden would no doubt be hunting me down to give

    me one hell of a hard time for not doing as I was told, and quite frankly, I did not need that. I already

    had a headache. And I knew just how capable she was of making my headache worse¡­

    111

    1284 Vouchers

    I rushed from the busy packhouse. Out into the sunshine, which was slightly more bearable than it

    had been this morning, now I had had several coffees, and I was functioning as close to normal as

    my body got. As I reached near the school grounds I could hearughter, and I looked up, to see

    Bailey out in the grounds of the school with the children who, I assume, are her ss. I stood for a

    moment, as I saw her smiling down at them. She was kneeling on the grass, surrounded by the

    youngsters, all around six years of age, and I could see her gently touching them on the head,

    before they touched her head in response. And she wasughing as they did. I wasn¡¯t close enough

    to know what she was saying or doing, but whatever it was, the children were smiling and looking at

    their new teacher in awe. And strangely, the sight warmed my heart¡­

    I walked a little closer, nning to wait until school had finished before going into the school

    building, already dreading the thought of seeing the other teachers. Though seeing Bailey was far

    from the top of my list of things I wanted to do. I continued to watch her as I waited though, intrigued

    by the way she was sofortable with the children, and the way they too seemed at ease in her

    presence. I found myself smiling at the way her eyes seemed to light up as she smiled at the

    children¡­ How she was so full of enthusiasm¡­ Maybe Eden had been right. Maybe she was what

    the pack needed. She looked like a natural.

    A sudden sound startled me, as what could only be described as close to a purr slipped from me, or

    should I say from Zion, as I watched Bailey teach her ss. I quickly moved to behind a nearby

    tree, leaning heavily on the trunk of the tree, my body almost trembling in shock. I needed to move

    before she saw

    me.

    ¡®What the hell was that?¡¯ I demanded of my wolf. Confused at

    ? 258 (Vouchers

    his reaction to her. This was not how a wolf should be acting towards some random she-wolf.

    But suddenly my wolf had gone quiet. There was no reaction nor response from him. He seemed to

    have gone awol¡­

 73

    73

    Chapter 73 ¨C Bailey

    I waved off my final pupil of the day, having had the best day ever! I loved my new ss, every

    single child was the sweetest little thing. All such characters, and I could see myself having such fun

    teaching them all. I would likely say it at every school I went on to teach at, but I think it was the

    ce I was meant to be. I felt fulfilled being here, and it made everyte night finishing assignments

    worth it. Finally, I was able to call myself a teacher. And, I knew I had made the right choice.

    I was just tidying my ssroom up, when the ssroom door opened, making me jump a little, and I

    turned, wondering if it was one of the parents having forgotten something, or perhaps one of the

    other two teachersing to see how my day had gone, so I was more than a little surprised to see

    Beta Asher standing there. He was thest person I expected to see here in all honesty after the

    way he had been this,morning, and how awkwardly he had left, but he was here all the same¡­ and

    his green eyes were watching me pretty intensely from across the room, and what I think may be a

    small smile appeared to be ying upon his lips.

    ¡°Hey Beta Asher.¡± I greeted him with a smile. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting to see you.¡±

    ¡°Hey Bailey. Erm¡­¡± he faltered, slightly, making me chuckle.

    ¡°Luna Eden sent you to check in on me again?¡± I teased him and I saw a little colore to his

    cheeks, ¡°I will take that as a yes, shall 1?¡±

    11 ********

    He sighed, sitting himself on the edge of my desk. ¡°See, you make me sound bad when you say

    that.¡±

    ¡°Aww, and when have you ever been bothered by what I think?¡± I said with a grin, and heughed.

    ¡°Would you believe me if I said I did care what you thought?¡± he said with a wry smile, as I came to

    join him sitting on the edge of my desk now that the ssroom was all but tidy.

    ¡°Probably not, considering how our previous conversations have gone.¡± I admitted, and he

    chuckled.

    ¡®I think he needs a doctor, or aputer engineer. He is seriously malfunctioning!¡¯ Akira giggled.

    ¡®This is the most he has smiled andughed since we got here. Did someone s**e his drink?¡¯ Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    I chewed my lower lip to stop myself from smiling at the things my wolf was saying about him, but I

    think she may be right. Not about him needing a doctor, or being s**d. Those were both a little

    harsh; but, that this is likely the most he has smiled orughed with us since we had arrived. This

    was definitely out of the character I hade to expect of him¡­

    ¡°Ok, I likely deserved that. So, putting aside that you don¡¯t think I care. How did your first day go?¡±

    Asher¡¯s head tilted to look at

    me.

    ¡°It was so good!¡± I said with a smile. ¡°The pups are the sweetest little bunch of hooligans!¡±

    Asher threw his head backughing. ¡°Well, that is not a way I expected to hear the beautiful children

    of our pack described, especially by a teacher.¡± He raised his brows at me, and I shook

    2567%

    #

    my head at him before he added. ¡°But you could not be less wrong, they are little monsters, right?¡±

    ¡°Aww, I think they are wonderful. I love working with them.¡± I told him, knowing I sounded full of

    emotion as I do, and I could see him watching me as I spoke, a gentle smile on his face as he

    listened. ¡°It makes all my hard work worth it.¡±

    ¡°Well, they are lucky to have you as your teacher, I would say. Bailey.¡± He says softly, cing his

    hand upon my leg, making me jump slightly in shock at the contact.

    I raised my gaze to meet his big green eyes, full of confusion, my head feeling a little confused and

    light itself right now, just as the ssroom door opened again, causing Beta Asher to suddenly

    move away from me, like he didn¡¯t want to be caught near me, as Alli walked into the ssroom.

    ¡°Oh, hello Beta Asher, I didn¡¯t realize you hade to check in on our beautiful Bailey again.¡± She

    winked at me, as if rying some secret message that I wasn¡¯t quite understanding¡­

    ¡°Erm¡­¡± he stuttered a little, causing Alli to smile at him, which only caused him to blush. ¡°Luna

    Eden asked me to call in to see how her first day had gone. I would not be here otherwise.¡± He said.

    like he suddenly gainedposure. Had we made him. feel ufortable?

    ¡°Beta, there is nothing like making the poor girl feel like she is an inconvenience to your day.¡± Alli

    said with a frown. ¡°I apologize Bailey, Beta Asher here is not the best at thinking before he speaks.¡±

    Beta Asher rolled his eyes while Akira is giggling within my mind. ¡®I like thisdy.¡¯ She tells me. ¡®She

    says it as it is, and she

    52 195

    makes the big bad Beta feel bad.

    ¡°I did not mean to make you feel like an inconvenience, Miss West.¡± He said formally, making the

    wonder where that calm and sweet guy from a few moments earlier had gone.

    ¡®Oh we Miss West again? He needs teaching a few lessons I¡¯d say¡­¡¯ Akira piped up again.

    I was just about to tell my wolf to shut up when I saw how ufortable Beta Asher looked, and I

    couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for him. ¡°Honestly, it is fine. I know Luna Eden asked you toe. I

    know she will give you a hard time if you don¡¯t. I also know you weren¡¯t trying to make me out to be

    an

    inconvenience. You do not need to exin yourself.¡± I said softly to him.

    ¡°Aww, see aren¡¯t you lucky she is such a sweet girl, Beta. She has done a wonderful job today. We

    are lucky to have her here, Beta Asher, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± Alli says, looking intently at the Beta who

    looked at me before he spoke.

    ¡°Yes, I think we are lucky to have her.¡± He said quietly, before he quickly looked away from me and

    walked silently from the

    room.

 74

    74

    Chapter 74-Asher

    What is it about that woman that messes with my mind? Puts me on edge and makes me question

    my own sanity? Not to mention the fact my wolf seems to have gone missing in action ever since I

    caught him all but gazing adoringly at her. None of this made sense. She was no connection to me,

    nor would she be. And the way Alli was suddenly dropping these bizarrements made me feel

    uneasy

    I rushed from the ssroom, down the now empty corridor toward the school door. ¡°Ah here again,

    Beta Asher?¡± Gabby the other teacher, greeted me with a cheeky wink. ¡°Anyone would think you

    were checking up on us.¡±

    Oh, wonderful, just what I needed, another teacher makingments implying things too. I should

    just have stayed in my office. It was safer there. There were no other people¡­

    ¡°No, Miss Waterdale. Here simply, as Luna Eden asked of me, checking in on the new member of

    staff to check she had settled in okay.¡± I said curtly, beginning to get irritated at their implication that

    I was here because I wanted to be. Or, event because there was something between Bailey and I.

    Because I am certain that that was what they were trying to imply. Well, they could not be further

    from the truth with that. Had Eden not forced me to be here, I would be sitting back in my office with

    a coffee in my hand, feeling perfectly fine.

    ¡°Oh.¡± Gabby said with an ufortable nod, looking at me fearfully like I had roared at her or

    something. I swear, this reputation of me as being this grumpy and moody guy was so

    11 14

    over exaggerated. I was not that bad¡­

    I waited, expecting a sly dig from Zion at this point, as that sort of thought from me would definitely

    earn it usually, but there was nothing. He was definitely deserting me right now. Ah well, not like it

    made much difference. It just meant I wouldn¡¯t be going for my usual run with him. Plus, on a

    positive note, it means I get to have some peace.

    I quickly pushed the door open of the school, d to get away, and try to free my mind of everything

    that had happened today, but as I do leave the school I am surprised to see Marc standing there.

    ¡°Hey Asher.¡± He greeted me with a smile.

    I nodded at him in acknowledgment to his greeting, but I could not help but wonder if he was here to

    see his Mum or Bailey¡­

    ¡°You okay?¡± he asked me, frowning slightly, likely at my overjoyed face. ¡°You don¡¯t look too happy.¡±

    ¡°I am fine. Getting a little tired of running errands for other people. You here to meet your Mum?¡± I

    asked, unable to help myself. Feeling an undeniable need to answer my curiosity.

    ¡°Mum suggested Ie and wee Bailey.¡± He said with a smile. ¡°I mentioned to her that I had

    met her the other day, and she found the story quite amusing.¡±

    My breathing began to quicken for no apparent reason. He was here to see Bailey¡­ Was that why

    Alli wanted me to leave? I simply nodded. ¡°Well, I shall leave you to it then. I do believe she is in the

    ssroom with your Mum.¡±

    ¡°Asher, are you okay?¡± Marc started to walk alongside me, as I began to walk away. ¡°I know you got

    ufortable at us

    III

    1288 Wouchers

    talking about this the other day, but you seem genuinely disappointed now at the mention of me

    calling in to see Bailey. If you are unsure of how you feel for her, then I understand that, you know? I

    will head home, tell Mum I got held up at work.¡±

    I gave him a dark re. ¡°For f**k¡¯s sake. What is it with people implying this today? Miss Waterdale

    just implied the same thing, I am sure of it, and I am sure your Mum is dropping hints. There is

    nothing between Miss West and I. Eden asked me to check in on her. Told me to make her

    wee. I am rubbish with people, you know that. But, it seems to involve me having to be around

    her more than I may like.¡± I snapped, and I found Marc looking at me curiously, with a smirk upon

    his face.

    ¡°Okay. If you say so. You were always a weird one, Ash.¡± He nodded. ¡°I may head back to work

    anyway. I missed some training toe here, and if I go into school Mum will likely find me things

    to do, and I will never get away.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to make excuses for me Marc.¡± I told him with a roll of my eyes, wondering if hisThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    excuse was for my benefit, thinking he did not believe my reasoning.

    ¡°Oh it isn¡¯t. I snuck away, and if G***a realizes he will kick my a**¡± He chuckled. ¡°So, if he sees me

    with you, he may go easy on me.¡±

    I rolled my eyes at him. ¡°So you are using me as your excuse?¡± I questioned.

    ¡°What are old brother-inws for?¡± he grinned, and Iughed.

    ¡°Fair enough.¡± I said with a shrug.

    ¡°So, did the beautiful Bailey have a good first day?¡± Marc asked

    66 73%

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    11:15

    288 Vouchers

    me with a smile and I rolled my eyes once more.

    ¡°If you think she is that beautiful Marc, then go back to school.¡± I told him icily. ¡°But, from what I

    heard, yes, she loved it.¡±

    ¡°Need to keep hold of this one, eh?¡±

    What the hell did that mean? ¡°Why would I need to keep hold of her?¡± I snapped.

    Marcughed, and with a shake of his head he looked at me. ¡°Hmm. I think you may want to

    reconsider that thought that you aren¡¯t interested in her, Ash.¡± He yfully pped me on the

    shoulder. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be in any shame in it. You wouldn¡¯t be betraying I either. It has been seven

    years now. Finding another mate wouldn¡¯t be the end of the world. Better than being alone, right?¡±

    I quickly increased my speed. ¡°F**k off Marc. You haven¡¯t got a f**g clue.¡±

    85.331

 75

    75

    Chapter 75 ¨C Miles

    Therapy was as horrendous as I expected. Talk about this, Miles. Talk about that, Miles. How does

    this make you feel, Miles? How does that make you feel, Miles? I was ready to tear their heads off

    by the end of it. But, I had to prove to this Kaia that I was more than capable of doing this treatment.

    I would not allow her to belittle me andpare me to a tantrum- throwing toddler. She seemed to

    think she was above me, but I would find a way to show her otherwise.

    ¡°Well, I think that is enough for now.¡± Ben told me with a small smile, yet the fear within his eyes

    betrayed him. This fool was absolutely terrified of me. Exactly the way I liked it to be as well. He

    wouldn¡¯t argue with me then. He knew his ce.

    ¡°Too right it is.¡± I said coldly.

    ¡°But, I or one of the other staff members wille and find you in a little while for your next

    session.¡± He said, and the tremble in his voice told me he was anxious about telling me that.

    ¡°More?¡± I demanded. They had to be kidding. I had given in and agreed to this session. Why could

    that not be enough? They should be grateful for that!

    ¡°Kaia asked that you attend all the sessions we require of you to ensure the programme is

    completed as quickly as possible.¡± Ben said nervously.

    ¡°Kaia asked that?¡± his words had caught my attention by the simple mention of her name. Why was

    she involving herself in

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    11:15

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    995 (47) #af

    my care all of a sudden? I am sure I have not met her before now. She had most definitely not been

    treating me before this. I would have remembered a girl like that.

    Ben nodded. ¡°Your parents have been in touch. They wanted a likely date ofpletion. When we

    told them no progress had been made, they were far from pleased.¡±

    I rolled my eyes, my fists clenched in fury. What on earth would possess them to tell my parentsThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    that? Of course, my parents would be irritated by that news if they had sent me here with the hope

    of me being fixed upon my return. Expecting me to be the good little boy they so desperately craved

    for a son, attending every therapy session offered to me. Co-operating with

    everything I was asked. It was like they didn¡¯t even know me at all¡­

    ¡°And why did that involve Kaia?¡± I inquired, trying to push back the building anger. I needed

    answers as to why she was suddenly involved.

    Ben looked at me curiously. ¡°Kaia is the Alpha¡¯s daughter, the youngest of eight children. She felt

    almost irrelevant within the pack, hence her doing her training for her role here. But obviously, the

    treatment center here is used frequently by other packs as an alternative to treatment out in the

    human world. Unfortunately, when things are not going as nned, the Alphas tend to go straight to

    the Alpha toin, and that was exactly what your father did.¡± Ben fidgeted nervously with his

    hands as he spoke.

    ¡°Wonderful, so now the Alpha here is aware I did not want to do my treatment?¡± I asked. Nothing

    like making him question my abilities as an Alpha for the future¡­

    1987%

    Ben chewed his lower lip anxiously now, before meeting my angry re. ¡°I think with the way you

    have been shouting. Or ranting and raving Miles, most of the pack were aware, in all honesty. But,

    as I was saying, your father went to the Alpha. The Alpha went to his daughter, telling her to deal

    with the issue. So, Kaia came to deal with your treatment n personally, and that was what

    happened when she walked in this morning.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°So, she is part of my treatment team now?¡± I held back the small smile forming on my

    lips. I think I coulde to like the idea of Kaia treating me¡­ Mmmm, I could think of many ways

    that girl could make me feel better¡­

    ¡°That I am unsure of. But she is most certainly involved in ensuring youplete the programme as

    quickly as possible. So, it will be multiple treatment sessions a day, I am afraid.¡± Ben said as we

    reached the door to my room.

    ¡°Wonderful.¡± I said sarcastically, as I walked inside, harshly closing the door on him, surprised to

    find Kaia sitting inside.

    ¡°Miles.¡± She said icily. ¡°I wondered how long you would be.¡±

    My heart rate instantly picked up at the sight of her. She was too good to be wasting away working

    as a team member in some treatment center¡­

    ¡°I havepleted the treatment session as you requested.¡± I said sarcastically.

    ¡°Oh, I did not request a thing. That was of your own free will, I think you will find Alpha.¡± She said

    with a smirk, and the word Alpha from her lips had my c**k twitching within my pants for her.

    42.914

    ¡°Hmm, I think I would disagree with that.¡± I said with a smirk, moving over to where she was sitting.

    ¡°From what I have heard, there isn¡¯t much you don¡¯t disagree with Alpha.¡± She almost purrs at me.

    ¡°But, as I said, nobody forced you to attend your treatment, wo merely asked you, and today, you

    chose to go. So, that was a good decision on your part, I would say.¡±

    I moved closer, deeply inhaling the perfume I could smell upon her. ¡°And do I get rewarded for my

    good decision?¡± I almost whispered into her ear. My voice is deep and h**e¡­.

    She quickly moved away from me, a look of shock upon her face. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are

    thinking, Miles. But, I, for one, do not work like that. Right now, you are my patient.¡± She said,

    moving toward the door, as I quickly grabbed her hand, and stopped her.

    Her gaze quickly met mine, and I saw a slight amount of fear there, but it was exactly that, slight.

    Her gaze was filled mainly with anger. I don¡¯t think this woman found me intimidating the way the

    others did. And I swear it drove me wild¡­

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I murmured, as I moved myself closer to her once again.

    ¡°I have a job to do, Miles. As I have said, you are my patient. So, I would appreciate you taking your

    hands from me. I hade to your room at my father¡¯s request simply to inform you that your

    parents nned to call you shortly. However, if you cannot be trusted to have staff memberse

    to your room alone without you assuming they are here for sexual favors, then perhaps I should

    have you moved to a multiple-upancy room?¡± she said, raising her brows at me, questioning me.

    64 80%

    ¡°I¡¯m a f**g Alpha. I ain¡¯t sharing a room!¡± I snapped.

    11 288 Vouchers

    ¡°Yes¡­ Well, not quite, are you? And, if you continue with this sort of behavior, I imagine being

    Alpha will fall to your younger brother. But, I am a f**g Alpha¡¯s daughter. And I don¡¯t think my Daddy

    would like to know you are trying to grope his little girl, so take your hands off me.¡± She moved her

    face a little closer to mine. ¡°Now¡± she added with a hiss, making me drop her arm.

    She gave me a small smirk as she began to walk away from me. ¡°Good. Start learning to listen and

    do as you are told, Miles, and you may actually seed.¡± She said, giving me a sarcastic wink

    before closing my room door, leaving me standing in the middle of my room wondering who the hell

    this girl was, and why she seemed to have such an effect on me. I think I wanted her¡­

 76

    76

    Chapter 76 ¨C Bailey

    I had headed to the dining hall for my dinner, looking forward to going back to my room and rxing

    for the evening. So, I was more than a little surprised to have seen Marc, the warrior who had saved

    me from getting lost as I queued up. He had waved as he came into the hall with some other

    warriors, and camel across to see me, a big smile upon his face.

    ¡°Well hello, hello.¡± He winked. ¡°You didn¡¯t get lost on your way here then?¡± he teased, gaining some

    curious gazes from the men with him.

    I shook my head and gave him a disparaging look. ¡°Ooooh, funny. You left your sense of humor out

    there then?¡± I asked, and he grinned.

    ¡°So,e on then Miss Bailey, how did your first day go, I have been thinking of you all day¡­¡± he

    paused momentarily. ¡°That sounded bad didn¡¯t it?¡±

    One of the other warriors with him looked at him with a grin and nodded. ¡°Was that why Wes could

    bring you down?¡±

    Marc gave him a sarcastic grin. ¡°Funny. Bailey knew what I meant, she is working with my Mum.

    Mum has been on about her working there for thest few days, so I was wondering how she got

    on, is all.¡± He exined and the guys with him, all dressed in the ck cargos and ck t-shirts and

    heavy ck boots, that seemed to be the uniform for the warriors, nodded as if they agreed.

    |||

    11:15

    ¡°Well, thank you for asking, whether you were being weird or not. My first day was good, thanks.¡± I

    told him, and he winked.

    ¡°No problem princess.¡± He said as we moved along in the queue. ¡°These are some of the guys from

    the team I work in, Wes, Aziz, and Felix.¡± He introduced his friends and I smiled at each of them,

    while they nodded at me in greeting.

    We waited a little while longer within the queue and I stood awkwardly as the four of them joked

    around. So, as soon as I had the opportunity, I sorted my food, and said my goodbyes to Marc and

    his friends. Feeling it was better to give them their space, and to be honest, I was craving peace

    again, so I went to find a quiet ce at a table in the corner of the dining hall where I tended to go

    and eat on my own each evening. I was surprised when I looked up to find Marc hade to sit

    with me.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I asked. ¡°You don¡¯t have to sit with me, go sit with your friends.¡± I told

    him, really unsure why he would choose toe and sit with me when he barely knew

    me.

    ¡°And have thedy sit on her own?¡± he said with a smile. ¡°What sort of gentleman would that make

    me?¡±

    ¡°One, that I assume from how Beta Asher reacted isn¡¯t much of gentleman.¡± I teased, and he

    chuckled.

    ¡°Hmmm. Is that right? You want to remember I saved you. So, I am some form of a gentleman.¡± he

    yfully grinned. ¡°And there was me thinking you were a sweet girl.¡±

    I smiled, with a shake of my head, ¡°I don¡¯t think I said that.¡±

    ¡°Oooh. Now, this sounds fun.¡± He wiggled his eyebrows at me

    19.70%

    11:15

    suggestively, and I felt myself blushing,pletely not meaning it the way he seemed to be now

    implying.

    ¡°That is not what I meant.¡±

    ¡°Aww, you spoilsport, getting a boy excited.¡± He winked at me, before eating his food.

    Iughed. He seemed to be so easy-going and funny. Carefree, and liking to tease. In some ways,

    he reminded me a little of Harley.

    ¡°Did you have a good day at work?¡± I asked him.

    And soon I found myself lost in his tales of his warrior training sessions he had endured during the

    day, but, I found myself.ughing at the way he told them. Again, in this way, he reminded so much

    of Harley, always able to make a story sound amusing. He sounded like he was a pretty senior

    warrior within the pack from the way he spoke, and the way he spoke of his training and his team, I

    could see that being a warrior meant a lot to him. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.

    ¡°I bet your Mum is proud of you.¡± I told him with a smile.

    ¡°I think so, maybe a little. Though scared too, after losing Dad through being a warrior.¡± He says,

    looking down at his hands, and I realized he felt a little ufortable.

    ¡°I am sorry.¡± I told him, unsure what else to say in such an awkward situation.

    ¡°Why are you sorry, princess? Not your fault. A risk of the job. We all know that when we do it.

    Doesn¡¯t stop us doing it.¡± He says with a sad smile before looking up. As he looked up, so did

    43.63%

    11:155

    chairde No thicke

    L and it was only as I did that I realized that the dining hall was almost empty now. We must have

    been chatting for ages. The conversation had been so easy and free-flowing.

    ¡°Wow, I think I have been boring you for long enough, Bailey. Go back to your room, have a soak in

    the bath and rx. I think you earned it today.¡± He winked at me. ¡°I am off to the gym.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± I asked, shocked he would be going to the gym after training all day and after just eating.

    ¡°Hey, I didn¡¯t be this perfect without putting some hard work in.¡± he said with a grin as he

    walked away. ¡°See you soon Bailey. Have a good night, sweet cheeks.¡±

    The nickname he gave me just then was a serious reminder of Harley, and I struggled to fight the

    tears that were threatening, yet I smiled at him, giving him a wave as he walked away. Memories of

    Harley seem fresh in my mind because of the way he reminded me so much of him. I dropped my

    head into my hands, as I picked up my phone, looking at the photographs I had of him, and I felt the

    tears prickling in my eyes as I did. I hated how things had turned out¡­

    I quickly stood up, knowing I didn¡¯t want to be seen crying in the dining hall, so I made my way out

    of the hall, needing

    desperately to get back to my room. But, my fingers lingered over Harley¡¯s contact details,

    contemting messaging him or even calling him, as I walked back toward my room, but, I quickly

    shoved my phone back into my bag, fighting the threatening tears.

    My head was all ovet right now. So distracted with too many thoughts of him. Yet, I know I needed

    to allow him this time to adjust to life with his new mate. I needed to let him go. He had

    never really been mine, and I should have known that¡­

    1288 Vouchers

    It was only as I got to the top of the stairs onto thending I crashed into the toned body of

    someone, face first¡­ all because I had been distracted. With a heavy thud as I impacted them, I

    stumbled a little, and there was nothing I could do¡­ I began to fall backwards¡­ my heart racing at

    the fear of me falling. My arms iling desperate to grip onto something¡­ my eyes tight shut, fearful

    of the fall to the bottom of the stairs¡­ but suddenly two strong arms grabbed me and pulled me

    upward¡­ as I was pulled into the embrace of someone¡­ as I pried my eyes open, my gaze met

    the eyes of Asher¡­

 77

    77

    Chapter 77 ¨C Asher

    I had been on my way back to my office to do some additional work, just the usual for me of an

    evening. I hadn¡¯t been paying attention to where I was going as I was reading an article on my

    phone, and it was only when I felt the impact to my chest that I realized Bailey was there. The

    second I realized she was falling, I quickly went into action, and leaped forward, grabbing her and

    pulling her to me, my heart pounding in desperate fear filling me that she was going to fall all the

    way down the stairs.

    But, thankfully, I had her in my arms, as I lowered myself onto the top step, Bailey still in my arms,

    both of us trembling. Her eyes had been clenched shut, but she slowly pried them open, looking at

    me with what could only be described as a look of horror and embarrassment.

    She jumped back, as if my touch was repulsive to her. And I had to say I was a little hurt by that, but

    tried hard to ignore it. ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked her, trying to check her over. As she quickly. moved

    herself from my embrace, to sit herself next to me. How do I seem to find myself in these messes?

    She nodded. ¡°Sorry, I wasn¡¯t looking where I was going.¡± I noticed a loose strand of her hair falling

    over her face, and I don¡¯ t know why, but I found myself reaching out to gently brush it back, but I

    saw her eyes widen at me as I did. Did I do the wrong thing? Should I not have touched her? Was

    she hurt? Now I was more worried she might be hurt. Yet her big brown eyes look up at me, and I

    swear my heart pounds harder in my chest as she looks at me, not saying a thing.

    0.00%

    11:16

    ¡°I think I may have been pre-upied too.¡± I told her, not wanting her to take all the me. Then as

    I looked at her, I saw tears leaking from her eyes. Had she been crying before? Or was it through

    what had happened? I am sure I had stopped her falling, so she shouldn¡¯t have hurt herself badly. I

    am sure of that¡­

    She shrugged, going to stand up, but I reached for her hand without even thinking, wanting to check

    she was okay. ¡°Bailey, you look like you have been crying, is everything okay?¡± I asked softly. ¡°Did

    you hurt yourself when I stopped you falling? Are you hurt?¡± questions seemed to blurt from myAll content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    mouth. Making me sound like a thering fool right now, but I was desperate to know if she was

    okay¡­

    As she lowered herself back down to sit down alongside me on the top step, she shook her head. ¡°I

    am fine. Beta Asher. Really, I am.¡±

    I had to say I was missing all of Zion¡¯s slyments right now, because no doubt he would have

    plenty to say right now. But, since he had left me earlier today, he had yet to return, and as much as

    I had said I would be d of the peace, his absence was beginning to bother me¡­

    Though, Bailey¡¯sck of information bothered me too. She didn¡¯t seem fine. There was a wobble in

    her voice, but I don¡¯t know if that was simply because she was shaken from nearly falling down the

    stairs. That would make sense. But, would that make her cry? I am not so sure that it would.

    ¡°Bailey, I know I have not made the best first impression, and I doubt I ever will. I am not the best

    with people. But, please, Eden is desperate for me to make sure you are okay¡­¡± I paused,

    12.931

    contemting if I should be honest here or not. ¡°And, In truth, I want to make sure you are okay too.

    Me, not Eden. Me. I know there are somethings you are not sharing with us¡­¡± I faltered slightly,

    unsure how to word what I wanted to say, while Bailey looked at me, a little confused, a little scared.

    Could I me her? No¡­ because in truth I think they were a safe estimate of how I feel right now,

    and little rarely scared me.

    I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, realizing she was expecting me to continue what I

    was saying. ¡°Eurgh¡­ I am even worse with words. Look, I realize some things are private, so you

    may not want to share them. But am worried about you. Maybe I have no right to be. But I am. You

    look like you have been crying¡­ or want to cry. And that bothers me. Look, you can tell me to mind

    my own business, and in truth, I probably would if I were you, but, is there anything I can help with?¡±

    My words feel jumbled as they blurt from my mouth¡­

    I sit, my breathing rapid as I am feeling like a total idiot at the words I have just blurted out as Bailey

    looks at me,pletely lost¡­

    Then, she suddenly sighed, a sigh that sounded like it came from her feet. It was so deep. But, she

    shook her head. ¡°Beta Asher, honestly, it isn¡¯t even worth talking about.¡±

    ¡°Is any shit that makes you feel crappy?¡± I said, and she looked at me in surprise. ¡°And, didn¡¯t I say

    to call me Asher?¡± I reminded her.

    She shrugged in response to my words. ¡°Fine, Asher.¡± And I have to say, I am surprised just how

    good my name sounds from her lips¡­ it sounds pretty good¡­ but she continued. ¡°Like I said, it isn¡¯t

    even worth talking about. Or worrying you about. Let

    46.57%.

    268 Vouchers.

    me say it is just me feeling sad over something that was never even mine.¡± She said quietly, before

    looking down at her feet, a blush of embarrassment crossing her face.

    ¡°You missing the guy who met his fated mate I guess?¡± I asked, and at my words I saw the pain

    across her face. I know my guess was likely right.. ¡°I don¡¯t think there would be any shame in that.

    Especially if you guys were close. It is like losing someone, right? Losing a link that was there, and

    now it feels like it is lost?¡± I suggested how I saw it, though it pains me to admit, I hate the thought

    of her being close to another guy¡­

    Bailey shrugged, and suddenly, out of nowhere, Zion is back. After being absent all afternoon and

    evening, he is back, pacing within my mind, so on edge, and he is whimpering, like he can sense

    her pain and he doesn¡¯t like it. Not one little bit. Like he did not like to see her struggling. What is

    going on with my wolf today? I only prayed he did not get any louder, or she would be hearing him

    and I had no clue how I could exin that¡­

    ¡°I sound like I feel sorry for myself, but I don¡¯t. I just have the asional moment where things get

    on top of me, I guess. I can say without doubt, I would never have wanted to be with Miles. He

    treated me so badly before and after he rejected me. I had a lucky escape. But, I can¡¯t help but

    wonder if my own fated mate didn¡¯t want me, and the guy I turned to and trusted enough to consider

    as a chosen mate isn¡¯t there for me now, if I am forever going to be alone.¡± she whispered, and her

    words are so quiet they are barely audible, but because I am sitting next to her, I can hear her, and I

    can feel the pain within her voice.

    I saw a tear slide down her face. It sounded like she had been through too much, far too young. But,

    I know this pain she is

    7108%

    1289 Mouchers

    talking of. Because I have felt the same pain in the years since I died. A pain that eats away at

    you. One that makes you wonder if you can cope. The fear of forever being alone¡­

 Beauty 78

    Beauty 78

    Chapter 78 ¨C Bailey

    I looked across at Asher, and saw a sadness upon his face and I realized I had said far too much. I

    am not the only one who has had their own struggles. I should stop being selfish, and stop focusing

    on my own worries. I had been given a fresh start here in this pack, I didn¡¯t want to mess that up,

    Beta Asher had been through so much more than me, and here I was feeling sorry for myself to

    him, he must think of me as a silly little girl¡­

    I began to stand, thinking it better to give him some space, and again he ced his hand upon

    mine. ¡°Are you going to be okay?¡± he asked softly, so far from the ruthless and callous Beta I had

    met on that first night it was unreal. In many ways it was like he was apletely different guy¡­

    ¡®Hell, he almost seems human¡­ well, not human, werewolf¡­ but kind. Caring.. decent. A good guy.

    Who would of thunk it?¡¯ Akira chuckled, but for once, I didn¡¯t find her little digs at Asher all that

    funny. He genuinely did seem like a decent guy, even if some of it was being forced by Luna Eden.

    Maybe my mind had been that messed up with everything that was going on in my life, I had been

    too quick to judge him.

    He had enough to deal with, and did not need bringing down by me and my pathetic worries. I

    smiled. ¡°Yeah, I am always good.¡± I lied, and flicked my hair back from my face before looking at

    him again. ¡°I get these asional low moments, and then pick myself right back up. I will be good.

    You don¡¯t need to worry yourself about me, Asher. Some chocte and I am good to go.¡±

    288 Vouchers

    D?cher 12 ¨C Bailey

    He chuckled. ¡°I may have some chocte back at my ce if you want toe and share? Keep

    one anotherpany for a little while? So your mind isn¡¯t drifting back to the same things.¡± He

    suggested, a little tentatively, taking me by surprise, I had to say. That offer seemed so out of the

    blue, and so unlike him, I truly didn¡¯t know how to react to his offer¡­

    ¡®Ooohh, the Beta liiiikkkkeees yoooouuu!¡¯ Akira giggled, clearly thinking this was a perfect time to

    tease me, so I quickly put my block up to her, not needing her input right now. She was not funny.

    He did not like me at all. He was trying hard, likely very hard, to be kind, because Luna Eden had

    said to make sure I was okay. I should probably be grateful for his offer. But, still, it confused me. I

    highly doubt he wanted to be keeping mepany. I think he has been made to give up enough of

    his time for me over thest few days as it was thanks to Luna Eden. I didn¡¯t want him feeling he

    had to give up more of his time.

    ¡°You really don¡¯t need to.¡± I told him, with an ufortable smile.

    ¡°Oh.¡± He looks ufortable now. Almost a little hurt. Like a wounded puppy¡­ How do I manage

    it? ¡°I just thought it might be better than both us sitting alone?¡± he suggested, and I found myself

    sighing, maybe he was right.

    ¡°What chocte have you got?¡± I asked, a little curious, because I knew my supply was running low

    in my room, and I needed to go out for more.

    He looked at me guiltily. ¡°Would you judge me if I said a cupboard full?¡±

    I giggled. ¡°Hell no! I would call you a dream guy!¡±

    27.05%

    200 Mouther

    And suddenly Asher wasughing, and it was such a bright and cheerful sound, something so

    unexpected from him, but it made me smile. He stood up, offering me his hand to pull me up. ¡°I

    don¡¯t think I have ever been called that.¡± He smirked. ¡°But, I will take that as well, let¡¯s go then?¡± he

    asked with a wink.

    ¡°I guess so.¡± I took his hand, appreciating his help in pulling me up, and we walked in afortable

    silence along thending, to the short corridor leading off it, and he opened the door to what I

    assume was his Beta suite. Inside was modernly decorated in ck, gray and white. Asher clearly

    took great pride in his home. Though part of me wonders just how long he actually spends here,

    because every time he talks about things he is always saying how busy he is. We walked into the

    hallway, with a number of doorways off it, I assume to bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. But Asher

    leads me to the room near the lower end of the hallway.

    ¡°Right, this is a secret, okay? I am trusting you here, Bailey. I am meant to be a fitness freak. So, if

    anyone were to know how much chocte I ate they would never take my training sessions

    seriously again.¡± He said to me with a grin, and once again I found myselfughing at him. He was

    funny, without even trying, I think. And his whole face lit up when he was smiling so genuinely. That

    darkness and moodiness I had seen him was almost all gone.

    He opened the door to a modernly decorated kitchen, with ck. units, and a marble countertop. He

    went straight to one of the cupboard doors, opening it for me, and motioning for me to take a look,

    and as I did, I could see a whole selection of different chocte bars. My idea of a very sinful

    heaven¡­

    ¡°Wow.¡± I gasped, and I heard Asherughing behind me.

    ?

    1288 Wouchers

    ¡°The way to a girl¡¯s heart, I guess?¡± he asked, and I turned to look at him, my eyes wide in shock at

    all the different variations of chocte. Wide eyes, likely with heartsing out of them for all the

    chocte that resided in his cupboard. No wonder he was smiling at me, he likely found me highly

    amusing.

    ¡°Definitely this girl¡¯s heart, not like I had much luck in any other aspect.¡± I joked, and he smiled sadly

    at me.

    ¡°I am sure you will, but until then, I guess I don¡¯t mind sharing my chocte stash with you. So long

    as you keep my secret.¡±

    I found myself giggling without even meaning to, as I looked up at him. ¡°Wow, my hero!¡± I added

    sarcastically, and he simply smiled once more. A smile that seemed toe so much more easily

    than it had before¡­Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

 Beauty 79

    Beauty 79

    Chapter 79 ¨C Asher

    Listening to Bailey giggle as she stood in the kitchen of my Beta suite, made my heart pound harder

    than I think it had done in a long time, but I tried my hardest to ignore it. She looked up at me,

    through her long darkshes. ¡°Wow, my hero.¡± She said with a sarcastic smile, and, despite myself,

    I smiled right back at her. There is something about her that makes me smile. Something about the

    way she jokes with me. Her carefree character. Her humor and way she teases me with no

    thought¡­

    ¡°You want to watch that sarcasm, missy, or else my offer of sharing my chocte may be

    withdrawn.¡± I said with a smirk, and Bailey looked at me open-mouthed, feigning shock, and once

    again she had me smiling. This girl has had me smiling more since she arrived than I had done in

    months¡­

    ¡°Oh! How rude! You know that you can¡¯t promise a girl chocte and then take it back, right? You

    do that, and, I would just have to let the pack know that their big strong Beta gains his super-

    strength from chocte, not working out. Imagine their shock and disappointment in you when your

    secret is revealed!¡± She wiggled her eyebrows at me as if to challenge me, and once again I found

    myselfughing.

    ¡°Okay, I think you may have me there. I won¡¯t break my promise.¡± I nodded. ¡°So, you want a coffee

    to help that chocte go down?¡±

    ¡°Coffee? You want me to stop up all night?¡± she asked, then suddenly, Bailey turned to look at me,

    biting her lip

    ufortably. ¡°You want to do me a favor and forget I said

    san Vouchers.

    that?¡±

    I held back the chuckle that was so close to leaving my lips. She had obviously heard what she said

    in the same way I had, but no, that was not my intention. Not, in the slightest¡­.

    I grinned. ¡°All forgotten. You seem to think so badly of me, Miss West.¡± I winked at her yfully, and

    the slight flush to her cheeks made my heart warm, knowing she was embarrassed. ¡°I have sodaBelonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    too, if that is better for Sleeping Beauty?¡± I added, so she knew she didn¡¯t have to have a coffee.

    Now she rolled her eyes at me, before answering. ¡°Soda would be good, thank you. And trust me, I

    am far from a sleeping. beauty. You so do not want to see me when I wake up!¡±

    I chuckled, as she dropped her head to her hands, as if she had realized what she had just said.

    She was incredibly sweet when she was embarrassed. ¡°How am managing this?¡± she muttered.

    ¡°I did not think of it in any way but the sweet and innocent way you meant it.¡± I reassured her, biting

    my lip to stop myself from smiling. ¡°Though you forget I have seen you in your pajamas.¡±

    Her eyes widened, as if she remembered. ¡°Hmm, I remember.¡±

    ¡°You have curly hair.¡± I pointed out, slowly reaching out to touch her currently straightened hair that

    was currently pulled back into a ponytail.

    ¡°Yeah, I hate it. Forever been picked on for it. Wild and crazy hair. Like a mane. When you are

    constantly criticized for something, you kind of end up hating it. Thankfully, I learned how to tame it.¡±

    She ran her hand through her ponytail as if to

    demonstrate.

    ¡°I think the curls suited you for what it was worth.¡± I said with a shrug, and she looked at me in

    shock, her cheeks flushed once more. Before, she quickly looked back at the stash of chocte in

    the cupboard to avoid my gaze, Okay¡­ maybe I shouldn¡¯t have mentioned that. It just kind of

    happened¡­..

    I grabbed a couple of cans of soda from the refrigerator, as she picked some chocte from the

    cupboard, before I led her through to the lounge of my home. My home that I barely spent any time

    in¡­ Modestly decorated in modern colors and

    furniture. I watched as Bailey¡¯s eyes darted around the room. taking in the room before looking

    awkwardly at me, like she was unsure if she wanted to be here alone with me or not.

    ¡°Sit yourself down.¡± I said, allowing her the chance to pick where she wanted to sit. I was beginning

    to question if inviting her here was a little on the too friendly side¡­ this was not me. Not in the

    slightest¡­

    Bailey nervously sat herself down on the edge of one of the sofas, her big brown eyes looking

    toward me. ¡°Your home is nice.¡± She said politely.

    I sighed. ¡°Thanks. I moved back here after¡­¡± my voice faltered a little. No, I don¡¯t think she needed

    to know that. I shook my head. ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Bailey smiled at me as I sat down at the opposite end of the sofa. We were almost acting like two

    nervous teenagers on a date right now, it was ridiculous. I had invited her here so she wasn¡¯t sitting

    on her own for the night overthinking things with the guy she was missing. I was trying to help her.

    There is nothing between the two of us. She doesn¡¯t like me. And I don¡¯t

    ST 865

    11.17

    238 Vouchers

    like her. There was nothing to be hervous about.

    ¡°When your mate died?¡± she asked quietly.

    ¡°Sorry?¡±

    ¡°You started saying when you moved back here after, so I wondered if it was when your mate died.¡±

    She looked at her feet, looking a little ufortable. ¡°Sorry, maybe I shouldn¡¯t have asked.¡±

    I shrugged. ¡°Why not? Not like I don¡¯t ask you things I shouldn¡¯t. Yeah. When I died, I couldn¡¯t go

    back to the home we had just begun to call ours.¡±

    ¡°You guys weren¡¯t together long?¡± she asked, her head tilted gently, her face full ofpassion as

    she spoke.

    I slowly shook my head, sighing. ¡°No. I don¡¯t know if I was one of the lucky ones now or not. I

    thought I was at the time.

    Meeting my fated mate so soon aftering of age. But, in doing that, it meant she was here when

    the pack was attacked. When the rogues came¡­¡±

    I closed my eyes, my fists clenched tight in myp. Trying hard to calm my breathing. I can¡¯t

    remember thest time I had spoken about all this¡­ Suddenly I felt a hand over mine, and as I

    opened my eyes I was surprised to find Bailey had edged along the sofa to sit herself closer to me,

    and her hand was now holding mine softly¡­

    79.46%

 Beauty 80

    Beauty 80

    Chapter 80 ¨C Bailey

    I could see Asher struggling and feel so bad for even asking now. For even encouraging this sort of

    talk. This was all my fault. I didn¡¯t like seeing him hurting. I know I had said some choice things

    about him when I had arrived, but I truly hated seeing him struggle like this. He didn¡¯t deserve to be

    in pain, I was sure of that¡­

    I slid myself along the sofa, noticing his eyes were closed as he breathed heavily like he was trying

    topose himself. Maybe I should leave? Give him some space? He seemed like the sort of guy

    who needed his space¡­ Yet, instinct had me reaching for his hand instead.

    The touch seemed to make him jump, as he instantly opened his eyes to look at me in shock. His

    big green eyes were looking at me with confusion. ¡°Sorry.¡± I muttered, going to move my hand, but

    instead his fingers gripped mine, as his eyes fell upon our hands. ¡°Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have asked.¡± I

    whispered.

    ¡°No, I understand.¡± He said, exhaling deeply. ¡°I don¡¯t talk much about it all. It is not easy as you can

    imagine. I lost I soon after we had met. Before being able to build a life together. But, the bond

    was already there, forming. And we had just moved into our new home together. Both so excited at

    the thought of what the future would bring for us. I couldn¡¯t go back once she had gone. It was

    always going to be our home. The home we nned our future in. So, I moved back here¡­¡±

    I felt the pain within his voice, and I can sense Akira whimpering within my mind at the suffering this

    man next to us must have

    281 Mouchers

    gone through. I thought what I had gone through was bad, but this poor guy had lost the one he was

    destined to be with. The one he had thought would be by his side for the rest of his life. The one he

    had been waiting for. The one the moon goddess. chose for him. He must have been heartbroken.

    There was no worse pain, I would imagine. My own heart clenched in pain for him. In truth, I

    desperately wanted to throw my arms around him and hug him, but he doesn¡¯t seem like the kind of

    guy who would appreciate a hug¡­

    The darkness that lingered over him made so much more sense to me now. The pain he must battle

    daily if this was what he struggled with, must drag him down. Dim any joy within him. Grief can be

    overpowering¡­

    ¡°I am sorry you had to go through that, Asher.¡± I said faintly. ¡°You have done amazing to continue

    being such a wonderful Beta. Your pack is lucky to have you.¡±

    Heughed, a dry and almost ironic sort ofugh, causing me to look up at him. ¡°I think my Alpha

    and Luna may beg to differ on that opinion sometimes.¡± He told me with a wry smile. ¡°I think I am

    slowly driving them insane.¡±

    ¡®Hey, with all the favors it sounds like you do for them, I don¡¯t hink they canin much.¡± I told

    him, and he grins.

    Finally! Someone who sees it from my point of view!¡±

    laughed. ¡°I am sure they appreciate all you do. You will get our chance to gain all your favors back

    one day. Seems to me, hey definitely owe you some.¡±

    Hmm, that would be a whole lot. Caleb may not be quite so

    greeable, and don¡¯t even get me started on Eden. You think the

    Alpha runs the show? In truth, It is our little Lady Luna.¡±

    288 Wouchers

    ¡°She knows you call her that?¡± I asked him, finding it funny, and I could tell just from the way he

    spoke of them that they were all quite close.

    ¡°Hell no, nor would I want her to! She would wh**p my a** if she knew for a second I called her

    anything other than her name. Especially right now. Pregnancy hormones and Eden do not mix.¡± He

    grinned at me.

    ¡°I will be sure to tell her then.¡± I teased him, and the way he looked at me feigning shock, made me

    giggle.

    ¡°Aww, nowe on, Bailey. Surely you wouldn¡¯t want to get me into trouble, would you? I am

    sharing my chocte stash with you, after all. Doesn¡¯t that make us friends now?¡± he

    questioned. And I found myself looking at him with a feeling of confusion filling my head. I definitely

    didn¡¯t expect that when I arrived¡­

    ¡°Yeah, I guess it does¡­¡±. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Wow, that look upon your face tells me the thought of being friends with me is far from a good

    thing.¡± He said with a shrug.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°The deep frown.¡± He signals to my face, over-exaggerating a frown upon his own face, making me

    stick my tongue out at him, aware he was teasing me.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t frown. Or not intentionally.¡± I exined.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think I could me you. Not like I have been the best at

    55.46%

    making an impression upon you since you arrived.¡±

    Oh, I didn¡¯t realize you were trying to make an impression on me. I teased.

    His eyes met mine, and the way he looked at me made my stomach churn. Or was that butterflies?

    ¡°Neither did I.¡± he grinned, making meugh again.

    Suddenly, my phone began to ring from by my side, causing me to pick it up out of curiosity,

    wondering who it would be. But, I didn¡¯t recognize the number. So, I thought I had better answer it.

    What if it was someone at pack?

    ¡°Hello?¡± I answered, smiling politely at Asher to apologize for the disturbance, but, he simply smiled

    in response, as he picked up his soda, and leaned back into the sofa.

    ¡°So, thought you¡¯d got away from me, did you?¡± a voice I thought. I had got away from hissed down

    the phone at me. And my hands began to tremble. ¡°I may be away from pack for now b**h, but I will

    be back, and when I am, I will make you pay for the **t you have caused Bailey. Mark my words.

    Difference will be, I will have a new mate by my side, and you will be all alone.¡± Miles¡¯s voice

    snarled at me, as tears filled my eyes, while I saw the eyes of Asher looking at me with a look I

    wasn¡¯t able to read¡­

    78 82%

 Beauty 81

    Beauty 81

    Chapter 81- Miles

    I had to force myself to attend yet more treatment just to prove to Kaia I was more than capable of

    doing what was expected of me. I would make this girl want me. If that was thest thing I did..It

    was driving me wild that she seemed to not want me. Never before had. I encountered a she-wolf

    my age that could resist me. Normally they were falling over themselves to get their hands on me. I

    was fighting off offers of dates back in my pack and beyond.

    Yet this she-wolf seemed to be resistant to my charms. And it was sending me insane. I would need

    to up my charm. Do what she asked of me, and make her see I was not a bad guy. Anything to lure

    her to my bed. I would have a taste of her before I was done here, I would be sure of that¡­

    ¡°Thanks foring to another session.¡± Ben said to me with an anxious smile. This fool, I swear I

    could jump toward him, and he would s**t himself. He was that on edge when around me. It was so

    amusing. I loved the feeling of power it gave me.

    ¡°Is that not what I am here for?¡± I snarled, allowing my canine. teeth to elongate just enough to let

    them slip through my lips, so he could see them, and he stepped back a little into the wall, the scent

    of his fear filling the room. I wanted tough so badly, but instead, I walked away. ¡°I assume I will be

    back again soon.¡± I asked, turning to look at him, pushing my wolf far enough. forward, so my eye

    color changed too, knowing I would be scaring the **er even more then too.

    ¡°Er¡­Erm..¡± he sputtered. ¡°Y..Y..Ye. Yes. I believe so, Miles. Kaial

    will confirm.¡± His voice shakily agreed, and I continued back to my room with a smile upon my face,

    loving the power I had over others. The power that being an Alpha brought. It gave me al wolf with

    so much more power and dominance that most would quiver in fear at their presence. I was beyond

    ruthless, and so much more powerful than my Dad could ever be, and he woulde to realize that

    when he eventually handed the pack over

    to me.

    I opened the door to my room. d to be back alone, and eternally grateful that Kaia had not

    followed through with ther threat of putting me into a multiple-upancy room. She was trying to

    gain a reaction from me, I am certain. She seemed to enjoy the power she had here too. That toldThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    me that her and I would be an exceptionally remarkable couple if she would just give me a chance.

    Both of Alpha blood, too, we could be so powerful as a pair¡­

    I went to lie on my bed, thinking once more of the woman who had been taking over my thoughts

    since she had walked into my room. It made a change to the angry thoughts of Bailey, that was for

    sure. But, when I returned to my pack, I would be sure to bring that b**h home and make her pay for

    all this mess. I was here because of her. She had be too bold. Too

    confident. Too brave. So much so, that she felt she could share the secret I had ordered her to

    keep. The secret that had brought my life crashing down around me. Risked my title¡­

    This had gone beyond me needing her there now for the power her being my fated mate would

    bring. This was about making her suffer for the pain and suffering she had brought to me, because

    of the damage she had caused by running to her family and my family and exposing my secrets. I

    would make her pay. She would live to regret her mistakes. And I would ensure she

    would regret them for every day of the rest of her life.

    Suddenly there was a knock at my door, disturbing my angry thoughts. And the door opened. A

    member of staff stood there, brandishing a telephone within their hand. I had not had my phone

    since the moment I had arrived here. Cut off from my friends and my family. All a part of this

    treatment n,

    apparently. Needing to be cut off from the world. So, I wondered now why they were bringing me a

    phone.

    ¡°Sir, your parents wish to speak to you, I do believe Miss Kaia informed you earlier.¡± Thedy said

    nervously.

    I nodded, suddenly remembering that was why Kaia had said. she hade to my room, and I put

    my hand out to take the phone from the anxious-looking member of staff. *ng the **phone from her

    hand as soon as she was close enough.

    ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Miles?¡± My Dad¡¯s voice greeted me..

    ¡°Hey Dad. When am Iing home?¡± I demanded, hoping he would see sense and decide that this

    treatment option was not the right thing once he saw I had given it a go.

    ¡°Miles, you know why you are there. This treatment is to help. with your anger issues. The problems

    you have been having. We need to try to help you. Or else we will have to consider your position,

    you know that.¡± My Dad said, sounding far too calm for

    me.

    He had no intention of changing his mind then. He was still listening to my Uncle Donovan, Jordan

    and Ellis over me. All the people who had taken Bailey¡¯s words over my own.

    r

    11

    I sighed angrily, ¡°What is happening in the pack?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Pack is all fine, nothing to report, You need to focus on your treatment, then we can consider

    bringing you home. Finding you a mate, seeing as you chose to reject the one the moon goddess

    blessed you with.¡± My Dad said, and I am certain there was spite in his voice when he spoke. Did

    he not like the decision I made? Was it not my choice to make? I did not want. Bailey, and that

    would never charge! Yet even my own family. were set to punish me for not wanting her?! They

    would punish me for the mistake of the moon goddess?

    I felt fury rippling through me, as my hands began to tremble. I could see the staff member who had

    brought me the phone. watching me curiously from across the room, like they were partially

    listening in. I looked across at her. I had a sudden idea¡­

    ¡°Excuse me, this is meant to be a private conversation with my family. An Alpha. So can you leave

    the room please?¡± I demanded angrily to the staff member, and once again I allowed my canine

    teeth to elongate enough, so they were. partially visible, and the fear was visible upon her face. She

    looked like she wanted to cry, only making me want tough¡­

    ¡°Sorry.¡± She stuttered, quickly rushing from the room, her scent. of fear lingering as she closed the

    door, only making me smirk.

    even more.

    ¡°Miles, do not speak to the staff like that!¡± My Mum suddenly spoke up. ¡°They are there to do a job,

    and they are only trying to help you.¡±

    ¡°Well, they do not need to be standing around listening to my conversation with you.¡± I snapped.

    ¡°Show your mother some respect, she does not need talking to like that,¡± My Dad snarled at me.

    ¡°So, I assume nothing has changed then?¡± I snarled right back. Did he think I would be backing

    down to him? Nothing was changing from me. I was not going to change. I would remain. the same.

    They needed to change their views on this whole situation. I was the rightful heir, and they needed

    to ept that. Ellis would never be Alpha. I would kill him before that happened¡­

    ¡°What are you expecting to happen, Miles? You know the situation. You are there for treatment,

    which we heard you were reluctant to participate in, so we are d you changed your mind on that.

    But until we are happy there is positive change, and you have a suitable and secure matebond, we

    will not make a choice.¡± My Dad said bluntly, and with that, I hung up the phone, not wishing to hear

    another word. He was **g clueless.

    I looked down at the phone within my hand, my n fresh within my mind, as I dialed a number I

    had long since memorized within my mind. The phone rang for a few moments, making me edge. I

    needed to hear her voice. I needed to feel the thrill of terrifying her. She had always been scared of

    me before.

    §à§á

    Suddenly, the ringing of the phone stopped, as she answered the phone.

    ¡°Hello?¡± she answered, sounding more than a little uncertain, though I wonder if that was because

    she was not sure who had called her. But the sound of her voice filled me with rage, and all of my

    anger spilled

    of me.

    gut

    ¡°So, thought you¡¯d got away from me did you?¡± I hissed at her,

    Chapter 81-Miles:

    1298 Wouchers

    all my resentment and rage pouring from me. I hated this b**h, and it was about time she knew it. ¡°I

    may be away from pack for now b**ch, but I will be back, and when I am, I will make you pay for the

    s***it you have caused Bailey. Mark my words. Difference will be, I will have a new mate by my side,

    and you will be all alone.¡±

    I could hear her breathing quicken at my words, telling me my words had scared her. But yet, she

    never said a word. ¡°What is wrong, Bailey? Cat got your tongue?¡± I asked sarcastically. ¡°Not like you

    not to have something clever to say, that is your thing, isn¡¯t it, being the all intelligent girl? Well, your

    intelligence won¡¯t be saving you this time.¡± And with that I hung up, not caring if she had an answer

    for me or not. I had given her something to think of. My words would have been enough to scare

    her, and that was thrilling enough.

    Bailey had thought that in running away from me, she was free, but I would bring her back. Her hell

    would only just be

    beginning.

 Beauty 82

    Beauty 82

    Chapter 82 ¨C Asher

    I sat back into the curve of the sofa as Bailey answered her phone, giving me an awkward smile as

    if to apologize, but I simply smiled in return, showing her I did not mind. I realized she was likely

    waiting for news from her pack, so taking at

    phone call was not an issue. Nobody would be expecting her to be sitting with me at this time of

    night, so that could well be why they had called¡­

    It was only as her eyes widened, and I looked across to her and saw her hands shaking, that I

    began to pay better attention. I could hear the words being said at the end of the phone, simply

    because she was sitting so close, and because of the fact that our hearing is so enhanced as

    werewolves. And I did not like what I was hearing and, needless to say, neither did Zion¡­

    ¡°So, thought you¡¯d got away from me did you?¡± a voice hissed nastily at her, and I could see the

    fear in Bailey¡¯s eyes at that moment. She looked absolutely terrified, and I realized in that moment, I

    hated seeing her scared. ¡°I may be away from pack for now **h, but I will be back, and when I am, I

    will make you pay for the **t you have caused Bailey. Mark my words.

    Difference will be, I will have a new mate by my side, and you will be all alone.¡±

    Zion was suddenly more than alert, and he was snarling within my head. He did not like what he

    was hearing. I knew he would not shift while inside of my home, but I could feel his presence

    rippling beneath my skin. He was angry. He did not like what he was hearing. Though, neither did.

    Who the f**k was talking to this sweet girl that way? I clenched my fists in anger, so

    111

    11.54

    Chapter 12 ¨C Auber

    desperate to grab the phone from her and yell at the person at the other end of the phone. Was this

    her former mate? Or was this someone else bullying her? Either way, I wanted to rip them limb from

    limb¡­

    My eyes fell on Bailey, and I could see she was fighting tears, so I knew I needed to stay calm. I did

    not need to scare her with my anger. She needed support. Reassurance. She needed a friend right

    now. I would find out who this was and help her with dealing with them. Speak with Eden about it

    too. That would be the right thing to do, right? That is what a good friend would do, right? Hell, I

    don¡¯t know, I don¡¯t have many she-wolves for friends¡­

    As I moved to ce my arm upon her back to ask if she was okay, the voice at the other end of the

    phone came again, sounding just as nasty. ¡°What is wrong, Bailey? Cat got your tongue?¡± he asked

    sarcastically. His voice sounded venomous and so nasty. Whoever he was, I hated him already, and

    wanted to make him pay for scaring Bailey. She did not deserve this. ¡°Not like you not to have

    something clever to say, that is your thing, isn¡¯t it, being the all intelligent girl? Well, your intelligence

    won¡¯t be saving you this time.¡± Suddenly the line went dead, and I saw the phone slip from Bailey¡¯s

    hands to the floor, ttering as it hit the wooden floor under our feet. But Bailey sat like she was

    frozen in time, staring ahead of her, and I knew in that moment she didn¡¯t know what to do.

    I quickly moved across the sofa to her, cing my hand upon her back, as she dropped her head

    into her hands. ¡°Bailey, this is going to be the most s**d of questions, but I don¡¯t know what else to

    say.¡± I warned her. ¡°But, are you okay?¡± I gently ran my hand up and down her back, in what I hoped

    was a reassuring gesture. I am so not good at this sort of thing.

    27.161

    Chapter 82-Asher

    ??

    Zion was pacing my mind, angry, and desperate to protect the new she-wolf to our pack. My senses

    now turned upon their head. All I can feel from him is this overpowering urge to protect the she-wolf

    sitting next to me. Where has thate from? I barely even know her¡­

    Bailey slowly turned her head to look at me. And I could see tears in her eyes. ¡°I think I should go,

    Asher.¡± She whispered, and my heart dropped at her words. She was going to push me away now?

    I wanted to help her, and she wasn¡¯t going to let me? I knew that Zion wouldn¡¯t settle with that

    scenario either¡­ she needed to let us help¡­ I felt desperate¡­

    I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. ¡°Bailey, please, let me help?¡± I tried, but she simply

    shook her head.

    ¡°I am fine. It is just a misunderstanding.¡± She said, chewing her lower lip anxiously, going to stand,Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    but despite her words, I could see she was visibly shaken. Telling me she was anything but fine.

    I stood up alongside her as she made her way toward the door. I¡¯ quickly grabbed her hand, trying

    to stop her as she did, but she pulled it away. Gone was the carefree atmosphere that had been

    between us moments earlier. She seemed tense and on edge. She was nervous and anxious about

    something, but whatever it was, she did not seem willing to share it, and that was not just bothering

    me, but it was seriously affecting Zion. too. He was whimpering loudly now.

    ¡°Bailey, please?¡± I tried once more, as she moved down the hallway of my home.

    ¡°Asher, thank you for tonight, I had fun. But, really, I should go. I need to go now.¡± She said, and

    despite her trying to hide it, I

    57.93%

    |||

    Chapter 82-Asher

    288 Vouchers:

    could hear the wobble to her voice.

    ¡°Bailey, I opened up to you earlier. I haven¡¯t done that with anyone for a long time. I haven¡¯t trusted

    anyone like that for a long time. Maybe you could do the same with me? Try talking to me? Maybe I

    could help you?¡± I suggested, hoping that me admitting to her that I hadn¡¯t trusted anyone the way I

    had her in opening up the way I had might allow her to see that she could talk to me.

    Yet she tilted her head slightly as she leant against the front door. ¡°I never asked you to do that,

    Asher.¡± She said quietly, and I can¡¯t exin why, but her words sting. They hurt me more than I

    expected them to.

    ¡°Fine, just go if that is what you want to do. I am sorry I

    overstepped the mark.¡± I snapped, opening the front door for her, closing it a little harder than was

    likely necessary as she left¡­

 Beauty 83

    Beauty 83

    Chapter 83 ¨C Bailey

    I dashed away as I heard the door closing loudly. I know I have hurt his feelings. Just as he seemed

    to be opening up to me too. But I couldn¡¯t stay, not after he had heard all of that. What would he

    think of me now? He was such a strong man, I did not want him to think I was weak. Hearing Miles

    talk to me in that way would change the way he thought of me without a doubt, and I was terrified it

    could put my position here at risk.

    I rushed to my room and closed my bedroom door behind me. My heart felt like it was pounding

    within my chest. I could feel Akira¡¯s presence, and she felt on edge. Whimpering, and broken. Much

    the same as me. She had been allowing herself to get closer to that man, I was sure of it. She had

    felt for him when he was struggling and that was unusual for her.

    Why did Miles feel the need to call me? He was meant to be secure and in treatment was he not?

    So why was he able to reach out to me? None of it made sense. Though I suppose the reason why

    was easy to answer. He wanted to torture me. That was always his reason for his nastiness toward

    me. Always his reasoning for his vileness. I had naively hoped that the treatment would make some

    changes in him, turn him back to the boy he used to be. But, I think Jordan is right. He craves the

    power being the Alpha brings, and the fear it instills in people. And that makes him dangerous.

    What I don¡¯t understand is why he had to make me suffer. I was willing to walk away. Allow him the

    life of power and freedom he desired. But he seemed to want me there. Not as his mate as fate had

    nned, but more as a toy to torture¡­

    Chapter 83¨CBailey

    18 285 (Vouchers

    I stripped my clothes off, and walked into the shower, needing to scrub myself clean. Hating

    everything about me right now. This was not the life I wanted for myself. But it appeared to be the

    life I had been given. The life was born into. I quickly washed my body and my hair, before rinsing

    myself off, trying hard not to allow my mind to wander. I did not need to let myself think of home and

    the mess that would await me if I was forced to return. I quickly turned the shower off, stepping out

    and grabbing a towel as I did.

    I put on my pajamas and walked back to my bed, to hear my phone ringing once more. My heart

    began to pound, fearful of the thought it could be Miles again, so I tentatively walked to my phone

    only to see it was Luna Eden.

    ¡°Hello?¡± I almost whispered, my voice a little hoarse.

    ¡°Hey Bailey. I can¡¯t sleep, so I thought I would get the down low on how my little host has done

    today.¡± She said, her voice full of enthusiasm, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile. She was checking in on

    Asher. That was a little crafty. The thing was if she wanted me to drop him in it, I don¡¯t think I could.

    He turned out to be a lot sweeter than I had ever expected him to be.

    ¡°Did you not think I might be sleeping?¡± I suggested.

    ¡°You answered, so probably not.¡± She said with a chuckle, which I suppose was logical. ¡°So, did my

    Beta behave today, or do I need to give him a lesson in how to interact with other people?¡±

    y myself on my bed, as I smiled at her words. He likely could do with a lesson in that, as it

    definitely did not seem like it was his specialty. ¡°He did okay. Considering you forced him toe

    and check on me.¡± I joked.

    Chapter 83 Bailey

    1208 Vouchers

    ¡°He told you that?¡± she said with a giggle. I could see her character being quite likable, endearing

    even as a friend. I could see why Asher thought so highly of her. ¡°Well, that is a big cross by his

    name!¡±

    ¡°In all seriousness, he has tried hard to make me feel wee. As have the staff at school. I

    enjoyed my day. Thanks for wanting to check in on me.¡± I told her with a smile. She was certainly

    going to a lot of effort to make sure I fitted in within her pack. For that, I would always be grateful. It

    meant I had a haven to escape to after everything with Miles¡­

    ¡°Aww no worries, though I am not too fussed with thedies at school, I had no doubt they would

    wee you with open arms. Just cranky pants I had my doubts over.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, Luna Eden, he did fine. He checked on me before I started, and when I finished work. I

    mean, it is pretty clear he does not like having to talk to people he doesn¡¯t know, but I don¡® t take

    that personally.¡±

    The Luna began tough at the other end of the phone. ¡°Well, you are not wrong. But he is not too

    bad of a guy, really. There is a sweetness under all that darkness and moodiness. You just got to

    rummage around a little.¡± she giggled.

    I shook my head. Anyone would think she was trying to sell him to me. ¡°I will bear that in mind.¡± I

    said quickly, feeling a little ufortable, considering I had already seen that he could be more

    than a little sweet just moments earlier. ¡°Anyway, how are you doing?¡± I asked, hoping to change

    the subject.

    ¡°I want this pup out how. He must be the size of a full¨Csized werewolf now! Sure feels like it. His

    feet sure feel like it when he kicks me!¡± she said with such emphasis in her voice couldn¡¯t

    288 Mouch

    help but snigger.

    ¡°Aww, you are ufortable then? Do you know it is a boy?¡± I suddenly realized she had said him

    multiple times.

    ¡°No. Just assuming with the way it is kicking the shit out of my insides. A little ser star in the

    making.¡± She joked.

    ¡°You could have a little female ser star.¡± I pointed out.

    ¡°Very true, either way, they are getting their eviction notice. pretty soon. I have cooked them long

    enough. Besides, they can¡® t befy anymore.¡±

    ¡°Do you ever think they arefy in there?¡± I questioned, wondering about the pictures you see of

    a baby in the womb and how squished they always looked to me, and I heard Luna Eden sigh.

    ¡°Who knows, but I know I am notfy. My belly is stretched as stretched can be. Docs have said

    ifbor doesn¡¯t start naturally in the next day or so, they will induce it. So mini Caleb will be here

    soon.¡± She told me, her voice now sounding exhausted. I think it is safe to say she is finding it all a

    bit much.

    ¡°Aww. It may be a mini Eden. You sound fed up though, Luna, are you okay?¡± I asked, worried

    about her.

    ¡°I love the thought of a new baby, and to some degree I enjoyed my pregnancy, just the end bit

    terrifies me. I get ufortable, and then actually giving birth, scares the shit out of me. Knowing

    that is imminent petrifies me.¡± She said, and the enthusiastic voice was now gone, reced by a

    shaky and vulnerable sounding voice. Seems even a strong and powerful Luna has her own fears

    and weaknesses.

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    ¡°I think I understand that. You will be in the best of care though. And you will have a gorgeous little

    one at the end of it all. The pain is temporary, but that gorgeous pup you will have at the end of it

    will be yours forever. Someone to love and adore, and make you proud.¡± I told her and I heard her

    sob.

    ¡°Aww, thanks.¡± she sniffled. ¡°I think you can stay. Your pack isn¡¯t allowed you back. You will be my

    new friend.¡± She said, and I found myself smiling. I wish it was that simple¡­ All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Beauty 84

    Beauty 84

    Chapter 84 ¨C Asher

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    I sleepily walked down the stairs, after very little sleep, yet again. This time, there had been ttle to

    no visions of I that I remembered. My dreams were overtaken by visions of Bailey. And not in a

    pleasant way either. By a man I could not see. A man voice was the one on the phone¡­

    Visions of her being tortured.

    could not identify. Yet his

    I woke up multiple times drenched in sweat, struggling to settle because I was desperate to go and

    check if she was okay. Yet, I knew I could not. Knew that I had to give her the space she had

    wanted. She had not wanted me there. I needed to know who this man was that had spoken to her

    like that. The moment she had rushed from my suite I had been on edge. Zion was the same. The

    urge to protect her was like nothing else I had experienced, and it unsettled me.

    This girl is not my mate. She is technically nothing to me. Not even a pack member. But, for some

    reason, her vulnerability and weakness had affected me and my wolf. And hearing the way that

    fucker had spoken to her had ripped through my heart. I had realized then I wanted to help her, yet

    she had refused my help.

    I needed to know more, and I would find out more one way or another. From how he spoke, and the

    things he said, I can only assume this man was her former fated mate. The man that had been

    foolish enough to reject her. I hady there for so long trying to process the things she had briefly

    mentioned since her arrival which may help me decipher who this man was. I knew she had not

    been willing to give much away, but had said a little

    without realizing.

    I knew he had rejected her. He must have some power over her. As she had said, he had been

    stopping her searching for a job out of the pack. That had to make him a senior role within their

    pack, to my mind, at least. That would also exin to me why he felt he could dictate where she

    went and what she did. Could he be their uing Alpha? That seemed the most obvious to me.

    And it would be a likely pairing too¡­ Now¡­ that could be an interesting turn of events¡­ because if

    I am not mistaken, the way their pack worked, along with so many others, was that the Alphas were

    not expected to reject the mate fated to them. That was considered a sign of going against the

    moon goddess. Disrespecting everything we stand for as werewolves.

    If Bailey had been fated to the Lotus Shadow Pack¡¯s uing Alpha, like I am beginning to

    wonder, then this meant their pack must be in disarray if they had learned of it. Because their

    young. future Alpha had broken one of their mainws, so was he even able to be their Alpha

    anymore? And listening to the way in which he spoke to Bailey, he did not sound like a man I would

    want in charge of a pack¡­

    As I reached my office door, I could see Caleb approaching, a big beaming smile upon his face.

    Evidently, all this additional time off to spend time with his family was doing him good. ¡°Good

    morning, Good morning.¡± He greeted me, enthusiastically. ¡°I heard you did a good job at being the

    hospitable host for our new teacher.¡± He winked at me.

    I rolled my eyes at him. ¡°Good morning to you too. Do I assume your delightful mate has been

    checking in on me, yet again?¡±

    I opened my office door, in desperate need of a coffee,

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    especially if I was going to have to deal with Caleb in one of his irritatingly cheerful moods.

    ¡°Perhaps. She called Baileyst night.¡± Caleb said with a shrug as he followed me into the office.

    I quickly turned to look at him. ¡°Eden called Baileyst night? What time? Was she okay?¡± I asked,

    so many questions flooding from my mind, wondering if she had mentioned anything about what

    had happened with her former mate.

    Caleb had sat himself down on the sofa in my office, and now he looked at me with curiosity. ¡°Oh,

    really? Am I missing something? Was there a little more than weing the new girl that went on

    Asher?¡±

    I felt anger rushing over me. How fucking dare he imply I tried it on with the poor girl. I did not think

    of her in that way, and I knew for definite she would not be looking at me in that way either. We

    were far from beingpatible. ¡°Don¡¯t be so fucking ridiculous.¡± I snapped. ¡°She had been upset

    when I passed her in the corridor, but she wouldn¡¯t borate as to why.¡± I lied.

    Caleb nodded, looking at me with suspicious eyes. ¡°Is that right?¡±

    Great, now he thinks I have a thing for the new teacher. Just what I need. Especially if Eden gets a

    hold of that piece of information, she will be doing all she can to match¨Cmake. And that is just not

    going to happen. My mate had been I. I was destined to be with her, and fate had chosen her for

    me. After her, I was doomed to be alone. Live a lonely life on my own.

    ¡°Yes, that is right. I do not like seeing someone upset; especially if it could bring trouble to our pack,

    Caleb. But, I assume your

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    Chapter 54 Asher

    looked into her past appropriately, did you? Her family history, mate etc?¡± I demanded, hoping this

    way Caleb may look into things for me.

    ¡°Erm¡­ I don¡¯t know, I left it all with Eden. She seemed pretty determined to have Bailey working

    here.¡± Caleb said with a shrug, like he wasn¡¯t even concerned, only irritating me considering the

    things I now knew.

    ¡°So no checks were done then?¡± I demanded, and I saw Caleb puff his chest up at me in a

    dismissive motion.

    ¡°Not a clue. She is a Beta¡¯s daughter, Ash, not like she is going to be causing problems for us. She

    seems sweet enough. Obviously got you hooked already.¡± He winked at me.

    Zion sharply and unexpectedly pushed forward, causing me to growl, causing Caleb to look at me

    with his eyebrows raised, not in the slightest bit intimidated by me nor my wolf. ¡°Oh really?¡± he

    boomed. ¡°Back off Zion.¡±

    ¡°Well, do not imply I am sweet on some fucking new girl to pack, just because I am concerned

    about her when the truth is, I am on edge for the safety of our pack. You are questioning my loyalty

    to I in even suggesting that.¡± I snarled, turning away from him, my fists clenched, moving toward

    my coffee machine.

    ¡°Ash. I was messing. And it is not questioning your loyalty to I. She will always be your mate.¡±

    Caleb¡¯s voice was softer now, as he joined me by my side. A look of concern upon his face. ¡°I am

    sorry if you saw it that way. It was meant as a joke. But, even if you did choose to look for another

    mate, there would be no shame, you know that, right? That is not betraying I. What you had will

    always remain precious. She will always remain your fated mate, and you hers. Fated by the moon

    Chapter 84¨CAcher

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    goddess. But, 1 doubt I would want you alone and isted forever. Not when you were so

    young, when she left you.¡±

    His hand was upon my shoulder as I messed with the coffee machine, sorting it to allow me to

    make my morning coffee, desperately wishing I was anywhere but here, and able to avoid this

    conversation. His words were gripping at my heart. They hurt. I would always be I¡¯s. I could not

    think of myself as somebody else¡¯s. That to me made it feel like I was forgetting her. Betraying the

    bond we had. And I don¡¯t think I could forgive myself for that.

    ¡°Well, that is irrelevant, Cal, because it isn¡¯t happening. Least of all with the new girl, so back off,

    right?¡± I said bluntly, while Zion, stalked away, curled up in the far reaches of my mind, his emotions

    such a mess¡­

 Beauty 85

    Beauty 85

    Chapter 85 ¨C Bailey

    I waved off thest little ones from my ss at the end of another fun day in school. Two days in,

    and I was loving this ce more and more. The children were a constant source of happiness and I

    could not help but smile in theirpany, despite how broken I had been feeling inside, and Alli

    and Gabby were both very sweetdies too. Both tried their hardest to make me feel wee.

    Thankfully, there were no more unexpected visits from Asher today. Afterst night, I don¡¯t think I

    could cope with them. I could only imagine what he must be thinking.

    I had barely slept once I hade off the phone to the Luna. Tossing and turning, thinking of

    everything Miles had said. I didn¡¯t know why he had decided to reach out to me. I nned to

    message my brother once I was back in my room today to let him know everything. Also, it would

    give me a chance to try to discover if anything else was happening in pack and if any more progress

    had been made. Because, for some reason, nobody seemed to want to keep me updated.

    ¡°Hey Bailey.¡± Gabby stuck her head in the doorway of my ssroom. ¡°Everything ok today?¡± She

    questioned as she watched me tidying my ssroom.

    ¡°Yeah, all was good.¡± I smiled back at her.

    ¡°Good stuff.¡± She walked away, leaving me in peace to prepare my lessons for tomorrow, before I

    finished work for the day. I didn¡¯t really feel in the mood for sitting chatting and gossiping in the staff

    room like her and Alli seemed to. I wanted to be

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    alone, especially right now. I know that wasn¡¯t the best way to establish my ce within the school,

    but for now it was going to be the way it was, because thanks to Miles, my head was simply not in

    the right ce.

    It didn¡¯t take long for me to have my work done once I got into it, and with me fully focused on it. So,

    I picked up my things and walked out of my ssroom and headed for the main door of the school.

    ¡°Aww, are you off sweetheart?¡± Alli¡¯s voice called from behind me, as I turned, I saw her standing at

    the doorway of the staffroom watching me.

    ¡°Yeah, all done for the day.¡± I told her with a smile. ¡°Will see you tomorrow.¡±

    She nodded, returning my smile. ¡°You look tired. Get home and put your feet up. You want me to

    get Marc to bring your dinner to your room?¡± she suggested, taking me by surprise. Was she trying

    to find excuses for Marc to spend time with me? That seemed a little odd¡­

    ¡°No, thanks for offering, but I will be fine.¡± I told her, definitely not liking the idea of a man I barely

    knowing to my room.

    Alli grinned in response. ¡°What about the Beta? I am sure he would be happy to help?¡±

    I frowned. Here it was again. The implication there was something between me and Asher. All

    because Luna Eden had urged him toe and check on me. Anyone could see that man was far

    from interested in me. In anyone, I would say. So why Alli and Gabby felt the need to keep going on

    about it, I didn¡¯t know, but it was beginning to irritate me, ¡°Most definitely not the Beta, thank you.¡± I

    snapped, before pushing open the main school door, only to hear chuckling from the staff room, no

    |||

    110)

    11

    doubt Gabby and Alli finding my response highly amusing.

    ¡®You best not be telling them King Sociable invited you back to hisir to share his chocte stash

    then.¡® Akira decided to begin. with her little quips, as I began walking along the path from school.

    ¡®Imagine the drama! Because I imagine he doesn¡¯t do that for just anybody.¡°.

    I rolled my eyes at the rubbish my wolf was wittering. She seemed to like winding me up. Though

    last night she was the one whimpering over Asher, if I am not mistaken¡­

    ¡®Don¡¯t even go there, Akira, or I will put a block up with your again.¡® I warned her.

    Think the happy one is rubbing off on you, you know? You have been putting a block on me a whole

    lot more since meeting him.¡® she tells me.

    ¡®Akira¡­¡® I warned, to be greeted by a giggle.

    ¡®Just saying.¡® She giggled. ¡®He gets happier, more smiley, and you get more grumpy. Go figure.¡±

    I decided to ignore my wolf and her little digs, while I increased my speed as I walked through the

    pack, enjoying thete afternoon sunshine, as I saw a few of the children from school ying in the

    nearby y area, squealing in fun, making me smile. I turned along the nearby road that led to the

    pack hospital, having promised Luna Eden I would call in to visit her after work today.

    I think she was getting sick of the same four walls of her hospital room, not to mention seeing the

    same people. She had near enough begged me to visit. So, I had been to the store and

    Chapter 85¨CBailey

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    bought her some magazines and some treats before work, and had nned on heading to see her

    as soon as I finished work.

    The pack hospital was busy as I entered through the automatic doors, and walked down the

    corridor. Only to bump into Alpha Caleb. His face lit up into a smile as he saw me. ¡°Aww, Bailey,

    right?¡± he said, stopping in front of me. ¡°You on your way to see Eden?¡± he asked and I nodded.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± I agreed, unsure what else to say to him.

    ¡°She did say you wereing. Come on, I will take you up to see her, then you know where to go.

    She will be happy to see you. Think she gets bored with the same faces.¡± He said with a chuckle.

    ¡°Thanks Alpha.¡± I nodded at him, feeling awfully ufortable, as I don¡¯t know the guy particrly

    well.

    ¡°No worries. I hope you are settling in okay. We would have liked to have been there for you a little

    more, but this little one is being a right little pain in the butt. Though, Eden says it isn¡¯t doing

    anything to me, like I¡¯m not worried about her and the baby.¡± He grinned.

    I smiled, feeling a little awkward at his words, feeling like I didn¡¯t really know them well enough to

    comment. ¡°I am sure you are both worried. Baby will be worth it once they have arrived.¡±

    ¡°Oh for sure.¡± The Alpha has the biggest smile on his face as he says that, telling me he is super

    excited at being a Dad for the second time, making me wonder if he was even aware of Luna

    Eden¡¯s fears of everything that was approaching¡­

    Having walked down what felt like a serious maze of corridors,

    Chapter 15 ¨C Bailey

    which I am sure all hospitals n their corridors like to confuse you, we arrived at the end of a

    corridor, with a doorway, to what looked like a suite. The Alpha opened the door, and walked in, and

    I heard Luna Eden speak as he walked in. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just leave?¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but smile at her, and even more so at the Alpha¡¯s response. ¡°Aww, and I love you

    too, baby! So lovely to see your bright and beautiful face!¡± he stuck his tongue out and blew a

    raspberry at her before continuing. ¡°However, I found someone on the corridor I thought you might

    like to see.¡±

    Alpha Caleb motioned for me toe into the room, so I awkwardly walked in to the modernly

    equipped hospital room, where Luna Edenid on the bed, looking hot and bothered, and far from

    comfortable. ¡°Yay! Bailey!¡± she said, full of enthusiasm.

    I smiled in response to her, ready to say hello as I heard a chair near the side of the bed scrape,

    and a throat clearing, making me look across, only to find Asher sitting there, about to stand,

    looking ufortable. ¡°I will get going Eden. Leave you to spend time with Bailey.¡± He said,

    avoiding my gaze.

    ¡°What?¡± Luna Eden said with surprise. ¡°You just got her Ash, don¡¯t be ridiculous. I can hold a

    conversation with more than one person at once, you know? I know it may be beyond your abilities,

    but I can manage it.¡±

    Asher was now standing, like he still intended. ¡°Honestly sweetheart, it is fine, I will let you spend

    some time with Bailey. I cane backter.¡±

    The atmosphere in the room was ufortable, to say the least. Asher could not wait to get away,

    all because I walked in to the room, it seemed¡­

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    Luna Eden was now frowning. ¡°Sit down you idiot. You only just got here. Don¡¯t be so rude.¡± She

    snapped, and I realized then, there was no denying, that things with Asher were more than a little

    awkward, and he suddenly seemed to want to avoid me altogether after what had happenedst

    night¡­

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    Beauty 86

    Chapter 86 ¨C Eden

    Iy in the bed, seemingly my prison now I was on strict bed rest. It was getting more than a little

    boring now. Tiresome. Repetitive. If this baby does note out soon, I am going to start pushing

    and hope for the best. I don¡¯t care if contractions have started or not. I will force the little b***er right

    out. I don¡¯t think I could stretch anymore. And as much as I love my mate, he irritates me. Killing me

    with kindness. Not to mention s**y.

    ¡°Aww, does it hurt when the baby does this?¡± ¡°When the baby pees inside of you, where does it

    go?¡±ments like that were. bing a regr urrence, and I was running out of patience¡­

    though his favoritementtely had been, ¡°You know they say sex brings onbor¡­¡± Oh yeah,

    because I feel incredibly **y right now! Oozing sex appeal from each and every pore¡­ I am the size

    of a beached whale! I swear he brings that thing near me again anytime soon, and I will chop it off!

    It is because of that thing I am in this much difort. It is alright for him, he sticks it in, wiggles it

    around a bit, gets his kicks, and he¡¯s good to go. Me, I am the one struggling for months after¡­

    Okay, I may turn into a pregnant monster. So, unsurprisingly, when Asher, or one of our family or

    friends calls in to visit me, Caleb takes a break from sitting with me at the hospital, and goes to

    check in at work or with Matty, our little one, who has been spending time with our parents more in

    recent days.

    So, to see Asher walk in, looking even more moodier than normal, I wasn¡¯t entirely sure I wanted

    Caleb to leave, but he still took the opportunity, but I guess couldn¡¯t me him when I

    ?

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    had just given him a hard time for suggesting a little fun in my hospital suite¡¯s washroom. I swear

    men think with their bits, not their brain¡­ or my mate certainly does!

    ¡°Hey sweetheart.¡± Asher leaned over to give me a half-hug. He wasn¡¯t keen on personal contact, soBelonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    I allowed him that much. Besides, I was far too warm and ufortable for a proper hug. ¡°I brought

    you some fruit.¡± He says with a smile.

    ¡°Wonderful, I will add it to the rest my family brought. Will be able to open a shop soon.¡± I said,

    realizing a little toote how ungrateful and sarcastic I sounded. Fortunately, I knew Asher wouldn¡¯t

    care.

    He nodded, as he sat himself down on the chair next to my bed. ¡°I expect a cut of the profits then.¡±

    And, I found myself smirking. ¡°You okay Ash? You look even less happy than usual.¡±

    ¡°Wow, cheers Eden, you have such a nice way with words, you know?¡± he said with a roll of his

    eyes, telling me he was not open to talking about it. I have known him long enough to know his

    bodynguage. Something was bothering him, but Asher was like a closed book. He rarely talked

    about his problems, or the things that worried him. It bothered me, because I think he would find

    himself so much happier if he just opened up to

    someone.

    ¡°Always happy to help.¡± I said with a smile. ¡°So, how are things in the pack? Any gossip?¡± I asked,

    desperate for something exciting. I was bored as hell sitting here each day with nothing going on. It

    was as exciting as watching paint dry.

    ¡°Not a clue. You know I don¡¯t pay attention to gossip, Eden.¡±

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    Asher said with a shrug.

    ¡°Jeez, Ash, I need to train you better, you are no good as a messenger.¡± I rolled my eyes.

    ¡°A messenger? So I am a messenger as well as your host now?¡± he snapped.

    I looked at him in surprise. Was he actually angry at me over that? At the end of the day, that was

    part of his duties as Beta, he knew that. ¡°Asher, what is up? You know that is your job too. Bailey is

    nice enough. Do you and her not get along?¡± I urged, and just as he was about to answer, the door

    to my room opened, only for Caleb to walk back in. He had only just left. Did he

    get bored ande back? Or did he get lost? Even I don¡¯t think he is that simple¡­

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just leave?¡± I asked him with confusion.

    Caleb grinned at me sarcastically. ¡°Aww, and I love you too baby! So lovely to see your bright and

    beautiful face!¡± he stuck his tongue out and blew a raspberry at me, the cheeky fucker, before

    continuing. ¡°However, I found someone on the corridor I thought you might like to see.¡±

    He had my attention now. I know I had asked Bailey toe, so I wonder if it was her, though

    would she have finished her work by now? Caleb motioned for someone toe into the room, and

    as he did Bailey walked into the room looking more than a little ufortable, bless her. Her eyes

    fell on me, and she smiled, so I grinned back. ¡°Yay! Bailey!¡± I greeted her, so she knew I was

    pleased to see her, and there was no reason to feel ufortable.

    Bot, then, for some reason, Asher began to move on the chair

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    next to the bed, and began to clear his throat, just as it looked like Bailey was about to speak ¡°I will

    get going Eden. Leave you to spend time with Bailey.¡± He said, appearing to be avoiding everyone¡¯s

    gaze. What the hell was wrong with him? I had been trying to make Bailey feel less ufortable,

    yet the moment she walks in, Asher acts like this? I swear this man needs sses in how to interact

    with people¡­ he was never this bad before¡­

    ¡°What?¡± I asked, unable to hide my surprise. ¡°You just got here Ash, don¡¯t be ridiculous. I can hold a

    conversation with more than one person at once, you know? I know it may be beyond your abilities,

    but I can manage it.¡±

    Yet Asher appeared to ignore what I had said and continued to stand. Evidently still nning to

    leave. ¡°Honestly sweetheart, it is fine, I will let you spend some time with Bailey. I cane back

    later.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but frown. What was his rush to leave? ¡°Sit down you idiot. You only just got here.

    Don¡¯t be so rude!¡± I couldn¡¯t help but snap at him, his behavior was downright ignorant. I had

    already asked him to wee Bailey to the pack and make her feel like she was wee, yet this

    could not be further from that.

    Asher fidgeted ufortably on the spot, still avoiding the gazes of us all, and now I could see

    Bailey was looking ufortable too. ¡®Right f**kface.¡¯ I snapped through the mindlink at Asher.

    ¡®What is going on, because I asked you to wee the new girl, yet she arrives, and you are

    wanting to get away as soon as you can. Did you do something you shouldn¡¯t? You better not have

    had an argument with her already. You and that f**g temper of yours.¡¯

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    Chapter 86 Eden

    ¡®Oh, back off Eden.¡¯ Asher responded. ¡®Mindlinking with her in the room is rude, is it not? Fine, if it

    bothers you so greatly, I will stay. Don¡¯t expect me to talk much is all I will say.¡¯

    Asher dropped himself back down into the seat he had been sitting in, his face sulking like a toddler

    throwing a tantrum. I swear this man was like an overgrown man-child. A bit like his best friend and

    Alpha. The pack was being run by two oversized children¡­

    I looked at Bailey, hoping to salvage the situation. I want her to like it here. She could be good for

    our school. Plus, I genuinely liked her, and thought we could be friends. ¡°How are you? Did you

    have a good day? Is everything good with you?¡± she smiled awkwardly, ncing over at Asher as

    she did¡­ hmmm, something seemed to be going on here. I didn¡¯t know what it was, but I swear I

    would find out¡­

 Beauty 87

    Beauty 87

    Chapter 87 ¨C Asher

    I am forced to sit in the hospital room with Eden and Bailey when all I want to do is be alone. I had

    nned to call in to see how Eden was doing and if there had been any update as to when they

    nned to induce herbor, and thought I might try to cheer her up with a little fruit hamper made

    by one of my mother¡¯s friends. Needless to say, with the delightful mood Eden was in at present,

    that had gone down the same way a gift of an atomic bomb would have done. But, still, Caleb would

    have some tasty snacks when he had to sit and listen to herining when he was spending

    time with her.

    I am usually happy to sit and spend a little time with her, chatting, giving Caleb a little chance to go

    home and take a shower, visit Matty or do some work. I know he hated Eden being on her own and,

    other than returning home to sleep, he ensured that she had someone with her all the time at the

    hospital, so she wasn¡¯t lonely. In truth, Eden would likely appreciate the peace¡­

    But, the moment Caleb walked back into the hospital room with Bailey in tow, I wanted to escape.

    All my thoughts have been of that bl**dy girl ofte. Messed up thoughts too. Worried sick about

    her. Trying to uncover who that had been at the end of the phone the other night¡­ I mean, I had my

    suspicions, but they had been exactly that, suspicions, and without Bailey willing to talk to me, I

    couldn¡¯t confirm them.

    But, it had truly got inside my head the way he had been with her. The way it had affected her. Hurt

    her. Nobody should be talking to her like that. I couldn¡¯t understand why he had felt he

    0.00%

    11.57 M

    Chapter 17 Ashm

    was okay to speak to her like that¡­ and what bothered me greatly was what sort of threat he posed

    to Bailey now she was in our pack¡­

    And then came the even more punishing questions that I struggled even harder to answer, as to

    why my wolf had reacted the way he had to her. Why he had felt such an urge to protect her. Yet, I

    couldn¡¯t lie, I had felt the same urge. And a pain when she had pushed me away. A sense of

    betrayal to I when everyone kept trying to imply there were feelings there. I don¡¯t know her well

    enough for there to be feelings there. I know that much.

    something I do know, for the sake of my own sanity, and

    that of my wolf too, it would be better for the two of us to

    stay apart. She had been through enough, it seemed, and she did not need any additional

    complications of rumors being started by the likes of things being implied by others. Nor did she

    need me upsetting her with my temper¡­

    So, I sat in almost silence while Bailey chatted enthusiastically with Eden. Her face lit up as she

    smiled at her. Her eyes almost sparkled, as her delicate features changed as she smiled. I couldn¡¯t

    help but notice how well the two of them got along. Maybe that was one of the reasons Eden had

    clung to the idea of Baileying to our pack. She saw a potential friend in her. She had lost her

    friend, Kasia,test year during childbirth, and she had struggled every day with it since. She

    didn¡¯t have many other female friends. And, I knew that she was often lonely, that was why she

    clung so desperately to Caleb.

    Maybe when she realized she got along so well with Bailey, she thought there was a potential for a

    new friend. Someone to connect with. A friendship. Something she had been missing.

    19.03%

    Chapter 1

    Because, in that regard, it would likely do Eden good. I raised my gaze momentarily at the sound of

    the two of themughing. ¡°Well, I bought chocte.¡± Bailey said, wiggling her eyebrows. toward

    Eden, with a big smile, offering her a bag. ¡°And magazines.¡±

    ¡°See, this girl knows what gifts are. Not fruit.¡± She winked at Bailey, before sticking her tongue out at

    me.

    I rolled my eyes at her. ¡°Once again, you are wee, Eden.¡±

    ¡°Did I ever tell you about this guy once knew, Bailey? He was so happy, cheerful, and a delight to

    know.¡± Eden began, with a sideways nce toward me. I had a feeling this wasing right back

    at me.

    Bailey looked at Eden with curiosity, and shook her head.

    ¡°Always the joker of the group. Fun to be around, and always smiling. Kind, caring, and the

    sweetest guy you could ever meet.¡± Eden said with a smile. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t believe he turned into this old

    grumpy b**d would you?¡± she motioned her head toward me, with a grin.

    I shook my head. I knew the moment she started with her insults she meant me. This was just the

    sort of thing we did. Her, Caleb and I. It was how our friendship was. ¡°Thanks for that, Eden. Love

    you too. Pretty sure Bailey wasn¡¯t after my resume.¡±

    Eden chuckled. ¡°Well, if she was, it would go something like that, would it not? Asher Alcott, Beta of

    the pack, grumpy old b**d, with a face to match. Dark and mysterious with a face like a smacked

    a**. Face sure to c**k if he attempted to smile and no clue how to mix with other people. Interaction

    with

    11.571

    people limited. Do not expect conversation. If you want help, bring chocte to bribe.¡±

    Bailey was looking down. I could see her biting her lip. I don¡¯t know if she was trying not to smile, or

    she was feeling ufortable. But this sort of teasing was usual for Eden and I. It was nothing I

    wasn¡¯t used to, and it truly didn¡¯t bother me.

    ¡°Sounds like a perfect man.¡± I smiled sarcastically at her. ¡°But if I am so unappealing, am I excused

    to leave now?¡±

    ¡°Jeez, anyone would think I held you here at gunpoint, Ash. Just go if being here with me is so bad.¡±

    Eden dismissed me with a flick of her hand. ¡°Do me a favor though. Ask Caleb to bring me my

    hospital bagter. They are probably going to try inducingbor tomorrow.¡±

    I sighed. I couldn¡¯t really be angry with her, I knew she was worried about it all, and who wouldn¡¯t

    be? She had to push a little pup out of her any day now. That had to be scary. Let alone. having to

    do that with Caleb by her side trying hard to encourage her, which would likely be more an

    annoyance than an encouragement. ¡°No worries. Anything else you need, sweetheart?¡± I asked.

    ¡°A way to fast-forward time, so baby could be here, and I didn¡¯t have to go throughbor?¡± she said

    with a smile.

    ¡°I wish I could do that for you Eden, I truly do, but despite my mean and moody looks, I don¡¯t hold

    any magic skills. You will have the best care, and you know you will. You did amazing when you hadAll content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Matty.¡± I reassured her, and I saw tears in her eyes, while Bailey was sitting on the edge of her bed,

    her eyes darting between Eden and I. I hated seeing her struggle. I knew this birth scared her so

    much more than Matty¡¯s ever had.

    58 10%

    Chabte 87 ¨C Ache

    because of what had happened to her friend.

    ¡°But he was massive Ash, this one is even bigger, I am sure of it. And I have to push it out of me,

    while Caleb stands there and makes weird panting and puffing noises trying to help me breathe. Or

    he is telling me how gross things look.¡± She said, looking like she wanted to cry, while I was

    somewhere between wanting to reassure her and trying not tough at her telling me what Caleb is

    like when she is inbor. That did not surprise me in the slightest about my friend, he was like a big

    child sometimes.

    ¡°As much as he is aplete idiot sometimes, sweetheart, you know, it is only because he is

    excited, and sometimes his mouth works before his brain. Tell him you have heard of a thing called

    a silent birth, that way he won¡¯t be able to talk at all.¡± I winked at her and she chuckled.

    ¡°Ash, you are funny.¡± She smiles at me, wiping away a lone tear slipping down her cheek.

    ¡°Not bad for a grumpy old b**d, I guess.¡± I shrugged. ¡°I will leave youdies to it. I will chase that

    mate of yours down, get him to hunt that hospital bag of yours down, maybe even give him a hint

    about what is appropriate to say when your mate is inbor, before I go out for my run, okay?¡±

    Eden smiled once more at me, while Bailey briefly looked at me, a small smile on her face, though

    whether that was for me or not was hard to tell, but she quickly returned her gaze to the floor, like

    making eye contact with me burned her eyes or something¡­ I don¡¯t think things would ever be as

    they had been in my home with her again. Not that it would stop me worrying about her. She feels

    like part of our pack now, and I think that

    Chapter 87-Asher

    1288 Vouchers

    was why I worried about her. Yeah, that was it, the same as I would worry about any pack member. I

    am certain that was why.

 Beauty 88

    Beauty 88

    Chapter 88 ¨C Miles

    Another day of treatment. They were bing repetitive. But, if I forced myself, they were almost

    bearable, and it meant I got to spend at least a little time with Kaia. I got to see her smile. See the

    way her eyes lit up as sheughed¡­ Feel the way my heart warmed if I was blessed with a

    giggle¡­ or a little sideways. nce through her longshes¡­

    And, it meant I was moving toward my end goal of leaving this ce quicker. I requested additional

    sessions each day, shocking the therapists, but they didn¡¯t see my n. If I had the additional

    sessions, it made it more likely they would see me aspleting their b*t p*ogramme sooner, and

    allow me to leave earlier. Completing the programme earlier had be my main goal. My second

    goal had be making Kaia mine, one way or another.

    I had briefly spoken to Ellis, who had told me he had been training. Not just regr day to day

    training. Oh no, this was a full-on, hard and fast training that only Alphas were sent on. The

    specialized Alpha training. Hearing that infuriated me. My younger brother was training for a spot

    that was rightly mine. That told me that my parents were taking this consideration of allocating him

    as Alpha seriously, and I could not have that. I needed to tread carefully for the time being. Do all

    they asked of me to ensure I got my title. Got my role as Alpha as I should always have done.

    Unfortunately, my parents, nor my best friend, had chosen to contact me since, and were not willing

    to answer my calls either. And, when I inquired with the treatment center staff, their

    Chapter 88 ¨C Miles

    answer was simple, they believed no contact was the better option to allow me the no-distraction

    approach to enable me to make this treatment a sess. I swear these people pulled their answers

    from their a**s, because they were most definitely full of s**t. I was getting sick of them all.

    But, I did all I could to hold back on taking my frustrations out on them. The struggle to control my

    temper was a daily, hour by hour battle, but one I needed to maintain, or this whole thing would be

    for nothing and my title would go to my f**g brother. And I could not allow that. He had done nothing

    to deserve to be Alpha.

    ¡°Another session done, I believe, Miles.¡± Jonah, another of my therapists said to me with a smile. IThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    had noticed that since reigning in my temper and showing my willingness to cooperate and

    complete their **y programme, the staff were less on edge around me and the scent of fear was

    gradually dissipating, as frustrating as that was, because both I and my wolf craved that scent.

    ¡°Looks like it.¡± I nodded. ¡°Is it okay to go for a walk in the

    garden, and clear my head?¡± I asked him. This had be my usual escape after my afternoon

    sessions, as I knew Kaia was so often around in the gardens then, and it gave me an excuse to talk

    to her. Spend some time alone with her¡­

    I was desperate to get her to see the potential in me. Allow her the opportunity to see I wasn¡¯t all

    bad, and that mypany was actually quite enjoyable. I would wear her down to the point she

    was desperate for mypany. For my attention¡­

    ¡°Of course, it is good you see the need for rxation time, Miles. I think sometimes that little time to

    clear your head can

    Chapter 88+ Miles

    1280 Wouchers

    make all the difference to a clear mind. A calmer mind.¡± Jonah said calmly, making me want to roll

    my eyes, but I fought the urge, wanting him to think I was being respectful and I nodded.

    I rushed off down the corridor of the pack, toward the door which led me to the familiar area of the

    gardens that I knew Kaia would often sit in the afternoon to do her work on herptop. But as I

    approached the garden, I could see she was not alorie, and my heart dropped. By her side was an

    older man, well-built, and muscly. His arms were littered with tattoos. I could feel my eyes ring

    toward him, already questioning who this mystery man was, and why he was with Kaia. She looked

    comfortable in hispany. And looked up at him with big, affectionate eyes.

    I wandered a little closer, desperate to pique my curiosity as to who this man was. ¡°But Daddy, you

    know I don¡¯t like doing formal events.¡± Kaia appeared to whine.

    Oh¡­ this appeared to be the pack Alpha. Kaia¡¯s father. Of course, that would make sense, looking

    at his build and the way he seemed to carry himself. I had met many of the country¡¯s Alphas, but in

    truth, I paid little attention, finding them irrelevant to me. They would be below me once I was Alpha,

    so I didn¡¯t see the need to memorize them all. If I needed them, then I would make an effort to get to

    know them, so this man¡¯s face was not familiar to me.

    However, I was desperate to speak to Kaia. And, if I wanted to win her over, then surely it would be

    a good thing to win her father over too¡­

    ¡°Good afternoon Miss Carter.¡± I smiled sweetly at her, causing both Kaia and her father to look up at

    me with curiosity. The

    Chapter 88-M

    1248 (Vouchers.

    Alpha then looks across to Kaia with a raised brow and a smirk. upon his face.

    ¡°Good afternoon Miles.¡± Kaia said, with a brief nod in my direction.

    ¡°Good afternoon sir.¡± I offered my hand to the Alpha, who took it in a firm handshake, almost

    crushing my hand, in what I assumed was an attempt to remind me who was the stronger out of the

    two of us. Ha, little did he know just how dangerous ! could be if pushed¡­

    ¡°Good afternoon. Miles, I assume.¡± He smiled. ¡°And no need for sir, Alpha Aaron would suffice.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°We don¡¯t normally see you across this part of the

    pack, Alpha. Though the gardens are always nice to enjoy when the sun is out.¡± I tried hard to be

    nice. Though already him belittling me the way he did had irritated me.

    ¡°We do make sure our pds are well tended, much like the pack buildings. Though the garden

    of our family home is much more pleasant to sit and enjoy, I have to admit. I am merely here to

    come and visit my daughter. She seems to like to try and avoid me.¡±

    ¡°Oh, now that isn¡¯t nice is it?¡± I smiled at Kaia, trying to tease her a little, while attempting to make it

    seem I was supporting the Alpha.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you think it is any of your business, Miles.¡± She scowled at me while her father

    simply chuckled. ¡°Nor do I recall inviting you toe and join our conversation.¡±

    I felt rejected by her snappiness. I knew she did not want me

    |||

    Chapte 89 ¨C Miles

    208 Vouchers

    there, and that hurt. I wanted her to want me, and my attempts right now were proving futile.

    ¡°Kaia, do not be so rude. That is not how the daughter of an Alpha is brought up to act.¡± Alpha

    Aaron shakes his head at his daughter with a look of what could only be described as disgust upon

    his face, before looking at me. ¡°Please excuse her Miles, she appears to have gotten out of bed on

    the wrong side today.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, it is fine. I understand the pressures of being the child of an Alpha can bring. It isn¡¯t

    always easy.¡± I looked at Kaia with a small smile, hoping she would see this as me trying to defend

    her, as well as something we have inmon. Sometimes, being the child of an Alpha could be

    more of a chore than anything¡­

    Instead, she rolled her eyes, while her father quickly rested his eyes upon me in a dark and

    meaningful re. ¡°Oh, you are the uing Alpha I have been hearing about. Hmmm¡­¡± his voice

    was full of intent in his words, and I don¡¯t think I liked it.

    Wonderful, my n to win Kaia over, and make a good. impression upon her father had failed h**sly

    on both counts. This was not going my way. Not in the slightest. I needed to get out of here as soon

    as I could¡­

 Beauty 89

    Beauty 89

    Chapter 89 ¨C Bailey

    Life in the pack was hectic, though everyone was in such a joyful mood at the news that their Luna

    had given birth to the daughter of their Alpha. Their pack had a new pup to celebrate. I had.been so

    busy with things for work that I had yet to go and visit. Besides, I thought it was only right that the

    family got to spend some time alone together. Not that it stopped Luna Eden messaging me. She

    was messaging back and forth much of the day and night.

    It seemed, in the pack Luna, I had gained a new friend, not that I minded. A friend was never a bad

    thing, and after the way Miles had treated me over the years, I had lost many friends, all taking the

    side of the Alpha¡­ So, this new friendship with Luna Eden was somewhat of a novelty, I had to

    admit. Although, she would not let go of the tense atmosphere in the room between Asher and me

    when I visited her the other night. So frequently asking me what was going on between us. Asking

    what had happened, and why Asher was trying to get away the moment I arrived. But I was not able

    to exin the way he reacted. Nor was I able to exin how his mind worked.

    You would think she would know him better than me. She had known him a lot longer, but she had

    not been able to shine any light upon it either. But, we were both in agreement he did appear to be

    avoiding me. But, I had no clue why. I had not seen him in the packhouse of a nighttime since, so I

    didn¡¯t really have the opportunity to ask him. Though, I had ensured I stayed in my room after

    dinner. Maybe that was a little childish of me, but I did not have the energy to deal with the

    awkwardness either.

    0.00%

    11:59

    I closed up my ssroom after yet another fun day in school. This was one of the few positives of

    me being in this pack now. I loved my job and the little monsters I was teaching. They were the

    highlight of my day, and constantly cheered me up. But, once the day was over, it was back to my

    usual mundane and miserable life, all alone in my small room in the packhouse doing my best to

    avoid the mean and moody Beta of the pack. I was beginning to wonder if it was the right ce for

    me or not¡­ Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    I was just walking toward the main doors, when Marc walked into the school, his whole face lit up as

    he saw me, and I instantly felt my mood brighten. At least someone was pleased to see me. ¡°Now

    aren¡¯t you a sight for sore eyes, Princess.¡± He winked at me.

    ¡°Marc, stop flirting with my staff!¡± Alli yelled from the staffroom, and I felt my cheeks heat up, as I

    noticed Marc¡¯s cheek tinting red slightly too, telling me he was likely as embarrassed as I felt. I don¡¯t

    think he meant it in a flirting way, that seemed to be the way he spoke with me¡­

    He chuckled. ¡°Can¡¯t even say hi.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Come to help her, and she uses me of flirting.

    Maybe I should just go home, she would soonin then. When she had to do the repairs on

    her own.¡±

    I smiled at his cheekiness. ¡°Hi.¡±

    ¡°Hi to you too. See, you look so much better when you smile, you know? Anyway, you been

    avoiding me at dinner time?¡± he asked, leaning against the wall, his eyebrows raised, and a hand

    upon one hip, like he was teasing

    ¡°No, I have been busy with things for work. Doing ss preparations is all, so get to dinnerter.¡± I

    exined. ¡°Why

    234

    Chapter 89 Badley

    would I avoid you?¡±

    He looked down, like he was suddenly ufortable, or maybe he doubted himself. I was

    struggling to read him¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t know, maybe after the stuff Beta Asher said.¡±

    I frowned, a little confused. Did he really think I would avoid him? And would it actually bother him if

    I did? ¡°Didn¡¯t I eat with you after that?¡±

    He shrugged, still continuing to avoid my gaze. Hmm, definitely a little odd¡­

    ¡°Besides, I think the Beta is avoiding me now, so what he thinks is likely irrelevant.¡± I said without

    thinking, in an attempt to reassure him I had not been avoiding him. But I noticed Marc looking at

    me, a look of concern upon his face.

    ¡°He got nasty with you?¡±

    ¡°He isn¡¯t like that, is he?¡± I questioned, not believing for a moment Asher would get nasty with those

    in his own pack. I knew he had a darkness that seemed to overtake him when he was struggling,

    but I still do not believe him capable of being nasty or hurting his own pack members.

    Marc raised his brows and shrugged. ¡°Did he get nasty with you, Bailey? Angry at all?¡±

    I shook my head. ¡°No. Just snapped. Though that could have been my own fault, I likely deserved it.

    He seemed angry then, and is avoiding me now.¡±

    ¡°Would you not say anything if I told you something, Bailey?¡± he looked at me, suddenly looking so

    far from the confident guy he

    47241

    11.59

    Chapter 89-Bailey

    1288 Vouchers

    usually appeared to be.

    ¡°Righte on Marc, I have got things I need you to do.¡± Alli quickly disturbed our conversation,

    almost like she had been listening in to the conversation and didn¡¯t want Marc to tell me whatever

    he was about to¡­

    Marc looked toward me with a sad smile, and a little shrug. ¡°Guess I will catch you around then,

    Princess. Have a good night.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I will see you bothter.¡± I said, realizing I was going to have to ept I was not likely to get

    the answers I was hoping for¡­

    I quickly walked from the school, my mind a whirling mess as to what he had been about to tell me.

    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if it was to do with Asher, seeing as we had been talking about him. I

    could only assume Marc would know him with the fact his sister had been Asher¡¯s fated mate. And,

    he had moved to Asher¡¯s pack¡­

    Thest few days, on the odd asion I had seen Asher around in pack, he had looked down and

    kept walking quickly. Avoiding my gaze as much as he possibly could. It could not be clearer to me,

    he did not want to be around me. I know I had pushed him away when he had tried to be there for

    me, but I don¡¯t think it deserved this sort of treatment now. We had been beginning to get along. I

    had even begun to wonder if we could be friends. But, evidently, there was no hope of that.

    With Luna Eden so busy now with her new baby, Asher avoiding me at every turn, and me barely

    hearing from anybody in my own packtely, I was beginning to feel increasingly isted here, and,

    it was starting to bring me and Akira down. Making

    66.90%

    1288 Voucher

    me wonder if taking this job had been the right thing after all.

    I walked through the packhouse doors, just as Asher was walking out, nearly knocking into him,

    causing him to step onto my toe. I flinched in pain, as he quickly stepped off. He looked at me,

    momentarily a look of concern crossed his face, before it was reced with a dark scowl. ¡°Do you

    just walk around in a f**g daydream?¡± He all but snarled. ¡°Watch where you are. going and that sort

    of thing likely wouldn¡¯t happen.¡± He snapped, storming out of the door, leaving me stood watching

    his intimidating figure rush away, with tears in my eyes.

    I don¡¯t know what was happening with him, but I was liking him and this pack less and less now¡­

 Beauty 90

    Beauty 90

    Chapter 90 ¨C Asher

    Sitting at my desk sorting through yet more papers for Caleb. Who knew an Alpha had so much

    paperwork to do? Thankfully, the baby had arrived now, but I had done the decent thing and told.

    Caleb to take a couple more weeks off to allow him to spend some time at home with his family.

    Bond with his new baby, Freya, and allow Eden some time to rest with Caleb at home to help,

    though no doubt she would see it as having him under her feet.

    Even once he was back at work, she would be inundated with offers of help, but still, I wanted him

    to have that chance to spend time with his new pup. Those first few weeks are ones you never have

    the chance to get back, or so i am told¡­ But, at least, I know I am getting close to the end of having

    this

    additional pressure upon me.

    Zion is in desperate need of a run. But, I have had to cut my daily runs short thesest few days

    with the amount of work that needed doing because I didn¡¯t want to leave Caleb with a stack of work

    to return to. Though I was finding it increasingly harder to focus. My mind so often drifts to I¡­

    and now Bailey too. But, I couldn¡¯t solve this thing with Bailey and gain the answers I needed

    because she seemed unwilling to talk to me. So, I simply buried my head within the work and did

    what I did best and avoided people.

    While sitting at my desk, the phone rang, which always confused me, which likely sounds ridiculous,

    because obviously that is what telephones are for, to take calls, but everyone in the pack can

    mindlink, so we so often use that instead, rather than

    using the phone, so phone calls are rare unless they are external. So I answered, truly not having

    the energy to deal with. talking to others.

    ¡°Hello, Autumn Valley Pack, Beta Asher speaking, how can I help?¡± I said, trying my hardest to

    sound polite, they would have to make do with that. Cheerful was outside of my abilities, especially

    today.

    ¡°Ah Beta Asher, just the person, or Alpha Caleb, but you will do.¡± A voice said, and the moment they

    spoke, I recognized it as the annoying father of Bailey. Wonderful. I was tired. Over worked, and

    over stressed. Thest thing I needed to be dealing with was this over¨Cexcitable fool.

    Nothing like insulting me either, with the ¡®You will do¡® statement, was there? Eurgh¡­ I wish I hadn¡¯t

    answered the phone now¡­

    ¡®Should have gone for a run like I asked you to.¡® Zion snarled, he was getting really snappy ofte.

    ¡®Hmm, wish I had.¡±

    ¡®Hang up then and go.¡® He growls. But I ignore him, pushing him back, before he tries to take over,

    or else he would force a shift and I would be running through the packhouse destroying everything

    in my wake in my wolf form.

    ¡°What is it I can help with?¡± I forced myself to ask, cutting conversation with Zion.

    ¡°I wanted to see how Bailey is doing.¡± Her Dad asked, and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder why the hell

    he didn¡¯t just call her himself. She was his daughter after all.

    Chapter 90 ¨C

    248 vouchers

    ¡°And you can¡¯t ask her that yourself?¡± I spoke my thoughts, not caring if he liked it or not.

    even

    Yet the weird one simplyughs. ¡°See you have got happier since I left.¡± He said with a hint of

    sarcasm, cheeky fucker. ¡°But, I don¡¯t want to be pestering her, and not only that we have a lot going

    on in our pack, and I know if I call she will be wanting to know about it all, and then she will be

    worried about all that. I just want her to be enjoying her new job. I don¡¯t expect you to understand,

    you big buffoon, you aren¡¯t a father, but I worry about her.¡± He says, but the thing is, I think I do

    understand. Because, the truly irritating thing is, I worry about her too¡­

    ¡°May I ask if things are improving in your pack?¡± I said, urging him to share the information. Hoping

    it may answer some of the many questions bouncing around inside of my own mind.

    ¡°No, you may not.¡±

    ¡°Figured as much. So, I assume you don¡¯t want to know that someone in your pack called Bailey

    then?¡± I hinted at knowing. some information, in the hope it might make him a little more willing to

    share information with me.

    ¡°What?¡± he snapped. ¡°Are you being serious, Beta? And how would you know that?¡±

    ¡°Because she was sitting with me when the call came through. She would not tell me what was

    happening, but I am concerned for your daughter, Beta Donovan.¡± I told him.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Do you know who it was?¡± he demanded, but I don¡¯t let the tone of his voice anger me, because in

    truth, if I was in his situation I know I would sound equally as angry, if not more so. He wanted

    Chapter 90 ¨C Asher

    288 (Vouchers

    to protect Bailey. And, despite the awkwardness between us, so did I.

    ¡°No, sadly I do not, as she ran off Unwilling to give any information. But he was quite aggressive.

    His words sounded nasty. And they upset her. I ask that you consider calling her, to see if she will

    open up to you, because she would not open up to me. And, I assume you will not tell me the

    issues she is facing, so I may be able to help?¡± I said with a sigh.

    I heard the Beta at the other end of the phone sighing too. ¡°I am sorry Beta Asher, but that is not my

    ce to decide to share that information. That would be Bailey¡¯s ce if she chooses to open up to

    you. But, maybe I misjudged you. It seems you aren¡¯t that much of a bad guy after all. Even if you

    have a face like a shriveled up lemon. I will call Bai, and see if she will talk to me. I have a feeling I

    know who called her, and if it is him, we have problems.¡± He said, hanging up, without so much as a

    thank you or a goodbye. Angering me further, but also leaving me filled with fear for the girl I know I

    should not care about, but for some reason, I am beginning to, and anger for the man who seems to

    have this hold over her¡­

    Zion is rippling closer to the surface now, and I know there will be no pushing him back. I need to go

    for a run, and I need a proper run. One that gives him a chance to run until he is in pain. from

    exertion. I rushed from my office down the corridor toward the doors of the packhouse, fighting with

    Zion for control. He will be shifting the first chance he gets. He needs this chance to burn off the

    surge of energy pulsing through him because of the anger he is fighting.

    I went to push the door open and a petite body mmed into me, with her head down. I assumed,

    she was not paying

    ¨C Chapter 93 ¨C Asher,

    28 Vouchers

    attention to where she was going¡­ though in truth I was more. focused on keeping Zion pushed

    back¡­ I realized in haste it was Bailey, and in the impact of knocking into one another my foot

    stood firmly upon her toes, as I heard her gasp sharply in pain. Zion whimpered suddenly at the

    thought of us causing her pain, and I quickly retreated with my foot, moving away from her.

    I quickly allowed my eyes to look over her, trying to establish if she was okay, hating the thought I

    may have hurt her. But anger rages through me at the sight of her, recalling the pain of her pushing

    me away. The hurt she caused me¡­ and a scowl took over my face as I snarled. ¡°Do you just walk

    around in a fucking daydream? Watch where you are going and that sort of thing likely wouldn¡¯t

    happen.¡±

    The look of shock upon Bailey¡¯s face was one I think will haunt my dreams, it was one of terror. She

    should not fear me, but now I think she might, as I quickly stormed away from her¡­

    Zion was now whimpering while I battled my own emotions. Why is she having this effect on me? I

    cannot get the way she looked at me out of my mind¡­

    ¡®Perhaps if you treated her a little better, then she would not be terrified of you, you dumb fuck.¡® Zion

    snarled.

    ¡®Who are you calling a dumb fuck?¡¯ I snapped. ¡®She was the one who threw my offer of kindness

    and support back in my face.¡®

    ¡®Hmm, let me see¡­ You, I believe, you dumb fuck. Do you not like it? I think it suits you. Dumb fuck.

    Dumb fuck Dumb fuck. Zion chuckled.

    ¡®Zion.¡¯ I warned him.

    Chapter 90 Asher

    288 Vouchers

    ¡®What? I got more if you would like?¡® He began. ¡®Asshat? Dickbreath? Rumpleforeksin?

    Buttmonkey? Besides, you know I am right, you are a dumb fuck for treating her that way. But, you

    keep acting like a poor baby. She was upset and scared. I think it is normal to push people away.

    Especially if she doesn¡¯t think she can trust anyone. And let¡¯s face it, you hadn¡¯t exactly shown her

    you were trustworthy before that. Fuckwit.¡® Zion hissed, he was getting close to me blocking him,

    and he likely knew it, with all the insults he was throwing at me.

    I stormed my way across the path around the back of the packhouse toward the treeline of the

    nearby forest which would allow me to shift, and allow Zion the freedom he needed to take his

    anger out on some prey, and burn of the over¨Cspilling energy seeping from him.

    ¡®Well, it was difficult for me to even let her get that close to me. For me to even be that caring, did

    she not realize that?¡® I snapped once more.

    ¡®Oh for fuck¡¯s sake Asher, I think she may have had other things on her mind than how you were

    feeling at that moment. But you acting like this now may mean we lose her.¡® He growls and with that

    he is gone. He has blocked me. He is within the farthest reaches of my mind, and unreachable. I

    have pissed him off. But, that is nothing unusual, and it isn¡¯t the first time. Looks like I¡¯m not going

    for a run¡­ or perhaps I should say, he isn¡¯t. But, what bothers me more, is what the hell did he

    mean we are going to lose her? Why would he care?

 Beauty 91

    Beauty 91

    Chapter 91 ¨C Asher

    Seeing Bailey crying in the distance as I walked through the packhouse tears at my heartstrings,

    and I found myself rushing to her as she walked into the lounge. Any awkwardness that had been

    between us is irrelevant now, as I pull her close to me, her tears quickly dampening my shirt.

    ¡°Bailey, what has happened?¡± I whispered, holding her tight against my chest. So desperate to

    soothe her. My heart racing with her so close to me.

    But she says no words, yet I feel her heart racing too as she continues to sob against my chest. I

    led her to the sofa so we could sit down. I want to be there for her, let her know she isn¡¯t alone. I

    hate that this sweet girl is suffering, and maybe Zion has been right, pushing her away may result in

    her leaving the pack¡­

    I pulled her back from me slightly, so I was able to see her face, and gently stroke back the mane of

    dark curls from her face. Her natural hair only adds to her natural beauty, in my opinion, why she

    feels she should hide it I do not know. At my touch she flinched slightly, but her big brown eyes met

    mine, in a nervous gaze. ¡°Sweetheart, what is wrong?¡± I whispered, lowering my hand, to softly

    stroke her face this time, yet I had no clue why.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Bailey¡¯s eyes dropped to my hand, before looking back at me through her long darkshes, her

    sobs seemingly easing as she was distracted by me. ¡°Trouble from home.¡± She sniffled.

    ¡°You know I will help you if I can?¡± I told her. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do all this alone?¡± I found myself

    stroking the soft skin of her face once again, unable to resist¡­

    188 Wouchers

    ¡°Why?¡± she stuttered. ¡°Why would you help me? I am nothing to you. Or your pack. He could hurt

    you.¡± She wiped her tears away, before looking back at me.

    I hooked my hand underneath her chin, to raise her gaze to me. ¡°Did it ever ur to you, it is

    because I wanted to help you?¡± I said, my voice a little husky. ¡°Because I care?¡±

    She¨Ctilted her head in that adorable way she does, before frowning, making me smile. She seemed

    to have an uncanny ability to make me smile without even trying, or she had done, until we started

    shing a little¡­

    ¡°And as for him hurting me, I have my suspicions who it is your mean, but you don¡¯t need to worry

    about me. I will do what I can to defend you, Bailey, and I am sure Caleb would too, if he knew you

    were in trouble, and he knew I wanted to help.¡± I reassured her, and her face softened at my words,

    a small smile forming.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you would do that for me.¡± She whispered. ¡°He is dangerous.¡±

    My hand was still hooked under her chin, so I slid it along her cheek into her hair, but in doing so, I

    moved her face closer to mine, and she suddenly looked very vulnerable¡­ but incredibly

    beautiful¡­ tempting¡­ Zion purred deeply at the scent of her filling my senses¡­ ¡°Is that not all the

    more reason for me. protecting you?¡± I whispered, my heart feeling like it wanted to beat right out of

    my chest.

    Bailey went to shake her head and speak, but I found myself lowering my finger to her lips. ¡°Shh,

    you don¡¯t need to tell me I don¡¯t need to. I want to.¡± I told her, but my focus now isn¡¯t on my words,

    or what she may have wanted to say, but on the fact of how soft her lips feel to my touch¡­ how

    close we are to one

    Chapter 91 Ashar

    1288 YVouchers

    another¡­ and how good that it feels¡­.

    I moved my finger from her lip and now Bailey is gently chewing her lower lip, only drawing my

    attention to her lips even more, as I find myself drawn to her. Suddenly, my lips find hers, unable to

    resist. Gently at first do I kiss her lips and the feeling sent shivers of delight through my body, and

    she shocked me as she began to return my kisses. Tentatively initially, but soon she began to kiss

    me with more need¡­ more desire¡­

    The kisses became more urgent, as her hand slipped into my hair, gripping it roughly, making me

    moan into her mouth, hell¡­ who knew I wanted this girl so badly?

    Zion is somewhere between purring and growling right now as Bailey slowly teased her tongue

    inside of my mouth, finding my tongue with hers. My whole body is reacting to her touch and I

    realize just how lonely I have been¡­

    Bailey suddenly shifts herself without even breaking our kisses, so she is sitting, straddling myp,

    continuing to kiss me with as much need, her hands tugging roughly at my hair before she allowed

    her hands to drop to the buttons upon my shirt. Her fingers traced the line of the buttons, the skin

    underneath reacting to her touch, as goosebumps spread across my body. Before Bailey suddenly

    gripped the fabric, and ripped it open, exposing my naked chest to her. Popping buttons off, causing

    them to fly off across the room¡­ but right now I didn¡¯t care, this girl seemed to want me, and I

    wanted her.

    Bailey teased at my tongue with her own, while allowing her hands to slide along my chest, sending

    shivers down my spine, and pulses of desire ran through me too¡­ I thrust my hip upward, pulling

    her closer to me to deepen our kiss, while I

    Chapter 91¨CAsher

    slipped her tank top over her head, exposing hercy blue bra to me. This woman was perfection in

    every way¡­ My breathing. sped up at the sight of her womanly curves, desperate to get my hands

    upon her, but also wanting to take pleasure in every moment I had with her¡­.

    ¡°Mmmm, Asher, I want you so bad¡­¡± she whispered into my ear, her warm breath making me tingle

    with pleasure. Heat rushed over me.

    I felt so warm¡­ far too hot¡­ my head felt like it was spinning at the effect Bailey had upon me¡­

    and my heart pounding in my chest¡­ I was sweating. I twisted suddenly, trying to cool myself down

    as I sat up suddenly¡­ my eyes wide¡­ and my breathing rapid as I took note of the surrounding

    room¡­

    I was on my bed. In my room. Alone. It had been a fucking dream. All a dream! A relisation hit me¡­

    Wait¡­ Why the hell was I dreaming of doing things like that with Bailey?! My heart continued to

    pound as sweat drenched my entire body, and Zion whimpered within my mind. No¡­ this can¡¯t be

    right. Surely not¡­

    ¡®Zee?¡® I questioned.

    ¡®Work it out yourself, Asher.¡® He snapped, putting the block up between the two of us, my wolf

    seemingly equally as shaken by the dream we had just had.

    Work it out myself? Was there much to work out? I had just had a dream about the new girl. And it

    was hardly a sweet and innocent dream¡­ holy shit¡­

    Chapter 92¨CMiles

 Beauty 92

    Beauty 92

    Chapter 92 ¨C Miles

    I had been called to the main meeting room, and I had no clue why. This would likely not be good.

    Kaia had been avoiding me since the awkward interaction with her father, and I had no ideal why.

    So, I had done all I could to get as many therapy sessions done each day to keep myself busy. I

    was not used to rejection, and needless to say, I did not like it. Once I was done here, and in my

    role of Alpha, I woulde back here, and I would show her what she had missed out on. She

    woulde to regret her choice, I would ensure of that.

    No woman turned me down. I paced the floor of the room for the tenth time since arriving. I hated

    being kept waiting, yet these fuckers here seemed to like doing exactly that. I was sick of the

    familiar walls here now. Sick of the people and the fact that they had be ustomed to me.

    Though, the fact I had allowed my anger to be hidden meant they did not fear me the same,

    so I did not gain the same thrill from them all. So, I gained little enjoyment from being here. I wanted

    to leave now. Well, in truth, I wanted to leave the moment I arrived, but that was never going to

    happen. But, now, my father could not say I had not done as he had asked of me. I had done

    exactly as asked.

    I just hoped there were no more requirements expected of me before they were willing to consider

    my position as Alpha. I was 24, and more than ready to be Alpha. So many uing Alphas

    have taken their positions by this age, and I think my father was just unwilling to surrender his

    position. He says I like the power being Alpha brings me, and that I gain a thrill from it,

    Chatter 92

    but in truth, I believe he adores the power being Alpha brings him, which is why he is so reluctant to

    let his title go. That is why he is holding back on handing me the title I was born into.

    But, he would soon have to make a decision or others would be asking questions. I had heard

    nothing more from Ellis since he had called me in my early days here, to wish me all the best with

    my treatment, and to tell me he had every faith in my ability to do well inpleting the treatment.

    And, of course, to inform me of his Alpha training. Why would my brother want me to sessfully

    complete my treatment if he had the opportunity to be Alpha? He would want the role as

    Alpha, like any sane man would, given an opportunity, of that I am sure of!

    I would be interested to know how his training went and if he was strong enough to pass it. I know

    he is strong. He is of Alpha blood, being my father¡¯s son, but I don¡¯t believe he is as strong as me.

    He enjoyed training, but never pushed himself like I had. I doubted he was capable of the things

    expected of young Alphas in their formal Alpha training. I truly believed he would fail, and then,

    where would that leave my father? With no choice but to go with the rightful path given to him by

    nature. Me.

    ¡°Ah Miles, you are here.¡± Alpha Aaron walked into the room, taking me by surprise. What was he

    here for? I have been asked here by the treatment team, yet he is not a part of the treatment staff. I

    was instantly on edge.

    ¡°Yes, Alpha. Is everything okay?¡± I asked, instantly in defensive mode.

    An experienced Alpha, he must have picked up on my feelings, as he looked at me with a smile.

    ¡°No need to be feeling on edge or defensive, Miles. Your parents are here to take you home.

    288 Vouchers

    Your treatment isplete.¡±

    I took in his words. I was done? Nothing had been mentioned about this to me, yet my parents were

    here to take me home?! My heart was racing in anticipation.

    ¡°I am done?!¡± I asked, a smile emerging on my face.

    ¡°That you are son. The additional therapy sessions you were requesting each day meant you

    completed the treatment a lot quicker than usual.¡± He told me, as my Mum and Dad rushed into the

    room with Kaia by their side, dressed smartly in a simple ck shift dress. Her long blond hair

    pulled back into a high pony¨Ctail, allowing all her delicate features to be on disy. Her lips were

    highlighted in a deep red lipstick, only drawing my attention to them even further.

    Plump and full, I wanted nothing more than to be able to pull her to me and have my lips upon hers.

    Kiss her so passionately I messed up that neatly ced lipstick¡­

    I found myself smiling slightly at the mere thought of Kaia and kissing her. Fuck, I wanted this girl.

    ¡°Well, Mr and Mrs Davenport, Miles has ensured hepleted the treatment as swiftly as he could,

    likely in a rush to return home to you. But, we are happy that he has done everything we expected

    of him. We are happy to discharge him from our care, but that does not mean he cannot contact us

    for out¨Creach care. If he needs advice or support, he is more than wee to reach out to one of

    the team for help.¡± Kaia says with a beautiful smile towards my parents.

    I saw my Mum smile back. ¡°Thank you so much, we thought he was a lost cause.¡± And I felt like

    dying of embarrassment at her words. Nothing like humiliating your own child and making me

    12.00

    Chapter 92¨CMiles

    1288 Mouchers

    sound like a fucking monster! This is a woman I want to be with, and my mother is making me

    sound horrendous! N?velDrama.Org content.

    ¡°Oh, no, you should never think that. Nobody is a lost cause. Miles has done well. He may have

    days when he struggles, but if he reaches out, we should be able to help him, so long as he

    remembers the things we have taught him.¡± Kaia said with a smile in my direction and I felt my heart

    flutter from her gaze alone.

    What the fuck is happening to me? I do not get all soppy eyed over a woman?! I am the sort of guy

    who fucks¨Cem and leaves- em. Not willing to get into drama with them. All far too much hassle for

    my liking, yet this woman seems to have my attention, and I have not been able to stop thinking

    about her since I met her¡­

    ¡°Well, you should say thank you, Miles, and we will get going, we have things we need to do.¡± My

    Dad says bluntly, already acting like having toe here to collect me was an inconvenience,

    before he looked to Kaia and Alpha Aaron. ¡°Thank you to your both, and all your staff.¡±

    I looked to Kaia, a smile upon my face. ¡°Thanks for everything.¡± I tried to remain casual, though I

    desperately wanted to give her a hug. Just to be able to hug her. Touch her. Take in her scent¡­

    ¡°No problem. Good luck with everything.¡± She said, before turning and walking away, like I didn¡¯t

    even matter. She didn¡¯t even seem to care that I was leaving. Had I imagined there was a

    connection between us?

    ¡°Here is your support pack.¡± Alpha Aaron said, handing me a small bundle. ¡°All your treatment

    papers are in there. Along with the treatment ns used, so you can utilize them if needed. As

    Chapter 92¨CMiles

    well as contact details for staff if you need the out¨Creach support once you are home. Good luck

    Miles.¡±

    1208 Vouchers

    I nodded in his direction with a smile, as I followed my Mum and Dad from the room, my Dad

    already marching his way through. the center toward the parking area. He was obviously in a hurry

    to get away. ¡°Right Miles, we have a lot to arrange when we get home.¡± He says coldly.

    ¡°Oh, so no well done, son. We are proud of you?¡± I asked sarcastically, a little irritated that neither

    one of them seemed bothered that I had done the treatment as they had asked of me, with no

    issues and quicker than expected too, because I had asked for more treatment each day.

    ¡°Why would we be proud? Perhaps if you weren¡¯t such a difficult child you wouldn¡¯t have needed it.¡±

    Dad said as he got into the driver¡¯s seat of his car with a snarl, telling me he was far from impressed

    with the whole thing. So, evidently, this was not enough for them either.

    ¡°Mum?¡± I tried with her, but she shrugged.

    ¡°I am not sure what you want me to say, Miles. Your Dad has just had to see another Alpha there,

    show weakness to him, with his son and his apparent heir attending treatment. It doesn¡¯t reflect well

    on us as a pack. So, why would he be proud? Think of it in that regard. I am afraid it isn¡¯t all about

    you, and how you feel. You may feel you have done well doing some therapy, but in truth, through

    your actions you have let your pack down, massively.¡±

    My mother¡¯s words Hit me hard. Who the hell did she think she was talking to?! I feel my anger

    racing to the surface, but I know if I kick off now, I will be carted straight back into the treatment

    73001

    1201

    Chapter 92¨CMiles

    1288 Vouchers

    center, so I push it straight back, and take a deep breath, climbing into the car, sitting behind my

    Dad, not saying a word, seething in anger.

    ¡°Now you have done that, I do not expect to see your attitude and anger being an issue, Miles. Do

    you understand?¡± My Dad said with authority, evidently wanting to show me who was boss. I

    clenched my fists in fury, as he continued. ¡°And now, we will begin the next step of your reprisal.

    You will find your chosen mate. You will do a tour of all the packs. Until we find a suitable chosen

    mate for you.¡±

    His words are cold and to the point, but they fill me with dread. I am not going to get a say on this,

    and I know it. Because if I refuse, I am likely to lose my title. The only other option would be to

    challenge my father for his title¡­

 Beauty 93

    Beauty 93

    Chapter 93 ¨C Asher

    I flung back my office door, my head still a mess from my alteration to my dreams¡­ I was used to

    vivid dreams. Of course I was. My nights had been gued with visions of losing I ever since she

    had gone. Causing me to relive the moment time. and time again. Feeling the pain as the bond

    snapped. Feeling her slip away from me, and the pain as my heart felt like it. shattered into a million

    pieces, as Zion crumbled inside of me. Never to be the same again¡­

    But, now, this was something else. This was a dream to betray my fated mate. Betray the woman I

    had been blessed by the moon goddess. I had awoken wanting Bailey. I had woken thinking I was

    about to take things further with her, and the thing that terrifies me most, is that thought in that

    moment, that was exactly what I had wanted. I had been incredibly turned on. I had wanted her.

    Wanted her touch. Needed her touch. I was

    disappointed and terrified all in one go¡­

    I had dropped back onto the bed, with tears leaking from my eyes at the thought of what it all

    meant. What it meant for I. Did that mean I had to let my beautiful girl go? No. I could never do

    that. She had been made for me. She had died because of me. Had she not been mine, she would

    never have been in this pack. She would never have been in harm¡¯s way¡­ she would never have

    lost her life¡­

    The pain ripped through me at the thought. She had been meant for me. She had died because she

    was mine, and I should honor that. Me wanting another woman felt so wrong. I felt like I was

    betraying all we ever had. Being disloyal to our matebond,

    despite the fact she was no longer here to respect it would be the wrong thing to do, in spite of what

    my body thought it wanted¡­

    She had been gone seven long, lonely years now. Seven long years without my mate. Seven long

    years of pain. But, they would never be enough for the sacrifice she made in being my mate. For, in

    choosing to be my mate, she had chosen a life here. Which cost her her life.

    Just as I stepped out of the main door of the packhouse, I saw Eden pushing her stroller with the

    new baby. Her face lit up at the sight of me. ¡°Hey Ash!¡± she greeted me, and already I could see she

    was so much more at ease now the baby had arrived.

    I attempted a smile in her direction, but knew I failed miserably when she looked concerned. ¡°You

    okay?¡± she pushed the stroller a little closer to me. ¡°See, little Freya wants to know if her Uncle

    Asher is okay?¡±

    I nodded. ¡°I will be fine.¡±

    ¡°Come on, we are going for a walk.¡± She told me.

    ¡°Eden, I am busy.¡± I told her.

    ¡°Doing?¡± she eyed me suspiciously, and rightly so, because I had been about to go for a walk to

    clear my head, seeing as Caleb had been back in the office today, apparently desperate for a break

    from the kids. Though from what I understood, Matty was spending the day fishing with his

    Grandpa.

    ¡°Fine, I was going for a walk.¡± I rolled my eyes at her, knowing she had already worked it out.

    Chapter 93- Asher

    ¡°Well, I shall join you.¡± she told me. ¡°Assuming you aren¡¯t nning to shift?¡± I could so easily lie and

    tell her I was, but in truth Zion has buggered off since the dream and is refusing to speak to me. He

    is hurting more than he wants to let me know, I think. Which truly doesn¡¯t help me in anyway¡­

    ¡°Whatever Eden, you are about to anyway, I assume.¡± I told her with a shrug.

    She simply grinned. ¡°Come on then, Mr Cheerful. You want to push?¡± she offered me the stroller,

    but I declined. We walked alongside one another in silence, but I could feel her eyes upon

    me.

    ¡°Eden, if you need to ask something, will you just do it? Because you are making me ufortable

    by keeping looking at me like that.¡±

    She chuckled. ¡°Something is bothering you Ash. I would swear you looked ready to cry before.

    What has happened?¡± she urged me as we sat on the wall overlooking the pond at the far side of

    one of the many gardens in the pack.

    ¡°Shit.¡± I muttered, not really wanting to admit to anything.

    ¡°Well, why not tell me?¡± she asked, as she checked on her daughter.

    ¡°I will manage.¡± I shrugged.

    ¡°Looking at your face, and the mood you have been in ofte, I would say not. Has something

    happened?¡± she asked yet again. ¡°Are you struggling with things with I again?¡± she reached for

    my hand. She knew how much I struggled with the loss I felt from my mate dying, not to mention the

    guilt I battled too.

    33.25%

    12.02

    Chapter 93-Asher

    I smiled sadly. ¡°I guess you could say it is to do with that.¡±

    ¡°Oh Ash.¡± She leaned her head upon my arm. ¡°I would hate that you are struggling, you know

    that. She also would never see you as to me for what happened. That was not your fault. That

    was the rogues, and you know it was. Nobody knew that was going to happen. That could as easily

    have happened in her old pack before she came here.¡± She told me, and I know her words. They

    are familiar to me by now.

    This is a conversation we have had so many times before. One of the reasons Eden and I get along

    so well, is she and Caleb were the ones there for me when I lost I, and they saw the effect it had

    upon me. They saw how damaged I was bing, yet they never gave up on me.

    ¡°What if I am breaking Eden?¡± I whispered, and I felt her raising her gaze to look up at me.

    ¡°In what way, Ash?¡±

    ¡°I feel like I¡¯m falling apart. Like things that I should know, or I feel like I do know, are all in doubt

    because it feels like my own mind is in doubt. Like I can¡¯t trust my own thoughts. I can¡¯t trust my

    own logic. Like I can¡¯t trust my own mind. My mind is a mess, Eden. Things are slipping out of my

    control. I don¡¯t like it.¡± I told her, trying to put into words how I was feeling, and I saw the fear upon

    her face.

    ¡°Your anger?¡± she questioned, but I shook my head. Strangely, this time it wasn¡¯t my anger. That

    was still there simmering, of course. I doubted if that would ever go away. But my mind was

    overtaken with doubt ofte. A doubt that I was struggling to trust my own judgment. It was making

    me question every little thought I had. Every decision I made. Whereas previously I was

    208 Wouter N?velDrama.Org content.

    so sure of myself, now, I doubted each thought¡­

    ¡°My thoughts. Mymitment. Loyalty. Devotion.¡± I found myself admitting, in spite of the shame it

    brought me to say it.

    ¡°That makes no sense, Ash. Who to?¡± Eden is stroking my hand softly. ¡°You mean to I?¡± she

    questioned quietly.

    I raised my eyes to meet her beautiful blue eyes. One thing that I know Caleb cannot resist about

    his mate. So unusual and rare, and truly beautiful, and something their children had inherited. I

    slowly nodded, tears filling my eyes.

    ¡°Oh Asher!¡± She reached up and stroked away a tear that had slipped down my cheek. ¡°Your

    loyalty, devotion andmitment to I had never been in question, sweetheart, and it never will

    be. You have mourned for your mate for seven years. You searched for the rogue that killed her for

    a year after¡­¡± her voice faltered as she looked up at me.

    I looked down, not wanting to think about that. Those hadn¡¯t been my greatest moments. I wasn¡¯t at

    my best, of that there was no denying. It was no wonder my pack feared me at times¡­

    ¡°But, why do you think it is in question? Has someone been on your mind?¡± she probed gently, no

    judgment in her tone, though I feel she likely knew the truth. She had seen herself how I had been

    around Bailey while she was the hospital.

    ¡°Eden, please, I do not want anyone to know about this.¡± I told her urgently, desperate that this is

    not shared. Gossip had of spreading around this pack like wildfire¡­

    She smiled, the familiar kind smile of the woman who had be as much like family to me as her

    mate had. ¡°I won¡¯t say

    12:02

    Chapter 93-Asher

    288 Vouchers

    a word.¡±

    ¡°Not even to Caleb.¡± I warned her. ¡°I am struggling with this enough Eden. My head is battered. I

    don¡¯t need others knowing and asking me things I don¡¯t even know the answer to myself.¡±

    She nodded again. ¡°Okay Ash, I won¡¯t say a word. But, let me tell you this much, I would not see

    this as you betraying her, nor your matebond. Your love for her will always be there, Ash, but she

    wouldn¡¯t want you being alone forever. You have been. alone for seven years. Do you not think that

    is enough? Seven years of suffering? Seven years of pain?¡± she softly squeezed my hand. ¡°I

    would never want her Boo to be lonely, especially not forever, Ash.¡±

    sat looking ahead listening to the words Eden was telling me and, as much as I couldn¡¯t help but

    wonder if she may be right, it hurts to think like that. Hurts to think of moving on. Leaving my mate

    behind¡­

    But I nodded to acknowledge her words. Smiling sadly across at her.

    ¡°Though I do have to say, Ash, if you are thinking there is

    something there, or there could be, do you not think you should be a little better with her? A little

    kinder? Or else you might scare her away.¡± Eden says with a yful wink, telling me she is. teasing,

    but her words seem to heavily echo those of Zion, and that scares me a little¡­

    #288

 Beauty 94

    Beauty 94

    Chapter 94 ¨C Miles

    Being back in my pack felt so good. The ce I was meant to be. The ce I belonged. And the

    ce I nned to make my own. Despite not being away too long, it had been too long. This pack

    was mine. My home and the ce I needed to be. This ce needed me as much as I needed it. I

    would be the Alpha here. I was certain of that. Of that there was no doubt. But, for some reason, my

    Dad seemed determined to want to have me out of here before I had a chance to get settled again.

    Off on this search for the chosen mate they seemed to be craving for me.

    I did not need a mate to make me strong. I was strong enough on my own. Or I would be when I

    brought Bailey home. I needed. her close to gain my full strength that the fated mate brought. That

    was what legend told us. And that was what I needed. I needed my full strength. She needed to be

    back home. She should never have been allowed to leave. And I needed to find a way in which to

    do that. Yet, I had not found a way in which to do that yet, not with my parents constantly breathing

    down my neck, or Jordan following me around like a little lost f**g dog, watching my every move. I

    had not found a way, but I would.

    And even more irritating, was her number seemed to be disconnected now. She had gone.

    Uncontactable now through the number I had for her. Telling me that she was intentionally not

    wanting me to speak to her. So, I needed to speak with her sister. That had been my n for today,

    but Morgan was still in a mood with me after ourst argument¡­

    Chapter 94 Mies

    288 Vouchers

    ¡°Miles!¡± My Dad yelled from the kitchen, and I rolled my eyes from the ce Iid upon my bed. The

    sooner I could move from this hell-hole they called a family home and into the Alphal suite the

    better. ¡°We need to arrange these visits. I want to head off tomorrow.¡± He barked up the stairs at

    me.

    Wonderful. They really were wasting no time. Tomorrow seemed ridiculously soon! They wanted me

    marrying off soon. No doubt popping pups out too. Little shitbags, heirs to this great empire of a

    pack. Well, this mate they are finding me had best be willing to do all the child care and upbringing,N?velDrama.Org content.

    because kids were most definitely not something I wanted bothering with. But, I knew I needed

    heirs. That would be expected of me as an Alpha. So, if my mate could deal with them, then we

    would manage. I would be the powerful Alpha, she could be the mother.

    It wasn¡¯t like I wanted the mate. She was more to keep my parents and to some degree the pack

    quiet. It was to gain my title. To keep my power. I just hoped we would find a willing mate on this

    godforsaken tour. This needed to work¡­

    I stomped down the stairs to meet him. ¡°What?¡± I snapped, taking a deep breath, trying my hardest

    to hold back the anger that was threatening. It was proving harder and harder to suppress my

    temper, but I was using the skills they had shown me at the treatment center and battled with my

    wolf to stop unleashing my rage, in order to allow my parents to think I was happy to go along with

    this. They needed to believe that. I had to deceive them, then they would give me the title of Alpha.

    Once I had my title, I could unleash my fury. And the pack would be brought under my rule. The

    pack would be run the way it should be ruled. Pack members would wonder what hade

    Chapter 94-Miles

    288 Mouchers

    for them¡­ My father¡¯s rule would begin to seem like a walk in the parkpared to me¡­ the

    thought sent a shiver of a thrill down my spine¡­ I loved the thought of instilling fear in others¡­ that

    was what being an Alpha was to me¡­ the fear¡­ the power.

    ¡°Are you getting irritable again?¡± My Dad raised his brows at me. He liked to challenge me, almost

    daring me to snap. I am sure he wanted me to fail.

    ¡°No. I was busy.¡± I lied. ¡°What is wrong? I thought we had gone over the ns. Like multiple times.¡±

    Iined, ncing at the paperwork my Dad had on the table. If he expected me to go through

    them, I could be here for hours. What did we need to go through that would take so long? It was like

    repeating the same shit time and time again¡­ all for something I didn¡¯t even want!

    ¡°We need to finalize choices. There are plenty of things to discuss. Do you have preference of

    where we start?¡± He asked. with a smile. Oh, so they were actually asking my opinion? So far, it felt

    like I had no say¡­

    My choice would be Kaia every time, but each time I tried. dropping her name in, I was spoken over,

    and I don¡¯t even think they heard me. So, she was soon overlooked. I was lined up to see a number

    of she-wolves of various rankings across multiple packs across the country. I could be gone for

    months. This is not what I want. This was only going to dy my title ceremony.

    But, if he was asking for my opinion, maybe I could try pushing my luck. Give him my honest

    opinion on something. Suggest an idea that I have not been able to get rid of for days now, one that

    I truly think would work so much better than this lump of shit idea they had¡­

    ¡°Dad, do you not think I would bring more appeal if I was the

    51 524

    1208

    Alpha?¡± I tried. ¡°I will take a chosen mate. For that, I assure you. I will find a chosen mate while we

    tour the packs. But, do your not think there will be potentially more interest and more volunteers to

    meet me if I was already the Alpha?¡± I hoped he would listen¡­ this could easily work in my favor¡­

    My Dad gave me a dark stare. But he looked in deep thought. momentarily. Was my n actually

    going to work? But he shook his head. ¡°Do not be so ridiculous. You still have so much to prove

    before I consider titles.¡±

    ¡°Are you for real?!¡± I roared. ¡°I have done all you asked of me, and it is still not enough?!¡± I stormed

    from the house, my anger pulsing through my veins. Heading straight for the treeline as I strode

    away. I needed to get away from him before I attacked. him¡­ it was getting so close each time he

    pushed me to the edges of my temper

    My heart was pounding in my chest in fury. While I reached into. my pocket for my phone. I scrolled

    through my contacts quickly to find who I was looking for, clicking the call button.

    ¡°Morgan? I am so d to hear your voice.¡± I lied to her as her pretty face appeared upon the

    screen. I was hoping that seeing my face would make her realize just how much she had missed

    me, and that the sweet-talking would make here around too. She had always liked my sweet-

    talking. ¡°I need to see your darling.¡±

 Beauty 95

    Beauty 95

    Chapter 95 ¨C Morgan

    I walked through the pack, having left my friends, heading home ready to rx and settle down for

    the night, when I was shocked to feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket. Not many people

    actually called me. Everybody used the mindlink in the pack, and as of yet, I didn¡¯t particrly know

    anybody outside of the pack. Unless, of course, you count Bailey, but me and her didn¡¯t exactly part

    on the best of terms after she and I argued¡­

    I slipped the phone from my pocket, and was shocked to see Miles was calling. I had heard he was

    back. But, I had done my best so far to avoid him. The things I had heard of him had me torn. That

    did not sound like the guy I had been getting close to. The guy who had promised the world. He had

    told me stories of me being his Luna. Running the pack by his side. I was ready to give up

    everything to him. Never did I realize he had been fated for my older sister. Though his cold words

    before he left hurt. me too¡­

    Eww. The thought still repulsed me. Yet I clicked to ept his call, unable to resist. I had missed the

    deep lull in his voice. And the moment I saw his face appear upon my screen I felt my heart flutter.

    ¡°Morgan? I am so d to hear your voice.¡± He said, his voice as deep and husky as ever. My heart

    raced at the sound of it. He was d to hear my voice? Did that mean he had missed me while he

    was away? My Dad had told me he had told them he wanted nothing more to do with me¡­ well, he

    had told me the same¡­

    I felt like he had broken my heart. Yet, right now, he was back. He was calling me. Maybe he was

    saying that to protect me?

    1200

    Chapter 95: Morgan

    1288 (Voucher

    Yeah, maybe that was what it was, he didn¡¯t know how long he would be away or what his treatment

    would be. ¡°I need to see you darling.¡± His deep voice oozed charm at me through the phone and I

    felt like my legs wanted to give way.

    He wanted to see me? He had missed me then, almost as much as I had missed him then? I gazed

    at his image upon my phone. He was so handsome¡­ why could he not have been fated for me

    instead of Bailey? She never deserved him¡­

    ¡°Morgan? Darling, you going to say anything or just gaze at me all night?¡± Miles chuckled at me

    down the phone. ¡°I am outside. right now, so it isn¡¯t like I can give you anything to be gazing at¡­¡±

    he winked at me and I felt myself blushing at the thought of some of the videocam session we had

    had before things. were called off.

    ¡°Sorry, you took me by surprise calling Miles. I thought you didn¡¯ t want anything to do with me?¡± I

    exined.

    ¡°Aww, did you really think I could stay away?¡± he teased, slowly running his tongue across his lips

    and I felt my heart pounding at the sight of him.

    ¡°You said you would.¡±

    ¡°I say a lot of things when I am hurting Morgan. I was scared is all. I didn¡¯t mean it. We had a lot of

    things we wanted to do together, remember?¡± he raised his brow at me suggestively, and again I felt

    my cheek heating at his suggestion, but I nodded. There were so many things I wanted to do with

    him. Miles was the most sought after guy in our pack, he had been for as long as I can remember.

    He was the uing Alpha after all, and he was so handsome. If I could be his girl, nobody would

    doubt me. Nobody would question me¡­

    12:03

    Chapter 95 Morgan

    288 Voucher

    ¡°So, you don¡¯t want to deny me, do you? Imagine denying your uing Alpha.¡± He pouted at me.

    ¡°And, you would be denying yourself, Morgan, because you have yet to experience all the things I

    can do.¡± He winked at me, and my whole body was beginning to react to the things he was

    suggesting.

    ¡°Where are you?¡± I asked, suddenly beginning to wonder where I could find him, and thinking it

    might be better going to find him. instead of going home¡­

    ¡°That is my girl.¡± He winked again. ¡°Meet me up at the gazebo near theke.¡±

    I quickly turned around and began walking in the opposite. direction to where I had been going,

    rushing to the gazebo. Going home could always wait, seeing Miles was definitely more important.

    The thought of feeling him kiss me¡­ or even better, touching me¡­ sent my body into overdrive¡­

    I almost jogged across thest piece of grass toward the path which led up to the gazebo, trying

    hard to calm my pounding heart. Only to see Miles was already waiting for me, leaning against the

    wooden gazebo, looking ever the powerful future Alpha. Handsome and strong in the light of the

    moon¡­ watching me with a smile upon his handsome face.

    ¡°Why hello Morgan.¡± His eyes drifted up and down my body, beforeing to meet my gaze once

    more. ¡°Anyone would think you were in a rush.¡±

    I felt myself blushing. **it, I wish he didn¡¯t have that effect on me. Or at least that he didn¡¯t know he

    did, because I knew he would use it to his advantage¡­ ¡°Erm¡­. I just didn¡¯t want to keep you

    waiting.¡± I lied.

    12:031

    Chapter 45-Morgan

    He nodded. ¡°That is good to hear. You learn quickly.¡± He smirked, almost evilly. ¡°I don¡¯t like to be

    kept waiting.¡±

    1288 Voucher

    He reached for my hand, and pulled me toward him, so all I could smell was his s**y, manly scent.

    My head and heart felt like it wanted to explode as he lowered his mouth to my ear and whispered.

    ¡°I was tempted to wait for you naked, but I was worried somebody might walk by and see¡­¡±

    My eyes widened in shock as my cheeks heated at his words and he chuckled as he looked at me.

    ¡°Aww, did I embarrass you Morgan?¡± he softly ruffled my hair. ¡°If you want to be my girl, you best

    get used to the thought of me naked, I like being naked, and I expect a lot of things¡­¡± he wiggled

    his brows suggestively, narrowing his eyes as if to portray some hidden. meaning, and for a moment

    I was a little scared.

    Miles suddenly turned his back on me and walked into the gazebo and sat on the seating within it,

    looking up at me. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there then. You are getting pretty boring, pretty quickly Morgan. I

    am beginning to remember why I finished. things, I think¡­¡± he chewed his lower lip angrily, and I

    began to panic.

    Is that why he ended it with me? Because I was boring? No, I didn¡¯t want that. Nor did I want to be a

    disappointment to him. Any girl given this choice would do exactly as the uing Alpha asked of

    her. This was the most desired man in our pack. Of course, I do as he wants. Even if I am a little

    unsure. He knows what he is doing. I have known him for all of my life, he would never hurt me¡­

    I quickly went to join him on the seating, and smiled at him, trying hard to act confident. ¡°So, you

    d to be home?¡± I asked,

    48.87

    12:04

    Chapter 95-Morgan

    1288 Vouchers

    and I realized the moment I said it how s**d I was, because the look of sheer disgust upon his face

    spoke a thousand words.

    ¡°Oh no, I fancied spending another few months there really. Treatment is like a f**g holiday. **t,

    Morgan, think before you speak, will you?¡± he rolled his eyes, turning away from me. And instantly I

    felt so small and irrelevant to him. Was this how he made Bailey feel?

    ¡°Sorry.¡± I muttered.

    ¡°Whatever.¡± He grunted. ¡°Do you have your sister¡¯s new number?¡± he suddenly demanded, taking

    me by surprise.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Why the hell would he need Bailey¡¯s number? He hated her, right? My Dad and my brother

    had fought so hard to get her away from the pack, or so I am told. It was only recently I had

    discovered this, because it seems my family are exceptionally good at keeping things from me. But,

    they had done a f***g good job, of getting her away, all because of how Miles had hurt her. So, why

    would he want to get in touch with her?

    ¡°Oh, I know you are aware of the problems we had. But, as you know, I have had treatment now. I

    feel so much better. But, me and her were never a good match. I want to apologize for how I treated

    her, but I think she changed her number, right?¡± his voice was suddenly back to being charming

    once more as he looked at me, and I could see no anger in his face, he looked like he was being

    genuine. This would make sense when he had been through treatment for his anger, guess¡­ and

    everything he is saying is true, he and Bailey were never a good match. The moon goddess

    messed up with that matebond, of that there was no doubt.

    65.013

    230 Vouchers

    But, I sat quietly, unsure of what to do. She had recently changed her phone number. I know that,

    my Mum had told me. Not that I spoke to her, but I did have her number in case I needed it.

    ¡°Darling,e on, you know me, you trust me, right?¡± he slowly slid his hand up my thigh and my

    whole body shivered in shock, I thought I was going to die from the effect his touch had on me.¡±

    ¡°Ooohh, you like that?¡± he whispered, as he lowered hist mouth to my ear, teasing at the ear lobe

    with his tongue, making my whole body tremble.

    ¡°Mmmm.¡± I moaned, unable to stop myself.

    ¡°So, did Bailey get a new number?¡± Miles stopped mid-lick, to ask, and I turned to look at him, a

    little irritated he had stopped, but desperately wanting him to continue, so I nodded. ¡°Yout have her

    new number, right?¡± I nodded once more, anything so he would continue what he was doing¡­

    ¡°Yeah.¡± I whispered, my voice trembling as I felt a wetness building between my thighs, and he had

    barely even touched met yet¡­

    He passed me his phone, fully stopping what he was doing now. ¡°Type it in there for me. I need to

    put right my wrongs. That was part of what they taught me in my treatment.¡± He looked at me

    pleadingly. ¡°Then I will see to you!¡± he winked, and I quickly snatched his phone, using my own to

    copy my sister¡¯s number over to his, before looking up at him, ready to have him send me to

    heaven.

    But, instead, he quickly stands. ¡°Thanks Morgan. Have a good night.¡± And with that, he walked

    away. Miles f**g Davenport leaving me with tears in my eyes as I realized he had duped me,

    Chapter 95 Morgan

    1288 Vouchers

    all to get my sister¡¯s number¡­ what sort of fool am I? He never liked me at all. I should have known

    that. How did I fall for this again?All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Beauty 96

    Beauty 96

    Chapter 96 ¨C Bailey

    I sat inside my room, unable to sleep and found myself thinking ofying out on the sofa in the

    lounge to watch a film could be good. My small TV in my room had been ying up, and it wasn¡® t

    like anyone ever came and used the lounge TV. I snuck from my room, knowing there would be

    nobody about. Other than the asional awkward avoidance of Beta Asher, I rarely saw anyone in

    the packhouse at night. If anything, there may be the asional guard. I had begun to recognize

    them now, and them me, and had begun to chat with them, as a way to keep me upied of a

    nighttime.

    Most of them were nearer my Dad¡¯s age, but I still enjoyed theirpany, and talked of sport the

    same way my Dad would, so it wasn¡¯t like I was clueless. But, tonight the hallways were empty, as I

    slipped into the lounge, and picked up the remote control, andid myself out on therge ck

    leather sofa that was in front of the big screen TV mounted on the wall. I scrolled through the films

    that were avable to watch until I found one that I thought I might enjoy, and I put it on.

    Just as it began, I heard footsteps near the door and I nced up, only to find Beta Asher ncing

    in at me, peering over the edge of the sofa curiously, I tried not to smile. ¡°I am still alive, if that is

    what you are trying to check.¡± I said sarcastically, because I was truly unsure what he was looking

    at me for.

    He chuckled. ¡°Good to know. Though I was checking to see if you had fallen asleep again. If you

    had, I was going to bring you a nket.¡±

    1283 Vouchers

    My heart fluttered a little at his words. I had fallen asleep on the sofa the other night, watching a

    documentary, and had awoken a number of hourster covered in a nket. I had assumed one of

    the guards must havee in and seen me. Doing the Dad thing, as that was always something

    my Dad used to do when I fell asleep watching TV¡­ seems it may well have been Asher after all.

    I pulled myself to a seated position, so I could see him properly. ¡°That was you?¡± I¡¯muttered.

    ¡°Who else would it be?¡± he asked incredulously, sounding more than a little confused.

    I shrugged. ¡°I kind of assumed it may have been one of the guards.¡±

    He smirked. ¡°Assumed or hoped?¡± he shrugged. ¡°Besides, they maye in to do ate night

    patrol around 10pm or 11pm. Bailey, but you had fallen asleep nearer midnight. Nobody would be

    around the packhouse then, or I should hope not. And if they were, they would be breaking in, and I

    don¡¯t think they would be cing a nket on you because they didn¡¯t want you getting cold.¡±

    I find myself smiling now, he can be the weirdest sometimes. One minute nasty. Next minute,

    ignoring me. Next minute sweet. His mood swings could give a girl whish¡­

    ¡°Well, thank you.¡± I told him with a smile.

    ¡°I¡¯d say you are wee, but seeing as you thought it was the guards because you clearly thought I

    wasn¡¯t capable of being kind, I don¡¯t know.¡± He said bluntly, and I felt myself a little taken aback by

    his words. Until I looked up at him and saw his

    Chapter 96 Bailey

    1288 Vouchers

    smirking, and realized he was teasing. I shook my head at him.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t funny, you know.¡±

    ¡°Uh¨Chuh. So you keep telling me.¡±

    I sarcastically smiled at him, and he chewed his lower lip awkwardly.

    ¡°I will leave you to your film, Bailey. I have work to finish.¡± He said, and I looked at him with a frown.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You are working thiste? You know it isn¡¯t good to be working sote? That is probably why you

    look so tired all the time¡­¡± then I saw the way he was looking at me and realized I may have

    overstepped the mark with my words, and tried to smile sweetly to cover myself.

    ¡°I struggle to sleep anyway, as I already told you. Which is why I work more. Gives me something to

    do. And it means we get more done.¡± He told me with a shrug.

    I sensed a little difort from him now, and I know it is likely from the conversation we had when I

    went to his home. He did say he had struggled sleeping since he lost his mate. I am sure that was

    what it was¡­

    ¡°And you cannot tell me you do not workte, because you told me you do, and I have seen you

    sitting at the coffee table working the other night.¡± He raised his brows at me, and I recalled the

    night he was speaking of when I brought some lesson ns down to the lounge to work on. As

    there was more room at the coffee table than in my little room. Dammit. I can¡¯t exactly argue with

    him now¡­

    52.18%

    12.04

    Chapter 06¨CBailey

    280 Nouchers

    I shrugged dismissively. ¡°Fine, Mr Know¨Cit¨Call.¡± I stuck my tongue out at him and heughed.

    ¡°A funny guy and Mr Know¨Cit¨Call, wow, I am doing well for myself.¡± He grinned. ¡°Enjoy your film

    Bailey.¡± He nodded in acknowledgment toward me before leaving the room, leaving me to sit back

    into the soft cushions of the sofa, watching him walk away from me, a smile ying upon my lips as

    I nned to watch my film¡­

    A few hourster:

    I stretched slightly, stirring from my sleep. Feeling ufortable where Iy, my eyelids fluttering,

    as I tried hard to pry open my eyes, trying to establish where I was. This did not feel like my

    comfortable bed. It was only as my eyes slowly opened and adjusted to the darkness, that I realized

    I was still in the lounge,id out on the sofa. I must have crashed out on the sofa as I watched the

    film, like I so often did when I watched TV. I looked down, to see my body covered in a soft, navy

    fleecy nket. I pulled it closer to me, thinking of my earlier conversation with Asher, with a smile

    on my face.

    Snuggling into the sofa a little more, I wrapped the nket tighter around me, noticing then that the

    nket smelled heavily of Asher. It must be one of his nkets, I thought sleepily. I drifted back to

    sleep with Akira almost purring contently, a smile upon my face, and the scent of Asher filling my

    senses¡­

    76.16%

 Beauty 97

    Beauty 97

    Chapter 97 ¨C Miles

    I am awoken early by my father banging off my door. Ordering me to get up and get dressed. I have

    little choice. This is my life now for the next few weeks at least. I must go touring the country, go and

    meet countless she-wolves I had no interest in. I would rather be here, in pack, setting things up for

    when I take

    over.

    I know Ellis is due back any day now, and his mate is due home from her visit back home. She had

    decided to return home whilst he was away, already missing her family, and without her mate here

    to distract her she had apparently felt even more. homesick. And they wanted her to be a Luna?!

    What a f**g joke¡­ she may be a pretty little thing, but she clearly didn¡¯t have the strength needed to

    be a Luna. She was weak as f**k if she was already homesick for her family and former pack after a

    few days here. Truly pathetic. Ellis had his work cut out with that for a mate. The only thing going for

    her was her looks, it seemed.

    But, I would rather be in the pack when Ellises home. News had traveled through that he was

    set to pass the Alpha training course. He would be full of himself, no doubt. Feeling he was ready to

    take on the world. Well, I wanted to make sure he knew that while he could pass a pathetic course,

    he was nopetition for me. And by no means did it mean he was ready to make him an Alpha of

    our pack. I was still leagues above him. I desperately wished I could be here, put him in his ce,

    but I would have to make do with some calls. He would realize his ce soon enough¡­

    Chapter 97-Mies

    288 Voucher

    Soon enough, we were in the car en-route to the first pack, which was only a little over an hour

    away. I truly had no energy for this. And my **g Dad wouldn¡¯t even let me have a coffee or grab

    breakfast because I had apparently taken too long in getting ready and kept him waiting. Such an

    impatient b**d. He was whittering on about ¡°having a tight schedule we must adhere to¡± or some

    s**t like that. He would soon get bored with telling me what to do, I am sure of that. I had my own

    ns¡­ Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Why did you dismiss Jordan?¡± My Dad asked. Jordan had been expected toe along with us to

    give his opinion on mate choices. He knew me better than most, having been my best friend since

    childhood, and he was going to be my Beta. But, ofte, he had been distant. I was unsure if that

    was because he had discovered the truth about how I had treated his sister, or if it was because he

    was too lost in the lust of having met his fated mate. I wasn¡¯t sure.

    I am sure the novelty of his mate¡¯s p**y would wear off soon enough. Especially if she was soon to

    be carrying their pup. He would then realize my single life was definitely a better option. Always had

    been. But, at the moment, he was still running around after Gia like she was f**g royalty. Yes, she

    was hot. Yes, she was likely worth the effort when he got her to the bedroom, but even so, it should

    be her running around after him. Jordan had his priorities seriously warped. Setting a precedent for

    a f**d up life with her now, and all because he was addicted to her.

    ¡°He would miss his mate. They are trying for a pup, I believe, so it is not the right time for him to be

    away.¡± I lied, and I saw my father nodding, but in truth, listening to Jordan constantly go on about his

    mate became tiresome very quickly. And, fulfilling my n would be easier if it was just me and my

    father here.

    12 041

    28 Nouch

    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize they were trying for a pup so soon. No doubt it will be Ellis trying too soon enough.¡±

    My Dad said with an affectionate smile.

    I think he liked the idea of grandchildren. He¡¯d be disappointed with me then. As I would be in no

    rush¡­

    ¡°No doubt.¡± I said with a hint of sarcasm.

    My Dad looked at me with a dark re. ¡°Though it is you that needs to be having pups if you are

    given the title, you realize that, right?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need lessons in how a pack is run, Dad, or what is. expected of me. I know what being an

    Alpha entails. I know what is expected of me. I am willing to do it all. That¡¯s why I am. here, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    I raised my eyebrows at him, daring him to challenge me on that. He had to know I didn¡¯t want this.

    ¡°You may be surprised, son, but you may actually enjoy this. A little quality time together. Away from

    the pressures of the pack, enjoying the beauties of the country, being hosted by many of the packs.

    And who knows, maybe you will be pleasantly surprised. You may find a she-wolf that catches your

    eye and has some serious potential.¡± He said with another smile.

    This guy is **g deluded, I am sure of it. Definitely time he was handing his role of Alpha over,

    because a deluded Alpha is a dangerous Alpha. He didn¡¯t see things that were right in front of him.

    Missing things meant his pack was in danger. He needed to wake up to reality.

    And, did he truly think I wanted to spend quality time with him? Jeez, I think I would rather sit and

    watch paint dry. I would likely have more fun doing that¡­

    ¡°I just want to get it over with Dad.¡± I tell him, looking out of the window as he continues to drive.

    ¡°Well, in the first pack you are meeting the Beta¡¯s daughter, Adelyn. Her mate rejected her. So there

    is noplication of a fated mate.¡± he tells me, and I rolled my eyes. F**g marvellous. Some f**g

    reject that no f**r wanted¡­ basically, I was being offered another version of Bailey!

    Bailey¡­ I wondered how she was doing? Her number had been sitting in my phone since Morgan

    had given it to mest night. I had yet to message her, asst night when I returned home I had

    needed to pack ready for our trip. But, now she was on my mind again. Her new pack had declined

    our request for a visit, apparently. Making me wonder if they knew of the situation between Bailey

    and me. Or if they simply disagreed on arranged marriages. But, one way or another, Bailey likely

    influenced their decision.

    Now she was in my mind, I decided I needed to remind her I was still here. Still waiting for her¡­ I

    slipped my phone from my pocket. And began typing.

    Bailey.

    So, you thought you were clever in getting a new number, huh? Thought I wouldn¡¯t be able to find

    you? Well, little girl, it seems your ns failed miserably. Because I always get my own way. And

    you need to remember that. Seems that beautiful little sister of yours squeals like a little girl when

    manipted¡­

    I let you have your time away from pack. But, I think you have had time now to realize you belong in

    Lotus Shadow Pack, and

    Chapter 97-Miles

    238 Wouchers

    you need toe back. Heaven forbid one of your family was so ill you had no choice but to

    return¡­

    As you may have heard, I am touring for my chosen mate, but there will be no chosen mate. I do

    not want that. You were my mate. The one I didn¡¯t want. Yet that isn¡¯t to say I do not need the

    strength you bring me. The power I gain from torturing you. You will return to the pack, Bailey. Just

    as I demand. And soon.

    In case you didn¡¯t know, it is Miles. Your beloved fated Mate.

    I smirked as I sent the message. Knowing it was likely to send shivers of fear through her pathetic

    little body. I knew she was terrified of me, and I loved it.

 Beauty 98

    Beauty 98

    Chapter 98 ¨C Miles

    We pulled into the parking area outside the packhouse of the Silver River Pack, and I have to say I

    was already greatly disappointed. The pack was pathetic. Small and evidently worth very little. I

    could see why they were trying to marry off one of their own to an Alpha like me. Thinking it could

    bring something good for them. Well, I had news for them, it would not happen.

    ¡°This is a shit hole Dad.¡± I muttered. ¡°Why would we even acknowledge their offer?¡±

    ¡°Miles, we are willing to do what it takes. You need to be willing to meet them all. You may meet the

    one you didn¡¯t realize was for you.¡± he told me, with a knowing look. ¡°Soe on.¡±

    I watched as my Dad stepped from the car, looking more than confident. Seemed to me that my

    Dad was willing to marry me off to anyone. Just to have me find a mate. Thing was, I was not about

    to do that. He had a n, I knew that. But my n was so much different to his own. And I knew

    that with the twobined it would spell disaster. Yet, I followed him anyway.

    The moment we approached the doors of the feeble attempt at a packhouse, the doors opened, for

    a tall, red¨Cheaded man to walk out. I could only assume the guard at the gates had mindlinked to let

    them know we had arrived. ¡°Good morning Alpha Marshall, and I assume, uing Alpha Miles?¡±

    the stocky man said with a brief nod of his head as if in acknowledgment.

    I instantly did not like him. He was acting like he was something

    Chapter 98 Miles

    special when his pack was like a shriveled up heap of shit. It was a nothing of a pack, yet this man

    was striding around like it was an empire. Dick.

    ¡°Hi Alpha Owen.¡± My Dad nodded at him too, offering his hand out in a handshake. Why he was

    ying at being so polite I had no clue. Did my Dad not realize that we were offering a massive

    opportunity in marriage to me, the uing Alpha of our pack? Yet my Dad was acting like they

    were the ones offering us something. Like we owed them something¡­ my temper was rippling, and

    I could feel my heart pounding¡­

    ¡°So, young Miles, you have been rejected, I hear?¡± Alpha Owen said with a sympathetic smile. He

    gently pats me on the shoulder. And his touch only feeds my anger, making me want to punch him.

    While his words make me re at my father. Is that what they had told people? They had lied to

    make me sound like the pathetic one? Creating a story to make me sound like a poor rejected

    Alpha on the hunt for a chosen mate in order to garner sympathy? How fucking dare they?!

    The Alpha smiled again, before he continued. ¡°It can happen, son. But we have our Beta¡¯s daughter

    who has been through the same, so perhaps you and her were meant to be together. A perfect

    match, both knowing the pain of rejection.¡±

    I swallowed the bile rising in my mouth. My whole body was trembling now with the rage that

    flooded through me. My Dad had made me sound like a failure for an uing Alpha. One that my

    fated mate had not wanted. There was no wonder there had been so few potential matesing

    forward. How dare he?! My eyes darkened as my wolf, Jet, rippled close to the surface of my skin,

    ready to take out his anger, but my father¡¯s eyes darkened too, likely sensing the building fury within

    me.

    Chapter 98¨CMies

    11788 Wouchers

    ¡®Calm yourself. Do not even think of showing me up, Miles. Or all talk of you bing Alpha is

    done. You are representing our pack now, do not show our pack up.¡® My father mindlinked, and I

    knew what he had done. He had done all of this to test me. To test my self¨Ccontrol. He was pushing

    me as far as he possibly could. I red at him, wanting nothing more than to fly at him. Free Jet to

    attack him, the way he deserved. But, I would not allow myself to fall for his n. This was not

    going to break me. It was going to be close, but I would find a way to take out my anger another

    way.

    ¡®You know what you have done. Do you realize how weak you have made me seem?¡® I replied to

    him, and he shrugged.

    ¡®Better to show a little weakness, than to show ruthlessness and no self¨Ccontrol. If they knew you

    had rejected your fated, not one would have volunteered their daughters. If you want to be the next

    Alpha, then these other packs need to see a dominant man. But one that can be in control when

    needed, you fool. You have none of that, Miles.¡® My father linked, before looking at Alpha Owen

    calmly, acting as if he was dismissing me and my irritation.

    ¡°So, shall we go ahead and meet this fine youngdy?¡± he said with a smile.

    ¡°Of course, she is sitting in the gardens with her mother and father.¡± Alpha Owen was now watching

    me with narrowed eyes. Had he seen my temper rippling through me? As a werewolf, especially an

    Alpha, you had an uncanny ability to detect. feelings and auras. If he had sensed mine, I might have

    been in trouble¡­

    He led the way, with my Dad and following him through what

    §º

    12.05

    12881

    they considered their packhouse, which in all honesty was little more than arge home. But Alpha

    Owen seemed proud of his pathetic little empire all the same. ¡°Come this way, he led us through the

    main lounge area, to some open patio doors onto a decked part of the garden, where a group of

    people sat at a garden table.

    ¡°Ah Alpha, our guests arrived?¡± a tall, dark¨Chaired man stood, nodding at us in greeting, and I could

    only assume from his aura this man was the Beta. Making him the father of the woman I was here

    to see.

    ¡°Of course.¡± Alpha Owen led us to the table, and I nced around to see a woman about my

    mother¡¯s age with brown hair. And a younger woman, likely my age, looking nervously at me and

    my Dad. Fiery red hair, in loose waves down her back, piercing green eyes with the longest of

    lashes which she kept looking at me through as her eyes flickered between me and my Dad. She

    looked terrified. I could only assume this was Adelyn.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Adelyn, Beta Kian, and Ria, this is Alpha Marshall and Miles.¡± Alpha Owen introduced us.

    ¡°So good to meet you all.¡± Beta Kian offered his hand to us, and my Dad, being the suck up he is,

    shook his hand heartily, while I looked down at it with disdain, earning me a frown from both. him,

    and the Alpha now by his side.

    ¡°Is there an issue, Miles?¡± Beta Kian asked, and I noted there was no sense of fear within his voice.

    ¡°Oh, other than you having the nerve to offer me, your reject of a daughter? Not only a she¨Cwolf

    that her own mate did not want, but a she¨Cwolf from a pathetic excuse for a pack. Do you know.

    what sort of insult that is to an uing Alpha of a pack like.

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    1268 Wouchern.

    ours?¡±

    The eyes of my own father and the others all widened in shock, while I heard a gasp from Adelyn

    before she burst into tears and fled from her seat evidently distraught. I found myself trying not to

    laugh. Did she truly think she would be good enough for me?

    ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± Alpha Owen demanded.

    ¡°Miles!¡± My father tried to quieten me. ¡°I apologize for my son. speaking out of turn.¡±

    ¡°Alpha Marshall, you said you were more than happy to meet Adelyn. If she was never suitable,

    then you could have just said. How dare youe and insult her and our pack. I think it was time

    you left.¡± Alpha Owen almost roared at my father.

    My Dad nodded. ¡°I never had any issues with your pack nor Adelyn. This appears to be an issue

    from my son that he had not discussed with me, but believe me, it will be discussed. So, please,

    ept my apologies.¡± He nodded in their direction again before grabbing my shirt and dragging me

    after him through the house we had only moments earlier been led through by the Alpha.

    Anger was seeping through every pore of my Dad. I wanted tough so badly, but knew I would

    likely end up with a ck eye. But, it seemed my n may be working¡­

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 Beauty 99

    Beauty 99

    Chapter 99 ¨C Asher

    I had nned to try and get an earlier night, knowing we had an early pack run tomorrow, but knew

    chances were my sleep would be as challenging for me as ever. I had to do my nightly surveince

    of the packhouse before going to my room, or that would make sleep even less likely. Despite the

    fact I knew the guards hade and checked the packhouse earlier in the evening. I paced the

    darkened corridors, like I would night after night:

    It was only as I approached the library that Zion became a little unsettled. Though I was sure as

    walked closer I could smell the vague scent of Bailey. Surely she would not still be up thiste at

    night? Or I should say early hours¡­ Maybe she had been here earlier? Could that exin the

    scent?

    ¡®No. She is here, scent is too strong for it to be earlier. Go and check if she is okay.¡® Zion¡¯s voice

    was almost ordering me. ¡®What if she has fallen again?¡® he adds.

    And at those words my heart was pounding in my chest. He was right. What if she had been in the

    library and had slipped on thedder again, but hit her head this time? She could beid out on the

    floor bleeding¡­ I quickly rushed to the door, hoping I would not find her injured upon the floor. I

    could sense Zion¡¯s panic as well as my own, as we entered the room, only to find Bailey sitting at

    one of the desks, papers strewn around her, and her headid on top of the papers.

    My heart softened at the sight of her. I felt my relief as well as Zion¡¯s at the sight in front of us.

    Goddess knows how long she

    had been here like that. But, whatever she had been doing, it had obviously tired her out, and she

    had crashed and fallen asleep, bless her. She looked so sweet sitting there fast asleep.

    was

    ¡®You can¡¯t leave her there.¡® Zion told me, and I know he right. She would have a crick in her neck, I

    know that much.

    ¡®I know. Give me some credit.¡® I grumbled at my wolf. ¡®I do have a heart, you know.¡®

    ¡®Well, it is hard to tell sometimes. He chuckled.

    I rolled my eyes, walking toward Bailey, so I was standing next. to her now, but as I looked down at

    her, I was clueless as to what to do. My gut instinct was to lift her up and carry her to her room, but I

    didn¡¯t know how she would react if she woke up to find me doing that¡­

    I gently ced my hand upon her shoulder and softly shook her. ¡°Bailey?¡± I said, lowering my head

    to near hers.

    ¡°Mmmm¡± was all I gained in response.

    Zion simply chuckled. ¡®I think she might be asleep.¡® He helpfully pointed out.

    ¡®No shit.¡® I rolled my eyes at my wolf as I gently shook Bailey

    once more.

    ¡°Bailey, sweetheart, it is Asher, you have fallen asleep in the library. Come on, you need to wake

    up.¡±

    ¡®Is she dead?¡¯ Zion now asked, making me wish my wolf was the one that was dead. His unhelpful

    comments sent me crazy!

    There was still no response from Bailey, so I decided I had no

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    Chapter 99 ¨C Asher

    285 Waucheri

    other choice but to either leave her where she was, and have her wake up in serious pain, or do the

    decent thing and carry her up to her room. I could see her phone and her room key on the desk, so

    it wasn¡¯t like I couldn¡¯t let myself into her room if she didn¡¯t wake up to put her to bed.

    ¡®Oh what a naughty boy! Sneaking into girls¡® rooms!¡® Zion sniggered. This wolf of mine is more like

    an annoying brother than a wolf that was meant to give me strength and support¡­

    I went to pick up her keys and phone to put them in my pocket before I picked Bailey up, and just as

    I catch her phone, does the screen light up and my eyes are drawn to it, to see that there are

    messages after messages off a number, and while I can¡¯t see all the messages, or who they are

    from because there is no name, I can tell from their content is nasty. Evil. And I felt my pulse begin

    to race. This is her former Alpha. Her former mate. There is no denying that. My suspicions from the

    start were right.

    I know my mind has had me doubting myself, with how my head. has been all over the ce, but

    there is no denying it. My suspicions were right. My logic had led me to the right thoughts. It had just

    been my doubts making me question it all. It had to be him. I clench my fist in anger, and while I can

    feel Zion¡¯s temper rippling, his voice is suddenly there within my mind. ¡®Take her to bed. She may

    not forgive you for looking at her phone.¡®

    And I realize he is right. This waspromising her privacy. I dropped the keys and her phone into

    the pocket of my trousers. Leaning forward to scoop her from where she is sitting, and she still

    doesn¡¯t stir. She slipped slightly in my grip, as I adjusted my arm position, to allow her to lean

    against me, and she snuggled

    1205

    1

    her head in against my chest, still not waking. She must be tired.

    I looked down at her bag on the floor and her paperwork, and decided I woulde back to collect

    it for her once I had her settled in her room. I held her close to me, finding the warmth of her body

    oddlyforting, and Zion had suddenly quietened. He felt oddly content, which I find oddly

    unsettling. He seemed to like thepany of this she¨Cwolf. He liked having her close. Yet, he went

    through times of liking his own space like I did¡­

    I walked out of the library, and through the halls of the packhouse with Bailey within my arms. She

    was still sleeping soundly, her head restingfortably against my chest, as I looked down to

    check on her with a small smile.

    Suddenly she seemed to snuggle in a little deeper into my embrace, a smile upon her face, before a

    small purring noise hit. my ears. I paused momentarily as we reached the bottom of the stairway.

    ¡®Did she just purr?¡® Zion asked me incredulously.

    My heart was pounding at the thought. ¡®Well, I would assume that would be her wolf, but I think so. I

    am pretty certain that is what it sounded like.¡® I told him in shock. Did that mean her wolf liked my

    company?

    Out of the blue, Bailey shifted again in my arms, and her big brown eyes were now looking up at

    me. ¡°What are you doing?¡± she demanded. And, I have to say she did not sound too impressed with

    me¡­

    I felt like I was frozen. As I looked down at her. ¡°Erm¡­¡±

    ¡°Why are you carrying me?¡± she asked, her voice a little shaky.

    62.42%

    Chapter 99¨CAsher

    11 288 Vouchers

    ¡°Can you put me down please, Asher?¡±

    I gently ced her upon her feet, instantly missing the warmth. of her body against mine. While

    Bailey was now looking up at me, both hands upon her hips, looking awfully irritated. ¡®I think we

    angered the little bad wolf in her.¡® Zion said with a chuckle.

    ¡°Erm¡­¡± I began, my palms suddenly sweaty. ¡°Look, Bailey¡­¡±

    She stood staring me out, her eyebrows raised like she was. challenging me. I don¡¯t think she was

    too impressed with me right now¡­

    ¡°You had fallen asleep in the library. I tried waking you, and your wouldn¡¯t. I didn¡¯t want you waking

    in pain, so I thought it would be better to carry you to your room.¡± I exined, and I

    momentarily saw her face soften a little, as her eyes dropped to the floor guiltily. Maybe she felt bad

    for shouting at me now she could see I had good intentions¡­

    Then her eyes darted back to mine, looking fiery again. ¡°And how the hell did you n to get me to

    bed? Or into my room?¡± she demanded, her voice angry once more.

    Zion was chuckling. ¡®Good luck.¡® He told me.

    ¡®What do I say?¡® I asked my wolf, with no clue why I had asked for his help.

    ¡®Kiss her. That will shut her up¡­ he suggested. Pushing me forward.

    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

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 Beauty 100

    Beauty 100

    Chapter 100 ¨C Asher

    Zion had pushed forward enough to take control of my body, to make me stumble forward toward

    Bailey, with his words fresh in my mind. Yes, giving her a kiss would likely shut her up, but it would

    likely result in me getting a ck eye too! She looked

    angry.

    ¡®Be bold, Asher¡± Zion¡¯s voice urged.

    ¡°Asher!¡± Bailey said, as I stopped myself knocking into her.

    I smiled down at her. S**t¡­ it is a long time since I have tried being flirty with a woman. Do I really

    want to be flirty with her? I don¡¯t even think I could¡­ I¡¯m not sure that I know how anymore.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± she snapped.

    I looked down to her again, my heart pounding within my chest. Hell, she could likely hear that¡­

    most of the pack could likely hear that¡­ her beautiful brown eyes were ring at me. I¡¯d like to say

    gazing, but right now, it was definitely more an angry re than an affectionate gaze. I gently raised

    my hand to softly run it along the skin of her cheek, and I heard her gasp the moment my fingers

    touched her face.

    Bailey¡¯s eyes darted back and forth over my face, like she was trying to read what I was doing, the

    angry re now reced with a look of uncertainty and confusion. I hated that I made her feel that

    way. I could see the rise and fall of her chest had increased, meaning 1 was likely making her panic.

    ¡°Asher¡­¡± she whispered.

    1

    0.001

    12.06

    288 Vouch

    I was mesmerized by her eyes, her skin under mine, until she raised her hand to meet mine upon

    her face. And I suddenly jolted from the daze I had found myself in. The daze I think my wolf had

    assisted me in finding¡­.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m not good at this.¡± I muttered, moving away slightly.

    ¡°Good at what?¡± Bailey asked quietly.

    ¡°This.¡± I motioned between me and her. ¡°Zion was saying I should¡­¡± I faltered, realizing she didn¡¯t

    need to know what my wolf was telling me to do. It would likely not help the situation.

    ¡°Zion?¡± she asked, a little confused. ¡°Your wolf?¡± she asked again, and I nodded. She smiled in

    response. ¡°He tells you to do stuff, does he? Akira does that to me. If that is any help, some of the

    bat-s**t crazy ideas she has had over years are beyond belief. And aren¡¯t the wolves we have

    meant to be our support? Mine has a few brain cells missing, I think.¡±

    I found myself smiling, she had instantly put me at ease, seemingly without even trying. But, oddly,

    the way she described her wolf sounded exactly like my own.

    ¡°Sounds like someone I know.¡± I told her with a smile. ¡°I am sorry for just now. I was trying to help

    you, that was all. I picked your keys from the table in the library where you were sitting. I nned to

    take you to your room,y you on your bed, put a nket on you, and leave. That was all Bailey. I

    wouldn¡¯t hurt you. I hope you would know that.¡±

    Her big brown eyes gazed up at me, through her long dark.shes, and she nodded. ¡°I know. Thank

    you.¡± She leant forward slightly, standing on her tiptoes, to bring her lips to my cheek in

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    1288 Vouchers

    a soft kiss, and a jolt of pleasure and need ran through me that took me by surprise. I knew Zion

    liked this girl¡­ but, I think I may be beginning to¡­ then, as I looked down upon her, her eyes

    looking up at me so sweetly, almost embarrassed, I realized, I needed to feel her lips on my own¡­

    Just as Bailey began to move away from me, I h**d my hand within her hair, pulling her face back to

    mine, causing Bailey to gasp once more in shock, but she did nothing to stop me. Her eyes were

    focused upon mine, hershes fluttering nervously, as I allowed my lips to tentatively find hers, and

    as I did, I felt my guardse crashing down. Softly my lips brushed against hers, terrified she

    would push me away at my forwardness, but to my surprise, as I continued to tenderly find her lips

    with mine, she began to return my kisses. Did she want this too? Hell, I think I had been surprised

    at how much I wanted this¡­

    An unexpected warmth spread through my body as I felt Bailey¡¯s hands reach into my hair, gripping

    it tightly, making me moan against her lips. Had I been wanting this all along? Because this kiss felt

    like a relief sweeping over me. Over Zion too¡­

    I felt Bailey¡¯s tongue teasing at my lips, and I parted my lips, allowing her tongue ess to my

    mouth. Meeting it with my own tongue, teasing and ying as we deepened our kisses. Shocks and

    shivers of delight and desire coursed through my body at Bailey¡¯s touch¡­ the teasing of her tongue

    against mine¡­ the softness of her plump lips against mine¡­

    My hands slipped around her waist to hold her closer to me. The curves of her body fitted perfectly

    against my own, having an effect on me, I hadn¡¯t expected¡­

    My head felt light, as my heart pounded within my chest as

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    288 Vouchers.

    Bailey pulled back from our kisses, though she still kept her hands within my hair, her forehead

    rested on my own. ¡°Asher?¡± she gasped, sounding as breathless as I was feeling.

    ¡°Hmmm?¡± I don¡¯t think I could speak. I am not quite sure what had happened. This was not

    something I had expected to happen between us.

    ¡®You took my advice.¡¯ Zion chuckled, sounding smug, but the sense of contentment in him was

    something else. I don¡¯t think I have felt that since I, and that terrified me¡­

    ¡°What are we doing?¡± Bailey whispered shakily.

    I chewed my lower lip anxiously. I thought her words over. Did she mean she hadn¡¯t wanted that?

    She felt like she did¡­ my head was spinning now¡­ I have now felt how good her lips felt on mine. I

    don¡¯t know if I would want to let her go now¡­

    I raised my gaze to meet hers. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But it felt good.¡± I whispered back.N?velDrama.Org content.

 Beauty 101

    Beauty 101

    Chapter 101 ¨C Bailey

    My heart was pounding, and my head was swimming with thoughts. Not to mention spinning. Asher

    had kissed me¡­ f**k¡­ I had kissed him back¡­ Akira was purring loudly in my mind telling me she

    was more than happy with the situation, while my head was battered¡­

    I had pulled away from him breathless¡­ terrified. Uncertain. I gently rested my head upon his

    forehead, my hands still resting within his soft hair. ¡°Asher?¡± I whispered breathlessly, feeling

    incredibly anxious right now. What had we just done? Surely we had overstepped a mark that we

    could not undo? One that we shouldn¡¯t have crossed¡­

    ¡®Didn¡¯t feel wrong though.¡¯ Akira said bluntly.

    And as much as I hate to admit my wolf is right, she is right. It had shocked me the way he looked

    at me as I had gone to give him a kiss upon his cheek to say thank you. His eyes were filled with so

    many emotions, but the moment his hand was upon me pulling me close to him, I was lost. Lost in

    him. And then as his lips found mine, I think I melted¡­ It wasn¡¯t what I had expected him to do or to

    say in response to my anger, I know that much!

    ¡°Hmmm?¡± Asher murmured in response to me. And I cannot help but hold back a smile. I could see

    his chest was rising and falling almost as fast as mine. Did that mean I made him as nervous as he

    made me? No. That still probably didn¡¯t make this right¡­

    ¡°What are we doing?¡± I whispered, desperately needing to know

    12:00

    Chapter 101 ¨C Bailey

    1288 Vouchersi

    what hade over him¡­ what had made him kiss me so unexpectedly. That was not like him. Not

    in the slightest. He didn¡¯t even like me. He saw me as an inconvenience, didn¡¯t he?

    I raised my gaze to his, and watched as he chewed his lower lip in what I assume was anxiousness.

    He looked quite vulnerable doing that¡­ almost adorable¡­ He certainly looked deep in thought.

    Was he regretting his actions now? I couldn¡¯t help but wonder. I honestly did not know what to think,

    or what to do. It had felt so good. Wrong¡­ but right¡­

    Asher suddenly raised his gaze nervously to meet mine, the way his green eyes were looking at me

    was giving me butterflies. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But it felt good.¡± he whispered back, and I could hear the

    nerves within his voice.

    I smiled, looking down shyly, my cheeks flushing at his words. I was not going to argue with that.

    ¡°Bailey?¡± Asher said, moving back a little more, but suddenly sounding a little less anxious now, and

    as I turned to meet his gaze, he was offering me his hand. I slipped my hand into his, and his hand

    took mine into a tight embrace, softly stroking the top of my hand with his thumb. Such a simple

    motion, but one that gave me goosebumps. We began to make our way up the stairs to where our

    rooms were.

    ¡°You know Zion is talking to Akira, right?¡± Asher suddenly asked me out of the blue. Wait¡­ Zion

    was his wolf¡­ Akira was talking with him? How did I not know that? She had not said a word¡­

    what a sly little¡­

    ¡°Really?¡± I looked at him.

    ¡°Hmm, he just said so. I hadn¡¯t realized. Zion seems to get along

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    Chapter 101-Bailey

    and I could feel his heart pounding against my own. ¡°Asher, I am just a teacher here.¡± I whispered.

    His handsome features contorted into a frown, before the hand above my head slid down to my

    face, and softly caressed my cheek. ¡°You are not just a teacher, Bailey.¡± He uttered. ¡°You are so

    much more, especially to me. I just don¡¯t think I had realized it. Or maybe I hadn¡¯t allowed myself

    to¡­¡±

    His words shocked me. Though, as he spoke, a phone vibrated within his pocket, and it caused him

    to jump a little, suddenly he chewed his lower lip anxiously once more. I was still in a mess after

    hearing his words. Was there more feeling from him than he had let on?

    He moved himself away from me suddenly, the moment

    between us was gone, as he slipped his hand into his trouser pocket. ¡°Your keys and your phone.¡±

    He said, nerves so evident within his tone. And as he passed me the phone, the screen lit up. It was

    filled with missed calls and messages. From him. Miles. My sister had given him my number, and he

    was back in touch. Something was making him angry, and he felt the need to take it out on me, like

    he always had. But, what bothered me more, was if these were here now, most of them were there

    when Asher picked up my phone. That meant he may have seen them.

    I looked up at him, but he was avoiding my gaze, only

    confirming my worst fears. I needed to deal with this now. Call it damage limitation, I guess. I moved

    toward him, taking his face within my hand, to move his gaze to meet mine. ¡°You saw all these?¡± I

    asked, but | ensured he knew I was not angry. How could I be? He had been trying to help me, he

    would never have known they were there. And it wasn¡¯t like he could open them

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    288 Vouchers

    and read them¡­

    He momentarily closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, almost like he was preparing himself for what was

    about toe, but soon his eyes were looking at me, and he nodded. ¡°This is your future. Alpha,

    isn¡¯t it? Your former fated mate? He bullied you? Treated you so bad?¡± he asked, his voice so soft,

    so full of concern.

    I know I had done all I could to hide this from people, but right now, with how Asher was speaking to

    me, I felt a need to be honest. He had opened up to me before. Been honest. Did he not deserve

    the same from me? And as I nodded in

    acknowledgment to his questions, I felt his arms take me in a tight embrace as he took me into his

    arms, pulling me to his chest, making me feel safe¡­N?velDrama.Org content.

 Beauty 102

    Beauty 102

    Chapter 102 ¨C Miles

    All visits had been called off for the day, and we had traveled to the motel across state that we had

    booked into. Leaving earlier than nned, since we left immediately after the incident at Silver River

    Pack. Anyone would think I had gone in and killed half their pack or something the way my Dad was

    reacting. I was done with the attitude of my Dad. Was I not entitled to an opinion? This was my life

    after all. My future and, ultimately, my Dad had known from the moment he had begun discussing all

    this arranged chosen mate c**p, that it was not what I wanted.

    Yet, he took control, like he always does. Taking his Alpha role. Dictating to one and all, and giving

    me no choice. No choice in my own life? That I did not agree with, and was not about to back down.

    And, I had made that clear on many asions before we left. Told him why I did not want this, yet

    he had forced me toe, in spite of that. So why he would think this trip would go well, I truly do

    not know.

    Now, I had spent hours enduring my father lecturing me non- stop about how I should be respecting

    him. Doing as I am told. Because, apparently, my actions at Silver River Pack were not only

    disrespecting their Alpha, but a huge disrespect to my own pack and my own father. How he came

    to that conclusion, I have no clue. I think my Dad came up with his own rhetoric to make himself feel

    better. Make himself feel more important. Well, it wasn¡¯t going to work with me. I was sick of being

    treated this way. He was basically treating me like I am still a young child, and not the adult I was.

    He evidently thought there would be a point when I would buckle and back down to him and

    12.12 D

    288 Vouchers

    admit my mistakes, then agree to all he wanted. But, if that was what my Dad was expecting of me,

    he was wrong. I was as stubborn as he was. I would not, and I did not.

    I had continued to stand my ground, and the argument had continued to increase. Building.

    Worsening over time. The room we were sharing was smashed to pieces. Both our wolves

    unleashed their fury upon one another and the surroundings, which would no doubt mean we were

    left with quite a bill for the damage. We were both Alpha wolves and neither one would back down.

    That would show weakness. It would be surrendering to the other, and neither one of us was ready

    to do that. If my father wanted this to go down to an Alpha challenge, I would challenge him for his

    title, for my rightful ce within our pack if that is what he truly wanted, but that is not how we did

    things in our pack.

    But, I had never done things as expected, and my family were underestimating me. If they were

    going to put my brother in my ce as Alpha, I would challenge him. I would kill them all before I

    allowed it. This was for my pack. For the power and control it brought with it, and I would not have it

    s**d away from me. All over the mess that the b**h Bailey had left behind. Everything was fine until

    she let our secret slip. I would forever hold her responsible for this mess.

    I watched my father stalking me, across the room from me, his eyes dark with anger, though I could

    see a tiredness within his face. I think he had to be as sick of this as I was. This is not what either of

    us wanted to be doing right now. ¡°This isn¡¯t right Miles!¡± he roared once more. ¡°You are my son, yet

    you act more like an enemy than any enemy ever has. Why must you fight me on everything?¡±

    288 Vouchers

    ¡°Because you are trying to take away my rightful ce. I am the firstborn, and you know that title is

    mine. Yes, I made a mistake today, but you know as well as I do, Bailey was never right for me.¡±

    I watched now as my father tilted his head at me. ¡°Did you just admit you made a mistake?¡± he

    lowered his tone, which surprised me, though I never meant to admit I was wrong. But, if it meant it

    stopped this s**t show of a night, then maybe it was better. There probably was no need to act like

    that at the pathetic attempt of a pack¡­ I was just so angry they had offered me a reject. Another

    version of the girl I didn¡¯t want. And it reminded me of her. Of Bailey. The one I hated to my core.

    The one who pushed me into this mess I found myself¡­

    ¡°Fine, I made a mistake. I know I did not need to act like that. But you pushed me into a corner

    where I did not want to be Dad!¡± I told him angrily. ¡°I do not want to be doing this. I told you the girl I

    wanted.¡±

    I saw the expression upon my Dad¡¯s face change. It softened slightly, and he looked concerned.

    ¡°There is a girl you want? A girl you would willingly take as a chosen mate?¡± My father¡¯s tone had

    completely changed now. If anything, he sounded a little shocked. He sounded calm, almost willingBelonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    to listen. But his words still angered me. How can he act so clueless about all of this? I had

    mentioned Kaia so many times to them. To my Dad, and my Mum. Told them I wanted to have her

    considered for my chosen mate. Yet, my Dad was here acting like he had never heard of her. Like

    she was a nobody.

    ¡°Yes. Kaia. The daughter of the Alpha of the pack I went for treatment at.¡± I told him, and my Dad

    screwed his nose in confusion.

    288 iVouchers

    ¡°Why would you consider her for a mate, son? She was a worker, was she not?¡± he raised his

    brows at me, shaking his head. ¡°You are an Alpha, or will be if you stick to the rules we have given

    you.¡±

    I held back the fury I was so tempted to unleash upon him. How can he be so rude? So dismissive?

    Evidently he had not listened to me at all when I had spoken of Kaia, and it appeared he paid little

    attention to the information given when they came to my treatment center, or he would have known

    she was one of the daughters of the Alpha there.

    ¡°No Dad, she was also one of the Alpha¡¯s children.¡± I informed him, trying hard to hold back the

    spite within my tone. ¡°He has quite a few from what I heard.¡± I added, and I saw his face change,

    like a lightbulb had turned on within his mind.

    ¡°Hmmm. An Alpha¡¯s daughter.¡± He nodded as if understanding now. ¡°And you liked this girl? You

    would happily want her as a chosen?¡± he asked, shock more than evident in his voice. Listening to

    the way in which he spoke, I believe he had thought I would never happily take a chosen mate.

    They thought I would fight them about this.

    role.

    ¡°Without a doubt. She challenged me. Didn¡¯t care about my Wasn¡¯t scared of me. It drove me mad,

    but I liked it.¡± I exined, and my Dad smiled, as he nodded.

    ¡°I think she sounds perfect, son. That is what you need for a mate. Someone who sees you for you.

    Doesn¡¯t see your title, and is willing to challenge you. I will look to contact her father. Her pack shall

    be our next visit. No wonder you have been so reluctant for this trip!¡± he said enthusiastically. ¡°I just

    wish you had told me sooner!¡±

    Chapter 102-Miles

    288 ?Vouchers

    I rolled my eye¡¯s at my Dad. He was unbelievable! Yet I could not hold back the rush of excitement

    felt racing through me. I may get my girl yet! I had been so determined, but had been beginning to

    lose hope, as nobody had been willing to listen to me. Now, it seemed they would! Though, I have

    to say, there was still an anger rippling through me too, that it just went to show just how little my

    parents actually listened to me.

    Me¡­ their son¡­ the one they wanted to take over their pack. The one they were apparently so

    concerned about that they would do anything to help him get better¡­ yet neither one had listened

    to me. Listen to what I wanted. Not a clue, either of them. I had spoken of her, and none of them

    heard me. So much h**le could have been stopped had they just paid attention to me in the

    beginning. I just hope my Dad could do what was needed now. Fulfill his role and prove himself as

    the pack Alpha, but more importantly as my father in getting us that meeting. And then, it was

    winning Kaia over¡­

 Beauty 103

    Beauty 103

    Chapter 103 ¨C Bailey

    I looked up at Asher, my heart feeling it was going to race right out of my chest, having admitted to

    him everything that Miles was doing to me, yet, oddly, he didn¡¯t seem angry, he looked concerned. ¡°I

    wish you had told me this when I asked you that first time, Bailey.¡± He said softly.

    I sighed. When he asked me that first time, I knew he had feared for his pack, but realistically, I

    didn¡¯t think Miles would do anything to his pack, and considering the way Asher had been acting

    toward me, I was not really willing to open up to him¡­ ¡°I didn¡¯t really know you.¡± I admitted, and he

    sighed, his shoulders sagging, like he was bearing the weight of the world upon them.

    ¡°But, you have been suffering alone, beautiful, and that cannot have been easy.¡± He said, reaching

    for my hand, softly stroking his thumb over the palm.

    ¡°Trust me, I have been coping alone with Miles for a long time, Asher, it is nothing I am not used to.¡±

    I said with a shrug.

    I see his face tighten into a frown. ¡°Why are your family oblivious to it, Bailey?!¡± he growls, taking

    me by surprise. Was that him getting a little protective?

    ¡°He is the uing Alpha, everyone thinks the sun shines out of his butt. Why would they believe

    me over him? I was never considered anything special in the pack, Asher. I was the geeky Beta¡¯s

    daughter. I blended into the background. Always had my head in a book. One to pick on andugh

    at. And because the uing Alpha liked to pick on me, so did everyone else. Even

    12:12

    Chapter 103 Bailey

    288 iVouchers

    my own brother and sister. I got used to it.¡± I exined with a shrug.

    ¡°Bailey, that may be something when you are at high school, but as grown-ups?¡± he questioned,

    and I could tell from the look. upon his face he was far from impressed.

    I looked down at my feet, unsure how to exin. I know what he is saying is right, but I had just

    epted how things were. I was what my life had be, and I focused on what I had wanted. On

    my studies. ¡°It just kind of continued.¡±

    Suddenly, Asher¡¯s arms were around me, pulling me close to him. ¡°I hate that you had to tolerate all

    that. I wish I could smack your brother. He should have been protecting you.¡±

    I found myself smiling. ¡°He realizes that now. He is trying to fix his errors. Meeting his mate seems

    to have made him grow up. Either that or it diluted the effect of Miles.¡±

    ¡°Well, you are safe here now, you know that, right?¡± he softly brushed my hair back from my face,

    looking down at me, a tenderness within his eyes I don¡¯t think I had seen before.

    ¡°I hope so.¡± I smiled, so touched right now by the kindness he was showing me. This was definitely

    an unexpected side to the dark and moody Beta I had first met,

    ¡°No. There is nothing to hope, Bailey, we will keep you safe. When you feel ready, we will talk about

    the things he has done. But, I promise, I won¡¯t let him hurt you, Bailey. Caleb wouldn¡¯t either if he

    knew.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± gasped. ¡°Seriously, Asher, you can¡¯t be telling him anything.¡±

    12:120

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    288 Vouchers

    The look of shock upon Asher¡¯s face took me by surprise, as I pushed him away from me, but I

    would not risk anyone else knowing all of this. Luna Eden knew little pieces, but not full details.

    Alpha Caleb was the Alpha of the pack, and it could alter his view of my pack if he knew all of this. I

    could not risk that. Pack image and reputation were such a vital thing to Alphas, and I know Alpha

    Marshall would never forgive me if I betrayed our pack that way. I would be in so much trouble if that

    were to happen.

    ¡°Bailey, he would not do anything, both him and Eden think highly of you and would want to ensure

    you were safe.¡± He attempts to reassure me, but I don¡¯t think he is seeing this the way I am.

    ¡°No!¡± I snapped. ¡°I do not want him knowing. It brings the name of my pack into disrepute. I cannot

    have that happening because of me, Asher. The trouble that would cause, all because of me, it

    would bring my Dad into it all too, I just can¡¯t!¡± I went to unlock the door to my room, desperate now

    to get away from him, he cannot do this to me.

    ¡°Bailey, is that what you think would happen? The information would go no further.¡± He reached for

    my hand as I pushed my room door open, but I pulled it away, adamant he would not hold me here

    any longer. He would not convince me this was the right thing to do. I was rushing now to get inside

    of my room. I needed to get away from him. Away from this conversation. But, as I went to close my

    room door on him, Asher pushed his shoulder into the door, stopping me.

    I red at him, as he pushed his way into the room. ¡°We have done this before, where we were

    upset with one another, and we stormed off, Bailey, and do you know how s**t that made me

    Chapter 103-Bailey

    288 iVouchers

    feel?¡± he muttered, and I faltered at his words. He felt bad then too? I thought he was angry at me.

    He avoided me afterward¡­

    I moved away and went and sat on the edge of my bed nervously, feeling oddly ufortable with

    Asher suddenly inside of my room. ¡°We need to talk, get this sorted, then I will leave you to sleep,

    okay. Let us at least clear the air, or I will have even less chance of sleeping than normal, Bailey.¡±

    I felt my heart fluttering at his words now. I hate the thought of him not sleeping because of me. He

    had already said he struggled sleeping, but I didn¡¯t want to be a reason that was any worse, so I

    slowly raised my gaze and nodded. Watching as he turned and closed the door behind him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I will be doing the pack run tomorrow.¡± Asher muttered as he leant against the wall next

    to my bed. I couldn¡¯t help but smile, assuming he felt ufortable at the thought of joining me

    sitting on my bed.

    ¡°Pack run?¡± I questioned, not recalling any mention of it.

    He nodded. ¡°All in the information I gave you. Good to know you read it.¡± He grinned, and I smiled

    bashfully. Okay, he may have got me there. I am not even sure where it went. Thankfully, I assume I

    am not expected to take part, and tomorrow is my day off¡­

    ¡°Bailey, I think it would be good to tell Caleb all the stuff with this tool of a former mate of yours.¡± He

    paused, a full on scowling over his face. ¡°Wait, he is a former mate, isn¡¯t he? You did ept his

    rejection, didn¡¯t you?¡± his eyes were narrowed, and I am sure there was fear suddenly appearing

    there.

    I rolled my eyes at him. Was he for real? ¡°Oh no, I was hopeful All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Chapter 103- Bailey

    288 Vouchers

    that he may unexpectedly fall madly in love with me, Asher, as you likely saw from the snippets of

    the messages you saw, or here.¡± I quickly unlocked my phone, finding my messages, and flung the

    phone at him. ¡°There are more for you to see just how charming he is. He is such a catch, and I

    think he is just ying hard to get. A man any woman would be lucky to have.¡± I said sarcastically,

    knowing I was likely being a little too blunt, but it got to me that he would ask such a s**d question.

    But, my words fall upon deaf ears now he has my phone, as he stands and looks at the messages.

    His face contorts again. I think I may have made a mistake¡­

 Beauty 104

    Beauty 104

    Chapter 104 ¨C Asher

    A sudden thought filled me with fear. She had said numerous times he had rejected her, but the

    thought had never even urred to me that she had epted his rejection and rejected him.too¡­

    if she hadn¡¯t, then they would still have been bonded in some way. Was that the draw he still felt

    towards her? Because something seemed to bring him back to her. Something made him want to

    continue to keep reaching out to her. Or was that purely a lust for causing her pain? ¡°Wait, he is a

    former mate, isn¡¯t he? You did ept his rejection, didn¡¯t you?¡± | could not help but narrow my eyes

    nor hide the fear that flooded through me. I didn¡¯t care anymore if she could read the feelings I was

    experiencing. She needed to know. I don¡¯t know why, but she did.

    I noticed her roll her eyes at me in that ever so sarcastic way she so often has, that initially had

    driven me crazy, but now I had to say I had grown to love. ¡°Oh no, I was hopeful that he may

    unexpectedly fall madly in love with me Asher, as you likely saw from the snippets of the messages

    you saw, or here¡± I find her phone quickly being flung in my direction, after she messed with it,

    causing me to quickly react in order to catch it. ¡°There are more for you to see just how charming he

    is. He is such a catch, and I think he is just ying hard to get. A man any woman would be lucky to

    have.¡±

    Her words are irrelevant right now, in this moment, as my eyes fall upon message, upon message

    from him. These were not from the number earlier. This specifically stated Miles as the name. I

    moved across the room to her. I had avoided joining her

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    on her bed when we first entered her room, feeling it might be a little presumptuous. A little

    inappropriate. But, I needed to hold her right now. Needed to be there for her. Zion too. He was

    rippling beneath the surface, desperate to be near her.

    His behavior regarding her was bing stranger, but I had stopped trying to analyze it. I knew

    she wasn¡¯t my mate, not a second chance mate, as there were none of those signs there, but my

    wolf, without a doubt, felt a draw towards the girl¡­ and in truth, I think I may too¡­ Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Sweetheart, these are horrendous.¡± I whispered, sitting awkwardly alongside her on her bed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want your sympathy, Asher. I know what they are.¡± She shrugged, like it was nothing.

    Zion was whimpering now, both of us unsure how to respond to this reaction from her. I could sense

    a confusion from my wolf. An unease. He didn¡¯t know how to respond to this situation, and I

    wondered if he could feel something from her wolf that I was unable to sense. Because they were

    seeminglymunicating. But Zion was quiet, other than the whimpering, not sharing a thing with

    me. Leaving me to deal with all of this, absolutely clueless.

    ¡°Why show me then?¡± I questioned, and her gaze darkened as she red at me. Okay, that was the

    wrong thing to ask.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I saved them from myst phone in case I needed them as proof. I was being

    sarcastic. You irritated me, asking me that. So, I guess it was to shock you.¡± She shrugged, but this

    time I noticed tears within her eyes.

    I awkwardly went to put my arm around her¡­ this felt so much

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    more intimate considering I was sitting upon her bed¡­ ¡°Well it

    | worked, if that is any help.¡± I muttered, without thinking, and she looked at me in shock, and I

    realized how s**d I was for saying that out loud.

    ¡°Sorry.¡± I muttered, and she chuckled.

    ¡°What for?¡± she shrugged. ¡°For being you?¡±

    I smiled. ¡°There is a lot to be sorry for if I am apologizing for that.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly.¡± She softly pushed me. ¡°And don¡¯t worry, I have dealt with all this already, Asher.

    Why do you think I was so desperate to get away from my pack? Start a new life for myself?¡±

    That did make sense, I guess, and it did exin the urgency to move here. Like she had briefly

    mentioned when I had pushed her for information upon her arrival. ¡°It makes sense. But, he doesn¡¯t

    want to let you go. He rejected you, to end the bond, but still sees you as his.¡± I exined how I was

    seeing the

    messages.

    She nodded in agreement. ¡°Seems that way. But, like I said, I am out of there now. That was the big

    thing for me, getting away. I made my escape, got my fresh start. I have already dealt with it all,

    Asher. So, none of this needs to go any further. You asked me to trust you, so please do not give

    me a reason not to. I am fine. I will be fine.¡±

    So, why did the tears she was fighting within her eyes tell me differently?

    ¡°It is tough isn¡¯t it?¡± I say softly, as I pull her against me,

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    surprising myself as I inhale the scent of her, Zion now purring as her increasingly familiar scent fills

    my senses.

    Bailey leans back slightly to be able to meet my gaze, a slight confusion in the way she watches

    me. ¡°I don¡¯t think I understand.¡±

    I smiled as Iid a tender kiss upon her head. ¡°Being brave all the time. It gets tough, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    I felt her body tense within my arms, like she had suddenly realized what I meant by my words now.

    I know she has to have been putting on a brave front for so long, much like me. But, I am so

    desperate for her to know that with me, she does not have to do that. ¡°Sweetheart, there is no

    shame in admitting you struggle, you know?¡± I whispered, a strange irony in my words, as this was

    always something I struggled to admit. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be brave for everyone.¡±

    ¡°Asher, please, you don¡¯t need to do this.¡± She ces her hand on my chest, and I can feel my own

    heart thudding underneath it, so I know she too will feel how fast my heart races for her. How it

    reacts to her touch. And we have not done anything yet.

    ¡°Bailey, I just want you to know that you don¡¯t have to be alone anymore.¡± I rested my head gently

    upon her own. ¡°Not if you don¡¯t want to be. And, if you don¡¯t want me to say anything to Caleb, then

    I won¡¯t. I would not break your trust, not when trust is precious. I know it is not something you hand

    out lightly. So, I most certainly would not break it, beautiful. Please know that. But, I do need you to

    know that I do understand your own struggles. You do not need to battle them alone now. We will

    find a way to fix this. I want to be here for you.¡±

    But, as I looked down to see how she had responded to my

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    words, I found Bailey was asleep contently within my arms. I smiled. Seemed about right, I made a

    huge deration like that and she missed it. Though, perhaps it was too much¡­ too soon¡­ I don¡¯t

    even know where it all hase from¡­ so sudden¡­ the changes within me. From pain¡­

    darkness¡­ toughter¡­ and light.

    I looked down again at the she-wolf within my arms and chuckled to myself, who would have known

    the new girl to the pack would be the one to bring about these changes? I moved slightly toy her

    down on the bed, trying to adjust myself to be able to slide myself out from under her. But as I did,

    Bailey¡¯s arm moved across me, and she snuggled in a little, so I was almost pinned to the bed, as I

    heard a deep sigh. I allowed myself toy fully onto the bed, with Bailey snuggled within my

    embrace,pletely unawares.

    Seems I will be settled here for the night. Her embrace wasforting. Zion felt content. I am sure

    a little while would not hurt. If I moved I could well disturb her, and I don¡¯t want to do that, I tell

    myself. I would likely wake before her anyway, to sneak back to my room before she even knew¡­

 Beauty 105

    Beauty 105

    Chapter 105 ¨C Asher

    I stretchedzily, relishing the warmth of the bed. That had to be the best night¡¯s sleep I have had in

    a long time¡­ When suddenly I was aware of a movement next to me, and before I was able to

    open my eyes, I felt a hard thud to my chest, like a fist impacting it. Putting me on edge instantly,

    and causing me to jump suddenly. But, my senses are filled with the scent of Bailey messing with

    my mind¡­

    ¡°Asher!¡± Bailey snapped, before I had even opened my eyes.

    Oh, **it¡­ the realization hit me as memories ofst night flooded my mind.

    ¡®Oh who has been a naughty boy!¡¯ Zion sniggered.

    ¡®Not helpful!¡¯ I warned him.

    I pried my eyes open, trying to adjust my eyes to the brightness of the sunshine ring into the

    room, which meant it was more than likely already well past the time I was due to be starting the

    pack run. Caleb was going to be annoyed with me! Feigning sickness may be my only option¡­

    As my eyes adjusted, I saw a very angry-looking Bailey ring back at me. ¡°Why are you in my

    bed?!¡±

    ¡°Keeping you warm?¡± I suggested with a yful grin, but, going off the dark stare I received in

    return, my attempt at being yful had failed. I was definitely out of practice.

    ¡°Seriosuly Asher?¡±

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    ¡°Bailey, please, this is going to sound so bad, but we were talking, you fell asleep, and as I went to

    lay you in bed, you kind of pulled me down with you, and was too tired to fight back.¡± I exined,

    knowing how ridiculous I sounded.

    Zion wasughing so hard within my mind. ¡®Too tired to fight back?! You are a Beta, you sap! Why

    not say you fancied seeing if she made a good bed buddy? See if she was the big spoon or the little

    spoon?¡¯

    ¡®Piss off Zion.¡¯ I snarled. My wolf was seriously p**g me off

    now.

    ¡®Best sleep ever though, right?¡¯ he said, and I hate to admit he was right, that probably was one of

    the best sleeps we had had in a long time. I had expected us to be disturbed by nightmares like we

    so frequently were during the night. I nned to return to my room when that happened, but

    instead, nothing came. It seems I slept like a bl**dy baby, and instead I found myself in this

    awkward predicament. One which is seeminglynding me in a lot of trouble!

    ¡°I did not pull you into bed.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes,pletely dismissing my suggestion she had

    h**d her arms around me. I am pretty sure that was exactly what had happened¡­ I felt my ego take

    a slight hit, and how offended she seemed by the thought¡­

    ¡°Is that such a bad idea?¡± I teased her, resting my head upon my elbow, so I was facing her, and her

    cheeks flushed, she looked quite adorable. A shiver of pleasure ran through me¡­ I think I quite

    enjoy teasing Bailey¡­ her reactions make me smile. I allowed my eyes to drift slowly down her

    body, wishing she was in a little less now than her pajamas¡­

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    ¡°Asher.¡± Her voice held a warning tone.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± I allowed my hand to slide to her waist, pulling her close to me, which, whenid down on

    the bed, felt somewhat strange, but hell, it felt good. I had been doubting everything between us. I

    had believed I should be alone, but now I had her next to me like this, had felt her lips upon mine, I

    think I know what I want.

    ¡°Why is Zion telling Akira you didn¡¯t want to leave?¡±

    My eyes raised to meet hers. That was not quite the truth. I think my wolf was stirring s**t here. So

    much for having my back, the little f**ker. ¡°I think he likely means he didn¡¯t want to. He enjoys her

    ¡°And I still think you could easily have got away from mest night.¡±

    ¡°Maybe a part of me didn¡¯t want to.¡± I shrugged, and her face broke into a beautiful smile. Her smile

    was incredibly beautiful. Lighting up her delicate features.

    ¡°So Zion was right?¡± she questioned and I shrugged again.

    ¡°I don¡¯t even know if I aming or going, beautiful.¡±

    She giggled a little before speaking. ¡°I would like to think you¡¯d know if you areing.¡± Bailey said

    with a wink, and Iughed.

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    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± I found myself asking with a shake of my head, shocked at her forwardness. ¡°Not

    so sweet and innocent really are you?¡± I softly ced a kiss upon her forehead, unable to hold back

    my smile because of her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

    ¡°Okay, we will forget I said that.¡± she whispered, covering her face with her hands.

    I gently removed her hands from her face so they were now pinned either side of her face, and I

    found myself leaning over her, looking down on her. ¡°Oh no, I don¡¯t think we will. I think I quite like

    the naughty side of you!¡± I said to her, as I lowered my lips to meet hers.

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 Beauty 106

    Beauty 106

    Chapter 106 ¨C Kaia

    I adjusted my hair, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I liked the new pink tone to my hair. A new

    me. I think it looked good. I needed a fresh start. Jacob had decided I was not the one for him, and

    had discarded me for some other she-wolf in the pack, so I was done. Hurting, but I needed to

    focus. I was stronger than a feeble, pathetic she-wolf who crumbled at the cheating s**m of a

    boyfriend telling you that he was ending things to be with the bit on the side he had been seeing

    behind your back for months.

    There was a heavy knock at my door. ¡°Kaia, darling, your Dad is still waiting downstairs, don¡¯t be

    keeping him waiting too long.¡± My Mum called, and I rolled my eyes at her. Jeez, they don¡¯t give me

    five minutes to myself. My Dad had literally called half an hour ago to request to see me. He

    seemed to believe I could magically create myself a portal to appear there in front of him the

    moment he demanded me there. Fully dressed and ready to see him. I had no clue what this was

    about, but if he was requesting a talk it had to be important, or otherwise he would just call in to the

    treatment center and catch me on one of my breaks. That was his usual tactic when he wanted me

    for something.

    It was rare he was ever particrly bothered by me. The joys of having so many children, I

    suppose. It is difficult to keep up with them all, especially when you were an Alpha and had so many

    responsibilities.

    ¡°Yes Mum, I aming now.¡± I rushed to the door, adjusting my yoga pants and matching cropped

    top before I did. I nned to

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    head to the gym once I had seen him. Today was myte start at work, and I nned to take out

    some of my frustration from the situation with Jacob out on the punchbags. Imagining it was his face

    would be a good start¡­

    ¡°Oh, is that what you are wearing?¡± My Mum questioned the moment she saw me, and I looked at

    her in shock. Forever judgmental my mother. Always having an opinion on everything and

    everyone. But, I wasn¡¯t aware she had suddenly been made the fashion police¡­

    ¡°I nned to go to the gym when I finished talking to him.¡± I told her, with a roll of my eyes.

    ¡°Hmm. I do think you should dress a little smarter, Kaia.¡± She said knowingly, which had me

    suspicious already, but I gave her a dark re and walked away from her. I was not getting changed

    to meet my own Dad.

    I rushed through the front door of ourrge family home. Along the garden path, relishing the

    warmth of the sunshine on my body as I took the short walk from our Alpha home to therge

    packhouse. The moment I walked through the door, I was almost pounced upon by our pack Beta,

    Enzo.

    ¡°Good Morning Sunshine.¡± He greeted me, with a smile. ¡°A little causal for a meeting aren¡¯t you?¡±

    he questioned, only raising my suspicions even further now, as my Dad had simply asked me to call

    in to see him. No actual mention of a meeting, so I was beginning to wonder what was going on.

    ¡°A meeting? Dad said toe see him. No meeting.¡± I shoved past the irritatingly cheerful Beta,

    and my Dad¡¯s best friend.

    He nodded, chewing his lips and looking awkward as if he

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    realized his mistake. ¡°Well, your Dad asked me toe and find you, you know he doesn¡¯t like

    being kept waiting Kaia.¡± He shook his head at me, like I had made him wait forever or something! I

    was literally about five minutes over the time he had given me¡­

    ¡°Oh for goodness¡¯ sake.¡± I stormed ahead toward my Dad¡¯s office. I did not need escorting there by

    some jumped up Beta who thought he was able to tell me what to do.

    ¡®Kaia, sunshine, don¡¯t go storming in there, all guns zing. Not today. As much as we love your

    fieriness, maybe today rein it in.¡¯ Beta Enzo mindinked as he rushed to catch up with me, and I gave

    him a dirty look. What was so special about today?

    I turned down the short corridor where my Dad¡¯s Alpha office

    sat, and quickly made my way to the door, not even waiting to knock, before I opened the door. My

    Dad looked up from his seat at the desk, a look of shock upon his face. But, it was me that was

    filled with shock as two more faces looked back at me too. Miles, one of my former patients, and

    who I believe was his father, if I remember correctly. Had he failed in his treatment and needed to

    return?

    Was I being disciplined because this fool was unable to follow the treatment n he was provided?

    That would not be my fault.

    ¡®Do you not know how to knock?¡¯ My Dad mindlinked with a re. ¡®And what the hell are you

    wearing?¡¯

    I shrugged. I wasn¡¯t to know it was a formal meeting when you didn¡¯t tell me.¡¯

    ¡°Sorry about this Alpha Marshall, Miles.¡± My Dad nodded toward

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    the men within his office. ¡°My daughter seems to have forgotten her manners, and apparently how

    to dress appropriately for a meeting.¡±

    I could feel the eyes of Miles and his father upon me, and Miles¡¯ s eyes lingered longer than was

    needed.

    ¡°Well, when you are unaware it is a meeting it makes it difficult to know you should be dressing

    formally, so yes, I apologize for that.¡± I said sarcastically, a smirk toward my Dad and the men sitting

    in front of his desk.

    ¡°No problem dear.¡± Alpha Marshall smiled. ¡°Looks like you were off to the gym.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°Good guess. I assumed I was onlying to chat with my father. Had I known you would

    be here, I would have dressed appropriately.¡± I exined.

    ¡°Well, irrelevant of all that.¡± My Dad interrupted with a dark re in my direction. ¡°The reason we

    wanted you toe to the office, Kaia, is that Miles is a future Alpha of Lotus Shadow Pack, and he

    has been rejected by his fated mate.¡±

    I shrugged, unsure what the hell this had to do with me. It was not quite the truth, as the truth was

    discussed in his treatment. From what I recall, he rejected his fated mate because of past issues.

    Anger. She made him feel inferior. Her being too intelligent. Or something along these lines. But my

    Dad gave me another sharp stare, and I realized he wanted me to pay attention. But still, I am

    unsure what this would have to do with me. This was their pack business.

    ¡°Well, the thing is dear, while Miles was here, he took quite a liking to you.¡± Alpha Marshall began,

    and his words shocked me

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    to the core. Yes, he had flirted a little with me, or attempted to. But most young guys do when

    around me, it was no big deal. But what the hell did took a liking to me actually mean? Me and him

    were most definitely notpatible. I looked at the Alpha curiously now as he continued.

    ¡°So, when we were discussing potential chosen mates he felt you would make a perfect choice. The

    reason we are here, is we would like you to consider our offer of bing his chosen mate. Our

    pack Luna for the future.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

 Beauty 107

    Beauty 107

    Chapter 107 ¨C Kaia

    I take in their words. They want me to be with Miles? A man I do not know. A man I have met a

    handful of times and even that was purely on a professional level¡­ I looked at them all in

    confusion, my mind a swirling mess. They knew I had been a part of this man¡¯s treatment when he

    was in our pack, therefore they know that I am aware of all the issues he has, right? They have to

    know that offering him to me as a chosen mate is risky¡­

    He was far from a catch. Yes, he was handsome. Ruggedly handsome. Hot. I know he was flirty

    because he had tried many times while in treatment. But, he had a dark side. A very dark side. And

    that was threatening. Why would they want to put any she-wolf at risk like that and ask her to be

    with him? There was no real guarantee his treatment would be sessful. While he had been in

    treatment, I had questioned if he would evenplete it at times¡­

    But, at the same time, a Luna? ME?! The thought seemed so far- fetched, it was crazy! Yes, I was

    an Alpha¡¯s daughter, but still that never guaranteed anything¡­ The things I could do if I were to

    ept his offer. My whole life could change¡­ people would know my name¡­ they would be

    expected to respect me¡­ look up to me!

    A sudden thought came to me¡­ Jacob would be forced to look up to me. Forced to show me

    respect. As would that pathetic piece of meat by his side¡­ Jacob was merely a warrior. Handsome

    and strong. But he was just a warrior. No seniority within a pack. Or the werewolfmunity in

    reality. I had more

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    rank over him, in truth. Not that it mattered now, he had discarded me. Considered me not good

    enough¡­ but if I were to be a Luna, he would have no choice but to realize his mistake.

    Seeing that I was better than he ever was willing to admit.

    My mind was filled with so many thoughts. Doubts. Confusion. The asional positive as to why

    this could work¡­ and I could only imagine my face was mirroring my confusion¡­ As I saw Miles

    look down at his feet, his shoulders sagging as if in defeat, I assumed he was thinking I was not

    sure about this, and no, in truth I was not. How do they expect me to ept an offer of this when I

    do not know the guy? I knew he had a f**g crazy temper! And they knew I knew that¡­ They knew

    he was dangerous, and they knew that I was aware of the

    same¡­

    ¡°Dear, I can assure you, if you would consider, you would have all you need in our pack. I realize

    this is a big thing to ask of you, but as a daughter of an Alpha with many children, it means you

    could continue a life that you are ustomed to, you would be taken care of. Idolized, of that I have

    no doubt.¡± Alpha Marshall told me, with a smile. ¡°The pack would love you too, Kaia. You could have

    a truly wonderful life in our pack, I can promise you.¡±

    I nced at him, and could see he looked confident in his words. But, I felt so unsure. This was so

    much to take in¡­ so unexpected and on the spot¡­ and I have to say, I wish my Dad had given me

    some warning instead of just allowing me to turn up to them here in his office demanding an

    answer¡­

    ¡°I think this could be worth considering Kaia, we have already discussed this, Alpha Marshall and I.

    They would be donating a considerable figure to the treatment center as part of the

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    marriage deal. Not to mention you will be a Luna. You would be in a position of importance.

    Strength. And you will have a man there that takes care of you, and worships you.¡± My Dad told me

    and as he did, I looked to Miles, who had nervously raised his gaze to look at me, and I saw him

    smile softly at me as if in hope I might agree to their crazy n.

    A huge donation to the treatment center?! See, my Dad knows how important that ce is to me.

    Having lost my friend through depression in high school, I had been determined to work there. Help

    others like her. And, my Dad had no issue with me doing this, being one of the younger children and

    having no real position in the pack. So, he knew the fact they were offering a donation to the centerCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    would be a massive deciding factor for me. A hit to my heart¡­ it would make it hard to say no.

    Though, some of his other words had stood out too¡­ a position of importance and strength¡­

    strangely, Jacob had said to me that, despite being an Alpha¡¯s daughter, I would amount to nothing.

    That I would always be a nothing. Of no importance to anybody, including my own family. He had

    hurt me with those words, considering how hard I had worked to gain my qualifications for my role

    at the treatment center. Studying day and night. My education meant so much to me, and I had

    always tried hard in school and college, often being ridiculed for it, but it never stopped me. If

    anything, it pushed me harder.

    But, often in the werewolfmunity, educational achievements are often overlooked. If I agreed to

    everything they offered me, it would give me a chance to prove to him, I could be everything he said

    I couldn¡¯t. Not to mention, I could have everything he had previously promised me. Those promises

    of the two of us being chosen mates. Promised and then failed to offer me.

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    In truth, there were so many reasons this seemed like a bad idea, but overwhelmingly stronger

    reasons to make me want to

    agree¡­

    I looked to Miles once more, who was still anxiously watching me. ¡°Is this what you want?¡± I asked

    him quietly.

    He looked up at me, with a smile. There was a warmth in his smile that gave me a little confidence.

    Maybe he wasn¡¯t as bad as he had appeared in treatment when he first arrived. ¡°More than you

    know.¡± He said quietly.

    I took a deep breath, not quite believing I was about to agree to this. ¡°Then, I think it sounds like

    something we should agree to. But, I want this to happen quickly.¡± I exined, a look of shock upon

    my Dad¡¯s face. Did he think I would argue? Completely refuse? ¡°And, I want a marriage, not just to

    be a mate.¡± I demanded, and saw shock now reflecting on the faces of Miles and his father

    too. But, I didn¡¯t care. I was determined I would show Jacob his mistake. Show him I did not need

    him. He was not the only one who could move on. The difference was, I was moving on to bigger

    and better things¡­ I was going to have my own pack. I would be a f**g Luna!

 Beauty 108

    Beauty 108

    Chapter 108 ¨C Bailey

    I am shocked by Asher¡¯s sudden shift in personality. I am ready to send a search party out for the

    dark, mean and moody Beta I had so often encountered as he yfully teased me, taking my hands

    away from my face as I tried to hide my embarrassment at my own words. I had spoken without

    thinking, but I had noticed that seemed to be happening more and moretely when I was around

    him¡­

    Though this time I had truly embarrassed myself¡­ and was desperate for him not to be looking at

    me. Hearing himughing was bad enough. He had my hands almost pinned either side of my

    head, and my whole body felt alive to his touch right now as he looked down at me. ¡°Oh no, I don¡¯t

    think we will. I think I quite like the naughty side of you.¡± he murmured, taking me by surprise, as his

    lips moved toward mine.

    He was so gentle as his lips caressed mine, careful too, that his body was not pressing onto mine,

    but this suddenly felt an awful lot more intimate than it had when we were kissing outside¡­ we

    were in my bed¡­ maybe this was moving too fast¡­ but it felt good¡­

    I ran my hand through his hair, pulling him a little closer to me, allowing him to deepen the kiss. His

    tongue finding mine once more. I felt the urgency within our kissing shift, as Asher teased at my lips

    and tongue with his own, sending a shiver of pleasure throughout my body. I don¡¯t think I had

    realized I had wanted him like this¡­

    I lowered my hand to slip it under his shirt, he gasped at the

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    touch of my hand upon his hard abs, as my fingertips gently traced the warm skin underneath

    Asher¡¯s body tensed under my touch, as he moaned, before pulling away from me, sitting himself

    up suddenly. He looked awkward. ¡°I think we should stop.¡± He whispered, awkwardly chewing his

    lower lip, seeming to avoid my gaze.

    What had happened? His touch had felt so good¡­ I am not sure that I had wanted him to stop¡­ I

    know that is wrong. This was all so fast¡­ but it felt right. It felt good¡­

    ¡°Okay.¡± I nodded, sitting myself up, pulling down my tank top that had begun to ride up.

    Asher was sitting on the edge of my bed, meaning I was trapped, and I watched him as he dropped

    his head into his hands, while his elbows rested upon his knees, his hands running through his thick

    dark hair. He hadn¡¯t said a word for quite some time, and the awkward silence was making me feel

    so ufortable.

    ¡®Is his wolf okay?¡¯ I reached out to Akira for help, knowing they were nowmunicating kind of

    helped.

    ¡®Yep. All him.¡¯ Okay, so that didn¡¯t help.

    ¡®Does he know what is wrong with him?¡¯ I probed, hoping she may be able to give me a little more

    than she actually had.

    But she was quiet. I knelt up on the bed, leaning over to try to ce my hand on Asher¡¯s shoulder,

    getting my foot caught in the nket as I did, sending myself stumbling forward, and in doing so, I

    nearly fell off the edge of the bed. Wow! Nothing like making a show of myself¡­

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    Chapter 108- Bailey

    288 Vouchers

    Thankfully, Asher quickly reacted, putting his arms out, and stopping me. ¡°Woah, what are you

    doing?!¡± he chuckled. ¡°Gymnastics isn¡¯t really for the bed you know?¡±

    ¡®Depends if you are incorporating it into other things.¡¯ Akira giggled.

    I flushed at her suggestion, but did not acknowledge her. I did not need that thought in my mind. I

    looked up at Asher and smiled. ¡°I know, I wasing to see if you were okay, and I got caught up in

    the nket is all.¡±

    He softly ced me back on the bed, though he pulled me close to him in doing so. ¡°Why would I

    not be okay?¡±

    ¡°You rushed away. I thought I might have done something wrong. And you looked a little stressed.¡± I

    exined. N?velDrama.Org content.

    Asher looked at me with a nervous smile. ¡°Aww, beautiful. Trust me, you did nothing wrong. You

    were doing all the right things, that was the problem.¡± He looked at me with his brow raised, as if to

    try to indicate something, and I flushed when I realized what he might be meaning. ¡°I stopped then,

    because if I didn¡¯t, I was not sure whether I would be able to stop. I don¡¯t want you to regret this,

    Bailey.¡±

    The butterflies in my belly were going at full force now, as was my heart. He was the sweetest¡­

    ¡°And as for looking stressed, I was worried I pushed you too far. tam a whole bag of mixed up

    feelings right now, if I am honest,

    Bailey, but this has hit me like a f**g freight train.¡±

    I looked at him in shock. ¡°I¡¯m that bad?¡±

    Chapter 108-Bailey

    288 Vouchers

    Heughed. ¡°Okay, maybe not the best thing topare it to. Look, I never imed to be the next

    Shakespeare, okay? What I meant was that all this came so out of the blue. The feelings. Wanting

    you¡­ it wasn¡¯t what I expected. But then I am wanting you more than I thought possible¡­¡± he

    sighed, his head dropping.

    I ced my hand upon his chest. ¡°Look, I understand and trust me, ¡®I feel the same. This is not what

    I expected either. But, how about this, we don¡¯t need to think about it? Don¡¯t need to exin it or

    understand it? Just see what happens? That way you aren¡¯t putting added pressure on yourself. We

    can just enjoy ourselves.¡±

    I watched as his face broke into a smile. ¡°I think that sounds good.¡± He softly kissed the top of my

    head.

    ¡°But, just so you know, I don¡¯t think I would ever regret it.¡± I whispered as I moved my mouth next to

    his ear, and his eyes widened a little at my words. ¡°And I definitely don¡¯t think I wanted you to stop.¡±

    I added with a smile, as I feel his heart rate picking up under my hand upon his chest.

 Beauty 109

    Beauty 109

    Chapter 109 ¨C Morgan

    I rushed out of the house, already runningte for my hair appointment. I dashed down the steps of

    the porch when I heard a car door m shut at the house next door and instinctively, my eyes

    flicked to their driveway, only to see the familiar ck jeep of Miles. My heart dropped. He had

    avoided me since that night by theke. Never giving me an exnation as to why he had done

    what he did. Other than a one¨Clined

    message.

    Sorry. But, you were never Meant for me. We know that. I am going on tour to find a chosen mate.

    Time for us to move on.

    My heart had felt like it had broken at the sight of the message. I had clung to the hope he would

    come around to the idea of e woulde around to the idea of being with me. Wondering if what he

    had said in his message was just words to hurt me. It was a tactic Miles often used. He seemed to

    gain pleasure in seeing others suffer; and he had a vicious tongue at times. I knew he was far from

    a decent guy, yet I missed him terribly. The times I read and re¨Cread his message was crazy. It

    didn¡¯t make sense to me. He was an Alpha. He would never have to take a chosen mate. He would

    be the one making the rules.

    in the

    But, then when, I had then heard of the ns being made by the Alpha, my Dad and my brother

    too, of a tour for Miles to go around the packs of the country to meet potential mates, I

    11:16

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    288 Vouchers

    N?velDrama.Org content.

    realized what he had said had been the truth. He had decided, or been told, he should find a

    chosen mate beforeing Alpha, and he would be returning home with a prospective new mate. I

    had been well and truly been discarded.

    I was never going to be with him, and I felt my world crumbling around me. I had felt so alive when

    he had begun to show me attention. Yes, he was older than me,

    32 from being a teenager,

    I had thought he was truly amazing. A real heartthrob. Like so

    many young she¨Cwolves¡­ well, probably not just the young she- wolves, if rumors were anything to

    go by¡­ Miles liked thedies, and thedies liked him.

    So, when he began to pay mepliments, and seek me out at events, I felt privileged. I naively

    believed he must want me. Must be interested in me. However, now with how he has treated me, I

    can not help but wonder if he had ulterior motives. My head had been all over the ce since he

    had been treating me like this, and even more since the event at theke¡­

    However, I had since heard that Miles had returned from this so- called tour early, having ordered

    his Dad that it was not what he wanted. I was shocked. Everyone knew that Miles did not like being

    told what to do, but for him to stand up to his Dad in such a way was crazy. But, it was typical Miles.

    He was getting tired of being kept waiting for his Alpha title, and he was beginning to show it in his

    actions. But, hearing he had refused to take a chosen mate¡­ well, let me just say, it gave me hope

    that he may consider me again¡­ I could be a chosen mate if he would only Hook close enough! I

    know I could make a perfect mate for him¡­

    But, I had not seen him since he had returned. Scared of how he might react to me, considering

    how he had treated me. All until now. His eyes zoned in on me, as I almost stumbled on thest

    11:16

    Chapter 109¨CMorgan

    288 iVouchers

    step of the porch, quickly steadying myself. I saw him smirk. I felt his eyes flickering across my

    body, dressed in short denim cut¨Coffs and a little white cropped top, a lot of my body was on

    disy, exactly the way he liked¡­

    ¡°Begging for it, aren¡¯t you Morgan dressing like that?¡± he sneered, leaning against his car, and I

    turned to look at him with disgust.

    ¡°What is that meant to mean?¡±

    Was he reallymenting on my clothes?! The sun was shining and the weather so warm, so I was

    dressed ordingly. Who was he to say otherwise?

    ¡°Exactly what it sounded like.¡± he chuckled. ¡°Dressing like a hooker, you may as well be wandering

    around the pack offering your services to the men.¡±

    His words hit me like a spear to my heart, but I did all I could to act like they had not bothered me. ¡°I

    will dress how I like. And I am perfectly covered up. Nothing on disy except my legs, belly and

    arms. All the vital ces are covered, jackass.¡± I snarled.

    His gaze darkened at my sharpness of tone, which I rarely took with him, but I would not have him

    insult me like that. This was how so many of the girls in the pack would dress. It was in fashion right

    now. Not to mention the weather was so warm¡­

    ¡°Oh, does the truth hurt, does it, whore? You know you are desperate for it. You were ready to give

    it up for me. I bet any damn wolf in here could have you on a fucking te if he told you the right

    thing.¡± He moved closer, venom in his voice -making me shudder. ¡°You know what that is called,

    Morgan?

    Chapter 109¨CMorgan

    288 Vouchers

    Easy. So fucking easy.¡±

    ¡°Easy, huh?¡± Iughed. ¡°So easy, that you never had me.¡±

    I began to walk away, not willing to stand and continue being insulted by him any longer. He was

    the worst. But he dashed after me and soon joined me by my side, taking a tight grip upon my arm.

    ¡°Don¡¯t even tter yourself darling, if I wanted you; I would have had you. Just like that.¡± And he

    clicked his fingers to show me. ¡°Difference was, I never really wanted you.¡±

    I felt my heart clench in pain. How can he say that? The things he used to say to me, he can¡¯t have

    lied about it all¡­ he had said so much¡­

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be too sure.¡± I rolled my eyes at him.

    ¡°You suddenly seem to be awfully confident little Morgan.¡± He tugged at my hair. ¡°You off to meet a

    new man? Is that why you are all dressed up, like some cheap hooker?¡±

    ¡°I am not dressed like a fucking hooker. These are just the clothes I like! Clothes that are

    fashionable right now. Clothes that lots of she¨Cwolves are wearing, you should know,

    considering half the women you have slept with wear this sort of thing.¡± I snapped.

    ¡°Well, my new mate will not be dressing like that when she arrives next week. She will be

    respectable. Outside, of course, in the bedroom, my wife will be like a hooker. Doing all I ask of

    her¡­¡± he tells me with a smirk, as my heart dropped at the mention of a new mate¡­ they had said

    the tour had been called off¡­ so how had he found a new mate? My heart clenched in pain¡­ he

    would be married? And the look of pleasure upon Miles¡¯s face told me he was enjoying seeing me

    suffer at

 Beauty 110

    Beauty 110

    Chapter 110- Bailey

    The weather had been glorious today, meaning I had enjoyed my early morning training session

    outside rather than at the gym, and if the sunshine continued, I would be going for a run after work,

    allowing Akira to have the run she craved. The sunshine had put everybody in a cheerful mood, and

    the children, like so many of us, were desperate to spend their time in the sunshine, so I taught my

    ss in our outdoor area of the ssroom toward the end of the day. The children all happily took

    part in the activities I had provided for them, while they sang the songs we had been practicing for

    their uing concert for their parents. A movement caught my eyes as I nced up, only to catch

    sight of Asher. I had not been expecting him here today, but I was sure he was watching me¡­

    Akira chuckled. ¡®Aww. I think he has it bad.¡®

    ¡®Don¡¯t even go there.¡® I wanred her. I knew she was only teasing me, but I was not willing to sit and

    analyze everything. This would not happen. We had seen each other on and off over thest week.

    Sitting in the lounge of an evening enjoying one another¡¯spany, watching films, having our

    dinner together in there too. Yes, there had been plenty of moments where kissing had happened,

    but we never took things any further. That isn¡¯t to say I didn¡¯t want to. Hell, I was literally desperate

    for him at some moments, but I didn¡¯t want to rush him. I knew he found this adjustment difficult with

    the loss of his mate, and I know he thought he shouldn¡¯t rush me¡­

    So, we enjoyed one another¡¯spany. And, I have to say, I did enjoy my time with him. He

    seemed so much more light¨Chearted

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    Chapter 110¨CBailey

    288 Vouchers

    and, I dare to say, happier. Maybe it is me being big¨Cheaded to suggest I could make him happier,

    but he seems different in himself¡­

    Right now he was leaning against the wall outside of the school grounds, but in such a position he

    could see my area of the outdoor ssroom. ¡°Oh look kids, there is Beta Asher, shall we give him a

    wave.¡± I said to my ss with a grin, knowing he would hate me for it, as I pointed in his direction.

    All the children from my ss waved eagerly at their pack Beta, who shook his head slightly before

    waving back.

    ¡°Miss Bailey, me not think he likes that.¡± Danny said from the spot he was kneeling. ¡°He looks

    mighty grumpy. Like my Daddy does when he wakes up.¡±

    I had to smile at his words. Yeah, he did look mighty grumpy, but to be fair, I think he often did¡­

    you¡¯d think these kids would be used to that by now. ¡°Ah well, a little bit of sunshine can

    brighten somebody¡¯s day, right?¡± grinned at the little boy, and he nodded me.

    ¡°Sunshine is better than rain and clouds.¡± He adds. ¡°I think Beta is rain and clouds. He needs some

    sunshine. Then you get rainbow too.¡± The young boy sounded so enthusiastic in his exnation, I

    had to smile, nodding at him, showing him I totally agreed. Before leading my ss back inside to

    gather their things together before their parents arrived to collect them. Soon, all the children were

    gone, and Asher was striding into my ssroom.

    ¡°Good afternoon Miss Bailey.¡± He winked, wrapping his arms around me, pushing me up against the

    wall next to my ssroom door. His lips instantly found mine, with an urgency

    11:160

    Chapter 110¨CBailey

    like he had not seen me for days..

    ¡°Asher, what if one of the other teacherses in?¡± I urged, pushing him away.

    288 (Vouchers

    He lets me go, with a deep sigh, nodding. ¡°Sorry.¡± He shrugged. ¡°I missed you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, was that why you came to spy on me?¡± I teased, though secretly, I was shocked at him for

    admitting he had missed me. We had not said we were together. Not properly. He had seen mest

    night¡­ was it normal for him to be missing me?!

    ¡°Hmm.¡± He smirked. ¡°Talking of that, getting your whole ss to wave at me?¡±

    Iughed. ¡°What can I say? A little sunshine brightens someone¡® s day.¡±

    ¡°You surely brighten my day.¡± He says softly, offering me his hand, and I took it as he ran his fingers

    over my palm. ¡°Can I walk you home, beautiful?¡± he asked, and again I felt myself softening, as it

    appeared he had basicallye to walk me home.

    ¡®Well, isn¡¯t that just the sweetest dang thing?¡® Akira teased.

    Ignoring my wolf and her gentle teasing, I answered Asher with a smile. ¡°I think that would be good.¡±

    I looked up at him, and could see a tenderness in his big green eyes that melted my heart.

    ¡°Oh, and Zion wonders if Akira fancies a run againter?¡± he suggested, and I couldn¡¯t help but

    laugh. We had gone for a walk together a few nights previous, and Asher¡¯s wolf had been

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    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    11 288 Vouchers

    so desperate to go for a run with Akira that Asher was struggling to hold him back. Though in truth,

    Akira was just as excited about the prospect. They loved their time together. The two of them truly

    seemed to find somefort in one another. Afort or a friendship¡­ I wasn¡¯t sure what the

    correct term would be, but they seemed to crave one another¡¯spany more and more ofte¡­

    It wasn¡¯t like I didn¡¯t n to go for a run. I generally found time each afternoon or evening to run, to

    allow Akira time to shift if I could¡­ so, somepany would definitely be nice¡­

    ¡°Oh, does he now?¡± I teased. ¡°And does he n to behave?¡±

    ¡°That I can¡¯t promise, but he will try.¡± He chuckled, just as the door opened and Alli walked in, her

    eyebrows almost disappearing into her hairline as she saw Asher sitting so close to me. He instantly

    dropped my hand. It was things like that which made me think he wasn¡¯t ready for anything more

    than friendship¡­

    ¡°Well, hello, Beta Asher. I didn¡¯t realize you wereing today. Is everything okay?¡± she asked, her

    eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Asher almost suspiciously.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Asher nodded, avoiding the intense gaze of his former mother¨Cinw, ¡°All good Alli. Just

    came by to see if Miss West was free toe and discuss some things with Luna Eden.¡±

    I felt my body tense at his words. Miss West? Am I now Miss West again?! And in the conversation

    we had just had there had been no mention of the Luna¡­ Had he just lied to cover up the fact he

    hade to see me? Ashamed of the fact he had wanted to see me? Pain and hurt wracked

    through me. I had allowed him to get close to me, yet it seemed I was nothing

    11:16

    Chapter 110- Bailey

    more than a cheap and dirty sec

    I knew I was never good enough considered this, I could not help wondered if I was truly good enc

    now, his actions definitely did ne

    Chapter 110¨CBailey

    more than a cheap and dirty secret¡­

    I knew I was never good enough for Miles, but when I considered this, I could not help but

    contemte if Asher wondered if I was truly good enough for him¡­ because right now, his actions

    definitely did not seem to indicate that¡­

 Chapter 0111

    Chapter 0111

    What is it about that woman that messes with my mind? Puts me on edge and makes me question

    my own sanity? Not to mention the fact my wolf seems to have gone missing in action ever since I

    caught him all but gazing adoringly at her. None of this made sense. She was no connection to me,

    nor would she be. And the way Alli was suddenly dropping these bizarrements made me feel

    uneasy.

    I rushed from the ssroom, down the now empty corridor toward the school door. ¡°Ah here again,

    Beta Asher?¡± Gabby the other teacher, greeted me with a cheeky wink. ¡°Anyone would think you

    were checking up on us.¡±

    Oh, wonderful, just what I needed, another teacher makingments implying things too. I should

    just have stayed in my office. It was safer there. There were no other people...

    ¡°No, Miss Waterdale. Here simply, as Luna Eden asked of me, checking in on the new member of

    staff to check she had settled in okay.¡± I said curtly, beginning to get irritated at their implication that

    I was here because I wanted to be. Or, even because there was something between Bailey and I.

    Because I am certain that that was what they were trying to imply. Well, they could not be further

    from the truth with that. Had Eden not forced me to be here, I would be sitting back in my office with

    a coffee in my hand, feeling perfectly fine.

    ¡°Oh.¡± Gabby said with an ufortable nod, looking at me fearfully like I had roared at her or

    something. I swear, this reputation of me as being this grumpy and moody guy was so over-

    exaggerated. I was not that bad¡­

    I waited, expecting a sly dig from Zion at this point, as that sort of thought from me would definitely

    earn it usually, but there was nothing. He was definitely deserting me right now. Ah well, not like it

    made much difference. It just meant I wouldn¡¯t be going for my usual run with him. Plus, on a

    positive note, it means I get to have some peace.

    I quickly pushed the door open of the school, d to get away, and try to free my mind of everything

    that had happened today, but as I do leave the school I am surprised to see Marc standing there.

    ¡°Hey Asher.¡± He greeted me with a smile.

    I nodded at him in acknowledgment to his greeting, but I could not help but wonder if he was here to

    see his Mum or Bailey¡­

    N?velDrama.Org content.

    ¡°You okay?¡± he asked me, frowning slightly, likely at my overjoyed face. ¡°You don¡¯t look too happy.¡±

    ¡°I am fine. Getting a little tired of running errands for other people. You here to meet your Mum?¡± I

    asked, unable to help myself. Feeling an undeniable need to answer my curiosity.

    ¡°Mum suggested Ie and wee Bailey.¡± He said with a smile. ¡°I mentioned to her that I had

    met her the other day, and she found the story quite amusing.¡±

    My breathing began to quicken for no apparent reason. He was here to see Bailey¡­ Was that why

    Alli wanted me to leave? I simply nodded. ¡°Well, I shall leave you to it then. I do believe she is in the

    ssroom with your Mum.¡±

    ¡°Asher, are you okay?¡± Marc started to walk alongside me, as I began to walk away. ¡°I know you got

    ufortable at us talking about this the other day, but you seem genuinely disappointed now at

    the mention of me calling in to see Bailey. If you are unsure of how you feel for her, then I

    understand that, you know? I will head home, tell Mum I got held up at work.¡±

    I gave him a dark re. ¡°For fuck''s sake. What is it with people implying this today? Miss Waterdale

    just implied the same thing, I am sure of it, and I am sure your Mum is dropping hints. There is

    nothing between Miss West and I. Eden asked me to check in on her. Told me to make her

    wee. I am rubbish with people, you know that. But, it seems to involve me having to be around

    her more than I may like.¡± I snapped, and I found Marc looking at me curiously, with a smirk upon

    his face.

    ¡°Okay. If you say so. You were always a weird one, Ash.¡± He nodded. ¡°I may head back to work

    anyway. I missed some training toe here, and if I go into school Mum will likely find me things

    to do, and I will never get away.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to make excuses for me Marc.¡± I told him with a roll of my eyes, wondering if his

    excuse was for my benefit, thinking he did not believe my reasoning.

    ¡°Oh it isn¡¯t. I snuck away, and if Gamma realizes he will kick my ass.¡± He chuckled. ¡°So, if he sees

    me with you, he may go easy on me.¡±

    I rolled my eyes at him. ¡°So you are using me as your excuse?¡± I questioned.

    ¡°What are old brother-inws for?¡± he grinned, and Iughed.

    ¡°Fair enough.¡± I said with a shrug.

    ¡°So, did the beautiful Bailey have a good first day?¡± Marc asked me with a smile and I rolled my

    eyes once more.

    ¡°If you think she is that beautiful Marc, then go back to school.¡± I told him icily. ¡°But, from what I

    heard, yes, she loved it.¡±

    ¡°Need to keep hold of this one, eh?¡±

    What the hell did that mean? ¡°Why would I need to keep hold of her?¡± I snapped.

    Marcughed, and with a shake of his head he looked at me. ¡°Hmm. I think you may want to

    reconsider that thought that you aren¡¯t interested in her, Ash.¡± He yfully pped me on the

    shoulder. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be in any shame in it. You wouldn¡¯t be betraying I either. It has been seven

    years now. Finding another mate wouldn¡¯t be the end of the world. Better than being alone, right?¡±

    I quickly increased my speed. ¡°Fuck off Marc. You haven¡¯t got a fucking clue.¡±

 Chapter 0112

    Chapter 0112

    Therapy was as horrendous as I expected. Talk about this, Miles. Talk about that, Miles. How does

    this make you feel, Miles? How does that make you feel, Miles? I was ready to tear their heads off

    by the end of it. But, I had to prove to this Kaia that I was more than capable of doing this treatment.

    I would not allow her to belittle me andpare me to a tantrum-throwing toddler. She seemed to

    think she was above me, but I would find a way to show her otherwise.

    ¡°Well, I think that is enough for now.¡± Ben told me with a small smile, yet the fear within his eyes

    betrayed him. This fool was absolutely terrified of me. Exactly the way I liked it to be as well. He

    wouldn¡¯t argue with me then. He knew his ce.

    ¡°Too right it is.¡± I said coldly.

    ¡°But, I or one of the other staff members wille and find you in a little while for your next

    session.¡± He said, and the tremble in his voice told me he was anxious about telling me that.

    ¡°More?¡± I demanded. They had to be kidding. I had given in and agreed to this session. Why could

    that not be enough? They should be grateful for that!

    ¡°Kaia asked that you attend all the sessions we require of you to ensure the programme is

    completed as quickly as possible.¡± Ben said nervously.

    "Kaia asked that?¡± his words had caught my attention by the simple mention of her name. Why was

    she involving herself in my care all of a sudden? I am sure I have not met her before now. She had

    most definitely not been treating me before this. I would have remembered a girl like that.

    Ben nodded. ¡°Your parents have been in touch. They wanted a likely date ofpletion. When we

    told them no progress had been made, they were far from pleased.¡±Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    I rolled my eyes, my fists clenched in fury. What on earth would possess them to tell my parents

    that? Of course, my parents would be irritated by that news if they had sent me here with the hope

    of me being fixed upon my return. Expecting me to be the good little boy they so desperately craved

    for a son, attending every therapy session offered to me. Co-operating with everything I was asked.

    It was like they didn¡¯t even know me at all¡­

    ¡°And why did that involve Kaia?¡± I inquired, trying to push back the building anger. I needed

    answers as to why she was suddenly involved.

    Ben looked at me curiously. ¡°Kaia is the Alpha¡¯s daughter, the youngest of eight children. She felt

    almost irrelevant within the pack, hence her doing her training for her role here. But obviously, the

    treatment center here is used frequently by other packs as an alternative to treatment out in the

    human world. Unfortunately, when things are not going as nned, the Alphas tend to go straight to

    the Alpha toin, and that was exactly what your father did.¡± Ben fidgeted nervously with his

    hands as he spoke.

    ¡°Wonderful, so now the Alpha here is aware I did not want to do my treatment?¡± I asked. Nothing

    like making him question my abilities as an Alpha for the future...

    Ben chewed his lower lip anxiously now, before meeting my angry re. ¡°I think with the way you

    have been shouting. Or ranting and raving Miles, most of the pack were aware, in all honesty. But,

    as I was saying, your father went to the Alpha. The Alpha went to his daughter, telling her to deal

    with the issue. So, Kaia came to deal with your treatment n personally, and that was what

    happened when she walked in this morning.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°So, she is part of my treatment team now?¡± I held back the small smile forming on my

    lips. I think I coulde to like the idea of Kaia treating me¡­ Mmmm, I could think of many ways

    that girl could make me feel better...

 Chapter 0113

    Chapter 0113

    ¡°That I am unsure of. But she is most certainly involved in ensuring youplete the programme as

    quickly as possible. So, it will be multiple treatment sessions a day, I am afraid.¡± Ben said as we

    reached the door to my room.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Wonderful.¡± I said sarcastically, as I walked inside, harshly closing the door on him, surprised to

    find Kaia sitting inside.

    ¡°Miles.¡± She said icily. ¡°I wondered how long you would be.¡±

    My heart rate instantly picked up at the sight of her. She was too good to be wasting away working

    as a team member in some treatment center¡­

    ¡°I havepleted the treatment session as you requested.¡± I said sarcastically.

    ¡°Oh, I did not request a thing. That was of your own free will, I think you will find Alpha.¡± She said

    with a smirk, and the word Alpha from her lips had my cock twitching within my pants for her.

    ¡°Hmm, I think I would disagree with that.¡± I said with a smirk, moving over to where she was sitting.

    ¡°From what I have heard, there isn¡¯t much you don¡¯t disagree with Alpha.¡± She almost purrs at me.

    ¡°But, as I said, nobody forced you to attend your treatment, we merely asked you, and today, you

    chose to go. So, that was a good decision on your part, I would say.¡±

    I moved closer, deeply inhaling the perfume I could smell upon her. ¡°And do I get rewarded for my

    good decision?¡± I almost whispered into her ear. My voice is deep and hoarse...

    She quickly moved away from me, a look of shock upon her face. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are

    thinking, Miles. But, I, for one, do not work like that. Right now, you are my patient.¡± She said,

    moving toward the door, as I quickly grabbed her hand, and stopped her.

    Her gaze quickly met mine, and I saw a slight amount of fear there, but it was exactly that, slight.

    Her gaze was filled mainly with anger. I don¡¯t think this woman found me intimidating the way the

    others did. And I swear it drove me wild¡­

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I murmured, as I moved myself closer to her once again.

    ¡°I have a job to do, Miles. As I have said, you are my patient. So, I would appreciate you taking your

    hands from me. I hade to your room at my father''s request simply to inform you that your

    parents nned to call you shortly. However, if you cannot be trusted to have staff memberse

    to your room alone without you assuming they are here for sexual favors, then perhaps I should

    have you moved to a multiple-upancy room?¡± she said, raising her brows at me, questioning me.

    ¡°I''m a fucking Alpha. I ain¡¯t sharing a room!¡± I snapped.

    ¡°Yes¡­ Well, not quite, are you? And, if you continue with this sort of behavior, I imagine being

    Alpha will fall to your younger brother. But, I am a fucking Alpha¡¯s daughter. And I don¡¯t think my

    Daddy would like to know you are trying to grope his little girl, so take your hands off me.¡± She

    moved her face a little closer to mine. ¡°Now¡± she added with a hiss, making me drop her arm.

    She gave me a small smirk as she began to walk away from me. ¡°Good. Start learning to listen and

    do as you are told, Miles, and you may actually seed.¡± She said, giving me a sarcastic wink

    before closing my room door, leaving me standing in the middle of my room wondering who the hell

    this girl was, and why she seemed to have such an effect on me. I think I wanted her¡­

 Chapter 0114

    Chapter 0114

    I had headed to the dining hall for my dinner, looking forward to going back to my room and rxing

    for the evening. So, I was more than a little surprised to have seen Marc, the warrior who had saved

    me from getting lost as I queued up. He had waved as he came into the hall with some other

    warriors, and came across to see me, a big smile upon his face.

    ¡°Well hello, hello.¡± He winked. ¡°You didn¡¯t get lost on your way here then?¡± he teased, gaining some

    curious gazes from the men with him.

    I shook my head and gave him a disparaging look. ¡°Ooooh, funny. You left your sense of humor out

    there then?¡± I asked, and he grinned.

    ¡°So,e on then Miss Bailey, how did your first day go, I have been thinking of you all day¡­¡± he

    paused momentarily. ¡°That sounded bad didn¡¯t it?¡±

    One of the other warriors with him looked at him with a grin and nodded. ¡°Was that why Wes could

    bring you down?¡±

    Marc gave him a sarcastic grin. ¡°Funny. Bailey knew what I meant, she is working with my Mum.

    Mum has been on about her working there for thest few days, so I was wondering how she got

    on, is all.¡± He exined and the guys with him, all dressed in the ck cargos and ck t-shirts and

    heavy ck boots, that seemed to be the uniform for the warriors, nodded as if they agreed.

    ¡°Well, thank you for asking, whether you were being weird or not. My first day was good, thanks.¡± I

    told him, and he winked.

    ¡°No problem princess.¡± He said as we moved along in the queue. ¡°These are some of the guys from

    the team I work in, Wes, Aziz, and Felix.¡± He introduced his friends and I smiled at each of them,

    while they nodded at me in greeting.

    We waited a little while longer within the queue and I stood awkwardly as the four of them joked

    around. So, as soon as I had the opportunity, I sorted my food, and said my goodbyes to Marc and

    his friends. Feeling it was better to give them their space, and to be honest, I was craving peace

    again, so I went to find a quiet ce at a table in the corner of the dining hall where I tended to go

    and eat on my own each evening. I was surprised when I looked up to find Marc hade to sit

    with me.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I asked. ¡°You don¡¯t have to sit with me, go sit with your friends.¡± I told

    him, really unsure why he would choose toe and sit with me when he barely knew me.

    ¡°And have thedy sit on her own?¡± he said with a smile. ¡°What sort of gentleman would that make

    me?¡±

    ¡°One, that I assume from how Beta Asher reacted isn¡¯t much of gentleman.¡± I teased, and he

    chuckled.

    ¡°Hmmm. Is that right? You want to remember I saved you. So, I am some form of a gentleman." he

    yfully grinned. "And there was me thinking you were a sweet girl.¡±

    I smiled, with a shake of my head. ¡°I don¡¯t think I said that.¡±

    ¡°Oooh. Now, this sounds fun.¡± He wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively, and I felt myself

    blushing,pletely not meaning it the way he seemed to be now implying.

    ¡°That is not what I meant.¡±

    ¡°Aww, you spoilsport, getting a boy excited.¡± He winked at me, before eating his food.

    Iughed. He seemed to be so easy-going and funny. Carefree, and liking to tease. In some ways,

    he reminded me a little of Harley.

    ¡°Did you have a good day at work?¡± I asked him.

    And soon I found myself lost in his tales of his warrior training sessions he had endured during the

    day, but, I found myselfughing at the way he told them. Again, in this way, he reminded so much

    of Harley, always able to make a story sound amusing. He sounded like he was a pretty senior

    warrior within the pack from the way he spoke, and the way he spoke of his training and his team, I

    could see that being a warrior meant a lot to him.

    ¡°I bet your Mum is proud of you.¡± I told him with a smile.

    ¡°I think so, maybe a little. Though scared too, after losing Dad through being a warrior.¡± He says,

    looking down at his hands, and I realized he felt a little ufortable.

    ¡°I am sorry.¡± I told him, unsure what else to say in such an awkward situation.

    ¡°Why are you sorry, princess? Not your fault. A risk of the job. We all know that when we do it.

    Doesn¡¯t stop us doing it.¡± He says with a sad smile before looking up. As he looked up, so did I, and

    it was only as I did that I realized that the dining hall was almost empty now. We must have been

    chatting for ages. The conversation had been so easy and free-flowing.

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    ¡°Wow, I think I have been boring you for long enough, Bailey. Go back to your room, have a soak in

    the bath and rx. I think you earned it today.¡± He winked at me. ¡°I am off to the gym.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± I asked, shocked he would be going to the gym after training all day and after just eating.

    ¡°Hey, I didn¡¯t be this perfect without putting some hard work in.¡± he said with a grin as he

    walked away. ¡°See you soon Bailey. Have a good night, sweet cheeks.¡±

    The nickname he gave me just then was a serious reminder of Harley, and I struggled to fight the

    tears that were threatening, yet I smiled at him, giving him a wave as he walked away. Memories of

    Harley seem fresh in my mind because of the way he reminded me so much of him. I dropped my

    head into my hands, as I picked up my phone, looking at the photographs I had of him, and I felt the

    tears prickling in my eyes as I did. I hated how things had turned out...

    I quickly stood up, knowing I didn''t want to be seen crying in the dining hall, so I made my way out

    of the hall, needing desperately to get back to my room. But, my fingers lingered over Harley''s

    contact details, contemting messaging him or even calling him, as I walked back toward my

    room, but, I quickly shoved my phone back into my bag, fighting the threatening tears.

    My head was all over right now. So distracted with too many thoughts of him. Yet, I know I needed

    to allow him this time to adjust to life with his new mate. I needed to let him go. He had never really

    been mine, and I should have known that...

    It was only as I got to the top of the stairs onto thending I crashed into the toned body of

    someone, face first¡­ all because I had been distracted. With a heavy thud as I impacted them, I

    stumbled a little, and there was nothing I could do¡­ I began to fall backwards... my heart racing at

    the fear of me falling. My arms iling desperate to grip onto something... my eyes tight shut, fearful

    of the fall to the bottom of the stairs... but suddenly two strong arms grabbed me and pulled me

    upward... as I was pulled into the embrace of someone... as I pried my eyes open, my gaze met the

    eyes of Asher¡­

 Chapter 0115

    Chapter 0115

    I had been on my way back to my office to do some additional work, just the usual for me of an

    evening. I hadn¡¯t been paying attention to where I was going as I was reading an article on my

    phone, and it was only when I felt the impact to my chest that I realized Bailey was there. The

    second I realized she was falling, I quickly went into action, and leaped forward, grabbing her and

    pulling her to me, my heart pounding in desperate fear filling me that she was going to fall all the

    way down the stairs.

    But, thankfully, I had her in my arms, as I lowered myself onto the top step, Bailey still in my arms,

    both of us trembling. Her eyes had been clenched shut, but she slowly pried them open, looking at

    me with what could only be described as a look of horror and embarrassment.

    She jumped back, as if my touch was repulsive to her. And I had to say I was a little hurt by that, but

    tried hard to ignore it. ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked her, trying to check her over. As she quickly moved

    herself from my embrace, to sit herself next to me. How do I seem to find myself in these messes?

    She nodded. ¡°Sorry, I wasn¡¯t looking where I was going.¡± I noticed a loose strand of her hair falling

    over her face, and I don¡¯t know why, but I found myself reaching out to gently brush it back, but I

    saw her eyes widen at me as I did. Did I do the wrong thing? Should I not have touched her? Was

    she hurt? Now I was more worried she might be hurt. Yet her big brown eyes look up at me, and I

    swear my heart pounds harder in my chest as she looks at me, not saying a thing.

    ¡°I think I may have been pre-upied too.¡± I told her, not wanting her to take all the me. Then as

    I looked at her, I saw tears leaking from her eyes. Had she been crying before? Or was it through

    what had happened? I am sure I had stopped her falling, so she shouldn¡¯t have hurt herself badly. I

    am sure of that¡­

    She shrugged, going to stand up, but I reached for her hand without even thinking, wanting to check

    she was okay. ¡°Bailey, you look like you have been crying, is everything okay?¡± I asked softly. ¡°Did

    you hurt yourself when I stopped you falling? Are you hurt?¡± questions seemed to blurt from my

    mouth. Making me sound like a thering fool right now, but I was desperate to know if she was

    okay...

    As she lowered herself back down to sit down alongside me on the top step, she shook her head. ¡°I

    am fine. Beta Asher. Really, I am.¡±

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    I had to say I was missing all of Zion¡¯s slyments right now, because no doubt he would have

    plenty to say right now. But, since he had left me earlier today, he had yet to return, and as much as

    I had said I would be d of the peace, his absence was beginning to bother me¡­

    Though, Bailey¡¯sck of information bothered me too. She didn¡¯t seem fine. There was a wobble in

    her voice, but I don''t know if that was simply because she was shaken from nearly falling down the

    stairs. That would make sense. But, would that make her cry? I am not so sure that it would.

    ¡°Bailey, I know I have not made the best first impression, and I doubt I ever will. I am not the best

    with people. But, please, Eden is desperate for me to make sure you are okay¡­¡± I paused,

    contemting if I should be honest here or not. ¡°And, in truth, I want to make sure you are okay too.

    Me, not Eden. Me. I know there are somethings you are not sharing with us¡­¡± I faltered slightly,

    unsure how to word what I wanted to say, while Bailey looked at me, a little confused, a little scared.

    Could I me her? No¡­ because in truth I think they were a safe estimate of how I feel right now,

    and little rarely scared me.

 Chapter 0116

    Chapter 0116

    I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, realizing she was expecting me to continue what I

    was saying. ¡°Eurgh¡­ I am even worse with words. Look, I realize some things are private, so you

    may not want to share them. But I am worried about you. Maybe I have no right to be. But I am. You

    look like you have been crying¡­ or want to cry. And that bothers me. Look, you can tell me to mind

    my own business, and in truth, I probably would if I were you, but, is there anything I can help with?¡±

    My words feel jumbled as they blurt from my mouth...

    I sit, my breathing rapid as I am feeling like a total idiot at the words I have just blurted out as Bailey

    looks at me,pletely lost¡­

    Then, she suddenly sighed, a sigh that sounded like it came from her feet. It was so deep. But, she

    shook her head. ¡°Beta Asher, honestly, it isn¡¯t even worth talking about.¡±

    ¡°Is any shit that makes you feel crappy?¡± I said, and she looked at me in surprise. ¡°And, didn¡¯t I say

    to call me Asher?¡± I reminded her.

    She shrugged in response to my words. ¡°Fine, Asher.¡± And I have to say, I am surprised just how

    good my name sounds from her lips¡­ it sounds pretty good¡­ but she continued. ¡°Like I said, it isn¡¯t

    even worth talking about. Or worrying you about. Let me say it is just me feeling sad over something

    that was never even mine.¡± She said quietly, before looking down at her feet, a blush of

    embarrassment crossing her face.

    ¡°You missing the guy who met his fated mate I guess?¡± I asked, and at my words I saw the pain

    across her face. I know my guess was likely right. ¡°I don¡¯t think there would be any shame in that.

    Especially if you guys were close. It is like losing someone, right? Losing a link that was there, and

    now it feels like it is lost?¡± I suggested how I saw it, though it pains me to admit, I hate the thought

    of her being close to another guy¡­

    Bailey shrugged, and suddenly, out of nowhere, Zion is back. After being absent all afternoon and

    evening, he is back, pacing within my mind, so on edge, and he is whimpering, like he can sense

    her pain and he doesn¡¯t like it. Not one little bit. Like he did not like to see her struggling. What is

    going on with my wolf today? I only prayed he did not get any louder, or she would be hearing him

    and I had no clue how I could exin that¡­

    ¡°I sound like I feel sorry for myself, but I don¡¯t. I just have the asional moment where things get

    on top of me, I guess. I can say without doubt, I would never have wanted to be with Miles. He

    treated me so badly before and after he rejected me. I had a lucky escape. But, I can¡¯t help but

    wonder if my own fated mate didn¡¯t want me, and the guy I turned to and trusted enough to consider

    as a chosen mate isn¡¯t there for me now, if I am forever going to be alone.¡± she whispered, and her

    words are so quiet they are barely audible, but because I am sitting next to her, I can hear her, and I

    can feel the pain within her voice.

    I saw a tear slide down her face. It sounded like she had been through too much, far too young. But,

    I know this pain she is talking of. Because I have felt the same pain in the years since I died. A

    pain that eats away at you. One that makes you wonder if you can cope. The fear of forever being

    alone¡­All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 0117

    Chapter 0117

    I looked across at Asher, and saw a sadness upon his face and I realized I had said far too much. I

    am not the only one who has had their own struggles. I should stop being selfish, and stop focusing

    on my own worries. I had been given a fresh start here in this pack, I didn¡¯t want to mess that up.

    Beta Asher had been through so much more than me, and here I was feeling sorry for myself to

    him, he must think of me as a silly little girl¡­

    I began to stand, thinking it better to give him some space, and again he ced his hand upon

    mine. ¡°Are you going to be okay?¡± he asked softly, so far from the ruthless and callous Beta I had

    met on that first night it was unreal. In many ways it was like he was apletely different guy¡­

    ¡®Hell, he almost seems human¡­ well, not human, werewolf¡­ but kind. Caring.. decent. A good guy.

    Who would of thunk it?¡¯ Akira chuckled, but for once, I didn¡¯t find her little digs at Asher all that

    funny. He genuinely did seem like a decent guy, even if some of it was being forced by Luna Eden.

    Maybe my mind had been that messed up with everything that was going on in my life, I had been

    too quick to judge him.

    He had enough to deal with, and did not need bringing down by me and my pathetic worries. I

    smiled. ¡°Yeah, I am always good.¡± I lied, and flicked my hair back from my face before looking at

    him again. ¡°I get these asional low moments, and then pick myself right back up. I will be good.

    You don¡¯t need to worry yourself about me, Asher. Some chocte and I am good to go.¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°I may have some chocte back at my ce if you want toe and share? Keep

    one anotherpany for a little while? So your mind isn¡¯t drifting back to the same things.¡± He

    suggested, a little tentatively, taking me by surprise, I had to say. That offer seemed so out of the

    blue, and so unlike him, I truly didn¡¯t know how to react to his offer¡­

    ¡®Ooohh, the Beta liiiikkkkeees yoooouuu!¡¯ Akira giggled, clearly thinking this was a perfect time to

    tease me, so I quickly put my block up to her, not needing her input right now. She was not funny.

    He did not like me at all. He was trying hard, likely very hard, to be kind, because Luna Eden had

    said to make sure I was okay. I should probably be grateful for his offer. But, still, it confused me. I

    highly doubt he wanted to be keeping mepany. I think he has been made to give up enough of

    his time for me over thest few days as it was thanks to Luna Eden. I didn¡¯t want him feeling he

    had to give up more of his time.

    ¡°You really don¡¯t need to.¡± I told him, with an ufortable smile.

    ¡°Oh.¡± He looks ufortable now. Almost a little hurt. Like a wounded puppy... How do I manage

    it? ¡°I just thought it might be better than both us sitting alone?¡± he suggested, and I found myself

    sighing, maybe he was right.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°What chocte have you got?¡± I asked, a little curious, because I knew my supply was running low

    in my room, and I needed to go out for more.

    He looked at me guiltily. ¡°Would you judge me if I said a cupboard full?¡±

    I giggled. ¡°Hell no! I would call you a dream guy!¡±

    And suddenly Asher wasughing, and it was such a bright and cheerful sound, something so

    unexpected from him, but it made me smile. He stood up, offering me his hand to pull me up. ¡°I

    don''t think I have ever been called that." He smirked. "But, I will take that as well, let''s go then?¡± he

    asked with a wink.

    ¡°I guess so.¡± I took his hand, appreciating his help in pulling me up, and we walked in afortable

    silence along thending, to the short corridor leading off it, and he opened the door to what I

    assume was his Beta suite. Inside was modernly decorated in ck, gray and white. Asher clearly

    took great pride in his home. Though part of me wonders just how long he actually spends here,

    because every time he talks about things he is always saying how busy he is. We walked into the

    hallway, with a number of doorways off it, I assume to bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. But Asher

    leads me to the room near the lower end of the hallway.

    ¡°Right, this is a secret, okay? I am trusting you here, Bailey. I am meant to be a fitness freak. So, if

    anyone were to know how much chocte I ate they would never take my training sessions

    seriously again.¡± He said to me with a grin, and once again I found myselfughing at him. He was

    funny, without even trying, I think. And his whole face lit up when he was smiling so genuinely. That

    darkness and moodiness I had seen him was almost all gone.

    He opened the door to a modernly decorated kitchen, with ck units, and a marble countertop. He

    went straight to one of the cupboard doors, opening it for me, and motioning for me to take a look,

    and as I did, I could see a whole selection of different chocte bars. My idea of a very sinful

    heaven¡­

    ¡°Wow.¡± I gasped, and I heard Asherughing behind me.

    ¡°The way to a girl¡¯s heart, I guess?¡± he asked, and I turned to look at him, my eyes wide in shock at

    all the different variations of chocte. Wide eyes, likely with heartsing out of them for all the

    chocte that resided in his cupboard. No wonder he was smiling at me, he likely found me highly

    amusing.

    ¡°Definitely this girl¡¯s heart, not like I had much luck in any other aspect.¡± I joked, and he smiled sadly

    at me.

    ¡°I am sure you will, but until then, I guess I don¡¯t mind sharing my chocte stash with you. So long

    as you keep my secret.¡±

    I found myself giggling without even meaning to, as I looked up at him. ¡°Wow, my hero!¡± I added

    sarcastically, and he simply smiled once more. A smile that seemed toe so much more easily

    than it had before¡­

 Chapter 0118

    Chapter 0118

    Listening to Bailey giggle as she stood in the kitchen of my Beta suite, made my heart pound harder

    than I think it had done in a long time, but I tried my hardest to ignore it. She looked up at me,

    through her long darkshes. ¡°Wow, my hero.¡± She said with a sarcastic smile, and, despite myself,

    I smiled right back at her. There is something about her that makes me smile. Something about the

    way she jokes with me. Her carefree character. Her humor and way she teases me with no

    thought¡­

    ¡°You want to watch that sarcasm, missy, or else my offer of sharing my chocte may be

    withdrawn.¡± I said with a smirk, and Bailey looked at me open-mouthed, feigning shock, and once

    again she had me smiling. This girl has had me smiling more since she arrived than I had done in

    months¡­

    ¡°Oh! How rude! You know that you can¡¯t promise a girl chocte and then take it back, right? You

    do that, and, I would just have to let the pack know that their big strong Beta gains his super-

    strength from chocte, not working out. Imagine their shock and disappointment in you when your

    secret is revealed!¡± She wiggled her eyebrows at me as if to challenge me, and once again I found

    myselfughing.

    ¡°Okay, I think you may have me there. I won¡¯t break my promise.¡± I nodded. ¡°So, you want a coffee

    to help that chocte go down?¡±

    ¡°Coffee? You want me to stop up all night?¡± she asked, then suddenly, Bailey turned to look at me,

    biting her lip ufortably. ¡°You want to do me a favor and forget I said that?¡±

    I held back the chuckle that was so close to leaving my lips. She had obviously heard what she said

    in the same way I had, but no, that was not my intention. Not, in the slightest¡­

    I grinned. ¡°All forgotten. You seem to think so badly of me, Miss West.¡± I winked at her yfully, and

    the slight flush to her cheeks made my heart warm, knowing she was embarrassed. ¡°I have soda

    too, if that is better for Sleeping Beauty?¡± I added, so she knew she didn¡¯t have to have a coffee.

    Now she rolled her eyes at me, before answering. ¡°Soda would be good, thank you. And trust me, I

    am far from a sleeping beauty. You so do not want to see me when I wake up!¡±

    I chuckled, as she dropped her head to her hands, as if she had realized what she had just said.

    She was incredibly sweet when she was embarrassed. ¡°How am I managing this?¡± she muttered.

    ¡°I did not think of it in any way but the sweet and innocent way you meant it.¡± I reassured her, biting

    my lip to stop myself from smiling. ¡°Though you forget I have seen you in your pajamas.¡±

    Her eyes widened, as if she remembered. ¡°Hmm, I remember.¡±

    ¡°You have curly hair.¡± I pointed out, slowly reaching out to touch her currently straightened hair that

    was currently pulled back into a ponytail.

    ¡°Yeah, I hate it. Forever been picked on for it. Wild and crazy hair. Like a mane. When you are

    constantly criticized for something, you kind of end up hating it. Thankfully, I learned how to tame it.¡±

    She ran her hand through her ponytail as if to demonstrate.

    ¡°I think the curls suited you for what it was worth.¡± I said with a shrug, and she looked at me in

    shock, her cheeks flushed once more. Before, she quickly looked back at the stash of chocte in

    the cupboard to avoid my gaze. Okay¡­ maybe I shouldn¡¯t have mentioned that. It just kind of

    happened¡­

    I grabbed a couple of cans of soda from the refrigerator, as she picked some chocte from the

    cupboard, before I led her through to the lounge of my home. My home that I barely spent any time

    in¡­ Modestly decorated in modern colors and furniture. I watched as Bailey¡¯s eyes darted around

    the room. taking in the room before looking awkwardly at me, like she was unsure if she wanted to

    be here alone with me or not.

    ¡°Sit yourself down.¡± I said, allowing her the chance to pick where she wanted to sit. I was beginning

    to question if inviting her here was a little on the too friendly side¡­ this was not me. Not in the

    slightest¡­

    Bailey nervously sat herself down on the edge of one of the sofas, her big brown eyes looking

    toward me. ¡°Your home is nice.¡± She said politely.

    I sighed. ¡°Thanks. I moved back here after¡­¡± my voice faltered a little. No, I don¡¯t think she needed

    to know that. I shook my head. ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Bailey smiled at me as I sat down at the opposite end of the sofa. We were almost acting like two

    nervous teenagers on a date right now, it was ridiculous. I had invited her here so she wasn¡¯t sitting

    on her own for the night overthinking things with the guy she was missing. I was trying to help her.

    There is nothing between the two of us. She doesn¡¯t like me. And I don¡¯t like her. There was nothing

    to be nervous about.

    ¡°When your mate died?¡± she asked quietly.

    ¡°Sorry?¡±

    ¡°You started saying when you moved back here after, so I wondered if it was when your mate died.¡±

    She looked at her feet, looking a little ufortable. ¡°Sorry, maybe I shouldn¡¯t have asked.¡±

    I shrugged. ¡°Why not? Not like I don¡¯t ask you things I shouldn¡¯t. Yeah. When I died, I couldn¡¯t go

    back to the home we had just begun to call ours.¡±

    ¡°You guys weren¡¯t together long?¡± she asked, her head tilted gently, her face full ofpassion as

    she spoke.

    I slowly shook my head, sighing. ¡°No. I don¡¯t know if I was one of the lucky ones now or not. I

    thought I was at the time. Meeting my fated mate so soon aftering of age. But, in doing that, it

    meant she was here when the pack was attacked. When the rogues came¡­¡±

    I closed my eyes, my fists clenched tight in myp. Trying hard to calm my breathing. I can¡¯t

    remember thest time I had spoken about all this¡­ Suddenly I felt a hand over mine, and as I

    opened my eyes I was surprised to find Bailey had edged along the sofa to sit herself closer to me,

    and her hand was now holding mine softly¡­

 Chapter 0119

    Chapter 0119

    I could see Asher struggling and I feel so bad for even asking now. For even encouraging this sort

    of talk. This was all my fault. I didn''t like seeing him hurting. I know I had said some choice things

    about him when I had arrived, but I truly hated seeing him struggle like this. He didn''t deserve to be

    in pain, I was sure of that...

    I slid myself along the sofa, noticing his eyes were closed as he breathed heavily like he was trying

    topose himself. Maybe I should leave? Give him some space? He seemed like the sort of guy

    who needed his space... Yet, instinct had me reaching for his hand instead.

    The touch seemed to make him jump, as he instantly opened his eyes to look at me in shock. His

    big green eyes were looking at me with confusion. ¡°Sorry.¡± I muttered, going to move my hand, but

    instead his fingers gripped mine, as his eyes fell upon our hands. ¡°Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have asked.¡± I

    whispered.

    ¡°No, I understand.¡± He said, exhaling deeply. ¡°I don¡¯t talk much about it all. It is not easy as you can

    imagine. I lost I soon after we had met. Before being able to build a life together. But, the bond

    was already there, forming. And we had just moved into our new home together. Both so excited at

    the thought of what the future would bring for us. I couldn¡¯t go back once she had gone. It was

    always going to be our home. The home we nned our future in. So, I moved back here¡­¡±

    I felt the pain within his voice, and I can sense Akira whimpering within my mind at the suffering this

    man next to us must have gone through. I thought what I had gone through was bad, but this poor

    guy had lost the one he was destined to be with. The one he had thought would be by his side for

    the rest of his life. The one he had been waiting for. The one the moon goddess chose for him. He

    must have been heartbroken. There was no worse pain, I would imagine. My own heart clenched in

    pain for him. In truth, I desperately wanted to throw my arms around him and hug him, but he

    doesn''t seem like the kind of guy who would appreciate a hug...

    The darkness that lingered over him made so much more sense to me now. The pain he must battle

    daily if this was what he struggled with, must drag him down. Dim any joy within him. Grief can be

    overpowering¡­

    ¡°I am sorry you had to go through that, Asher.¡± I said faintly. ¡°You have done amazing to continue

    being such a wonderful Beta. Your pack is lucky to have you.¡±

    Heughed, a dry and almost ironic sort ofugh, causing me to look up at him. ¡°I think my Alpha

    and Luna may beg to differ on that opinion sometimes.¡± He told me with a wry smile. ¡°I think I am

    slowly driving them insane.¡±

    ¡°Hey, with all the favors it sounds like you do for them, I don¡¯t think they canin much.¡± I told

    him, and he grins.

    ¡°Finally! Someone who sees it from my point of view!¡±

    Iughed. ¡°I am sure they appreciate all you do. You will get your chance to gain all your favors

    back one day. Seems to me, they definitely owe you some.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, that would be a whole lot. Caleb may not be quite so agreeable, and don¡¯t even get me

    started on Eden. You think the Alpha runs the show? In truth, it is our little Lady Luna.¡±

    ¡°She knows you call her that?¡± I asked him, finding it funny, and I could tell just from the way he

    spoke of them that they were all quite close.

    ¡°Hell no, nor would I want her to! She would whoop my ass if she knew for a second I called her

    anything other than her name. Especially right now. Pregnancy hormones and Eden do not mix.¡± He

    grinned at me.

    ¡°I will be sure to tell her then.¡± I teased him, and the way he looked at me feigning shock, made me

    giggle.

    ¡°Aww, nowe on, Bailey. Surely you wouldn¡¯t want to get me into trouble, would you? I am

    sharing my chocte stash with you, after all. Doesn¡¯t that make us friends now?¡± he questioned.

    And I found myself looking at him with a feeling of confusion filling my head. I definitely didn''t expect

    that when I arrived...

    ¡°Yeah, I guess it does¡­¡±

    ¡°Wow, that look upon your face tells me the thought of being friends with me is far from a good

    thing.¡± He said with a shrug.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°The deep frown.¡± He signals to my face, over-exaggerating a frown upon his own face, making me

    stick my tongue out at him, aware he was teasing me.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t frown. Or not intentionally.¡± I exined.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think I could me you. Not like I have been the best at making an impression upon you

    since you arrived.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t realize you were trying to make an impression on me.¡± I teased.

    His eyes met mine, and the way he looked at me made my stomach churn. Or was that butterflies?

    ¡°Neither did I.¡± he grinned, making meugh again.

    Suddenly, my phone began to ring from by my side, causing me to pick it up out of curiosity,

    wondering who it would be. But, I didn¡¯t recognize the number. So, I thought I had better answer it.

    What if it was someone at pack?

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Hello?¡± I answered, smiling politely at Asher to apologize for the disturbance, but, he simply smiled

    in response, as he picked up his soda, and leaned back into the sofa.

    ¡°So, thought you¡¯d got away from me, did you?¡± a voice I thought I had got away from hissed down

    the phone at me. And my hands began to tremble. ¡°I may be away from pack for now bitch, but I will

    be back, and when I am, I will make you pay for the shit you have caused Bailey. Mark my words.

    Difference will be, I will have a new mate by my side, and you will be all alone.¡± Miles¡¯s voice

    snarled at me, as tears filled my eyes, while I saw the eyes of Asher looking at me with a look I

    wasn¡¯t able to read¡­

 Chapter 0120

    Chapter 0120

    I had to force myself to attend yet more treatment just to prove to Kaia I was more than capable of

    doing what was expected of me. I would make this girl want me. If that was thest thing I did. It

    was driving me wild that she seemed to not want me. Never before had I encountered a she-wolf

    my age that could resist me. Normally they were falling over themselves to get their hands on me. I

    was fighting off offers of dates back in my pack and beyond.

    Yet this she-wolf seemed to be resistant to my charms. And it was sending me insane. I would need

    to up my charm. Do what she asked of me, and make her see I was not a bad guy. Anything to lure

    her to my bed. I would have a taste of her before I was done here, I would be sure of that¡­

    ¡°Thanks foring to another session.¡± Ben said to me with an anxious smile. This fool, I swear I

    could jump toward him, and he would shit himself. He was that on edge when around me. It was so

    amusing. I loved the feeling of power it gave me.

    ¡°Is that not what I am here for?¡± I snarled, allowing my canine teeth to elongate just enough to let

    them slip through my lips, so he could see them, and he stepped back a little into the wall, the scent

    of his fear filling the room. I wanted tough so badly, but instead, I walked away. ¡°I assume I will be

    back again soon.¡± I asked, turning to look at him, pushing my wolf far enough forward, so my eye

    color changed too, knowing I would be scaring the fucker even more then too.

    ¡°Er¡­Erm..¡± he sputtered. ¡°Y..Y..Ye..Yes. I believe so, Miles. Kaia will confirm.¡± His voice shakily

    agreed, and I continued back to my room with a smile upon my face, loving the power I had over

    others. The power that being an Alpha brought. It gave me a wolf with so much more power and

    dominance that most would quiver in fear at their presence. I was beyond ruthless, and so much

    more powerful than my Dad could ever be, and he woulde to realize that when he eventually

    handed the pack over to me.

    I opened the door to my room. d to be back alone, and eternally grateful that Kaia had not

    followed through with ther threat of putting me into a multiple-upancy room. She was trying to

    gain a reaction from me, I am certain. She seemed to enjoy the power she had here too. That told

    me that her and I would be an exceptionally remarkable couple if she would just give me a chance.

    Both of Alpha blood, too, we could be so powerful as a pair¡­

    I went to lie on my bed, thinking once more of the woman who had been taking over my thoughts

    since she had walked into my room. It made a change to the angry thoughts of Bailey, that was for

    sure. But, when I returned to my pack, I would be sure to bring that bitch home and make her pay

    for all this mess. I was here because of her. She had be too bold. Too confident. Too brave. So

    much so, that she felt she could share the secret I had ordered her to keep. The secret that had

    brought my life crashing down around me. Risked my title¡­

    This had gone beyond me needing her there now for the power her being my fated mate would

    bring. This was about making her suffer for the pain and suffering she had brought to me, because

    of the damage she had caused by running to her family and my family and exposing my secrets. I

    would make her pay. She would live to regret her mistakes. And I would ensure she would regret

    them for every day of the rest of her life.

    Suddenly there was a knock at my door, disturbing my angry thoughts. And the door opened. A

    member of staff stood there, brandishing a telephone within their hand. I had not had my phone

    since the moment I had arrived here. Cut off from my friends and my family. All a part of this

    treatment n, apparently. Needing to be cut off from the world. So, I wondered now why they were

    bringing me a phone.

    ¡°Sir, your parents wish to speak to you, I do believe Miss Kaia informed you earlier.¡± Thedy said

    nervously.

    I nodded, suddenly remembering that was why Kaia had said she hade to my room, and I put

    my hand out to take the phone from the anxious-looking member of staff. Snatching the phone from

    her hand as soon as she was close enough.

    ¡°Hello?¡±

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    ¡°Miles?¡± My Dad¡¯s voice greeted me.

    ¡°Hey Dad. When am Iing home?¡± I demanded, hoping he would see sense and decide that this

    treatment option was not the right thing once he saw I had given it a go.

    ¡°Miles, you know why you are there. This treatment is to help with your anger issues. The problems

    you have been having. We need to try to help you. Or else we will have to consider your position,

    you know that.¡± My Dad said, sounding far too calm for me.

 Chapter 0121

    Chapter 0121

    He had no intention of changing his mind then. He was still listening to my Uncle Donovan, Jordan

    and Ellis over me. All the people who had taken Bailey¡¯s words over my own.

    I sighed angrily. ¡°What is happening in the pack?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Pack is all fine, nothing to report. You need to focus on your treatment, then we can consider

    bringing you home. Finding you a mate, seeing as you chose to reject the one the moon goddess

    blessed you with.¡± My Dad said, and I am certain there was spite in his voice when he spoke. Did

    he not like the decision I made? Was it not my choice to make? I did not want Bailey, and that would

    never change! Yet even my own family were set to punish me for not wanting her?! They would

    punish me for the mistake of the moon goddess?

    I felt fury rippling through me, as my hands began to tremble. I could see the staff member who had

    brought me the phone watching me curiously from across the room, like they were partially listening

    in. I looked across at her. I had a sudden idea¡­

    ¡°Excuse me, this is meant to be a private conversation with my family. An Alpha. So can you leave

    the room please?¡± I demanded angrily to the staff member, and once again I allowed my canine

    teeth to elongate enough, so they were partially visible, and the fear was visible upon her face. She

    looked like she wanted to cry, only making me want tough...

    ¡°Sorry.¡± She stuttered, quickly rushing from the room, her scent of fear lingering as she closed the

    door, only making me smirk even more.

    ¡°Miles, do not speak to the staff like that!¡± My Mum suddenly spoke up. ¡°They are there to do a job,

    and they are only trying to help you.¡±

    ¡°Well, they do not need to be standing around listening to my conversation with you.¡± I snapped.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Show your mother some respect, she does not need talking to like that,¡± My Dad snarled at me.

    ¡°So, I assume nothing has changed then?¡± I snarled right back. Did he think I would be backing

    down to him? Nothing was changing from me. I was not going to change. I would remain the same.

    They needed to change their views on this whole situation. I was the rightful heir, and they needed

    to ept that. Ellis would never be Alpha. I would kill him before that happened¡­

    ¡°What are you expecting to happen, Miles? You know the situation. You are there for treatment,

    which we heard you were reluctant to participate in, so we are d you changed your mind on that.

    But until we are happy there is positive change, and you have a suitable and secure matebond, we

    will not make a choice.¡± My Dad said bluntly, and with that, I hung up the phone, not wishing to hear

    another word. He was fucking clueless.

    I looked down at the phone within my hand, my n fresh within my mind, as I dialed a number I

    had long since memorized within my mind. The phone rang for a few moments, making me on

    edge. I needed to hear her voice. I needed to feel the thrill of terrifying her. She had always been

    scared of me before. Suddenly, the ringing of the phone stopped, as she answered the phone.

    ¡°Hello?¡± she answered, sounding more than a little uncertain, though I wonder if that was because

    she was not sure who had called her. But the sound of her voice filled me with rage, and all of my

    anger spilled out of me.

    ¡°So, thought you¡¯d got away from me did you?¡± I hissed at her, all my resentment and rage pouring

    from me. I hated this bitch, and it was about time she knew it. ¡°I may be away from pack for now

    bitch, but I will be back, and when I am, I will make you pay for the shit you have caused Bailey.

    Mark my words. Difference will be, I will have a new mate by my side, and you will be all alone.¡±

    I could hear her breathing quicken at my words, telling me my words had scared her. But yet, she

    never said a word. ¡°What is wrong, Bailey? Cat got your tongue?¡± I asked sarcastically. ¡°Not like you

    not to have something clever to say, that is your thing, isn¡¯t it, being the all intelligent girl? Well, your

    intelligence won¡¯t be saving you this time.¡± And with that I hung up, not caring if she had an answer

    for me or not. I had given her something to think of. My words would have been enough to scare

    her, and that was thrilling enough.

    Bailey had thought that in running away from me, she was free, but I would bring her back. Her hell

    would only just be beginning.

 Chapter 0122

    Chapter 0122

    I sat back into the curve of the sofa as Bailey answered her phone, giving me an awkward smile as

    if to apologize, but I simply smiled in return, showing her I did not mind. I realized she was likely

    waiting for news from her pack, so taking a phone call was not an issue. Nobody would be

    expecting her to be sitting with me at this time of night, so that could well be why they had called¡­

    It was only as her eyes widened, and I looked across to her and saw her hands shaking, that I

    began to pay better attention. I could hear the words being said at the end of the phone, simply

    because she was sitting so close, and because of the fact that our hearing is so enhanced as

    werewolves. And I did not like what I was hearing and, needless to say, neither did Zion¡­

    ¡°So, thought you¡¯d got away from me did you?¡± a voice hissed nastily at her, and I could see the

    fear in Bailey¡¯s eyes at that moment. She looked absolutely terrified, and I realized in that moment, I

    hated seeing her scared. ¡°I may be away from pack for now bitch, but I will be back, and when I am,

    I will make you pay for the shit you have caused Bailey. Mark my words. Difference will be, I will

    have a new mate by my side, and you will be all alone.¡±

    Zion was suddenly more than alert, and he was snarling within my head. He did not like what he

    was hearing. I knew he would not shift while inside of my home, but I could feel his presence

    rippling beneath my skin. He was angry. He did not like what he was hearing. Though, neither did I.

    Who the fuck was talking to this sweet girl that way? I clenched my fists in anger, so desperate to

    grab the phone from her and yell at the person at the other end of the phone. Was this her former

    mate? Or was this someone else bullying her? Either way, I wanted to rip them limb from limb¡­

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    My eyes fell on Bailey, and I could see she was fighting tears, so I knew I needed to stay calm. I did

    not need to scare her with my anger. She needed support. Reassurance. She needed a friend right

    now. I would find out who this was and help her with dealing with them. Speak with Eden about it

    too. That would be the right thing to do, right? That is what a good friend would do, right? Hell, I

    don¡¯t know, I don¡¯t have many she-wolves for friends¡­

    As I moved to ce my arm upon her back to ask if she was okay, the voice at the other end of the

    phone came again, sounding just as nasty. ¡°What is wrong, Bailey? Cat got your tongue?¡± he asked

    sarcastically. His voice sounded venomous and so nasty. Whoever he was, I hated him already, and

    wanted to make him pay for scaring Bailey. She did not deserve this. ¡°Not like you not to have

    something clever to say, that is your thing, isn¡¯t it, being the all intelligent girl? Well, your intelligence

    won¡¯t be saving you this time.¡± Suddenly the line went dead, and I saw the phone slip from Bailey¡¯s

    hands to the floor, ttering as it hit the wooden floor under our feet. But Bailey sat like she was

    frozen in time, staring ahead of her, and I knew in that moment she didn¡¯t know what to do.

    I quickly moved across the sofa to her, cing my hand upon her back, as she dropped her head

    into her hands. ¡°Bailey, this is going to be the most stupid of questions, but I don¡¯t know what else to

    say.¡± I warned her. ¡°But, are you okay?¡± I gently ran my hand up and down her back, in what I hoped

    was a reassuring gesture. I am so not good at this sort of thing.

    Zion was pacing my mind, angry, and desperate to protect the new she-wolf to our pack. My senses

    now turned upon their head. All I can feel from him is this overpowering urge to protect the she-wolf

    sitting next to me. Where has thate from? I barely even know her¡­

    Bailey slowly turned her head to look at me. And I could see tears in her eyes. ¡°I think I should go,

    Asher.¡± She whispered, and my heart dropped at her words. She was going to push me away now?

    I wanted to help her, and she wasn¡¯t going to let me? I knew that Zion wouldn¡¯t settle with that

    scenario either¡­ she needed to let us help¡­ I felt desperate¡­

    I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. ¡°Bailey, please, let me help?¡± I tried, but she simply

    shook her head.

    ¡°I am fine. It is just a misunderstanding.¡± She said, chewing her lower lip anxiously, going to stand,

    but despite her words, I could see she was visibly shaken. Telling me she was anything but fine.

    I stood up alongside her as she made her way toward the door. I quickly grabbed her hand, trying to

    stop her as she did, but she pulled it away. Gone was the carefree atmosphere that had been

    between us moments earlier. She seemed tense and on edge. She was nervous and anxious about

    something, but whatever it was, she did not seem willing to share it, and that was not just bothering

    me, but it was seriously affecting Zion too. He was whimpering loudly now.

    ¡°Bailey, please?¡± I tried once more, as she moved down the hallway of my home.

    ¡°Asher, thank you for tonight, I had fun. But, really, I should go. I need to go now.¡± She said, and

    despite her trying to hide it, I could hear the wobble to her voice.

    ¡°Bailey, I opened up to you earlier. I haven¡¯t done that with anyone for a long time. I haven¡¯t trusted

    anyone like that for a long time. Maybe you could do the same with me? Try talking to me? Maybe I

    could help you?¡± I suggested, hoping that me admitting to her that I hadn¡¯t trusted anyone the way I

    had her in opening up the way I had might allow her to see that she could talk to me.

    Yet she tilted her head slightly as she leant against the front door. ¡°I never asked you to do that,

    Asher.¡± She said quietly, and I can¡¯t exin why, but her words sting. They hurt me more than I

    expected them to.

    ¡°Fine, just go if that is what you want to do. I am sorry I overstepped the mark.¡± I snapped, opening

    the front door for her, closing it a little harder than was likely necessary as she left¡­

 Chapter 0123

    Chapter 0123

    I dashed away as I heard the door closing loudly. I know I have hurt his feelings. Just as he seemed

    to be opening up to me too. But I couldn¡¯t stay, not after he had heard all of that. What would he

    think of me now? He was such a strong man, I did not want him to think I was weak. Hearing Miles

    talk to me in that way would change the way he thought of me without a doubt, and I was terrified it

    could put my position here at risk.

    I rushed to my room and closed my bedroom door behind me. My heart felt like it was pounding

    within my chest. I could feel Akira¡¯s presence, and she felt on edge. Whimpering, and broken. Much

    the same as me. She had been allowing herself to get closer to that man, I was sure of it. She had

    felt for him when he was struggling and that was unusual for her.

    Why did Miles feel the need to call me? He was meant to be secure and in treatment was he not?

    So why was he able to reach out to me? None of it made sense. Though I suppose the reason why

    was easy to answer. He wanted to torture me. That was always his reason for his nastiness toward

    me. Always his reasoning for his vileness. I had naively hoped that the treatment would make some

    changes in him, turn him back to the boy he used to be. But, I think Jordan is right. He craves the

    power being the Alpha brings, and the fear it instills in people. And that makes him dangerous.

    What I don¡¯t understand is why he had to make me suffer. I was willing to walk away. Allow him the

    life of power and freedom he desired. But he seemed to want me there. Not as his mate as fate had

    nned, but more as a toy to torture¡­

    I stripped my clothes off, and walked into the shower, needing to scrub myself clean. Hating

    everything about me right now. This was not the life I wanted for myself. But it appeared to be the

    life I had been given. The life I was born into. I quickly washed my body and my hair, before rinsing

    myself off, trying hard not to allow my mind to wander. I did not need to let myself think of home and

    the mess that would await me if I was forced to return. I quickly turned the shower off, stepping out

    and grabbing a towel as I did.

    I put on my pajamas and walked back to my bed, to hear my phone ringing once more. My heart

    began to pound, fearful of the thought it could be Miles again, so I tentatively walked to my phone

    only to see it was Luna Eden.

    ¡°Hello?¡± I almost whispered, my voice a little hoarse.

    ¡°Hey Bailey. I can¡¯t sleep, so I thought I would get the down low on how my little host has done

    today.¡± She said, her voice full of enthusiasm, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile. She was checking in on

    Asher. That was a little crafty. The thing was if she wanted me to drop him in it, I don¡¯t think I could.

    He turned out to be a lot sweeter than I had ever expected him to be.

    ¡°Did you not think I might be sleeping?¡± I suggested.

    ¡°You answered, so probably not.¡± She said with a chuckle, which I suppose was logical. ¡°So, did my

    Beta behave today, or do I need to give him a lesson in how to interact with other people?¡±

    Iy myself on my bed, as I smiled at her words. He likely could do with a lesson in that, as it

    definitely did not seem like it was his specialty. ¡°He did okay. Considering you forced him toe

    and check on me.¡± I joked.

    N?velDrama.Org content.

    ¡°He told you that?¡± she said with a giggle. I could see her character being quite likable, endearing

    even as a friend. I could see why Asher thought so highly of her. ¡°Well, that is a big cross by his

    name!¡±

 Chapter 0124

    Chapter 0124

    ¡°In all seriousness, he has tried hard to make me feel wee. As have the staff at school. I

    enjoyed my day. Thanks for wanting to check in on me.¡± I told her with a smile. She was certainly

    going to a lot of effort to make sure I fitted in within her pack. For that, I would always be grateful. It

    meant I had a haven to escape to after everything with Miles...

    ¡°Aww no worries, though I am not too fussed with thedies at school, I had no doubt they would

    wee you with open arms. Just cranky pants I had my doubts over.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, Luna Eden, he did fine. He checked on me before I started, and when I finished work. I

    mean, it is pretty clear he does not like having to talk to people he doesn¡¯t know, but I don¡¯t take that

    personally.¡±

    The Luna began tough at the other end of the phone. ¡°Well, you are not wrong. But he is not too

    bad of a guy, really. There is a sweetness under all that darkness and moodiness. You just got to

    rummage around a little.¡± she giggled.

    I shook my head. Anyone would think she was trying to sell him to me. ¡°I will bear that in mind.¡± I

    said quickly, feeling a little ufortable, considering I had already seen that he could be more

    than a little sweet just moments earlier. ¡°Anyway, how are you doing?¡± I asked, hoping to change

    the subject.

    ¡°I want this pup out now. He must be the size of a full-sized werewolf now! Sure feels like it. His feet

    sure feel like it when he kicks me!¡± she said with such emphasis in her voice couldn¡¯t help but

    snigger.

    ¡°Aww, you are ufortable then? Do you know it is a boy?¡± I suddenly realized she had said him

    multiple times.

    ¡°No. Just assuming with the way it is kicking the shit out of my insides. A little ser star in the

    making.¡± She joked.

    ¡°You could have a little female ser star.¡± I pointed out.

    ¡°Very true, either way, they are getting their eviction notice pretty soon. I have cooked them long

    enough. Besides, they can¡¯t befy anymore.¡±

    ¡°Do you ever think they arefy in there?¡± I questioned, wondering about the pictures you see of

    a baby in the womb and how squished they always looked to me, and I heard Luna Eden sigh.

    ¡°Who knows, but I know I am notfy. My belly is stretched as stretched can be. Docs have said if

    labor doesn¡¯t start naturally in the next day or so, they will induce it. So mini Caleb will be here

    soon.¡± She told me, her voice now sounding exhausted. I think it is safe to say she is finding it all a

    bit much.

    ¡°Aww. It may be a mini Eden. You sound fed up though, Luna, are you okay?¡± I asked, worried

    about her.

    ¡°I love the thought of a new baby, and to some degree I enjoyed my pregnancy, just the end bit

    terrifies me. I get ufortable, and then actually giving birth, scares the shit out of me. Knowing

    that is imminent petrifies me.¡± She said, and the enthusiastic voice was now gone, reced by a

    shaky and vulnerable sounding voice. Seems even a strong and powerful Luna has her own fears

    and weaknesses.

    ¡°I think I understand that. You will be in the best of care though. And you will have a gorgeous little

    one at the end of it all. The pain is temporary, but that gorgeous pup you will have at the end of it

    will be yours forever. Someone to love and adore, and make you proud.¡± I told her and I heard her

    sob.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Aww, thanks." she sniffled. ¡°I think you can stay. Your pack isn¡¯t allowed you back. You will be my

    new friend.¡± She said, and I found myself smiling. I wish it was that simple¡­

 Chapter 0125

    Chapter 0125

    I sleepily walked down the stairs, after very little sleep, yet again. This time, there had been little to

    no visions of I that I remembered. My dreams were overtaken by visions of Bailey. And not in a

    pleasant way either. Visions of her being tortured. By a man I could not see. A man I could not

    identify. Yet his voice was the one on the phone¡­

    I woke up multiple times drenched in sweat, struggling to settle because I was desperate to go and

    check if she was okay. Yet, I knew I could not. Knew that I had to give her the space she had

    wanted. She had not wanted me there. I needed to know who this man was that had spoken to her

    like that. The moment she had rushed from my suite I had been on edge. Zion was the same. The

    urge to protect her was like nothing else I had experienced, and it unsettled me.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    This girl is not my mate. She is technically nothing to me. Not even a pack member. But, for some

    reason, her vulnerability and weakness had affected me and my wolf. And hearing the way that

    fucker had spoken to her had ripped through my heart. I had realized then I wanted to help her, yet

    she had refused my help.

    I needed to know more, and I would find out more one way or another. From how he spoke, and the

    things he said, I can only assume this man was her former fated mate. The man that had been

    foolish enough to reject her. I hady there for so long trying to process the things she had briefly

    mentioned since her arrival which may help me decipher who this man was. I knew she had not

    been willing to give much away, but had said a little without realizing.

    I knew he had rejected her. He must have some power over her. As she had said, he had been

    stopping her searching for a job out of the pack. That had to make him a senior role within their

    pack, to my mind, at least. That would also exin to me why he felt he could dictate where she

    went and what she did. Could he be their uing Alpha? That seemed the most obvious to me.

    And it would be a likely pairing too... Now¡­ that could be an interesting turn of events¡­ because if

    I am not mistaken, the way their pack worked, along with so many others, was that the Alphas were

    not expected to reject the mate fated to them. That was considered a sign of going against the

    moon goddess. Disrespecting everything we stand for as werewolves.

    If Bailey had been fated to the Lotus Shadow Pack¡¯s uing Alpha, like I am beginning to

    wonder, then this meant their pack must be in disarray if they had learned of it. Because their young

    future Alpha had broken one of their mainws, so was he even able to be their Alpha anymore?

    And listening to the way in which he spoke to Bailey, he did not sound like a man I would want in

    charge of a pack¡­

    As I reached my office door, I could see Caleb approaching, a big beaming smile upon his face.

    Evidently, all this additional time off to spend time with his family was doing him good. ¡°Good

    morning, Good morning.¡± He greeted me, enthusiastically. ¡°I heard you did a good job at being the

    hospitable host for our new teacher.¡± He winked at me.

    I rolled my eyes at him. ¡°Good morning to you too. Do I assume your delightful mate has been

    checking in on me, yet again?¡±

    I opened my office door, in desperate need of a coffee, especially if I was going to have to deal with

    Caleb in one of his irritatingly cheerful moods.

    ¡°Perhaps. She called Baileyst night.¡± Caleb said with a shrug as he followed me into the office.

    I quickly turned to look at him. ¡°Eden called Baileyst night? What time? Was she okay?¡± I asked,

    so many questions flooding from my mind, wondering if she had mentioned anything about what

    had happened with her former mate.

 Chapter 0126

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    Caleb had sat himself down on the sofa in my office, and now he looked at me with curiosity. ¡°Oh,

    really? Am I missing something? Was there a little more than weing the new girl that went on

    Asher?¡±

    I felt anger rushing over me. How fucking dare he imply I tried it on with the poor girl. I did not think

    of her in that way, and I knew for definite she would not be looking at me in that way either. We were

    far from beingpatible. ¡°Don¡¯t be so fucking ridiculous.¡± I snapped. ¡°She had been upset when I

    passed her in the corridor, but she wouldn¡¯t borate as to why.¡± I lied.

    Caleb nodded, looking at me with suspicious eyes. ¡°Is that right?¡±

    Great, now he thinks I have a thing for the new teacher. Just what I need. Especially if Eden gets a

    hold of that piece of information, she will be doing all she can to match-make. And that is just not

    going to happen. My mate had been I. I was destined to be with her, and fate had chosen her for

    me. After her, I was doomed to be alone. Live a lonely life on my own.

    ¡°Yes, that is right. I do not like seeing someone upset, especially if it could bring trouble to our pack,

    Caleb. But, I assume you looked into her past appropriately, did you? Her family history, mate etc?¡±

    I demanded, hoping this way Caleb may look into things for me.

    ¡°Erm¡­ I don¡¯t know, I left it all with Eden. She seemed pretty determined to have Bailey working

    here.¡± Caleb said with a shrug, like he wasn''t even concerned, only irritating me considering the

    things I now knew.

    ¡°So no checks were done then?¡± I demanded, and I saw Caleb puff his chest up at me in a

    dismissive motion.

    ¡°Not a clue. She is a Beta¡¯s daughter, Ash, not like she is going to be causing problems for us. She

    seems sweet enough. Obviously got you hooked already.¡± He winked at me.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Zion sharply and unexpectedly pushed forward, causing me to growl, causing Caleb to look at me

    with his eyebrows raised, not in the slightest bit intimidated by me nor my wolf. ¡°Oh really?¡± he

    boomed. ¡°Back off Zion.¡±

    ¡°Well, do not imply I am sweet on some fucking new girl to pack, just because I am concerned about

    her when the truth is, I am on edge for the safety of our pack. You are questioning my loyalty to I

    in even suggesting that.¡± I snarled, turning away from him, my fists clenched, moving toward my

    coffee machine.

    ¡°Ash. I was messing. And it is not questioning your loyalty to I. She will always be your mate.¡±

    Caleb¡¯s voice was softer now, as he joined me by my side. A look of concern upon his face. ¡°I am

    sorry if you saw it that way. It was meant as a joke. But, even if you did choose to look for another

    mate, there would be no shame, you know that, right? That is not betraying I. What you had will

    always remain precious. She will always remain your fated mate, and you hers. Fated by the moon

    goddess. But, I doubt I would want you alone and isted forever. Not when you were so young,

    when she left you.¡±

    His hand was upon my shoulder as I messed with the coffee machine, sorting it to allow me to make

    my morning coffee, desperately wishing I was anywhere but here, and able to avoid this

    conversation. His words were gripping at my heart. They hurt. I would always be I¡¯s. I could not

    think of myself as somebody else¡¯s. That to me made it feel like I was forgetting her. Betraying the

    bond we had. And I don¡¯t think I could forgive myself for that.

    ¡°Well, that is irrelevant, Cal, because it isn¡¯t happening. Least of all with the new girl, so back off,

    right?¡± I said bluntly, while Zion, stalked away, curled up in the far reaches of my mind, his emotions

    such a mess¡­

 Chapter 0127

    Chapter 0127

    I waved off thest little ones from my ss at the end of another fun day in school. Two days in,

    and I was loving this ce more and more. The children were a constant source of happiness and I

    could not help but smile in theirpany, despite how broken I had been feeling inside, and Alli and

    Gabby were both very sweetdies too. Both tried their hardest to make me feel wee.

    Thankfully, there were no more unexpected visits from Asher today. Afterst night, I don¡¯t think I

    could cope with them. I could only imagine what he must be thinking.

    I had barely slept once I hade off the phone to the Luna. Tossing and turning, thinking of

    everything Miles had said. I didn¡¯t know why he had decided to reach out to me. I nned to

    message my brother once I was back in my room today to let him know everything. Also, it would

    give me a chance to try to discover if anything else was happening in pack and if any more progress

    had been made. Because, for some reason, nobody seemed to want to keep me updated.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Hey Bailey.¡± Gabby stuck her head in the doorway of my ssroom. ¡°Everything ok today?¡± She

    questioned as she watched me tidying my ssroom.

    ¡°Yeah, all was good.¡± I smiled back at her.

    ¡°Good stuff.¡± She walked away, leaving me in peace to prepare my lessons for tomorrow, before I

    finished work for the day. I didn¡¯t really feel in the mood for sitting chatting and gossiping in the staff

    room like her and Alli seemed to. I wanted to be alone, especially right now. I know that wasn¡¯t the

    best way to establish my ce within the school, but for now it was going to be the way it was,

    because thanks to Miles, my head was simply not in the right ce.

    It didn¡¯t take long for me to have my work done once I got into it, and with me fully focused on it. So,

    I picked up my things and walked out of my ssroom and headed for the main door of the school.

    ¡°Aww, are you off sweetheart?¡± Alli¡¯s voice called from behind me, as I turned, I saw her standing at

    the doorway of the staffroom watching me.

    ¡°Yeah, all done for the day.¡± I told her with a smile. ¡°Will see you tomorrow.¡±

    She nodded, returning my smile. ¡°You look tired. Get home and put your feet up. You want me to get

    Marc to bring your dinner to your room?¡± she suggested, taking me by surprise. Was she trying to

    find excuses for Marc to spend time with me? That seemed a little odd¡­

    ¡°No, thanks for offering, but I will be fine.¡± I told her, definitely not liking the idea of a man I barely

    knowing to my room.

    Alli grinned in response. ¡°What about the Beta? I am sure he would be happy to help?¡±

    I frowned. Here it was again. The implication there was something between me and Asher. All

    because Luna Eden had urged him toe and check on me. Anyone could see that man was far

    from interested in me. In anyone, I would say. So why Alli and Gabby felt the need to keep going on

    about it, I didn¡¯t know, but it was beginning to irritate me, ¡°Most definitely not the Beta, thank you.¡± I

    snapped, before pushing open the main school door, only to hear chuckling from the staff room, no

    doubt Gabby and Alli finding my response highly amusing.

    ¡®You best not be telling them King Sociable invited you back to hisir to share his chocte stash

    then.¡¯ Akira decided to begin with her little quips, as I began walking along the path from school.

    ¡®Imagine the drama! Because I imagine he doesn¡¯t do that for just anybody.¡¯

    I rolled my eyes at the rubbish my wolf was wittering. She seemed to like winding me up. Though

    last night she was the one whimpering over Asher, if I am not mistaken¡­

    ¡®Don¡¯t even go there, Akira, or I will put a block up with you again.¡¯ I warned her.

    ¡®Think the happy one is rubbing off on you, you know? You have been putting a block on me a

    whole lot more since meeting him.¡¯ she tells me.

    ¡®Akira¡­¡¯ I warned, to be greeted by a giggle.

    ¡®Just saying.¡¯ She giggled. ¡®He gets happier, more smiley, and you get more grumpy. Go figure.¡¯

    I decided to ignore my wolf and her little digs, while I increased my speed as I walked through the

    pack, enjoying thete afternoon sunshine, as I saw a few of the children from school ying in the

    nearby y area, squealing in fun, making me smile. I turned along the nearby road that led to the

    pack hospital, having promised Luna Eden I would call in to visit her after work today.

 Chapter 0128

    Chapter 0128

    I think she was getting sick of the same four walls of her hospital room, not to mention seeing the

    same people. She had near enough begged me to visit. So, I had been to the store and bought her

    some magazines and some treats before work, and had nned on heading to see her as soon as I

    finished work.

    The pack hospital was busy as I entered through the automatic doors, and walked down the

    corridor. Only to bump into Alpha Caleb. His face lit up into a smile as he saw me. ¡°Aww, Bailey,

    right?¡± he said, stopping in front of me. ¡°You on your way to see Eden?¡± he asked and I nodded.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± I agreed, unsure what else to say to him.

    ¡°She did say you wereing. Come on, I will take you up to see her, then you know where to go.

    She will be happy to see you. Think she gets bored with the same faces.¡± He said with a chuckle.

    ¡°Thanks Alpha.¡± I nodded at him, feeling awfully ufortable, as I don¡¯t know the guy particrly

    well.

    ¡°No worries. I hope you are settling in okay. We would have liked to have been there for you a little

    more, but this little one is being a right little pain in the butt. Though, Eden says it isn¡¯t doing

    anything to me, like I¡¯m not worried about her and the baby.¡± He grinned.

    I smiled, feeling a little awkward at his words, feeling like I didn¡¯t really know them well enough to

    comment. ¡°I am sure you are both worried. Baby will be worth it once they have arrived.¡±

    ¡°Oh for sure.¡± The Alpha has the biggest smile on his face as he says that, telling me he is super

    excited at being a Dad for the second time, making me wonder if he was even aware of Luna

    Eden¡¯s fears of everything that was approaching¡­

    Having walked down what felt like a serious maze of corridors, which I am sure all hospitals n

    their corridors like to confuse you, we arrived at the end of a corridor, with a doorway, to what

    looked like a suite. The Alpha opened the door, and walked in, and I heard Luna Eden speak as he

    walked in. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just leave?¡±

    I couldn''t help but smile at her, and even more so at the Alpha¡¯s response. ¡°Aww, and I love you too,

    baby! So lovely to see your bright and beautiful face!¡± he stuck his tongue out and blew a raspberry

    at her before continuing. ¡°However, I found someone on the corridor I thought you might like to see.¡±

    Alpha Caleb motioned for me toe into the room, so I awkwardly walked in to the modernly

    equipped hospital room, where Luna Edenid on the bed, looking hot and bothered, and far from

    comfortable. ¡°Yay! Bailey!¡± she said, full of enthusiasm.

    I smiled in response to her, ready to say hello as I heard a chair near the side of the bed scrape,

    and a throat clearing, making me look across, only to find Asher sitting there, about to stand,

    looking ufortable. ¡°I will get going Eden. Leave you to spend time with Bailey.¡± He said,

    avoiding my gaze.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°What?¡± Luna Eden said with surprise. ¡°You just got her Ash, don¡¯t be ridiculous. I can hold a

    conversation with more than one person at once, you know? I know it may be beyond your abilities,

    but I can manage it.¡±

    Asher was now standing, like he still intended. ¡°Honestly sweetheart, it is fine, I will let you spend

    some time with Bailey. I cane backter.¡±

    The atmosphere in the room was ufortable, to say the least. Asher could not wait to get away,

    all because I walked in to the room, it seemed...

    Luna Eden was now frowning. ¡°Sit down you idiot. You only just got here. Don¡¯t be so rude.¡± She

    snapped, and I realized then, there was no denying, that things with Asher were more than a little

    awkward, and he suddenly seemed to want to avoid me altogether after what had happenedst

    night¡­

 Chapter 0129

    Chapter 0129

    Iy in the bed, seemingly my prison now I was on strict bed rest. It was getting more than a little

    boring now. Tiresome. Repetitive. If this baby does note out soon, I am going to start pushing

    and hope for the best. I don¡¯t care if contractions have started or not. I will force the little bugger

    right out. I don¡¯t think I could stretch anymore. And as much as I love my mate, he irritates me.

    Killing me with kindness. Not to mention stupidity.

    ¡°Aww, does it hurt when the baby does this?¡± "When the baby pees inside of you, where does it

    go?"ments like that were bing a regr urrence, and I was running out of patience...

    though his favoritementtely had been, ¡°You know they say sex brings onbor¡­¡± Oh yeah,

    because I feel incredibly sexy right now! Oozing sex appeal from each and every pore... I am the

    size of a beached whale! I swear he brings that thing near me again anytime soon, and I will chop it

    off! It is because of that thing I am in this much difort. It is alright for him, he sticks it in, wiggles

    it around a bit, gets his kicks, and he¡¯s good to go. Me, I am the one struggling for months after¡­

    Okay, I may turn into a pregnant monster. So, unsurprisingly, when Asher, or one of our family or

    friends calls in to visit me, Caleb takes a break from sitting with me at the hospital, and goes to

    check in at work or with Matty, our little one, who has been spending time with our parents more in

    recent days.

    So, to see Asher walk in, looking even more moodier than normal, I wasn¡¯t entirely sure I wanted

    Caleb to leave, but he still took the opportunity, but I guess I couldn¡¯t me him when I had just

    given him a hard time for suggesting a little fun in my hospital suite¡¯s washroom. I swear men think

    with their bits, not their brain¡­ or my mate certainly does!

    ¡°Hey sweetheart.¡± Asher leaned over to give me a half-hug. He wasn¡¯t keen on personal contact, so

    I allowed him that much. Besides, I was far too warm and ufortable for a proper hug. ¡°I brought

    you some fruit.¡± He says with a smile.

    ¡°Wonderful, I will add it to the rest my family brought. Will be able to open a shop soon.¡± I said,

    realizing a little toote how ungrateful and sarcastic I sounded. Fortunately, I knew Asher wouldn¡¯t

    care.

    He nodded, as he sat himself down on the chair next to my bed. ¡°I expect a cut of the profits then.¡±

    And, I found myself smirking. ¡°You okay Ash? You look even less happy than usual.¡±

    ¡°Wow, cheers Eden, you have such a nice way with words, you know?¡± he said with a roll of his

    eyes, telling me he was not open to talking about it. I have known him long enough to know his

    bodynguage. Something was bothering him, but Asher was like a closed book. He rarely talked

    about his problems, or the things that worried him. It bothered me, because I think he would find

    himself so much happier if he just opened up to someone.

    ¡°Always happy to help.¡± I said with a smile. ¡°So, how are things in the pack? Any gossip?¡± I asked,

    desperate for something exciting. I was bored as hell sitting here each day with nothing going on. It

    was as exciting as watching paint dry.

    ¡°Not a clue. You know I don¡¯t pay attention to gossip, Eden.¡± Asher said with a shrug.

    N?velDrama.Org content.

    ¡°Jeez, Ash, I need to train you better, you are no good as a messenger.¡± I rolled my eyes.

    ¡°A messenger? So I am a messenger as well as your host now?¡± he snapped.

    I looked at him in surprise. Was he actually angry at me over that? At the end of the day, that was

    part of his duties as Beta, he knew that. ¡°Asher, what is up? You know that is your job too. Bailey is

    nice enough. Do you and her not get along?¡± I urged, and just as he was about to answer, the door

    to my room opened, only for Caleb to walk back in. He had only just left. Did he get bored ande

    back? Or did he get lost? Even I don''t think he is that simple...

 Chapter 0130

    Chapter 0130

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just leave?¡± I asked him with confusion.

    Caleb grinned at me sarcastically. ¡°Aww, and I love you too baby! So lovely to see your bright and

    beautiful face!¡± he stuck his tongue out and blew a raspberry at me, the cheeky fucker, before

    continuing. ¡°However, I found someone on the corridor I thought you might like to see.¡±

    He had my attention now. I know I had asked Bailey toe, so I wonder if it was her, though

    would she have finished her work by now? Caleb motioned for someone toe into the room, and

    as he did Bailey walked into the room looking more than a little ufortable, bless her. Her eyes

    fell on me, and she smiled, so I grinned back. ¡°Yay! Bailey!¡± I greeted her, so she knew I was

    pleased to see her, and there was no reason to feel ufortable.

    Bot, then, for some reason, Asher began to move on the chair next to the bed, and began to clear

    his throat, just as it looked like Bailey was about to speak ¡°I will get going Eden. Leave you to spend

    time with Bailey.¡± He said, appearing to be avoiding everyone¡¯s gaze. What the hell was wrong with

    him? I had been trying to make Bailey feel less ufortable, yet the moment she walks in, Asher

    acts like this? I swear this man needs sses in how to interact with people... he was never this bad

    before...

    ¡°What?¡± I asked, unable to hide my surprise. ¡°You just got here Ash, don¡¯t be ridiculous. I can hold a

    conversation with more than one person at once, you know? I know it may be beyond your abilities,

    but I can manage it.¡±

    Yet Asher appeared to ignore what I had said and continued to stand. Evidently still nning to

    leave. ¡°Honestly sweetheart, it is fine, I will let you spend some time with Bailey. I cane back

    later.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but frown. What was his rush to leave? ¡°Sit down you idiot. You only just got here.

    Don¡¯t be so rude!¡± I couldn¡¯t help but snap at him, his behavior was downright ignorant. I had

    already asked him to wee Bailey to the pack and make her feel like she was wee, yet this

    could not be further from that.

    Asher fidgeted ufortably on the spot, still avoiding the gazes of us all, and now I could see

    Bailey was looking ufortable too. ¡®Right fuckface.¡¯ I snapped through the mindlink at Asher.

    ¡®What is going on, because I asked you to wee the new girl, yet she arrives, and you are

    wanting to get away as soon as you can. Did you do something you shouldn¡¯t? You better not have

    had an argument with her already. You and that fucking temper of yours.¡¯

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡®Oh, back off Eden.¡¯ Asher responded. ¡®Mindlinking with her in the room is rude, is it not? Fine, if it

    bothers you so greatly, I will stay. Don¡¯t expect me to talk much is all I will say.¡¯

    Asher dropped himself back down into the seat he had been sitting in, his face sulking like a toddler

    throwing a tantrum. I swear this man was like an overgrown man-child. A bit like his best friend and

    Alpha. The pack was being run by two oversized children...

    I looked at Bailey, hoping to salvage the situation. I want her to like it here. She could be good for

    our school. Plus, I genuinely liked her, and thought we could be friends. ¡°How are you? Did you

    have a good day? Is everything good with you?¡± she smiled awkwardly, ncing over at Asher as

    she did¡­ hmmm, something seemed to be going on here. I didn¡¯t know what it was, but I swear I

    would find out¡­

 Chapter 0131

    Chapter 0131

    I am forced to sit in the hospital room with Eden and Bailey when all I want to do is be alone. I had

    nned to call in to see how Eden was doing and if there had been any update as to when they

    nned to induce herbor, and thought I might try to cheer her up with a little fruit hamper made

    by one of my mother¡¯s friends. Needless to say, with the delightful mood Eden was in at present,

    that had gone down the same way a gift of an atomic bomb would have done. But, still, Caleb would

    have some tasty snacks when he had to sit and listen to herining when he was spending

    time with her.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    I am usually happy to sit and spend a little time with her, chatting, giving Caleb a little chance to go

    home and take a shower, visit Matty or do some work. I know he hated Eden being on her own and,

    other than returning home to sleep, he ensured that she had someone with her all the time at the

    hospital, so she wasn¡¯t lonely. In truth, Eden would likely appreciate the peace¡­

    But, the moment Caleb walked back into the hospital room with Bailey in tow, I wanted to escape.

    All my thoughts have been of that bloody girl ofte. Messed up thoughts too. Worried sick about

    her. Trying to uncover who that had been at the end of the phone the other night¡­ I mean, I had my

    suspicions, but they had been exactly that, suspicions, and without Bailey willing to talk to me, I

    couldn''t confirm them.

    But, it had truly got inside my head the way he had been with her. The way it had affected her. Hurt

    her. Nobody should be talking to her like that. I couldn''t understand why he had felt he was okay to

    speak to her like that¡­ and what bothered me greatly was what sort of threat he posed to Bailey

    now she was in our pack¡­

    And then came the even more punishing questions that I struggled even harder to answer, as to

    why my wolf had reacted the way he had to her. Why he had felt such an urge to protect her. Yet, I

    couldn''t lie, I had felt the same urge. And a pain when she had pushed me away. A sense of

    betrayal to I when everyone kept trying to imply there were feelings there. I don¡¯t know her well

    enough for there to be feelings there. I know that much.

    But, something I do know, for the sake of my own sanity, and likely that of my wolf too, it would be

    better for the two of us to stay apart. She had been through enough, it seemed, and she did not

    need any additionalplications of rumors being started by the likes of things being implied by

    others. Nor did she need me upsetting her with my temper¡­

    So, I sat in almost silence while Bailey chatted enthusiastically with Eden. Her face lit up as she

    smiled at her. Her eyes almost sparkled, as her delicate features changed as she smiled. I couldn¡¯t

    help but notice how well the two of them got along. Maybe that was one of the reasons Eden had

    clung to the idea of Baileying to our pack. She saw a potential friend in her. She had lost her

    friend, Kasia,test year during childbirth, and she had struggled every day with it since. She

    didn¡¯t have many other female friends. And, I knew that she was often lonely, that was why she

    clung so desperately to Caleb.

    Maybe when she realized she got along so well with Bailey, she thought there was a potential for a

    new friend. Someone to connect with. A friendship. Something she had been missing. Because, in

    that regard, it would likely do Eden good. I raised my gaze momentarily at the sound of the two of

    themughing. ¡°Well, I bought chocte.¡± Bailey said, wiggling her eyebrows toward Eden, with a

    big smile, offering her a bag. ¡°And magazines.¡±

    ¡°See, this girl knows what gifts are. Not fruit.¡± She winked at Bailey, before sticking her tongue out at

    me.

    I rolled my eyes at her. ¡°Once again, you are wee, Eden.¡±

    ¡°Did I ever tell you about this guy I once knew, Bailey? He was so happy, cheerful, and a delight to

    know.¡± Eden began, with a sideways nce toward me. I had a feeling this wasing right back

    at me.

    Bailey looked at Eden with curiosity, and shook her head.

    ¡°Always the joker of the group. Fun to be around, and always smiling. Kind, caring, and the

    sweetest guy you could ever meet.¡± Eden said with a smile. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t believe he turned into this old

    grumpy bastard would you?¡± she motioned her head toward me, with a grin.

 Chapter 0132

    Chapter 0132

    I shook my head. I knew the moment she started with her insults she meant me. This was just the

    sort of thing we did. Her, Caleb and I. It was how our friendship was. ¡°Thanks for that, Eden. Love

    you too. Pretty sure Bailey wasn¡¯t after my resume.¡±

    Eden chuckled. ¡°Well, if she was, it would go something like that, would it not? Asher Alcott, Beta of

    the pack, grumpy old bastard, with a face to match. Dark and mysterious with a face like a smacked

    ass. Face sure to crack if he attempted to smile and no clue how to mix with other people.

    Interaction with people limited. Do not expect conversation. If you want help, bring chocte to

    bribe.¡±

    Bailey was looking down. I could see her biting her lip. I don¡¯t know if she was trying not to smile, or

    she was feeling ufortable. But this sort of teasing was usual for Eden and I. It was nothing I

    wasn¡¯t used to, and it truly didn''t bother me.

    ¡°Sounds like a perfect man.¡± I smiled sarcastically at her. ¡°But if I am so unappealing, am I excused

    to leave now?¡±

    ¡°Jeez, anyone would think I held you here at gunpoint, Ash. Just go if being here with me is so bad.¡±

    Eden dismissed me with a flick of her hand. ¡°Do me a favor though. Ask Caleb to bring me my

    hospital bagter. They are probably going to try inducingbor tomorrow.¡±

    I sighed. I couldn¡¯t really be angry with her, I knew she was worried about it all, and who wouldn¡¯t

    be? She had to push a little pup out of her any day now. That had to be scary. Let alone having to

    do that with Caleb by her side trying hard to encourage her, which would likely be more an

    annoyance than an encouragement. ¡°No worries. Anything else you need, sweetheart?¡± I asked.

    ¡°A way to fast-forward time, so baby could be here, and I didn''t have to go throughbor?¡± she said

    with a smile.

    ¡°I wish I could do that for you Eden, I truly do, but despite my mean and moody looks, I don¡¯t hold

    any magic skills. You will have the best care, and you know you will. You did amazing when you had

    Matty.¡± I reassured her, and I saw tears in her eyes, while Bailey was sitting on the edge of her bed,

    her eyes darting between Eden and I. I hated seeing her struggle. I knew this birth scared her so

    much more than Matty''s ever had because of what had happened to her friend.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°But he was massive Ash, this one is even bigger, I am sure of it. And I have to push it out of me,

    while Caleb stands there and makes weird panting and puffing noises trying to help me breathe. Or

    he is telling me how gross things look.¡± She said, looking like she wanted to cry, while I was

    somewhere between wanting to reassure her and trying not tough at her telling me what Caleb is

    like when she is inbor. That did not surprise me in the slightest about my friend, he was like a big

    child sometimes.

    ¡°As much as he is aplete idiot sometimes, sweetheart, you know, it is only because he is

    excited, and sometimes his mouth works before his brain. Tell him you have heard of a thing called

    a silent birth, that way he won''t be able to talk at all.¡± I winked at her and she chuckled.

    ¡°Ash, you are funny.¡± She smiles at me, wiping away a lone tear slipping down her cheek.

    ¡°Not bad for a grumpy old bastard, I guess.¡± I shrugged. ¡°I will leave youdies to it. I will chase that

    mate of yours down, get him to hunt that hospital bag of yours down, maybe even give him a hint

    about what is appropriate to say when your mate is inbor, before I go out for my run, okay?¡±

    Eden smiled once more at me, while Bailey briefly looked at me, a small smile on her face, though

    whether that was for me or not was hard to tell, but she quickly returned her gaze to the floor, like

    making eye contact with me burned her eyes or something... I don¡¯t think things would ever be as

    they had been in my home with her again. Not that it would stop me worrying about her. She feels

    like part of our pack now, and I think that was why I worried about her. Yeah, that was it, the same

    as I would worry about any pack member. I am certain that was why.

 Chapter 0133

    Chapter 0133

    Another day of treatment. They were bing repetitive. But, if I forced myself, they were almost

    bearable, and it meant I got to spend at least a little time with Kaia. I got to see her smile. See the

    way her eyes lit up as sheughed... Feel the way my heart warmed if I was blessed with a giggle...

    or a little sideways nce through her longshes...

    And, it meant I was moving toward my end goal of leaving this ce quicker. I requested additional

    sessions each day, shocking the therapists, but they didn¡¯t see my n. If I had the additional

    sessions, it made it more likely they would see me aspleting their bullshit programme sooner,

    and allow me to leave earlier. Completing the programme earlier had be my main goal. My

    second goal had be making Kaia mine, one way or another.

    I had briefly spoken to Ellis, who had told me he had been training. Not just regr day to day

    training. Oh no, this was a full-on, hard and fast training that only Alphas were sent on. The

    specialized Alpha training. Hearing that infuriated me. My younger brother was training for a spot

    that was rightly mine. That told me that my parents were taking this consideration of allocating him

    as Alpha seriously, and I could not have that. I needed to tread carefully for the time being. Do all

    they asked of me to ensure I got my title. Got my role as Alpha as I should always have done.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Unfortunately, my parents, nor my best friend, had chosen to contact me since, and were not willing

    to answer my calls either. And, when I inquired with the treatment center staff, their answer was

    simple, they believed no contact was the better option to allow me the no-distraction approach to

    enable me to make this treatment a sess. I swear these people pulled their answers from their

    asses, because they were most definitely full of shit. I was getting sick of them all.

    But, I did all I could to hold back on taking my frustrations out on them. The struggle to control my

    temper was a daily, hour by hour battle, but one I needed to maintain, or this whole thing would be

    for nothing and my title would go to my fucking brother. And I could not allow that. He had done

    nothing to deserve to be Alpha.

    ¡°Another session done, I believe, Miles.¡± Jonah, another of my therapists said to me with a smile. I

    had noticed that since reigning in my temper and showing my willingness to cooperate and

    complete their shitty programme, the staff were less on edge around me and the scent of fear was

    gradually dissipating, as frustrating as that was, because both I and my wolf craved that scent.

    ¡°Looks like it.¡± I nodded. ¡°Is it okay to go for a walk in the garden, and clear my head?¡± I asked him.

    This had be my usual escape after my afternoon sessions, as I knew Kaia was so often

    around in the gardens then, and it gave me an excuse to talk to her. Spend some time alone with

    her...

    I was desperate to get her to see the potential in me. Allow her the opportunity to see I wasn¡¯t all

    bad, and that mypany was actually quite enjoyable. I would wear her down to the point she

    was desperate for mypany. For my attention¡­

    ¡°Of course, it is good you see the need for rxation time, Miles. I think sometimes that little time to

    clear your head can make all the difference to a clear mind. A calmer mind.¡± Jonah said calmly,

    making me want to roll my eyes, but I fought the urge, wanting him to think I was being respectful

    and I nodded.

    I rushed off down the corridor of the pack, toward the door which led me to the familiar area of the

    gardens that I knew Kaia would often sit in the afternoon to do her work on herptop. But as I

    approached the garden, I could see she was not alone, and my heart dropped. By her side was an

    older man, well-built, and muscly. His arms were littered with tattoos. I could feel my eyes ring

    toward him, already questioning who this mystery man was, and why he was with Kaia. She looked

    comfortable in hispany. And looked up at him with big, affectionate eyes.

 Chapter 0134

    Chapter 0134

    I wandered a little closer, desperate to pique my curiosity as to who this man was. ¡°But Daddy, you

    know I don¡¯t like doing formal events.¡± Kaia appeared to whine.

    Oh¡­ this appeared to be the pack Alpha. Kaia¡¯s father. Of course, that would make sense, looking

    at his build and the way he seemed to carry himself. I had met many of the country¡¯s Alphas, but in

    truth, I paid little attention, finding them irrelevant to me. They would be below me once I was Alpha,

    so I didn¡¯t see the need to memorize them all. If I needed them, then I would make an effort to get to

    know them, so this man¡¯s face was not familiar to me.

    However, I was desperate to speak to Kaia. And, if I wanted to win her over, then surely it would be

    a good thing to win her father over too¡­

    ¡°Good afternoon Miss Carter.¡± I smiled sweetly at her, causing both Kaia and her father to look up at

    me with curiosity. The Alpha then looks across to Kaia with a raised brow and a smirk upon his face.

    ¡°Good afternoon Miles.¡± Kaia said, with a brief nod in my direction.

    ¡°Good afternoon sir.¡± I offered my hand to the Alpha, who took it in a firm handshake, almost

    crushing my hand, in what I assumed was an attempt to remind me who was the stronger out of the

    two of us. Ha, little did he know just how dangerous I could be if pushed¡­

    ¡°Good afternoon. Miles, I assume.¡± He smiled. ¡°And no need for sir, Alpha Aaron would suffice.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°We don¡¯t normally see you across this part of the pack, Alpha. Though the gardens are

    always nice to enjoy when the sun is out.¡± I tried hard to be nice. Though already him belittling me

    the way he did had irritated me.

    ¡°We do make sure our pds are well tended, much like the pack buildings. Though the garden

    of our family home is much more pleasant to sit and enjoy, I have to admit. I am merely here toCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Oh, now that isn¡¯t nice is it?¡± I smiled at Kaia, trying to tease her a little, while attempting to make it

    seem I was supporting the Alpha.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you think it is any of your business, Miles.¡± She scowled at me while her father

    simply chuckled. ¡°Nor do I recall inviting you toe and join our conversation.¡±

    I felt rejected by her snappiness. I knew she did not want me there, and that hurt. I wanted her to

    want me, and my attempts right now were proving futile.

    ¡°Kaia, do not be so rude. That is not how the daughter of an Alpha is brought up to act.¡± Alpha

    Aaron shakes his head at his daughter with a look of what could only be described as disgust upon

    his face, before looking at me. ¡°Please excuse her Miles, she appears to have gotten out of bed on

    the wrong side today.¡±

    ¡°Honestly, it is fine. I understand the pressures of being the child of an Alpha can bring. It isn¡¯t

    always easy.¡± I looked at Kaia with a small smile, hoping she would see this as me trying to defend

    her, as well as something we have inmon. Sometimes, being the child of an Alpha could be

    more of a chore than anything...

    Instead, she rolled her eyes, while her father quickly rested his eyes upon me in a dark and

    meaningful re. ¡°Oh, you are the uing Alpha I have been hearing about. Hmmm¡­¡± his voice

    was full of intent in his words, and I don¡¯t think I liked it.

    Wonderful, my n to win Kaia over, and make a good impression upon her father had failed

    horrendously on both counts. This was not going my way. Not in the slightest. I needed to get out of

    here as soon as I could¡­

 Chapter 0135

    Chapter 0135

    Life in the pack was hectic, though everyone was in such a joyful mood at the news that their Luna

    had given birth to the daughter of their Alpha. Their pack had a new pup to celebrate. I had been so

    busy with things for work that I had yet to go and visit. Besides, I thought it was only right that the

    family got to spend some time alone together. Not that it stopped Luna Eden messaging me. She

    was messaging back and forth much of the day and night.

    It seemed, in the pack Luna, I had gained a new friend, not that I minded. A friend was never a bad

    thing, and after the way Miles had treated me over the years, I had lost many friends, all taking the

    side of the Alpha¡­ So, this new friendship with Luna Eden was somewhat of a novelty, I had to

    admit. Although, she would not let go of the tense atmosphere in the room between Asher and me

    when I visited her the other night. So frequently asking me what was going on between us. Asking

    what had happened, and why Asher was trying to get away the moment I arrived. But I was not able

    to exin the way he reacted. Nor was I able to exin how his mind worked.

    You would think she would know him better than me. She had known him a lot longer, but she had

    not been able to shine any light upon it either. But, we were both in agreement he did appear to be

    avoiding me. But, I had no clue why. I had not seen him in the packhouse of a nighttime since, so I

    didn¡¯t really have the opportunity to ask him. Though, I had ensured I stayed in my room after

    dinner. Maybe that was a little childish of me, but I did not have the energy to deal with the

    awkwardness either.

    I closed up my ssroom after yet another fun day in school. This was one of the few positives of

    me being in this pack now. I loved my job and the little monsters I was teaching. They were the

    highlight of my day, and constantly cheered me up. But, once the day was over, it was back to my

    usual mundane and miserable life, all alone in my small room in the packhouse doing my best to

    avoid the mean and moody Beta of the pack. I was beginning to wonder if it was the right ce for

    me or not¡­

    I was just walking toward the main doors, when Marc walked into the school, his whole face lit up as

    he saw me, and I instantly felt my mood brighten. At least someone was pleased to see me. ¡°Now

    aren¡¯t you a sight for sore eyes, Princess.¡± He winked at me.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Marc, stop flirting with my staff!¡± Alli yelled from the staffroom, and I felt my cheeks heat up, as I

    noticed Marc¡¯s cheek tinting red slightly too, telling me he was likely as embarrassed as I felt. I don¡¯t

    think he meant it in a flirting way, that seemed to be the way he spoke with me¡­

    He chuckled. ¡°Can¡¯t even say hi.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Come to help her, and she uses me of flirting.

    Maybe I should just go home, she would soonin then. When she had to do the repairs on

    her own.¡±

    I smiled at his cheekiness. ¡°Hi.¡±

    ¡°Hi to you too. See, you look so much better when you smile, you know? Anyway, you been

    avoiding me at dinner time?¡± he asked, leaning against the wall, his eyebrows raised, and a hand

    upon one hip, like he was teasing.

    ¡°No, I have been busy with things for work. Doing ss preparations is all, so get to dinnerter.¡± I

    exined. ¡°Why would I avoid you?¡±

    He looked down, like he was suddenly ufortable, or maybe he doubted himself. I was

    struggling to read him... ¡°Don¡¯t know, maybe after the stuff Beta Asher said.¡±

 Chapter 0136

    Chapter 0136

    I frowned, a little confused. Did he really think I would avoid him? And would it actually bother him if I did? "Didn''t I eat with you after that?" He shrugged, still continuing to avoid my gaze. Hmm, definitely a little odd...

    "Besides, I think the Beta is avoiding me now, so what he thinks is likely irrelevant." I said without thinking, in an attempt to reassure him I had not been avoiding him. But I noticed Marc looking at me, a look of concern upon his face.

    "He got nasty with you?"

    "He isn''t like that, is he?" I questioned, not believing for a moment Asher would get nasty with those in his own pack. I knew he had a darkness that seemed to overtake him when he was struggling, but I still do not believe him capable of being nasty or hurting his own pack members.

    Marc raised his brows and shrugged. "Did he get nasty with you, Bailey? Angry at all?"

    I shook my head. "No. Just snapped. Though that could have been my own fault, I likely deserved it. He seemed angry then, and is avoiding me now." "Would you not say anything if I told you something, Bailey?" he looked at me, suddenly looking so far from the confident guy he usually appeared to be.

    "Righte on Marc, I have got things I need you to do." Alli quickly disturbed our conversation, almost like she had been listening in to the conversation and didn''t want Marc to tell me whatever he was about to...

    Marc looked toward me with a sad smile, and a little shrug. "Guess I will catch you around then, Princess. Have a good night."

    "Okay, I will see you bothter." I said, realizing I was going to have to ept I was not likely to get the answers I was hoping for...Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    I quickly walked from the school, my mind a whirling mess as to what he had been about to tell me. I couldn''t help but wonder if it was to do with Asher, seeing as we had been

    talking about him. I could onel. no

    assume Marc would know him with the fact his sister had been Asher''s fated mate. And, he had moved to Asher''s pack...

    Thest few days, on the odd asion I had seen Asher around in pack, he had looked down and kept walking quickly. Avoiding my gaze as much as he possibly could. It could not be clearer to me, he did

    not want to be around me. I know I had pushed him away when he had tried to be there for me, but don''t think it deserved this sortof treatment now. We had been beginning to get along. I had even begun to wonder if we could be friends. But, evidently, there was no hope of that.

    With Luna Eden so busy now with her new baby, Asher avoiding me at every turn, and me barely hearing from anybody in my own packtely, I was beginning to feel increasingly isted here, and, it was starting to bring me and Akira down. Making me wonder if taking this job had been the right thing after all.

    concern

    ¨¦l

    reced with a darel

    I walked through the packhouse doors, just as Asher was walking out, nearly knocking into him, causing him to step onto my toe. I flinched in pain, as he quickly stepped off. He looked at me, momentarily a look of crossed his face, before it was reced with a dark scowl Do you j¨²st walk around in a fucking daydream?" He all but snarled. "Watch where you are going and that sort of thing likely wouldn''t happen." He snapped, storming out of the door, leaving me stood watching his intimidating figure rush away, with tears in my eyes.

    I don''t know what was happening with him, but I was liking him and this pack less and less now...

 Chapter 0137

    Chapter 0137

    Sitting at my desk sorting through yet more papers for Caleb. Who knew an Alpha had so much paperwork to do? Thankfully, the baby had arrived now, but I had done the decent thing and told Caleb to take a couple more weeks off to allow him to spend some time at home with his family. Bond with his new baby, Freya, and allow Eden some time to rest with Caleb at home to help, though no doubt she would see it as having him under her feet.

    Even once he was back at work, she would be inundated with offers of help, but still, I wanted him to have that chance to spend time with his new pup. Those first few weeks are ones you never have the chance to get back, or so I am told... But, at least, I know I am getting close to the end of having this additional pressure upon me.

    Zion is in desperate need of a run. But, I have had to cut my daily runs short thesest few days with the amount of work that needed doing because I didn''t want to leave Caleb with a stack of work to return to. Though I was finding it increasingly harder to focus. My mind so often drifts to I... and now Bailey too. But, I couldn''t solve this thing with Bailey and gain the answers I needed because she seemed unwilling to talk to me. So, I simply buried my head within the work and did what I did best and avoided people.

    While sitting at my desk, the phone rang, which always confused me, which likely sounds ridiculous, because obviously that is what telephones are for, to take calls, but everyone in the pack can mindlink, so we so often use that instead, rather than using the phone, so phone calls are rare unless they are external. So I answered, truly not having the energy to deal with talking to others.

    "Hello, Autumn Valley Pack, Beta Asher speaking, how can I help?" I said, trying my hardest to sound polite, they would have to make do with that. Cheerful was outside of my abilities, especially today.

    "Ah Beta Asher, just the person, or Alpha Caleb, but you will do." A voice said, and the moment they spoke, I recognized it as the annoying father of Bailey. Wonderful. I was tired. Over worked, and over stressed. Thest thing I needed to be dealing with was this over-excitable fool.

    Nothing like insulting me either, with the ''You will do'' statement, was there? Eurgh... I wish I hadn''t answered the phone now...

    ''Should have gone for a run like I asked you to.'' Zion snarled, he was getting really snappy ofte.

    ''Hmm, wish I had.''

    ''Hang up then and go.'' He growls. But I ignore him, pushing him back, before he tries to take over, or else he would force a shift and I would be running through the packhouse destroying everything in my wake in my wolf form.

    "What is it I can help with?" I forced myself to ask, cutting conversation with Zion.

    "I wanted to see how Bailey is doing." Her Dad asked, and I couldn''t help but wonder why the hell he didn''t just call her himself. She was his daughter after all.

    "And you can''t ask her that yourself?" I spoke my thoughts, not caring if he liked it or not.

    Yet the weird one simplyughs.

    "See you have got even happier since I left." He said with a hint of sarcasm, cheeky fucker. "But, I don''t want to be pestering her, and not

    only that we have a lot going on int

    our pack, and I know if I call she will be wanting to know about it all, and then she will be worried about all that. I just want her to be enjoying her new job. I don''t expect you to understand, you big buffoon, you aren''t a father, but I worry about her." He says, but the thing is, I think I do understand. Because, the truly irritating thing is, I worry about her too...

    "May I ask if things are improving in your pack?" I said, urging him to share the information. Hoping it may answer some of the many questions bouncing around inside of my own mind.

    "No, you may not."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "Figured as much. So, I assume you don''t want to know that someone in your pack called Bailey then?" I hinted at knowing some information, in the hope it might make him a little more willing to share information with me.

    "What?" he snapped. "Are you being serious, Beta? And how would you know that?"

    "Because she was sitting with me when the call came through. She would not tell me what was happening, but I am concerned for your daughter, Beta Donovan." I told him.

    "Do you know who it was?" he

    demanded, but I don''t let the tone of his voice anger me, because in truth, if I was in his situation I know I would sound equally as angry, if not more so. He wanted to protect Bailey. And, despite the awkwardness between us, so did I.

    "No, sadly I do not, as she ran off. Unwilling to give any information. But he was quite aggressive. His words sounded nasty. And they upset her. I ask that you consider calling her, to see if she will open up to you, because she would not open up to me. And, I assume you will not tell me the issues she is facing, so I may be able to help?" I said with a sigh.

 Chapter 0138

    Chapter 0138

    I heard the Beta at the other end of the phone sighing too. "I am sorry Beta Asher, but that is not my ce to decide to share that information. That would be Bailey''s ce if she chooses to open up to you. But, maybe I misjudged you. It seems you aren''t that much of a bad guy after all. Even if you have a face like a shriveled up lemon. I will call Bai, and see if she will talk to me. I have a feeling I know who called her, and if it is him, we have problems." He said, hanging up, without so much as a thank you or a goodbye. Angering me further, but also leaving me filled with fear for the girl I know I should not care about, but for some reason, I am beginning to, and anger for the man who seems to have this hold over her...

    Zion is rippling closer to the surface now, and I know there will be no pushing him back. I need to go for a run, and I need a proper run. One that gives him a chance to run until he is in pain from exertion. I rushed from my office down the corridor toward the doors of the packhouse, fighting with Zion for control. He will be shifting the first chance he gets. He needs this chance to burn off the surge of energy pulsing through him because of the anger he is fighting.

    I went to push the door open and a petite body mmed into me, with her head down. I assumed, she was not paying attention to where she was going... though in truth I was more focused on keeping Zion pushed back... I realized in haste it was Bailey, and in the impact of knocking into one another my foot stood firmly upon her toes, as I heard her gasp sharply in pain. Zion whimpered suddenly at the thought of us causing her pain, and I quickly retreated with my foot, moving away from her.

    I quickly allowed my eyes to look over her, trying to establish if she was okay, hating the thought I may have hurt her. But anger rages through me at the sight of her, recalling the pain of her pushing me away. The hurt she caused me... and a scowl took over my face as I snarled. "Do you just walk around in a fucking daydream? Watch where you are going and that sort of thing likely wouldn''t happen.¡±

    The look of shock upon Bailey''s face was one I think will haunt my dreams, it was one of terror. She should not fear me, but now I think she might, as I quickly stormed away from her...

    Zion was now whimpering while I battled my own emotions. Why is she having this effect on me? I cannot get the way she looked at me out of my mind...

    ''Perhaps if you treated her a little better, then she would not be terrified of you, you dumb fuck.'' Zion snarled.

    ''Who are you calling a dumb fuck?'' I snapped. ''She was the one who threw my offer of kindness and support back in my face.''

    ''Hmm, let me see... You, I believe, you dumb fuck. Do you not like it? I think it suits you. Dumb fuck. Dumb fuck Dumb fuck.'' Zion chuckled.

    ''Zion.'' I warned him.

    ''What? I got more if you would like?'' He began. ''Asshat? Dickbreath? Rumpleforeksin? Buttmonkey? Besides, you know I am right, you are a dumb fuck for treating her that way. But you keep acting like a poor baby. She was upset and scared. I think it is normal to push people away. Especially if she doesn''t think she can trust anyone. And let''s face it, you hadn''t exactly shown her you were trustworthy before that. Fuckwit.'' Zion hissed, he was getting close to me blocking him, and he likely knew it, with all the insults he was throwing at me.

    I stormed my way across the path around the back of the packhouse toward the treeline of the nearby forest which would allow me to shift, and allow Zion the freedom he

    needed to take his anger out on some prey, and burn of theAll content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    over-spilling energy seeping from

    him.

    ''Well, it was difficult for me to even let her get that close to me. For me to even be that caring, did she not realize that?'' I snapped once more.

    ''Oh for fuck''s sake Asher, I think she

    may have had other things on her mind than how you were feeling at that moment. But you acting like this now may mean we lose her.'' He growls and with that he is gone. He has blocked me. He is within the farthest reaches of my mind, and unreachable. I have pissed him off. But, that is nothing unusual, and it isn''t the first time. Looks like I''m not going for a run... or perhaps I should say, he isn''t. But, what bothers me more, is what the hell did he mean we are going to lose her? Why would he care?

 Chapter 0139

    Chapter 0139

    Seeing Bailey crying in the distance as I walked through the packhouse tears at my heartstrings, and I found myself rushing to her as she walked into the lounge. Any awkwardness that had been between us is irrelevant now, as I pull her close to me, her tears quickly dampening my shirt. "Bailey, what has happened?" I whispered, holding her tight against my chest. So desperate to soothe her. My heart racing with her so close to me.

    But she says no words, yet I feel her heart racing too as she continues to sob against my chest. I led her to the sofa so we could sit down. I want to be there for her, let her know she isn''t alone. I hate that this sweet girl is suffering, and maybe Zion has been right, pushing her away may result in her leaving the pack...

    I pulled her back from me slightly, so I was able to see her face, and gently stroke back the mane of dark curls from her face. Her natural hair only adds to her natural beauty, in my opinion, why she feels she should hide it I do not know. At my touch she flinched slightly, but her big brown eyes met mine, in a nervous gaze. "Sweetheart, what is wrong?" I whispered, lowering my hand, to softly stroke her face this time, yet I had no clue why.

    Bailey''s eyes dropped to my hand, before looking back at me through her long darkshes, her sobs seemingly easing as she was distracted by me. "Trouble from home." She sniffled.

    "You know I will help you if I can?" I told her. "You don''t have to do all this alone?" I found myself stroking the soft skin of her face once again, unable to resist...

    "Why?" she stuttered. "Why would you help me? I am nothing to you. Or your pack. He could hurt you." She wiped her tears away, before looking back at me.

    I hooked my hand underneath her chin, to raise her gaze to me. "Did it ever ur to you, it is because I wanted to help you?" I said, my voice a little husky. "Because I care?"

    She tilted her head in that adorable way she does, before frowning, making me smile. She seemed to have an uncanny ability to make me smile without even trying, or she had done, until we started shing a little...

    "And as for him hurting me, I have my suspicions who it is you mean, but you don''t need to worry about me. I will do what I can to defend you, Bailey, and I am sure Caleb would too, if he knew you were in trouble, and he knew I wanted to help.¡± I reassured her, and her face softened at my words, a small smile forming.

    "I don''t understand why you would do that for me." She whispered. "He is dangerous."

    My hand was still hooked under her chin, so I slid it along her cheek into her hair, but in doing so, I moved her face closer to mine, and she suddenly looked very vulnerable... but incredibly beautiful... tempting... Zion purred deeply at the scent of her filling my senses... "Is that not all the more reason for me protecting you?" I whispered, my heart feeling like it wanted to beat right out of my chest.

    Bailey went to shake her head and speak, but I found myself lowering my finger to her lips. "Shh, you don''t need to tell me I don''t need to. I want to." I told her, but my focus now isn''t on my words, or what she may have wanted to say, but on the fact of how soft her lips feel to my touch... how close we are to one another... and how good that it feels...

    I moved my finger from her lip and

    now Bailey is gently chewing her lower lip, only drawing my attention to her lips even more, as I find myself drawn to her. Suddenly, my lips find hers, unable to resist. Gently at first do I kiss her lips and the feeling sent shivers of delight through my body, and she shocked me as she began to return my kisses. Tentatively initially, but soon she began to kiss me with more need... more desire...

    The kisses became more urgent, as her hand slipped into my hair, gripping it roughly, making me moan into her mouth, hell... who knew I wanted this girl so badly?

    Zion is somewhere between purring and growling right now as Bailey slowly teased her tongue inside of my mouth, finding my tongue with hers. My whole body is reacting to her touch and I realize just how lonely I have been.....

    Bailey suddenly shifts herself

    without even breaking our kisses, so she is sitting, straddling myp, continuing to kiss me with as much need, her hands tugging roughly at my hair before she allowed her hands to drop to the buttons upon my shirt. Her fingers traced the line of the buttons, the skin underneath reacting to her touch, as goosebumps spread across my body. Before Bailey suddenly gripped the fabric, and ripped it open, exposing my naked chest to her. Popping buttons off, causing them to fly off across the room... but right now I didn''t care, this girl seemed to want me, and I wanted her. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Bailey teased at my tongue with her own, while allowing her hands to slide along my chest, sending shivers down my spine, and pulses of desire ran through me too... I thrust my hip upward, pulling her closer to me to deepen our kiss, while slipped her tank top over her head, exposing hercy blue bra to me. This woman was perfection in every way... My breathing sped up at the sight of her womanly curves, desperate to get my hands upon her, but also wanting to take pleasure in every moment I had with her...

    "Mmmm, Asher, I want you so bad..." she whispered into my ear, her warm breath making me tingle with pleasure. Heat rushed over me.

    I felt so warm... far too hot... my head felt like it was spinning at the effect Bailey had upon me... and my heart pounding in my chest... I was sweating. I twisted suddenly, trying to cool myself down as I sat up suddenly... my eyes wide... and my breathing rapid as I took note of the surrounding room...

    ... I was on my bed. In my room. Alone. It had been a fucking dream. All a dream! A relisation hit me... Wait... Why the hell was I dreaming of doing things like that with Bailey?! My heart continued to pound as sweat drenched my entire body, and Zion whimpered within my mind. No... this can''t be right. Surely not...

    ''Zee?'' I questioned.

    ''Work it out yourself, Asher.'' He snapped, putting the block up between the two of us, my wolf seemingly equally as shaken by the dream we had just

    had.

    Work it out myself? Was there much to work out? I had just had a dream about the new girl. And it was hardly a sweet and innocent dream... holy

    shit...

 Chapter 0140

    Chapter 0140

    I had been called to the main meeting room, and I had no clue why. This would likely not be good. Kaia had been avoiding me since the awkward interaction with her father, and I had no idea why. So, I had done all I could to get as many therapy sessions done each day to keep myself busy. I was not used to rejection, and needless to say, I did not like it. Once I was done here, and in my role of Alpha, I woulde back here, and I would show her what she had missed out on. She woulde to regret her choice, I would ensure of that.

    No woman turned me down. I paced the floor of the room for the tenth time since arriving. I hated being kept waiting, yet these fuckers here seemed to like doing exactly that. I was sick of the familiar walls here now. Sick of the people and the fact that they had be ustomed to me. Though, the fact I had allowed my anger to be hidden meant they did not fear me the same, so I did not gain the same thrill from them all. So, I gained little enjoyment from being here. I wanted to leave now. Well, in truth, I wanted to leave the moment I arrived, but that was never going to happen. But, now, my father could not say I had not done as he had asked of me. I had done exactly as asked.

    I just hoped there were no more requirements expected of me before they were willing to consider my position as Alpha. I was 24, and more than ready to be Alpha. So many uing Alphas have taken their positions by this age, and I think my father was just unwilling to surrender his position. He says I like the power being Alpha brings me, and that I gain a thrill from it, but in truth, I believe he adores the power being Alpha brings him, which is why he is so reluctant to let his title go. That is why he is holding back on handing me the title I was born into.

    But, he would soon have to make a decision or others would be asking questions. I had heard nothing more from Ellis since he had called me in my early days here, to wish me all the best with my treatment, and to tell me he had every faith in my ability to do well inpleting the treatment. And, of course, to inform me of his Alpha training. Why would my brother want me to sessfullyplete my treatment if he had the opportunity to be Alpha? He would want the role as Alpha, like any sane man would, given an opportunity, of that I am sure of!

    I would be interested to know how his training went and if he was strong enough to pass it. I know he is strong. He is of Alpha blood, being my father''s son, but I don''t believe he is as strong as me. He enjoyed training, but never pushed himself like I had. I doubted he was capable of the things expected of young Alphas in their formal Alpha training. I truly believed he would fail, and then, where would that leave my father? With no choice but to go with the rightful path given to him by nature. Me.

    ¡°Ah Miles, you are here." Alpha Aaron walked into the room, taking me by surprise. What was he here for? I have been asked here by the treatment team, yet he is not a part of the treatment staff. I was instantly on edge.

    "Yes, Alpha. Is everything okay?" I asked, instantly in defensive mode.

    An experienced Alpha, he must have picked up on my feelings, as he looked at me with a smile. "No need to be feeling on edge or defensive, Miles Your parents are here to take you home. Your treatment isplete."

    I took in his words. I was done? Nothing had been mentioned about this to me, yet my parents were here to take me home?! My heart was racing in anticipation.

    "I am done?!" I asked, a smile emerging on my face.N?velDrama.Org content.

    avelme

    "That you are son. The additional therapy sessions you were requesting each day meant youpleted the treatment a lot quicker than usual." He told me, as my Mum and Dad rushed into the room with Kaia by their side, dressed smartly in a simple ck shift dress. Her long blond hair pulled back into a high pony-tail, allowing all her delicate features to be on disy. Her lips were highlighted in a deep red lipstick, only drawing my attention to them even further.

    Plump and full, I wanted nothing more than to be able to pull her to me and have my lips upon hers. Kiss her so passionately I messed up that neatly ced lipstick...

    I found myself smiling slightly at the

    mere thought of Kaia and kissing her. Fuck, I wanted this girl. "Well, Mr and Mrs Davenport, Miles has ensured hepleted the treatment as swiftly as he could, likely in a rush to return home to you. But, we are happy that he has done everything we expected of him. We are happy to discharge him from our care, but that does not mean he cannot contact us for out-reach care. If he needs advice or support, he is more than wee to reach out to one of the team for help." Kaia says with a beautiful smile towards my parents.

 Chapter 0141

    Chapter 0141

    I saw my Mum smile back. "Thank you so much, we thought he was a lost cause." And I felt like dying of embarrassment at her words. Nothing like humiliating your own child and making me sound like a fucking monster! This is a woman I want to be with, and my mother is making me sound horrendous!

    ¡°Oh, no, you should never think that. Nobody is a lost cause. Miles has done well. He may have days when he struggles, but if he reaches out, we should be able to help him, so long as he remembers the things we have taught him." Kaia said with a smile in my direction and I felt my heart flutter from her gaze alone.

    What the fuck is happening to me? I do not get all soppy eyed over a woman?! I am the sort of guy who fucks-em and leaves-em. Not willing to get into drama with them. All far too much hassle for my liking, yet this woman seems to have my attention, and I have not been able to stop thinking about her since I met her...

    "Well, you should say thank you, Miles, and we will get going, we have things we need to do." My Dad says bluntly, already acting like having toe here to collect me was an inconvenience, before he looked to Kaia and Alpha Aaron. "Thank you to you both, and all your staff."

    I looked to Kaia, a smile upon my face. "Thanks for everything." I tried to remain casual, though I desperately wanted to give her a hug. Just to be able to hug her. Touch her. Take in her scent...

    "No problem. Good luck with everything." She said, before turning and walking away, like I didn''t even matter. She didn''t even seem to care that I was leaving. Had I imagined there was a connection between us?

    "Here is your support pack." Alpha Aaron said, handing me a small bundle. "All your treatment papers are in there. Along with the treatment ns used, so you can utilize them if needed. As well as contact details for staff if you need the out-reach support once you are home. Good luck Miles."

    I nodded in his direction with a smile, as I followed my Mum and Dad from the room, my Dad already marching his way through the center toward the parking area. He was obviously in a hurry to get away. "Right Miles, we have a lot to arrange when we get home." He says coldly.

    "Oh, so no well done, son. We are proud of you?" I asked sarcastically, a little irritated that neither one of them seemed bothered that I had done the treatment as they had asked of me, with no issues and quicker than expected too, because I had asked for more treatment each day.

    "Why would we be proud? Perhaps if you weren''t such a difficult child you wouldn''t have needed it." Dad said as he got into the driver''s seat of his car with a snarl, telling me he was far from impressed with the whole thing. So, evidently, this was not enough for them either.

    "Mum?" I tried with her, but she shrugged.

    "I am not sure what you want me to say, Miles. Your Dad has just had to see another Alpha there, show weakness to him, with his son and his apparent heir attending treatment. It doesn''t reflect well on

    us as a pack. So, why would he be proud? Think of it in that regard. I am afraid it isn''t all about you, and how you feel. You may feel you have done well doing some therapy, but in truth, through your actions you have let your pack down, massively."

    fe

    My mother''s words hit me hard. Who the hell did she think she was talking to?! feel my anger racing to the surface, but I know if I kick off now, I will be carted straight back into the treatment center, so push it straight back, and take a deep breath, climbing into the car, sitting behind my Dad, not saying a word, seething in anger.

    "Now you have done that, I do not expect to see your attitude and anger being an issue, Miles. Do you understand?" My Dad said with authority evidently wanting to show me who was boss. I clenched my fists in fury, as he continued. "And now, we will begin the next step of your reprisal. You will find your chosen mate. You will do a tour of all the packs. Until we find a suitable chosen mate for you." Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.OrgAll content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    His words are cold and to the point, but they fill me with dread. I am not going to get a say on this, and I know it. Because if I refuse, I am likely to lose my title. The only other option would be to challenge my father for his title...

 Chapter 0142

    Chapter 0142

    I flung back my office door, my head still a mess from my alteration to my dreams... I was used to vivid dreams. Of course I was. My nights had been gued with visions of losing I ever since she had gone. Causing me to relive the moment time and time again. Feeling the pain as the bond snapped. Feeling her slip away from me, and the pain as my heart felt like it shattered into a million pieces, as Zion crumbled inside of me. Never to be the same again...

    But, now, this was something else. This was a dream to betray my fated mate. Betray the woman I had been blessed by the moon goddess. I had awoken wanting Bailey. I had woken thinking I was about to take things further with her, and the thing that terrifies me most, is that thought in that moment, that was exactly what I had wanted. I had been incredibly turned on. I had wanted her. Wanted her touch. Needed her touch. I was disappointed and terrified all in one go...

    I had dropped back onto the bed, with tears leaking from my eyes at the thought of what it all meant. What it meant for I. Did that mean I had to let my beautiful girl go? No. I could never do that. She had been made for me. She had died because of me. Had she not been mine, she would never have been in this pack. She would never have been in harm''s way... she would never have lost her life...

    The pain ripped through me at the thought. She had been meant for me. She had died because she was mine, and I should honor that. Me wanting another woman felt so wrong. I felt like I was betraying all we ever had. Being disloyal to our matebond, despite the fact she was no longer here to respect it would be the wrong thing to do, in spite of what my body thought it wanted...

    She had been gone seven long, lonely years now. Seven long years without my mate. Seven long years of pain. But, they would never be enough for the sacrifice she made in being my mate. For, in choosing to be my mate, she had chosen a life here. Which cost her her life.

    Just as I stepped out of the main door of the packhouse, I saw Eden pushing her stroller with the new baby. Her face lit up at the sight of me. "Hey Ash!" she greeted me, and already I could see she was so much more at ease now the baby had arrived.

    I attempted a smile in her direction, but knew I failed miserably when she looked concerned. "You okay?" she pushed the stroller a little closer to me. "See, little Freya wants to know if her Uncle Asher is okay?"

    I nodded. "I will be fine."

    "Come on, we are going for a walk." She told me.

    "Eden, I am busy." I told her.

    "Doing?¡± she eyed me suspiciously, and rightly so, because I had been about to go for a walk to clear my head, seeing as Caleb had been back in the office today, apparently desperate for a break from the kids. Though from what I understood, Matty was spending the day fishing with his Grandpa.

    "Fine, I was going for a walk." I rolled my eyes at her, knowing she had already worked it out.

    "Well, I shall join you." she told me. "Assuming you aren''t nning to shift?" I could so easily lie and tell her I was but in truth Zion has buggered off since the dream and refusing to speak to me. He is hurting more than he wants to let me know, I think. Which truly doesn''t help me in anyway... Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    "Whatever Eden, you are about to anyway, I assume." I told her with a shrug.N?velDrama.Org content.

    She simply grinned. "Come on then, Mr Cheerful. You want to push?" she offered me the stroller, but I declined. We walked alongside one another in silence, but I could feel her eyes upon me.

    "Eden, if you need to ask something, will you just do it? Because you are making me ufortable by keeping looking at me like that."

    She chuckled. "Something is bothering you Ash. I would swear you looked ready to cry before. What has happened?" she urged me as we sat on the wall overlooking the pond at the far side of one of the many gardens in the pack.

    "Shit." I muttered, not really wanting to admit to anything.

    "Well, why not tell me?¡± she asked, as she checked on her daughter.

    "I will manage." I shrugged.

    "Looking at your face, and the mood you have been in ofte, I would say not. Has something happened?" she asked yet again. "Are you struggling with things with I again?" she reached for my hand. She knew how much I struggled with the loss I felt from my mate dying, not to mention the guilt I battled too.

    I smiled sadly. "I guess you could say it is to do with that."

    "Oh Ash." She leaned her head upon my arm. "I would hate that you are struggling, you know that. She also would never see you as to me for what happened. That was not your fault. That was the rogues, and you know it was. Nobody knew that was going to happen. That could as easily have happened in her old pack before she came here." She told me, and I know her words. They are familiar to me by now.

 Chapter 0143

    Chapter 0143

    This is a conversation we have had so many times before. One of the reasons Eden and I get along so well, is she and Caleb were the ones there for me when I lost I, and they saw the effect it had upon me. They saw how damaged I was bing, yet they never gave up on me.

    "What if I am breaking Eden?" I whispered, and I felt her raising her gaze to look up at me.

    "In what way, Ash?"

    "I feel like I''m falling apart. Like things that I should know, or I feel like I do know, are all in doubt because it feels like my own mind is in doubt. Like I can''t trust my own thoughts. I can''t trust my own logic. Like I can''t trust my own mind. My mind is a mess, Eden. Things are slipping out of my control. I don''t like it." I told her, trying to put into words how I was feeling, and I saw the fear upon her face.

    "Your anger?" she questioned, but I shook my head. Strangely, this time it wasn''t my anger. That was still there simmering, of course. I doubted if that would ever go away. But my mind was overtaken with doubt ofte. A doubt that I was struggling to trust my own judgment. It was making me question every little thought I had. Every decision I made. Whereas previously I was so sure of myself, now, I doubted each thought...

    "My thoughts. Mymitment. Loyalty. Devotion." I found myself admitting, in spite of the shame it brought me to say it.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°That makes no sense, Ash. Who to?" Eden is stroking my hand softly. "You mean to I?" she questioned quietly.

    I raised my eyes to meet her beautiful blue eyes. One thing that I know Caleb cannot resist about his mate. So unusual and rare, and truly beautiful, and something their children had inherited. I slowly nodded, tears filling my eyes.

    "Oh Asher!" She reached up and stroked away a tear that had slipped down my cheek. "Your loyalty, devotion andmitment to I had never been in question, sweetheart, and it never will be. You have mourned for your mate for seven years. You searched for the rogue that killed her for a year after..." her voice faltered as she looked up at me.

    I looked down, not wanting to think about that. Those hadn''t been my greatest moments. I wasn''t at my best, of that there was no denying. It was no wonder my pack feared me at times...

    "But, why do you think it is in

    question? Has someone been on your mind?" she probed gently, no judgment in her tone, though I feel she likely knew the truth. She had seen herself how I had been around Bailey while she was the hospital.

    "Eden, please, I do not want anyone to know about this." I told her urgently, desperate that this is not shared. Gossip had of spreading around this pack like wildfire...

    She smiled, the familiar kind smile of the woman who had be as much like family to me as her mate had. "I won''t say a word."

    "Not even to Caleb." I warned her. " I am struggling with this enough Eden. My head is battered. I don''t need others knowing and asking me things I don''t even know the answer to myself."

    She nodded again. "Okay Ash, I won''t say a word. But, let me tell you this much, I would not see this as you betraying her, nor your matebond. Your love for her will always be there, Ash, but she wouldn''t want you being alone forever. You have been alone for seven years, Do you for seven not think that is enough? Seven

    years of suffering? Seven years of pain?" she softly squeezed my hand. "I would never want her Boo to be lonely, especially not forever, Ash."

    I sat looking ahead listening to the words Eden was telling me and, as much as I couldn''t help but wonder if she may be right, it hurts to think like that. Hurts to think of moving on. Leaving my mate behind...

    But I nodded to acknowledge her words. Smiling sadly across at her.

    e

    "Though I do have to say, Ash, if you are thinking there is something there, or there could be, do you not think you should be a little better with her? A little kinder? Or else you might scare her away." Eden says with a yful wink, telling me she is teasing, but her words seem to heavily echo those of Zion, and that scares me a little...

 Chapter 0144

    Chapter 0144

    Being back in my pack felt so good. The ce I was meant to be. The ce I belonged. And the ce I nned to make my own. Despite not being away too long, it had been too long. This pack was mine. My home and the ce I needed to be. This ce needed me as much as I needed it. I would be the Alpha here. I was certain of that. Of that there was no doubt. But, for some reason, my Dad seemed determined to want to have me out of here before I had a chance to get settled again. Off on this search for the chosen mate they seemed to be craving for me.

    I did not need a mate to make me strong. I was strong enough on my own. Or I would be when I brought Bailey home. I needed her close to gain my full strength that the fated mate brought. That was what legend told us. And that was what I needed. I needed my full strength. She needed to be back home. She should never have been allowed to leave. And I needed to find a way in which to do that. Yet, I had not found a way in which to do that yet, not with my parents constantly breathing down my neck, or Jordan following me around like a little lost fucking dog, watching my every move. I had not found a way, but I would.

    And even more irritating, was her number seemed to be disconnected now. She had gone. Uncontactable now through the number I had for her. Telling me that she was intentionally not wanting me to speak to her. So, I needed to speak with her sister. That had been my n for today, but Morgan was still in a mood with me after ourst argument...Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "Miles!" My Dad yelled from the kitchen, and I rolled my eyes from the ce Iid upon my bed. The sooner I could move from this hell-hole they called a family home and into the Alpha suite the better. "We need to arrange these visits. I want to head off tomorrow." He barked up the stairs at me.

    Wonderful. They really were wasting no time. Tomorrow seemed ridiculously soon! They wanted me marrying off soon. No doubt popping pups out too. Little shitbags, heirs to this great empire of a pack. Well, this mate they are finding me had best be willing to do all the child care and upbringing, because kids were most definitely not something I wanted bothering with. But, I knew I needed heirs. That would be expected of me as an Alpha. So, if my mate could deal with them, then we would manage. I would be the powerful Alpha, she could be the mother.

    It wasn''t like I wanted the mate. She was more to keep my parents and to some degree the pack quiet. It was to gain my title. To keep my power. I just hoped we would find a willing mate on this godforsaken tour. This needed to work...

    I stomped down the stairs to meet him. "What?" I snapped, taking a deep breath, trying my hardest to hold back the anger that was threatening. It was proving harder and harder to suppress my temper, but I was using the skills they had shown me at the treatment center and battled with my wolf to stop unleashing my rage, in order to allow my parents to think I was happy to go along with this. They needed to believe that. I had to deceive them, then they would give me the title of Alpha.

    Once I had my title, I could unleash my fury. And the pack would be brought under my rule. The pack would be run the way it should be ruled. Pack members would wonder what hade for them... My father''s rule would begin to seem like a walk in the parkpared to me... the thought sent a shiver of a thrill down my spine... I loved the thought of instilling fear in others... that was what being an Alpha was to me... the fear... the power. ¡°Are you getting irritable again?" My Dad raised his brows at me. He liked to challenge me, almost daring me to snap. I am sure he wanted me to fail.

    "No. I was busy." I lied. "What is

    wrong? I thought we had gone over the ns. Like multiple times." Iined, ncing at the

    paperwork my Dad had on the table. If he expected me to go through them, I could be here for hours.

    What did we need to go through that would take so long? It was like repeating the same shit time and time again... all for something I didn''t even want!

    "We need to finalize choices. There are plenty of things to discuss. Do you have preference of where we start?" He asked with a smile. Oh, so they were actually asking my opinion? So far, it felt like I had no say...

    My choice would be Kaia every time, but each time tried dropping her name in, I was spoken over, and I don''t even think they heard me. So she was soon overlooked. I was lined up to see a number of

    eline

    she wolves of various rankings across multiple packs across the country. I could be gone for months. This is not what I want. This was only going to dy my title ceremony.

    But, if he was asking for my opinion, maybe I could try pushing my luck. Give him my honest opinion on something. Suggest an idea that I have not been able to get rid of for days now, one that I truly think would work so much better than this lump of shit idea they had...

    "Dad, do you not think I would bring

    more appeal if was the Alpha?" I tried. "I will take a chosen mate. For that, I assure you. I will find a chosen mate while we tour the packs. But, do you not think there will be

    evelyn

    potentially more interest and more volunteers to meet me if I was already the Alpha?" I hoped he would

    listen... this could easily work in my

    favor...

    My Dad gave me a dark stare. But he looked in deep thought momentarily. Was my n actually going to work? But he shook his head. "Do not be so ridiculous. You still have so much to prove before I consider titles."

    ¡°Are you for real?!¡± I roared. ¡°I have done all you asked of me, and it is still not enough?!¡± I stormed from the house, my anger pulsing through my veins. Heading straight for the treeline as I strode away. I needed to get away from him before I attacked him... it was getting so close each time he pushed me to the edges of my temper...

    My heart was pounding in my chest in fury. While I reached into my pocket for my phone. I scrolled through my contacts quickly to find who I was looking for, clicking the call button.

    "Morgan? I am so d to hear your voice." I lied to her as her pretty face appeared upon the screen. I was hoping that seeing my face would make her realize just how much she had missed me, and that the sweet-talking would make here around too. She had always liked my sweet-talking. "I need to see you darling."

 Chapter 0145

    Chapter 0145

    I walked through the pack, having left my friends, heading home ready to rx and settle down for the night, when I was shocked to feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket. Not many people actually called me. Everybody used the mindlink in the pack, and as of yet, I didn''t particrly know anybody outside of the pack. Unless, of course, you count Bailey, but me and her didn''t exactly part on the best of terms after she and I argued...

    I slipped the phone from my pocket, and was shocked to see Miles was calling. I had heard he was back. But, I had done my best so far to avoid him. The things I had heard of him had me torn. That did not sound like the guy I had been getting close to. The guy who had promised the world. He had told me stories of me being his Luna. Running the pack by his side. I was ready to give up everything to him. Never did I realize he had been fated for my older sister. Though his cold words before he left hurt me too...

    Eww. The thought still repulsed me. Yet I clicked to ept his call, unable to resist. I had missed the deep lull in his voice. And the moment I saw his face appear upon my screen I felt my heart flutter. "Morgan? I am so d to hear your voice." He said, his voice as deep and husky as ever. My heart raced at the sound of it. He was d to hear my voice? Did that mean he had missed me while he was away? My Dad had told me he had told them he wanted nothing more to do with me... well, he had told me the same...

    I felt like he had broken my heart. Yet, right now, he was back. He was calling me. Maybe he was saying that to protect me? Yeah, maybe that was what it was, he didn''t know how long he would be away or what his treatment would be. "I need to see you darling." His deep voice oozed charm at me through the phone and I felt like my legs wanted to give way.

    He wanted to see me? He had missed me then, almost as much as I had missed him then? I gazed at his image upon my phone. He was so handsome... why could he not have been fated for me instead of Bailey? She never deserved him...

    "Morgan? Darling, you going to say anything or just gaze at me all night?" Miles chuckled at me down the phone. "I am outside right now, so it isn''t like I can give you anything to be gazing at..." he winked at me and I felt myself blushing at the thought of some of the videocam session we had had before things were called off.

    "Sorry, you took me by surprise calling Miles. I thought you didn''t want anything to do with me?" I exined.

    "Aww, did you really think I could stay away?" he teased, slowly running his tongue across his lips and I felt my heart pounding at the sight of him. "You said you would."

    "I say a lot of things when I am

    hurting Morgan. I was scared is all. I didn''t mean it. We had a lot of things we wanted to do together, remember?¡± he raised his brow at me suggestively, and again I felt my cheek heating at his suggestion, but I nodded. There were so many things I wanted to do with him. Miles was the most sought after guy in our pack, he had been for as long as I can remember. He was the uing Alpha after all, and he was so handsome. If I could be his girl, nobody would doubt me. Nobody would question me...

    "So, you don''t want to deny me, do you? Imagine denying your uing Alpha." He pouted at me "And, your would be denying yourself, Morgan, because you have yet to experience all the things I can do.

    He winked at me, and my

    whole

    "1

    body was beginning to react to the

    things he was suggesting. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    "Where are you?" I asked, suddenly beginning to wonder where I could find him, and thinking it might be better going to find him instead of going home...

    "That is my girl." He winked again. "Meet me up at the gazebo near theke."

    I quickly turned around and began walking in the opposite direction to where I had been going, rushing to the gazebo. Going home could always wait, seeing Miles was definitely more important. The thought of feeling him kiss me... or even better, touching me... sent my body into overdrive...

    I almost jogged across thest piece

    of grass toward the path which led up to the gazebo, trying hard to calm my pounding heart. Only to see

    Miles was already waiting for met

    leaning against the wooden gazebo, looking ever the powerful future Alpha. Handsome and strong in the light of the moon... watching me with a smile upon his handsome face.

    "Why hello Morgan." His eyes drifted up and down my body, beforeing to meet my gaze once more. "Anyone would think you were in a rush."

    I felt myself blushing. Goddammit, I wish he didn''t have that effect on me. Or at least that he didn''t know he did, because I knew he would use it to his advantage... ¡°Erm... I just didn''t want to keep you waiting." I lied.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    He nodded. "That is good to hear. You learn quickly." He smirked, almost evilly. "I don''t like to be kept waiting."

 Chapter 0146

    Chapter 0146

    He reached for my hand, and pulled me toward him, so all I could smell was his spicy, manly scent. My head and heart felt like it wanted to explode as he lowered his mouth to my ear and whispered. "I was tempted to wait for you naked, but I was worried somebody might walk by and see..."

    My eyes widened in shock as my cheeks heated at his words and he chuckled as he looked at me. "Aww, did I embarrass you Morgan?" he softly ruffled my hair. "If you want to be my girl, you best get used to the thought of me naked, I like being naked, and I expect a lot of things..." he wiggled his brows suggestively, narrowing his eyes as if to portray some hidden meaning, and for a moment I was a little scared.

    Miles suddenly turned his back on me and walked into the gazebo and sat on the seating within it, looking up at me. "Don''t just stand there then. You are getting pretty boring, pretty quickly Morgan. I am beginning to remember why I finished things, I think..." he chewed his lower lip angrily, and I began to panic.

    Is that why he ended it with me? Because I was boring? No, I didn''t want that. Nor did I want to be a disappointment to him. Any girl given this choice would do exactly as the uing Alpha asked of her. This was the most desired man in our pack. Of course, I do as he wants. Even if I am a little unsure. He knows what he is doing. I have known him for all of my life, he would never hurt me...

    I quickly went to join him on the seating, and smiled at him, trying hard to act confident. "So, you d to be home?" I asked, and I realized the moment I said it how stupid I was, because the look of sheer disgust upon his face spoke a thousand words.

    "Oh no, I fancied spending another few months there really. Treatment is like a fucking holiday. Shit, Morgan, think before you speak, will you?" he rolled his eyes, turning away from me. And instantly I felt so small and irrelevant to him. Was this how he made Bailey feel?

    "Sorry." I muttered.

    "Whatever." He grunted. "Do you have your sister''s new number?" he suddenly demanded, taking me by surprise.N?velDrama.Org content.

    "Huh?" Why the hell would he need Bailey''s number? He hated her, right? My Dad and my brother had fought so hard to get her away from the pack or so I am told. It was only recently I had discovered this, because it seems my family are exceptionally good at keeping things from me. But, they had done a fucking good job, of getting her away, all because of how Miles had hurt her. So, why would he want to get in touch with her?

    "Oh, I know you are aware of the problems we had. But, as you know, I have had treatment now. I feel so much better. But, me and her were never a good match. I want to apologize for how I treated her, think she changed her number, right? his voice was suddenly Back to being charming once more as he looked at me, and I could see no anger in his face, he looked like he was being genuine. This would make sense when he had been through treatment for his anger, I guess... and everything he is saying is true, he and Bailey were never a good match. The moon goddess messed up with that matebond, of that there was no doubt. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    But, I sat quietly, unsure of what to do. She had recently changed her phone number. I know that, my Mum had told me. Not that I spoke to her, but I did have her number in case I needed it.

    "Darling,e on, you know me, you trust me, right?" he slowly slid his hand up my thigh and my whole body shivered in shock, I thought I was going to die from the effect his touch had on me. "Ooohh, you like that?" he whispered, as he lowered his mouth to my ear, teasing at the ear lobe with his tongue, making my whole body tremble.

    "Mmmm." I moaned, unable to stop myself.

    "So, did Bailey get a new number?" Miles stopped mid-lick, to ask, and I turned to look at him, a little irritated he had stopped, but desperately wanting him to continue, so I nodded. "You have her new number, right?" I nodded once more, anything so he would continue what he was doing...

    "Yeah." I whispered, my voice trembling as I felt a wetness building between my thighs, and he had barely even touched me yet...

    He passed me his phone, fully

    stopping what he was doing now.

    "Type it in there for me. I need to put right my wrongs. That was part of what they taught me in my

    treatment." He looked at me

    el.n¨¦t

    pleadingly. "Then I will see to you." he winked, and I quickly snatched his phone, using my own to copy my sister''s number over to his, before looking up at him, ready to have him send me to heaven.

    But, instead, he quickly stands. "Thanks Morgan. Have a good night." And with that, he walked away. Miles fucking Davenport leaving me with tears in my eyes as I realized he had duped me, all to get my sister''s number... what sort of fool am I? He never liked me at all. I should have known that. How did I fall for this again?

 Chapter 0147

    Chapter 0147

    I sat inside my room, unable to sleep and found myself thinking ofying out on the sofa in the lounge to watch a film could be good. My small TV in my room had been ying up, and it wasn''t like anyone ever came and used the lounge TV. I snuck from my room, knowing there would be nobody about. Other than the asional awkward avoidance of Beta Asher, I rarely saw anyone in the packhouse at night. If anything, there may be the asional guard. I had begun to recognize them now, and them me, and had begun to chat with them, as a way to keep me upied of a nighttime. Most of them were nearer my Dad''s age, but I still enjoyed theirpany, and talked of sport the same way my Dad would, so it wasn''t like I was clueless. But, tonight the hallways were empty, as I slipped into the lounge, and picked up the remote control, andid myself out on therge ck leather sofa that was in front of the big screen TV mounted on the wall. I scrolled through the films that were avable to watch until I found one that I thought I might enjoy, and I put it on.

    Just as it began, I heard footsteps near the door and I nced up, only to find Beta Asher ncing in at me, peering over the edge of the sofa curiously, I tried not to smile. "I am still alive, if that is what you are trying to check." I said sarcastically, because I was truly unsure what he was looking at me for.

    He chuckled. "Good to know. Though I was checking to see if you had fallen asleep again. If you had, I was going to bring you a nket."

    My heart fluttered a little at his words. I had fallen asleep on the sofa the other night, watching a documentary, and had awoken a number of hourster covered in a nket. I had assumed one of the guards must havee in and seen me. Doing the Dad thing, as that was always something my Dad used to do when I fell asleep watching TV... seems it may well have been Asher after all.

    I pulled myself to a seated position, so I could see him properly. "That was you?" I muttered.

    "Who else would it be?" he asked incredulously, sounding more than a little confused.

    I shrugged. "I kind of assumed it may have been one of the guards."

    He smirked. ¡°Assumed or hoped?" he shrugged. "Besides, they maye in to do ate night patrol around 10pm or 11pm Bailey, but you had fallen asleep nearer midnight. Nobody would be around the packhouse then, or I should hope not. And if they were, they would be breaking in, and I don''t think they would be cing a nket on you because they didn''t want you getting cold."

    I find myself smiling now, he can be the weirdest sometimes. One minute nasty. Next minute, ignoring me. Next minute sweet. His mood swings could give a girl whish...

    "Well, thank you." I told him with a smile.

    "I''d say you are wee, but seeing as you thought it was the guards because you clearly thought I wasn''t capable of being kind, I don''t know." He said bluntly, and I felt myself a little taken aback by his words. Until I looked up at him and saw his smirking, and realized he was teasing. I shook my head at him.

    "You aren''t funny, you know."

    "Uh-huh. So you keep telling me.''

    I sarcastically smiled at him, and he chewed his lower lip awkwardly.

    "I will leave you to your film, Bailey. I have work to finish." He said, and I looked at him with a frown.

    "You are working thiste? You know it isn''t good to be working sote? That is probably why you look so tired all the time..." then I saw the way he was looking at me and realized I may have overstepped the mark with my words, and tried to smile sweetly to cover myself.

    "I struggle to sleep anyway, as I already told you. Which is why I work more. Gives me something to do. And it means we get more done." He told me with a shrug.

    I sensed a little difort from him now, and I know it is likely from the conversation we had when I went to his home. He did say he had struggled sleeping since he lost his mate. I am sure that was what it was...

    "And you cannot tell me you do not workte, because you told me you do, and I have seen you sitting at the coffee table. working the other night.¡± He raised his brows at me, and I recalled the night he was speaking of when I brought some lesson ns down to the lounge to work on. As there was more room at the coffee table than in my little room. Dammit. I can''t exactly argue with him now...

    I shrugged dismissively. "Fine, Mr Know-it-all." I stuck my tongue out at him and heughed.

    "A funny guy and Mr Know-it-all,

    wow, I am doing well for myself." He grinned. "Enjoy your film Bailey." He nodded in acknowledgment toward me before leaving the room, leaving me to sit back into the soft cushions of the sofa, watching him walk away from me, a smile ying upon my lips as I nned to watch my film...

    A few hourster:

    I stretched slightly, stirring from my sleep. Feeling ufortable where Iy, my eyelids fluttering, as I tried hard to pry open my eyes, trying to establish where I was. This did not feel like myfortable bed. It was only as my eyes slowly opened and adjusted to the darkness, that realized I was still in the lounge,id out on the sofa. I must have crashed out on the sofa as I watched the film, like I so often did when I watched TV. I looked down, to see my body covered in a soft, navy fleecy nket. I pulled it closer to me, thinking of my earlier conversation with Asher, with aCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    smile on my face. Content belongs

    to

    Snuggling into the sofa a little more, I wrapped the nket tighter around me, noticing then that the nket smelled heavily of Asher. It must be one

    of his nkets, I thought sleepily. I drifted back to sleep with Akira almost purring contently, a smile upon my face, and the scent of Asher filling my

    senses...

 Chapter 0148

    Chapter 0148

    I am awoken early by my father banging off my door. Ordering me to get up and get dressed. I have

    little choice. This is my life now for the next few weeks at least. I must go touring the country, go and

    meet countless she-wolves I had no interest in. I would rather be here, in pack, setting things up for

    when I take over.

    I know Ellis is due back any day now, and his mate is due home from her visit back home. She had

    decided to return home whilst he was away, already missing her family, and without her mate here

    to distract her she had apparently felt even more homesick. And they wanted her to be a Luna?!

    What a fucking joke¡­ she may be a pretty little thing, but she clearly didn¡¯t have the strength

    needed to be a Luna. She was weak as fuck if she was already homesick for her family and former

    pack after a few days here. Truly pathetic. Ellis had his work cut out with that for a mate. The only

    thing going for her was her looks, it seemed.

    But, I would rather be in the pack when Ellises home. News had traveled through that he was

    set to pass the Alpha training course. He would be full of himself, no doubt. Feeling he was ready to

    take on the world. Well, I wanted to make sure he knew that while he could pass a pathetic course,

    he was nopetition for me. And by no means did it mean he was ready to make him an Alpha of

    our pack. I was still leagues above him. I desperately wished I could be here, put him in his ce,

    but I would have to make do with some calls. He would realize his ce soon enough¡­

    Soon enough, we were in the car en-route to the first pack, which was only a little over an hour

    away. I truly had no energy for this. And my fucking Dad wouldn¡¯t even let me have a coffee or grab

    breakfast because I had apparently taken too long in getting ready and kept him waiting. Such an

    impatient bastard. He was whittering on about ¡°having a tight schedule we must adhere to¡± or some

    shit like that. He would soon get bored with telling me what to do, I am sure of that. I had my own

    ns¡­N?velDrama.Org content.

    ¡°Why did you dismiss Jordan?¡± My Dad asked. Jordan had been expected toe along with us to

    give his opinion on mate choices. He knew me better than most, having been my best friend since

    childhood, and he was going to be my Beta. But, ofte, he had been distant. I was unsure if that

    was because he had discovered the truth about how I had treated his sister, or if it was because he

    was too lost in the lust of having met his fated mate. I wasn¡¯t sure.

    I am sure the novelty of his mate¡¯s pussy would wear off soon enough. Especially if she was soon to

    be carrying their pup. He would then realize my single life was definitely a better option. Always had

    been. But, at the moment, he was still running around after Gia like she was fucking royalty. Yes,

    she was hot. Yes, she was likely worth the effort when he got her to the bedroom, but even so, it

    should be her running around after him. Jordan had his priorities seriously warped. Setting a

    precedent for a fucked up life with her now, and all because he was addicted to her.

    ¡°He would miss his mate. They are trying for a pup, I believe, so it is not the right time for him to be

    away.¡± I lied, and I saw my father nodding, but in truth, listening to Jordan constantly go on about his

    mate became tiresome very quickly. And, fulfilling my n would be easier if it was just me and my

    father here.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize they were trying for a pup so soon. No doubt it will be Ellis trying too soon enough.¡±

    My Dad said with an affectionate smile.

 Chapter 0149

    Chapter 0149

    I think he liked the idea of grandchildren. He''d be disappointed with me then. As I would be in no rush...

    "No doubt." I said with a hint of sarcasm.

    My Dad looked at me with a dark re. "Though it is you that needs to be having pups if you are given the title, you realize that, right?"

    "I don''t need lessons in how a pack is run, Dad, or what is expected of me. I know what being an Alpha entails. I know what is expected of me. I am willing to do it all. That''s why I am here, isn''t it?" I raised my eyebrows at him, daring him to challenge me on that. He had to know I didn''t want this.

    "You may be surprised, son, but you may actually enjoy this. A little quality time together. Away from the pressures of the pack, enjoying the beauties of the country, being hosted by many of the packs. And who knows, maybe you will be pleasantly surprised. You may find a she-wolf that catches your eye and has some serious potential." He said with another smile.

    This guy is fucking deluded, I am sure of it. Definitely time he was handing his role of Alpha over, because a deluded Alpha is a dangerous Alpha. He didn''t see things that were right in front of him. Missing things meant his pack was in danger. He needed to wake up to reality.

    And, did he truly think I wanted to spend quality time with him? Jeez, I think I would rather sit and watch paint dry. I would likely have more fun doing that...

    ¡°I just want to get it over with Dad." I tell him, looking out of the window as he continues to drive.

    "Well, in the first pack you are meeting the Beta''s daughter, Adelyn. Her mate rejected her. So there is noplication of a fated mate." he tells me, and I rolled my eyes. Fucking marvellous. Some fucking reject that no fucker wanted... basically, I was being offered another version of Bailey!

    Bailey... I wondered how she was doing? Her number had been sitting in my phone since Morgan had given it to mest night. I had yet to message her, asst night when I returned home I had needed to pack ready for our trip. But, now she was on my mind again. Her new pack had declined our request for a visit, apparently. Making me wonder if they knew of the situation between Bailey and me. Or if they simply disagreed on arranged marriages. But, one way or another, Bailey likely influenced their decision.

    Now she was in my mind, I decided I needed to remind her I was still here. Still waiting for her... I slipped my phone from my pocket. And began typing.

    Bailey.

    So, you thought you were clever in getting a new number, huh? Thought I wouldn''t be able to find you? Well little girl, it seems your ns failed miserably. Because I always get my own way. And you need to

    remember that. Seems that V

    beautiful little sister of yours squeals like a little girl when manipted... N?velDrama.Org content.

    I let you have your time away from pack. But, I think you have had time now to realize you belong in Lotus Shadow Pack, and you need to.e back. Heaven forbid one of your family was so ill you had no choice but to return...

    As you may have heard, I am touring for my chosen mate, but there will be no chosen mate. I do not want that. You were my mate. The one didn''t want. Yet that isn''t to say do not need the strength you bring me. The power I gain from torturing you. You will return to the pack, Bailey. Just as I demand. And soon.

    In case you didn''t know, it is Miles. Your beloved fated Mate.

    I smirked as I sent the message. Knowing it was likely to send shivers of fear through her pathetic little body. I knew she was terrified of me, and I loved it.

 Chapter 0150

    Chapter 0150

    We pulled into the parking area outside the packhouse of the Silver River Pack, and I have to say I was already greatly disappointed. The pack was pathetic. Small and evidently worth very little. I could see why they were trying to marry off one of their own to an Alpha like me. Thinking it could bring something good for them. Well, I had news for them, it would not happen.

    ¡°This is a shit hole Dad." I muttered. "Why would we even acknowledge their offer?"

    ¡°Miles, we are willing to do what it takes. You need to be willing to meet them all. You may meet the one you didn''t realize was for you.¡± he told me, with a knowing look. "Soe on."Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    I watched as my Dad stepped from the car, looking more than confident. Seemed to me that my Dad was willing to marry me off to anyone. Just to have me find a mate. Thing was, I was not about to do that. He had a n, I knew that. But my n was so much different to his own. And I knew that with the twobined it would spell disaster. Yet, I followed him anyway.

    The moment we approached the doors of the feeble attempt at a packhouse, the doors opened, for a tall, red-headed man to walk out. I could only assume the guard at the gates had mindlinked to let them know we had arrived. "Good morning Alpha Marshall, and I assume, uing Alpha Miles?" the stocky man said with a brief nod of his head as if in acknowledgment.

    I instantly did not like him. He was acting like he was something special when his pack was like a shriveled up heap of shit. It was a nothing of a pack, yet this man was striding around like it was an empire. Dick.

    "Hi Alpha Owen." My Dad nodded at him too, offering his hand out in a handshake. Why he was ying at being so polite I had no clue. Did my Dad not realize that we were offering a massive opportunity in marriage to me, the uing Alpha of our pack? Yet my Dad was acting like they were the ones offering us something. Like we owed them something... my temper was rippling, and I could feel my heart pounding...

    "So, young Miles, you have been rejected, I hear?" Alpha Owen said with a sympathetic smile. He gently pats me on the shoulder. And his touch only feeds my anger, making me want to punch him. While his words make me re at my father. Is that what they had told people? They had lied to make me sound like the pathetic one? Creating a story to make me sound like a poor rejected Alpha on the hunt for a chosen mate in order to garner sympathy? How fucking dare they?!

    The Alpha smiled again, before he continued. "It can happen, son. But we have our Beta''s daughter who has been through the same, so perhaps you

    and her were meant to be together. A perfect match, both knowing the pain of rejection.¡±

    I swallowed the bile rising in my mouth. My whole body was trembling now with the rage that flooded through me. My Dad had made me sound like a failure for an uing Alpha. One that my fated mate had not wanted. There was no wonder there had been so few potential matesing forward. How dare he?! My eyes darkened as my wolf, Jet, rippled close to the surface of my skin, ready to take out his anger, but my father''s eyes darkened too, likely sensing the building fury within me.

    ''Calm yourself. Do not even think of showing me up, Miles. Or all talk of you bing Alpha is done. You are representing our pack now, do not show our pack up.'' My father mindlinked, and I knew what he had done. He had done all of this to test me. To test my self-control. He was pushing me as far as he possibly could. I red at him, wanting nothing more than to fly at him. Free Jet to attack him, the way he deserved. But, I would not allow myself to fall for his n. This was not going to break me. It was going to be close, but I would find a way to take out my anger another way.

 Chapter 0151

    Chapter 0151

    ''You know what you have done. Do you realize how weak you have made me seem?'' I replied to him, and he shrugged.

    ''Better to show a little weakness, than to show ruthlessness and no self-control. If they knew you had rejected your fated, not one would have volunteered their daughters. If you want to be the next Alpha, then these other packs need to see a dominant man. But one that can be in control when needed, you fool. You have none of that, Miles.'' My father linked, before looking at Alpha Owen calmly, acting as if he was dismissing me and my irritation.

    "So, shall we go ahead and meet this fine youngdy?" he said with a smile.

    "Of course, she is sitting in the gardens with her mother and father." Alpha Owen was now watching me with narrowed eyes. Had he seen my temper rippling through me? As a werewolf, especially an Alpha, you had an uncanny ability to detect feelings and auras. If he had sensed mine, I might have been in trouble...

    He led the way, with my Dad and I following him through what they considered their packhouse, which in all honesty was little more than arge home. But Alpha Owen seemed proud of his pathetic little empire all the same. "Come this way, he led us through the main lounge area, to some open patio doors onto a decked part of the garden, where a group of people sat at a garden table.

    "Ah Alpha, our guests arrived?" a tall, dark-haired man stood, nodding at us in greeting, and I could only assume from his aura this man was the Beta. Making him the father of the woman I was here to see.

    "Of course." Alpha Owen led us to the table, and I nced around to see a woman about my mother''s age with brown hair. And a younger woman, likely my age, looking nervously at me and my Dad. Fiery red hair, in loose waves down her back, piercing green eyes with the longest ofshes which she kept looking at me through as her eyes flickered between me and my Dad. She looked terrified. I could only assume this was Adelyn. "Adelyn, Beta Kian, and Ria, this is Alpha Marshall and Miles." Alpha Owen introduced us.N?velDrama.Org content.

    "So good to meet you all." Beta Kian offered his hand to us, and my Dad, being the suck up he is, shook his hand heartily, while I looked down at it with disdain, earning me a frown from both him, and the Alpha now by his side.

    "Is there an issue, Miles?" Beta Kian asked, and I noted there was no sense of fear within his voice.

    "Oh, other than you having the nerve to offer me, your reject of a daughter? Not only a she-wolf that her own mate did not want, but a she-wolf from a pathetic excuse for a pack. Do you know what sort of insult that is to an uing Alpha ofa pack like ours?"

    The eyes of my own father and the others all widened in shock, while I heard a gasp from Adelyn before she burst into tears and fled from her seat evidently distraught. I found myself trying not tough. Did she truly think she would be good enough for me?

    "I beg your pardon?" Alpha Owen demanded.

    ¡°Miles!¡± My father tried to quieten me. ¡°I apologize for my son speaking out of turn.¡±

    ¡°Alpha Marshall, you said you were more than happy to meet Adelyn. If she was never suitable, then you could have just said. How dare youe and insult her and our pack. I think it was time you left." Alpha Owen almost roared at my father.

    My Dad nodded. "I never had any

    issues with your pack nor Adelyn.

    This appears to be an issue from my son that he had not discussed with me, but, believe me, it will be discussed. So, please, ept my apologies." He nodded in their direction again before grabbing my shirt and dragging me after him

    through the house we had only moments earlier been led through by the Alpha.

    Anger was seeping through every pore of my Dad. I wanted tough so badly, but knew I would likely end up with a ck eye. But, it seemed my n may be working...

 Chapter 0152

    Chapter 0152

    I had nned to try and get an earlier night, knowing we had an early pack run tomorrow, but knew chances were my sleep would be as challenging for me as ever. I had to do my nightly surveince of the packhouse before going to my room, or that would make sleep even less likely. Despite the fact I knew the guards hade and checked the packhouse earlier in the evening. I paced the darkened corridors, like I would night after night.

    It was only as I approached the library that Zion became a little unsettled. Though I was sure as I walked closer I could smell the vague scent of Bailey. Surely she would not still be up thiste at night? Or I should say early hours... Maybe she had been here earlier? Could that exin the scent?

    ''No. She is here, scent is too strong for it to be earlier. Go and check if she is okay.'' Zion''s voice was almost ordering me. ''What if she has fallen again?'' he adds.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    And at those words my heart was pounding in my chest. He was right. What if she had been in the library and had slipped on thedder again, but hit her head this time? She could beid out on the floor bleeding... I quickly rushed to the door, hoping I would not find her injured upon the floor. I could sense Zion''s panic as well as my own, as we entered the room, only to find Bailey sitting at one of the desks, papers strewn around her, and her headid on top of the papers.

    My heart softened at the sight of her. I felt my relief as well as Zion''s at the sight in front of us. Goddess knows how long she had been here like that. But, whatever she had been doing, it had obviously tired her out, and she had crashed and fallen asleep, bless her. She looked so sweet sitting there fast asleep.

    ''You can''t leave her there.'' Zion told me, and I know he was right. She would have a crick in her neck, I know that much.

    ''I know. Give me some credit.'' I grumbled at my wolf. ''I do have a heart, you know.''

    ''Well, it is hard to tell sometimes.'' He chuckled.

    I rolled my eyes, walking toward Bailey, so I was standing next to her now, but as I looked down at her, I was clueless as to what to do. My gut instinct was to lift her up and carry her to her room, but I didn''t know how she would react if she woke up to find me doing that...

    I gently ced my hand upon her shoulder and softly shook her. "Bailey?" I said, lowering my head to near hers.

    "Mmmm" was all I gained in response.

    Zion simply chuckled. ''I think she might be asleep.'' He helpfully pointed out.

    ''No shit.'' I rolled my eyes at my wolf as I gently shook Bailey once more.

    "Bailey, sweetheart, it is Asher, you have fallen asleep in the library. Come on, you need to wake up."

    ''Is she dead?'' Zion now asked, making me wish my wolf was the one that was dead. His unhelpfulments sent me crazy!

    There was still no response from

    Bailey, so I decided I had no other

    I

    choice but to either leave her where she was, and have her wake up in serious pain, or do the decent thing and carry her up to her room. I could see her phone and her room key on the desk, so it wasn''t like couldn''t let myself into her room if she didn''t wake up to put her to bed.

    ''Oh what a naughty boy! Sneaking into girls'' rooms!'' Zion sniggered This wolf of mine is more like an annoying brother than a wolf that was meant to give me strength and support...

    I went to pick up her keys and phone to put them in my pocket before I picked Bailey bp, and just as I catch her phone, does the screen light up and my eyes are drawn to it, to see that there are messages after messages off a number, and while I can''t see all the messages, who they are from because there is no

    name, I can tell from their content is nasty. Evil. And I felt my pulse begin to race. This is her former Alpha. Her former mate. There is no denying that. My suspicions from the start were right.

 Chapter 0153

    Chapter 0153

    I know my mind has had me doubting myself, with how my head has been all over the ce, but there is no denying it. My suspicions were right. My logic had led me to the right thoughts. It had just been my doubts making me question it all. It had to be him. I clench my fist in anger, and while I can feel Zion''s temper rippling, his voice is suddenly there within my mind. Take her to bed. She may not forgive you for looking at her phone.''

    And I realize he is right. This waspromising her privacy. I dropped the keys and her phone into the pocket of my trousers. Leaning forward to scoop her from where she is sitting, and she still doesn''t stir. She slipped slightly in my grip, as I adjusted my arm position, to allow her to lean against me, and she snuggled her head in against my chest, still not waking. She must be tired.

    I looked down at her bag on the floor and her paperwork, and decided I woulde back to collect it for her once I had her settled in her room. I held her close to me, finding the warmth of her body oddlyforting, and Zion had suddenly quietened. He felt oddly content, which I find oddly unsettling. He seemed to like thepany of this she-wolf. He liked having her close. Yet, he went through times of liking his own space like I did...

    I walked out of the library, and through the halls of the packhouse with Bailey within my arms. She was still sleeping soundly, her head restingfortably against my chest, as I looked down to check on her with a small smile.

    Suddenly she seemed to snuggle in a little deeper into my embrace, a smile upon her face, before a small purring noise hit my ears. I paused momentarily as we reached the bottom of the stairway.

    ''Did she just purr?'' Zion asked me incredulously.

    My heart was pounding at the thought. ''Well, I would assume that would be her wolf, but I think so. I am pretty certain that is what it sounded like.'' I told him in shock. Did that mean her wolf liked mypany?

    Out of the blue, Bailey shifted again in my arms, and her big brown eyes were now looking up at me. "What are you doing?" she demanded. And, I have to say she did not sound too impressed with me...

    I felt like I was frozen. As I looked down at her. ¡°Erm..."

    "Why are you carrying me?" she asked, her voice a little shaky. "Can you put me down please, Asher?"

    I gently ced her upon her feet,

    instantly missing the warmth of her body against mine. While Bailey was now looking up at me, both hands upon her hips, looking awfully

    el

    irritated. ¡®I think we angered the little bad wolf in her.'' Zion said with a chuckle.

    ¡°Erm.......¡± I began, my palms suddenly sweaty. "Look, Bailey..."

    She stood staring me out, her eyebrows raised like she was challenging me. I don''t think she was too impressed with me right now...

    "You had fallen asleep in the library. I tried waking you, and you wouldn''t. I didn''t want you waking in pain, so I thought it would be better to carry you to your room." I exined, and I momentarily saw her face soften a little, as her eyes dropped to the floor guiltily. Maybe she felt bad for shouting at me now she could see I had good intentions...

    Then her eyes darted back to mine looking fiery again. "And how the hell did you n to get me to bed? Or into my room?" she demanded, her voice angry once more.

    Zion was chuckling. ''Good luck.'' He told me.

    ''What do I say?'' I asked my wolf, with no clue why I had asked for his help.

    ''Kiss her. That will shut her up...'' he suggested. Pushing me forward.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 0154

    Chapter 0154

    Zion had pushed forward enough to take control of my body, to make me stumble forward toward Bailey, with his words fresh in my mind. Yes, giving her a kiss would likely shut her up, but it would likely result in me getting a ck eye too! She looked angry.

    ''Be bold, Asher"" Zion''s voice urged.

    "Asher!" Bailey said, as I stopped myself knocking into her.

    I smiled down at her. Shit... it is a long time since I have tried being flirty with a woman. Do I really want to be flirty with her? I don''t even think I could... I''m not sure that I know how anymore.

    "What are you doing?" she snapped.

    I looked down to her again, my heart pounding within my chest. Hell, she could likely hear that... most of the pack could likely hear that... her beautiful brown eyes were ring at me. I''d like to say gazing, but right now, it was definitely more an angry re than an affectionate gaze. I gently raised my hand to softly run it along the skin of her cheek, and I heard her gasp the moment my fingers touched her face.

    Bailey''s eyes darted back and forth over my face, like she was trying to read what I was doing, the angry re now reced with a look of uncertainty and confusion. I hated that I made her feel that way. I could see the rise and fall of her chest had increased, meaning I was likely making her panic. "Asher..." she whispered.

    I was mesmerized by her eyes, her skin under mine, until she raised her hand to meet mine upon her face. And I suddenly jolted from the daze I had found myself in. The daze I think my wolf had assisted me in finding....

    "I''m sorry. I''m not good at this." I muttered, moving away slightly.

    "Good at what?" Bailey asked quietly.

    "This." I motioned between me and her. "Zion was saying I should..." I faltered, realizing she didn''t need to know what my wolf was telling me to do. It would likely not help the situation.

    "Zion?" she asked, a little confused. "Your wolf?" she asked again, and I nodded. She smiled in response. "He tells you to do stuff, does he? Akira does that to me. If that is any help, some of the bat-shit crazy ideas she has had over years are beyond belief. And aren''t the wolves we have meant to be our support? Mine has a few brain cells missing, I think."

    I found myself smiling, she had instantly put me at ease, seemingly without even trying. But, oddly, the way she described her wolf sounded exactly like my own.

    "Sounds like someone I know." I told

    her with a smile. "I am sorry for just now. I was trying to help you, that was all. I picked your keys from the table in the library where you were

    sitting nned to take you ourN?velDrama.Org content.

    room,y you on your bed, put a nket on you, and leave. That was all Bailey. I wouldn''t hurt you. I hope you would know that."

    Her big brown eyes gazed up at me, through her long darkshes, and she nodded. know. Thank you." She leant forward slightly, standing on her tiptoes, to bring her lips to cheek in a soft kiss, and a jolt pleasure and need ran thro me that took me by surprise. I knew Zion liked this girl... but, I think I may be beginning to... then, as I looked down upon her, her eyes looking up at me so sweetly, almost embarrassed, I realized, I needed to feel her lips on my own...

    Just as Bailey began to move away from me, I hooked my hand within her hair, pulling her face back to mine, causing Bailey to gasp once more in shock, but she did nothing. to stop me. Her eyes were focused upon mine, hershes fluttering nervously, as I allowed my lips to tentatively find hers, and as did, I felt my guardse crashing down. Softly my lips brushed against hers, terrified she would push me away at my forwardness, but to my surprise, as I continued to tenderly find her lips with mine, she began to return my kisses. Did she want this too? Hell, I think I had been surprised at how much I wanted this... Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    An unexpected warmth spread through my body as I felt Bailey''s hands reach into my hair, gripping it tightly, making me moan against her lips. Had I been wanting this all along? Because this kiss felt like a relief sweeping over me. Over Zion too...

    I felt Bailey''s tongue teasing at my lips, and I parted my lips, allowing her tongue ess to my mouth. Meeting it with my own tongue, teasing and ying as we deepened our kisses. Shocks and shivers of delight and desire coursed through my body at Bailey''s touch... the teasing of her tongue against mine... the softness of her plump lips against mine...

    My hands slipped around her waist to hold her closer to me. The curves of her body fitted perfectly against my own, having an effect on me, I hadn''t expected...

    My head felt light, as my heart pounded within my chest as Bailey pulled back from our kisses, though she still kept her hands within my hair, her forehead rested on my own. "Asher?" she gasped, sounding as breathless as I was feeling.

    "Hmmm?" I don''t think I could speak. I am not quite sure what had happened. This was not something I had expected to happen between us.

    ''You took my advice.'' Zion chuckled, sounding smug, but the sense of contentment in him was something else. I don''t think I have felt that since I, and that terrified me...

    ¡°What are we doing?" Bailey whispered shakily.

    I chewed my lower lip anxiously. I thought her words over. Did she mean she hadn''t wanted that? She felt like she did... my head was spinning now...

    I have now felt how good her lips felt on mine. I don''t know if I would want to let her go now...

    I raised my gaze to meet hers. "I don''t know. But it felt good." I whispered back.

 Chapter 0155

    Chapter 0155

    My heart was pounding, and my head was swimming with thoughts. Not to mention spinning. Asher had kissed me... fuck... I had kissed him back... Akira was purring loudly in my mind telling me she was more than happy with the situation, while my head was battered...

    I had pulled away from him breathless... terrified. Uncertain. I gently rested my head upon his forehead, my hands still resting within his soft hair. "Asher?" I whispered breathlessly, feeling incredibly anxious right now. What had we just done? Surely we had overstepped a mark that we could not undo? One that we shouldn''t have crossed...

    ''Didn''t feel wrong though.'' Akira said bluntly.

    And as much as I hate to admit my wolf is right, she is right. It had shocked me the way he looked at me as I had gone to give him a kiss upon his cheek to say thank you. His eyes were filled with so many emotions, but the moment his hand was upon me pulling me close to him, I was lost. Lost in him. And then as his lips found mine, I think I melted... It wasn''t what I had expected him to do or to say in response to my anger, I know that much! "Hmmm?" Asher murmured in response to me. And I cannot help but hold back a smile. I could see his chest was rising and falling almost as fast as mine. Did that mean I made him as nervous as he made me? No. That still probably didn''t make this right...Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "What are we doing?" I whispered, desperately needing to know what hade over him... what had made him kiss me so unexpectedly. That was not like him. Not in the slightest. He didn''t even like me. He saw me as an inconvenience, didn''t he?

    I raised my gaze to his, and watched as he chewed his lower lip in what I assume was anxiousness. He looked quite vulnerable doing that... almost adorable... He certainly looked deep in thought. Was he regretting his actions now? I couldn''t help but wonder. I honestly did not know what to think, or what to do. It had felt so good. Wrong... but right...

    Asher suddenly raised his gaze nervously to meet mine, the way his green eyes were looking at me was giving me butterflies. "I don''t know. But it felt good." he whispered back, and I could hear the nerves within his voice.

    I smiled, looking down shyly, my cheeks flushing at his words. I was not going to argue with that.

    "Bailey?" Asher said, moving back a

    little more, but suddenly sounding a little less anxious now, and as I turned to meet his gaze, he was offering me his hand. I slipped my hand into his, and his hand took mine into a tight embrace, softly stroking the top of my hand with his thumb. Such a simple motion, but one that gave me goosebumps. We began to make our way up the stairs to where our rooms were. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    "You know Zion is talking to Akira, right?" Asher suddenly asked me out of the blue. Wait... Zion was his wolf... Akira was talking with him? How did I not know that? She had not said a word... what a sly little...

    "Really?" I looked at him.

    "Hmm, he just said so. I hadn''t realized. Zion seems to get along quite well with her." He says with a shrug.

    Wait until I am alone with my wolf...

    I smiled awkwardly at Asher, as we reached the top of the stairway. "Though, have to say, I don''t mind thepany of her human

    Qu

    counterpart either." He adds with a little wink, and I find myself smiling, my cheeks flushing again.

    ¡°You want to watch who you say that in front of Beta, or people may get the wrong idea.¡± I warned him, and he took me by surprise and grinned.

    "Oh well." He winked at me again,

    and I felt my heart racing, as we reached my doorway. My hand was still within Asher''s, and he pulled me closer to him, so I was close to his chestras he slipped his hand around my waist once more. I felt my legs go a little weak at his touch, as he gently spun me around, so I was suddenly against the wall next to my bedroom door.

 Chapter 0156

    Chapter 0156

    ''That was some slick moves he had right there!'' Akira giggled, sounding almost like a teenage girl swooning at her teenage crush. Goddess help me! The hand in which he was holding mine he swiftly raised above my head, and his other hand remained around my waist, pulling my body close to his, as he lowered his face to mine. Only causing the butterflies within my belly to increase and my pounding heart to speed up...

    "Would that be such a bad thing?" he whispered into my ear, the warmth of his breath tickling my ear. "I know I certainly have no issues if people want to think the wrong thing..."

    He moved his head back a little, so his eyes could look at me, and I could feel his heart pounding against my own. "Asher, I am just a teacher here." I whispered.

    His handsome features contorted into a frown, before the hand above my head slid down to my face, and softly caressed my cheek. "You are not just a teacher, Bailey." He uttered. "You are so much more, especially to me. I just don''t think I had realized it. Or maybe I hadn''t allowed myself to..."

    His words shocked me. Though, as he spoke, a phone vibrated within his pocket, and it caused him to jump a little, suddenly he chewed his lower lip anxiously once more. I was still in a mess after hearing his words. Was there more feeling from him than he had let on?Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    He moved himself away from me suddenly, the moment between us was gone, as he slipped his hand into his trouser pocket. "Your keys and your phone." He said, nerves so evident within his tone. And as he passed me the phone, the screen lit up. It was filled with missed calls and messages. From him. Miles. My sister had given him my number, and he was back in touch. Something was making him angry, and he felt the need to take it out on me, like he always had. But, what bothered me more, was if these were here now, most of them were there when Asher picked up my phone. That meant he may have seen them.

    Mine Band

    I looked up at him, but he was avoiding my gaze, only confirming my worst fears. I needed to deal with this now. Call it damage limitation, guess. I moved toward him, taking his face within my hand, to move his gaze to meet mine. "You move saw all these?" I asked, but ensured heknew I was not angry. How could I be? He had been trying to help me, he would never have known they were there. And it wasn''t like he could open them and read them...

    He momentarily closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, almost like he was preparing himself for what was about toe, but soon his eyes were looking at me, and he nodded. "This is your future Alpha, isn''t it? Your former fated mate? He bullied you? Treated you so bad?" he asked, his voice so soft, so full of concern.

    I know I had done all I could to hide this from people, but right now, with how Asher was speaking to me, I felt a need to be honest. He had opened up to me before. Been honest. Did he not deserve the same from me? And as I nodded in acknowledgment to his questions, I felt his arms take me in a tight embrace as he took me into his arms, pulling me to his chest, making me feel safe...

 Chapter 0157

    Chapter 0157

    All visits had been called off for the day, and we had traveled to the motel across state that we had

    booked into. Leaving earlier than nned, since we left immediately after the incident at Silver River

    Pack. Anyone would think I had gone in and killed half their pack or something the way my Dad was

    reacting. I was done with the attitude of my Dad. Was I not entitled to an opinion? This was my life

    after all. My future and, ultimately, my Dad had known from the moment he had begun discussing all

    this arranged chosen mate crap, that it was not what I wanted.

    Yet, he took control, like he always does. Taking his Alpha role. Dictating to one and all, and giving

    me no choice. No choice in my own life? That I did not agree with, and was not about to back down.

    And, I had made that clear on many asions before we left. Told him why I did not want this, yet

    he had forced me toe, in spite of that. So why he would think this trip would go well, I truly do

    not know.

    Now, I had spent hours enduring my father lecturing me non-stop about how I should be respecting

    him. Doing as I am told. Because, apparently, my actions at Silver River Pack were not only

    disrespecting their Alpha, but a huge disrespect to my own pack and my own father. How he came

    to that conclusion, I have no clue. I think my Dad came up with his own rhetoric to make himself feel

    better. Make himself feel more important. Well, it wasn¡¯t going to work with me. I was sick of being

    treated this way. He was basically treating me like I am still a young child, and not the adult I was.

    He evidently thought there would be a point when I would buckle and back down to him and admit

    my mistakes, then agree to all he wanted. But, if that was what my Dad was expecting of me, he

    was wrong. I was as stubborn as he was. I would not, and I did not.

    I had continued to stand my ground, and the argument had continued to increase. Building.

    Worsening over time. The room we were sharing was smashed to pieces. Both our wolves

    unleashed their fury upon one another and the surroundings, which would no doubt mean we were

    left with quite a bill for the damage. We were both Alpha wolves and neither one would back down.

    That would show weakness. It would be surrendering to the other, and neither one of us was ready

    to do that. If my father wanted this to go down to an Alpha challenge, I would challenge him for his

    title, for my rightful ce within our pack if that is what he truly wanted, but that is not how we did

    things in our pack.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    But, I had never done things as expected, and my family were underestimating me. If they were

    going to put my brother in my ce as Alpha, I would challenge him. I would kill them all before I

    allowed it. This was for my pack. For the power and control it brought with it, and I would not have it

    snatched away from me. All over the mess that the bitch Bailey had left behind. Everything was fine

    until she let our secret slip. I would forever hold her responsible for this mess.

    I watched my father stalking me, across the room from me, his eyes dark with anger, though I could

    see a tiredness within his face. I think he had to be as sick of this as I was. This is not what either of

    us wanted to be doing right now. ¡°This isn¡¯t right Miles!¡± he roared once more. ¡°You are my son, yet

    you act more like an enemy than any enemy ever has. Why must you fight me on everything?¡±

    ¡°Because you are trying to take away my rightful ce. I am the firstborn, and you know that title is

    mine. Yes, I made a mistake today, but you know as well as I do, Bailey was never right for me.¡±

    I watched now as my father tilted his head at me. ¡°Did you just admit you made a mistake?¡± he

    lowered his tone, which surprised me, though I never meant to admit I was wrong. But, if it meant it

    stopped this shit show of a night, then maybe it was better. There probably was no need to act like

    that at the pathetic attempt of a pack¡­ I was just so angry they had offered me a reject. Another

    version of the girl I didn¡¯t want. And it reminded me of her. Of Bailey. The one I hated to my core.

    The one who pushed me into this mess I found myself¡­

 Chapter 0158

    Chapter 0158

    "Fine, I made a mistake. I know I did not need to act like that. But you pushed me into a corner where I did not want to be Dad!" I told him angrily. "I do not want to be doing this. I told you the girl I wanted."

    I saw the expression upon my Dad''s face change. It softened slightly, and he looked concerned. "There is a girl you want? A girl you would willingly take as a chosen mate?" My father''s tone hadpletely changed now. If anything, he sounded a little shocked. He sounded calm, almost willing to listen. But his words still angered me. How can he act so clueless about all of this? I had mentioned Kaia so many times to them. To my Dad, and my Mum. Told them I wanted to have her considered for my chosen mate. Yet, my Dad was here acting like he had never heard of her. Like she was a nobody.

    "Yes. Kaia. The daughter of the Alpha of the pack I went for treatment at." I told him, and my Dad screwed his nose in confusion.

    "Why would you consider her for a mate, son? She was a worker, was she not?" he raised his brows at me, shaking his head. ¡°You are an Alpha, or will be if you stick to the rules we have given you."

    I held back the fury I was so tempted to unleash upon him. How can he be so rude? So dismissive? Evidently he had not listened to me at all when I had spoken of Kaia, and it appeared he paid little attention to the information given when they came to my treatment center, or he would have known she was one of the daughters of the Alpha there.

    "No Dad, she was also one of the Alpha''s children." I informed him, trying hard to hold back the spite within my tone. "He has quite a few from what I heard." I added, and I saw his face change, like a lightbulb had turned on within his mind.

    "Hmmm. An Alpha''s daughter." He nodded as if understanding now. "And you liked this girl? You would happily want her as a chosen?" he asked, shock more than evident in his voice. Listening to the way in which he spoke, I believe he had thought I would never happily take a chosen mate. They thought I would fight them about this.

    "Without a doubt. She challenged me. Didn''t care about my role. Wasn''t scared of me. It drove me mad, but I liked it." I exined, and my Dad smiled, as he nodded.

    "I think she sounds perfect, son. That is what you need for a mate. Someone who sees you for you. Doesn''t see your title, and is willing to challenge you. I will look to contact her father. Her pack shall be our next visit. No wonder you have been so reluctant for this trip!" he said enthusiastically. "I just wish you had told me sooner!" N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    I rolled my eyes at my Dad. He was unbelievable! Yet I could not hold back the rush of excitement I felt racing through me. I may get my girl yet! I had been so determined, but had been beginning to lose hope, as nobody had been willing to listen to me. Now, it seemed they would! Though, I have to say, there was still an anger rippling through me too, that it just went to show just how little my parents actually listened to me.

    Me... their son... the one they wanted to take over their pack. The one they were apparently so concerned about that they would do anything to help him get better... yet neither one had listened to me. Listen to what I wanted. Not a clue, either of them. I had spoken of her, and none of them heard me. So much hassle could have been stopped had they just paid attention to me in the beginning. I just hope my Dad could do what was needed now. Fulfill his role and prove himself as the pack Alpha, but more importantly as my father in getting us that meeting. And then, it was winning Kaia over...

 Chapter 0159

    Chapter 0159

    I looked up at Asher, my heart feeling it was going to race right out of my chest, having admitted to him everything that Miles was doing to me, yet, oddly, he didn''t seem angry, he looked concerned. "I wish you had told me this when I asked you that first time, Bailey." He said softly.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    I sighed. When he asked me that first time, I knew he had feared for his pack, but realistically, I didn''t think Miles would do anything to his pack, and considering the way Asher had been acting toward me, I was not really willing to open up to him... "I didn''t really know you." I admitted, and he sighed, his shoulders sagging, like he was bearing the weight of the world upon them.

    "But, you have been suffering alone, beautiful, and that cannot have been easy." He said, reaching for my hand, softly stroking his thumb over the palm.

    "Trust me, I have been coping alone with Miles for a long time, Asher, it is nothing I am not used to." I said with a shrug.

    I see his face tighten into a frown. "Why are your family oblivious to it, Bailey?!" he growls, taking me by surprise. Was that him getting a little protective?

    "He is the uing Alpha, everyone thinks the sun shines out of his butt. Why would they believe me over him? I was never considered anything special in the pack, Asher. I was the geeky Beta''s daughter. I blended into the background. Always had my head in a book. One to pick on andugh at. And because the uing Alpha liked to pick on me, so did everyone else. Even my own brother and sister. I got used to it." I exined with a shrug.

    "Bailey, that may be something when you are at high school, but as grown-ups?" he questioned, and I could tell from the look upon his face he was far from impressed.

    I looked down at my feet, unsure how to exin. I know what he is saying is right, but I had just epted how things were. I was what my life had be, and I focused on what I had wanted. On my studies. "It just kind of continued."

    Suddenly, Asher''s arms were around me, pulling me close to him. "I hate that you had to tolerate all that. I wish I could smack your brother. He should have been protecting you."

    I found myself smiling. "He realizes that now. He is trying to fix his errors. Meeting his mate seems to have made him grow up. Either that or it diluted the effect of Miles."

    "Well, you are safe here now, you know that, right?" he softly brushed my hair back from my face, looking down at me, a tenderness within his eyes I don''t think I had seen before.

    "I hope so." I smiled, so touched right now by the kindness he was showing me. This was definitely an unexpected side to the dark and moody Beta I had first met.

    "No. There is nothing to hope, Bailey, we will keep you safe. When you feel ready, we will talk about the things he has done. But, I promise, I won''t let him hurt you, Bailey. Caleb wouldn''t either if he knew."

    "No!" I gasped. "Seriously, Asher, you can''t be telling him anything."

    The look of shock upon Asher''s face took me by surprise, as I pushed him away from me, but I would not risk anyone else knowing all of this. Luna Eden knew little pieces, but not full details. Alpha Caleb was the Alpha of the pack, and it could alter his view of my pack if he knew all of this. I could not risk that. Pack image and reputation were such a vital thing to Alphas, and I know Alpha Marshall would never forgive me if I betrayed our pack that way. I would be in so much trouble if that were to happen.

    "Bailey, he would not do anything, both him and Eden think highly of you and would want to ensure you were safe." He attempts to reassure me, but I don''t think he is seeing this the way I am.

 Chapter 0160

    Chapter 0160

    ¡°No!¡± I snapped. "I do not want him knowing. It brings the name of my pack into disrepute. I cannot have that happening because of me, Asher. The trouble that would cause, all because of me, it would bring my Dad into it all too, I just can''t!" I went to unlock the door to my room, desperate now to get away from him, he cannot do this to me.

    "Bailey, is that what you think would happen? The information would go no further." He reached for my hand as I pushed my room door open, but I pulled it away, adamant he would not hold me here any longer. He would not convince me this was the right thing to do. I was rushing now to get inside of my room. I needed to get away from him. Away from this conversation. But, as I went to close my room door on him, Asher pushed his shoulder into the door, stopping me.

    I red at him, as he pushed his way into the room. "We have done this before, where we were upset with one another, and we stormed off, Bailey, and do you know how shit that made me feel?" he muttered, and I faltered at his words. He felt bad then too? I thought he was angry at me. He avoided me afterward...

    I moved away and went and sat on the edge of my bed nervously, feeling oddly ufortable with Asher suddenly inside of my room. "We need to talk, get this sorted, then I will leave you to sleep, okay. Let us at least clear the air, or I will have even less chance of sleeping than normal, Bailey."

    I felt my heart fluttering at his words now. I hate the thought of him not sleeping because of me. He had already said he struggled sleeping, but I didn''t want to be a reason that was any worse, so I slowly raised my gaze and nodded. Watching as he turned and closed the door behind him.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "I don''t think I will be doing the pack run tomorrow." Asher muttered as he leant against the wall next to my bed. I couldn''t help but smile, assuming he felt ufortable at the thought of joining me sitting on my bed.

    ¡°Pack run?" I questioned, not recalling any mention of it.

    He nodded. "All in the information I gave you. Good to know you read it." He grinned, and I smiled bashfully, Okay, he may have got me there. am not even sure where it went Thankfully, I assume I am not expected to take part, and tomorrow is my day off...

    "Bailey, I think it would be good to tell Caleb all the stuff with this tool of a former mate of yours." He paused, a full on scowling over his face. "Wait, he is a former mate, isn''t he? You did ept his rejection, didn''t you?" his eyes were narrowed, and I am sure there was fear suddenly appearing there.

    I rolled my eyes at him. Was he for real? "Oh no, I was hopeful that he may unexpectedly fall madly in love with me, Asher, as you likely saw from the snippets of the messages you saw, or here." I quickly unlocked my phone, finding my messages, and flung the phone at him. "There are more for you to see just how charming he is. He is such a catch, and I think he is just ying hard to get. A man any woman would be lucky to have." I said sarcastically, knowing I was likely being a little too blunt, but it got to me that he would ask such a stupid question.

    But, my words fall upon deaf ears now he has my phone, as he stands and looks at the messages. His face contorts again. I think I may have made a mistake...

 Chapter 0161

    Chapter 0161

    A sudden thought filled me with fear. She had said numerous times he had rejected her, but the thought had never even urred to me that she had epted his rejection and rejected him too... if she hadn''t, then they would still have been bonded in some way. Was that the draw he still felt towards her? Because something seemed to bring him back to her. Something made him want to continue to keep reaching out to her. Or was that purely a lust for causing her pain? "Wait, he is a former mate, isn''t he? You did ept his rejection, didn''t you?" I could not help but narrow my eyes nor hide the fear that flooded through me. I didn''t care anymore if she could read the feelings I was experiencing. She needed to know. I don''t know why, but she did.

    I noticed her roll her eyes at me in that ever so sarcastic way she so often has, that initially had driven me crazy, but now I had to say I had grown to love. "Oh no, I was hopeful that he may unexpectedly fall madly in love with me Asher, as you likely saw from the snippets of the messages you saw, or here" I find her phone quickly being flung in my direction, after she messed with it, causing me to quickly react in order to catch it. "There are more for you to see just how charming he is. He is such a catch, and I think he is just ying hard to get. A man any woman would be lucky to have."

    Her words are irrelevant right now, in this moment, as my eyes fall upon message, upon message from him. These were not from the number earlier. This specifically stated Miles as the name. I moved across the room to her. I had avoided joining her on her bed when we first entered her room, feeling it might be a little presumptuous. A little inappropriate. But, I needed to hold her right now. Needed to be there for her. Zion too. He was rippling beneath the surface, desperate to be near her.

    His behavior regarding her was bing stranger, but I had stopped trying to analyze it. I knew she wasn''t my mate, not a second chance mate, as there were none of those signs there, but my wolf, without a doubt, felt a draw towards the girl... and in truth, I think I may too...

    "Sweetheart, these are horrendous." I whispered, sitting awkwardly alongside her on her bed.

    "I don''t want your sympathy, Asher. I know what they are." She shrugged, like it was nothing.

    Zion was whimpering now, both of us unsure how to respond to this reaction from her. I could sense a confusion from my wolf. An unease. He didn''t know how to respond to this situation, and I wondered if he could feel something from her wolf that I was unable to sense. Because they were seeminglymunicating. But Zion was quiet, other than the whimpering, not sharing a thing with me. Leaving me to deal with all of this, absolutely clueless.

    "Why show me then?" I questioned, and her gaze darkened as she red at me. Okay, that was the wrong thing to ask.

    "I don''t know, saved them from my

    last phone in case I needed them as proof. I was being sarcastic. You irritated me, asking me that. So, guess it was to shock you." She shrugged, but this time I noticed tears within her eyes.

    I awkwardly went to put my arm around her. this felt so much more intimate considering I was sitting upon her bed... "Well it worked, if that is any

    y thinking, and she looked at me in shock, and I realized how stupid I was for saying that out loud.

    elp." I muttered, withoutatCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    "Sorry." I muttered, and she chuckled.

    "What for?" she shrugged. "For being you?"

    I smiled. "There is a lot to be sorry for if I am apologizing for that."

    "Don''t be silly." She softly pushed me. "And don''t worry, I have dealt with all this already, Asher. Why do you think I was so desperate to get away from my pack? Start a new life for myself?"

    That did make sense, I guess, and it

    did exin the urgency to move here. Like she had briefly mentioned when I had pushed her for

    information upon her arrival. "It-

    1

    makes sense. But, he doesn''t want to let you go. He rejected you, to end

    the bond, but still sees you to

    as his." I exined how I was seeing the messages.

 Chapter 0162

    Chapter 0162

    She nodded in agreement. "Seems that way. But, like I said, I am out of there now. That was the big thing for me, getting away. I made my escape, got my fresh start. I have already dealt with it all, Asher. So, none of this needs to go any further. You asked me to trust you, so please do not give me a reason not to. I am fine. I will be fine."

    So, why did the tears she was fighting within her eyes tell me differently?

    ¡°It is tough isn''t it?" I say softly, as I pull her against me, surprising myself as I inhale the scent of her, Zion now purring as her increasingly familiar scent fills my senses.

    Bailey leans back slightly to be able to meet my gaze, a slight confusion in the way she watches me. ¡°I don''t think I understand."N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    I smiled as Iid a tender kiss upon her head. "Being brave all the time. It gets tough, doesn''t it?"

    I felt her body tense within my arms,

    like she had suddenly realized what I meant by my words now. I know she has to have been putting on a brave front for so long, much like me. But, I am so desperate for her to know that with me, she does not have to do that. "Sweetheart, there is no shame in admitting you struggle, you know?" I whispered, a strange irony in my words, as this was always something I struggled to admit. "You don''t have to be brave for everyone."

    "Asher, please, you don''t need to do this." She ces her hand on my chest, and I can feel my own heart thudding underneath it, so I know she too will feel how fast my heart races for her. How it reacts to her touch. And we have not done anything yet.

    "Bailey, I just want you to know that

    you don''t have to be alone anymore." I rested my head gently upon her own. "Not if you don''t want to be. And, if you don''t want me to say anything to Caleb, then I won''t. I would not break your trust, not when trust is precious. I know it is not something you hand out lightly. So, I most certainly would not break it, beautiful. Please know that. But, I do need you to know that I do

    understand your own struggles. You do not need to battle them alone now. We will find a way to fix this. I want to be here for you."

    But, as I looked down to see how she had responded to my words, I found Bailey was asleep contently within my arms. I smiled. Seemed about right,

    I made a huge deration like that and she missed it. Though, perhaps it was too much... too soon... I don''t even know where it all hase from...

    so sudden... the changes within me. From pain... darkness... toughter... and light.

    I looked down again at the she-wolf

    within my arms and chuckled to myself, who would have known the new girl to the pack would be the one to bring about these changes moved slightly toy her down on

    the bed, trying to adjust myself?

    be

    able to slide myself out from under her. But as I did, Bailey''s arm moved across me, and she snuggled in a little, so I was almost pinned to the bed, as I heard a deep sigh. I allowed myself toy fully onto the bed, with Bailey snuggled within my embrace,pletely unawares.

    Seems I will be settled here for the night. Her embrace wasforting. Zion felt content. I am sure a little while would not hurt. If I moved I could well disturb her, and I don''t want to do that, I tell myself. I would likely wake before her anyway, to sneak back to my room before she even knew...

 Chapter 0163

    Chapter 0163

    I stretchedzily, relishing the warmth of the bed. That had to be the best night''s sleep I have had in a long time... When suddenly I was aware of a movement next to me, and before I was able to open my eyes, I felt a hard thud to my chest, like a fist impacting it. Putting me on edge instantly, and causing me to jump suddenly. But, my senses are filled with the scent of Bailey messing with my mind...

    "Asher!" Bailey snapped, before I had even opened my eyes.

    Oh, shit... the realization hit me as memories ofst night flooded my mind.

    ''Oh who has been a naughty boy!'' Zion sniggered.

    ''Not helpful!'' I warned him.

    I pried my eyes open, trying to adjust my eyes to the brightness of the sunshine ring into the room, which meant it was more than likely already well past the time I was due to be starting the pack run. Caleb was going to be annoyed with me! Feigning sickness may be my only option...

    As my eyes adjusted, I saw a very angry-looking Bailey ring back at me. "Why are you in my bed?!"

    "Keeping you warm?" I suggested with a yful grin, but, going off the dark stare I received in return, my attempt at being yful had failed. I was definitely out of practice.

    "Seriosuly Asher?"

    "Bailey, please, this is going to sound so bad, but we were talking, you fell asleep, and as I went toy you in bed, you kind of pulled me down with you, and I was too tired to fight back." I exined, knowing how ridiculous I sounded.

    Zion wasughing so hard within my mind. ''Too tired to fight back?! You are a Beta, you sap! Why not say you fancied seeing if she made a good bed buddy? See if she was the big spoon or the little spoon?''

    ''Piss off Zion.'' I snarled. My wolf was seriously pissing me off now.

    ''Best sleep ever though, right?'' he said, and I hate to admit he was right, that probably was one of the best sleeps we had had in a long time. I had expected us to be disturbed by nightmares like we so frequently were during the night. I nned to return to my room when that happened, but instead, nothing came. It seems I slept like a bloody baby, and instead I found myself in this awkward predicament. One which is seeminglynding me in a lot of trouble!

    "I did not pull you into bed." Bailey rolled her eyes,pletely dismissing my suggestion she had hooked her arms around me. I am pretty sure that was exactly what had happened... I felt my ego take a slight hit, and how offended she seemed by the thought...

    "Is that such a bad idea?" I teased her, resting my head upon my elbow, so I was facing her, and her cheeks flushed, she looked quite adorable. A shiver of pleasure ran through me... I think I quite enjoy teasing Bailey... her reactions make me smile. I allowed my eyes to drift slowly down her body, wishing she was in a little less now than her pajamas...Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "Asher." Her voice held a warning tone.

    "Hmm?" I allowed my hand to slide to her waist, pulling her close to me, which, whenid down on the bed, felt somewhat strange, but hell, it felt good. I had been doubting everything between us. I had believed I should be alone, but now I had her next to me like this, had felt her lips upon mine, I think I know what I want.

    "Why is Zion telling Akira you didn''t want to leave?"

    My eyes raised to meet hers. That was not quite the truth. I think my wolf was stirring shit here. So much for having my back, the little fucker. "I think he likely means he didn''t want to. He enjoys herpany grasped for exnations, as L

    allowed my fingers to trace the

    over the hem of her tank top, and Lfelt her shiver under my touch. I held back a smile, wondering how she would react to my fingers upon her skin, if that was how she reacted to me touching her over her clothes...

    "You could easily have got out of my bed. You know that, right?" She was scowling again. Wow, she was not about to go easy on me today...

    "Hmm, I guess. And, it isn''t like I

    didn''t intend to, because I did.¡± I exined, but her narrowed eyes told me she didn''t believe a word I was telling her. "Seriously, stop looking at me like that, Miss Grumpy Pants nned to sneak out of the bed once you were settled. didn''t

    want to wake you, so I waited a while. But I fell asleep, and only just woke up, I am sorry, okay?" I looked at her pleadingly. "It isn''t like we are naked." I added with a cheeky smile.

    I saw her cheeks flush once more, and I chuckled, as my heart pounded at her response. "What''s wrong, Bailey?" I softly stroked her face. "You getting all hot and flustered at the thought of us naked together?"

    Mentioning it was making me think about it now... I felt a hot sensation rush across my own body as the thought crossed my own mind. ''Never mind her getting hot and flustered, I think we are.'' Zion chuckled. Thing is, I think he is right.

    "Stop it." She pushed me away slightly, and I felt bad now for making her feel ufortable.

    "Sorry." I looked at her with a smile, apologetically. This was all so new to me. I had girlfriends before I, but back then I was a teenage boy Then there was I, and that had been for such a short time. There has been nobody since. I had isted myself. Put my guards up, thinking it was betraying my mate. I felt a tightness in my heart at the thought of I.

    ''Stop.'' Zion said gently. ''You hurt yourself thinking those things.''

    Bailey sighed deeply, dragging my attention back to her. "It just seems weird is all." She shrugged. "And I still think you could easily have got away from mest night."

    "Maybe a part of me didn''t want to." I shrugged, and her face broke into a beautiful smile. Her smile was incredibly beautiful. Lighting up her delicate features.

    "So Zion was right?" she questioned and I shrugged again.

    "I don''t even know if I aming or going, beautiful.¡±

    She giggled a little before speaking. ¡°I would like to think you''d know if you areing." Bailey said with a wink, and Iughed.

    "Oh, is that so?" I found myself asking with a shake of my head, shocked at her forwardness. "Not so sweet and innocent really are you?" I softly ced a kiss upon her forehead, unable to hold back my smile because of her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

    ¡°Okay, we will forget I said that.¡± she whispered, covering her face with her hands.

    I gently removed her hands from her face so they were now pinned either side of her face, and I found myself leaning over her, looking down on her. "Oh no, I don''t think we will. I think I quite like the naughty side of you." I said to her, as I lowered my lips to meet hers.

 Chapter 0164

    Chapter 0164

    I adjusted my hair, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I liked the new pink tone to my hair. A new me. I think it looked good. I needed a fresh start. Jacob had decided I was not the one for him, and had discarded me for some other she-wolf in the pack, so I was done. Hurting, but I needed to focus. I was stronger than a feeble, pathetic she-wolf who crumbled at the cheating scum of a boyfriend telling you that he was ending things to be with the bit on the side he had been seeing behind your back for months.

    There was a heavy knock at my door. "Kaia, darling, your Dad is still waiting downstairs, don''t be keeping him waiting too long." My Mum called, and I rolled my eyes at her. Jeez, they don''t give me five minutes to myself. My Dad had literally called half an hour ago to request to see me. He seemed to believe I could magically create myself a portal to appear there in front of him the moment he demanded me there. Fully dressed and ready to see him. I had no clue what this was about, but if he was requesting a talk it had to be important, or otherwise he would just call in to the treatment center and catch me on one of my breaks. That was his usual tactic when he wanted me for something.

    It was rare he was ever particrly bothered by me. The joys of having so many children, I suppose. It is difficult to keep up with them all, especially when you were an Alpha and had so many responsibilities.

    "Yes Mum, I aming now." I rushed to the door, adjusting my yoga pants and matching cropped top before I did. I nned to head to the gym once I had seen him. Today was myte start at work, and I nned to take out some of my frustration from the situation with Jacob out on the punchbags. Imagining it was his face would be a good start...

    ¡°Oh, is that what you are wearing?" My Mum questioned the moment she saw me, and I looked at her in shock. Forever judgmental my mother. Always having an opinion on everything and everyone. But, I wasn''t aware she had suddenly been made the fashion police...

    "I nned to go to the gym when I finished talking to him." I told her, with a roll of my eyes.

    "Hmm. I do think you should dress a little smarter, Kaia." She said knowingly, which had me suspicious already, but I gave her a dark re and walked away from her. I was not getting changed to meet my own Dad.

    I rushed through the front door of ourrge family home. Along the garden path, relishing the warmth of the sunshine on my body as I took the short walk from our Alpha home to therge packhouse. The moment I walked through the door, I was almost pounced upon by our pack Beta, Enzo.

    "Good Morning Sunshine." He greeted me, with a smile. "A little causal for a meeting aren''t you?" he questioned, only raising my suspicions even further now, as my Dad had simply asked me to call in to see him. No actual mention of a meeting, so I was beginning to wonder what was going on. "A meeting? Dad said toe see him. No meeting." I shoved past the irritatingly cheerful Beta, and my Dad''s best friend.

    He nodded, chewing his lips and looking awkward as if he realized his mistake. "Well, your Dad asked me toe and find you, you know he doesn''t like being kept waiting Kaia." He shook his head at me, like I had made him wait forever or something! I was literally about five minutes over the time he had given me...

    ¡°Oh for goodness'' sake.¡± I stormed ahead toward my Dad''s office. I did not need escorting there by some jumped up Beta who thought he was able to tell me what to do.

    ''Kaia, sunshine, don''t go storming in there, all guns zing. Not today. As much as we love your fieriness, maybe today rein it in.'' Beta Enzo mindinked as he rushed to catch up with me, and I gave him a dirty look. What was so special about today?

    I turned down the short corridor

    where my Dad''s Alpha office sat, and quickly made my way to the door, not even waiting to knock, before I opened the door. My Dad looked up from his seat at the desk, a look of shock upon his face. But, it was me that was filled with shock as two more faces looked back at me too. Miles, one of my former patients, and who I believe was his father, if I remember correctly. Had he failed in his treatment and needed to return?

    Was I being disciplined because this fool was unable to follow the treatment n he was provided? That would not be my fault.

    ''Do you not know how to knock?'' My Dad mindlinked with a re. ''And what the hell are you wearing?''

    I shrugged. ''I wasn''t to know it was a formal meeting when you didn''t tell me.''

    "Sorry about this Alpha Marshall, Miles." My Dad nodded toward the men within his office. "My daughter seems to have forgotten her manners, and apparently how to dress appropriately for a meeting."

    I could feel the eyes of Miles and his father upon me, and Miles''s eyes lingered longer than was needed.

    "Well, when you are unaware it is a meeting it makes it difficult to know you should be dressing formally, so yes, I apologize for that." I said sarcastically, a smirk toward my Dad and the men sitting in front of his desk.

    "No problem dear." Alpha Marshall smiled. ¡°Looks like you were off to the gym.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°Good guess. I assumed I was onlying to chat with my father. Had I known you would be here, I would have dressed appropriately." I exined.

    ¡°Well, irrelevant of all that." My Dad interrupted with a dark re in my direction. "The reason we wanted you toe to the office, Kaia, is that Miles is a future Alpha of Lotus Shadow Pack, and he has been rejected by his fated mate."

    I shrugged, unsure what the hell this had to do with me. It was not quite the truth, as the truth was discussed in his treatment. From what I recall, he rejected his fated mate because of past issues. Anger. She made him feel inferior. Her being too intelligent. Or something along these lines. But my Dad gave me another sharp stare, and I realized he wanted me to pay attention. But still, I am unsure what this would have to do with me. This was their pack business.

    "Well, the thing is dear, while Miles was here, he took quite a liking to you." Alpha Marshall began, and his words shocked me to the core. Yes, he had flicted a little with me, or attempted to. But most young guys do when around me, it was no big deal. But what the hell did took a liking to me actually mean? Me and him were most definitely notpatible. I looked at the Alpha curiously now as he continued.

    "So, when we were discussing potential chosen mates he felt you would make a perfect choice. The reason we are here, is we would like you toCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    consider our offer of bing his chosen mate. Our pack Luna for the future.¡±

 Chapter 0165

    Chapter 0165

    I take in their words. They want me to be with Miles? A man I do not know. A man I have met a handful of times and even that was purely on a professional level... I looked at them all in confusion, my mind a swirling mess. They knew I had been a part of this man''s treatment when he was in our pack, therefore they know that I am aware of all the issues he has, right? They have to know that offering him to me as a chosen mate is risky... He was far from a catch. Yes, he was handsome. Ruggedly handsome. Hot. I know he was flirty because he had tried many times while in treatment. But, he had a dark side. A very dark side. And that was threatening. Why would they want to put any she-wolf at risk like that and ask her to be with him? There was no real guarantee his treatment would be sessful. While he had been in treatment, I had questioned if he would evenplete it at times...Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    But, at the same time, a Luna? ME?! The thought seemed so far-fetched, it was crazy! Yes, I was an Alpha''s daughter, but still that never guaranteed anything... The things I could do if I were to ept his offer. My whole life could change... people would know my name... they would be expected to respect me... look up to me!

    A sudden thought came to me... Jacob would be forced to look up to me. Forced to show me respect. As would that pathetic piece of meat by his side... Jacob was merely a warrior. Handsome and strong. But he was just a warrior. No seniority within a pack. Or the werewolfmunity in reality. I had more rank over him, in truth. Not that it mattered now, he had discarded me. Considered me not good enough... but if I were to be a Luna, he would have no choice but to realize his mistake. Seeing that I was better than he ever was willing to admit.

    My mind was filled with so many thoughts. Doubts. Confusion. The asional positive as to why this could work... and I could only imagine my face was mirroring my confusion... As I saw Miles look down at his feet, his shoulders sagging as if in defeat, I assumed he was thinking I was not sure about this, and no, in truth I was not. How do they expect me to ept an offer of this when I do not know the guy? I knew he had a fucking crazy temper! And they knew I knew that... They knew he was dangerous, and they knew that I was aware of the same...

    "Dear, I can assure you, if you would consider, you would have all you need in our pack. I realize this is a big thing to ask of you, but as a daughter of an Alpha with many children, it means you could continue a life that you are ustomed to, you would be taken care of. Idolized, of that I have no doubt." Alpha Marshall told me, with a smile. "The pack would love you too, Kaia. You could have a truly wonderful life in our pack, I can promise you." I nced at him, and could see he looked confident in his words. But, I felt so unsure. This was so much to take in... so unexpected and on the spot... and I have to say, I wish my Dad had given me some warning instead of just allowing me to turn up to them here in his office demanding an answer...

    "I think this could be worth

    considering Kaia, we have already

    discussed this, Alpha Marshall and I. They would be donating a

    considerart of the marriage deal.

    considerable figure to the treatment center as

    Not to mention you will be a Luna. You would be in a position of importance. Strength. And you will have a man there that takes care of you, and worships you." My Dad told me and as he did, I looked to Miles, who had nervously raised his gaze to look at me, and I saw him smile softly at me as if in hope I might agree to their crazy n.

    A huge donation to the treatment center?! See, my Dad knows how important that ce is to me. Having lost my friend through depression in high school, I had been determined to work there. Help others like her. And, my Dad had no issue with me doing this, being one of the younger children and having no real position in the pack. So, he knew the fact they were offering a donation to the center would be a massive deciding factor for me. A hit to my heart... it would make it hard to say no.

    Though, some of his other words

    had stood out too... a position of importance and strength... strangely, Jacob had said to me that, despite being an Alpha''s daughter, I would amount to nothing. That I would always be a nothing. Of no

    importance to anybody, inclul

    my own family. He had hurt me with those words, considering how hard I had worked to gain my qualifications for my role at the treatment center. Studying day and night. My education meant so much to me, and I had always tried hard in school and college, often being ridiculed for it, but it never stopped me. If anything, it pushed me harder.

    But, often in the werewolfmunity, educational achievements are often overlooked. If I agreed to everything they offered me, it would give me a chance to prove to him, I could be everything he said I couldn''t. Not to mention, I could have everything he had previously promised me. Those promises of the two of us being chosen mates. Promised and then failed to offer me.

    In truth, there were so many reasons this seemed like a bad idea, but overwhelmingly stronger reasons to make me want to agree...

    I looked to Miles once more, who was still anxiously watching me. "Is this what you want?" I asked him quietly.

    He looked up at me, with a smile. There was a warmth in his smile that gave me a little confidence. Maybe he wasn''t as bad as he had appeared in treatment when he first arrived. "More than you know." He said quietly.

    I took a deep breath, not quite

    believing I was about to agree to this. "Then, I think it sounds like something we should agree to. But, I want this to happen quickly." I exined, a look of shock upon my Dad''s face. Did he think I would argue? Completely refuse? "And, I want a marriage, not just to be a mate." I demanded, and saw shock now reflecting on the faces of Miles and his father too. But, I didn''t care. I was determined I would show Jacob his mistake. Show him I did not need him. He was not the only one who could move on. The difference was, I was moving on to bigger and better things... I was going to have my own pack. I would be a fucking Luna!

 Chapter 0166

    Chapter 0166

    I am shocked by Asher''s sudden shift in personality. I am ready to send a search party out for the dark, mean and moody Beta I had so often encountered as he yfully teased me, taking my hands away from my face as I tried to hide my embarrassment at my own words. I had spoken without thinking, but I had noticed that seemed to be happening more and moretely when I was around him...

    Though this time I had truly embarrassed myself... and was desperate for him not to be looking at me. Hearing himughing was bad enough. He had my hands almost pinned either side of my head, and my whole body felt alive to his touch right now as he looked down at me. "Oh no, I don''t think we will. I think I quite like the naughty side of you." he murmured, taking me by surprise, as his lips moved toward mine.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    He was so gentle as his lips caressed mine, careful too, that his body was not pressing onto mine, but this suddenly felt an awful lot more intimate than it had when we were kissing outside... we were in my bed... maybe this was moving too fast... but it felt good...

    I ran my hand through his hair, pulling him a little closer to me, allowing him to deepen the kiss. His tongue finding mine once more. I felt the urgency within our kissing shift, as Asher teased at my lips and tongue with his own, sending a shiver of pleasure throughout my body. I don''t think I had realized I had wanted him like this...

    I lowered my hand to slip it under his shirt, he gasped at the touch of my hand upon his hard abs, as my fingertips gently traced the warm skin underneath. Asher''s body tensed under my touch, as he moaned, before pulling away from me, sitting himself up suddenly. He looked awkward. "I think we should stop." He whispered, awkwardly chewing his lower lip, seeming to avoid my gaze.

    What had happened? His touch had felt so good... I am not sure that I had wanted him to stop... I know that is wrong. This was all so fast... but it felt right. It felt good...

    "Okay." I nodded, sitting myself up, pulling down my tank top that had begun to ride up.

    Asher was sitting on the edge of my bed, meaning I was trapped, and I watched him as he dropped his head into his hands, while his elbows rested upon his knees, his hands running through his thick dark hair. He hadn''t said a word for quite some time, and the awkward silence was making me feel so ufortable.

    ''Is his wolf okay?'' I reached out to Akira for help, knowing they were nowmunicating kind of helped.

    ''Yep. All him.'' Okay, so that didn''t help.

    ''Does he know what is wrong with him?'' I probed, hoping she may be able to give me a little more than she actually had.

    But she was quiet. I knelt up on the bed, leaning over to try to ce my hand on Asher''s shoulder, getting my foot caught in the nket as I did, sending myself stumbling forward, and in doing so, I nearly fell off the edge of the bed. Wow! Nothing like making a show of myself...

    Thankfully, Asher quickly reacted, putting his arms out, and stopping me. "Woah, what are you doing?!" he chuckled. "Gymnastics isn''t really for the bed you know?"

    ''Depends if you are incorporating it into other things.'' Akira giggled.

    I flushed at her suggestion, but did not acknowledge her. I did not need that thought in my mind. I looked up at Asher and smiled. ¡°I know, I wasing to see if you were okay, and I got caught up in the nket is all."

    He softly ced me back on the bed, though he pulled me close to him in doing so. "Why would I not be okay?"

    "You rushed away. I thought I might have done something wrong. And you looked a little stressed." I exined.

    Asher looked at me with a nervous

    smile. "Aww, beautiful. Trust me, you did nothing wrong. You were doing all the right things, that was the problem. He looked at me with his brow raised, as if to try to indicate something, and I flushed when I realized what he might be meaning. "I stopped then, because if I didn''t, I was not sure whether I would be able to stop. I don''t want you to regret this, Bailey." Content belongs

    to NovelDrama.Org

    The butterflies in my belly were going at full force now, as was my heart. He was the sweetest...

    ¡°And as for looking stressed, I was worried I pushed you too far. I am a whole bag of mixed up feelings right now, if I am honest, Bailey, but this has hit me like a fucking freight train."

    I looked at him in shock. "I''m that bad?"

    Heughed. "Okay, maybe not the best thing topare it to. Look, I never imed to be the next Shakespeare, okay? What I meant was that all this came so out of the blue. The feelings. Wanting you... it wasn''t what I expected. But then I am wanting you more than I thought possible..." he sighed, his head dropping.

    vel.n

    I ced my hand upon his chest. "Look, I understand and trust me, I feel the same. This is not what I expected either. But, how about this, we don''t need to think about it? Don''t need to exin it or understand it? Just see what happens? That way you aren''t putting added pressure on yourself. We can just enjoy ourselves."

    I watched as his face broke into a smile. "I think that sounds good." He softly kissed the top of my head.

    "But, just so you know, I don''t think I would ever regret it." I whispered as I moved my mouth next to his ear, and his eyes widened a little at my words.

    "And I definitely don''t think I wanted you to stop." I added with a smile, as I feel his heart rate picking up under my hand upon his chest.

 Chapter 0167

    Chapter 0167

    I rushed out of the house, already runningte for my hair appointment. I dashed down the steps of the porch when I heard a car door m shut at the house next door and instinctively, my eyes flicked to their driveway, only to see the familiar ck jeep of Miles. My heart dropped. He had avoided me since that night by theke. Never giving me an exnation as to why he had done what he did. Other than a one-lined message.

    Sorry. But, you were never meant for me. We know that. I am going on tour to find a chosen mate. Time for us to move on.

    My heart had felt like it had broken at the sight of the message. I had clung to the hope he woulde around to the idea of being with me. Wondering if what he had said in his message was just words to hurt me. It was a tactic Miles often used. He seemed to gain pleasure in seeing others suffer; and he had a vicious tongue at times. I knew he was far from a decent guy, yet I missed him terribly. The times I read and re-read his message was crazy. It didn''t make sense to me. He was an Alpha. He would never have to take a chosen mate. He would be the one making the

    rules.

    But, then when, I had then heard of the ns being made by the Alpha, my Dad and my brother too, of a tour for Miles to go around the packs of the country to meet potential mates, I realized what he had said had been the truth. He had decided, or been told, he should find a chosen mate beforeing Alpha, and he would be returning home with a prospective new mate. I had been well and truly been discarded.

    I was never going to be with him, and I felt my world crumbling around me. I had felt so alive when he had begun to show me attention. Yes, he was older than me, but from being a teenager, I had thought he was truly amazing. A real heartthrob. Like so many young she-wolves... well, probably not just the young she-wolves, if rumors were anything to go by... Miles liked thedies, and thedies liked him.

    So, when he began to pay mepliments, and seek me out at events, I felt privileged. I naively believed he must want me. Must be interested in me. However, now with how he has treated me, I can not help but wonder if he had ulterior motives. My head had been all over the ce since he had been treating me like this, and even more since the event at theke...

    However, I had since heard that Miles had returned from this so-called tour early, having ordered his Dad that it was not what he wanted. I was shocked. Everyone knew that Miles did not like being told what to do, but for him to stand up to his Dad in such a way was crazy. But, it was typical Miles. He was getting tired of being kept waiting for his Alpha title, and he was beginning to show it in his actions. But, hearing he had refused to take a chosen mate... well, let me just say, it gave me hope that he may consider me again... I could be a chosen mate if he would only look close enough! I know I could make a perfect mate for him...

    But, I had not seen him since he had returned. Scared of how he might react to me, considering how he had treated me. All until now. His eyes zoned in on me, as I almost stumbled on thest step of the porch, quickly steadying myself. I saw him smirk. I felt his eyes flickering across my body,

    dressed in short denim cut-offs and a little white cropped top, a lot of my body was on disy, exactly the way he liked...

    "Begging for it, aren''t you Morgan dressing like that?¡± he sneered, leaning against his car, and I turned to look at him with disgust.

    "What is that meant to mean?"

    Was he reallymenting on my clothes?! The sun was shining and the weather so warm, so I was dressed ordingly. Who was he to say otherwise?

    "Exactly what it sounded like." he chuckled. "Dressing like a hooker, you may as well be wandering around the pack offering your services to the men."

    His words hit me like a spear to my heart, but I did all I could to act like they had not bothered me. "I will dress how I like. And I am perfectly covered up. Nothing on disy except my legs, belly and arms. All the vital ces are covered, jackass." I snarled.

    His gaze darkened at my sharpness of tone, which I rarely took with him, but I would not have him insult me like that. This was how so many of the girls in the pack would dress. It was in fashion right now. Not to mention the weather was so warm...Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "Easy, huh?" Iughed. "So easy, that you never had me."

    I began to walk away, not willing to stand and continue being insulted by him any longer. He was the worst. But he dashed after me and soon joined me by my side, taking a tight grip upon my arm. "Don''t even tter yourself darling, if I wanted you, I would have had you. Just like that." And he clicked his fingers to show me. "Difference was, I never really wanted you."

    I felt my heart clench in pain. How can he say that? The things he used to say to me, he can''t have lied about it all... he had said so much...

    "I wouldn''t be too sure." I rolled my eyes at him.

    "You suddenly seem to be awfully confident little Morgan." He tugged at my hair. "You off to meet a new man? Is that why you are all dressed up, like some cheap hooker?"

    "I am not dressed like a fucking hooker. These are just the clothes I like! Clothes that are fashionable right now. Clothes that lots of she-wolves are wearing, you should know, considering half the women you have slept with wear this sort of thing." I snapped.

    "Well, my new mate will not be dressing like that when she arrives next week. She will be respectable. Outside, of course, in the bedroom, my wife will be like a hooker. Doing all I ask of her..." he tells me with a smirk as my heart dropped at the mention of a new mate... they had said the tour had been called off... so how had he found a new mate? My heart clenched in pain... he would be married? And the look of pleasure upon Miles''s face told me he was enjoying seeing me suffer at learning this...

 Chapter 0168

    Chapter 0168

    The weather had been glorious today, meaning I had enjoyed my early morning training session outside rather than at the gym, and if the sunshine continued, I would be going for a run after work, allowing Akira to have the run she craved. The sunshine had put everybody in a cheerful mood, and the children, like so many of us, were desperate to spend their time in the sunshine, so I taught my ss in our outdoor area of the ssroom toward the end of the day. The children all happily took part in the activities I had provided for them, while they sang the songs we had been practicing for their uing concert for their parents. A movement caught my eyes as I nced up, only to catch sight of Asher. I had not been expecting him here today, but I was sure he was watching me...

    Akira chuckled. ''Aww. I think he has it bad.''

    ''Don''t even go there.'' I wanred her. I knew she was only teasing me, but I was not willing to sit and analyze everything. This would not happen. We had seen each other on and off over thest week. Sitting in the lounge of an evening enjoying one another''spany, watching films, having our dinner together in there too. Yes, there had been plenty of moments where kissing had happened, but we never took things any further. That isn''t to say I didn''t want to. Hell, I was literally desperate for him at some moments, but I didn''t want to rush him. I knew he found this adjustment difficult with the loss of his mate, and I know he thought he shouldn''t rush me...

    So, we enjoyed one another''spany. And, I have to say, I did enjoy my time with him. He seemed so much more light-hearted and, I dare to say, happier. Maybe it is me being big-headed to suggest I could make him happier, but he seems different in himself...

    Right now he was leaning against the wall outside of the school grounds, but in such a position he could see my area of the outdoor ssroom. "Oh look kids, there is Beta Asher, shall we give him a wave." I said to my ss with a grin, knowing he would hate me for it, as I pointed in his direction. All the children from my ss waved eagerly at their pack Beta, who shook his head slightly before waving back.

    "Miss Bailey, me not think he likes that.¡± Danny said from the spot he was kneeling. "He looks mighty grumpy. Like my Daddy does when he wakes up."

    I had to smile at his words. Yeah, he did look mighty grumpy, but to be fair, I think he often did... you''d think these kids would be used to that by now. "Ah well, a little bit of sunshine can brighten somebody''s day, right?" I grinned at the little boy, and he nodded me.

    "Sunshine is better than rain and clouds." He adds. "I think Beta is rain and clouds. He needs some sunshine. Then you get rainbow too." The young boy sounded so enthusiastic in his exnation, I had to smile, nodding at him, showing him I totally agreed. Before leading my ss back inside to gather their things together before their parents arrived to collect them. Soon, all the children were gone, and Asher was striding into my ssroom. "Good afternoon Miss Bailey." He winked, wrapping his arms around me, pushing me up against the wall next to my ssroom door. His lips instantly found mine, with an urgency like he had not seen me for days...

    "Asher, what if one of the other teacherses in?" I urged, pushing him away.

    He lets me go, with a deep sigh, nodding. "Sorry." He shrugged. "I missed you."

    "Oh, was that why you came to spy on me?" I teased, though secretly, I was shocked at him for admitting he had missed me. We had not said we were together. Not properly. He had seen mest night... was it normal for him to be missing me?!

    "Hmm." He smirked. "Talking of that, getting your whole ss to wave at me?"

    Iughed. "What can I say? A little sunshine brightens someone''s day."

    "You surely brighten my day." He says softly, offering me his hand, and I took it as he ran his fingers over my palm. "Can I walk you home, beautiful?" he asked, and again I felt myself softening, as it appeared he had basicallye to walk me home.

    ''Well, isn''t that just the sweetest dang thing?'' Akira teased.

    Ignoring my wolf and her gentle teasing, I answered Asher with a smile. "I think that would be good." I looked up at him, and could see a tenderness in his big green eyes that melted my heart.

    "Oh, and Zion wonders if Akira

    fancies a run againter?" he suggested, and I couldn''t help butugh. We had gone for a walk together a few nights previous, and Asher''s wolf had been so desperate to go for a run with Akira that Asher was struggling to hold him back. Though in truth, Akira was just as excited about the prospect. They loved their time together. The two of them truly seemed to find somefort in one another. Afort or a friendship... I wasn''t sure what the correct term would be, but they seemed to crave one another''spany more and more ofte...

    It wasn''t like I didn''t n to go for a run. I generally found time each afternoon or evening to run, to allow Akira time to shift if I could... so, somepany would definitely be nice...

    "Oh, does he now?" I teased. "And does he n to behave?"

    "Well, hello, Beta Asher. I didn''t realize you wereing today. Is everything okay?" she asked, her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Asher almost suspiciously.

    "Hmm." Asher nodded, avoiding the intense gaze of his former mother-inw, "All good Alli. Just came by to see if Miss West was free toe and discuss some things with Luna Eden."

    I felt my body tense at his words.

    Miss West? Am I now Miss West again?! And in the conversation we had just had there had been no mention of the Luna... Had he just lied to cover up the fact he hade to see me? Ashamed of the fact he had wanted to see me? Pain and hurt wracked through me. I had allowed him to get close to me, yet it seemed I was nothing more than a

    cheap and dirty secret... Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.OrgExclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    I knew I was never good enough for Miles, but when I considered this, I could not help but contemte if Asher wondered if I was truly good enough

    for him... because right now, his actions definitely did not seem to indicate that...

 Chapter 0169

    Chapter 0169

    I had been sitting in my office for hours, the day seemed to be dragging on, and I didn''t think I could wait until dinner time to see Bailey. She had been on my mind since the moment I had woken up... My eyes were so frequently drifting to the clock to monitor the time, but it seemed to be dragging even further. I had been for two runs already with Zion, just to kill time, and done as much paperwork as I was able to focus on. But, I needed to see her.

    As the end of school time was approaching, I decided I could wait no longer. I was finishing work early. It wasn''t like I didn''t deserve it. I wanted to walk Bailey home. I wanted herpany. I missed her, and that shocked me. Scared me too, but it was the truth. So, I rushed to school... Seeing her with the pups from our pack, how she treated them all so carefully. Treating them like little grown-ups, it truly made me smile. Warmed my heart in a way I don''t think I could exin to anybody. Zion''s too. He was a tough and ruthless wolf at the best of times. Yes, we had both been hurt, and we were weak in that sense, but we had guards up, but seeing Bailey and the way she was with these pups did something to the pair of us.....

    Not just that, but the way those little pups looked at her... big-eyed, full of adoration for their teacher... full of wonderment, like they found her truly intriguing. She was always smiling at them, and they appeared to be forever returning those smiles. On the odd asion I had been to her room, I had seen pictures sitting upon her drawers that the children had been making for her. Our pack were blessed to have her... I look back now and wonder why I had ever questioned Eden''s choice. Ultimately, it had brought Bailey to me...

    The moment her ss was all gone, after she had humiliated me with her whole ss, a smile upon her face. I rushed through the corridor to her ss, shutting the door behind me as I walked into her ssroom. Her eyes instantly met mine, and the moment they did my heart began to race. She was beginning to have such an effect on me as I did and that terrified me...

    But, I tried so hard to push my fears to one side. Trying hard to remember Eden''s words when my doubts were guing my mind...

    "Good afternoon Miss Bailey." I said with a cheeky wink, wasting no time in wrapping my arms around her, pushing her up against the wall next to her ssroom door. Finding her lips instantly with mine, I had been thinking of this kiss all day. There was a need and urgency there rushing through me.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    But, Bailey quickly pushed me back. "Asher, what if one of the other teacherse in?"

    I knew she was right, and instantly released her sighing deeply. Immediately feeling bad for my

    actions Sorry." I muttered with met

    shrug I missed you." I added, hoping that might exin why I had responded the way I had.

    "Oh, was that why you came to spy on me?" she teased yfully.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± I could not help but smirk. I don''t think it was quite spying... ¡°Talking of that, getting your whole ss to wave at me?¡±

    Sheughed. A sound I was

    beginning to love. Her whole face lit up when she wasughing and smiling, and I truly loved that sight.... "What can I say? A little sunshine" brightens someone''s day." She said with a little twinkle in those beautiful brown eyes of hers.

    Well, I would not argue with her on that one... "You surely brighten my day." I murmured softly, offering her my hand, and she surprised me by taking it within hers, allowing me to gently tease my fingertips over her palms. "Can I walk you home beautiful?" I offered, hoping she wouldn''t see this as being the main reason I hade to the school. I had just missed her... could not wait until dinner time to see her again...

    I can see Bailey smiling affectionately at me as she looks up at me. "I think that would be good."

 Chapter 0170

    Chapter 0170

    I know I may be pushing my luck, but I want to try anyway... "Oh, and Zion wonders if Akira fancies a run againter?" I suggested, just desperate for more time together. Knowing it would calm Zion a little too. And the sound of Bailey''sughter rings out once again, making me smile. This girl has made me smile more in thesest few weeks than I had in thest few years, I am sure of it...

    "Oh, does he now?" she suddenly teased. "And does he n to behave?"

    I chuckled, knowing exactly what she was meaning. "That I can''t promise, but he will try."

    Suddenly, the ssroom door opened, causing me to jump. My eyes instantly darted to the doorway, and I saw Alli walking in. Her expression was enough to tell me she was shocked at the close proximity of Bailey and I, and I knew Bailey was worried about what the other teachers would think... not to mention this was my former mother-inw... what would she think of me moving on from her daughter? I quickly released Bailey''s hand, hoping desperately that it had been out of Alli''s view.

    "Well, hello, Beta Asher. I didn''t realize you wereing today. Is everything okay?" Alli asked. I could tell from the way she spoke she was tense, and the way she looked at me was one of apprehension. How the hell do I exin this? I don''t want this woman thinking badly of Bailey... she was so worried about what they would think of a new teacher suddenly involved with the Beta, she had told me that so many times before... plus how the hell do you say to the mother of your deceased mate. Oh by the way, this is the woman I have begun to have feelings for?!

    Fuck... this was awkward. I don''t know what to do. What to say? If it was just me, I would exin it, but I know this is Bailey who is worried about her reputation. I don''t want that under the magnifying ss...

    "Hmm." I quickly nodded, trying hard

    e

    to avoid her burning gaze. She seemed almost angry. "All good, Alli. Just came by to see if Miss West was free toe and discuss some things with Luna Eden." I quickly came up with the first lie that came to my mind that would be viable... No clue why, but that was what I thought of.

    Alli nodded. ¡°Not heard of a phone?" she asked almost sarcastically. Fucking hell. What is this? An interrogation.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    "I was close by is all." I exined with a shrug. "I wasn''t aware I was not allowed to call into the school, Alli, do I need to request permission now?" I said with a little more spite than I intended.

    She looked a little taken a back by my tone this time, but shook her head. "No, of course not. You are the Beta, you are free to call in as you please. I apologize if I overstepped my mark.¡±

    "Yes, Alli, all handed out, along with the words to practice, again. Plus, we keep practicing in ss." She smiled tentatively. "If you don''t mind, I am going to go, I have somewhere I need to be."

 Chapter 0171

    Chapter 0171

    As I rushed from the school doors, needing to get away, I felt my chest tightening, I was feeling so stupid right now. I was his fucking secret... was he any better than Miles? The pain radiating through me at that thought was beyond anything I had ever experienced. And Akira whimpered within my mind. She did not like me thinking like that. She did not think Zion thought of her in that way, so she would not like to think that Asher would think of me in such a way, but sometimes the wolf and the human counterpart were two different entities. Different thoughts. Different opinions...

    The way he reacted numerous times. The way he only met with me when no others were around... nobody knew about us... he had wanted us to remain a secret. That is the only way this thing between us could be considered. It had to be. I know it was not the same situation as it was with Miles, but this ran deeper, so it hurt more, and I would not be a secret again.

    My legs felt heavy under me, as I made my way down the path back toward the pack, along the treeline. "Bailey!" I heard Asher calling me, but I refused to turn back to him.

    The whimpering from Akira only grew louder. She did not agree with me on this one. But, I was the one that had to tolerate all that pain from Miles... and the thing was, there had been no feelings there. This time, I am afraid to say, there were feelings there. There may be no actual bond, but there were feelings. Too many...

    I heard heavy footsteps pounding on the path behind me, as Asher was suddenly alongside me. "Will you fucking stop!" he snapped, sounding a little breathless. I assumed it was because he had been running to catch me up.

    I red at him. "Well, if someone doesn''t stop when you call them, it generally means they don''t want to talk to you, Asher." I snarled in response. "So, get the fucking message."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    His eyes widened in shock at my words, but I continued to walk, nning on heading straight back to my room and hiding out there for the rest of the night. I was sure if I asked Marc to bring me food to my room he would.

    "Right, I may bepletely thick, but did I miss something?" he asked. He hooked his arm through mine and pulled me into the forest now, so we were out of sight. Oh, wonderful, he didn''t want anyone to see us arguing. Of course, we wouldn''t want that now, would we?... heaven forbid somebody suspect him of being with the new girl...

    "What do you think you are doing?" I snatched my arm from his. "Worried somebody might see you with me? Put two and two together? Don''t worry. There is nothing to hide. Your dirty little secret is done." I quickly moved away from him.

    Asher rushed after me, he turned me to him, hurt and confusion all over his handsome features. "What the fuck?!" he stuttered. "Dirty little secret?!"

    ¡°I am sick of being treated like a fucking secret by people. So just fuck off." I felt tears threatening, and needed to get away. "I thought you were different." My voice was turning into almost a sob...

    "Bailey, what are you talking about?" he tried to reach for my hand, but I pulled it from his grip.

    "You don''t see?" I demanded, which is quite difficult when you are doing your best to hold back your tears...

    "Beautiful, please,e on. Fucking

    hell, you are all I think of right now. Do you know how big that is for me?! I had thought I would be alone forever, and then you came into my life like a fucking wrecking ball, af fire and fight. Driving me crazy, but reaching out to me in a way bcan''t even exin. Why would you, even for one second, think I consider you a dirty secret?" I saw tears in his eyes now, and I began to doubt my own mind. Had Miles fucked up my own mind so badly, I always came to the worst thought...

    "Think about it." I urged. "You pulled me in here for one."

    "That was because you are worried about what people will think of you being around me a lot. How many times have you said that, Bailey?" he said, his shoulder sagging. "Not to mention I do not want the whole fucking pack knowing my business!"

    It was my shoulders sagging now, as I began to think he might be right. "What about how you acted when Alli came in? You cannot deny you did not want her seeing us together. You dropped my hand like a hot potato the moment she stepped into the room."

    He sighed, leaning himself against a

    tree. "Alright, yes, you got me there. But, this is a little more awkward, Bailey. That is my former mother-inw, and I do not know how to handle that. How do I tell her

    I want to move on? When I have

    been alone ever since I died? Not so much as bothered with another woman. Not wanted to,

    until you came along, messing with my mind." he smiled across at me sheepishly. "I don''t want to hurt her. They were always so good to me."

    I felt foolish now. I think I can understand that. I nodded. Maybe I overreacted.

    "And, in my defense, beautiful, you did say you did not want the teachers at school questioning anything between us after that first time they were asking, so I was trying to protect you too. Maybe not very well. But I was trying. Hell, sweetheart, I don''t think I am doing any of this very well. I am out of practice, okay?" he opened his arms up to me, as if in offer of a hug, and I moved toward him.

    "I am sorry. I was out of order, I think." I whispered, as I rested my head against his chest. "I was scared, Asher."

    "Scared I would hurt you?" he asked softly, and I nodded.

    "Sweetheart, you never have to worry about me hurting you. I would fight heaven and earth to ensure you don''t get hurt. You might have missed me saying this the other night because you fell asleep, but I mean it. I will do everything I can to protect you Bailey." His lips tenderly touched the top of my head, while my heart worked overtime racing at his words... he seemed to have got pretty serious, pretty fast...

 Chapter 0172

    Chapter 0172

    Asher tightened his arms around me, pulling me closer in his embrace. The familiar scent of him filled my senses, and it was bing strangelyforting to me now. Akira was happily purring within my mind now that things were settled. "I am going to have to watch you, huh?" Asher murmured against the top of my head.

    "Huh?" I was confused.

    ¡°I don''t want you worried about us. I would go and shout it from the rooftops, but I don''t want to rush you. This is all at your call. I want you to feel secure, Bailey. I want you to be happy. Fuck, I just want you." he hooked his hand under my chin, lifting my chin, allowing my lips to meet his, his kisses far less tender than previously. His hand ran through my hair as his tongue parted my lips to gain ess to my mouth.

    The sensations he created throughout my body as his tongue teased along mine were ones I would never tire of. I hooked my arms around Asher''s neck, gently nibbling at his lower lip, feeling him moan against me as I did. His hand dropped to the hem of my dress, sliding up my thigh, taking me by surprise, causing me to gasp and moan as he deepened his kisses further, his hand cupping my butt, before lifting me... allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist. He moved me up against the tree, I could feel the hardness of him straining against his trousers, while he thrust gently against

    me...Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Our kisses intensified with Asher''s fingers finding the fabric of myce panties. Already wet from the effect he was having upon me. His fingertips gently teased at the fabric, sending pulses of desire through me, surges of pleasure so strong...

    I moaned loudly against Asher''s kisses, just as there was a sound behind us, and Asher paused, turning his head, but keeping me in his arms. My eyes widened as I realized there was indeed someone there. Marc. Looking right at us, a look of shock upon his face...

    "Asher." He said quickly, nodding. "Bailey. I''d say looking good as always, but may not be the right time." He smiled awkwardly, before he nodded again. "Just on my way to check the border."

    I felt myself blushing at his words. And my heart was most certainly pounding, though it had most definitely been racing prior to Marc''s arrival. Asher made my heart race with ease ofte... but right now, my heart was pounding with nerves. It would seem our secret was out... and I felt Asher''s eyes drop to mine, his body tensing slightly. "I''m sorry, beautiful, I should have been more careful." He whispered.

    I slowly shook my head. No, this was likely both our faults. How had we not heard himing? Had we really been that lost in one another?

    Marc shook his head. Had he heard us? "Guys, it is fine. I didn''t see a thing. Don''t worry." And with that he walked away.

    I looked at Asker, as he gently

    ced me back on the floor in front of him, but his hands remained upon my hips. am sorry. I know that is your brother-inw, isn''t it? I hope this doesn''t make things difficult." I exined, but Asher simply shrugged.

    "Maybe it is time I was brave, Bailey. Speak with them. Though it was probably a good thing that he appeared, stopped me doing what wanted to do just then... because for the first time here, well, that would not be the right thing to do, sweetheart." He smiled sadly at me, and I nodded.

    Things had been getting more than a little heated, and while I had been eager for Asher to continue to allow his hands to explore my body while we kissed, I knew that would not be how I wanted things to happen between us...

    "Aww, I think someone likes the sound of that." He murmured as he wrapped his arms around my waist once more more, tugging me close to him. ¡°I think I may have been right when I said there was a naughty side to you, Miss Bailey...''

    I looked up at him innocently. "I don''t know what you mean.¡±

 Chapter 0173

    Chapter 0173

    Asher smiled seductively once more. "Hmmm, I am sure you don''t, beautiful." He whispered against my ear. "And, I think I may like it."

    ¡°Oh really?¡± I teased him, allowing my fingertips to run a line down his chest all the way down to his waistband, earning me a gasp from him.

    ¡°Mmmm.¡± He moaned, pulling me closer, allowing me to feel the effect my touch and the discussion we were having was having upon him. ¡°I think I''d like it if it was just me you were sharing that side of you with..."

    I pulled back a little to look at him. "You implying I am with other people now?"Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    His shoulder sagged. "No. Okay, forget I said anything, okay? I worded it wrong, Bailey. Should we head back?"

    "Whatever." I stepped back from him, to allow him to begin to walk in the direction of the pack. I could see from his bodynguage he was feeling deted now. Something was bothering him, something he didn''t want to say.

    Suddenly, my phone began to ring in my pocket, and I slipped it out, surprised to see my sister''s number on the screen. "This is my sister, I need to check she is okay." I exined to Asher and he nodded.

    "Hello?" I answered, curious what my sister would want with me, as she never spoke to me much now. I couldn''t help but worry if something was wrong with Mum or Dad...

    I heard sobbing at the other end of the phone. "Bai?" a tiny voice whispered.

    ¡°Morgan?" I urged, suddenly panicking even more, my breathing increasing, and my palms bing sweaty. What had upset her to the point she was barely able to speak? "What is wrong?" I asked. I saw Asher turn to look at me, a look of concern upon his face.

    "You okay? He mouthed to me, nothing like a stupid question. How could I answer that when I didn''t know what was going on with my sister? So, I simply shrugged.

    There was still no response from my sister on the phone, and all I could hear was more sniffling and crying. "Morgan. Seriously, I need to know what is going on, sis. Please. I am getting scared now."

    Suddenly, I found Asher''s arm around me, pulling me to him. I assume trying to reassure me with the fact I had said I was feeling scared. I nced up at him and smiled. I knew he thought he was helping me. Despite me having been snappy with him, he was still there trying to reassure me...

    "Bai..." Morgan sniffled again. "Miles..." she sniffed.

    Wait, she was calling me about Miles?!

    "This is about Miles?" I asked. I was ready to get angry, then fear filled me. What if he had hurt her.. "Morgan, has he hurt you?"

    A heavy sob broke out at the other end of the phone, and Asher looked at me with darkened eyes. Concern etched all across his face. "Morgan need to know. I know it is hard. But, I know what he is like. Please. I am scared for you. Tell me. I will help." I begged her to speak to me, not caring now for all the shit that had happened between us in the past. This was my sister, and she sounded like she was hurting. She needed me. She needed help.

    "Bai." She sniffed. "Can Ie and stay with you?" she sobbed. "Just for a little bit?"

    I looked at Asher, who nodded. "Yes, of course."

    "He told me I wasn''t good enough,

    Bai. He said I was worse than a whore. That he used me to get at you." her sobs wracked at her body, could hear her through the phone and I felt her pain, but her words hit me hard too. I hate the man. How can he treat people like that? I know how she feels, though she likely feels so much worse, because she had feelings for him. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    "Morgan, he does not deserve you." I told her calmly, despite my trembling hands.

    "He didn''t want me anyway. He said

    his new chosen mate is perfect. He said he would make me see them together and each time I do I will know what a failure I am." And at her words she bursts into floods of tears a as I look across to Asher, he slowly shakes his head in shock, evidently having heard what was said. Miles had found a chosen mate, yet he was still vying to hurt me and my family. Would this never stop?

 Chapter 0174

    Chapter 0174

    The pack was a buzz with the news I was to be taking a chosen mate. By now it had spread that Bailey and I had been fated mates, but our parents had decided to go for the announcement that we hade to a mutual decision we were not suitably matched. Haha. Not suitably matched? That was a fucking understatement.

    That bitch was still not home either. Nor was she responding to my messages or answering my calls. But, right now, my focus was on Kaia. Everything needed to be focused on making her my mate. I was beyond surprised when she had agreed to it. The look upon her face when she was told the reason we were there was one of confusion, and a small part of me feared disgust. But, as a mixture of emotions passed across her face, she took us all by surprise when she agreed to the arrangement that her father had all but previously agreed to, before giving us her demands.

    It seemed my girl was fiery. But, I knew that. I had seen that when I had seen her in treatment. She was a girl who knew what she wanted, and I liked that. Yes, she had demanded a marriage, not something all Alphas formally do, and not something I had ever envisioned for myself, but if it meant a big celebration in my name, then hell yeah I was up for that. Plus it meant I got to rub it in Bailey''s face that I had taken a chosen mate.

    It proved to her once again that she was not good enough for me, and that Kaia was sheer perfection. I had found the girl of my dreams, and I was making her mine. We were going to celebrate in style, and I nned to ensure that bitch was there to watch every moment of it. Endure every moment of seeing my happiness. And once she was back in the pack, she would not be allowed to leave.

    ¡°Son, Kaia asked for the flowers to be changed again." My Dad grumbled as he looked at a sheet of paper I had put on his desk, an email I had printed for him from my soon-to-be mate. He and Mum were dealing with all that shit. I was not one for dealing with arranging events. That was most certainly the role of a Luna, so I had handed all the responsibilities to my parents. I would simply be turning up on the day, marrying the girl, and partying. Showing the world, I was the boss.

    Proving to the pack, I now had my mate, and I would soon be their Alpha. Ellis may have already had his mate, and now have their perfect little pup on the way toplete their perfect little family, but I was the firstborn, and always would be. I had done all that had been asked of me, and now my Dad and I were getting on better than ever. I would be Alpha, of that there had to be no doubt.

    "I know, but we want to make her happy Dad. It is a special day for her, right?" I said with a shrug. I knew a wedding was a huge thing for girls. So, all these changes she kept making I dismissed the irritation they brought and simply agreed to it. Keeping her happy meant the sooner she would be mine.

    I saw my Dad roll his eyes. ¡°This is the fourth, no make that fifth fucking time Miles. And oddly enough, it is meant to be a special day for you too, yet right now you don''t seem to give a shit." He snarled.

    I took a deep breath, calming my wolf rippling beneath my skin, my wolf was bing harder to control when pushed, and the patronizing way in which my Dad consistently spoke to me was one of his triggers. But, I knew I had to push him back... I had to keep him under control, or I would lose the footing I had already gained. I would get to where I wanted to be, and then I would make him suffer. Then he would feel the wrath of both me and my wolf.

    "I do give a shit. Just all the details are the things Kaia wished to sort. I am fine with that. I don''t even know half the stuff we need." I told him, moving toward the office door. I had barely paid any attention to the wedding ns. In truth, I was focused more on the wedding night...

    Kaia and I had met a number of

    times since our meeting, for meals and what I guess could be

    Re

    considered dates, and while she was flirty this time she was still a little too reserved. Telling me she didn''t want things to happen before we were married, which took me by surprise. She was a confident girl. She had experience, I am sure of it, so why she was making me wait, I don''t know, but I didn''t like it... it was driving me crazy... Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    My phone rang in my pocket as I stalked down the corridor, and I quickly pulled it out, to find it was Kaia calling. "Miles?" she whined as I answered, taking me by surprise.

    "Hey, what''s up?"

    "My Dad is being snappy about the changes for the wedding. Said your Dad had beenining about it at one of their meetings. You don''t mind, do you? You are happy with everything, right? I told him you had said I could have anything I wanted. Plus, that you had said if there was anything I didn''t like that I should change it. He has been so snappy with me." She whimpered down the phone at me, sounding close to tears. Seemed a little of an over-reaction, I can''t lie... but, obviously, I couldn''t tell her I didn''t care... that would not bode well for me as her future mate. I needed to make a good impression here.

    "Aww, is he giving you a hard time darling?" I almost purred down the phone at her, putting on my charm in the best way I know how.

    "Yeah. Can Ie and stay with you?" she asked me out of the blue, nearly knocking me off of my feet. Not once had she mentioneding to stay before the wedding. She had always nned on moving to the pack and in with me on the night of the wedding, so this was moving things a little faster than expected, but fuck no, I was not going to turn this down!

    "Of course you can!" I reassured her. "What time will you be arriving?" I asked, already excited at the prospect of having her with me in a matter of hours...

    "Aww, I was kinda wondering if you wouldn''t minding to help me sort my stuff, and bringing it over?" she said, her voice sounding sugary sweet. "I know I am such a pain, but it would be so helpful. Show my Dad that you don''t mind being there for me That you do care the way I am saying you do... Plus, then it means we get to spend more time together getting to know one another before the wedding too."

    My heart softened a little. She genuinely seemed keen on this idea, and I had to say, I wasn''t going to argue with her. "Of course darling, I will be straight over." I told her, turning back to my Dad''s office to grab my car keys. I cannot believe I will be bringing my girl home sooner than expected...

 Chapter 0175

    Chapter 0175

    News was spreading fast through the pack about my uing nuptials. And needless to say, it brought about a lot of shock. But much excitement too. The bringing together of two packs through a wedding of the children of two Alphas was always a big asion, and all the pack members were looking forward to it.

    Miles and his family were not lying when they said they were willing to do whatever it would take to encourage me to consider their offer of the arrangement. Despite the fact I had already agreed to it, I was receiving fresh flowers every other day. The wedding nning was sovish and detailed it was beyondpare! It must be costing his family an absoloute fortune. I was being a pain in the ass, I knew that, but by seeing things online that I liked, my mind was being swayed, my decisions were swapping and changing all the time. And me being the way I am, I would decide that I needed to have them, so changing those details within our wedding, but Miles seemed to smooth things over with his family, and the details were always changed... until I saw something I liked more...

    Miles was not the same angry guy he had been in treatment, or at least not with me. He was apparently willing to prove himself to be a good and decent mate. And, as much as I may be missing Jacob, I was not going toin about that. On the few times I have visited their pack, I could see how beautiful it was, and Miles had told me, if there were things I could see that I would like to change when he became Alpha, I would have free rein to make alterations. This man was easily bing my dream man. He was giving me the freedom to be who I want, and do as I please.

    Jacob was strutting around the pack with his bit on the side on proud disy now. Or, his new girlfriend as she technically was now. And the sickening thing was they both looked happy. Hand in hand so often, eyes locked, and so freely together, which was like a punch to the gut for me. He had been mine only a week ago. A week ago, and they were sneaking around behind my back. Behind the backs of all of our pack, yet now they walked around freely, like they were a power couple of some sort. Proud to be together. And it irritated me. He was meant to be mine. But she seemed to make him happier than I ever did. Well, I hope she fucking kills him...

    As I returned home from the treatment center in the afternoon, after working an additional shift, I happened to run into Jacob while he returned from his border patrol duties. His eyes fell on me the moment our paths crossed, and a dark smirk spread across his face. "Married off to an Alpha, yet he is still making you work?" he sneered, turning my news of a chosen mate into what felt like a joke.

    All my hopes of my uing nuptials making him feel inferior, and feel deted at losing me were slipping from my grasp. He simply did not seem to care in the slightest...

    "I am not married yet, Jacob." I said coldly, knowing it was not the besteback, but also I was unsure what to say. I didn''t want to be nasty to this man. I wanted to drag him back to my room and rip all of his clothes off... make him mine once more...

    "Didn''t waste your fucking time though, did you? Finding someone else." He snapped. "Made me out to be a fucking viin, yet there you were pairing yourself off with potential suitors. Ensuring they were rich enough for you, were you?"

    The darkness within his re and the venom within his tone hurt, but I simply shook my head. "My life is none of your business now. All you need to know is I didn''t cheat, unlike you. Because I respected what we had. Shame you didn''t offer me the same fucking courtesy."

    "Always so high and mighty aren''t you Kaia?" He sneered. "Well, you won''t be so high and mighty to your new mate, will you? Won''t be able to belittle him and look down upon him when he is an Alpha. How long until he realizes his mistake?"

    "He came to me. He respects me." I told him coldly. "Miles and I make a good couple, unlike you and I ever did. You were always well below me. I should have known you were never good enough. But, I always did like a bit of rough." I gave him a dirty look, while my heart felt like it was breaking at my words. I felt Jacob tug my arm, pulling me closer to him.

    "I could have you back in a heartbeat darling, and you know it. You''ll be thinking of me as he sinks his teeth into your flesh to mark you." His warm breath tickled the skin of my neck as he whispered, his mouth next to my ear. "And as he fucks your pussy, you''ll be wishing it was me. Wishing it was my cock nice

    and deep inside of you. You know he will be nothing more than a disappointment to you." Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    I felt tears prickling at my eyes as I stumbled backward away from him, and Jacob chuckled. ¡°Miles? That''s his name? I bet, miles below parr... Good luck Kaia, you will need it. In the meantime, I will be enjoying myself... hearing her scream my name time and time again..."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    And with that he walked away, a big

    smile upon his face. My hands were trembling at his words, and I have never felt so sick in my life. He was so degrading. I wanted to get away from him. I needed to be away Jacob and his conquest. It

    vue l''am

    destroying me piece by piece seeing him each day. Hearing of all the things they were doing. I had hoped so desperately that my marriage would make him see that, I too, was moving on, but he had simplyughed it off. Dismissed it as nothing...

    I can''t take this anymore. I reached for my phone from my pocket, dialling what was now bing a regr number for me. The moment it was answered, I spoke, before he even had a chance to. ¡°Miles?" whimpered, desperate for him to be my hero in all of this. If he came and saved me, showed the pack he hade for me, proving himself as my mate, maybe Jacob would see that he was the bigger man after all. My mate was an Alpha, he would always be the more dominant one. I needed him...

 Chapter 0176

    Chapter 0176

    I was knackered. Ever since that sleep in Bailey''s bed, with her in my arms, I had struggled to sleep. Yes, my night time visions now were few and far between, which was a blessing. I would always miss my I, and she would always cherish everything we had had together, but I had found this a way to help put her to rest. To let my angel finally rest in peace. She deserved it. I hadn''t had the chance to prove myself as a mate to her when we were together, not really, but I hope in the dedication andmitment I had shown in the years that followed her death, I proved myself as a loyal and good mate in respecting her memory. Cherishing her memories and being so reluctant to let her go.

    But now, now, I desperately craved the warmth of Bailey when I awoke in the middle of the night. Zion craved her too. The contentment she gave us and the calmness she brought was like nothing else. She may not be our fated, but she held something, maybe a piece of our heart, but whatever it was, it gave her a gift that enabled her to settle us. And I was missing her. So many times when we have said goodnight at the door of our rooms, I was so tempted to ask her to join me for the night, but I was terrified it would sound too much. Or she would assume I meant for the obvious... Hmmm. The obvious... we seemed to be skirting around that subject right now... maybe both afraid of offending the other... or fearing we were rushing one another... Our situations wereplicated, to say the least... Yes... don''t get me wrong, the thought of it drove me crazy... filled me with lust for that girl... mmm, all of that would be fun too... but hell, I was a simple guy, even a cuddle would be nice. It has been a while... jeez, I sound pathetic. ''Too right you do!'' Zion helpfully agreed, evidently listening to my thoughts as he so often did, making me chuckle. I had found myself feeling so much more lighthearted and cheerful ofte too. Getting back to my older self. Maybe the clinging to the memories of I was weighing me down more than I had realized...

    ''I don''t think you are much better jackass.'' I pointed out, knowing he was equally as hooked on Akira, and suddenly my wolf was quiet. Ha, I seemed to have got him there...

    "Fuck it, I am going to see if she wants a cuddle." I sighed, getting up, it was only early. Myter nights of working had almost haltedpletely now. All because of Bailey. We would have our nights on the sofa watching films and rxing together. If I did have work to do, she generally would do school things in the library, but we always found time to rx together in some way. It had be part of my nightly routine, and I have to say, I enjoyed it. And then we would head up to our rooms together.

    I never saw the point of returning back downstairs to the office after that. I did, however, sneak out of my room each and every night to ce a chocte bar outside of Bailey''s room for her to find each morning, which after seeing her face light up like a summer''s day the first morning I did it, I knew it had to be something I continued to do.

    ''I''m down for that.'' Zion agreed with my n, as I snuck out of my Beta suite, dressed in nothing but the shorts I had on. I knocked on her door, hoping she wasn''t already asleep. I desperately wanted to see her.

    I heard footsteps thudding across the floor sleepily, so I wondered if I had woken her, and suddenly the door opened. Bailey was standing there, a true vision in a small tank top and a pair of shorts. Her face held a sleepy expression, making me smile... and her hair in the mad mane of curls it turned into when she left it to dry naturally. The way she looked most beautiful in my opinion. "Is everything okay?" she mumbled sleepily. Shit, okay, I had woken her... "Is there a fire?"

    I chuckled, an odd conclusion to

    ise

    come to, I had to say... I suddenly felt nervous. This seemed a little presumptuous now. "Ash, what is wrong?" she asked, taking me by surprise, as I think that was the first time she had used the shortened name my family and many of my friends used.

    "Erm, I can''t sleep, and I wondered if I... erm..." I faltered a little, realizing how pathetic I was.

    She giggled. "You have woken me up toe and see if you can climb into bed with me?" she raised her brows in question, a little suggestively if I am not mistaken.

    "Not in a dodgy way Bailey, I slept so well the other night, and I..." she grabbed my arm and pulled me into her room, interrupting me.

    "Shut up. I am teasing. You don''t need to exin. I know, because I am the same. I have been the same since that night, you big dummy." She kicks her door shut behind us before pulling me to her bed.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    "Now, my bed, my rules. Keep your hands to yourself, Mr Alcott." She pointed her finger at me, a smile upon her face and I found myself smiling. I am not so sure if I want to go to sleep now. Just being in herpany again and I feel good...

    "Aww, Miss West, you are a

    spoilsport. I nned to be the big spoon, hands are generally partially involved in that." I wiggled my brows at her this time as she slid back into bed, and my heart raced at the sight of her shorts riding up along her butt cheeks as she slid along the bed, to allow me room to join her.

    "Well, there may be some exceptions." She said as she

    snuggled her body up against mine, my body already reacting to her

    closeness. While I instantly felt

    rxed as I slipped my arm around her waist, resting my head upon hers. Zion suddenly purring contently. This was where I wanted to be.

    "Good night beautiful." I softly kissed her head.

    "Good night you." her hand gently stroked mine, as I felt sleep taking over me.

 Chapter 0177

    Chapter 0177

    I awoke the next morning to the sound of an rm, the most horrendous sound I think I have heard, and it was most definitely not my rm for waking me up. I shot up in bed, only realizing then the warmth epassing me had been Bailey snuggled into my chest, and now she was flung across the bed.

    "Well, if my rm didn''t wake me, you sure as hell did!" she grumbled sleepily.

    I pulled her back to me, feeling terrible. "Aww, I''m sorry!" I showered kisses across her face and her head, as she pulled away to switch off the incessant wailing of the rm. Why the hell she would pick that noise to wake her up I have no clue. That sound was horrendous!

    Once again, I pulled Bailey back to me, missing the warmth of her body close to mine. I cannot believe I had slept through until the morning again! I don''t think I have even stirred once after she had snuggled into my arms. No bad dreams... nothing. Just afortable contentness was all I had felt. All night. Happiness, I think. Something I don''t think I have felt properly in a long time... This girl is definitely a key to a better night''s sleep for me, of that there was no doubt. The thing is, I don''t want to get out of bed now...

    ¡°Come on, I need to get up for work." Bailey said, softly kissing me on the cheek.

    "Aww, you have to be kidding, right?" I almost whined. How pathetic do I sound?!

    ''Very. If it helps.'' Zion tells me, with a chuckle. ''But, I don''t want them to go either. Cuff her to the bed, tell her she is ordered to stay here for the day!'' he is chuckling more deeply now. Kinky little fucker...

    Though he may have a point. "Well, as Beta, I am saying you have the day off." I tell her with a grin, already thinking of the fun we could have with a full day, and even night in bed. But Bailey simply shakes her head at me.

    "Don''t think you are trying that on me. I have to go to work, as I am sure do you. So get your butt right up and out of my bed." She said to me with a strict expression.

    I smiled again. "What are you going to do if I don''t?" I questioned,ying myself back downfortably onto the pillow, my arms rested below my head.

    Bailey looked down on me with a slow smile spreading across her face. "Absolutely nothing." She slipped along the edge of the bed, climbing off the edge of the bed, moving back towards me, giving me hope she had changed her mind, but instead she was softly cing a brief kiss onto my lips, making my heart pound crazily. "I am going for a shower, because I have work to get ready for. If you n to stay in bed all day, by all means, make yourselffortable." She winked at me, before turning away and walking toward her bathroom, her small shorts and tank top she wore to bed enhancing the curves of her perfect body as she sashayed toward the bathroom.

    I felt my body reacting to the sight of her. My mind worked overtime with the things I wanted to do to her... why was I so terrified about taking that next step? Terrified to disappoint her, I think...

    ''You need a shower, right?'' Zion''s voice interrupted my anxieties, as the bathroom door closed after Bailey yfully blew me a kiss. ''So, go get one... with her. The ploy to stay in bed didn''t work...''

    Hmmm, that did sound good... I did need a shower, though I could easily return to my own ce for a shower... but that did not sound half as appealing as a shower with Bailey...

    I quickly swung myself out of bed, my heart now feeling like it was about to beat right out of my chest. I walked over to the closed door of the en-suite bathroom, where I could hear the shower running. I gently eased the handle down a little, so unsure of myself now... why could I not have the confidence of my own fucking wolf?!

    No, I would do the decent thing, I would at least let her know I was thinking of going in there...

    "Bailey?" I called into the room nervously, already filling with steam from the hot water of the shower.

    Asher..." her voice teased. "What''s up? Are you missing me now too? So you thought you''de and join me in the shower?¡± her voice held a teasing tone to it, which I couldn''t help but smile at, but I had noted she didn''t seem absolutely freaked out at the prospect of showering with me, so, maybe I could take that as a good thing... N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    "What are you going to do if I say yes?" I pushed myself to say quickly, cringing internally at how bad I must sound... I am so not good at all of this!

    I heard Bailey giggle a little through the small gap in the door, before she replied. "I''d say you were getting brave. But, you best be quick then, as I don''t have all morning!"

    ''Go! Go! Go!'' Zion joked, making me chuckle. He was such a dick at times.

    But, I wasted no time this time in opening the bathroom door, filled with steam from the shower, and stripping off my shorts, before moving toward the shower. Bailey was standing with her back to me, underneath the stream of the water, her naked body on full disy now... tall yet curvy, perfect as perfect could be... I thought my heart had been racing fast earlier, yet the speed it was at now was so much faster...

    I felt suddenly conscious of myself being naked too. Here is me, a fully grown man, terrified of allowing a woman close to me. After the only woman I had been close to had been taken from me... I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself, moving myself closer and slipped my arms around Bailey''s waist allowing my head to lean around to softly ce a kiss upon her cheek. The warmth of the shower and her body instantly soothed me. The contact with her body instantly caused my body to react. I found myself holding back a moan as she pushed herself back into my embrace, her pert butt pressed up against my hardening length... while I allowed my eyes to drift down across the perfect view of her naked body...

 Chapter 0178

    Chapter 0178

    I always set my rm early when I need to be up for a certain time, as I am terrible at actually getting up. I need four or five rms before actually getting up. So being woken up by Asher tossing me forward at the sound of my rm had been a bit of a shock. Even more a shock was him suddenly deciding to join me in the shower... but now that his arms were around my waist and his naked body was pressed up against mine, I was not going toin. I know it is maybe wrong... but fuck... it feels good... and it feels kind of right. It makes me curious how everything else could feel with him.

    His kisses make me feel like my whole body is a tingling mess or that it is on fire, so I have been curious about what else his touch could do... but we have always been a little tentative. I am anxious. He would not be my first boyfriend, but he would be my first time... I knew after Miles there would be no fated mate that I would be expected to wait for, but the times I came close to doing things, something stopped me... it just never felt right... but there was something with Asher that did feel right. A connection I can''t exin...

    I have wanted him like nobody else. And that feeling had only got stronger. Did it scare me? Hell, yeah, but at the same time, he and I did not have fated mates now. We were single. Noplications. We liked one another... And his touch felt good. So fucking good...

    I felt his lips slide along my neck in soft and teasing kisses as he pushed his hips a little harder into me. I could already feel the effect our touch was having upon him, as he pressed against me... and the very thought of it turned me on... knowing it was me having that effect on him... he wanted me... and there was no denying now that I wanted him. Yes, I think we may have both tried to resist that attraction in the beginning, but now? Now, I was not fighting it. Now, I just want him... not to mention I was intrigued at this other side of him...Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    I allowed my head to fall back a little against his chest to allow him better ess as his tongue and his lips glided along my damp skin, taking time to tease along the area where my neck meets my corbone... an intimate area for a werewolf... the ce a mate mark would sit... so him teasing there with his kisses took me a little by surprise, but more so the effect it had on me took me by surprise as I was unable to hold back the moan from my lips. It felt good... too good having him touch me there... tease me there...

    I was suddenly d Asher woke me when he did, as it meant I would have quite a bit of extra time now before work... a little extra time to enjoy him... his hands now traced the curves of my hips, pulling me closer, before turning me around to face him. I could now see every inch of his naked body, and he was pure heaven in werewolf form... the body I had been imagining... the body that was hidden under those clothes for a while now was here in front of me, and he was perfect... tanned and toned with a dappling of dark hair across his body. I could feel his eyes drifting across my body too, no doubt taking in everything he saw for the first time... I just hope I wasn''t a disappointment to him... because he was far from a disappointment to me! And had

    most definitely been worth the wait...

    Asher suddenly pulled me to him, his lips finding mine. "Mmmm, you look good enough to eat." He murmured against my lips, before his tongue found mine, in a slow, teasing kiss. Mmmm, it felt so good having him kiss me. Like he was made to be kissing me. Made for me...

    I gripped my hands within his thick, damp, dark hair, as he sent shivers of desire through my body. His hand slowly cupping my breast, before he began teasing at the nipple with his fingertips, making me moan against his kisses. His touch felt so new, yet so good... I had been nervous, but now I wanted more... I wanted him body... intrigued at what he could do... what he could make me feel, if his kisses were anything to go by. He teased a little more, as his kisses deepened, making me breathless now with need for him, before his hand began to edge downward... Content

    to explore every inch of m

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    Asher paused our kisses, his beautiful green eyes meeting mine momentarily, giving me goosebumps, as his mouth moved to my breasts now, teasing with his lips and his tongue... his warm breath sending shivers of desire through me. My grip on his hair tightened, as his hand rested softly on my thigh, I wanted him so badly and hooked my leg around his waist. Causing Asher to rotate his hips a little, so his hardening length was teasing at my entrance as he moaned, before softly brushing back my wet hair from my face while I looked at him in confusion. I wanted him so badly already...

    He rested his forehead against my own, while his fingers teased their way along my thigh. "Good thingse to those who wait." He winked at me. "And I promise you, beautiful, it will be good. So, fucking good." He murmured, before he softly kissed my lips, as his fingers soon found the wetness he had created....... his mouth dropping back to my breast as he nipped at my nipple with his teeth, while he slowly teased at my folds, causing me to gasp in pleasure, thrusting closer to his hand, needing more of him and his touch...

    I felt him chuckle against my skin at

    my reaction, as he continued to tease at my breasts with his tongue and his lips, my whole body on edge for him... as he slowly slid his finger inside of me... I felt like I wasing undone at his touch as he set my body alight with his touch. Teasing me with his mouth... while he added another finger, and he slid them deeper inside of me, causing a friction that felt so good it was making my pussy tingle... making me moan for him as he began to tease harder and faster... knowing exactly what I wanted... as he brought me closer to the edge...

 Chapter 0179

    Chapter 0179

    Bailey sounded breathless as my fingers teased at the ever-increasing wetness I was creating between her legs. My fingers curled inside of her before slowly sliding out once again, eliciting a moan once more... the most glorious sound I think I have heard... Made even better by the fact I knew it was me that was creating the pleasure causing it... I don''t think I have felt this good in a long time... I can''t quite believe I am here, with her... I just wish I hadn''t taken so long to find the courage.

    She gripped her hands into my hair harder, my whole body reacting to her touch now, so desperate to take her to the bed... she roughly pulled my head upward from teasing at her breasts, bringing my lips to hers once more. The kisses were so urgent and full of need as she nibbled passionately at my lower lip. Before plunging her tongue inside my mouth, finding my own tongue and teasing yfully...

    I added another finger now as I slid them a little deeper, causing her to gasp against my lips as I built the friction a little more, savoring the feel of her wetness around my fingers, and looking forward to being able to sink myself deep inside of her soon... make her scream for me.... A sound I could not wait to hear... My own breathing was increasing just as much as hers at the thought...

    I continued to bring her close to the edge... teasing now at her clit with my thumb, making her hips push harder against me, needing more... so I do exactly that... giving Bailey what she wants... I want to give her everything... increasing the speed and pressure as her breath bes faster and harder. Her grip upon my hair tightens, as she lets out a light squeal with her mouth resting alongside mine, her body shuddering against mine while I feel her pussy tighten around my fingers, telling me I had done exactly what I had wanted to do...

    Bailey paused our kisses, her head falling against my shoulders, and her naked body sagging slightly against mine, the water of the shower still spraying over us, but that had to be the best shower I had taken yet, and I''d like to think Bailey may agree... my heart felt like it was beating faster than was healthy... though I could feel hers beating equally as fast as she leant against me...

    "Holy crap..." she whispered, making me smile.

    "Let me take you back to bed?" I whispered into her ear, so desperate to finish what we had started. I have touched the girl now... felt her body against mine... I think I may be a little obsessed with her now... though, in truth, I think I may already have been, maybe even since the moment I met her, but I have actually given into it fully now, and now that that has happened, I don''t think I want to leave the bedroom!Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "Oh really?" she giggled, her eyes lighting up the way that I love when she smiles orughs. Her entire face brightened.

    "Well, if you thought that was good, let me show you what else I can do." I murmured, already breathless at the thought, my cock reacting to the idea too. Bailey nced down, before raising her gaze to meet mine, and giggling, her cheeks flushing. I raised my brows at her suggestively. "Imagine me deep inside of you..."

    She smiled slowly as if in

    consideration of what I had said, but before she was able to give me an answer, I scooped her up and out of the shower grabbing a towel as we went through the bathroom, so we would be able to dry ourselves off, and I Carried her over my shoulder in almost a fireman''s lift, while she giggled. I could not wait to continue this... bring her to the point of no return again... and again. I smiled at the thought, as I ced her gently on the bed. Looking down at her lying there, naked, looking up at me, looking so damn perfect, I felt like the luckiest guy in the world right now...

    All until she allowed her gaze to drift behind me...

    "Shit!" she cursed, her face looked panicked, confusing me. "Is that the time?! Asher, I need to get ready for work, like now!"

    I realized now she had looked behind me at the clock on the wall. God dammit. I should have positioned her differently so she couldn''t see it...

    "Are you kidding me?!" I grumbled, desperate for this not to end. Not now. Not when things were getting good...

    "No, I did tell you this already." She was already sitting herself up on the bed, but all I am wanting to do is lift her up, maneuver her onto the bed, and explore every inch of that heavenly body of hers... show her everything else I could do...

    I sighed heavily. Luck was most definitely not on my side, was it?! Why could it not be her day off? Though I did have work to do too... "Okay, but I want to continue this tonight, beautiful. You have got me wanting more... so much more! Not to mention, that has to be one of the best night''s sleep I have had, in like, forever. And, I can only imagine it would be even better having continued everything we have just done, and snuggled up next to you naked." My whole body is alive at the thought of it... hell, today is going to be one fucking long day! But, I would make sure once I had her back with me tonight it was worth the wait. Every second would be worth the wait, I would make sure of it. Neither of us would be able to walk by the time we were done. I would make sure of that...

    Bailey stood up in front of me, her hand resting on my chest, and instantly my heart was pounding harder than before. Her fingertips teased a little beat upon my chest, ying with the light sprinkling of chest hair that sat there, before slowly allowing them to trail down my abs, sending goosebumps and shivers across my body. She knew what she was doing... and it felt so fucking good... she was making me want her even more now... she was ying a dangerous game! As she allowed her fingertips to tease along

    the shaft of my hardened cock...

    "As amazing as that sounds, I did tell you my sister was arriving today, didn''t I?" she whispered. "So, that kind of rules out any kind of naughtiness for

    us for a little while, I am afraid."

    My heart dropped. Had I heard that right? You have got to be fucking kidding me?! I find the courage to actually finally act on these crazy feelings I have for her, and her bloody sister appears to put all proceedings to a quick halt...

 Chapter 0180

    Chapter 0180

    Well, despite a very different start to my day, and a very rushed preparation for work, I don''t think I had stopped smiling all day. In spite of the slight dy in me getting ready for work, thanks to Asher and his ¡°distractions¡±, shall we say, I amazingly still made it to work with minutes to spare, giving the excuse that I had slept through my rm. But, it was so worth it, because he had made me feel so wanted. So good about myself. He made me feel almost whole again in a way I didn''t think was possible, not that I would ever admit that to him. He seemed to want me for being me.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    He had seen me at some of my weaker moments, he had seen me without my make up, when my hair was in its natural curly state, and he still wanted me. He knew how I liked to read... in fact, on the many nights we had sat in the lounge watching TV, we talked about my studies, the books I enjoyed, and he never once judged me, or made a negativement. He saw me as me, ws and all, yet he still seemed to want me. It was the strangest feeling, yet the most amazing feeling... the most freeing feeling...

    The day seemed to fly by, with thoughts of Asher on my mind, as well as because I looked forward to my sistering. She knew what time I was due to finish work and had agreed toe around then. I hated disappointing Asher when he said he wanted us to spend the night together tonight. I would have loved nothing more, but I had already arranged this with my sister, and she needed my support. I needed to step up and be the big sister she needed right now. I knew how low Miles could stoop. The pain he could cause, and I didn''t want it to cause my sister damage.

    As I brought my ss to a close for the day, and sent the children out one by one to their parents, I saw Asher waiting outside with the parents, making me smile. He was not doing much to hide the fact he was waiting for me. So much for trying to be discreet...

    Once all the children had left the ssroom, Asher walked up to the side doorway of my ssroom where the children had left, a big smile upon his face. Gone was the dark and moody Beta I had met, this was apletely different guy, of that there was no doubt... "That has to have been one of the longest days ever!" he grumbled.

    And I giggled. ¡°I don''t know, I think it went quite fast.¡± I told him, and he rolled his eyes.

    "Evidently I did not do a good enough job this morning then!" he whispered as he moved closer and slipped his arms around me as we moved inside my ssroom. "Or else you would have been struggling to think of much else, and would not be able to wait to see me again."

    I giggled again. ¡°Oh, is that right?" I poked him lightly in the chest. "And is that what you n to do to me, is it?"

    "Too right!" he wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively. "When I get the opportunity, of course." He stuck his bottom out at me, pretending to sulk. Obviously referencing the fact he wasn''t able to spend time alone with me for a little while with my sister visiting.

    "You are such a child!" I rolled my eyes. "What happened to good thingse to those who wait?"

    "Hmmm, I think I got tired of waiting."

    Iughed. ¡°I am sure you will be worth the wait. I don''t think I have stopped smiling all day." I admitted, and his face broke into a big smile.

    "Now, that I like the sound of." He

    softly kissed the top of my head, before lowering his lips to my ear. "I would kiss you properly, but one, knowing our luck, somebody would walk in, and two, after this morning, I am not quite sure that I could stop. And taking you over your work desk, as fun as that sounds, is not what I envisioned our first time to be." He winked at me, and I felt my cheeks flushing at his words. He could be so bad sometimes... who would have thought behind that dark and moody exterior there was this Asher hiding away... my Asher... Content

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    "I do think the ssroom may be a little dangerous, though your office could be fun." I told him with a little wink of my own, thinking two could y at being bad... and his eyes lit up at my suggestion.

    "Ooohh, Miss West, it seems, you

    definitely aren''t the sweet and innocent young thing you make yourself out to be. I like it!" he chuckled. And I am sure I could find

    some time for a meeting in at 8

    office. He wiggled his brows.

    suggestively once more, causing me to giggle, just as the ssroom door opened. Thankfully, this time we were only standing next to one another, and not actually touching, so we only looked like we were chatting.

    ¡°Bailey, have you... Oh, Beta Asher. Nice to see you again." Alli said calmly, her voice a little more formal than usual. "More business to discuss with Bailey, I assume?"

 Chapter 0181

    Chapter 0181

    I honestly think she had begun to suspect something was going on between the two of us. But, Asher seemed reluctant to talk about this with her, and after we had spoken about it, I could understand why. It was a difficult subject to broach. And, I didn''t want to be the one that pressured him to do so.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    I smiled at Alli. "Not quite. He hade to discuss my sister arriving. She is struggling back at home at the moment. Issues of the heart, unfortunately. So, she needed time away. Beta Asher hade to confirm her arrival with me." I lied, but Alli didn''t need to know that, after all, Morgan would be arriving soon enough, so that much was true, and Alli would likely see her with me in pack.

    "Aww, I am sorry to hear she is struggling. Young love is never an easy thing to control. Well, love in general, I suppose." and her eyes wander to Asher, and I wonder if she was implying deeper meaning with her words as she continues. "I am sure some time away with her big sister will help. It is kind of you to allow her toe and stay Beta." She nodded at Asher, and he simply smiled.

    "You two seem to get along quite well." Alli said after a few moments of silence, and I smiled awkwardly.

    "We bump into one another sometimes in the packhouse, so we do chat sometimes." I dismissed her implications with what I hoped would indicate nothing was going on.

    Alli nodded, yet her eyes were on Asher, who was looking uninterested out of the window. Evidently he was choosing not to get involved in the conversation today. Maybe my reaction the other day had made him a little more wary...

    "It is always nice to make friends where you are staying. Anyway, I shall leave you both to it. I have juste in to see if you have seen the closure dates for next week, Bailey?" Alli asked, and I nodded, a notification had been sent out to the pack school app they had set up. Not to mention, I received emails regarding my working hours. The closures were to do with the party for the Alpha and Luna''s new baby.

    "Good stuff." Alli walked back out of the ssroom, with a wave in my direction, before Asher looked at me.

    "Now who was making excuses for me being here?" He pouted at me.

    "I assumed you would rather me do that, than exin why." I smiled, and he grinned.

    "So, can I walk you home, before your sister arrives?" he offered me his hand, an almost pleading look upon his face. How could I resist?

    There were still things I needed to do in the ssroom, but I could do them tomorrow morning, because it wasn''t like I would be staying in bed to spend time with Asher. So, I took his hand, Akira purring at such a simple action, both of us happy to spend a little more time with him alone. "Come on then."

    And as we walked out of the side door of my ssroom, into the sunshine, I felt a sense of

    contentment pass over me as we began to walk down the path toward the main area of the pack. But, as we did Asher tugged me into the trees sitting alongside the path. His hands slipped around my waist the moment we were in the shade of the trees. He moved me gently to lean my back against a tree, before his lips were softy and tantalizingly teasing at my neck. Content belongs

    to NovelDrama.Org

    "Mmmm¡± he murmured against my skin, his warm breath sending goosebumps across my body. "Do you realize just how much I have missed you today?"

    I giggled. ¡°No, I''d say perhaps you could show me, but seeing as we are outside, that may be a bad idea."

    He chuckled, before he nipped lightly at my neck, before continuing to kiss me, his lips and tongue teasing at the skin of my neck. "Oohh you are

    bad... se so bad." His lips Touret

    mine, as his tongue parted my lips, to begin swirling in an enticing way that made me desperately want more...

    I reached up to run my hand through his thick, dark hair, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss. As he gripped my butt. His breath quickened, as he pulled away. "What time is your sister arriving?"

    "Soon." I admitted reluctantly, knowing instantly he was hoping to go to one of our rooms to continue what had begun this morning, and where this could so easily continue to...

    He sighed, running his hand through his own hair in frustration. "Dammit." He winked. "Best we stop then, while we still can."

    I smiled up at him almost adoringly. This guy had to be the most patient one I had met. "Sorry." I stepped up on my tiptoes to reach up and softly kiss his cheek.

    His hand hooked under my chin as I moved away, turning my face to his, so his lips softly met mine, only briefly, but so tenderly, it made my heart flutter. "Don''t apologize. I know it will be worth waiting for, beautiful."

 Chapter 0182

    Chapter 0182

    I rushed through the packhouse after being notified of my sister''s arrival. A small part of me was a little apprehensive to see her after everything that had happened between us, but mainly I was excited. Looking forward to seeing her. Having not seen any family since my move here. Upon our arrival back at the packhouse Asher had decided it would be better for him to let me go and sort my room for my sister alone, telling me if he returned to my room with me, he would not be able to promise what he would do, which made me giggle.

    As I stepped out into thete afternoon sunshine, I saw Morgan''s car pull up, and she wasted no time in jumping out and flinging herself at me, "Aww Bai Bai, I am so d to see you!" she squealed, just as Asher and Alpha Caleb walked around the corner, making my cheeks flush with color, especially at her using the nickname from when I was a lot younger.

    I saw Asher smile as they approached. Before, Morgan decided to humiliate me even further. "You look so much better with your hair like that, you know? Less 80s m rock star. More modern and almost chic." She grinned at me, and I could see she was teasing, but I rolled my eyes at her, my hair was far from that frizzy, it was naturally curly, a little difficult to tame, but still I heard Alpha Caleb chuckle.

    "I assume this is your sister, Bailey?" he asked, as the two of them were almost next to us now, and there would have been no denying they had heard my delightful sister''s finalment.

    I nodded to agree with the Alpha and he smiled. "Beta Asher did say she was arriving today. Wee to the pack."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Morgan smiled politely. "Thank you for letting me visit my sister. I am surprised you''d want her here. What with all the drama she causes." She chuckled, and I looked at her with a stare, hoping she might realize I did not share my past with the pack, and she giggled awkwardly. "Joking, obviously."

    While Asher was eyeing my sister warily now. This was not the best start to her visit...

    "I don''t think she has caused any drama, and she is a wonderful teacher." Alpha Caleb said with a polite smile to Morgan, who rolled her eyes yfully.

    "Yeah, so everyone says." She nodded. "But she should be, always having her head in a book to make sure she would get her qualifications, right Bai?"

    Asher''s face was etched into a frown now, telling me he did not particrly like my sister right now. "I think that would be considered quite admirable, actually." He stated with a sideways nce at my sister, who looked a little startled. And even the Alpha looked a little surprised at Asher defending

    me.

    "Oh, definitely." Morgan smiled sweetly. "I didn''t mean it in a negative way. Bailey was always different to the rest of us. She was a bit boring, and loved studying. I''d rather be out enjoying my time with friends. Having fun." She shrugged.

    "All about perspective, I suppose." Asher stated bluntly. "And what you perceive as boring, personally, I''d consider it as being dedicated to her future goals." He defended me once more, and I could feel my cheeks flushing.

    Morgan looked at me, seeming unsure what to reply, so she simply nodded and said. "I guess."

    I could feel Asher''s eyes on me, and I was desperate to get away before Morgan or the Alpha noticed. "Well, it was nice to see you both." I smiled at the Alpha and Asher. "Please tell Luna Eden I wille and see her and the little ones again soon." I added, and Alpha Caleb grinned at me.

    "Ah, she will be happy, she keeps

    asking after you. You seem to be her new texting buddy. It would be so much easier to formally make you a pack member, Bailey, then you could mindlink one another. Though you''d probably never get any peace from Eden then. I know I don''t!" he grinned at me, and I smiled in response.

    If I was honest, the thought of being a formal pack member here sounded like heaven to me. Formally leaving my pack and being part of such a wonderful pack and

    I

    community here would be truly amazing. Not to mention, I loved my job here, and now things were the way they were with Asher, and the potential of them developing. I was excited about my future. But, I knew in order to leave my pack I was going to need my Alpha''s permission, and that was always going to be difficult... Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    ¡°Come on then Morgan, let us get your things, I will show you to my room." I told my sister, who was watching me, as I looked shyly at Asher, who was smiling at Alpha Caleb''s words too.

    Morgan waved toward the Alpha and Asher, as we moved toward the trunk of her car, before she looked at me. "So, what is with the moody one?" she demanded.

    I smirked. "What do you mean?"

    "I think his face would crack if he smiled, that is even assuming he knows how to smile." She said as she pulled her bags from the trunk and I tried hard to hold back myughter. Her thoughts were almost the same as mine and Akira''s had been when we had first met Asher when we had arrived. Asher really did not give off the best first impressions...

    "Aww, he isn''t too bad." I told her with a smile.

    Akira giggled. ''Easy for you to say, he likes you!''

    ''I should hope he does!'' I told her. ''Considering the things we have been doing!''

    She giggled once more. ''Oh he does. I think we got him good!''

    "There something you not telling me?" Morgan asked me with curiosity, and I looked at her innocently.

    "No idea what you mean." I shrugged, not wanting to go into all this right now, especially with others around who may hear. "Let me show you to my room."

    Morgan and I grabbed her bags as she closed the trunk and locked her car. Before we walked into the packhouse. She looked a little deted, I have to say. Despite her brashness as she had arrived, she did not look herself. I sighed, "Are you doing okay, Morgan?"

    She slowly shook her head. "Not the best Bai, I can''t lie. I wish I had stayed away from him. Wait until you hear the things he has done!"

    I knew now the next few days with her here were likely going to be difficult...

 Chapter 0183

    Chapter 0183

    I followed my sister through the corridors of the packhouse in her new pack. It seemed a nice ce,

    and I have to say, I couldn''t help but notice a difference in her attitude¡­ her aura. She seemed so

    much calmer¡­ confident¡­ happier. And, I can¡¯t lie, it suited her. This was not the same Bailey who

    had left our pack a few weeks ago. Maybe being around Miles had been dragging her down more

    than we realized.

    The news that he had been her fated mate had shocked me to the core. I won¡¯t lie. It had hurt me

    too, considering the fact I had loved him secretly for so long, and she had been his all along¡­ fated

    to him¡­ and then rejected by him¡­ yet never said a word to any of us. And of course, then I had

    be involved with him too. And now, when I look back, I still don¡¯t know if that was because he

    wanted to find a way to get at Bailey, or gain information on her, because from everything I had

    learned from my Dad and my brother, Miles seemed obsessed with her, despite the fact he had

    rejected her.

    So many secrets were hidden initially, until they hade to speak with me. And all the information

    was spilled, while it felt like my world came tumbling down around me. Dad and Jordan had

    basically had to sneak Bailey from the pack to her new workce. Why would he even want her to

    be kept in our pack if he didn¡¯t see her as a fit mate? None of it made sense to me, but fucking hell,

    it hurt. He was with me by that point. Trying hard to convince me to sleep with him... give my all to

    him...

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    I know how vicious Miles can be. I think everyone in our pack knows that. He is known to be a

    bully¡­ a bit of a dick when he wants to be. And over the years, Bailey had always been the butt of

    his jokes. We assumed it was because she was a bit of a geek, with her head forever in her books,

    but now a lot it seems a lot of it was resentment that she was his fated mate. Because, from what

    my brother had told me, he never saw her as good enough for him.

    And, while we had always teased Bailey for not caring much for fashion or going out and having fun,

    she was still a natural beauty. She was pretty without even trying. And, she had the intelligence to

    back it up, though maybe that was part of the issue for Miles. Bailey was too smart for him. Making

    him feel inferior. I don¡¯t know. But, the things I heard since Dad and Jordan had tried to warn me

    away from Miles had sickened me. Sickened me that he would treat my sister that way¡­

    I can¡¯t lie, I had felt flooded with guilt, much like Jordan, I guess that we had been blind to it. We had

    joined in so freely with the teasing¡­ the bullying, thinking it was just yful taunting. Not realizing

    the depth of the cruelty, that Miles was actually sinking to. Bailey had suffered because of her fated

    mate worse than she ever should have done. Why he couldn¡¯t just reject her and let her go, I would

    never know. And, I can imagine she had thought the same so many times too...

    But, then he seemed to attach himself to me. And, me being na?ve, taken in by his status, and his

    charm, not to mention his attention, I had fallen for him. Far too easily. But, I had always adored

    him, from being a young teenager... the handsome, uing Alpha... my big brother''s best friend...

    school sport''s star... he had been perfect in my eyes. So, when the warnings from my brother and

    my Dad hade, they had simply fallen upon deaf ears. I wanted him, and nothing would stop

    me. Even after he hurt me, time and time again, I kept returning¡­ he was like a drug I was addicted

    to. I had naively thought he would pick me for his chosen mate. Pick me for his Luna.

    Bailey opened the door to her bedroom. It was only a small and basic room, with a double bed set

    up. ¡°Asher¡­ erm¡­ Beta Asher said we could get a camp bed in here for you if you don¡¯t want to

    share the bed with me.¡± She said with an awkward smile.

    Hmmm, seems my sister is a little more friendly with this Beta than she is letting on if she is calling

    him by his first name, I would say. But, I let it go, if she wanted to let me know, she would. ¡°I am

    good sharing with you, be like when we used to stay with Grandma¡± I grinned at her, and Bailey

    laughed.

 Chapter 0184

    Chapter 0184

    "Wow, that has been years, Morgan!"

    "Just like old times then!" I smiled at her, and she nodded.

    "Sorry, my room is nothing exciting, they are setting a house up for me. But, with me wanting toe here so suddenly, they had to put me in here." Bailey exined, and I understood. She had been in a rush to get away. After the situation with Miles had got worse from what I understood.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    My Dad and Jordan tried to exin things to me as best they could, in a bid to warn me away from Miles. Not that it had worked. I am beginning to wish I had taken heed of their warnings now... but sadly, my feelings and stupidity had won over. And the packhouse in which she was living seemed nice enough. Her room was modern, and had all she needed, including an en-suite bathroom, which was more than many packhouse rooms did.

    "Honestly, Bai, it is fine, I am just d to be here." I admitted. "d to be away from there."

    She nodded. "I know that feeling!"

    "How did you do it?" I asked her. ¡°He had to have hurt you so much more than he ever did me."

    She shook her head. "I don''t know that he did, Morgan, because there is a difference between me and you. While he did some shitty things to me, I never fell for him. There were never any feelings between us. Yes, there was the matebond, but it wasn''t difficult to fight when you hate someone the way I did."

    I looked at her in shock, I honestly thought she may have had some underlying feelings for him, especially with the matebond. "You never wanted him?"

    Sheughed, almost ironically, before shaking her head. "Wanted him dead maybe." she joked. "But no. Not even a little. I hated him, Morgan. When we were young, and I mean young, yeah, we got on great, but as he got older, he turned into such a jackass, and treated me so shitty. Made me feel so bad about myself. For no real reason. And I ended up hating myself, all because of him. And because he was the future Alpha, most of the others our age in the pack would do the same. Made my life hell. Why do you think I didn''t like going out? Why do you think I spent so much time with my head in my books? Because I had little else to do. Because it was better than sitting thinking about the shit going on in my life, all because of that fucker."

    My heart tightened at her words. I was one of those others. I had willingly joined in with my own sister''s bullying. I had made my own sister''s life hell. To the point she wanted to leave her own pack.

    "I''m sorry Bai, I never knew you felt like that. I thought you enjoyed studying." I whispered.

    "I did. But, it didn''t mean I wouldn''t

    have liked friends and fun the same as all of you. A little more of a light-hearted life than I had. But, like I said, it made it easier to distract myself with more studying." She told me with a shrug.

    "Why did you never speak out?" I asked, unsure now why she would suffer in silence.

    "Oh, really? Against so many?

    Because I would not be believed. Especially when the main culprit was the uing Alpha. The fucker that everyone worshiped and treated like the sun shone out of his butt? Yeah, Because that would have worked.¡± She chuckled, and i knew she was right. I don''t think anybody would have listened to a word of it, had she mentioned it to anyone. Everyone in pack seemed blind to any wrong doings of Miles.

    "I feel so bad, Bai." I wrapped my arms around her.

    "It is in the past, Morgan." She wrapped her arms around me. "And it got me my job. Got me where I wanted to be." "Got you the attention of a grumpy-ass Beta?" I teased, and she chuckled.

    "Not a clue what you mean."

    "Hmm, I am sure." I looked up at her with a shake of my head. She was definitely holding something back from me.

    "Did Miles hurt you Morgan?" my sister asked me softly, and I sat myself on the edge of her bed, letting out a deep sigh.

    "Physically, other than grabbing me, and the asional shove, I guess not, no. Emotionally, yes. But, maybe that was my own fault for letting him." I told her, and she was quickly by my side, her arms around me, hugging me.

 Chapter 0185

    Chapter 0185

    I was settling into the new pack. My home. The pack I would one day be Luna of. Okay, it wasn''t quite what I was used to, but once Miles had been made Alpha, he said I could make the changes I wanted, so I was making notes each day of things I did not like... things I felt could be improved, and quite honestly, there was quite a lot. I was staying in a room within the packhouse right now, until Miles and I were married. He had tried desperately to have me live with him, but I felt it was a little premature, and I didn''t want him trying things on with me. Not yet, at least.

    Obviously, on our wedding night, I would have no choice, but for the time being, at least I had an excuse. And, talking of the wedding, ns were running away with themselves. Miles''s parents werepletely taking over with the preparations. And they seemed to be getting more and more irritated by any suggestions I made for alterations. Which only angered me. This was meant to be my special day, yet they seemed to want the wedding done their way. I was truly beginning to regret ever agreeing to any of this, let alone suggesting I marry the fool as well as bing his mate...Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    I heard a knock at my door, and quickly walked over, to be greeted by two she-wolves, here to let me try on wedding dresses. Now, today was a day I had been looking forward to! What woman does not like trying on pretty dresses?! Especially ones that make you look like a princess! "Come in." I said excitedly, allowing them into my suite, only to find my heart dropping as Miles''s Mum, Pheobe, followed them in. Why did she need to be there too? Was this not my choice?

    "Good morning, Kaia." She greeted me coldly, giving me an equally cold stare. I am sure this woman did not like me. Nor did she want me to marry her son.

    "Morning Luna." I smiled sweetly, though inside I was secretly cursing the silly old witch. I wish she would piss off, so I could enjoy myself the way I had nned! The bottle of champagne my Dad had sent to enjoy was already chilling, and I had my ylist at the ready... I had it all set out! Now she was set to ruin it! I wanted to enjoy every moment of this, try these dresses on at my own pace and decide on my own what I wanted and not be dictated to by her, yet again. This was not her wedding!

    ¡°Right, let us get this underway." Luna Pheobe said briskly to the women who had wheeled in a rack of dresses. ¡°I am assuming white is unlikely to be appropriate." She looked at me with an air of superiority in her gaze, and I was shocked at what she was trying to imply by her statement.

    I red back at her. "White is perfectly fine, actually, thank you very much." I snapped.

    "Oh, really?" she said, chewing her lower lip thoughtfully. "You do surprise me, unless, of course, you are not being truthful."

    "Is there a reason you are here?" I asked her, every ounce of venom within me slipping out in my voice, and Luna Pheobe looked to me, a smirk upon her perfectly made-up face. She was evidently loving this. Stupid bitch.

    ¡°Well, I was here to assist the bride my son had chosen, with picking a dress. Ensure she doesn''t get ideas beyond her station. After all, she has been acting like quite the princess since her arrival. Well, since the whole wedding nning began really. So, I believe she needs to be taught how to rein things in a little. My son needs a Luna, not a princess." She said bluntly. "But, it seems the little princess is deeming me as not needed. Or perhaps my opinions are too close to the truth. Does the truth hurt a little too much, Kaia?"

    I looked at her in shock. Where had

    all thise from? Yes, I knew my alterations to the wedding ns had irritated Miles''s parents here and there, but not to this degree. She was being downright rude right now, and there appeared to be no real reason for it. So, what was her issue with me? Her mate and husband had high on begged me to marry and be the mate to their eldest son, when nobody else appeared to want him, so why the hell did this stupid old hag not deem me a suitable mate? I was of Alpha blood, I was single. I was more than capable of dealing with their pathetic excuse of a future Alpha of a son when he threw one of his hissy fits too. Better equipped for dealing with him than they were, it seemed...

    "When there is no truth in your words, then they irritate more than hurt quite honestly, Luna. I find them quite insulting, actually. But, that makes me wonder if that was what you were aiming for. And there was me thinking you were taught to be respectful of all, as a Luna. Evidently, you missed that lesson. At the end of the day, age is irrelevant, I am still of Alpha blood, and while may be in line to marry your son, my father would still not appreciate the insults you are throwing my way, nor the things you are implying." I said proudly, knowing damn well she was out of order, and me putting her in her ce would likely shut her up.

    But, instead, Luna Pheobe simplyughed at me! I felt anger racing through my body, while my wolf began to ripple below my skin, desperate to be allowed out... eager to get to the woman who would soon be my mother-inw and rip her apart...

 Chapter 0186

    Chapter 0186

    Once I had left Bailey after walking her home, deciding it was most definitely not a safe n for me to go and help her arrange her room for her sister''s arrival, I had gone to find Caleb to do some training. Taking my frustration out on my best friend by beating the crap out of him sounded like a good n. Because, I knew the moment I was alone in a room with Bailey I was not going to be able to keep my self control under control... Turned out, because I was so distracted by thoughts of Bailey, it was more a case of Caleb beating the crap out of me... but still it was a distraction for a little while. Kept me and Zion busy for a little while, and made a change to the office work I had been doing earlier. It was only as we walked back through the pack and were returning to the packhouse that I had seen her with her sister, and I instantly felt my heart lift at the sight of her. She looked so beautiful. Good enough to eat...

    Though hearing the way her sister spoke of her irritated me a little. But, I think I managed to hide that pretty well. Though why Bailey had rushed off I don''t know. I now had Caleb looking at me with a puzzled look upon his face, as I watched Bailey walk inside the packhouse in her bid to get away from us.

    "What?" I asked him, with a small shrug.

    "Something you want to tell me?" he asked and I shrugged again.

    I know out of everyone, Caleb is the first person I should be telling of this shift of things between Bailey and me, but I want to see where it goes first. Hell, she may decide I am aplete jackass yet... I mean, that wouldn''t bepletely impossible to understand...

    ''Not if you act like a normal person.'' Zion grumbled. Evidently he didn''t like the thought of her leaving us. Though, in truth, neither did I. I hated the thought of not being able to freely see her for the next few days while her sister was here. I was already missing her, and I only saw her properly a few hours ago!!

    "Youing to see Eden and the little ones?" Caleb asked me with a smile, and I nodded. I haven''t seen the pups for a few days, and I am sure they would brighten my day, as they usually did. I imagine Freya will have grown a lot in those few days too.

    "Eden doing okay with two of them driving her crazy alongside you?" I asked, and Calebughed.

    "She seems to be. She is a wonderful Mama, always meant to be, I think." He says with affection thick in his voice. I can''t help but be a little envious of my friend. He had it all now. His mate, his family and a happy, hectic home where he couldn''t wait to return to each day.

    "You wait until they are teenagers, and they are answering her back! Eden is a fiery little firecracker, goddess help you if Freya takes after her, there will be some serious battles in your house!" I told him with augh, and he rolled his eyes.

    "Oh, I know. I have already had that warning from Eden''s Dad. I aming to live with you then." He warned me, and Iughed again.

    ¡°I will make sure the spare room is set up." I told him with a smirk, while we walked along the pathways of the pack. Pack members waving to us as they pass.

    "Howe Bailey''s sister came to stay?" Caleb asked me, taking me by surprise. I was sure I had spoken to him about this. Evidently theck of sleep was getting to him. "Isn''t she working?"

    "Bailey or her sister?" I asked, unsure which one he was asking me about, and he chuckled.

    "Bailey."

    I nodded. ¡°She is still nning to work, I assume her sister will rx until she finishes work. She exined she needed a little space from back home. A former boyfriend marrying or something." I exined with a shrug.

    "Seems you and her are getting along well. Do you see much of her with living in the packhouse together?" he asked with a small smirk, as he unlocked his front door. Was this my friend digging for gossip? He''d be disappointed...

    I gave him a sideways nce along with a small shake of my head. "Rarely."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    "Honey, I''m home!" he called out to Eden the way he always did, and Matty came toddling out of the lounge to greet his Dad, a beautiful big smile on his face. The same big blue eyes as his Mama looking up at us. Caleb instantly swooped him up in his arms, showering his son in kisses and cuddles, making me smile. He may drive me crazy at times, but I can not deny he was a wonderful father...

    Eden came out of the lounge soon after, with her arms, her

    face ligeya i

    up at the sight of us.

    "Hey you two!" she walked over to Caleb, snuggling into his side, as he softly kissed her head. "I didn''t realize you wereing Ash." She adds, while passing Freya, to Caleb.

    "We were training, so I suggest hee and see his niece and nephew." Caleb exined, leading his son into the lounge once again. Eden nodded with a smile. "You need a coffee?"

    I smiled, and followed her to the kitchen to help. ¡°Please.¡± I said, leaning on the countertop as we walked through the door.

    Suddenly, Eden was in front of me, offering me a mug of coffee. "Shit Ash, you could smile, you know? My kids already barely sleep, I don''t need them seeing that scary face, or they''ll be having nightmares and be up even more during the night!" she joked.

    I gave her a sarcastic smile, taking my coffee, taking Caleb''s too, to take it through to him. ¡°Thanks.¡±

    "Everything okay with you?" she asked me, questions hanging heavy in the air. I knew what she was implying. She was referencing our previous chat, and I nodded with a smile, one a little bigger than I intended.

    "Oh, I''d say from that smile, Mr Big-Shot Beta, things are more than good. You been charming our new teacher by any chance?" she questioned, and I simply smirked, with a little shrug, before walking through to the lounge to give Caleb his coffee.

 Chapter 0187

    Chapter 0187

    Morgan and Iid on my bed, staring at the ceiling chatting like we used to when we were younger. About anything and everything under the sun. Laughing and giggling at the most ridiculous of things, and I have to say, it felt so good. I think it was the closest I had felt to my sister in a long time. "Aww, Bai, thank you for this!" she wrapped her arm over my waist as she rested her head upon my shoulder.

    "It is okay." I smiled at her. "I have enjoyed it."

    "Do you think you will stay here?" she asked, and I froze. In truth, after the mess with Miles, I had always hoped I would find a pack that would ept me, allow me to work there and take me as an official pack member. But, then, I don''t think I had considered the reluctance of my pack to allow me to go. But, now finding Asher too, I think I would love nothing more than to stay here. Officially, be a part of their pack, and f course, to see what was to happen with Asher.

    I sighed, a long and deep sigh, and Morgan looked at me. ¡°You aren''t sure?" she questioned, sounding more than a little confused. I could only assume from her response she thought I wanted to live here permanently.

    "Oh, it isn''t that I don''t want to. I just don''t know if our pack would let me. I think the only way I could leave is if I find a mate. Because Miles has made it clear, I would not be given permission to leave otherwise." I exined. "And let us face it, I am not finding a fated mate, am I?!"

    She smiled sadly. ¡°Our pack rules are weird." She dismissed it with a shrug. ¡°But, you are here now, and you never thought that would happen. So, never say never, right?" she squeezed me a little tighter. "Don''t give up on what you want, Bai. You deserve it for everything you went through."

    "I am guessing you don''t want to go back?" I asked, knowing how hard she would find it if she did go home. Especially if Miles was getting married. She chuckled. "I am in no hurry, let us just say that. I am even considering university like you." And I was shocked by her words. This was never anything she had been interested in before. But I smiled.

    "Do what makes you happy, Morgan, and don''t let Miles hold you back. Speak to Dad, or Jordan. Let them help you. Remember, you have a fated mate out there too, he could well be your ticket out of there." I reminded her, and her face fell.

    "What if he doesn''t want me when he realizes I nearly gave myself to that nasty piece of work?" She chewed her lip anxiously.

    "Nearly, Morgan." I reassured her. "The difference is, you didn''t in the end. And even if you had, it would have been because you were manipted by him. He is a master at maniption. Always has been. Besides, not all mates wait. Your fated mate will think you are perfect the way you are, trust me."

    "What, the way yours did?" she said with a smirk.

    I gave her a gentle shove. "Yeah, well, he was a bit defective."

    Morganughed. ¡°A bit?!" she wasughing hard now. I shook my head at her.

    Iid letting herugh for a moment, while I enjoyed the sound. She likely needed tough. She needed a break from the emotions she had been battling. She turned and looked at me. "Ah, that felt good."

    I smiled. "I figured it might."

    "Do you think he will actually get married?" Morgan asked, and I knew instantly she was talking of Miles. So, as much as she is trying to act like she is getting over it, or that she doesn''t care, she evidently does. She may want to hate him, but he has a tight grip upon her heart. Her first love, I guess. From her teenage

    crush, so that isn''t going to help...

    I sighed. ¡°Oh, sis, I don''t know. I don''t think I ever saw him as the settling down sort. A part of me can''t help but wonder if it is to go along with what his parents want, so he can gain his title as Alpha." I exined and she looked at me surprised.

    "Do you think?" she sounded full of hope at that thought, and I hated that she would still be clinging to any hope when it came to him. She needed to realize she was better off without him. He would destroy her if she kept giving him chances...

    "Like I said, I don''t know. Because, from what you then told me, the visits to pack to meet potential chosen mates didn''t go to n did they? And he picked this girl himself. So, perhaps she is someone he wants." I suggested, and I saw my sister''s face fall, as she nodded.

    "He did sound proud of her. But I didn''t know if he was just trying to hurt my feelings." She whispered.

    I reached for her hand and squeezed

    it. Hating that she was hurting. "He enjoys hurting people, Morgan. You deserve so much better than him. promise you, when you meet the right one, you will know. And Miles was never the right one for you. It felt exciting because he was handsome, dangerous and the uing Alpha, that is all. But, it will feel so much more when it is the right person."

    She looked at me through anxious eyes, and nodded. "I hope so. She whispered.

    "I know so."

    Morgan suddenly reached out and touched my hair. "Why do you straighten it now?"

    I gave her a slight scowl. "Do you not remember all the things you would say about my curls?" I asked her.

    She looked at me with a guilty smile. "I did bring you something, actually. I saw it when I was shopping. It is meant to help tame your curls. I never thought you should hide them. I''d have loved your curls, Bai. I got the boring straight hair from Dad."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    I chuckled. I would never have guessed she envied my hair. "You brought something for my hair?" I asked, a little surprised at her kindness.

    "Yeah, let me try it out for you! I''ll do your hair!" she grinned. "Like a proper sleepover!" the excitement in her voice made me smile.

    "I could give you a mini-makeover!" she said excitedly. "I love doing that sort of thing."

    I found myself smiling. Who would have thought, a few months ago, Morgan and I sitting together, having fun, and doing makeovers? It was almost like we had slipped into an alternate universe... but if it meant I was being there for her... supporting her, then it was good for me...

 Chapter 0188

    Chapter 0188

    After waking so many times during the night being kicked and elbowed by an extremely fidgety sister of mine, I was actually grateful when my rm went off. It appeared she had not learned to sleep any less restlessly since she had grown up. I suppose I should be grateful she didn''t have nightmares any longer and squeal in her sleep the way she used to! Nor did she wet the bed. Both habits she had thankfully grown out of, or my night''s sleep would have been even worse, that is for sure!

    "Eurgh, is that the fire rm?" Morgan grumbled, cing the pillow over her head as I leaned over to turn my rm off, and I smiled.

    "Nope, just my wake-up call." I prodded her gently.

    "Mine too, I assume." She muttered. "Giving me a bloody headache!"

    "You can stay in bed, if you like." I told her, heading to the bathroom. "Rest a little, and I wille and find you when I have finished work."

    "I wille with you, is that okay?" she asked sleepily, and I smiled back at her.

    "If that is what you want to do." I was sure the children would like seeing her, and I doubted the other teachers would mind. But the kids singing their songs delightfully out of tune, would likely do nothing to help that headache of hers, I thought to myself with a chuckle to myself as I headed into the shower.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    I quickly showered, and wrapped myself in a towel, before standing in front of the mirror, and using the new hair product my sister had brought for me, to tame but enhance my curls, deciding to allow my natural curls to be on show today. When she had done my little makeoverst night, she showed me some new make-up techniques too. Not that I usually bother with make-up too much, but I definitely liked the hair.

    As I emerged from my en-suite, Morgan was sitting on my bed, a big smile on her face. "Yay!" she winked at me. "You used it. It suits you. That big bad Beta won''t be able to resist you." she winked again before dashing past me to the en-suite before I could argue.

    I quickly got dressed in a simple baby blue shift dress and tan diator-style sandals. I kept my make-up simple today. But, I think my overall look worked, and a small part of me kind of wished I was seeing Asher...

    ''Oh who are you kidding?!'' Akira giggled. ''Every single part of you was wishing! Craving him, even.''

    I rolled my eyes at her, as Morgan came out of the bathroom, already showered, and dressed. In the cutest little matching navy with white trim capri pants and, tank top. And Navy chunky sandals. Her long dark hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, enhancing her beautiful face. My sister has definitely got the looks in our family..

    ¡°Come on then." I hooked my arm through hers. "We should get you some food before we start." I urged her, knowing she would need energy for dealing with the little monsters in my ss, and my sister grinned at me.

    "I think I need coffee more than anything." She told me, as we slipped out of my bedroom, just as Asher walked from his room, his eyes instantly falling upon me as he did, and his face lighting up.

    "Good morningdies." He greeted us. "On your way for breakfast?" he asked, and I nodded.

    I had butterflies at the sight of him, and Akira was pacing within my mind, the two of us already missing him terribly, despite only seeing him yesterday. I tried to act like everything was perfectly normal while I led my sister toward the staircase, fully aware of the fact Asher was only a few steps behind us.

    ''He might be grumpy looking, but he is actually quite handsome.'' Morgan mindlinked me with a wink, and I looked at her wide-eyed. ''You definitely need to try your luck with him, sis.'' She added.

    ''You want pushing down the stairs?'' I questioned, and I could hear my sister holding back a giggle as we rushed down thest few stairs.

    "So, Beta, is my sister everything you imagined she would be?" Morgan asked, her eyes looking suggestively at Asher, and he looked awkwardly at her, like a deer caught in the headlights, bless him.

    "I am sorry?" he stuttered.

    ¡°Well, she is a wonderful teacher, so I wondered if she was living up to your expectations." Morgan said with a smirk. ¡°What on earth did you think I was implying?!"

    I saw Asher''s cheeks flushing slightly, and I tried not to smile.

    ''That is enough now.'' I warned her, but she nced at me, her eyebrows raised at me.

    ''He wants you,'' she says simply through the link, before looking at Asher again.

    "Do you have a bit of a soft spot for my sister Beta? Is that why your thoughts instantly assumed I was talking about that?" she wiggled her brows at him now before moving. toward the dining hall, leaving the two of us alone. Thankfully, had briefly mentioned where things were as we walked to my roomst night, so she had a vague idea...

    I nced at Asher who was looking at me like he was in shock. "Sorry." I whispered.

    "Well, your sister is..." he paused momentarily. "Blunt." He added, and I grinned at him.

    "To say the least."

    "Bloody good at reading people, I''d say.¡± he grinned at me now. "By the way, you look... well, wow." His hand softly reached for my curls, and I smiled up at him.

    "Thank you."

    "You know I barely sleptst night, because you weren''t there." He told me. "Two nights I have had you in the same bed, and I don''t think I can sleep without you there now." He bit his lower lip as he looked up at me nervously, and my heart fluttered at his words. I know exactly what he meant...

    Suddenly, Morgan came rushing down the corridor toward me looking terrified. Asher looked at me, jumping back slightly to put some space between us as I moved

    earth is wrong?!" I asked, panic racing through me. Unsure what would be causing her to look so scared.

    toward my sister. "Morgan,,?

    on

    Her eyes met mine, and I could see tears were filling them. "He... he..." she stuttered. "He is there."

    I looked at her puzzled, as Asher came up to ce his hand upon my arm, causing goosebumps to spread across my body. "Is everything okay?" he

    asked, and I shrugged, confused as to what had happened. Surely he realized I knew as much as he did.

    "Morgan, who is there?" I asked her, as I saw her swaying slightly, looking a little unsteady on her feet.

    "My mate!" she gasped, before she suddenly passed out, Asher, quickly reaching out to catch her before she hit the floor.

 Chapter 0189

    Chapter 0189

    I looked at Asher nervously as he lowered himself to the ground, my sister within his arms, my whole body trembling at her words... her fated mate was here? Is that what she was telling me? That had to be what she had meant... that was what mate meant, wasn''t it? But how could that have happened? My mind whirled at the possibilities...

    "Is she okay?" I asked Asher, resting my hand upon his shoulder, and he nodded. I was unsure why she would have passed out...

    "I think she is just in shock." He told me, his voice sounded calm, so he evidently wasn''t as shaken by this as I was. Though this was not his younger sister. "But if she hade here to escape heartache and then found her fated mate it is a shock, I bet!" he chuckled lowly. "And you can''t say she didn''t look terrified as she rushed over."

    I nodded. He was definitely right about that. She looked petrified. But, of this was her fated mate, why would she be so scared? You are meant to be excited, aren''t you? Ovee with the need to be with them? So, running away from her fated mate seemed such a strange choice. But, Asher was likely not wrong. Morgan hade here to recover from a broken heart. Recover from all the heartache and stresses of the situation back at home, and now this has just happened? Could this be all too much too soon for her? I guess it could be... but who was this mate of hers? I imagine there would be so many pack members in there right now, it would be hard to guess...

    Suddenly, the doors of the dining hall flung open and Marc came dashing out, looking panicked... scared... and, in all honesty, in some serious shock. His eyes were darting up and down the corridor as if in search of someone, before they locked upon mine. He smiled briefly, but not in the same cheerful and friendly way he usually had for me. He was more than a little distracted, it seemed, as his eyes continued to dart...

    Not taking long for them to fall upon my sister in Asher''s arms, and his face tightened in anger, and it was then that I realized...

    Marc ran down the corridor, a deep growl sneaking from his mouth, taking me by surprise, and causing Asher to twist his head to see where the noise hade from. "Is she okay?" Marc snarled, as he dropped to the floor alongside Asher.

    I looked at him in shock. My mind was trying to process everything. Marc was my sister''s fated mate? The man Asher had warned me away from?! "You?" I muttered.

    Both Asher and Marc looked up at me in surprise. Then Asher looked at Marc, a grin appearing upon his face. "No shit."

    Marc scowled. "Yes. And I would kind of like to know why she ran away. Why she is now passed out, and what the hell is going on!" he snarled once

    more.

    "Let us go to my office. At least there you don''t have half the pack watching. Mindlink your Mum Marc, tell her Bailey may bete for work, exin her sister had passed out." Asher told Marc, as he began to stand up.

    Marc was already on his feet. "Let me take her." He urged, leaning down to gently swoop Morgan from Asher''s arms. I was still standing, in shock at everything that had just happened. I could not believe that my sister hade here to visit me, to escape the hurt and upset she had been experiencing in our pack, only to find her fated mate here...

    "Marc..." I whispered, as we began walking toward Asher''s office. "I know you are likely excited to find your fated mate, but please be careful... she is scared of being hurt." I told him, and he turned to look at me, his eyes darkened.

    "Someone has hurt her?" he growled, his voice an octave or two deeper this time, telling me his wolf was present, and far from happy with that thought...

    "Let her exin. I am just asking you to be good to her, as her sister, please." I looked at him, tears filling my eyes, desperate for my sister not to be hurt again.

    Marc looked at me, and his face softened this time. "Hey,e on, I am not that bad of a guy, am I?" he nudged me gently with his elbow. "I will look after her."

    "He is a good guy, Bailey." Asher''s hand softly touched my lower back, and I noticed Marc''s brow raise slightly at the action. The familiarity there likely threw him...

    Asher unlocked his office door, just

    as there was a scream from Marc''s arms, I heard a thud, making me turn to look across at them, and saw S Morgan jump up, slipping herself from his arms, as Marc reached up for his face.

    ¡°Ooph.¡± He mumbled. "That is a hell of a way to greet your fated mate, my love." He chuckled.

    Morgan spun to look at him, her

    eyes wide in shock. I could see her chest rising up and down rapidly, as she took in the scene in front of her. "Oh my god! I am so sorry!" she gasped, rushing toward him You scared me."

    Marc chuckled. "Am I that ugly?"

    Morgan blushed, and Asher looked at me with a smile. "I am d I wasn''t holding her now." He whispered.

    "Thanks Ash." Marc nced at us.

    ¡°Well, it will be a tale for your grandkids. When I met your Grandma she thought I was so ugly, she gave me a ck eye!" Asher said with augh, making meugh, and Marc simply stuck his middle finger up at Asher.

    "I never said he was ugly." Morgan muttered, and then her cheeks flushed as she realized what she was saying.

    Marc chuckled. "Now that I am d

    to hear." He softly ced a kiss upon the top of Morgan''s head, and my heart softened for the two of them. My sister had found her fated mate! And, looking at the expression upon her face, she looked a little bit smitten... Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 0190

    Chapter 0190

    I had a slightlyter start today for training, so I was loitering in the breakfast hall, kicking back with

    my third, or it could even have been my fourth coffee, and yet another pastry. The new chef was a

    whizz in the kitchen, and the pastries they made were beyond delicious¡­ probably not the best for

    my waistline, but, it wasn¡¯t like I wouldn¡¯t be burning it off in a little while on the training field¡­ or in

    the gym tonight. The joy of being a dedicated warrior. Not like I had much else to do.

    Most of the other guys from my squad had left already, so I was sitting on my own. I had thought I

    might catch a glimpse of Bailey, see how she was doing. She was always good for a catch-up. She

    was fun and easy to chat with. Easy on the eye too, to be fair, but I had a feeling Asher had a bit of

    a thing for her, not that I think he would ever admit that to me. No, he never would. And, after I had

    caught them together in the forest the other day, I was even more adamant he was with her, but

    when I tried to broach the subject with him, he got defensive and told me to mind my own

    business¡­ or he said he wouldn¡¯t betray I that way¡­

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    The thing was, I knew he had to be lonely. Seven long years without his mate had to be taking its

    toll. I wonder if he had feelings for Bailey that scared him, so he was battling an internal battle.

    Which was why I had stopped questioning him. If he was battling with himself, he did not need to be

    battling me asking questions too. The thing was, he had no reason to fear my feelings or my Mum''s

    for that matter. Yes, I was our family, but we loved Asher like family too, and we just wanted the

    grumpy old fool to be happy.

    And when I saw him with Bailey, I could see something different in him. A spark that hadn''t been

    there for a long time. A potential for happiness. So, I just hoped he gave into those feelings. He

    deserved to be happy. He deserved another chance at love. At happiness. He shouldn¡¯t be lonely

    forever, and I am certain that my sister would have thought the same thing.

    So, while I made a point of being friends with Bailey, as I enjoyed herpany, and my Mum had

    asked me to keep an eye out for her within the pack, I never tried it on with her. But, there had been

    no sight of her this morning either. So, I was sitting alone, nursing my coffee like a proper sad little

    loner, when suddenly my nose was filled with the most delectable scent.

    Violet and vani¡­ instantly my wolf was bouncing around within my mind, and he was normally

    well away in thend of nod until training began at this point of the day, but this scent had us both

    on the edge of our seat¡­ my eyes darted to the door¡­ that scent was not one that was usually

    within our pack¡­ and I noticed a slim, beautiful young she-wolf walk through the double doors.

    Dressed in a cute little outfit. Very modern and fashionable, no doubt. Her long, dark hair slicked

    back into a high ponytail, which only went to show off the beauty of her face. She had the most

    gorgeous brown eyes. Where the hell had shee from?!

    And those eyes were framed with long, darkshes, as they quickly darted around the room.

    Looking more than a little panicked. Had she scented us too? I went to stand up and make my way

    to her, desperate to speak with her¡­ touch her¡­ know her name¡­ I had never been in a hurry to

    find my fated mate before. Always enjoying thepany of women¡­ yes, I had a reputation as a

    bit of adies'' man¡­ I liked thedies, and they seemed to like me¡­ but, now? Now she is here, I

    don¡¯t think anyone else would do¡­

 Chapter 0191

    Chapter 0191

    I made my way across the dining hall, and I noticed the beauty suddenly flee, dashing out of the door as quickly as she could, and my heart dropped. Was this her wanting to get away from me? Reject me?! I felt sick at the thought. I was evidently older than her, by maybe five or six years, potentially even more... but I could still be a good mate, I was sure of that... My wolf whimpered now... the bouncing around was gone, and he was almost unbearably unsettled. The thought of his mate running away at the first chance of meeting us was not a good feeling... in all honesty, it filled me with dread...

    I dashed through the door, my eyes darting around to see if I could see the beautiful vision of a woman I had just seen... but my eyes saw nothing... an empty corridor, until my eyes fell on Bailey, who I smiled politely at, before my eyes dropped to Asher on his knees by her side... until I saw her... my girl... MY GIRL in HIS arms...

    My wolf growled possessively as we made our way down the corridor to them. I needed to be with her. She looked to be passed out. Out cold. What the hell had happened? Had someone hurt her? I would kill anyone for hurting my mate... I dropped to my knees to be by her side, desperate to check she was okay.

    Bailey looked at me, like she was inplete shock. Had she realized what was going on? "You?" she muttered, and it was evident she was shaken by the whole situation, and she was not the only one! I had not woken today expecting this... I was beginning to lose hope of ever finding my mate... Asher and I looked up at Bailey. I think a look of surprise on both our faces at her words. Then Asher suddenly turned to be, the most ridiculous grin upon his face. "No shit." He was a dick. He had forever teased me that I''d never have a fated mate. That, with my womanizing ways, I''d have worked my way through them all so that the moon goddess would have run out of options... I was never that bad, and Asher knew it, yet he still found it amusing all the same.

    I scowled at him, not in the mood for

    his teasing right now. "Yes. And I would kind of like to know why she ran away. Why she is now passed out, and what the hell is going on!" I snarled once again, I needed answers, and I needed them now. Passing out when meeting your

    mate wasn''t normal was it?! Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    Asher began to attempt to stand up, and I could see he was struggling with the girl in his arms, as he spoke. "Let us go to my office. At least there you

    don''t have half the pack watching. Mindlink your Mum Marc, tell her Bailey may bete to work, exin her sister has passed out."

    I quickly stood myself up, desperate

    to take my mate from him. It was unsettling me already seeing her in the arms of another man. Although knew Asher was no threat to her, as did my wolf, I still did not like him touching her. I needed her in my arms. I needed her near me. "Let me take her." I urged, leaning down to gently swoop my mate from Asher''s arms. N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    "Marc..." I could hear Bailey whispering, as we began walking toward Asher''s office. "I know you are likely excited to find your fated mate, but please be careful... she is scared of being hurt." She told me, and I have to say I was a little confused by her words. Why would she be warning me of this? Why would my mate be scared of being hurt? Unless... And I found myself turning to look at her, my wolf lingering dangerously close to the surface...

 Chapter 0192

    Chapter 0192

    "Someone has hurt her?" I was unable to hold back the growl that came out with my words, and even I could hear my voice was deeper, meaning my wolf was present. He needed the answers as much as I did...

    "Let her exin. I am just asking you to be good to her, as her sister, please." Bailey looked at me, and I could easily see tears were filling her eyes. I could see she was trying to be a protective big sister. Was that such a crime? It certainly wasn''t a crime to be desperate for her little sister not to be hurt again. That was thest thing I would want for my mate too...

    I looked at Bailey, hating that she had feared me, even if only for a moment, and I would never want her thinking she should fear me when it came to her sister now. I was her sister''s fated mate. The one who would love her... worship her... care for her like no other could... the thought filled me with a contentment that took me by surprise. I truly never thought I would be excited by having a mate, but I think I truly was... "Hey,e on, I am not that bad of a guy, am I?" I softly poked her with my elbow yfully. "I will look after her." I reassured her.

    "He is a good guy, Bailey." Asher said, and I could not help but notice his hand slipped down to her lower back. There was a definite closeness between these two. More than a little familiar with one another, and Bailey had certainly not flinched at his touch. If anything, I would say she moved into his touch. I found myself raising my brows in surprise... had more than I realized already happened between them?

    Asher unlocked his office door, when suddenly my mate tensed within my arms, making me jump as she let out the most deafening, high-pitched scream... before a fist flew unexpectedly at my head before I could react. I couldn''t even guard my face, as my arms were holding my mate, but she had got me good, right in my eye...

    "Ooph." I mumbled, as the sweet little firecracker fighter of mine jumped from my arms, allowing me to cover my eye that was already beginning to throb a little. Fucking hell, she had a hell of a punch! But she smelt good... "That is a hell of a way to greet your fated mate, my love." I couldn''t help but chuckle.

    My mate spun to look at me, her eyes wide in shock, looking oh so nervous, and I just wanted to envelop her with my arms in a big embrace and reassure her it was all going to be okay. I could see her chest rising up and down rapidly, as she took in the scene in front of her. "Oh my god! I am so sorry!" she gasped, rushing toward me. Her hands softly touched my face, and that tingling, almost electrifying sensation they described of the matebond was there... while her scent filled my senses. "You scared me." She whispered.

    I chuckled again, she was so damn adorable. I don''t even care if she had just given me a ck eye! I think I would happily wear that with pride for the next few days while my wolf heals it... "Am I that ugly?" I asked.

    I could see her blushing, which made my heart melt at the sight. While I noticed Asher looked at Bailey with what looked suspiciously like an affectionate smile. ¡°I am d I wasn''t holding her now." He whispered. Cheeky fucker. I''ll give him a ck eye to match mine if he wants one..... ¡°Thanks Ash.¡± I briefly nced at them, but was desperate to keep my eyes on my new mate.

    "Well, it will be a tale for your grandkids. When I met your Grandma she thought I was so ugly, she gave me a ck eye!" Asher said with augh, making Baileyugh. My new mate was fighting a smile, so I simply stuck my middle finger up at Asher.

    "I never said he was ugly." My boxing beauty muttered, and then her cheeks flushed as she realized what she was saying. Mmmm, that sounded like apliment hidden there. Maybe there could be hope for me yet! I was happy with that...Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    I chuckled. "Now that I am d to

    hear." I softly ced a kiss upon the

    top of her head, while she suddenly looked up at me, her big brown eyes making my heart pound like a fucking drum... I am meant to be a

    1.n

    big tough warrior, but this pretty little

    thing in front of me was already turning my insides into mush. Goddamit... this matebond was strong...

    "Morgan, this is Marc. Marc, this is Morgan." Asher said quickly, with a wink in my direction, and I nodded at him in thanks, not even realizing I hadn''t known her name. Morgan... she was even more stunning close up... no, I think she may be perfect.

    ¡°Hey Morgan.¡± I softly brushed a loose hair back from her face, and her sudden intake of breath told me the tingling from the matebond had taken her by surprise.

    "Hey Marc." She whispered, but the sound of my name on her lips was like music to my ears... and instantly my face was lit up with a big smile. I don''t think I would tire of hearing her say my name... or hearing her speak... hell, I just don''t think would tire of her in general. I think I may be hooked already!

    "Bailey, do you mind if I steal your sister away for the day? I think I would like to take my mate out on a date and spoil her?" I said, looking toward Bailey, and I could not wait to spend some time with the girl the moon goddess had made me wait so long for, because looking at her, I could already see she had been worth the wait...

 Chapter 0193

    Chapter 0193

    Bailey''s sister, Morgan, was looking nervously at Marc, despite the fact she was looking at him somewhere between wanting to eat him, and like he was the best thing since the earth was created. And do not get me started on the huge smile that was spread across Marc''s face. He was smiling so hard his face looked like it could split in two... Ah, the joys of the matebond... I couldn''t help but smile though. Marc deserved this. He might be a pain in the ass, but he and I had always got along, and he had always been there for me since I died. Despite me being the brother-inw from hell at times.

    I know I taunted him for being adies'' man, but in truth, he was never all that bad. Thedies liked him, and he loved their attention. He rarely actually hooked up with them, he just enjoyed the attention they gave him. He loved to be adored basically. He was most definitely one of the most eligible bachelors of the pack since he had arrived, so the she-wolves here would be devastated to hear he was now taken. But, looking at the way he had responded to Morgan, I can only say I think he could be a good mate for her. I doubt Bailey had any reason to worry about her sister. "Bailey, do you mind if I steal your sister away for the day? I think I would like to take my mate out on a date and spoil her?" Marc looked toward Bailey, his eyes lit up like a fucking Christmas tree. I think somebody was excited to have found his fated mate, and who could me him? There was no better feeling. He would be on a natural high right about now, and he would want to learn all he could about her. Get to know her. Spend time alone with her. Just be with her. And, hopefully, she was feeling the same too. We''ll just pretend the running away from him at the start, and giving him a ck eye didn''t happen, and everything else was looking pretty perfect for them right about now...

    Bailey smiled at Marc. "Do I assume you are going to be a gentleman?" she said, but I could see from the expression upon her face she was teasing, and I held back a snort ofughter. He had just found his fated mate, he was going to do well to keep his hands to himself I think, so being a gentleman was going to be a stretch...

    Morgan red at her sister, as her cheeks flushed. I think Bailey knew what she was doing. Likely getting her own back for when Morgan was trying to embarrass her when we had met on the stairs, I do believe...

    "Yes, I think you can steal me away." Morgan suddenly spoke up, gripping Marc''s hand within hers, and once more his eyes lit up, this time with sheer excitement, as Morgan pulled him toward the doorway. Marc must have thought his birthdays and Christmas had alle at once right now! "Don''t be waiting up." Morgan grinned at Bailey as she rushed through the door, sticking her tongue out as she went. Going off how she acted, her and Marc would get along like a house on fire.

    The door swung shut behind them, suddenly leaving Bailey and me alone, Bailey staring after her sister in sheer shock. "I can''t believe her!" she eximed.

    "Aww, she is happy, though." I reminded her. And right now, all I can think is that Marc was even more a truly amazing brother-inw of mine than I had ever realized, for finally finding me a way to be alone in my office with Bailey! I had been thinking of her and considering ways to get her alone, while her sister was here, and had beening up with a nk, yet here we were...

    "She did look happy didn''t she?" Bailey questioned, and I quickly moved toward her, slipping my hand around her waist, pulling her close to me, desperate to distract her. Her beautiful big brown eyes looked up at me in shock.

    "Oh! Hello." She whispered as I moved my face a little closer to hers. She was suddenly smiling, her eyes twinkling...

    "Oh, so you remembered I existed then?" I muttered against her ear, as I allowed my hands to begin to follow the curves of her body.

    "I think you will find you are a little difficult to forget, Asher." She gripped her hand into my hair.

    I sure hoped I was. She had not left

    my mind since she had arrived in our pack! Constantly taking over my thoughts without me even trying.. My heart was already pounding, and my body was responding to her touch, as I brought my lips to hers. I The softness of her lips on mine and

    the taste of her strawberry lip gloss, made me want to kiss her even more... even longer. It felt like a

    lifetime since we had kissed, and I don''t think I wanted to stop...

    "Come back to my room?" I

    murmured against her lips, and she quickly moved back, before resting her head on mine. I could feel her heart racing as much as mine. was d to know I could have this effect upon her. I could not wait to see what effect I could truly have on her when I was able to get my hands on

    her...

    "I am meant to be at work." She told me, as her fingertips traced nervously along the buttons of my shirt.

    "Marc told his Mum you would bete." I reminded her.

    "Might be a bit odd when she discovers Marc was with the sister I was meant to be caring for." She pointed out, and I chuckled.

    "Then I will tell her that I needed caring for." I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. I would definitely say there was a thing or two that this beautiful girl could take care of for me...N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    "Asher!" Bailey gasped. It was almost like she had read my mind, god dammit. I found myself grinning. I think I would happily share those thoughts with her.

    "Mmmm." pulled her close, my lips

    finding hers in a deep and intense kiss, my tongue teasing at hers as she moaned, sounding breathless. I paused momentarily, pulling back to look at her. "You know you love it."

    She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a shaky breath before looking at me. "The bad thing is, I think I do." She chewed her lower lip, anxiously, but it was her words that had me hooked...

 Chapter 0194

    Chapter 0194

    I was torn, I had time alone with Asher... something I had been craving since the moment Morgan had arrived, despite the fact she had been here less than a day... and then I had work. I knew in truth, I should be in work. That was where I was expected to be, and now I knew that Morgan was going to be okay, I should head into work. It would be so unprofessional of me not to.

    Morgan was safe with Marc, and there was no denying she was happy. Her face had more than shown that as she had left. But Asher was here with me. We were alone. Finally. He was almost begging me to spend time with him. I am not sure if I had almost admitted to him, that I was falling for him too... But, I am so torn...

    He held his hand out to me, his big green eyes focused on mine, that affectionate look making butterflies appear in my belly all over again. How did he do that?! "Come on then, beautiful, if you are going to work, at least let me walk you." He smiled.

    I sighed. He had obviously realized I wasn''t sure what to do, and had chosen not to pressure me. I don''t think I could have found a more patient and understanding guy if I tried. In all honesty, I would love nothing more than to spend the day with Asher. I really would. But, I knew that was not the decent thing to do, not when I was needed in school.

    "I''m sorry." I muttered, feeling deted at the thought of going into work. Akira had already stormed off into theher reaches of my mind in a mood. I don''t think she was pleased with me right now. She had wanted her day with him too. I think it was safe to say she was bing as attached to Zion as I was Asher...

    "Hey, why are you saying sorry for?" Asher softly kissed my head as we left his office. "That was what we employed you for, wasn''t it? Because you are so dedicated to your work. I do understand, Bailey."

    He might be sounding supportive right now, but I fear there was disappointment within his voice. Of

    that I am almost certain. I hate the thought of disappointing him. I looked across at him, ready to apologize again, but could see his eyes were zed over, telling me he was likely mindlinking somebody within the pack, so I did not disturb him. I knew he was the pack Beta, so he had a lot of responsibilities, and I did not want to be disturbing him. And in truth, I didn''t know what to say to him. Other than apologizing, was there much more to say? I was worried he was disappointed I had turned him down. What if he saw it as me not wanting him? In truth, I wanted him more than he could

    realize...

    I heard him chuckle, making me nce up at him, and he was smiling. I was intrigued now what had suddenly brightened his mood, before I felt his hand tighten around mine. "So, what do you fancy doing today?" he questioned.

    I looked at him in confusion now. "I am meant to be working." I reminded him. "I thought we were on our way there now?"

    "Well, we have Marc to thank for that, actually." He chuckled again. "He just mindlinked. He said he

    ????

    mindlinked his Mum as he left with Morgan, to let her know that you were quite shook up after seeing your sister copse, so he advised taking it easy for the rest of the day. And his Mum agreed. Apparently she was quite concerned about you and Morgan. Alli said she had sorted a supply teacher anyway when she heard your sister had copsed, so you were covered. Told you to take the day to rx, recover, and she would see you tomorrow. Said not to worry."

    I think I may love Marc right about now. He was not only the fated mate of my little sister, and seemed to

    eineN?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    already worship her, and want toet

    make her happy, but he had

    appeared to try to clear the path for Asher and I to spend some time alone...

 Chapter 0195

    Chapter 0195

    "Did Marc do that so we could be together?" I asked him, beginning to wonder if, after seeing us in the forest, he had put two and two together, and worked out everything that was going on. Was this his way of saying he was okay with it all?

    "I have my suspicions." Asher nodded. "But, I won''tin, it means we can have time together, assuming that is what you want. You may want to rx alone. Which, obviously, is fine if you do. If so, please feel free to tell me to piss off." He looked at me concerned.

    "Of course it is what I want!" I said, rolling my eyes at him, for even thinking otherwise. "Spending time with you, I mean." I added just to rify.

    I looked across at Asher who had a big grin on his face. "So, as I was saying, beautiful, what do you fancy doing today?" his gaze was intense as he questioned me, but I knew what I fancied doing... I just don''t know if I had the courage to say. A day in bed with him would be heavenly... the day in bed which was disturbed previously...

    "I don''t mind." I said with a heavy gulp.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    ''Oh you big wuss. Tell him you want to go lick every inch of that delicious body of his.'' Akira giggled. ''Or I will tell Zion to tell him.'' she teased. ''Do not tell him that!'' I warned her. ''I did not say I wanted to do that.''

    ''You didn''t say you didn''t want to either though. Imagine how good he would look, and taste with chocte sauce dripping off that handsome hunk of a body.'' She teased, and I suddenly felt myself getting all hot and bothered. Trying so hard to think of anything other than the images Akira was trying to put within my mind. The thing was, the images were far too appealing. And I quite liked the idea of licking chocte sauce off him now Akira had mentioned it...

    "You okay Bailey?" Asher asked. "You look a little flushed."

    I quickly moved away from him, cursing my wolf and quickly blocking her out when she began to giggle. So much for having my back, she seemed determined to embarrass me! I swear she was sent to the wrong person. Fucking horny wolf.

    ¡°Uh-huh. All good." I mumbled under my breath, as Asher dashed off after me.

    "I assume we are heading back to the room then?" he asked, and I looked at him in shock. That was a little presumptious of him! Or was that his wishful thinking?

    "Who said that?" I asked

    incredulously. Wondering why he would suddenly think that. I hadn''t mentioned that, had I? "I didn''t mention anything about going back to the room! What would give you that idea?" I stuttered, feeling my cheeks getting warmer, as no doubt they were getting more and more flushed by the second. Why was this happening to me? My wolf had better not have said anything... I would string her up! I could see Asher watching me, a smirk upon his face, only making me blush even more as I tried to move away, almost falling over my own feet... Yeah, this was not going to n! Why did I get so embarrassed so easily?!

    Asher chuckled. "Bailey, are you okay? I only asked because you are walking in that direction." And I felt my cheeks flushing even more, if that was physically possible, as realized what he said was true, had rushed off in the direction of the staircase. So, yes, it did appear we were heading to the rooms. I am so not good at all this. I want the ground to open up and swallow me whole right about now, I have made such a fool of myself!

    "Though if you want to lick

    chocte sauce off me, you only have to ask, "He told me with a

    seductive little wink, telling me Akira had followed through with her threat. My whole body heated under Asher''s intense gaze, not sure how to react, making me want to die of embarrassment. But at the same time, I am so tempted to take him up on that offer, to see just how good he would taste too...

 Chapter 0196

    Chapter 0196

    I couldn''t help but smile at Bailey''s response. She was the sweetest little thing. Even after the amount we had spokentely, and the time we had spent together, she still found herself blushing at the thought of telling me what she wanted to do... I have to say I found it incredibly endearing. But, at the same time, I was d that her wolf had helped me out by telling Zion what was going on, or I would have been clueless. Maybe I was as bad as her at all this... no, not bad, because she was far from bad... inexperienced? I know I was out of practice...

    Bailey moved ahead of me toward our rooms, and I only hoped she wasn''t too embarrassed that she chose to go and hide out in her room, because I nned to take her to my room. I rushed to join her, and took her by the hand. Knowing that while she may be embarrassed, I wanted her to feelfortable. I wanted her to want to be with me.

    "I am guessing Akira was not meant to say anything?" I whispered into her ear, as I stood behind her, as we stood close to the door of my Beta suite, and Bailey turned to look at me quickly, giving me a dark, unimpressed look. Looking like she was ready to flee. "Hey,e on, I am teasing." I gently poked her in her side, as I moved around her to unlock the door, ensuring my hand did not leave hers, as I led her into my home.

    "It isn''t funny." She warned me. "My wolf is locked away now. Forever if she carries on!"

    I couldn''t help butugh. I swear Akira and Zion sound so much alike. Akira appeared to torture Bailey as much as Zion did me, perhaps it was one of the reasons they got along so well. Because Zion had barely stopped telling me how great she was... not that I needed another reason to find Bailey amazing. But the fact my wolf had a connection to hers was something else...N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    "She is like Zion, he does this sort of stuff all the time to me." I told her as I closed the door. "But this is me Bailey, you don''t need to be embarrassed around me. Just be you. Because I think you are pretty damn perfect as you are. Though I am a little disappointed about the chocte sauce now." I said with a raised brow, and her cheeks flushed, making me smile. She definitely got embarrassed too easily with me. Hopefully, that would change over time, and make her a little braver. She had let me see little moments of bravery here and there, but maybe as she became morefortable that side of her woulde out more. I couldn''t wait...

    "You know what?" she said to me, her eyes focused on me, as she was resting against the wall, and I looked at her with curiosity, wondering what she wanted to tell me. "I think you might be enjoying this a little too much." She pouted at me from across the hallway, and I quickly made my way to her, so desperate to have my hands on her again.

    I slipped my hands around her waist, lowering my head to hers, resting my forehead on hers. "Me?" I muttered. "And why would I be enjoying it?"

    But now I had her alone again, my hands were finally touching her, and my room was close by with no time restrictions, my mind was on nothing else other than taking her my bed the sofa... the shower.

    anywhere I could strip her oft ne

    clothes and show her how badly I wanted her... show her how good we could be together... how good I could make her feel. Her beautiful brown eyes were looking up at me anxiously, so I reached up to softly stroke her cheek. "Are you sure you are wanting this?" I murmured.

    In response, she brought her lips to mine, hooking her arms around my neck to pull me closer as her tongue slid against mine. My heart was instantly pounding within my chest, my head a little light with

    anticipation. I couldn''t believe that this girl wanted to be with me... she was so perfect... our kisses deepened with intensity as our tongues entwined, every flick of her tongue giving me goosebumps shooting across my body. I have

    barely been with her, yet I don''t think I could tire of her touch nor her

    kisses...

    I took her hand once again, and led her along the hallway to the doorway of my room, kicking the door open with my foot. My body felt like it was ready to explode now with anticipation. I pulled Bailey to me. While Zion was giddy now with excitement which was only adding to my feelings, I knew Bailey had said she pushed Akira back, so I did the same with my wolf. Leaving this moment to just me and her.

    Bailey pulled away, and sat herself on the bed suddenly, taking me by surprise, making me think she was having second thoughts. My heart dropped. Had she realized this wasn''t what she wanted? But I watched as she began to unfasten her sandals... I realized with the amount of straps they had on them, they would not have been quick to be slipping off in the heat of the moment, so it made sense to me now. I quickly kicked off my own shoes, and began to give us a head start by slipping off my shirt and my trousers, leaving me standing in front of Bailey now in nothing but my underwear. My chest rising and falling rapidly in anticipation of what was toe...

    Her eyes raised to meet mine, looking a little surprised as she took in the sight of my half-naked body, but she was smiling. "A little presumptuous, no?" she smirked.

    ¡°Erm..." I faltered, questioning my choice now.

    Yet I could feel as Bailey''s eyes took me in, drifting across my body, and, without even touching me, it felt like she was sending my body into overdrive! She stood up in front of me, allowing her fingers to trace a slow and gentle line down my chest and abs to my waistband, as she moved her mouth to my ear, her breath tickling my skin as she spoke. "Well if you are skipping stages, you best help me out of my dress." She whispered, and her words were already turning me on...

 Chapter 0197

    Chapter 0197

    Asher''s eyes lit up instantly at my words, and he was smiling. That gorgeous smile he has, as he moved behind me, slowly sliding the zip of my dress down, in what felt like the most seductive movement ever, as the skin of my back was exposed to him. My whole body trembled, knowing what was toe... anticipating his touch... He gently hooked his hands under the straps of my dress before slipping them down, allowing the dress to slide down to the floor to reveal my whitecy panties and bra underneath. I heard him swallowing heavily as I now stood in front of him, in nothing but my underwear, and I turned to look at him, seeing his gaze full of desire and affection as he pulled me close to him.

    "I am a lucky, lucky man." He whispered.

    I felt my cheeks flushing at his words. I hoped he thought so when he was done. I was so unsure of all of this. Being my first time, I didn''t know if I would disappoint him. But he didn''t give me a chance to think more of it, as his lips found mine with a hunger and intensity to take my breath away. His lips met mine time and time again with need... urgency as I kissed him back, wanting him so desperately. I ran my hand through his thick, dark hair, pushing him slightly with my other hand, allowing my weight to rest on him enough, so he stumbled backward onto the bed, pulling me with him. Asher looked up at me in shock, as I nowid on top of him, readjusting myself as I sat straddling him, with nothing separating us but our underwear, I could already feel the effect I was having on him, his hardness pressing against my panties...and I have to say, I liked it...

    "I quite like this angle." Asher said with a seductive smile, and I smiled back. Trying to be brave, I unhooked my bra and dropped it to the floor, exposing my now naked breasts to the man beneath me, and I saw his eyes drifting over me, as he chewed his lower lip. His chest rising and falling rapidly, telling me his heart had to be racing as much as my own. "You are so fucking perfect." He murmured, giving me butterflies with his words, as I leaned over to continue our kisses. Asher moved his hands to run through my hair, pulling my head closer to his to deepen our kisses.

    Our tongues entwined once more as I pushed downward while slowly rotating my hips, eliciting a deep moan against my mouth from Asher, telling me he liked what I was doing. So did it again... and again... until Asher''s hands rested on my hips... suddenly flipping me, so I wasid next to him, looking at him feeling a little confused. I thought the moan meant he had liked it...

    "You want me tost, you best stop that..." he whispered with a wink, and I realized what he was implying.

    I chewed my lip nervously, not

    realizing I was having that much of an effect, but Asher quickly pulled me to him, his tongue parting my lips to tease at mine as his hands began to wander... I felt his fingers slowly moving across my breasts, and my whole body felt like it` trembled under his touch. I found myself arching my back to his touch, needing more, and Asher responded by teasing more... his mouth slowly and teasingly moving his kisses from my mouth down my neck now, lingering along my corbone where a mate mark should be, only making my heart race even harder...

    Before he continued his kisses... softly teasing with his lips and tongue along the skin of my neck down to my chest until he was teasing my left breast with his mouth, taking the nipple within his lips and teasing softly with his tongue and teeth, sending surges of pleasure throughout me. I moaned out at the sensations he was causing, and I felt him chuckle against my skin.

    ???

    I felt Asher''s hand slide downward to the fabric of my panties, already moist from the effect he was having upon me... so desperate for him... He allowed his fingertips to y with the fabric, causing me to almost tremble under his touch as I could feel his touch through the fabric, and it only made me want him more. I thrust my hips upward, letting Asher know what I wanted, and his fingers slid down to the edges of the delicate fabric, before quickly gripping it and ripping it from my body, before parting my legs.

    Leaving me fully exposed to him.

    I couldn''t help but smile at his eagerness, despite the fact he had just destroyed my panties... as his fingers began to tease against the wetness he had created. He paused his kisses to look up at me. His beautiful green eyes focused on mine. "I want you toe for me, Bailey." He murmured, as he gently slid two of his fingers inside of me, teasing me the way he seemed to know how. Wasting no time today in building the speed and friction, causing me to gasp, as his touch sent me to heaven...

    Asher added another finger as he slid them deeper, the wetness he was initiating only increasing with the arousal he was creating. I don''t think I have ever wanted someone so bad... I wanted him to want me so badly, and reached for him... finding him equally as aroused. Hard allowed

    through his underwear, asN?velDrama.Org owns this.

    my hand to tease along the length of his shaft, causing him to

    groan now, as the speed at which he teased me increased, building the pleasure I was feeling. My heart pounded as Asher brought me closer to my peak, his eyes never leaving mine, as he twisted his fingers slightly, and I felt my body shudder against his and pleasure rippled through every part of me, my pussy tightening around his hand, causing my to grip tighten upon him. He had left me breathless.

    Asher smiled down at me, before bringing his lips to mine in a slow and tender kiss. While slipping off his underwear with one hand. His now naked body was pressed against mine, and it felt so good... so right... He was perfect... and as I allowed my eyes to take in his body once again, I couldn''t help but think how lucky I was...

    Asher positioned himself between my legs, looking at me with warmth and tenderness, as he reached out to softly stroke my cheek. "Are you sure?" he asked, and I nodded. I don''t think I have been so sure of anything in my life... I want this man, and I want him so badly. And looking at him... every inch of him, I would say he wanted me too...

 Chapter 0198

    Chapter 0198

    Did he really think I would be unsure? I wanted him, and I wanted him now. I looked at him with a look I hoped told him that, and I felt Asher line himself up, as his hard cock pressed against the wetness of my pussy. I hooked one leg around his waist, pulling him a little closer, craving his touch... so desperately wanting him... wanting to experience what he would feel like inside of me... He teased a little again with his fingers, as his mouth met mine, in a soft and tender kiss, I gripped at his hair with one hand, allowing the other to trace a line down his chest, eliciting a small moan from his mouth. I think I loved that sound, and wanted to hear it more!

    Before he slipped his fingers out of me, the tip of his cock was soon recing them, pressing at my entrance, as his kisses became more urgent, full of need... while he gently thrust himself inside of me, little by little, causing me to gasp against his kisses as my body adjusted to his length... he felt so good inside of me, I don''t think I wanted him to stop, as he slid himself out, and did the same again. My wetness now coating him, and him sliding in with ease...

    Asher teased a little at my clit, before he thrust a little deeper, making me moan in pleasure as my body reacted to the sensation of him being inside of me... he almost pulled outpletely before plunging himself deeper inside making me grip his hair tightly in abination of pain and pleasure, while we began to find a rhythm with his thrusts... our bodies working in perfect time with one another as his naked body almost rested on mine... I don''t think I wanted to leave his bed for the rest of the day... I wanted to discover what our bodies could do together... because this felt so fucking good!

    My whole body felt on fire at Asher''s touch, the rhythm of his thrust was building, as was the intensity of the kisses we shared. Asher suddenly gripped my hips, flipping me, so I was suddenly on top of him again... straddling him, but this time with no underwear between us, and his cock was buried deep inside of me... and oh my, did it feel good! This angle allowed him to be even deeper and I rotated my hips a little to allow myself to feel every inch of his length and he felt so good...

    The look upon Asher''s face told me it felt good for him too, before I began to move up and down, riding him, his eyes taking in every inch of my body, while his hands sat upon my hips as he moaned out in pleasure. Asher began to thrust upward to meet me, causing quite the sensation inside of me, only adding to it as he teased at my clit while the pleasure inside of me built. Asher was increasing the speed at which we were moving, and I could feel myself getting closer, my breathing bing faster, as my whole body trembled in pleasure, my vision blurry as my pussy tightened around him, my breathing erratic as I continued to move, and Asher suddenly shuddered deep inside of me, pulling me close to him our bodies trembling as his lips found mine.

    I could feel his heart pounding against my own, as our breathing was off the chart right about now... wow... he had been something else... And I hoped that would not be thest time today...

    He gentlyid me beside him, pulling me close. "Wow." He purred into my ear, and I smiled up at him, as he began to shower me with kisses. "You are so perfect." His kisses slid along my neck, this time his tongue literally yed along the ceN?velDrama.Org owns this.

    whole core throbbed in response. felt his heart rate pick up again as he kissed me there. I nced down at him, and noticed momentarily his eyes were darker, telling me his wolf may have been present, but the moment he saw me looking, his eyes flickered back to his, and his mouth moved back to my lips, as he pulled me tighter to his embrace.

    mate mark would be, and not

    But I could still feel his heart was pounding, and I swear he was a little shaky. "That felt so good." He murmured, his hands softly caressing the curves

    of my naked body. "I can''t tell you how good it feels to be with you. I think you broke me." He chuckled to himself.

    "Mmm, it was." I couldn''t disagree, it

    had been amazing. He felt so good... being with him felt right, there was no denying that... I couldn''t wait to do it all again! Our day in bed was going to be action packed if I had my way... I wanted to explore all the fun ways we could be doing that... explore that perfect body of his, while he explored mine... my core tingled at the thoughts running through my mind...

    "Bailey..." he began, his voice a little unsure, and I looked at him, confused.

    "I''m sorry." He whispered. "Zion pushed forward just then... I think you likely saw..." So, I had been right, when his eyes were darker, I had thought

    his wolf was present, and it seemed I was right.

    "I did kind of think he might have been there, yeah." I smiled.

    He nodded. "I think he just got a little overwhelmed. You know how I feel for you, right?" he whispered again, but I could hear a trembling in his voice, and it made me a little shocked. "I haven''t allowed myself to be close to anybody since I, and Zion... well, he hasn''t been the same since we lost her. But, he seemed to connect with you with Akira... and, well..." he faltered, suddenly avoiding my gaze. All of this made me think about his actions, and consider his words just now. Not to mention the fact he was now apologizing, and saying they had been overwhelmed... his mouth had been on my neck, no, on the ce where the neck meets my corbone. Where a mate mark would go. His mouth was lingering there... like he didn''t want to move... Had he wanted to mark me?!

 Chapter 0199

    Chapter 0199

    Our bodies had copsed in a moment of bliss, as we began to kiss. My whole body shivering in pleasure... sheer lust and desire for the effect Bailey had had on me. Her touch... her body... had sent me to ces I think I had forgotten existed... and suddenly Zion was pushing forward, the need to mark her was overwhelming, from him and, shockingly, from me, and it was crushingly powerful yet painful. A shock to my system...

    I knew my feelings for Bailey had grown, and the feelings of my wolf had grown too, but had I ever considered her for my chosen mate? Not yet I hadn''t... hell, I was still epting the fact I was moving on from I, so the fact my body had reacted so powerfully in that moment had blown my mind... I had wanted to mark her. Of that there was no doubt. Zion had wanted to mark her.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Bailey and I were growing closer. I had begun to ept the fact, especially in thest few days, with how much I had been missing her when she was not with me, that I was likely falling for her. And, I had decided, I was not going to fight it. sat many times, whilst I was alone, thinking everything through. Trying to process my feelings... process what was happening... I liked things to be in order within my life... to make sense. But this one didn''t.

    But, I hade to the conclusion, that perhaps Bailey hade into my life for a reason. Who knew... but she had most certainlye into my life at a time when I needed her. She had lit up my life in a way I didn''t think was possible anymore, and it had made me feel alive again. She made me feel good in ways I had forgotten... and I liked it!

    But, now with herid there in my arms, and me having to push Zion back, I knew I had to apologize. She had seen Zion lingering, I am sure of that. "Bailey..." I murmured, the uncertainty so obvious in my voice, and I could see the confusion on Bailey''s face as she looked at me. Can I me her? We have gone from being intimate, to me sounding like I am having a nervous breakdown... Nothing like wrecking the mood! I just hope I can turn things around, and bring that mood back, because I n to make the most of our day in bed... hear her calling my name... worship her body some

    more...

    "I''m sorry." I whispered, trying to think how best to exin everything she just saw. "Zion pushed forward just then... I think you likely saw..."

    "I did kind of think he might have been there, yeah." She smiled at me, but she didn''t seem to be worried.

    I nodded in agreement, a little

    relieved she wasn''t freaking out, but

    wanting to tell her how I felt.

    Needing to exin this to her properly. She had a right to know." think he just got a little

    overwhelmed. You know how I feel for you, right?" I found myself I whispering again, unsure why I had seemingly lost the ability to actually speak properly right now. But, even with whispering, you could hear a wobble in my voice, likely giving away so much of how I felt. Plus, I was ming most of this on Zion here, when I was equally involved, I should be truthful, I guess...

    "I haven''t allowed myself to be close to anybody since I, and Zion... well, he hasn''t been the same since we lost her. But, he seemed to connect to you, to Akira... and, well..." I faltered, emotions flooding through me discussing all this. Talking of

    I, and the guilt I felt I was

    feeling right now made me unable to

    meet her gaze.

    I could feel Bailey''s eyes upon me, and the fact we were bothid next to one another naked made this whole situation quite awkward. Maybe I hadn''t chosen the best time to exin myself... I was so not good at this. I say I am out of practice. I don''t even know I was ever that good at it before. I wasn''t with I long enough to know, I guess...

    "Asher..." her voice was soft, as her hand rested on my arm. "Are you okay?"

    I nodded. ¡°Just a little overwhelmed by everything." I brought my eyes to meet hers. "Sorry."

    "You think you need to apologize for

    that?" her hand was on my face now, softly stroking my cheek. "You weren''t the only one overwhelmed. I realize not for the same reasons, but it was just as special for me." She uttered, and I realized in that moment, that my thoughts previously had been right. This was her first time. She had chosen me to share that with, knowing she had no fated mate to wait for any longer... a warmth filled my chest at that

    O

    thought... I felt privileged. Content

    belongs to

    I pulled her closer to me. "You know I think I may want to stay in bed all day long." I suggested to her with a mischievous grin and she giggled.

    ¡°Hmm, I can''t lie, I had been thinking the exact same thing." She wiggled her brows at me suggestively and my heart pounded at the sight. Well, I couldn''t have disappointed her if she was wanting to stay in bed and continue what we started!

 Chapter 0200

    Chapter 0200

    "See, I knew I could bring out the naughty side of you." I leaned up on my elbow to look at her, as her phone began to ring from her bag.

    I saw her roll her eyes. "Don''t worry I will ignrore it. I have much more important things to be dealing with here." She said to me with a wink.

    "Oh, really? And what is it you had in mind?" I asked. "Because I do believe I may have some chocte sauce in the kitchen if you are interested." | added with a grin, and sheughed.

    "I will not lie, that does sound kind of fun." She whispered.

    I moved my mouth close to her breast, running my tongue slowly and meaningfully across the nipple, making her moan a little as I looked back at her. "Mmmm, I think it could be fun, decorating your body with chocte sauce, and licking it off again." I murmured against her skin as I flicked my tongue once more across the peak of her nipple, eliciting a moan.

    "Asher!" I don''t think I would tire of hearing her say my name in that way...

    Her phone was persistently ringing from her bag, causing me to stop, and sit up. "Maybe you should answer that, as I don''t think they are giving up." I said, and Bailey sighed.

    Nodding, she slipped from my embrace and edged herself to the side of the bed, her perfect curves on disy to me once again as she leaned over to grab her bag. Picking her phone up, she frowned. "It''s my Dad." She muttered, before pressing the screen. "Hey Dad."

    Hmm... nothing if not a little awkward having her speak to her Dad while we sit naked next to one another having done what we just did... Bailey sat herself back into the bed to make herselffortable, and I could hear her Dad on the phone. He didn''t sound too happy, I have to say... "Hey Bailey. Took you long enough to answer! You know I have other things to do! Look, I know you won''t be happy, but you will do as you are asked, okay?" he said bluntly, causing me to look at Bailey in surprise. What was wrong with him? All because she took her time in answering?

    "I don''t get a, how are you doing or anything, nice to speak to you Dad." Bailey grumbled, taking me by surprise. "Especially when none of you bother to check in with me. It took me so long because I am busy too, oddly enough. I have work as well."

    "Well, you know where we are if you

    need us. You aren''t a little girl anymore. You have always been able to take care of yourself. We made sure of that." her Dad said, and I felt my anger bubbling at his words Perhaps if he had taken better care of his daughter she would not have found herself in the mess she did with Miles fucking Davenport. They may have known what was going on and had him dealt with ordingly before it had

    got out of hand...

    "I assume there was a reason you called Dad?" Bailey looked at me apologetically, as she pulled the sheet up over her body, like she was suddenly shy of the fact she was naked in front of me. This girl had no reason to be shy. She was sheer perfection...

    "Yes. And as I said, Bailey, I know

    you won''t be happy, so I am sorry for

    that, okay. But I am asking you to do as you are asked, okay? This is at the request of Alpha Marshall. Showing a united front as the senior team families of the pack. Miles gets married on the weekend and you and your sister are expected to be there. As daughters of the Beta, obviously. It wouldn''t look good not to have you there. Your Mum will send the details." Her Dad''s voice was full of authority like it was not up for discussion, but I could see the doubt on Bailey''s face from where I was sitting.

    "But are you sure he would want me there, Dad?" she questioned. "Considering everything?"

    "What did I just say, Bailey?" her Dad snapped. "This is not up for debate. You need to be there to put all this mess to an end. Show the pack the situation between you both has ended and both of you are moving on. The rumors in the pack have been too much. We need a close to it."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Bailey sighed. "Thanks for letting me

    know Dad, I will let Morgan know, I am at work right now, so I need to go." And with that she looked across at me with a deep sigh. I could see the doubt in her eyes, but I could feel anger running through me. She should not be forced to go back there, and I didn''t want her going back there when he had treated her like that, not to mention the way he had been messaging her so nastily... No, she should not be forced to go back. It was not fair...

    "You are not going back there.¡± I said to her, and her eyes narrowed as she looked at me with a darkness that took me by surprise.

 Chapter 0201

    Chapter 0201

    First I had stupidly answered the call from my Dad. I should have known that was never going to be a good thing to do with Asher right next to me, but when my phone was incessantly ringing, I didn''t feel I had much choice. But for him to them break the news I was expected at the wedding, well, I was a little shocked. Surely, the wedding could continue without me there?

    The wedding was no shock. After all, Morgan had updated me with the whole sorry mess. That, after all, was why she was here. And the poor she- wolf who had agreed to marry the nut-job psychopath who would likely one day be the Alpha of my pack, had my sympathy. She was more than wee to him too, and she would need every ounce of luck she could find to tolerate him. That is all I could say! But, I did not expect to be forced to go to the wedding of the dick who had treated me like shit for so many years... bullied me and treated me like I was below him... not to mention the fact I had been fated to him, and he had chosen I was not worthy of him so rejected me. Were none of those good enough reasons for me to be permitted to avoid the wedding of the fucking century?! Allow Alpha Ass to marry and let me live here in peace?N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    But now I had Asher looking at me, his face taut with what I can only assume was irritation. I had a feeling he had heard every word of the conversation between me and my Dad. Truly not the thing I need right now, because it didn''t reflect well on my Dad or my pack. Though Asher knew the mess that was my pack... the mess that I had been put through. But still, I did not want him questioning me about this. He didn''t look impressed, that is for sure... and, he took me by surprise as he spoke. "You are not going back there."

    I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering who the hell he thought he was dictating to me what I would and wouldn''t be doing. No, I didn''t want to go, and thought my Dad had no right to be saying I should, but this seemed an awful lot to me, like Asher was telling me I couldn''t go. He had no right to tell me what to do. And I looked at him, my palms bing sweaty. "Pardon?"

    "You can''t go back." He insisted.

    And I shook my head. "Did you fail to hear what was just said to me, Asher? I am being requested there by my Alpha." I informed him. He had no clue how nasty my Alpha family could be when pushed, or when we did not follow their orders. Yes, Alpha Marshall was my Uncle, my Dad''s best friend, but he ran that pack strictly. He was a truly sweet guy to those he loved, and treated them well, but as an Alpha he could be an ass. Ruthless and brutal when he wanted to be. If rules were broken, he did not take prisoners... Though, I can only say, I dread to think how the ce would be run when Miles took over because he appeared to have ideas a hundred times worse than his Dad.

    ¡°That fucker has treated you like shit Bailey, and he has made threats to you. Why the hell would they request for you to attend his fucking wedding." His voice was shaking now, and I could see he was on edge. I understood what he was saying, and the thing was, I agreed, but I knew I had no say in it.

    "Asher, I am sorry, but I don''t get to choose on this. My Dad is telling me, he is pack Beta, and it is being requested by my Alpha. You know they are only allowing me here because of their goodwill. I don''t do as they want, they could withdraw that." I warned him and a deep growl emitted from him as he punched the bed, making me flinch back suddenly, shocked at his temper.

    "Let mee with you." he suggested. "As a couple." He is almost pleading with me now, and I know this is because he is worrying about me. In all honesty, I love the idea of him apanying me, but I know that me turning up with a new partner would only be seen as me trying to bait Miles. Trying to cause issues. Making the day about me, and I honestly don''t think it would be the right thing to do. I know how their minds worked. I shook my head at him.

    "That wouldn''t work. It would cause issues." I exined.

    "So you do actually care what he thinks then?" he snapped. "Is that what this is?"

    My eyes widened at his words. Did he think I had feelings for Miles? After everything, I had admitted to him. I had opened up to him more than I had anyone, and he knew all the things I had been put through because of that dick, yet here we were, Asher jumping to the conclusion that I had feelings for the man that had made my life a living hell for the past goddess knows how many years.

    "Oh yeah, my every waking thought is worrying about what Miles fucking Davenport is thinking. I base my every day around what would please him, on making him happy." I hissed in anger "You fucking idiot." I snapped, tears beginning to falt, as I stood from the bed, stooping

    to get my dress. Needing desperately to get away from him now. Unable to believe he would have suggested something like of me, knowing all the hurt I had been through.

    "Bailey, please." Asher spoke, his voice trembling.

    "Please what?" I turned to him, as I slipped the dress over my naked body, not caring for the fact my underwear was on the floor. Half of it ripped to shreds at Asher''s hands. "You think this is what I want? I am doing as I am being asked, Asher and nothing more. I don''t give a fucking shit what he does or what happens to him. Hopefully, that new mate of his will get sick of him and kill him in the night. But, I will not have you using me of shit like that."

    He stepped from the bed too, and I did my best to avoid looking at the perfect form of his naked body as he moved toward me. "I am sorry, I shouldn''t have said that. I am worried about you. I don''t think it is right they are asking you to return for his wedding." He urged. "I don''t think you should be

    going."

    ¡°While I appreciate your worry. You do not get to choose what I do. I am not your mate.¡± I said to him, quickly picking my things from the floor and rushing out of his room toward the front door as tears slipped from my eyes. How had we gone from being so close... so perfect... to this fucking mess so quickly?

 Chapter 0202

    Chapter 0202

    Everything had been so perfect. I had felt so happy, like I was in a heavenly state almost. Looking forward to a day in bed with Bailey, showing her how perfect we were together, and now we were in this mess... not just a mess, but I feared it could be the end. I rushed after Bailey, catching myself on the corner of the bed as I did, stumbling, and as I steadied myself she was already out of the door. Despite the fact I was naked, I rushed down the corridor of my home after her. So desperate to fix the situation we found ourselves in.

    "Bailey, please!" I called after her, so desperate to try and fix this. Yet she didn''t so much as turn back. She was focused on making her escape. Escaping me. Her words had hurt. No. I wasn''t her mate. But, I so desperately wished I could be. It had been ying on my mind...

    Yet, after all of this, I feared I may never be. She seemed to take my concern as an attempt for control. And that was never what it was. I know Bailey has had her former fated mate trying to control her for far too long - a true battle for dominance, one I think right now she was winning. But I would never tell her what to do. I know she is independent and more than capable of taking care of herself, but it didn''t stop me worrying about her.

    And the fact her father and her Alpha were expecting her to attend the wedding of her former fated mate made no sense to me. The look upon her face when her dad had told her what was expected of her, had said it all to me. She did not feelfortable at the request... it filled with her dread and fear, that had been evident in her expression. She still feared the man, and I did not want her going there in case he harmed her. Was I in the wrong for thinking that? Was I wrong in wanting to protect the woman I loved?

    But, my request for her not to go was never me trying to control her, and I hate that she saw it like that. I had hoped that she might see it as a suggestion more than an order... seeing that she had an alternative. She didn''t have to do what they were asking her if she didn''t want to. If she was scared she shouldn''t have to agree. I don''t know now... I seem to have messed this up, and Bailey seems to be unwilling to talk things through.

    I heard the front door m as I made my way down the corridor, and I knew then I was toote. My whole body sagging against the wall, Zion whimpering in my mind at the potential loss of the woman we were both falling for. No, the woman we had fallen for. I may have been fighting it, but there was no denying it, I loved her.

    I loved her with all of me, and I wanted to be with her. I had never expected to feel love again, but it hade so unexpectedly out of the blue, it had blown me away. Bailey was so perfect... so sweet... and she seemed to understand me... making me smile so easily... She was beginning to be our world, that of me and my wolf, without even intending for her too, and now we were looking like we were alone. I wasn''t sure what to do. I felt broken again...

    The thought of being without her

    filled me with fear. I truly don''t know if I could manage without her. She may have only been in our pack a short time, but she had already established a ce within my heart... my life... and without her there, I don''t know how I was meant to carry on. I was torn. Did go to her

    and try to fix this, or did I give her the space she seemed to have been

    craving?

    I knew she was angry... the thing was, I don''t even think I could ask anybody. Because nobody knew I was falling for her. Nobody knew of this mess... Marc knew there was likely something between us, but I couldn''t ask his advice, he was spending time with his mate. I couldn''t spoil the time he was enjoying with his new mate.

    No, this was my doing. I quickly walked back to my room, and picked up some shorts from my wardrobe, slipping them on, my room smelling so heavily of Bailey... not just her... but our scentsbined... and the thought of what I could have risked made my heart drop as I rushed toward her room.

    I knocked heavily on the door. "Bailey?" I called when she didn''t answer.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    "Asher, I do not want to talk. I just

    need some time, please." She replied, without even opening the door, and my heart felt like it was being torn in two. "I will be headed back to my pack tomorrow ready for the wedding, with Morgan. I will speak with you when I return." she added, and her words only hurt me more. She couldn''t leave it like this. Not now. Not after everything....

    "Bailey, please. Don''t leave it like this." I urged her. "You said I wasn''t your mate, and no, I''m not. That doesn''t mean I wouldn''t like to be, one day. admitted through the door to her, unsure why I was telling her that. "I wanted to mark you earlier. So did Zion. I don''t think I would ever have imagined that happening after losing I, but it is true. You brought a light to my life I didn''t expect. I can''t lose that. Please, let me know we will be okay, Bailey?"

    But, all I could hear behind the door was sobbing, and it broke my heart, because I think this was all on me...

 Chapter 0203

    Chapter 0203

    My body slid down the wall next to my bedroom door until I was sitting upon the floor with my back

    against the wall, tears falling from my eyes at hearing Asher''s words. My body racked with painful

    sobs. Everything he was saying was everything I wanted to hear. He was the most perfect guy, of

    that I had no doubt, but he had been telling me what I should do, and I didn¡¯t need that right now. I

    do not need someone dictating to me what I can and cannot do. That is not what I need. I have had

    that for too long from Miles. And while I know Asher is no Miles, I do not need him telling me what to

    do. I needed his understanding¡­

    I needed Asher to understand how all of this was working. Yet he didn¡¯t seem to. He had heard what

    he had heard and jumped to the angry conclusion he had. But, ultimately, I needed to do the right

    thing for my family. I needed to do what was expected of me. I doubt he would understand¡­ he had

    barely mentioned his family to me. But mine, while I was not particrly close to them all the time,

    they expected a lot of me, and I had a lot to prove to them.

    As our pack''s Beta family, there were expectations of us, and my parents had always made us feel

    them growing up. Pressure upon us to maintain our reputation and image. Jordan was their perfect

    son, as the next in line, as Beta - not to mention, an all-out sports star, and one of the most popr

    guys in school. Morgan, their sweet, beautiful, youngest daughter ¨C little miss popr in school, and

    head cheerleader. And then there was me, the middle daughter. The one that was easy to forget.

    The non-descript, boring one, as I have been so often described, because I enjoyed my studies. So

    unlike my other two siblings. The amount of times people had questioned if I was adopted with how

    unlike my brother and sister I was had hurt, but it was a question people thought was amusing.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    With siblings like mine, and the fact my parents so often heaped praise on them, I had to find ways

    to impress them. And my school work, along with it being an escape from not fitting in, became a

    means of doing this. Doing well in school gave my parents something to be proud of me for. I tried

    hard to keep making them proud. I wanted to feel important in their lives, the way my brother and

    sister seemed to be.

    The same way I tried so hard to alter how I looked, after so many criticalments over the years,

    it was only as I got older I realized I was trying to find somebody else¡¯s idea of what was beautiful.

    There was nothing wrong with me the way I was. I think Asher had shown me that too. The way he

    had treated me, wanted me for me, even having seen me at some of my lowest and weaker points.

    He saw me, and found me beautiful. He made me feel beautiful too. Made me feel wanted and

    cared for. He made me feel enough¡­

    My heart ached at the thought of what had just happened, but as I was about to call out to him,

    desperate to have his arms around me, I heard his footsteps walking away. I think he had taken my

    silence as me not wanting to talk. But, no matter what he and I may have said, I still had to go to

    this wedding. I was given no choice by my father, and I knew that. He and the Alpha were so

    focused on how it would be viewed by the pack if I were not there, now the truth about mine and

    Miles''s past had been revealed. They were so focused on image and portraying a wonderful tale for

    our pack to believe that all was now good between the two of us as former fated mates, that they

    would not even contemte how awkward this could be. So, I had conceded that I would have to

    attend, whether Asher believed it was the right thing to do or not.

 Chapter 0204

    Chapter 0204

    Image was everything to my Alpha and my father. I have tried so hard over the years to keep my

    family happy. Keep maintaining the vision of a happy and perfect Beta family for our pack members

    and beyond. Even when things had be tough with Miles, and I had thought about leaving, I

    had chosen to stay for the sake of my family. Not wanting to make my parents look bad. Knowing

    the best way for me to officially leave my pack with no hope of finding a fated mate, and bringing no

    humiliation to my parents, or the family, would be to find a job offer at another pack, and then move.

    Give them a reason to be proud of what I have done, and what I have achieved.

    The same reasons I had kept quiet for so long because of the messes Miles had caused, because I

    did not want to bring shame on the families that I tried so hard to please. Deep down I knew I

    needed to speak out, but I knew if I did, it would be dismissed. Miles was their next Alpha. He was

    idolized and could do no wrong. I would be the one to be chastised for speaking out, and it would be

    seen as me going against the pack. Against the senior families, and that was not something that

    would be looked upon in a good light. So, of course, I had kept quiet. Not wanting to cause issues.

    All I wanted was to feel I was important to them. I didn¡¯t want to let them down. Maybe that made

    me weak, but we were always told that you do everything for your family. Protecting our image so as

    not to taint my father¡¯s reputation had been something that had been enforced as we grew up, and

    something expected of us. As the pack Beta, it was important he was seen as strong and

    dependable. He did not need any family issues or drama bringing his name into question. So, we

    were always taught to put our family above all else. Even ourselves. And that was what I was trying

    to do¡­ though I doubted Asher would see it like that.

    Akira whimpered within my mind. She was angry at me for walking away. Desperate for me to allow

    him a chance to exin, but right now, I needed time to myself. What had happened between Asher

    and I had been truly amazing, and I hoped we could fix things, because there was something about

    him that drew me to him. He made me feel special, in a way I didn''t know was possible. Made me

    feel I was enough, and that was not something to be tossed away...

    But, right now, I need to process my thoughts. Focus and prepare myself for what could await me

    when I arrive in the pack. I could only hope that Miles might be more bearable now he had chosen

    this new mate himself. He had decided to marry, and maybe that meant he had decided to move on.

    Marriage and a chosen mate had not been something I had previously envisioned for him, so I

    clung to the hope this was a step forward. Morgan had said he continued therapy, so again, I held

    onto the hope he may be growing up, and may be allowing himself to move on.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    In thest few days, his messages were certainly ending. Though I had blocked the number, not

    that it had stopped him before when I had done this, he just found alternate numbers to use. Yet this

    time, with his number blocked, there had been no alternate number used. No additional messages

    or mystery calls. There had been nothing. It was odd, I have to say. But, it had given me a

    desperate hope that this wedding, and this new mate, may have meant Miles was allowing me a

    chance to finally move on¡­ he may even be letting me and our past go.

 Chapter 0205

    Chapter 0205

    Wedding preparations were beyond hectic! I barely had a chance to think. Especially now that my parents were forcing me to be involved. Kaia''s repetitive alterations to the nning were getting beyond a joke in their eyes and my Mum hade to me and told me to deal with it. Though, I have to admit, as much as I want to please her, she is bing more than a little irritating, even to me!

    But, I force a smile each time, knowing we are nearly there, and focus on the thought of the wedding night. Finally being able to mark her and make her mine. Exactly as I am wanting.

    She will be mine officially then, and I will be that one step closer to bing the Alpha. I will have done all my Dad had asked of me, and I will have a mighty fine Luna on my arm. One that does not flinch when I talk... one who is not afraid to stand up to me, and one that drives me wild with the way she was so willing to give me shit back when I was in a mood.

    Kaia stormed into the room, her eyes zing. "My Dad isining again at numbers being so low for replies. Seems nobody is even bothered within our pack about the wedding." Sheined.

    I looked at her in shock. I assumed this was from her pack, and quite honestly it was appalling. This was their Alpha''s daughter. Did they not care she was marrying a future Alpha? This was huge for their pack! Why was her Dad not pushing harder to make this more special for his daughter? "Can your Dad not order them to attend?"Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    She frowned. ¡°Invitations were selective. I didn''t want the whole pack! That would mean lower ranking people like omegas coulde. I don''t want them at our wedding. I do not want him having to order people toe either. It is pathetic. I thought they would want to celebrate my wedding." She looked like a little girl right now with her lower lip sticking out in defiance.

    I smirked. "Oh well, we will have a wonderful day, whether they choose to show up or not." I reassured her, knowing my Dad had literally ordered all of our pack to be here. That likely meant Bailey would return. No, there was no likely about it. She would return. I had barely had a moment to think of her ofte, I realized.

    So taken aback with the need to be around Kaia and, of course, to fill the duties with arranging this wedding, thinking of Bailey, or messaging her had slipped into the back of my mind. She was of little importance anyway. The messages were purely for my own amusement. Knowing they would likely scare her or upset her. Something I gained serious pleasure from. But now, now I have gained pleasure from being around Kaia.

    Her bluntness and bitchiness toward me gave me a kick sometimes which I craved. There was something about this girl that drove me wild, and I think she knew it too.

    "You want to go grab some food now?" I suggested, and Kaia looked at me with disdain. I swear she avoided spending time with me!

    "No, I am good. A few people from the pack are arriving that I said I would meet up with, in preparation for the wedding." She told me with a small smile. The wedding was literally the day after tomorrow now, and a few of her friends and family had arranged toe early in order to spend time with her. But still, her dismissal of me had irritated me. Would she be so quick to avoid me once we were wed?

    ¡°Kaia, we are due to marry soon. Would it hurt you to want to spend time with me?" I demanded, and her eyes narrowed at me.

    "Are you not meant to be an Alpha?" she almost sneered with a shake of her head. "Because right now you are sounding pathetic. Like a little bitch, in all honesty. Why so clingy?" Her eyes were defiant as she stared me down.

    I felt anger rippling through me, but desire too. I loved it when she reacted to me in this way. I loved that look within her eyes...

    "Do not talk about me that way." I hissed, staring right back at her. My eyes were equally defiant. "I will be

    your mate, therefore I have your mate, therefore I have every right to demand your presence Especially as the Alpha. And you wille to learn that."

    S

    Sheughed. ¡°We will see. But, right now, I am not your mate, I am still free and single, oh dear future husband of mine. And my friends are arriving, so you best get used to the fact, I am having some time with them before you have me locked up in chains once we are married." Rolling her eyes, she began to stalk away, before I grabbed her arm, pulling her back to me, her slim body stumbling hard into mine.

    I inhaled her floral scent deeply, the scent filling my senses and almost tipping me over the edge of wanting to pull her closer and ravage her as my hands lingered on her waist, my mouth resting by her ear. "I think I quite like the idea of chains.

    I

    Whispered. "Whips tently

    nibbled at her ear and she giggled.

    "Well, you had best behave yourself then, hadn''t you, big bad Alpha of mine." She murmured, pushing her butt back a little toward my crotch, making me even more turned on than I already had been at the thoughts running through my mind.

    "You don''t want to behave really." I responded. "So, why don''t we head to my room, and I can show you all the ways we could misbehave?"

    Kaia giggled almost nervously this time. "And why would I be doing that, Miles?" she turned to look at me, putting her finger on my lip. "Good thingse to those who wait, and I am definitely worth waiting for."

    "You are a fucking tease!" I growled, and she softly ced a kiss upon my cheek, as she sashayed away, leaving me desperate for more and right now I cannot wait for my wedding!

 Chapter 0206

    Chapter 0206

    I awoke the next day to a heavy knocking at the door. I had somehow found my way to my bed, and crashed. Falling into a fitful sleep, after all, but crying myself to sleep. My mind filled with thoughts of Asher and the mess we had found ourselves in. I had been so tempted to go to him and try to fix everything, but I never quite found the courage to do so. I knew I was pathetic, but I felt it was better to give us both some time to process what had happened, and the things he had said.

    I stumbled sleepily from my bed, across to the door of my room, opening it to see Morgan there, with a big, beaming smile upon her face. Hmm... I could only assume she had stayed with Marc overnight after her failing to materialize back to my room after her day with him. But, I hadn''t been worried. She had met her fated mate after all, and I knew he would look after her. It was only natural they had wanted to spend the night together. They likely hadn''t wanted to leave one another...

    "Good morning!" she said cheerfully. "You look like death." She added with a grin.

    I rolled my eyes as I closed the door behind her. Obviously, she had no clue as to what had happened between Asher and I, so she didn''t know I felt like I was falling apart right about now. But, still, I did not need telling I looked like shit.

    ¡°Thanks, as always, Morgan." I grumbled, making my way back to my bed. I had already contacted Alli and told her I was being summoned back to my pack, and would need an unexpected day off, and thankfully she already knew. Seemingly because of the exciting news about my sister and her

    son...

    I dropped back into my bed and pulled the covers over my head, desperate to avoid any interaction with the world. My head felt like it wanted to explode. Yes, crying yourself to sleep may help get you to sleep, but it did not make for a good night''s sleep, and it had caused me to have one hell of a fucking headache this morning! And, ording to my sister, it caused me to look like death too. Wonderful. Not to mention my wolf was still not talking to me. Unhappy, disappointed and extremely upset with me, she had hidden out, so I was not in the best frame of mind...

    "So, how did your day of fun with the Buffed-up-Beta go?" Morgan asked with a giggle. Buffed-up-Beta? Is that what she was calling him now? He was moody and grumpy yesterday, wasn''t he? And why was she assuming anything had gone on? Marc had to have told her...

    "Fine." I said bluntly.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Morgan peeled back the duvet enough to see my face. "Just fine. A, was he that disappointing?" she eximed, a look of shock on her face. "I was hoping for exciting reports! He looks super fit, so I assumed he could hold his own in that regard, if you catch my drift..."

    I looked at her in surprise. Where did

    all thise from? I don''t recall talking to my sister like this before unless this is the talk she had with her friends usually! Or was it talk she felt braver with after being with her mate?! "I assume your day with Marc went well?" I asked Content

    belongs to

    Suddenly she sat herself on the bed, her eyes looking dreamy. "Aww, he is the just best. So sweet. So amazing. Just wow."

    I chuckled, despite feeling horrendous. I think my sister may be in love. "Well, I am d everything went well. He is a good guy. You are lucky to have found a good mate."

    "Not just found a good mate. He

    was fated to me. Made for me. And I

    swear he is perfect, Bai! The

    kindest..so patient... caring... andet

    well, let me say, I was not

    disappointed, even if you were." She looked at me with a bashful grin. "He knows exactly what he is doing, and he..."

    "Woah!" I called to interrupt her. "There is such a thing as too much information. And a line you can cross, which I fear you were getting awfully close to crossing. I do not need to know what Marc can do, or what he did!" I shook my head. "And, anyway, I don''t think I said was disappointed." I quickly added.

 Chapter 0207

    Chapter 0207

    Morgan''s gaze drifted to mine. "Well, if he was so mind-blowingly good, why are you asleep in your own bed, looking like a panda that has been on a four-day drinking bender?" she motioned to my eyes, where I could only assume my mascara was smudged all around my eyes from the non-stop crying yesterday. I had yet to look in a mirror, but, yeah, I can imagine, I looked a state...

    "We argued."

    "Were you being difficult?" Morgan asked, her brows raised in question. Why did she assume this was my fault? It could just as easily have been Asher...

    "He heard Dad telling me we had to return home for the wedding." I told her and her face fell.

    "Oh." She muttered, as if she instantly understood. "I am guessing that didn''t go down too well." "Like a fucking lead balloon."

    "Could he note with you? Dad called me too. Marc offered to be there with me, the moment I exined it all, and told him we were expected at the wedding. He wanted to be there to support me. He was so understanding Bai. He didn''t judge me at all. He was angry with Miles, if anything, for taking advantage of me. He said I shouldn''t go alone, and would be there as my fated mate. And I can''t think of anything better!" she blurted out, and I could see the excitement on her face.

    My heart was aching at the sight. I was happy for my sister, of course I was, but it hurt that things never went so smoothly for me. Why could Asher not have been my fated mate... Why could I not have had the dream my sister was now living? She has everything we ever want as she-wolf. A mate who wants you and cares for you. That epts you and your ws, and loves you regardless. Wants to protect you and support you. That is what my sister had in Marc, and she knew

    §Ñ

    how lucky she was. Content belongsN?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    to NovelDrama.Org

    She would be proud to walk into the pack with him by her side. Showing the pack, and the world that she had found her fated mate, and how perfectly matched they were for one another. In doing that she would be showing Miles that his games no longer mattered, because she had found the path fate had nned for her, and it would be a path that was perfect for her, seeing how well Marc and her got along.

    But I shook my head at Morgan''s suggestion. It had been Asher''s suggestion too. Morgan bringing Marc would not be questioned. He, after all, was her fated mate. They were always destined to be together. The two of them meeting was

    meant to be. So, nobody would think badly of Morgan bringing him. But, I knew that me attending the wedding of my former fated mate, with a new man in tow. One nobody knew I was connected to, well, it would raise questions, to say the least. It would be viewed as an attempt to make Miles angry, maybe even an attempt to make him jealous. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    I know how the minds of my pack work. And the minds of my parents and my Alpha. It would not be seen as eptable for me to return with Asher as

    my guest at the wedding. Not like it would be for Morgan with Marc. As much as I desperately wanted it to...

    "You know they wouldn''t see it that way, Morgan. Marc is your mate." I said, and she nodded.

    "I guess. They''d think you were

    trying to do it to get at Miles." She

    frowned, and nodded, d that she could see my point of view. "This sucks." She added, and I couldn''t agree more. Because right now there was nothing I wanted less than attending this fucking messed-up fucker''s wedding. But, Morgan and I were expected to be there, as perfect daughters to the Beta, with our fake smiles and acting like everything was perfect, like we always did. I would just be d when it was all over.

 Chapter 0208

    Chapter 0208

    The sound of Bailey sobbing broke my heart. I had stood there, resting my head upon the door for a moment, hoping she would open the door for me. I wanted to go and hold her. Reassure her. But the door never opened, and it was breaking Zion''s heart too, so I had to walk away. Listening to her was hard enough without my wolf''s whimpering on top. That night, I had spent back in my office like so many nights previously. Back to my former routine. Knowing that I couldn''t go to her because it seemed she needed her space.

    Hours of paperwork. Doing the work I had skipped in order to spend time with her earlier in the day... such a perfect day, yet it had ended so horrifically. We seemed terrible atmunicating. Maybe it was ourck of experience at all this? Or just that we were both so stubborn? I truly didn''t know, but I know this much, knowing she was upset because of me made me feel horrendous. Like total shit...

    I never wanted her to be sad and hurting again. I was aware of that much, and I needed to find a way to fix things. She had made such a change to my life, and I wanted to do the same for her, if she would let me, of course. I awoke at my desk, like I had done many mornings before, in the worst of moods, feeling broken, and I nned to go and see Bailey, but as I moved from my office, I walked straight into Caleb. He looked at me confused.

    "Morning Ash." He greeted me, watching me through suspicious eyes. "Everything okay?"

    ¡°Hmm.¡± I barely grunted at him. Okay would be a stretch after sleeping hunched over my desk!

    "Why do you look like you are half dead? Tell me you did not fall asleep in your office again? What have I told you about sleeping in there?" his eyes were focused heavily on me, looking far from impressed. But I had no intention of exining myself to him. I couldn''t exin this mess to him even if I wanted to, because it would mean betraying Bailey''s trust in not saying anything about the situation in her pack.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "I lost track of time." I lied instead. "I am going for a shower."

    He raised his brows at me, as if he was doubting my words. "Maybe you should take the rest of the day off, Ash. You look like you could do with a rest."

    I looked at him in horror. I do not like the thought of spending the day alone. Not with all this on my mind. My thoughts would take over me, and end up eating away at my mind. It would be too much, I just knew it. That was simply not an option. "I think I will be fine after a shower and a few coffees.¡± I told him, moving away from him. Fighting the emotions threatening to spill out. I needed to go and find Bailey. I needed to try and fix this mess between us. I don''t think I would settle until I had.

    But Caleb was soon on my heels. "Ash, are you sure you are okay? Something seems off."

    "Lack of sleep." I smiled at him, trying hard topose myself. "You going to let me go get a shower, or you nning toe and join me?" I said sarcastically, and he shook his head with a grin.

    "I know you might be lonely bro, but I am definitely not down for that!" he pped me yfully on the back. "So, I shall leave you to it, to let you get your shower. But, if you need to chill out today, you know you can."

    I nodded in agreement, despite knowing there was no chance in hell I would be taking the day off, not unless Bailey would somehow give me a chance to speak with her, and let me spend some time with her. I quickly made my way to the stairs, nning on going straight to Bailey''s room, only to see Morganing out of the door.

    "Is she okay?" I asked, rushing up the stairs, hoping to be able to see her.

    The awkward expression on Morgan''s face told me all I needed to know. I had a sinking feeling Bailey had told her sister everything. "Erm, I think she will be." she almost whispered.

    "Do you think she will see me?" I tried, and Morgan looked down.

    "I don''t know, Asher. We are getting ready to go back to our pack. But, please don''t give up on her, yeah? Our family are weird and ask a lot of us. She is just trying to please Dad, not disappoint him or make the

    family look bad, okay? Bailey is

    different to most people. She tries too hard sometimes to please

    everyone. Doesn''t want to disappoint them. And the

    expectations of us as the Beta''s daughters were too much for her sometimes." Morgan softly ced her hand upon my arm. "It doesn''t mean she doesn''t want you, or that she doesn''t want to be here."

    I frowned. "I don''t think I said that it did. I just want to be there for her. I just wish that wasn''t seen as a bad thing."

    The color quickly took over Morgan''s cheeks. "Oh. Well, I wondered if that was what you were worried about. But, I know she likes you. I can see it in the way she is with you. The way she looks at you. Not to mention the way she speaks about you. And I know for a fact that you want to be there for her will mean the world to her. So, just let her deal with this wedding shit, and be waiting for her. Yeah?"

    I sighed. Was this all I was going to get? Partial exnations, and avoidance of the truth? I wanted to be there for her. But, I couldn''t force her. If this is what she wanted, then she could have her space. "Fine. Whatever she wants." I said with a shrug, storming away from Morgan and the rooms. Anger filled every pore of my body.

    Fuck this, I didn''t want a shower now, I needed to let Zion out. Let him shift and run to the point of causing pain... take his and my anger out as darkness passed through me. A darkness I hadn''t experienced since Bailey had etched her ce on my heart...

 Chapter 0209

    Chapter 0209

    The excitement in the car from Morgan was palpable, as we set off toward the Lotus Shadow Pack. I think she was excited at the prospect of introducing everyone to her fated mate, but with her this giddy, and the dread filling my stomach... not to mention the fact Asher was constantly at the back of my mind, it could be one hell of a long drive! Marc had offered to drive us in his pick-up truck, so Morgan and I had packed our things up and rushed out to meet him in the parking spaces outside the packhouse.

    He was standing waiting, leaning against his car with the biggest smile upon his face the moment his eyes had settled upon Morgan. And it had taken him no time at all to load his truck up with our bags. As we were getting into the truck, movement near the doors of the packhouse had caught my eyes and Morgan had very, non-discreetly, cleared her throat too, and when I looked up, it was Asher. Looking to be returning in nothing but a pair of trousers. I could only assume he had been on a run. No shirt... his toned chest on disy... looking perfect... like it had done only yesterday. That muscly chest, dappled with dark hair... the chest I had only yesterday rested my head on in sheer bliss...

    My heart rate increased at the sight of him. And, I was about to rush to him to say goodbye, when his dark gaze fell upon us, he gave me a swift nod, before he moved inside the packhouse. My heart fell at his actions. Had the fact I was choosing to follow the orders of my father and Alpha irritated him that much? I had quickly got into the truck, and allowed Marc to drive us away from the packhouse, knowing we needed to get on the road anyway. But now, my mind was whirling with doubts of Asher even harder than it had been before...

    "It is only two days, Bai, then you can fix everything.¡± Morgan says suddenly, taking me by surprise. I red at her. I didn''t know that Marc was aware of everything between Asher and I.

    Marc''s gaze flicked back at me from the rear-view mirror, and he chuckled. "What you looking at your sister like that for? For implying there was something between you and Ash? I''ve known him a long time now, Bailey. I knew something or someone had got under his skin soon after you had arrived. Then, when I saw how he reacted that time I helped you when you were lost, I knew he was confused about you. Things evolved from there, as you well know. I just think Ash has battled his own emotions. Scared to admit how he feels, scared he is betraying his own past."

    I released a deep breath at Marc''s

    words, and felt so bad for Asher. I think deep down I knew all of that. But hearing it from somebody else who knew Asher well, made it seem more real. But, knowing he had liked me from then seemed crazy! He acted like I was a pain in his ass...

    "I think things may be a mess." I muttered.

    "Because he has a grumpy ass on him because you had toe to the wedding of your former fated mate?" Marc questioned and I nodded.

    But, realizing he wasn''t looking because he was focused on driving, I whispered. "Yes. But, it isn''t what I want to do. Our Dad expects us to do what is asked of him. Keep his reputation perfect."

    Marc nodded. "I understand. My Dad

    was simr. High expectations.

    Could be a pain in the ass

    sometimes. But, there doese aN?velDrama.Org owns this.

    point, Bai, where you have to consider what you want. I am guessing that is why you haven''t denounced your old pack and officially joined ours?"

    Morgan looked at me with curiosity, and I shrugged. "I think I always hoped I could when I found a job. Get away from Miles and his control for good. But when the time came, I knew it would be frowned upon. I was scared I would be letting my Dad down. Worried it could affect his role as Beta. Our pack doesn''t really ept people denouncing themselves. Reasons for leaving a pack are for a mate, or being kicked out. Though my Dad did allow me toe here to work, which had made me hope, with a little time, he would consider me formally bing a pack member there. But, I didn''t want to disappoint him or have people questioning his choice either."

 Chapter 0210

    Chapter 0210

    Marc shook his head. "I get it. But, your Dad is a grown man, he needs to let his girls go too. Your pack does work a little differently, of that there is no doubt. But, if you can get your Dad to listen, then consider it Bai. Because you being happy is more important than destroying yourself trying to please other people. Especially when at times there is no pleasing those others.¡±

    I smiled sadly. He was probably right. There sure felt no way of pleasing them ofte! I shrugged. ¡°It is what it is."

    "I think we need Asher here to take you over his knee!" Marc said with a wink, and I rolled my eyes.

    Morgan giggled. "Marc is right, try speaking to Dad. Maybe with me there he would consider it now? And, as for Beta Asher, I am sure you guys can fix everything, Bai. He seems like a good guy. Even if he seems to forget how to smile sometimes."

    Marcughed loudly. "Oh, darling, you are the cutest." He grinned at my sister. "Asher can be a grumpy fucker sometimes, but he is a big softy inside all of that. Most certainly a good guy. And I definitely think you have got him hooked, Bailey. Call him when we arrive. Yeah? Sort things."

    ''Oh don''t they make you sick?'' Akira grumbled grumpily in my mind. She had not been in the best frame of mind since the mess with Asher had escted, and barely bothered emerging, so hermunicating now took me by surprise, but I still chose to ignore her dig at the loved-up couple that was my sister and her new mate.

    I looked at him through the mirror in shock. "Did you not see the way he looked at us just then?"

    "Looking at those eyes, he hasn''t

    slept. Or if he did, it was in his

    office." Marc said with a shrug. "And looking at the clothes, he had been out for a run, taking his anger out on some prey, so he''d need a shower. I wouldn''t take it personally. Just how Asher can be when feeling low."

    My heart tightened in pain now. I had caused him to fall back into his old habits. He had stopped thete night working in his office, and had been spending his evenings with me. Even going to bed early. He had told me that. But, after the

    mimunication between us, and the debacle that followed, it seemed things were returning to how they had been. That was thest thing I wanted for him.

    Maybe I could give him a call when we arrive. But knew right now I didn''t want to talk about this anymore. "Was your Mum excited to found your fated mate?" I

    hear you

    e

    asked him, and his face broke into a

    big smile.

    Morgan was grinning too. ¡°I think she was ready to throw a party when Marc walked into the house with me!"

    Iughed. "Aww, that is nice."N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    "And I cannot wait for everybody in the pack to see the handsome warrior on my arm when we arrive, the one I get to call my mate!" Morgan eximed excitedly, making Marc chuckle.

    Well, at least one of us was looking forward to our visit...

 Chapter 0211

    Chapter 0211

    My friends and I had been dancing all night, and the rush of being out with them again felt amazing! I was sure going to miss them, of that there was no doubt. But, then, seeing their faces when I showed them around the pack that would soon be my official home, was a picture! They were envious, that had been obvious, and I couldn''t lie, that had given me more than a little kick... Gasps of "wow" and "you''re so lucky" were repeated. And, as irritating as Miles may be, being Luna in this pack was definitely a bonus...

    I was going from being one of many children of an Alpha, that many children that it was easy to forget, in fact... to being an all-important Luna... a she-wolf that the uing Alpha was desperate to be with too, so he was proving easy to manipte. All good fun. Tomorrow was the day we would be husband and wife, and he would officially make me his chosen mate. A day I couldn''t say I was looking forward to, despite the fact so many people were here to celebrate with us.

    Everything would change then. I knew that, but it would mean I was closer to my goal of bing more important. I would be viewed differently. Treated differently. And, I was more than ready for that!

    ¡°Oh, Kaia, this has been so fun!" Rosie grinned at me with glee. "I am so d you suggested it!"

    I smiled back, adjusting my dress. "I told you it would be. When do I ever let you down? We had to celebrate myst night as a single woman in style. Champagne, cocktails, karaoke and lots and lots of dancing! Our perfect night!"

    ¡°I can''t believe you are getting married tomorrow!¡± Cara slurred, evidently she had been drinking a little more than she was able to manage.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    I rolled my eyes at her. She was such a lightweight! "I know. Who would have thought it, little old me, Kaia Carter, married?! Married to a fucking Alpha too! Get in, me!" I chuckled.

    "Jacob will be eating his words!" Cara slurred once more, and the eyes of my friends all widened at the mention of my ex. His name had been avoided in our conversations unless I brought him up. He was apparently still living it up with his new woman, and all loved up too. Well, I was moving on too. I could not let it bother me...

    "Too right he will!" I said with a smirk. "And wait until he sees how beautiful I will look as I chose another man over him!" Loving the fact he was expected toe to watch me wed. He was close to one of my brothers and had been invited through that link, I believe. But I have to say I smiled when I realized it. Even more so, when I had seen he had epted the invite. He would be made to witness me moving on. Witness me marrying another man. Hopefully, he would be regretting his choice. Because I knew I looked good in my wedding dress!

    ¡°So,e on, gossip, is this new guy as good in bed as Jacob?¡± Rosie asked with a giggle, and I looked at her in shock. We had often discussed our boyfriends and their abilities, but I did not expect this now...

    "I wouldn''t know, I have been making him wait." I told her, and she looked at me in shock now.

    "Seriously?!" she eximed. "This one will be your husband! And you didn''t want to test him out first? He could be broken for all you know!"

    My group of friends began tough, as we continued to drink the cocktails that we were now sitting with. I have to say, that was one way of looking at it. I, however, have seen it a different way...

    "I decided to make him wait. Treat them mean, keep them keen. It has kept him eager to please. Giving him little bits here and there. So he is so desperate that when the wedding nightes he can''t wait! He will give me the show of my life!" I exined my logic, and I noticed a few of my friends nodding in agreement, but Cara sat with her mouth opened in disgust.

    "Or your n fails miserably, because he has been waiting that long, he pops the cork too quickly." She motions to her crotch with her hands with a wink and instantly me and my friends areughing again. "And wedding night ruined." Cara added with a shrug.

    "Aww, you girls are the best. Seeing you has really brightened my day!" I told them all with a smile, as I felt my phone buzzing in my bag. I quickly pulled it out to see who might be messaging.

    Hey beautiful,

    Hope you are having a fun night with your friends. Have a drink for me. I can''t wait to make you mine tomorrow. Just know everything will be perfect. Looking forward to seeing you in that dress. Know you will look like a goddess.

    Miles.

    Maybe it is the drinks, but his message makes me smile. Maybe he wasn''t as bad as I first thought. Yes, he had a temper. But, he did seem to care for me. He had picked me over all the other she-wolves in the country. Did that not say

    something? He wanted meal

    Would do anything for me, yeah? Cara''s words were echoing heavily in my mind, and his sweetness made me think it was perhaps time to reward him. So, I was just about to message him to see if he would be free to meet me, perhaps have a sneak preview of what our wedding night could be like, when another message came through...

    K,

    Can we meet up? Are you free tonight? I wouldn''t mind clearing the air before you rush off to start a new life with this Alpha of yours...

    J.

    The question was, who did I go to? My past or my future?

 Chapter 0212

    Chapter 0212

    We were sitting in the lounge of our family home back in pack after a long drive, and had been there for the past number of hours since we arrived. My Mum was almost as giddy as my sister at the fact Marc was here with us. Both my parents had been shocked, to say the least, when they discovered Morgan had found her fated mate, as she had failed to inform them of that, wanting to see their faces as we arrived. And, well, she had been right, their faces had been a picture, that was for sure! But, at the same time, they were both incredibly happy for her after the whole mess that had gone on with Miles.

    Marc had passed my Dad''s near interrogation, bless him. And all with a smile upon his face. He obviously had expected it, and no doubt it would be repeated when he met Jordan tomorrow. But, that was just my family trying to protect the youngest daughter. Not that they had anything to worry about, Marc would not harm her, and he would protect her with his life.

    "So, you will be returning back to his pack with your mate?" My Mum looked at Morgan with a sad expression. She and Morgan had always been close, and I think in truth she would have liked Morgan to be mated with someone in our pack so she could have been kept close. That way it wouldn''t have felt like such a loss when she moved to live with her mate.

    "Yeah, I will pack my things up while I am here and take them back with us." Morgan told her, a big smile on her face, evidently missing the struggle it was causing Mum.

    "Do you even have a house out there yet?" Mum suddenly demanded, taking even me by surprise. Was she actually looking for reasons Morgan shouldn''t be going with her mate?! I imagine if it was me she would have been packing my things for me and pushing me out of the door!

    Marc looked to Mum with a soft smile. "We didn''t when we left. I shared a ce with some other warriors, but I have spoken to the Alpha, he will be sorting one for us, so by the time we return one will have been allocated for us. I would never have expected Morgan to live in a house full of warriors. We will have a lovely little home to call our own. Do not worry, I will ensure Morgan has everything she needs." He tried his best to reassure her. Mum nodded, her face dropping slightly as she realized herst reason for trying to keep Morgan home a little while longer was gone. "Mum, Marc is a good guy.¡± I told her. ¡°Morgan will be fine with him. I know they have only just met, but in that time I have seen how happy they have made each other. And Marces highly rmended from the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack."

    Dad looked at me in surprise. "You actually bother talking to him? He is such a grumpy fool. Didn''t think he would be capable of holding a decent conversation."

    I heard Marc chuckling, while I smiled. "He isn''t all that bad, really, once you get to know him. Maybe you just caught him on a bad day?"N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Dad looked at me like I had lost my mind. "What, every time I have had to deal with him? Hmm, I doubt that. I know a grumpy fucker when I see one."

    Marc was grinning now. "He can be a little cranky at times. But, overall, he isn''t a bad guy." He said. "I was surprised actually they didn''t get invited to the wedding."

    I looked at Marc in shock for

    questioning the choices of our Alpha, and looking at the expression on my Dad''s face, he was a little surprised too. It was normal procedure for senior members of a pack to be invited to weddings events of other senior pack members of other packs.

    vex

    Would not have been unus 1991

    uing Alpha here to invite

    for the

    Alphas and Betas of other packs to their wedding, but I had heard nothing of an invitation when I had spoken to Asher or to Eden for that matter, and we spoke each day through message.

    "They kept it to the two packs, I believe." My Dad exined. "Not

    wanting to make too much of a fuss. Though going off how much

    Marshallined, the bride-to-be would have easily had the equivalent of a royal wedding!" he rolled his eyes ?n disgust, making me smile. Sounded to me like Miles had picked himself a mate who was as high maintenance as he was. Not that it surprised me in the slightest. But, it was their special day. Of course, she wanted it to be as big and special as it possibly could be.

    "Well, so long as they have fun!" I said with a smile, not caring in the slightest. I just wanted to get this wedding out of the way and return to pack. Back to work, and more importantly, back to Asher.

    "Why would I find it difficult?" I asked her, irritation was lingering in the tone of my voice and I could feel Morgan''s hand on mine, I assume, in a sign of reassurance. "I never wanted him, and I can assure you I never would. The fact he is getting married may mean I am finally free. Free to enjoy my new job and my life."

    I saw my Mum looking down guiltily. While my Dad cleared his throat. ¡°Ah about that, Bailey. There are rumors about a position within the pack junior schooling up. So, you may be returning sooner than we thought." And my heart fell s at his words, as I saw Morgan and Marc looking at me with concern. They wanted me home?

 Chapter 0213

    Chapter 0213

    The excitement I felt at bringing my fated mate back to my home pack was unexinable. He was the one meant for me, and I got to introduce him to everyone that had been in my life forever. And then, we got to return back to our new home! I truly could not wait... this was the path that fate had intended for me, and I have to say, she had done well!N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    But, seeing Bailey''s facest night at the news from my Dad of a rumor about a position for her here, told me she was heartbroken. From what I understood, the agreement had been for her to work at the school she was at until a position here became avable. I could only imagine Baley hoped that day would note for a long time. Yet, it was here already...

    She loved her job at the school in Marc''s pack. I could see that, and Marc had told, as had his Mum, how wonderful she was at teaching. And, no matter how the pair of them may deny it, there was something between her and Asher. I think leaving him would hurt her more than leaving her job, in all honesty. And, when Marc and I had discussed it when we had gone to my room, he had agreed he felt it would destroy Asher.

    I never realized the things that poor guy had gone through. No wonder he looked so down all the time. I think I would if I had faced the things he had. He deserved a chance at happiness, and listening to Marc, I think he had hoped that Bailey could be just that. But, if she was to be brought back here, then it would be unlikely. We would have to try hard to fix things for them...

    I had loved snuggling up with Marc for a second night. It was the most perfect ce to be. And it felt so natural. As well as bringing some of the best sleep I think I have ever had! His body fitted around mine perfectly. I felt so happy and content, in a way I never had before. I felt whole. My wolf was purring like a cat! And as I rolled over to see his beautiful eyes looking down at me sleepily, I couldn''t help but smile.

    ¡°Good morning handsome." I whispered. "Ready for the shit show today is bound to be?"

    He chuckled. "I am ready for anything with you next to me, beautiful." He lowered his lips to my forehead. "The question is, do you think Bailey is ready for it?"

    I looked up at him in confusion. She had been adamant she didn''t care about the wedding. If anything, you would think Marc would be concerned about me, considering the rtionship Miles and I have had, and the feelings I have built for him over the years. Something we had talked about, and he was amazingly understanding about. Though, I have to say, having met Marc, I feel amazingly numb to the fact Miles is getting married. Like it is truly unimportant to my life or my future. I have the most perfect man by my side, and he has already shown me how well we are matched. So why would Miles matter?

    Marc smiled, stroking my hair back from my face. ¡°I know she said she couldn''t care that he was marrying this new woman, and I don''t doubt her for a moment, Morgan. But, he has been a bastard to her, going off all the things you told me. There is nothing to say he won''t attempt to make today difficult for her This is another way for him to gain his Alpha title too, isn''t it? A show of his power. Reminding Bailey who is in charge. She is likely dreading things. So, as much as I want to enjoy our time, let''s make sure we keep an eye on her too. Asher would not forgive me if I didn''t. She should stay with us if she can.¡±

    I find myself smiling at his words. I have to have found myself the sweetest and most caring mate. Everything he said I hadn''t even considered. I was so focused on showing off my mate, and while was a little disappointed Marc wasn''t looking at this as an opportunity to do exactly that, I understood he was also trying to be a good friend to Asher, as well as

    being a good brother-inw. Content

    belongs to

    I nodded. ¡°That sounds like a good idea. I wish she would have brought Asher with her, shown them all she was moving on. He offered, you know?¡±

    Marc nodded. "That doesn''t surprise

    me. The thought of hering here

    alone likely drove him mad. Especially if she has opened up to him about the things you told me, or more. He would desperately want to

    protect her. But, if this guy is as\

    crazy as you say, then surely he would see Bailey bringing another guy here as an attempt to rile him. She is likely nning toe, be as undetectable as possible and escape. So if we can, we should help her with that. Get her home to Asher. Then somehow try to help fix things between them."

    I smiled. He seemed good at understanding things. "I think that is going to be down to them." I reached up and stroked his face. "But, I think they will be fine with a push in the right direction."

    "Well, I suppose we should go and get showered and ready for this wedding." Marc kissed my hand where itid upon his cheek. "As much as I would prefer to stay in bed with you.''

    "

    I nodded. ¡°Mmmm, staying in bed would be so much better." I smiled up at him sweetly. "But, I will go and help Bailey with her hair and make-up, I think, while you shower. We can chat then too. See how she is feeling. Try to be a good sister." I suggested, and Marc smiled with a nod.

    Time for the two of us, me and my sister, to go out there looking like the gorgeous girls we were and show Miles fucking Davenport he isn''t all that, and that we couldn''t give a damn about him. That both of us were doing perfectly well without him, and had never needed him in our lives. This new woman in his life would need all the luck in the world to put up with his psycho ass!

 Chapter 0214

    Chapter 0214

    Well, the day was here, and oddly, I was filled with nerves! Nervous about the fact that my future wife and mate may have changed her mind. She had never responded to my message the previous night while she was out with her friends, when, in the past, as snappy as she could be, she would always ensure she responded to my messages. But, I had tried to reassure myself that she was likely having such a good time with her friends that replying to me had slipped her mind. I could understand that.

    As I walked toward the transformed training field I was taken aback by the way my pack hade together to transform the area so beautifully for my wedding. They had evidently worked so hard to make it look so good. It was now a delicately decorated wedding venue. Rows of chairs lined the field, creating an aisle, leading to a flowerden wooden gazebo where Kaia and I would meet and say our vows. The chairs were all adorned with a delicate silver ribbon, and delicate, beautiful flowers. Music was already ying from the speakers dotted along the field, adding to the atmosphere. I could not believe this was all for me. When this was done, I will be married! Kaia would be my wife!Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    As I moved toward the gazebo, Jordan made his way to meet me. "Good morning dude." He said with a grin. "Feeling nervous?"

    Was I that obvious? I sure hoped not! I rolled my eyes, in an attempt to dismiss him. He did not need to know that I was. "Why would I be?" He chuckled. "Hmm. Sure. Looking smart though." he looked me up and down. Though why he had to, I don''t know. We had been for suit fittings together, him, Ellis, and our Dads in preparation for the wedding. So it wasn''t like he didn''t know what I would look like. A deep charcoal gray three- piece suit, with a white shirt and ck tie. I think it was the smartest I have dressed, and I have to say I felt extremely ufortable! I could only hope Kaia appreciated it. But in truth, I could not wait to take it all off!

    "You don''t look too bad yourself." I added with a half smile, noticing the seats were already beginning to fill up. Many with faces I did not recognize, that I could only assume were people Kaia and her family had selected from her pack to be eligible for an invitation.

    We made our way to the end of the aisle where Ellis was waiting for us, with a big smile for us. "Aww, don''t you guys make a beautiful couple?"

    I scowled at him for his attempt at a

    I

    joke. I was not in the mood right now. My mind was so on edge at the prospect of Kaia deciding all this was not for her after all. Showing me up in front of all these people. I would never live it down. Not to mention, I did not want to haveugh with my brother. He and I had avoided each other as much as possible since his return from Alpha training, unless absolutely necessary. But today was a day for the pack looking united, so we had to act close. Pretend we got along. Put on an act for all these guests, and even our own pack members. So nobody doubted there were any issues within the pack.

 Chapter 0215

    Chapter 0215

    Two very familiar faces. And at the sight of them my heart rate picked up. Morgan and Bailey West. Morgan looked beautiful as always. She had always taken care of her appearance and had done so since her teens. But Bailey... well... she looked different. Not her usual self. In truth, she was never ugly, but she never made the most of what she had. Yes, when she came back from university her image had changed a little, like she was trying too hard. Straightening her curls, her sses gone, and experimenting with various fashion styles. But today, she looked stunning. ssy even. In a simple, form-fitting maroon dress with a scooped neck, with a hem line finishing just above her knees. Showing off her long legs. And she had heeled shoes and a bag in a matching color.

    Her hair was in its natural curls, but not in the untamed way she had so often worn them in high school. This was tamed, and managed. Luscious locks of deep brown curls hanging down her back. And her make-up was smoky-eyed, with lipstick to match the tone of her dress. Her face lit up as sheughed at something her sister said, and she looked beautiful. Rxed even.

    I could barely take my eyes from her. As she walked through the group of pack members, asionally smiling or chatting to others, she walked with an air of confidence she didn''t have before. This was not the same Bailey that had left my pack. The shy, timid, scared, unassuming girl. Now, this was a confident and self-assured, stunning young woman. I felt my mouth go dry.

    I noticed theming a little closer, waving in our direction, as I saw them approaching. Were theying to see me?! My heart pounding harder at the thought, wondering what they would want with me. Were they going to confront me together now?!

    But, they veered off slightly and Jordan wrapped Bailey in a hug. "Hey Bai!" he greeted her. "You scrub up quite well, don''t you." He teased lightly. Hell, that was an understatement. I quickly made my way over to them, desperate to be closer, get a better look at this transformation. Yet, not one person nced in my direction. My anger was bubbling...

    She chuckled. "Aww, thanks. I would say you don''t look too bad either, but I fear it would make you even more big-headed. Where is Gia?"Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    I rolled my eyes, while holding back a smirk at her little dig at her brother. Fucking Gia. The perfect mate. The way Jordan talks of her, you''d think the sun shone from her ass...

    "She is sitting down with Mum." He exined. "Baby tiring her out."

    "Aww, my friend was like that." Bailey exined, and I instantly wondered who she was talking about. Did she even have friends? was sure the persistent bullying over the years we had forced her to endure had ensured not many people remained friends with her...

    Jordan suddenly turned his attention to Morgan. "And you, finding your fated mate! Growing up, aren''t you Morgan? Be you with a baby in your belly soon enough, eh?" he teased. And it was only then that I noticed a tall, toned guy stood next to Morgan. I had been so distracted by Bailey I hadn''t even paid attention to him. So, Morgan had found her fated mate, had she? Ah well. No great loss. She was only ever a space filler. A way to gain information on Bailey. Least I didn''t have to worry about her getting on my case demanding attention now. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    I heard Morgan giggle. "Who knows?" I watched her look up at the man by her side, who looked down at her with a look of affection. Yeah, good for her. Did she think I would care?

    "Maybe we should go and find our seats?" she suddenly spoke, and I was shocked by the confidence in her tone. Yes, she looked ufortable near me, but she did not seem to fear me the same... but looking at her now, would I want her to?

 Chapter 0216

    Chapter 0216

    After what felt like an eternity of chatting to people I didn''t want to speak to, and stering a fake smile upon my face, the wedding was close to starting, everyone was in their seats, and myself and Jordan stood at the front of the seats, next to the Gazebo, now waiting for the arrival of my soon-to-be wife. I could not help but fear she may have changed her mind... I had heard nothing from her since yesterday before she left for her night out with her friends... surely she would not do that to me? Humiliate me so greatly? Not in front of all these people?

    "You could try looking happy?" Jordan suggested from beside me with a grin.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    I rolled my eyes at him. "Just a lot of attention and fuss, everyone is looking at us." I muttered under my breath.

    Jordanughed. "Oh please, you normally love all the attention being on you. And you definitely love it when everyone is looking at you. Is it because you are scared they are looking at you, and she might not turn up?" he teased, earning him a dark scowl from me. He evidently thought he was funny, but today I was definitely not in the mood for his attempts at humor. Nor did he need to know I was fucking terrified right now that Kaia had seen sense, and realized she could likely do so much better than me, and she had run for the hills... In truth, I don''t even think I would me her if she had. I knew she deserved more than me...

    So, instead of giving my friend an answer, I chose to ignore him, allowing my dark scowl to do the talking, while letting my eyes slowly drift across the crowds of people that were here to watch me wed my new mate. And instantly I found myself looking at Bailey. It was like my eyes were drawn to her, and once on her, they did not want to leave her... it was hard to exin... I still could not get over how different she looked. How a little bit of a makeover and a little self-confidence could change somebody''s appearance so much! She was like a whole different person! Had I been hasty in dismissing my fated mate? I couldn''t help but ponder, especially as the fear of my bride-to-be not turning up...

    ''You didn''t think it would be nice to say hey?'' I mindlinked Bailey, unable to help myself, curious what her reaction would be.

    Her eyes suddenly met mine, and I was surprised to see some fire and attitude within them. Yes, it seemed the girl had changed in the short time she had been away. ''Why would I say hey, we do not get along, Miles.'' She stated coldly.

    I raised my brows at her response. Wow. The girl is going for the jugr today... ''Come on Bai'' I used the nickname I don''t think I have used much since we were kids. ''I am getting married today, can we not let things go now?'' I suggested.

    ''Oh, so suddenly you expect me to forget everything you did to me? And put me through? All because you are getting married?'' she snapped harshly through the link. ''Go to hell, Miles.''

    ''Hey,e on, I feel bad for all that now.'' I told her, despite most of it being a lie. It had been fun. ''I have had treatment, and I have changed. Can we not move on?'' Again, all lies, but she did not need to know that. I was intrigued by this new Bailey, and wanted to see what she was like.

    I could see from where I was

    1

    standing she was doing well to maintain a calm expression, likely not wanting to draw attention to the fact she was holding a conversation with me through the mindlink. But, I knew Bailey, I knew I was getting under her skin, so I intentionally added a little more to rile her up even further. ''Especially when you are likely to be moving back here soon enough.'' I added with a small smile in her direction, knowing that returning here was thest thing she wanted. But, as my father had promised, I had allowed her go to this other pack to work until a vacancy here was avable. And now a vacancy was bing avable. So, she would return home, as expected, and agreed. I would get her home, and the

    strength she would bring me... the

    way it was meant to be. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    I saw her face turn into a pained grimace. ''Fuck off, Miles.'' She snapped, before the blocks were put up, meaning I was unable to mindlink her again. But I had gained the reaction I had been hoping for, and I doubted it would be thest time I saw her while she was visiting, and soon enough she would be home for good.

    The music began to y, quickly

    snapping me out of my thoughts of Bailey, making me take my gaze to the end of the aisle that had been created by the rows of seats, to see Kaia standing with her father, and l

    119

    instantly felt like my breath had been taken away from me... a sense of relief hit me, as I took in the sight of my bride, she looked stunning. Like a

    vision in whitece and satin. I felt my face break into a smile as her gaze met mine, and she smiled back.

    I could not tear my eyes away from her as she walked arm in arm with her Dad down the aisle to meet me... I couldn''t quite believe she was here! She hadn''t changed her mind... she wanted to marry me... I watched as her eyes darted across the crowds of people here to witness our wedding, wondering why her focus was not solely on me, like mine was upon her, but soon enough she was in front of me, and her Dad passed me her hand.

    "Hey." She whispered to me quietly as we moved a little closer to the wedding officiant who had been arranged to conduct our ceremony, who was standing inside the decorated gazebo.

    "Hey to you too. New dress?" I joked, and she grinned.

    "This old thing?" she shrugged.

    I felt a warmth running through me, this already felt so good. So right, and I looked forward to what the rest of the day may hold. "You look beautiful.¡± I added, as I squeezed her hand. Her eyes met mine, and I could swear there was a tear or two forming. Was she emotional about bing my wife? My heart raced at the thought.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today for the wedding of Miles and Kaia..." the wedding officiant said formally, and there was a loud cheer from the crowd while Kaia and I both smiled at one another. I couldn''t wait for what was toe, especiallyter when we would finally be alone...

 Chapter 0217

    Chapter 0217

    I awoke feeling satisfied and content in a warm embrace. I rolled over sleepily, as I looked toward the man beside me. Mmmm,st night had been so good! I smiled at him seductively, and he smiled back.

    "Good morning beautiful." He said, his voice a little hoarse, as he ced a gentle kiss on the end of my nose. "So, did you enjoy your night?" he raised his brows suggestively, and I felt color filling my cheeks, as I nodded in response.

    "I would have thought that was obvious, wasn''t it?" I said with another smile. There was no denying we worked well together. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he had brought me to breaking point so many timesst night, and into the early hours...

    He chuckled. "Well, I always aim to please. But then, I think you know that." he brought his lips to mine, and I felt myself surrendering to the softness of his kisses once more. A sensation I don''t think I could tire of.

    His lips devoured mine greedily, like it was thest time he would kiss me, as his tongue found mine, his naked body pressing against mine and once more I felt the desire he was feeling for me. I don''t think that ever tired...

    "Again?" I giggled lightly. Wow, I will be struggling to walk today...

    "You know you love it." He murmured against my lips as he nibbled yfully at my lower lip, as his hands began to wander across my naked body. "Mmmm." I responded. The thing was, I think I did love it. I knew I loved him. I think I always had since we first met...

    His phone began to buzz persistently from the bedside table, causing him to release me from his grip in frustration to answer it, sitting himself up as he did. "Oh good morning beautiful." He said, his voice dripping with charm, making me twist myself to look up at him. And the moment his gaze met mine, he brought his finger to his lips, signaling for me to be quiet. At that moment, I felt like my heart was being shredded into pieces. But I did as I was asked, not wanting to anger him. "Oh, you wanted to talk now, huh?" he questioned, a little attitude to his voice.

    Had they had a fall-out? Either way, when I chosen to meet Jacobst night, he had told me they were over... Said there was no going back. He said the timing was perfect, because it meant he got to save me from the pending wedding before it was official. He said he would save me from making a mistake. But this did not sound like they were over. Far from it!

    "Well, we will have to see, won''t we?" He said haughtily. "But I need to go, things to do, you know that." he hung up his phone, dropping it back to its ce on the bedside table, looking at me, his eyes all pleading like a little puppy dog begging for food.

    I red at him. "You said you were done."

    "We were, she has obviously realized, like you did, that she simply can''t live without me. So, are youing for some breakfast?" he wiggled his brows at me suggestively, as he whipped the sheet back from over us, exposing his naked body to me, as he gripped his already hard cock in his hands.

    I rolled my eyes in disgust at him. "I think I will give it a miss, actually. I do believe I have a wedding to get ready for."N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    As I sat myself up, pulling the sheet around me, Jacob tried to pull me closer to him once more, likely in an attempt to gain control. "You n to go ahead with it?" he demanded and I nodded.

    "Why wouldn''t I? Miles has more to offer than you, I can see that now." I held back the tears, hurting at the fact he had deceived me yet again. And, I stupidly had fallen for it. After we spokest night, I had been ready to leave. Ready to call off the wedding and go back to Jacob. Jacob grabbed his things and left me alone to get ready for the ceremony.

    Soon enough, my room was a flurry of peopleing to help me, and I was a flurry of emotions as I felt like I was falling apart. Still unsure if it was truly what I wanted, but I moved in almost automatic mode, as we made our way to the ceremony, and the moment I saw Miles''s facedight up at the sight of me, I realized he genuinely cared for me, and as I allowed my eyes to drift across the crowd and met the dark re of Jacob, sitting with a few of the warriors who had been invited by my brother I knew I had to go through with this. I couldn''t continue to allow myself to be treated so badly by Jacob, not when I had a man, not

    just a man, but an Alpha offering me so much.

    ''Stunning as you look, Kai, he could do better, I am sure. You not wanting toe back to me? You know I could please you so much better.'' Jacob mindlinked as I moved along the aisle, and I had to fight the pain within my chest. Yes, he likely could please me so much better, but I needed this. I needed to get away from the hell that was bringing me down in my pack.

    I kept moving. ''You know I love you, Kai. You love me too. I just find it hard to show it sometimes.'' Jacob linked again and this time my steps faltered a little at his show of emotion and feeling, but I felt the grip of my Dad''s hand on mine tighten, as he looked at me.

    ''Do not even think of changing your mind. Imagine the humiliation you would cause us. Not to mention the money they have paid to the pack.'' He linked coldly, as he all but dragged me to continue along the aisle, and as I reached Miles he smiled brightly at me while my Dad ced my hand into

    his.

    It seemed the wedding was

    happening whether I wanted it or not. ''Hey.'' I greeted him, nervously, stumbling through nervous chat with him before the wedding vows were done. All of it a massive blu my mind so focused on everything else, how unsure I was of all of this. Trying hard to fight my wolf from whimpering loudly. Not to mention keeping the block up against Jacob, knowing he would be wanting to mindlink me, trying to sway my

    decision. I truly don''t know this is what I wanted...

    "And I now pronounce you man and wife!" the wedding officiant

    announced loudly, to a cheer from our guests. "You may kiss the bride." He said with a smile to Miles, who tentatively reached for me, softly cing his hand upon my face to bring my face to his. His lips met mine in a tender but emotionless Kiss. I felt nothing. The fire and passion I had hoped for was simply not there. I felt nothing for the man I had just married. As kind as he may be trying to be toward me, there was no draw to him. No connection like I had to Jacob. I think I made a mistake...

 Chapter 0218

    Chapter 0218

    Well, the wedding had gone ahead, and amazingly, the bride had not seen sense and ran away. There was no denying she was beautiful. I just hoped now, with her by his side, Miles could leave me alone. His strange mindlinks before the ceremony had unsettled me, as had his frequent gazes now the wedding celebrations were underway. This was not the same Miles I had left, but I still did not trust him, I knew that much. I had never thought him possible of change, and I could not see that altering.

    "Is it time to go yet?" Morgan asked yfully from my side, and I grinned at her.

    "There was me thinking you would be wanting to go and show that mate of yours off." I said to her.

    "I don''t think anybody is going to care I found my mate when Alpha Dickhead just got married." She said with a shrug. "And besides, I am bored. I want to go home and get settled into this new life with Marc."

    I found a smile spreading onto my face. Who would have thought my little sister would be wanting a little domesticated life? Having a mate was certainly good for her. "I don''t think we will be expected to stay too much longer." I said to her, hoping that was true. Dad had told me we would be expected to stay for some of the celebrations, but he believed it would be understandable if we left early given our drive home. And I definitely nned to drive home before they decided to keep me locked up here in preparation for this apparent vacancy that wasing up!

    "Aww, you girls are visiting your home pack and you both want to escape?" Marc teased with a wink. "We will head off as soon as we are able, I promise."

    He offered Morgan his hand, suggesting a dance. Now many of the pack members were on the dance floor that had been set up on one of the many garden areas outside the packhouse. Morgan grinned at me. ¡°I am off to boogie!"

    I saw my Dad sitting down close by and wanted to talk to him about Asher. About the potential of staying in their pack officially. I had already messaged Eden while in bedst night, and she was giddy at the potential of me bing an official pack member in her pack. And that was without me even mentioning the possibility of being with Asher. I smiled at my Dad as I joined him. He looked as bored as me. He was not really one for parties, especially not when they were for someone he didn''t particrly like...

    "Hey Bai." He smiled. "You enjoying being home?"

    I looked at my feet awkwardly. "Not particrly.¡± I admitted, and he chuckled.

    "Can''t say I am surprised. Morgan did say something along those lines. So, you got something to tell me about you and that grumpy bastard in Autumn Valley then?" he asked me with a grin and I looked at him in shock. Had my sister been telling tales on me?!

    I shook my head. "Nothing really to

    tell, I don''t think. We do get along,

    we are pretty close and are considering things between us." I mumbled quietly, embarrassed to be discussing this with my Dad. Discussing a rtionship with your Dad is so not something you want to be doing, especially when my Dad has a habit of teasing... I would kill my sister, who was currently being swirled around the dance floor by Marc, a big smile upon her face, like she was loving every moment.

    "Well, if you want to make him your mate, act on it. Nothing stopping you. Neither one of you have mates, Bailey." He told me bluntly with a shrug. ¡°But, be warned, Alpha is talking about bringing you back for that vacancy that ising up. Like they agreed when I convinced them to let you go."

    I nodded. I kind of figured with the amount it had been mentioned, and it was part of the conditions of me being allowed to go and work at Autumn Valley Pack. I just hadn''t expected it toe to an end so soon. "Thing is, Dad, I like it at

    el

    Autumn Valley, and I am friends with the Luna. She offered me an official p?ace there, regardless of things with Asher. Would that not be seen as eptable? I have been keeping quiet because I am scared of letting you down, but Morgan will be there, I will have a secure job, and I won''t be in your way..." my voice faltered a little and my Dad chuckled.

    "In my way? I think out of the three of my kids, Bai, you have been the one that was always least in the way. The least trouble without a doubt. We barely knew we had you. Always blended into the background. But, why would you be letting me down?" he looked at me curiously.

    "You have always taught us to ensure the things we do don''t affect your reputation as the Beta. Always putting family first." I reinforce all the things we were taught growing up.

    He smiled sadly, reaching for my hand. "But this is your happiness, Bai. Your future. Not to mention, those things were more with regard to doing the right things. And, no, while we don''t usually ept pack members denouncing the pack, in certain circumstances, it is considered. You are settled there, if you are in a rtionship there now too, and now your sister is there, they are all good reasons in my mind." he squeezed my hand reassuringly.

    I smiled up at my Dad, realizing I had maybe misinterpreted how things were all this time. Not to mention, I

    may have not had much faith in him. He cleared his throat. "Maybe it is time you put yourself first, you always seem to think

    f every

    else, maybe that is our fault for expecting that of you." his shoulders sagged as if he was in deep thought. "Look, stay a little while longer, an hour or so. And then escape before anyone notices, with your sister and Marc, get back to your home, and I will clear things with your Uncle. Oh, but while you are here, I do believe, a certain warrior friend of yours was invited by Ellis, if you fancied

    catching up?"

    I looked at him in surprise. "Harley is here?!"

    And Dad grinned again, pointing to the doorway, where Harley was leaning. He hadn''t changed a bit in the time since I had seen him. That same smile..... the handsome face. Though this time, there was a beautiful woman by his side. Who I could only assume was his mate. She was every bit as beautiful as he had described. His face lit up as he saw me looking over, and he waved at me and I walked over.

    He wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace. ¡°Alright, sweet cheeks?" he asked me with a cheekyugh, and I grinned as he asked. ¡°How are things with you?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    "Things are pretty good, actually. Pretty damn good." I told him with a smile. "You?"

    "Perfect.¡± He told me with a wink, as he reached for the hand of his mate to introduce her, and I smiled in response.

 Chapter 0219

    Chapter 0219

    I had so many well-wisherse to congratte me and Miles on our wedding, my head felt like it was spinning! The wedding ceremony wasplete, as was the meal afterward. My Dad kept looking at me with a proud smile, and for once, I actually felt his approval and his pride in me, and it felt good. He looked happy with me, which was a rarity.

    Miles had barely let go of my hands, showering me withpliments, telling me how much he was looking forward to our wedding night. I can''t say that I was, considering the emptiness his kiss had brought to me... the wedding night brought little hope! He was showing me off like a fucking prize right now, and quite honestly it irritated me. Because I wanted to be anywhere but with him.

    "Aww, you look beautiful Kaia." Mile''s brother Ellis said to me with a smile. "You ready for married life now?" he asked me with a cheeky wink, but I simply shrugged. I wasn''t sure that I was. I had held off having to live with Miles whilst the wedding was nned and I was within his pack, but now we were actually married, I don''t think I could hold him off any longer.

    I saw Ellis watching me through slightly narrowed eyes, which made me feel ufortable. I nudged Miles with my elbow to make him aware of how his brother was looking at me, because I knew things were still difficult between the two of them. Hell, he hadined about him often enough to me when we had spoken about his family.

    "You going to stop looking at my wife like she is a piece of meat, Ellis?" Miles said haughtily. "I know Hazel is getting a bit round now with the baby growing and all, but that doesn''t give you the right to be eyeing up my own mate." he added with a smirk upon his face. I don''t think for a moment that was what Ellis had been doing, but Miles had said it to rile him up, I knew that, as did he. He was so childish. Such a dick.

    A small snarl slipped from Ellis.

    "That was not what I was doing,

    Kaia, and you know it wasn''t, I would

    §ï§ÛContent held by N?velDrama.Org.

    hope. My brother likes to cause drama. Enjoy the rest of your day" He quickly strode away, and as turned to look at Miles he had a sly smirk upon his face. He had enjoyed doing that. I gave him a disgusted look.

    ¡°You are pathetic, you know that?¡± I muttered.

    "Aww, why? It was good fun." He chuckled, as I went to move away, but gripped my hand a little tighter. "You nudged me, obviously not liking how he looked at you, and quite honestly I didn''t like how he looked at you either. But, don''t ask for my help if you don''t like how I deal with people it is quite simple, Kaia He raised his brows at me as if to challenge me, and I felt my stomach churning at the sight. This was the third or fourth time since the ceremony he had spoken down to me, and I did not like it. Not in the slightest. I was beginning to wonder where the sweet guy who had near enough begged me to marry him had gone. Because the man in front of me was a hell of a lot simr to the guy who had first turned up at our treatment center... Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    "I am going to the toilet." I told him quietly, knowing that was the only way he would give me any space. Space I so desperately craved. And he nodded.

    "Don''t be long, I want another dance. Show the pack what a beautiful mate I have." He smiled sweetly at me, and I felt my stomach clenching at the thought. I wasn''t so sure he did care for me after all. He saw me as a trophy and nothing else...

 Chapter 0220

    Chapter 0220

    The kind and sweet Miles I believed I was marrying seemed to have been drifting away before my own eyes. I think I have made a mistake. One I don''t know how to get out of. I felt tears filling my eyes, as I thought about the mess I found myself in. I had focused so much on the things I would gain by being with him, not realizing the things I was risking, the things I would lose. And now, here I was, falling apart, facing a life with a man who saw me as nothing more than a trophy wife.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    I had no clue how long I stood there fighting the tears when, suddenly, I heard footsteps, and I quickly wiped my eyes, trying topose myself, not wanting to be caught crying. Knowing it would not look good, the bride being caught crying on her wedding day. But, as I turned to see where the footsteps wereing from, Jacob turned the corner.

    "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern. "You didn''t look too happy when you rushed away from that perfect little Alpha of yours."

    "You were watching me?" I found myself asking in shock. I would have assumed he would have been making the most of the free drinks and the food, not to mention all the women that were out there, along with his friends that were here, like they did at most parties.

    "Of course I was. Not taken my eyes off you. Wasn''t that the n?" he asked, moving closer, gently wiping a stray tear away from my face. "Now, again, are you okay?"

    I slowly shook my head. "I think I made a mistake." I mumbled, and I saw Jacob nodding.

    "I think you might be right. He doesn''t know you like I do, Kai, you know that, right? Yeah, things getplicated here and there. We mess up, but we always end up back together, right?" he rested his hand upon my hip, pulling me closer to him.

    I looked up at him, my whole body trembling at his touch. The thing was, he was right. I know he is. We always seemed to find our way back to one another. As much as we fight it. "But, you hurt me."

    "}

    "I messed up, Kai, that was all. But you can''t deny we are good together. Last night was amazing, right? You alwayse back to me. It felt so good to be with you again." Jacob said as he moved his face closer to mine, his eyes focused upon mine, making my heart race.

    I nodded as he continued. "The moment we touched, the moment you screamed my name, I knew I had made a mistake letting you go. We were always meant to be, you and me, Kai." His hand stroked my cheek softly as his lips found mine, anurgency so deep as he pushed me against the wall.

    When, suddenly, a deep growl came from the end of the corridor. "Care to exin what the fuck is going on?!"

    My eyes opened, my heart pounding for an entirely different reason now as I tentatively looked toward the source of the voice, knowing exactly who I would find. As my eyes met a very angry gaze. Miles looking like he was ready to kill...

 Chapter 0221

    Chapter 0221

    The angry look upon Kaia¡¯s face only confuses me. Had she not wanted me to defend her from my

    brother? The way he was looking at her was weird, and the way she had nudged me made me

    realize it was making her feel ufortable. So, I put him in his ce, and I fucking enjoyed every

    second of it. It was him looking ufortable then, but the look upon Kaia¡¯s face made no fucking

    sense. I swear with some women there is no pleasing them, and this one was proving more and

    difficult by the fucking day¡­

    She rushed off to the toilet soon after, so I didn¡¯t get a chance to confront her, but as the time was

    ticking I began to wonder where she was, and I went to find my wife. She shouldn¡¯t be taking so

    long, and I wanted her back by my side. It was only as I followed her strong scent that I heard

    voices¡­

    ¡°You were watching me?¡± I heard Kaia¡¯s voice, it was undeniably hers, and while I was desperate to

    go to her, something made me hold back, wanting to know who it was she was talking to. I edged

    closer along the wall of the corridor, listening carefully¡­

    ¡°Of course I was. Not taken my eyes off you. Wasn¡¯t that the n?¡± I heard a deep male voice now,

    and it caused me to clench my fists tightly. Why the fuck was he watching my wife? At her fucking

    wedding too? ¡°Now, again, are you okay?¡±

    I could hear my heart pounding within my ears. It was racing so hard and fast, and my wolf was

    bing unsettled, which was never a good sign. But I needed to know more. Needed to know

    what the hell was going on between these two. So, I moved closer, and lingered still, desperate to

    hear more, desperate to see what they were going to say to one another. ¡°I think I made a mistake.¡±

    I heard Kaia mumble, and my heart now felt like it stopped. She thought she had made a fucking

    mistake? Did she mean in marrying me? After all we had given her and done for her? No¡­ My

    breathing rate only increased as my palms became sweaty. This could not be right. I felt like I was

    frozen in time as I lean against the wall listening now. This girl had seemed like my dream girl...

    stunning... a body blessed by the gods... a fiery character to match my own... and she didn''t fear me

    like everyone else. But she now believed marrying me was a mistake?

    ¡°I think you might be right. He doesn¡¯t know you like I do, Kai, you know that, right? Yeah, things get

    complicated here and there. We mess up, but we always end up back together, right?¡± the guy''s

    voice was full of lust, and as I moved my head around the corner of the corridor in which they were,

    I saw him rest his hand upon Kaia¡¯s hip, pulling her closer to him. Who the fuck was he? And why

    did he think it was okay to touch my mate so intimately? Though Kaia did not seem to be putting up

    much of a fight¡­

    Kaia was looking up at him, almost adoringly. In a way, I don¡¯t think I have ever had her look at me. I

    felt fury racing through me as I watched the two of them. This was my wife. The woman who had

    agreed to marry me. Yet the familiarity between the two of them bothered me¡­ ¡°But, you hurt me.¡±

    She said softly as her eyes rested upon him.

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    ¡°I messed up, Kai, that was all. But you can¡¯t deny we are good together. Last night was amazing,

    right?¡± the fucker said. So, they had been togetherst night? The night before our wedding? She

    had lied to me when she told me she was meeting her friends. She was meeting another fucking

    guy? My body trembled in anger¡­ but my heart clenched in pain too. I thought this woman could be

    a fresh start for me. I thought she could be the one for me. She did things to me, I couldn¡¯t exin,

    yet here she was with another guy behind my back, before we had even married?!

 Chapter 0222

    Chapter 0222

    The man moved his face closer to hers, his eyes locked upon hers. "You alwayse back to me. It felt so good to be with you again." So they were previously a couple then? That was all I could assume from that. She had agreed to a wedding with me, despite being in another rtionship. What a whore. A cheap fucking whore. Evidently out for what she could gain through being with me.

    I watched closely, my body trembling, as she nodded and he continued. "The moment we touched, the moment you screamed my name, I knew I had made a mistake letting you go. We were always meant to be, you and me, Kai." I was ready to go and rip this fucker limb from limb hearing him describe her screaming his name. So he had fucked my wife, when he knew he was attending our wedding today? He deserved to fucking die. So did she! His hand stroked her cheek, as he found her lips with his own. Kissing her hard as he pushed her against the wall.

    I held my breath, biting my lip hard to hold back a growl from Jet, fury pulsating through every part of my body. Never had I felt so betrayed, but I had to watch a little longer. I felt sick as Kaia gripped his hair, their kisses bing more passionate, only turning my stomach at the sight. She wanted this guy, that much was fucking evident. She didn''t kiss me like that, even once we were married. His hand slid under her dress, pushing along her thigh, until it was almost around her waist as she hooked her legs around his waist, as they continued to kiss passionately. The moment I heard a moan escape her lips, I could stand no more... I was ready to fucking kill the two of them. My wolf growled angrily at the sight, as the guy turned to look at me, and I growled deeply again.

    "Care to exin what the fuck is going on?!"

    I saw the fear in Kaia''s eyes as her gaze met mine. She knew she had been caught out, and if she thought for one moment she was about to get away with this, she had another thoughting. We were not mates yet, and a wedding could easily be annulled. She pushed the man in front of her away. And he stood at the side of her with a small smirk upon his face. Was he enjoying this?

    "Did you fucking hear me?" IContent held by N?velDrama.Org.

    demanded again. "I said, care to exin what the fuck is going on? Why the hell you are near enough fucking some guy in the corridor on our wedding day?!" I roared.

    And I saw Kaia''s bottom lip begin to wobble as her eyes began to fill with tears. "Miles... it isn''t like that..." she stuttered.

    "Oh, it isn''t like that? So, I didn''t juste to find my new wife, wanting to have a dance with her, only to find her in the corridor of my packhouse, with her wedding dress pushed up around her waist, her pinned up against the wall, with her tongue down the throat of some random guy?" I yelled, not caring in the slightest now if anyone else could hear. It was her bringing shame upon her own family. This was not my doing.

    "Do not talk like that." the man by her side growled, moving toward me.

 Chapter 0223

    Chapter 0223

    My body trembled in fear as I saw the shift begin to happen¡­ I knew it the moment the color of his

    eyes changed. We were in trouble. Bones twisting, dislocating into position¡­ they had a n¡­ him

    and his wolf. Miles was going to attack¡­ I think he nned to hurt Jacob¡­ maybe even me¡­

    terror rushed through me. Jacob and I would stand no chance against him...

    ¡®Daddy!¡¯ I mindlinked my Dad, so d I had yet to break the pack link yet, with not having Miles

    formally mark me, I was still officially a part of my own pack, and still able tomunicate through

    the pack link. ¡®Help! Miles is shifting. I think he is going to attack me, or Jacob. In the packhouse.

    Help!¡¯

    I tried to pull Jacob back, though he too had already moved toward Miles the moment he had

    growled at us, in an attempt to defend me. As sweet as that may be, it was not the right thing to do

    when he would not stand a chance against a fucking Alpha! Not just any Alpha either, but a fucking

    crazed one¡­ he stood no chance unless we got back up. I felt tears filling my eyes as I prayed that

    help came, if not, I knew that in going for Miles, Jacob was in theory signing his own death

    warrant...

    I heard that familiar snapping and twisting of bones, a sound I had never been so terrified of

    hearing. As the pair of them altered into their wolf forms¡­ Miles that of an Alpha and Jacob that of

    a warrior. Both strong and skilled¡­ and both ready to attack¡­ as they flew at one another¡­ neither

    one holding back. Both seeking their revenge.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    ¡°No!¡± I screamed at the top of my voice, hoping I would draw some attention from those outside if I

    did. But there was nothing. Nobody seemed to being to help, as the two wolves in front of me

    growled and snarled at one another aggressively. Wrestling one another to the ground. Paws were

    swiping across one another¡¯s bodies as blood was spraying everywhere, already beginning to stain

    the walls. Both wolves were snapping aggressively, showing their dominance. Both determined to

    take the other down¡­

    ¡°Miles, stop!¡± I screamed again. ¡°This is not his fault. It is mine. Just deal with me. Not him.¡± I

    sobbed, and the unfamiliar wolf turned to look at me curiously, giving the tanned warrior wolf of

    Jacob an advantage momentarily. He flew for his neck, jaws opened, and teeth bared, hoping to go

    for the kill, but Miles¡¯s wolf was too quick to react and moved in his counteraction. Pulling back,

    shing along the nk of Jacob¡¯s wolf with his ws, causing him to whimper, bringing him to the

    ground. And, I felt myself crying out, in sympathy. Jacob was bleeding heavily, when they had both

    already been covered in a number of deep bites and gashes from their fight. I knew now, this was

    not going to end well. We needed help!

    I was scared for both of them. I did not want a fight. Not over me. This would be to the death if I did

    not stop them! ¡°Miles!¡± I tried again, in the desperate hope he would be distracted as he had before,

    but this time his wolf did not even pause in his attack on Jacob¡¯s wolf. He continued the constant

    assault. Both wolves were fierce in their attack, as they bit and scratched in a bid to bring the other

    wolf down. I knew I could shift to help, but I knew my own wolf was of no challenge to Miles. Not to

    mention I feared they might then kill me too¡­

    Suddenly there were footsteps along the corridor as my Dad¡¯s voice called out. ¡°Kaia?¡± he sounded

    panicked. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

 Chapter 0224

    Chapter 0224

    "Daddy, help!" I screamed. "They''re going to kill each other."

    And as I spoke, Miles''s wolf flew for Jacob''s, the cut along his nk was already making him weaker, and Miles now had him pinned to the floor. Jacob''s wolf fought back valiantly, but the power of Miles''s Alpha wolf was beginning to overpower him, and as my Dad and Alpha Marshall came rushing around the corner, Miles''s wolf sank his teeth into the neck of Jacob. Blood spilled heavily out along the carpet, as Miles''s wolf ragged his head side to side angrily, taking his fury out on the wolf in front of him, despite the fact this was all because of me...

    The neck of Jacob''s wolf had to be broken, as his bodyy limply on the ground, blood now pooling around his head and body, while myself, my Dad, and Miles''s Dad looked on in horror. I was screaming, and had been since the moment I realized what was happening, but it felt so dazed... almost like the sound came from somebody else... all so much of a blur.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    I don''t think I was wanting to register what was happening. I was losing Jacob. My Dad ran toward me, his arms wrapping around me. Shaking me gently to try to bring me around from this nightmarish daze. ¡°Kaia, are you okay? What happened?" he questioned, but my mind was gone. It didn''t seem to want to function properly.

    I think he killed Jacob. The man I had agreed to marry... the monster that hadid inside of him... had killed Jacob. He killed the man I loved...

    Alpha Marshall moved across the hallway to meet us. "Is she okay? What the hell caused Miles to flip like that?" he demanded. ¡°Who is the wolf?" he asked, his eyes were narrowed, his face filled with confusion at what had urred on a day that was meant to be one of celebration.

    I could see my Dad''s eyes upon me, narrowing slightly, as his brows were raised in question, and I nodded to confirm what he was asking. He knew Jacob, of course he did. He was one of our pack warriors, and my Dad knew he was a former boyfriend of mine.

    "It is Jacob, one of our pack

    warriors. Family friend. Perhaps your son got the wrong idea when he saw him with Kaia? Any newly married man is likely to be defensive over his wife, right?" he suggested, trying to imply this was all a

    misunderstanding, and ven

    before I had even exined

    was

    anything. That was my Daddy, always trying to fix things for me...

    "Got the wrong fucking idea?" Miles growled, as he stood naked over the blood-stained, limp body of Jacob''s wolf, clearly having shifted back to his human form. "Oh yeah, that is right. me me when I walked in on my new wife almost fucking the guy on our wedding day, after hearing that she was fucking himst night. But absolutely, it was me getting the wrong idea."

    Both my Dad and the Dad of Miles quickly turned their gazes to mine. Anger was written across both of their faces. They knew this was my fault. "Excuse me?! Care to exin?" Alpha Marshall''s voice boomed.

    ''What the fuck Kaia, is that true? They are going to want to kill us!'' My Dad mindlinked at almost the same time as the Alpha had spoken. ''Talk about fucking things up you stupid bitch!''

    My eyes darted between the two

    angry Alphas in front of me, with an angry uing Alpha standing naked behind them, a sly smirk upon his face, knowing he had just killed the man I wanted. I knew right now I was fucked. I couldn''t help but wish Miles had killed me too...

 Chapter 0225

    Chapter 0225

    The wedding celebrations were well underway, and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. Plenty of party cheer. And I have to say, I enjoyed spending time with Harley and his mate, Dana. They seemed extremely happy together, and I couldn''t deny, it was obvious to me, I would never have lived up to her, when you see them together. He may have said I was his perfect girl back when we were seeing each other, but seeing them together, and it is clear for all to see they are a perfect match. Fate did them good. Harley was destined to be with her, and the way their personalities bounce off one another only confirms that.

    They seemed like they had known each other a lifetime in the way they interacted, and he was immensely kind and caring to her. The soft and tender gazes he gave her told me just how much he had fallen for the she-wolf fate had chosen for him, and that was more than enough to tell me that we were never meant to be. I think I had known that soon after I had arrived in Autumn Valley, in all honesty.

    We chatted and joked, reminiscing over our time in school, and then our time when we were a couple, and Harley found it funny just to tease me or try to embarrass me. He was such a dick, but he made usugh. I hadn''t realized just how much I had missed him.

    "It was so funny!" Harley eximed, after telling everyone another of our tales from when we used to hang out, and I saw his mate look at him with affection. "I don''t think Bai has ever gone that red so quickly!"

    I shook my head at him, rolling my eyes, while heughed loudly, so proud of himself for making the othersugh once again. I saw Marc looking between Harley and me with interest. His eyes a little narrowed, like he was puzzled. Before his eyes rested upon Harley''s mate.

    "Does it not bother you he was so close with Bailey? Her hero, in fact, from what I heard?" Marc looked at Dana in curiosity. Marc and my sister hade to join us after Morgan had decided her feet could take no more dancing, though it was likely to do with the crazy high shoes she had decided to wear today, rather than the amount of dancing she was doing. So, she had been sitting upon Marc''s knee, like the spoiled little mate she was evidently going to be, with a content expression upon her face. But, now I could not hold back the awkward expression on my own face at the suggestion Marc was making - I suddenly felt very awkward. Yeah, Harley and I had a past, but nothing serious had ever actually gone on between us. Other than us almost agreeing to be chosen mates, but we saw sense....

    Dana smiled sweetly, first at Marc, then at me, before finally resting her gaze on Harley with adoring eyes. "Why would it bother me? We were fated mates. He hadn''t met me then, so it wasn''t like he was being unfaithful. He had a girlfriend. He treated her well? I''d rather that than him being a dick. And they are still good friends? It only shows what a good guy he is, in my mind. As for being a hero, that is what makes him a good guy, right? I can only hope our little ones take after their Dad in that regard." And I noticed her hand settle softly on her belly as she smiled lovingly at Harley. She didn''t see our past rtionship or friendship as a threat, and was evidently secure in their rtionship, making me smile, as I watched her gently stroke her belly.

    "Aww, are you guys expecting?!" I asked, the realization suddenly hitting me at her gesture, wondering suddenly if she was pregnant.

    Harley grinned from ear to ear. "Well, we have yet to get it confirmed by the doctor, but we think so." He said happily. The excitement in them both was in to see.

    "A! You guys! Congrattions." I said, feeling nothing but happiness for the two of them, and happy that things worked out so well for Harley after everything he went through because of me.

    "Aww, you guys are the sweetest." Morgan said with a grin. "Like perfect mates. Made for each other."

    "You too, it would seem, Morgan." Harley said with a smile. "Being mates with a warrior is just the best, right?" he teased, and Morgan giggled.

    "Well, I have noints so far." She grinned, and I smiled. With how Marc treated her, I had no doubt she would have noints whatsoever, bless her.

    "We will all have to arrange a catch

    up soon." Dana said, looking at us enthusiastically. ¡°You guys are always wee toe and visit, you know? Harley has always spoken so highly of you, Bailey, and I

    el

    know you will have toe see the

    little one once they arrive N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Harley looked across at me with a raise of his brows, and a smile. "That is good to know. You guys will make amazing parents, I am sure. Such exciting news for you! I bet your families are excited too, right?" I asked.

    Dana chuckled. "Well, as Harl said, we have yet to have it confirmed, so we have not quite got around to telling them." She said with a grin, and Iughed.

    "Well, I am sure they will be excited when you do fell them. New babies are always exciting for families, right?" I suggested, and I couldn''t help but notice the affectionate smile Marc had upon his face as he looked at Morgan. Aww, was the former apparent womanizer, suddenly deciding settling down

    sounded good after finding his fated

    mate?

    "It sounds like things worked out well for you at your new ce, sweet cheeks." Harley said to me with a wink. "Work sounds perfect. And now your sister finding her mate there too. You think you wille back here?"

    Morgan almost snorted, trying to hold back augh, making everyone look at her, and making me re. "I hope not, Dad said he would see what he could do." I said with a sad smile, only hoping he stuck to his words.

    ¡°Hmm, talking of that, my two princesses, should we not head back to the house and get things sorted for heading off, while we still have a chance?" Marc suggested, and I grinned at the way he asked.

    I nodded. "That could be good before others start to leave." I agree.

    ¡°Ah, a quick getaway?" Harley asked, and I nodded. "Let us walk with you."

    So the five of us began the walk back to our house, chatting like old friends. So that Marc, Morgan and I could pack the car up, and make our unnoticed escape back to pack. I reached into my bag, to check my phone, yet again, hoping once again that Asher may have messaged, but there was nothing. Just the multiple daily messages from Eden that were a regr thing. My heart fell. I knew I could message him, but I kind of hoped he would reach out to me, especially after Morgan had said he was angry. But, still, we would be on our way home soon, and then we could talk properly...

 Chapter 0226

    Chapter 0226

    I saw the angry expressions on both the faces of my Dad and the father of Kaia. And for some reason their gazes were angled at me. "What the fuck has gone on?" My Dad snapped.

    Wait... how did this suddenly turn into being my fault? Did they not just listen to what I had told them? That filthy bitch had chosen to cheat on me the night before our wedding and goddess knows when else, despite agreeing to marry me! And having made her vows to me in front of all the people out there, she had rushed into my packhouse to make out with a former lover! Yet somehow I was in the wrong?! Go figure...

    My breathing was erratic as I battled with my own temper. I wanted tosh out at them for questioning me, but I hold back... ¡°I just fucking told you, did I not? This little whore could not keep her panties on long enough. Decided being married to an Alpha wasn''t good enough after all. So she assumed she could keep him on the side." I snarled, and Alpha Aaron sighed from next to Kaia, looking at her with nothing but disgust. Had he known of their rtionship? Yet still agreed to the marriage? That made him as much to me as her in my eyes... my hands trembled as I went to clench my fists to stop myself going to punch him...

    "Tell your son not to talk about my daughter that way." Alpha Aaron hissed, his eyes suddenly focused on my Dad.

    Oh, so he was suddenly unable to talk to me himself, was he? It certainly had never been an issue for him before. If anything, he had been quite happy to throw insults my way, or pass judgment on anything and everything in an attempt to belittle me. What was it? He suddenly realized the strength I had?!

    "This wedding needs to be annulled, and we expect a full refund of that money we invested in your pack." My Dad said coldly, looking at Alpha Aaron with his Alpha aura already beginning to emanate from him. His temper was beginning to ripple, which could only mean things were going to get out of control soon enough...

    I contemted my Dad''s words, and as much as I had wanted Kaia, I would not tolerate disloyalty. I would not have my mate cheating. She was mine and only mine. Maybe an annulment would be for the best Get this all put behind us. Get rid of this fucking bitch from my life. She thought she could lie to me and hide and I

    this? She thought wrong ox

    showed her that. And, it wasn''t like she could be with him now. I felt a surge of pleasure rushing through me at the thought of what I had just done. I had fucking shown her messing me with would fuck up her life...

    "Oh, is that right?" Alpha Aaron looked at my Dad, his eyes filled with anger. "And what if I decide to call the police? Or the werewolf council for the fact that fucked-up son of yours has just killed an innocent member of my pack?"

    I looked at the Alpha and then at

    Kaia in shock. They were making out

    that that fucker was innocent when he had been fucking my wife behind my back He hade to my wedding, slept with Kaia the night before she was due to marry me, and thene to watch her marry me, with no regard for what they meant? No. He was so far from innocent, it was unreal. No werewolf, let alone an Alpha, would tolerate that. And they knew it.

    ¡°Look, let us go to my office, we need to discuss this." My Dad says, gripping my arm. "You need to get a fucking grip." he added under his breath to

    me.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "I did get a grip, of that sick fucker''s neck. Made him pay for fucking what was mine." I sneered, with a sick smile in Kaia''s direction, making her sob loudly into her Dad''s shoulder.

 Chapter 0227

    Chapter 0227

    "And you think that is someone that is showing remorse for what he has done?" Alpha Aaron roared. "That is a man with a fucked-up mind. You said he was better, said he had improved. You allowed my daughter to marry him knowing full well he was still as fucked-up as the day he walked into our treatment center."

    My Dad dragged me forcefully down the corridor to his office. His arm gripping tightly upon my arm, his wolf was evidently close to the surface as his ws were digging into my skin, to the point they were beginning to split my skin. I snarled at the pain, but he chuckled, twisting his eyes to meet mine. ''You fucked up today Miles. Big time.'' He mindlinked. ''I can only hope we can fix this mess.''

    But despite the fact the words my Dad was speaking were intended to scare me, I truly didn''t care. The man I killed had deserved it, and if needed I would kill Kaia and the rest of her family too. She was worthless, and her actions had only proven that. Fixing it was hardly a priority to me.

    We all sat down in the office, as Beta Donovan rushed through the doors, evidently having been mindlinked by my Dad, throwing a pair of shorts in my direction, my clothes having been shredded the moment I shifted on the corridor. "What the hell has happened?" he asked, looking at us all in confusion. His eyes dropped to Kaia''s now bloodstained wedding dress. "I have warriors cleaning up the mess on the corridor." He added.

    "We want him returning to our pack." Alpha Aaron demanded. "He is one of ours."N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Beta Donovan nodded. "No problem. Right, what is happening? Can this be fixed? As there is a whole lot of people out there waiting for the bride and groom." He said with a hint of cynicism.

    Alpha Aaron looked at my Dad in shock. "You think this can be fixed? That fucker is dangerous. You assured me he was better. Or else I would never have agreed to my daughter marrying him."

    I see my Uncle, the pack Beta almost smirking at his words. "Can it not be fixed? Surely, there is a way to repair what went wrong? Miles was due to have amate, wasn''t he? Kaia could still be that girl. Yes, it may take some work, but it could happen."

    "What, him killing the man I loved can be fixed?!" Kaia suddenly sobbed. "I don''t want to be that girl!" she added, as she dropped her head to her hands, and I felt like ripping her apart too. She had literally just admitted she loved the fucker she had been kissing on our wedding day. I rushed toward her only to be gripped by both my Dad and Beta Donovan. But as Beta Donovan grips me tightly, I notice a faint fragrance upon him. A scent I am quick to recognize...

    Bailey. She had to have given her Dad a hug today... but I can smell her... I knew that scent. Kaia had not worked out, but my Uncle was right, I was meant to have a mate today. And who was to say I couldn''t? could still have a mate. The one fated for me all along. Seeing her when I did earlier had only made me question if I had made a mistake. Evidently, I had, and now it was the time to put it right. I could be the strongest Alpha possible now with the mate fate had nned for me by my side...

    "I want Bailey." I demanded. The look of horror upon Beta Donovan''s face said it all. This was thest thing he wanted. "Get rid of Kaia, she was never good enough for me. Bring Bailey to me. She will be my mate.¡±

 Chapter 0228

    Chapter 0228

    This whole party was so over the top, all for the biggest pain in our ass. The uing Alpha, or potentially if he yed his cards right. The way he was going that could still be in question. He may be doing all that was asked of him, but I still did not trust that fucker.

    Seeing my girls enjoying themselves meant the world to me. One mated, and having had a little chat with Bailey, maybe the other one too if she yed her cards right. Though, how that miserable Beta had managed to charm her, I had no clue. I am surprised he knew how to smile, let alone sweet talk ady. But, listening to Morgan, he was doing a good job, and he was quite taken with Bailey. I was not going toin about that, anything had to be better than Miles fucking Davenport. But, a decent and honest Beta? Hell, yeah, I would not argue with that.

    "The girls look happy, don''t they?" My wife, Brianna, asked me, as she sat herself down alongside me. "Morgan hasn''t stopped smiling since she arrived."

    I chuckled. ¡°Think we were like that once upon a time, Bre-Bre." I winked at her affectionately. "The joy of the matebond, right?¡±

    "Hmmm." She smiled back at me just as sweetly. "Until you have been together so long, even their breathing gets on your nerves?" she teased and Iughed.

    "Ah we don''t tell them that bit." I warned her. "It''s all sunshine and unicorn farts right now, let them keep thinking that."

    ¡°Unicorn farts?¡± she exims with a smile. "You couldn''t just say rainbows?"

    I chuckled. "Where would the fun be in that?" I shrugged.

    Brianna rested her head softly upon my shoulder, as we watched the party in front of us, many familiar faces enjoying themselves, and just

    as many unfamiliar facet

    now Miles was married to the

    daughter of the Alpha of this pack, no doubt the two packs would be mixing more often, and we would be getting to know them better. I ced a soft kiss on top of my mate''s head, when I was shocked by a sudden mindlink. N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    ''Don, need you now. In the office. Shit is going down. Bring shorts for Miles.'' Marshall was suddenly mindlinking me, and I was on my feet instantly, wondering what the hell was going on. But, I knew I needed to get there fast. My Alpha needed back-up.

    "Sorry, doll, I am needed in the office. Be back as soon as I can." I blew my mate a kiss as I rushed away, only wondering what I might find. Already confused about why things would be kicking off at a celebration. Though, Miles''s name was mentioned, so anything was fucking possible with that fool...

    I sped through the corridors, with a

    quick stop in theundry room on the way. As I turned down one of the corridors I was faced with a dead wolf, his neck shredded to pieces causing me to halt my running was used to seeing blood... part of the job, unfortunately... especially with the battles we had endured over the years... but this wolf was in a bad way. Dead without a doubt. His head was almost severed from his body...

    Was this at the hands of Miles? Or more likely his wolf, Jet? Shit... no wonder things were going to shit, but the question is why? There was blood pooling over the carpet and blood sttered up the walls. I know my Alpha needed me, but at the same time I could not leave the corridor like this for some other innocent bystander to discover. Especially the younger pack members. It could traumatize them.

    ''Zac, Sam and Dean?'' I mindlinked three of our older warriors. ''Need you in the corridor of the packhouse, on clean-up. But also need you to keep this quiet, please.''

    ''Got it.'' Zac confirmed almost immediately.

    ''On my way.'' Dean agreed soon

    after, and with that I didn''t wait for

    the third response before I continued on my way, knowing I could trust those guys to deal with it. And I was soon at the Alpha office door, barging my way in, to find a hell of a scene. The first thing I saw, and most certainly did not want to see, was a naked Miles, sol flung the shorts I had grabbed from theundry room straight at him, allowing him to cover himself up. Not that he seemed to care in the slightest, he was on disy to the whole room. About right for the egotistical sick little fucker.

 Chapter 0229

    Chapter 0229

    I can only assume he had shifted. But the angry faces of the others, and the bloodstained wedding dress of Kaia only confused me. Though with the scene outside, I guess it made sense... Miles had likely killed that poor guy out there. But why?

    "What the hell has happened?" I asked, taking them all in, not gaining anything from any of them as I tried to read their faces. "I have warriors cleaning up the mess on the corridor." I added, so they were aware the mess they had so openly left on our packhouse corridor for others toe across was dealt with.

    "We want him returning to our pack." Alpha Aaron demanded. "He is one of ours."

    I nodded at his request, that was more than reasonable. "No problem. Right, what is happening? Can this be fixed? As there is a whole lot of people out there waiting for the bride and groom." I asked, wondering why things seemed to be falling apart, and in all honesty beginning to worry about the whole sorry mess. Not to mention the safety of my girls... No... a quick realization makes me aware of what I need to do.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    ''Bai, get yourself gone as quickly as you can. Things are happening in the packhouse, and I don''t know how it will turn out. I am worried Miles maye looking for you.'' I mindlinked her, as quickly as I could. The girls needed to leave before the whole ce was potentially shut down.

    ''What is happening Dad, are you safe?'' she begged.

    But, I was unable to reply just yet, hoping she had listened to my request, as Alpha Aaron looked at me in something that could be shock or anger. Hard to say with a face that ugly and contorted in emotion. "You think this can be fixed? That fucker is dangerous. You assured me he was better. Or else I would never have agreed to my daughter marrying him."

    I struggled to hold back the smirk. Seems Miles has fucked up again. Why does that not surprise me? He was one big mistake after another. Would have been better for his Mum to fucking swallow him the night he was conceived... saved the pack a whole host of drama. He had killed that guy from their pack, could only assume? He was dangerous. One big fuck up. But, we still needed to try to resolve it. Our pack did not need a fucking war right now!

    ¡°Can it not be fixed? Surely, there is a way to repair what went wrong? Miles was due to have a mate, wasn''t he? Kaia could still be that girl. Yes, it may take some work, but it could happen." I suggested, hoping they may be able toe to some sort of arrangement, after alfour pack had given theirs a substantial payout to allow this wedding to happen. Money talked, I mean, it evidently had for them to agree to the wedding in the first ce. Hopefully it could again...

    ¡°What, him killing the man I loved can be fixed? Kaia suddenly sobbed. "I don''t want to be that girl!" she added throwing her head into her hands, in a dramatic movement, causing Miles to fly toward her in anger. No. He can''t hurt her too... Not a fucking Alpha''s daughter! Marshall and I go to hold him back, gripping him hard as he fights us to let go of him...

    But suddenly, his fighting slowed a little, and he leaned toward me. His eyes focused on me, a darkness to them that filled me with fear.

    "I want Bailey." he demanded, and I knew at that moment what he nned. I had seen him watching her today and I hadn''t liked it. But I had disregarded it, hoping the wedding and his new mate would distract him. "Get rid of Kaia, she was never good enough for me. Bring Bailey to me. She will be my mate.¡± he said angrily.

    Over my dead body that would be happening. ''Get out as quick as you can Bai!'' I urged her through the mindlink, not caring now if this fucker killed me in the process. I needed my girls to get away safely. ''Miles wants you, and he has demanded you be brought to him. Escape now. Do no hang around. Go!'' I warned her, only hoping they were already making their escape.

 Chapter 0230

    Chapter 0230

    "Are you hoping for a little boy?" Morgan asked Dana kindly. "Another little warrior?"

    Harley grinned at Dana before looking to Morgan. "A girl could be a warrior too in our pack, Morgan. But, in all seriousness, if we have it confirmed there is a little one growing in that belly, we will just be excited to have our baby. It doesn''t matter if it is a boy or a girl."

    I found myself smiling at them once again. They were perfect for one another, and I couldn''t be happier for them. I had loved spending time with them. Marc and Morgan enjoyed it too. We had chatted animatedly between the five of us as we escaped the hectess of the party, moving closer toward my parent''s home. Morgan seemed even more confident with Marc by her side. Not that she evercked confidence that I had noticed before. But the way she spoke now... the way she held herself. It was just so more self-assured than ever. Her eyes met mine, perhaps having felt me watching her, as I slid my phone back into my bag. She raised her brow at me, questioningly.

    "You okay?¡± she whispered, and I nodded.

    Morgan edged her way closer to me, leaving Marc and Harley chatting, with Dana walking alongside them. "Now the truth? Were you hoping a certain mean and moody Beta might have called? Or messaged?" she asked with a sly smile, and I couldn''t help the scowl from forming. I knew I was expecting too much. I asked for space. Pushed him away because of how he had reacted. I knew that, so expecting a call or a message was selfish. Childish even. But a small bit of hope remained within me. I don''t think I was able to control that.

    "Not funny."

    She giggled. "I will take that as a yes, Bai." She yfully poked me in my side, before looking at me intently. "And I assume the woeful face and slouched shoulders is because the grumpy bastard has yet to check in with you?"

    I red across at her again, and this time Akira grumbled. ''She has turned into a cocky little fucker since finding a man. Send him back. She might gain a littlepassion then.''

    ''She definitely is more confident.'' I agreed with my wolf, but ignored my sister. Yet she continued to smirk at me. It was a knowing smirk too... like she knew something I didn''t. I didn''t like it.

    "What if I told you a secret?" she winked, and I nced at her questioningly as she continued. "I am guessing you might like to know that a certain temperamental Beta may have been in regr contact with my mate to check you have been okay?"

    I looked at Morgan in shock. Asher had been contacting Marc all this time to check if I was okay? Why not just check in with me?

    "Really?!" I uttered, shaking my head in disbelief.

    "He knew you wanted space, but heN?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    wanted to know you were okay. That you were safe. Marc didn''t say anything until I noticed he got a message Can you not see Asheris crazy for you? He might not be here, and he might not have reached out to you, but he still has been thinking of you." she whispered softly, just as a confused and hectic mindlink came through unexpectedly from my Dad.

    ''Bai, get yourself gone as quickly as you can. Things are happening in the packhouse, and I don''t know how it will turn out. I am worried Miles maye looking for you.'' my heart felt like it stopped as the words from his mindlink registered. Everything

    seemed good when we left...

    ''What is happening Dad, are you safe?'' I quickly responded, needing to know he was okay. If he was being called to help, he would be at risk, wouldn''t he?

    But there was no response, and I felt tears prickling at my eyes, as my palms became sweaty. "Bai? Are you okay? You look like you have seen a ghost." Morgan asked, cing her arm upon mine, and it brought the attention of the others.

    I slowly shook my head. "Dad just mindlinked, saying something was kicking off at the packhouse. He didn''t know what yet, but he said we needed to get out of the pack quickly. He was worried Miles mighte looking for me." I stuttered, my voice trembling as I did.

    Harley''s eyes darkened at my words, while Marc''s fists clenched in anger. "Right, to the house now. We need to

    get those things in the car and get

    gone. I cannot have you girls put at I risk. Not on my watch." Marc''s voice was full of authority right now, and he sounded determined. Yet, all I am feeling is fear. I should never havee. I know that now. Ichad thought I was doing the right thing, thinking Miles was happy to be settling down with his new bride, but it seemed something was amiss. Even if we were yet to know exactly what that was...

 Chapter 0231

    Chapter 0231

    The five of us ran the remaining short distance to my parents'' home. Flinging the door open, Morgan, Marc and I dashed inside to grab our things. I rushed around throwing the remaining things into the bags.

    "We will stand and guard the door." Harley urged us. "Just go."

    My heart was pounding in my chest as Akira was rippling beneath my skin. Desperate to get out and run... run away from here, despite it being her home. But I know to be safe I need to stay with Marc and Morgan. We needed to escape. This was not the right thing. This was wrong. All so wrong. I was terrified right now as I grabbed the remainder of my things.

    ''Get out as quick as you can Bai!'' My Dad urged me through the mindink, and I can sense his fear through the link alone, and that only adds to my own. ''Miles wants you and he has demanded you be brought to him. Escape now.''

    Miles wanted me?! My Dad''s guess had been right. And he was demanding me be brought to him? This was not how thing were meant to be. No. That cannot happen. I ran down the stairs from my room. "We need to go, and quickly. Dad linked again, Miles is demanding I be brought to him. It is probably only a matter of time until someonees to get me."

    ''Dad?'' I mindlink, desperate for confirmation of what has happened, and what is going on now. I wanted to know if we were still okay for time. But there was nothing. Nothing but silence. And that simply terrified me. My mind was working overtime with the possibilities of what could be happening at the packhouse or what Miles may be doing in his bid to get to me...

    A heard a snarl from the front door in response to my words, making my heart pound as I looked up, only to see Harley standing there. "No, that won''t happen Bai, we will all protect you. Morgan,e on!" he yelled, pressing my sister to hurry.

    "Just getting thest few things." She responds.

    "They can fucking wait. If needs be, your Mum and Dad can send them. What is more important, them or your lives?" he roared.

    Morgan rushed to the truck with bags in hand to ensure we were ready to go. Marc loaded them into the trunk, as he looked to me with a nervous nce. "You okay?" he questioned.

    Okay? My heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest with fear. And I felt hot and dizzy from it too. I shrugged. Marc nodded.

    "Get yourselves in the truck now. I''ll finish loading this up, and we will go." He told me, and Morgan grabbed my hand, pulling me to the truck.

    Harley and Dana came to stand by

    the car. "This was not quite the goodbye I expected, but give me

    call okay?" he grinned at me. Just

    get yourselves gone." ContentCcontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    I turned to get into the car and there was a sudden deep, threatening growl from the end of the street, causing us all to look up. My heart dropped. Miles.

    "Get in the car." Marc ordered.

    "All of you get in the car. Leave. I will deal with him." Harley ordered, and Marc looked at him in disbelief, but Dana pushed us toward the car, nodding.

    "Go, we got this." She urged, and we quickly mbered into the car as the growling began to get closer...

 Chapter 0232

    Chapter 0232

    My whole body felt almost detached from my brain. Like I was functioning separately. As my eyes were on Beta Donovan. The scent of Bailey was on him. Faint as it may be, I could smell her. And now my focus was her. The strength she could bring me.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    "I want Bailey" I repeated, and my Uncle looked back at me with a zed expression. Was he mindlinking? Or simply zoning out. Ignorant prick. He should be listening to me. I would be his Alpha soon enough. Mate to his daughter too...

    "Right, excuse me, may I remind you, we are here?" Alpha Aaron''s voice boomed haughtily. "You know, the Alpha you begged to allow my daughter to marry this fucker. Yet here he is now, having killed one of my pack members, now demanding another she-wolf be brought in to rece my daughter?!"

    I could not hold back theugh that came. I don''t know where it came from, but the things he said did sound nonsical when put like that. And myugh sounded almost satanical. All their eyes were on me, and I smirked. "So now you want me to want your daughter again? Need to make your mind up, I would say. But, your daughter is not good enough to be my mate. She does not know how to be a good Luna. Ripping her panties off and bending over for any man that demands it. That is not what I want for a mate. She is cheap. A whore."

    A deep roar emanated from Alpha Aaron as he stood from his seat. "You talk of my daughter this way after all you have done?"

    His face was in front of mine now, his eyes dark as they red intensely into mine. "I don''t give a fuck." I said, as I felt Jet pushing forward, I clenched my fist, pulling it back and punching him hard. The impact was hard and powerful, sounding around the room. It took the Alpha by surprise too, knocking him stumbling to the floor with a heavy thud as he hit his head hard on the desk as he fell. My Dad and Uncle rushed to his aid.

    Good. That dealt with that dick. I allowed my gaze to fall to Kaia now. "You." I hissed. "You can fuck off. The marriage will be annulled. I hope you fall apart without the man I killed. I enjoyed every second of ending his pathetic little life too. Because, let''s face it, his life had to be pathetic to settle on fooling around with you. Be d I have my mind focused on other things, or else I would be finding a way to make you pay. Instead, I do not want to see you again. Your reputation will be ruined." My voice was cold and calcted, as I moved toward the door.

    My Dad was fussing over Alpha Aaron who appeared to be knocked out, his head now bleeding too. "Where is Bailey?" I demanded.

    Beta Donovan turned to look at me with a smirk. "Gone."

    I felt a building rage bubbling through me. Sending my body into overdrive. No. He had better be lying. I moved toward him. "Where the fuck is she? She is my fated mate, and I shall make her mine."

    "No, Miles. She is not your fated mate. Not anymore. You rejected her. She is free. Leaving to the ce she is safer and happier." He said calmly, standing from the ce he had been on his knees alongside my Dad, assisting in caring for the fallen Alpha.

    ¡®Warriors, search for Bailey West. She must be detained and brought to me immediately.'' I put out a general mindlink to the warrior squads, only hoping that they weren''t too drunk from enjoying my messed-up wedding to actually obey orders.

    I gave onest dark look to the Beta, desperate to shred him apart but knowing that time was of the essence. If I wanted to make Bailey mine I needed to find her before she escaped. I just hope her father didn''t give her too much time before telling her to leave. She had been enjoying the party not so long ago...

    I pulled the door open and as I moved away could hear my Dad snapping. "Where do you think you''re going? We need to fix this mess, Donovan. I need you to help with the Alpha." And I can''t help but smile, my Dad is helping me without even realizing it. It appeared my Uncle had nned toe and stop me finding his daughter. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    ''Warriors, that search for Bailey is to be in and out of pack if needed. She will be brought back.'' I mindlink angrily as I ran toward her home, knowing if what her Dad had said was true, and she was nning on leaving, she would have returned there to where their car was.

    "Fuck off Marshall, I need to stop

    him!" my Uncle yelled, and I chuckled, moving away. I did not have time to listen to my Dad and his best friend have a domestic right now. I needed to run... and running is what did. Staying in my human form, pushing myself to the point of pain as I ran as fast as I could through the familiar streets of our pack. Jet on edge, desperate to get out... take his anger out on someone...

    My gut instinct was right. The moment I stepped onto the street | could see them. Bailey, her sister and that poor fool who was mated to her. And as I looked closer I could see that fucker I had tried to kill once already and some random woman. Haha, had he brought a woman to try to make Bailey jealous after she told him it wouldn''t work? What a pathetic excuse for a man. Jet growled deeply as my eyes settled upon them packing their car up. They did n to leave. Bailey was running away from me. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    That was not going to happen. The growl that slipped from my mouth was loud and deep, causing them all to turn around. The fearful expressions upon their faces gave me a serious thrill, as I moved closer. They stood no chance. But, unexpectedly, Bailey, her sister and her mate got into the car and began to drive...

    Leaving me facing some random woman and the fucker I had already tried to kill once. And he appeared to be shifting in order to challenge me. Hmmm, maybe he wanted me to finish the job this time.

 Chapter 0233

    Chapter 0233

    Hearing Miles was on his way for Bailey had filled me with rage. Miles had, for so long, deemed Bailey not good enough for him. For the pack. Even to the point of rejecting her. Belittling her. Breaking her down over the years. Attempting to destroy her heart and her soul with his tactics. Yet here he was suddenly deciding he was going to try and pull her back from her escape from the pack? Make her his?

    I do not know what went on inside the mind of that monster, but it was not right. He needed stopping in his path. This was not going to happen. Bailey deserved the happiness and fresh start in life that she had ensured for me after Miles''s attempt on my life. I should be the one to help her get that!

    My gaze fell uncertainly on my mate. I only hoped she would be understanding of my need to help my friend. My first love, I guess you could say. I wanted her to find the love and happiness I had found. Let her experience the joy it created within you. Only then would Bailey realize just how grateful I was to her.

    ''I need to help them get away baby.'' I mindlinked Dana and she looked at me with a smile.

    ''I would expect nothing less.'' She responded, as we stood guard at the door. ''You would not be you if you were to simply walk away and leave them to fight this alone. And neither would I. We are warriors Harl, we protect. And right now, that girl needs our protection.''

    I smiled proudly at my mate. She was one hell of a girl! A true blessing. The other half of me. A perfect match; and I could not be more grateful that she understood what we needed to do. Now we just needed our friends to hurry their asses up...

    Thankfully, they were soon loading up the car after a little conflict. My stomach was heavy and churned with anxiousness... nerves. I just hoped that whatever was happening in that packhouse was enough to hold Miles back. It was frustrating that we didn''t have more information to understand better what had urred, but I am sure we would learn soon enough. Yet in the meantime, we needed the issues in the packhouse to be severe enough that Miles did not get to the house here until Bailey and her sister were long gone. Surely his own father and Beta Donovan would be capable of holding him back, wouldn''t they? They absolutely could not just allow him toe and find Bailey... could they? I would like to think Beta Donovan alone would be determined to keep him away... keep his girls safe.

    With a far from ideal goodbye, Bailey was rushed to the car. I would have preferred so much more than this, but I knew we would all be in touch again soon. Dana and Bailey seemed to get along great, and, I have to say, it was so good to see her again. That beautiful smile never seemed to dim, nor did that light in her eyes, despite the shit going on in her life. She deserved happiness and I hope in her escape she finds it. I had to help her find that! I was bing more and more determined and hopeful by the second...

    But the hope quickly diminished as a horrendous sound echoed through our ears. And that deep growl was unmistakable. A growl of an Alpha wolf. Whether he was officially the Alpha or not. That was an Alpha wolf in the making, and he had arrived. Arrived here with a purpose. And the look of fear upon those girls'' faces only fueled my need to defend them. Looking at Marc, I could see he felt the same. But I needed him to drive them away. Far away from this pack as quickly as he could. They would be safer with him by their side.

    "Get in the car.¡± Marc ordered the girls, and they wasted no time following his instructions. But I needed him to go with them. They needed to leave, not be staying to fight and hoping for the best.

    "All of you get in the car. Leave. I will deal with him." I ordered, and Marc looked at me like I had lost my mind, but thankfully, Dana moved toward the car, nodding, as if in agreement. She knew what we needed to do. She was a strong warrior. She could battle alongside me. We trained together daily in and out of work. We could dy him at the least. That was all they needed, a head start...

    "Go, we got this." Dana urged, and all of them quickly mbered into the car as I smiled across at my mate for backing me up on this. Despite the fact the growling was getting closer and I would say angrier...

    ''I love you baby. We got this.'' I mindlink my mate with a smile, and she nodded at me, as I allowed my wolf to push forward, the shift beginning as Miles moved nearer.

    ''Always. But if we need to stop, we stop. The Beta''s car is open, keys in ready for a quick escape.'' She informed me, and I couldn''t help but be impressed she had thought ahead, and I assumed that was why she had run inside. We would fight him to the point he was dyed enough, then make our escape... that had to be the n.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    My wolf ran toward Miles who was so close now, but before I could reach him, his body began to shift... close enough, I could hear his bones as they twisted and cracked into ce... and then, I was met with the Alpha wolf of the uing Alpha of my former pack. A deep snarl and snap of his teeth in my direction as his teeth attempted to grip my neck. But my wolf was more than prepared, dodging the move. Twisting around to attempt to bite the wolf in front of me.

    ''I can''t try to shift Harley, not if I am

    pregnant. It is dangerous. Sia is saying no too, Dana''s mindlink ran through my head, and my heart plummeted. I had thought we would be able to battle him together... two warriors side by side against the psycho Alpha. But it hadpletely not be

    slipped my mind she wount.

    able to shift if she was pregnant. That was simply not possible for she-wolves when with pup... Sia was her wolf, and if she was refusing too, that only confirmed in my mind what we had already suspected. We would soon be parents. I needed to keep my mate safe too.

    ''Stay back baby.'' I urged her, but knew she would be here assisting me if given a chance. Miles''s wolf was relentless'' snapping and snarling at my wolf... I fought back the best that I could... wing at his flesh. blood sprayed across my vision...there were wounds across the bodies of both of our wolves... suddenly his wolf lunged, and I was down... pinned... the almost satanical eyes of the wolf that belonged to the man I hated most in the world looking down at me... almost a glint in them... he hade to finish what he had failed to do the first time...

 Chapter 0234

    Chapter 0234

    We fought. He was well-trained. Skilled in his fighting techniques. There was no denying he had given me a good fight. Both of us were littered with wounds and sprayed with blood. But finally, my wolf had him pinned after being able to knock him off bnce; and as much as I hate to admit it, I think that had been sheer luck. But now we had him where we wanted him. I could finally take my revenge...

    The eyes of the warrior wolf looked up at my wolf. I have him pinned to the floor, yet they are not filled with fear like I hoped they would be. They were filled with fire. Anger. As he continued to fight valiantly beneath me in a bid to free himself, while also attempting to wound me enough to lessen my hold. This fucker would just not give up, would he?! Well, he had pushed me too many times, and it was evident he still wanted Bailey, trying to be her fucking hero all over again...

    I can''t believe he had chosen my wedding day to make an attempt to win her back. That was lower than low. I thought when he had run from the pack in fear for his life, that would be thest we ever saw of him. Thinking he had seen sense that you don''t mess with me. Knowing it would end his life. But here he was, looking healthy and happy once more. And the smile Bailey had on her face for him hadn''t seemed to change...

    Anger raced through me, as Jet snarled at him deeply as he moved his head toward him, jaw open, teeth bared ready to attack. He nned to end this. End any hope of a future for Bailey and her hero warrior. When suddenly the most god awful sound became apparent... so loud and high-pitched it hurt my ears... even Jet flinched in shock...

    "Nooooo! The woman who was with him wailed in the most horrendous fashion, before Jet was kicked sharply in the head, sending him off bnce, allowing the warrior to get out of my grasp. How had she been able to do that? How was a she-wolf so strong?! That kick had caused Jet''s head to seriously vibrate...

    "Harley enough now. We need to go. Think of the baby." I could hear the woman speaking and I paused, grappling for control of Jet. My thoughts suddenly confused. Everything I had been thinking may be wrong... This woman is with him? Not just a woman brought to make Bailey jealous? They were so much of a couple that she was expecting his child... did that make her his mate? He had nevere to win back my mate.

    Jet snarled once again, disregarding my thoughts that I knew he would be able to hear, and I knew he nned to continue this fight. But was there a need now? ''Leave it. He is irrelevant.'' I told my wolf, fighting for control. ''He means nothing. He has a mate. He is no threat to my woman.'' ''He needs to pay!'' Jet growled, and I could feel just how on edge he was right now. He was desperate to take all his anger out on the man.

    ''No. We need to go. Before she is too far away. We could catch them.'' I snapped, realizing just how much time I had wasted battling with the warrior. Time I did not need to waste, because he was never a threat. He was nothing to Bailey. Not anymore. I quickly pushed forward, finally winning control. As I assume, Jet sees sense, and my bones cracking and contorting into my human form as I see the warrior wolf has done the same. His dark eyes were on me in anger. He may have a mate, but he still seems willing to battle for Bailey...

    ¡°Let her have a life. Let her be free.¡± He hisses as he takes the hand of who I can only assume is his mate, and they rush toward a car... which, oddly, is Beta Donovan''s. But I ask no further questions as they both rush inside, and quickly drive away.

    There are suddenly footsteps behind me, and I turn to find Ellis and Jordan standing looking anxious. Their eyes darted around. "Tell me you have not hurt anyone." My brother said to me with exasperation. "Not again Miles. Nobody deserves that, not over this."

    I found myself rolling my eyes at him. He was truly pathetic. How my parents would ever consider him as Alpha was beyond me, he had no abilities there. He wasn''t ruthless enough. Too caring and kind. But I took my angry gaze upon the pair of them.

    "Can you see anybody that is hurt?" I demanded with sarcasm.

    Ellis gave me a disgusted re. "Wouldn''t mean they couldn''t be in the house, would it? And that we found you escaping. Definitely would not be the first time you hurt someone and ran."

    I felt a smirk ying upon my lips. I know my brother does not like how I do things, but truly did not care. He was a pathetic excuse for an Alpha son. No guts. No brutality. Yet, I turned and looked at him. ¡° I haven''t been in the house. So, no, I hur nobody, unfortunately. Unless you count Kaia''s bit on the side. Would have been Kaia too if I hadn''t learned Bailey was trying to fucking escape, thanks to your fucking father." I narrowed my eyes in an angry scowl as I focused my gaze upon Jordan. "They have all left."

    ¡°She isn''t escaping Miles, simply returning home." Ellis said, a hint of bluntness to his tone. He seemed to be feeling awfully brave all of a sudden, standing up to me and questioning everything I was doing or saying.

    I could only assume my Dad had

    sent them, or the more likely of the two options, Beta Donovan. He had wanted to follow me when I left the office, and I knew my Dad had forced him to stay. The obvious

    course of action would obvious

    that he sent mindlinks to his son and my brother toe and do his dirty work. Get them toe and stop me doing any damage... hoping they could save Bailey...

    The thing was, there was no saving her. She would always be mine. And I would be bringing her home whether her family liked it or not.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    "This is her home!" I roared. "And because of this mess, she has gone, again, without my permission!"

    Jordan snarled now. "Oh, and why does she need your permission? She is nothing to do with you now, Miles. She is not your mate. You rejected her."

    The growl that flew from my lips

    was loud and deep. Angry too. Making both my brother and my friend raise their eyebrows in surprise before ncing at one another with a knowing look. They had so clearly been discussing me. Yet, once more, I do not give a damo. I did not need reminding of the choices I had made. Yes, I had rejected Bailey. She had not been right for me then. But, she was right for me now. And I needed the additional power I would gain through being with my fated mate. I needed to make her mine. I needed to bring her back here and had no time to waste by standing here and chatting to these fucking idiots...

    "Irrelevant. She will always be the one fated to me." I told him with coldness. "And I n to go and bring her back."

 Chapter 0235

    Chapter 0235

    My heart would not stop pounding within my chest from the moment Miles had appeared. The heaviness in the pit of my stomach had only increased as he mindlinked while we drove away with a threatening promise. ''I aming for you.'' That was enough to warn me of what was toe. He was not going to let me go easily.

    Having Harley and Dana offer to hold him back so we could make our escape meant the world. I wasn''t surprised at Harley, he had always been protective, but now I was terrified for them. I could not take my mind off them and what could be their final fate. Miles had already proven the damage he could do. He had brought Harley so close to death once before, and that had been for no real reason... this time, he was helping me escape. This time he likely saw it as a reason to kill Harley, and that terrified me.

    "Bai, just try to be calm." Marc''s voice sounded far away despite being in the driver''s seat, with how unfocused my mind was right now. "I can hear your heart from here. We need to get a good head start, and things will be okay."

    Morgan turned to look at me, and gave me a sad smile. "I know you are thinking of Harley and Dana, but they will be okay." She whispered, but the uncertain expression on her face told me she wasn''t quite as sure as she was trying to imply by her words. She knew what Miles was capable of. She knew they were in serious danger right now.

    "What if they aren''t? Miles will be on a mission. We should have stayed." I chewed my lower lip in anxiousness, knowing now we should never have left them. We should have fought him together. We may have stood a chance then. "Maybe we should go back."

    "Not a chance." Marc''s voice boomed. "I am not putting you girls in danger. And, as horrible as it is, Bai, going back won''t help them. Not now."

    "But Harley and Dana could die. They are having a baby." I urged, hoping he would see sense. We needed to go back. "Marc, please. We could work together to bring him down. We can''t just leave them."

    "Harley wanted to do this, Bailey. He made that choice. He knows what Miles can do. But he still stood up to protect you both." Marc said calmly. "And Dana agreed without hesitation. They are both warriors through and through. There to protect, and that is what they wanted to do for you. So just let them! Besides, I can''t see that Miles will want to hang around battling to the death, he will want toe looking for you, which is why it is important we get away."

    Morgan looked toward her mate nervously, but she nodded in agreement. "Actually, I think Marc could be right. Miles will want to get on his way. He will want to make sure he can follow us and not be far behind. Staying and fighting for too long will only hold him up. So, are we going a different route?"

    I raised my brows in surprise at my sister''s initiative, as Marc nodded. "Already on it, beautiful. I will be taking the longer routes back rather than the direct route. Regrly changing it up, to allow some confusion if he was to be on our tail. Also, we are stopping in the next town to hire a car, and I will get one of the guards toe with me to collect mine when things have settled down. Because Miles will be looking for this truck, not a different one."

    Everything they said made sense, but right now I couldn''t help but worry. I still didn''t know if my Dad was okay. Still no closer to knowing what had gone on in the packhouse, and now we were out of the area where our pack mindlink would work, so I had no way of being able to contact him easily unless I called or messaged him. And my Dad wouldn''t be able to reply if things were still going down or he was handling the aftermath...

    And as for Harley... well, I don''t even know what to think. I could only pray that he hadn''t lost his life because of me. Especially not after finding his mate... and with a new baby on the way. I felt tears prickling my eyes.

    I could feel eyes upon me and met Marc''s gaze momentarily in the rear-view mirror, before he looked back at the road. "I know you are worried, but we needed to get you away Bailey. Put yourself first for once, okay?"

    Morgan nodded. "He is right. You know if Miles gets you, you will be stuck with him. I am scared for you. Who knows what his ns could be?"

    I ignored her statement, not even wanting to consider the oue if Miles were to find me. I could not allow that to be an option. "Morgan, what about Dad?" I pushed her. "We don''t even know if he is okay. We don''t know what was happening in the packhouse."

    She let out a deep breath. "No, we don''t. But let us be logical Bai, Miles came to the house, didn''t he? So we know he wasn''t at the packhouse. anymore, causing carnage. And if anything major had happened to Dad, we would have been told. And if he had died, we would have felt the family bond snap. We would have felt it. We didn''t. So, we should assume he is okay."

    Marc smiled across to his mate with a nod. "Exactly. Now, Bai, do you want to call Asher and let him know what has gone on, or do you want me to?"

    Asher? He wanted us to let Asher know about all this? I could only imagine what he might think...N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    ¡°Asher?¡± I questioned, a little wobble to my voice and saw Marc smirking.

    1

    "Wow, you have been away a few days and you have already forgotten him? You know, the tall, dark, kind, handsome Beta... mean and moody Marc said as Morgan. began to chuckle. "Terrifying gaze... no sense of humor... abs to die for, well generally a body to die for... which I imagine he has shown you by now." He winked at me now, as I red at him.

    Morgan covered her mouth with her hand, holding back her giggles, as I then moved my re to her. ¡°Neither of you are funny. Why would I have forgotten him?"

    ¡°Aww, is that because you loooovvveee him?" Morgan teased, and I found myself frowning at her now. She was so embarrassing. Acting like a teenager.

    "Not funny."

    Marc was smirking. "Whether you love him or not is irrelevant right now, but I am sure it would mean the world to him if you did. But, I want to let him know what is going on, he will be waiting for an update. I messaged him while at the house."

    I looked at him in shock. Just how much had he been messaging Asher while we had been away? Did he already know everything that had happened? "You told him?"

    "Of course. He cares for you, Bailey. He is worried And he replied saying focus on getting you away, then let him know what was happening. He will be desperate to know you are okay Me, meh" he shrugged, nonchntly. "Probably not so much. But, regardless, we should call him. So, you doing it, or am I?"

    Ove

 Chapter 0236

    Chapter 0236

    I saw the darkness on his face the moment he had turned to look at us, and knew we were in for a fight, but I had no intention of letting this fucker go and find my sister. Harley had done a valiant job of holding up until Ellis and I could get there, not that he knew we wereing... but the moment my Dad mindlinked to let me know what he needed of me, I was on my way. Determined to stop him and then the moment Ellis mindlinked soon after to say he would meet me outside the packhouse, I knew we could do this together. He needed to be stopped one way or another.

    I can''t lie, as we ran there, I feared what we might find. Expecting bloodshed, and sheer carnage. Miles certainly liked to cause that! And the frame of mind he was in today, ording to my Dad, he was definitely in the mood for creating damage...

    "Miles,e on, Dad needs you back at the packhouse. He is still trying to calm Alpha Aaron." Ellis said, a knowing look at his brother. Trying to calm him was an understatement. From what my Dad had briefly told me, the Alpha was irate about what had gone down. Though, considering what I had learned, I could not say his daughter was entirely innocent in all of this.

    "Not my issue." Miles said coldly, moving to his house, clearly nning to grab his car keys. It was clear to see from the tone of his voice alone that he did not care for what had happened. There was certainly no regret there. I honestly do not know what has happened to my friend.

    "Not your issue?" Ellis grabbed his arm roughly. "Are you fucking kidding me? You just killed one of his pack members. Not to mention insulting his daughter. There are still two packs out there waiting for the bride and fucking groom Miles! Clueless to what has gone on. This is your fucking issue, when you want to be the next Alpha! You step up, deal with the issues that present themselves in a decent and honorable way, not fucking ughter people, then disappear! Those pack members need to know what is happening.

    31

    Miles turned sharply to look his brother dead in the eye. Both so alike to look at, yet so different in personality. Twopletely opposite characters. "Oh, excuse me! I didn''t realize you were such an expert at what it takes to be an Alpha. Consider yourself the perfect little future Alpha now, do you? Hoping all my fuck-ups will mean you get the title? Over my dead body, Ellis. You don''t have what it takes to be the Alpha this pack needs! And as for the pack members all sitting there pathetically waiting, well, more fool them. They should get a fucking life. Did they truly think I would settle for that sort of skank? One who did not know how to keep her panties on?"

    I bit my lower lip, unsure how we could deal with this. He was incredibly nasty, especially to his brother. And I hate to break it to him, Ellis had everything this pack now needed to be the Alpha, even more so after his Alpha training, and the more mistakes Miles continued to make, I imagine his family only saw that more and more. But, in regard to not having to settle for Kaia, in truth, I don''t think I could argue with him about that. He had every right to be hurt that his wife had cheated. No matter the front he may be putting on right now, I know that Miles wanted Kaia. He had hopes for the two of them, and I had high hopes too. I had hoped she would be the one to calm him. Change him... but now I look at him and fear what maye of him.

    "Look bro, I know this hurts like a bastard, but it needs dealing with. We need to get them gone, right? The only way we do that is by you going to deal with the mess. You have every right to be angry with her, even her Dad can''t deny that." I reassured Miles in the hope he would see sense ande back with us. I cannot risk him getting into that car and following my sisters.

    Miles''s gaze fell on me now. "Why do I have to deal with it? I am not Alpha yet. Let my Dad deal with it. He has been so reluctant to hand over the Alpha title, so he gets to continue to deal with the shit thates with it." He said with a smirk.

    "Or he gets your brother to deal with

    it. Let Ellis prove his worth as an Alpha instead?" I suggested,

    knowing that would be a direct hit to the ego of Miles. He hated the prospect of his brother bing Alpha over him. But, the more this situation developed, the more was certain that Miles was simply not capable of being an Alpha. "Because right now your Dad needs help sorting this out, and, as his sons, it should be one of you. So, you fuck off, it will fall to Ellis, and that will only secure him the position in my opinion. So you may want to watch your step right now. Consider your actions. They have consequences, and already you are treading a very fine line."

    A deep growl emanated from Miles while Ellis turned to nce at me. ''Nothing like prodding the beast is there?'' he mindlinked and I shrugged. ''Got to try getting him to see sense.'' I replied.

    I could feel Miles''s eyes on me, and suddenly he had me by the cor, extremely ufortable being this close considering the fact he was still naked. "Why are you two mindlinking?" he hissed, his mouth next to my face and anger in his eyes. Talking about me? Coming up with a n to deal with me? heughed, a short and ironie sort ofugh, one that did not sound right from him, as his fist tightened upon my shirt, pulling me even closer. "Suddenly best buddies, aren''t you? Well, guess what, I don''t give a shit. You were never that good of a friend. Ellis is wee to you." N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    I looked him dead in the eye. He hoped his words would hurt me, but they simply slid over me. He had been far from a good friend either. And, right now, he knew I was used to his temper, but ofte, his temper seemed to have worsened.

    realize

    Something I didn''t even realize was possible! "Miles, grow up. It isn''t apetition. We are trying to keep you safe. You want Alpha Aaron to report all this shit to the werewolf council? So theye marching in here ready to be investigating you and your actions?" Content belongs

    to

    He raised his brows at me in question, before nodding. "I wille. But first, I need to go and put some clothes on. Give me a minute.¡±

    I nodded. ¡°Be quick then." And he suddenly rushed off to the house standing next door to my parents'' home, as I looked to Ellis. "Let''s hope this can be fixed. He seems out of control."

 Chapter 0237

    Chapter 0237

    Having Bailey turn my offer of apanying her to the wedding down so emphatically hurt, that I can''t lie. Especially when Morgan was so freely open to allowing Marc to escort her. I had heard Bailey''s arguments for why she didn''t think it was a good idea, and while they made some sense, I still wanted to go. Showing that former fated mate of hers that Bailey would no longer allow him to have control. That she had support now. I wanted to be that support.

    But, instead, I had remained in the pack, the way Bailey had asked of me. Left feeling like I was going out of my mind. Finding things to do in order to distract my simple little mind. But so often my mind would wander back to Bailey. Curious how her visit back home was going, and if she was being treated with respect. I had fought as hard as I could to resist the urge to reach out to her knowing she needed space... I had snapped at far too many unsuspecting pack members in my low mood... until I relented and messaged Marc.

    No doubt he would not allow me to hear the end of it upon his return, but he had gone with them, and it meant I did not have to message Bailey directly to ensure she was okay. He could also make sure she was safe for me, because I couldn''t help the sinking feeling within my stomach that she was in danger there. That the former fated mate of hers was dangerous, whether he imed to be moving on or not.

    And those many messages from Marc became something I looked forward to. Keeping me going while I desperately missed Bailey. I am unsure how this had happened so suddenly... she had barely been in my life for any time, but I already craved herpany... and when she was missing, I missed her. I felt alone. I so often found myself gazing at the photograph Marc had sent me of the three of them, admiring how beautiful Bailey looked. She looked stunning. Breathtaking. How I wished I could have been there with her on my arm. I could simply not wait to see her! Thankfully, she would return today, and hopefully she would like the surprises I had waiting for her to show her how much I had missed her.

    But then that gut-wrenching message hade through to notify me that the uing Alpha had turned, he was wanting Bailey, and they were fleeing before the Alpha found her. I was ready to rush there myself. But Marc''s gentle reminder that by the time I reached there I would be toote, made me realize I was helpless right now. I could only rely upon him and the others in Bailey''s pack. So, I told him to focus on getting them out and to let me know the moment he had. I needed to know. Know my beautiful girl was okay...

    And the time following was relentless... dragging... feeling like an eternity as so many thoughts ran through my mind as to what could be happening. The fear of Bailey not returning to me was bing a reality right now, and it filled me with terror. I don''t think I could carry on with her not here. Zion growled at the thought, he was lingering so close to the surface, pushing me to allow him to shift, he wanted to run to her... but Marc''s words echoed in my mind. I would not get there in time. I was of no help to her right now. And that was not a feeling I liked. I wanted to be able to protect her! And so did Zion... she meant as much to him as she did me...

    I needed to wait for news. And wait is what I did... pacing the floors of my home tirelessly... as still no news came. I even tried calling her pack, but had no reply. I knew calling Marc or Bailey right now would only hold up their escape, so I held back on that urge. No news wasing to me. I just wanted to know my girl was okay. I needed to know she wasing home to me!

    I was ready to rip my home apart by the time my phone rang, and I pounced on it with eagerness. ¡°Hello?" I demanded.

    A low chuckle came through. "Aww, so nice to have you so eager to talk to me! Somebody been waiting for our call?" Marc''s voice was loud, and he sounded safe. Healthy. Surely that had to mean they were okay? I grasped at hope...

    "Did you get away? Are you all okay? Is Bailey okay? Please tell me that dick did not get her!" I blurted down the phone at him.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    "Should probably have told you that

    you were on speakerphone." Marc

    told me with another chuckle,

    I

    making me roll my eyes now, knowing that Bailey would have heard everything that had just been said. "But yes, we are on our way now. Picked up a hire car. Switching routes to confuse them. But all

    being well, we should be back safely.

    I will keep you updated." Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    "Thank the goddess." I mumbled, my hands trembling as emotion took over me. "Are you okay Bailey?" I added quietly, only imagining what she had to have gone through while being there.

    I heard her awkwardly clearing her throat before she spoke. "Yeah I am fine."

    Zion whimpered within my mind. ''No, she isn''t. She is being brave. Acting like she is.'' he argued, and I fear he may be right.

    "Well, you will be home soon

    enough. We will all keep you safe

    ???

    here." I tried to reassure her. Already nning within my mind all the things we could do to ensure her safety once she was in our pack i would do all I could to make sure no harm came to her! Such a sharp contrast to the man who had first met her, when I had been concerned about any problems she might bring to our pack with her issues at her former pack...

    ¡°Hmmm." She murmured. ¡°Assuming they will let me stay that long."

    "What do you mean?" I snapped, sounding more angry than I intended. But her words only added to the emotions and lingering fear that I could not shake, and likely would not until Bailey was back in my arms.

    "Calm down, Asher." Morgan spoke now. "All she meant is, while we were there, Dad informed her there was a vacancy at the school in the packing up. They are likely to expect her to return to work there. That was always the original agreement."

    My heart sank at her words. She couldn''t be expected to go back. Not now. Surely the actions of their uing Alpha had to be reason enough for them to realize Bailey was not safe there. No. We needed to do something.

    "Well, I will discuss with Caleb. We

    will officially make her a pack member here. She can denounce the Lotus Shadow Pack. That way there is no way they can dictate where she goes." I suggested, only able to hope that Bailey did not see this as me trying to control her as she didst time, and this time saw it as me trying to protect her. Simply a man desperately needing to keep the woman he loved safe.

 Chapter 0238

    Chapter 0238

    I was ready to rip that fucker¡¯s head from his body when he mentioned that Ellis would be securing

    his position as Alpha if I did not get my ass into gear and go to help my Dad. My Dad was the

    fucking Alpha, he had forever dictated to us how powerful that made him. Forever had lectured us

    on how in control that made him, how strong¡­ so if he was all of those things, surely he should be

    able to clean up a little mess of mine?! It couldn¡¯t be that difficult!

    As for Ellis securing his position as Alpha, that was a fucking joke. He was too weak. Too

    empathetic. He was not Alpha material and never had been. Mum and Dad had forever focused

    their attention on me growing up, with me being their eldest child and their heir. Pushing me to train

    harder. To prove myself. And it meant I was the one that was capable. Ruthless. Dominant. I was

    idolized in the pack. I was the one that should be taking that Alpha role. Ellis was a poor second. He

    would never be me.

    But, as much as my anger lingered, and the hate for my brother ached within me, I had to stay

    focused. I had my mind set upon a mission right now, and being distracted by Thing 1 and Thing 2

    could not happen. They were determined to stay with me and take me with them back to the

    packhouse, likely at the request of my Dad or my Uncle. But, it could not happen. Going back to the

    packhouse would end in disaster. A dy I simply did not need. I needed to leave the pack. I

    needed to go and find Bailey. She was my priority right now. Not the mess the cheap little whore I

    had selected as a wife had caused¡­

    And as for the mention of the Werewolf Council, I could not risk them being involved. That was

    another reason returning to the packhouse could not happen. My temper would cause me tosh

    out if I went there to deal with Kaia and her family. Seeing her face hurt. Reminded me of all the

    hopes I had held for the future we could have had together. How na?ve I had been! She had fed me

    false hopes all along, and I had been crazy enough to fall for them. Seeing her now would mean the

    pain she caused turned to anger. And that would cause chaos. Destruction.

    Therefore, my Dad, my uncle and potentially even my brother needed to fix this for me. They were

    the only ones who could deal with it in a sensible way. Without further blood being shed. Because I

    know if it was left to me, I would not be able to guarantee I did not harm somebody else. And, then

    there would be no avoiding the Werewolf Council being summoned. I can not have the Werewolf

    Council here. They would find too much on me¡­ seeing I was not capable of being an Alpha.

    Potentially even lock me up¡­ at least this way, I still stood a chance.

    ¡®Stay focused. We are stronger than them all.¡¯ Jet growled deeply at me, not appreciating me

    waivering at the fear of the Werewolf Council. Bringing me back to my focus. I needed her. I needed

    Bailey with me to bring me strength. Maybe even calm me¡­

    ¡°I wille. But first, I need to go and put some clothes on. Give me a minute.¡± I suggested to

    Jordan, hoping he would see that what I said made sense. It wasn¡¯t like I could go to the packhouse

    naked and deal with this, and then face the pack members with my bits hanging out¡­

    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    Jordan nodded. ¡°Be quick then.¡± Good, he seemed to have listened, and I quickly rushed toward the

    family home. Rushing to my room, picking up a small bag, I stuffed in some loose shorts and a t-

    shirt. Before picking up my wallet from the desk, having assumed I wouldn¡¯t need it today. Oh, how

    wrong I was! How naive I had been to assume this day would go to n... that I could ever have a

    happy ever after with that she-wolf. She had never been worthy of me... maybe fate had known all

    along what I needed.

 Chapter 0239

    Chapter 0239

    I punched the wall hard with my fist at the thought of Kaia and the pain she had caused me. My entire body was trembling with anger. The mess her actions had found us in was not what I had expected of my wedding night. I knew that much... she was calcted and had known all along what she was doing. I would find a way to make her pay. But right now, I needed to find the girl I had rejected and finally make her my mate! Finally, gain the strength that a fated mate can bring...

    Then I ran down the stairs once more, still naked, but instead of making my way through the front door, back to the street to meet Jordan and Ellis, I cut through the kitchen to therge patio doors, gently sliding them open, and rushing out to the far end of the garden. Holding the bag tightly in my grip, I climbed over the fence, and rushed into the treeline, before allowing Jet to push forward... seems my brother and my friend were not so smart after all... I don''t think either one had assumed I would attempt to escape out of the back door!

    ''Warriors.'' I sent out a general mindlink. ''I require a hunt, but it is now out of pack, for Bailey West. She will be brought back and returned to me immediately. No harm is to be done to her. I need her home. As soon as possible.''

    My body twisted and contorted as hair emerged across the altering body as the seamless transition from human body to werewolf urred, before I became one with Jet, and he gripped the bag now within his mouth as he set off at a sprint. We would run a distance before shifting once more and hiring a car... I would bring Bailey back to me, one way or another.

    ''We cannot follow your orders Miles.'' Jason, one of our pack warriors, responded to my mindlink. ''Alpha orders.''

    I felt myself jerk in shock. My own father had put a stop to my ability to order those below me in rank in what to do?! He had a fucking nerve! He had to have known what I would have nned... Even he was trying to protect Bailey now? Despite knowing, she was my fated mate and no other mate would bring the same effects she would...

    ''Bren, Liam, Owen'' I mindlinked three warriors I was good friends with, knowing I could always rely upon their help. They had never let me down yet. ''I need your help.''

    ''If this is to do with looking for Bailey Miles, we can''t.'' Owen responded.

    ''Are you kidding me?'' I roared at

    them through the link. They were some of my closest friends. Had been since school. Trained together. Drunk together. Always been there for another. And the one timet needed them more than ever, they refused me help? Content belongs

    to

    ''Alpha orders Miles! You know we can''t go against that.'' Liam argued now.

    I needed them, yet they were willing

    to abandon me... leaving me

    struggling what sort of friends does that? After all I have done for them! They would not have their positions in the warrior squads that they did if it was not for me and my

    contacts!

    ''I need your help!'' I yelled through the link, all the while Jet was running so hard he was aching. He knows now we are on our own. We need to make this work, or we will be losing her for good.

    ''We can''t help you. You know how the Alpha order works, Miles. But, that isn''t to say you can''t find help outside of the pack, if you catch my drift.'' Bren said with a hint of

    darkness to his tone. One and neContent held by N?velDrama.Org.

    I

    picked up on. He was right....didn''t have to be entirely alone. I was an uing Alpha... I had influence. I had money... and rogues would do anything for money...

 Chapter 0240

    Chapter 0240

    It doesn''t take long to find rogues when you are roaming through freend. They tend to stay away from the pds of Alphas if they can help it, because they would be attacked and punished for trespassing. Punishment for rogues was never humane... though I have to say, I quite enjoyed it. I also quite enjoyed hunting the weaker rogues down. They were always good to take my anger out on, and rarely had much strength to fight back. Always gave me quite the thrill...

    And after running from my pack, I was soon on freend, and immediately picked up the overwhelming scent of rogues. There was no denying that stench. A werewolf has an individual scent, one that can identify them... usually pleasant, especially to its mate. But a rogue, their stench was nothing but horrendously sickening. Foul. Abination of death and rotting garbage. I certainly did not choose to spend time with them if I had any option, but today I found myself with no choice. My father had left me with no choice when he had ordered my pack members not to follow my orders...

    I followed the stench, and it wasn''t hard. I found a small camp within the deeper reaches of the forest, which told me this had to be a cluster of rogues. And the moment I stepped into their camp, they were all upon me... but the moment I shifted back into my human form, they withdrew. Evidently uncertain why I would shift when they were still in wolf form and could attack. And while the need to talk to them was strong, and it was urgent, I knew I must gain their trust and assistance. In order to do that, I had to resist the urge to attack them all.

    I found myself naked and surrounded by a group of angry wolves, but thankfully none were attacking. All watching me curiously. I took a deep breath hoping they might listen to what I was about to offer. The bag Jet had been carrying in his mouth was on the floor, so I bent down to pick it up, and pulled my wallet out, taking out some money and dropped it on the floor in front of me.

    Figuring I would lead with that, as money talked for most rogues, I looked up. "See that?" I questioned, looking them all in the eye confidently, one by one. "There is more where that came from. But, I need your help."

    A number of the wolves turned to look at one another, before they were suddenly shifting into their filthy and grimy human forms; the very thought, let alone the sight of them, made my skin crawl. One man, tall and dark, moved forward, eyeing me suspiciously.

    "You are Alpha, no?" he asked.

    I shrugged. ¡°Soon, yes. But right now, my father is Alpha and has ordered my pack not to help me. My fated mate has escaped me. I need your help to bring her back." I exined.

    Their faces looked at me in

    confusion. "But fated mate not run

    from their mate. They want to be together A young woman said from

    behind the man. I noted their speaking skills were basic, making

    me question if these ad

    been born as rogues,

    than

    having been kicked from a pack.

    I nodded. ¡°You would think, but she will note back to me. She wants to be a teacher instead of being my Luna. I need her toe back to me."

    I know my words are excluding

    much of the truth. But, in my mind,

    they do not need to know the full details, because then they may never help, or they may demand more money. Right now, I need their help for as little as possible. And I had not expected them to ask so many damn questions! N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    "But why she not want you?" the man who had stepped forward asked. "She not just leave for no reason, no?"

    I frowned. "You want the money or

    not?" I demanded, getting increasingly tired of their questions already. If they weren''t willing to help, it would not take me long to find some rogues that would.

    I saw the man''s eyes drift to the cash on the floor, a hungry look within hs eyes. "What we need to do?"

 Chapter 0241

    Chapter 0241

    "Bring her back to me. However you need." I ordered.

    "Kill people around her?" he looked at me through narrowed eyes.

    "You do what needs to be done to bring my mate back to me. I do not care for those around her. She is going to Autumn Valley Pack. I know that much, as that is her current home where she works. But at present she is traveling there." I exined.

    "Is she to be hurt?" another man behind asked, a dark look upon his face, and I growled, surprising even myself. The thought of him liking the idea of harming Bailey had not sat well with me. Nor with Jet.

    "No. I will deal with her when she is home. She will be punished for going against me." I said coldly.

    "Then I not think we help." The woman said haughtily. "There must be reason she not want to be with him. And now he say he punish her for running. He sound like bad man."

    "La, shut up." The lead man hissed. "This is money for us. It help us. If we not help another group will. The girl will be back with him soon because he will find way. And she will be punished because is what he want. So we will help.

    I smirked at the woman who had tried to defend Bailey. Tried to stand up for her, evidently seeing through me to the evil monster I was beneath my human skin. ¡°Good. First, I must get a hire car. Head toward her pack. Do you have more contacts further away?" I question knowing many rogues do have contacts to help them survive.

    The man nodded. "A few."

    "Would they be willing to help?" I asked, hoping they may be able to be enrolled on this mission too. I needed to get as many on this task as I could That way it was more likely to be a sess, because the moment Bailey stepped foot back into that pack at Autumn Valley, it was going to prove a whole lot harder to bring her home. They would be protecting her. And they were a strong pack. Content belongs

    to NovelDrama.OrgContent held by N?velDrama.Org.

    "I am sure they be convinced for money." He nodded. "You say there is more?"

    I nodded. I could withdraw more cash for them along the way if they proved helpful. "You have a phone or way to contact him, or you, for that matter, so I can reach you?"

    He rummaged around on the floor, digging slightly, pulling out a very old-model cell phone. "We charge when we go to town. Right now is dead."

    e

    I rolled my eyes. Of course. Not like they had electric supply here. But at least they had a phone, even if it was an ancient one that I think looked like it had been released before. was even born! But it still meant | had a way to contact them, but they needed it constantly charged. I may have to find them a cheap motel to stay in...

    "Can we get food first?" the woman who had argued with me demanded. "At least be gentleman and feed us, it been ages since had decent meal, and we need energy to do this for you."

    I looked at them all. They did look rather skinny, Under-fed. Evidently not the best at hunting... no wonder they needed my money! But, what she said was correct, they needed energytoplete the task effectively. Besides, I would need to find somewhere to hire a car. They may be able to help me find somewhere if they already knew the area. I nodded.

    "Fine. Let us do that. You can help with finding somewhere to hire a car. Then we grab food. Reach out to your contacts. I will arrange a motel for you so that the phone stays charged, then I can always be in touch. And then you will begin looking for this mate of mine when we have a n. Understand?" I ordered.

    "Understood." They all spoke calmly, like they regrly made deals with the devil.

    ¡°Good, let us go and get Bailey back where she belongs."

 Chapter 0242

    Chapter 0242

    Agreeing to feed them was a mistake. I should have known that. We went to an all-you-can-eat buffet, and they never seemed to want to fucking stop! Even the staff looked disgusted at the amount of food they were eating. The staff had been far from impressed with the scruffiness of the clothes my new acquaintances had on, and the fact they looked like they had not washed in about a month... but I had given the waitress a tip to allow us to have a table, without question, and she allowed us a table, otherwise I believe we would have been declined entry into the ce to begin with.

    And then as the meal went on, and they were returning time upon time to the buffet, I felt incredibly ashamed. So many eyes upon us... considering they said they rarely ate, you''d think their stomachs would have shrunk, and would limit their ability to eat so excessively, but no. These fuckers were eating anything and everything they physically could. If anything, they would be near emptying the entire buffet. And the dark res from other visitors to the buffet were only confirmation of that. I could see the staff muttering to one another at the waiter''s station, making me wonder if they were debating which one woulde and tell us they could have no more.

    Well, I think I would be doing their job for them, because not only were they being greedy little fucks, they were holding me up in finding Bailey. "Right, I know I said we could get food, but I also need to go and find my mate, remember." I snapped. "You want that money, you get your asses into gear, and we need to get moving. You have eaten enough tost you a fucking lifetime."

    The greedy bastards just smirked at one another but nodded. "We go and find you car now?" the main man suggested. "There hire ce down street."

    If I had known that, I would already have been and arranged it. "I will go and speak with them."

    And quickly I made my way to the car hire office, but the moment I stepped into their parking area my heart felt like it stopped at the sight of a car I had seen earlier. The sly little fuckers... I felt my anger bubbling once again as Jet snarled loudly in fury, only causing my small group of followers to nce at me anxiously wondering if they had angered me.

    "All okay?" one asked.

    I shook my head. "They changed cars. I don''t know what car to look for now." I exined, pointing toward the car I had seen Bailey climb into with her sister only a short time ago. The car that had driven her away from me. I could not believe they had been so devious...

    "We ask for security camera then. See what they leave in." the main man suggested.

    "They won''t give out that information, or allow just anyone to view it." I told him with a look of despair, thinking he was a fool for even believing they would.

    "Then we force them. I can hack system." He smirk.

    I looked at him in surprise. "Oh really?"

    He shrugged like it was nothing. "We rogues, we need to get by. We need to get in ces with no trace. Delete camera proof. Or hackputer." He is smiling at me, like he is proud of the skills they have, yet I am simply shocked, considering I had already dismissed them as being fairly simple... "Well, let''s go!" I urged as we moved to the door.

    "Hi, wee!" thedy behind the desk greeted me with a friendly smile, as the others lingered outside, doing what I was unsure of. But right now, that was not my focus. I needed a hire car to get me to Autumn Valley.

    "Hi." I put on my most charming smile. "I need a hire car please while I am visiting my friends." I lied.

    She nodded with a friendly smile, offering me a teaflet to leaf through to select the most suitable car. In all honesty, there just needed to be a car that got me there quickly, but wanted something that could be sturdy if I needed to go off road too... because who knew where this chase might take us. "One of these should be fine." I pointed to arge truck, simr the one my Dad had.

    She smiled in agreement. "Sounds fine. I just need a few details."

    And then I had to spend some time filling in the paperwork she provided to me, as well as showing her the necessary ID, before providing her my credit card to pay for the car hire. As she processed my payment I feltpelled to ask about the car outside.

    "Did the people whose car that is, leave long ago? I am certain it is my friend''s car." I asked with a friendly smile.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    "Oh the truck?" she looked out of the window in the direction I had pointed. ¡°Hmm, a little while, maybe an hour or so, I didn''t pay attention.¡±

    "What car did they take, do you know?" I quickly asked. "Seems so odd they would hire a car when they have such a nice car already."

    Her eyes narrowed to look at me. "We don''t hand out information, I am afraid."

    I nodded. ¡°Oh, sure, I understand. I will ask him when I see him." I quickly added, so it seemed less suspicious.

    Her face seemed to portray a little less ease now in the conversation after my questioning, as she offered §Ö me my keys. "Your car is the gray one next to the fence, on the right, okay she told me, pointing out of the window. "Thank you. Have a good day. You can return the car here or to any of our depots."

    I nodded. "Great, thanks." I made my way to the door, only wondering now how we would discover what car Bailey was now returning home in, so I could hunt her down, when I heard a loud scuffle around the corner. I couldn''t see the rogues that were meant to be waiting for me. So I quickly followed the noise, not to mention the smell. Only to find another door, which led to an office... a security office. Where right now these delightful, aplices of mine were attacking the guard, who was now currently pinned to the floor, seemingly unconscious, while one of the girls was breaking into the safe, and the main man was toying with the security systemputer. Seems these guys were proving very helpful...

 Chapter 0243

    Chapter 0243

    The atmosphere in the office was tense. No, beyond tense. Initially between Marshall and I when he ordered me to stay in there with him to help deal with the mess - a mess created by his own son''s bad choices, it seemed. And then, after much panic from Kaia that her Dad had in fact died, when Alpha Aaron awoke, he was irate. Furious that Miles had assaulted him, using him of trying to kill him. Which was somewhat of an exaggeration, the boy hadnded a lucky punch,ter helped out by the table as he fell.

    Seemed the Alpha was as overdramatic as his bloody daughter, and they were both beginning to get on my damn nerves when I desperately needed to go to help Bailey. I needed to see what Miles was doing. I had reached out to Ellis and Jordan in the hope they could go and help her, but I had heard no response from them since they agreed they would. So I was currently trapped in an office with a bunch of drama queens and my friend, who right now did not feel much of a friend when he had forced me to stay here against my will, when he knew I wanted to go and protect my daughters. Dick.

    Alpha Aaron was putting all the me for this situation upon us, yet while I cannot deny that Miles had fucked up big time, his daughter was far from innocent in this mess; and he needed to ept that.

    "Is that fucker on his way back here to deal with his mess?" Alpha Aaron demanded haughtily.

    "We have people looking for him." I told him, to which Marshall raised his brows at me in question.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    *Jordan and Ellis went to help Bailey, with strict instructions to bring the little shit back here to clean up his mess.'' I told my friend. ''Though it may be best to ensure warriors are under our orders, not Miles''s, because I do not trust him, Marshall. He is all out for Bailey right now, and that is not fair on her. She deserves a future. Your son is dangerous, and you know he is.'' I mindlinked, and Marshall looked down at his hands, deep in thought, before looking at me with a nod.

    ''You ae right, I will mindlink the warriors, order them all to ept no orders from him. Jordan and Ellis should be able to bring him back. And then we deal with this, though fuck knows how. I don''t think he seems willing to ept anything.'' Marshall looked almost broken right now. Maybe he was beginning to see that years of spoiling his son rotten, and allowing him to run free with no restraints was not the way to go. Whether he was going to be the next Alpha or not, he still needed to learn right from wrong, and he still needed controlling. And right now, this little fucker had no control. Not a fucking ounce of it.

    "Look Alpha, what is it you are

    expecting from us or from Miles21 asked, realizing right now Marshall was mindlinking our warriors, not to mention I think he was struggling with the whole sorry mess

    "I want this situation fixed."

    "So you keep saying. But in what way do you see it being fixed? We can''t bring back somebody who is dead. The marriage is evidently as

    dead as the guy out there. So, Kow do you expect it to be fixed?"

    QUAS

    asked.

    Kaia gasped at my words, her sobs only getting louder, causing me to roll my eyes. She had not stopped bloody crying! Wailing incessantly it was getting tiresome! The Alpha red at me too, likely at my choice of words, but truthfully, I did not give a damn, I was not known for my tact, I said what was needed, and right now these things needed saying. This needed dealing with.

    "We want it dealt with." Alpha Aaron snapped. "So our name is not affected."

    I shook my head in disbelief. So he did not care for his daughter''s feelings, nor for the dead man in our corridor. What he cared for was his family''s reputation. His reputation.

    "So you do not care for the man who was killed?" I could not help myself but question, and Kaia''s wails only became louder.

 Chapter 0244

    Chapter 0244

    "Yes!" she sobbed loudly. "He was my soulmate."

    "He was your soulmate, yet you agreed to marry my son?" Marshall snapped angrily.

    Alpha Aaron rolled his eyes, as I looked at him usingly. "Yet you think you have no me to take for any of this?"

    His eyes narrowed at me. "My daughter made a mistake."

    "I am sure we could say the same for Miles. It had to hurt him seeing the woman he hoped to settle down with, with another man, hence reacting the way he did. I can see this is not going to be solved in the way you see fit. So, I think we are going to have topromise. And that includes you, Alpha." I said curtly, I would happily see Miles punished for what he had done, but right now, I had to put that to one side. I was here as the Beta of the pack. Best friend to Marshall. I needed to act with the pack''s best interests in mind, not my own desire for revenge.

    "You expect me topromise? After everything that has urred? We had a big wedding, there are people out there expecting a happy marriage. A beautiful bride and groom. And instead we have a dead body, a missing groom and a wailing bride. Far from a good image for either pack, is it?" Alpha Aaron snarled at us, and Marshall chuckled.

    "Well, take the wailing bride out of the back door and return home with her. Allow the guests to continue the party. If anyone asks where the bride and groom are, we will say they left for their room, to enjoy their wedding night. Who would know differently? Or question different? Nothing needs to be announced yet. Then we will say the marriage was unsessful in a week or so. Say that chosen mates did not work for either of them. Simple and short. Noplications. No need for long exnations.¡± Marshall suggested with a dismissive shrug.

    Alpha Aaron eyed him like a piece of meat right now. "You know I should be reporting that psycho son of yours to the Werewolf Council? He is a danger not only to himself, his pack, but to other packs. He should not be allowed to be Alpha!"N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    This guy could not be more right!

    iet

    Every word he said was correct in that statement, but I could do nothing about it, or I would be held. for treason against my own pack. Because that is what those within my pack would consider it. Miles did need reporting. Because this was not the first time, not after learning what he did to Harley; and I fear what he did to Harley was likely not the first time either. The boy was dangerous. Too dangerous for the pack.

    "Hmm, him not being Alpha? Well, that is being looked into. As for the Werewolf Council, I would appreciate it if that did not happen. Perhaps another donation to your pack would convince you to keep this between ourselves? Let me reassure you that Miles will be dealt with." Marshall offered, only angering me further now. But Alpha Aaron nodded, a small smirk upon his face. Seemed money did indeed talk.

    The office door suddenly flung open, and I hoped it would be Miles returning to deal with his mess, but instead, it was Jordan and Ellis, both naked, evidently having shifted to get here sooner, and looking more than a little anxious, as their eyes met ours.

    "Miles escaped. We have looked and cannot find him within pack. We have warriors looking for him, and all borders are now locked, but there is no sign of him." Ellis said breathlessly.

    I looked across at Marshall, whose head had dropped into his hand, while Alpha Aaron''s eyes red angrily, before he looked at Marshall.

    ¡°I shall be in touch about your offer. I

    shall leave you to deal with this." And with that he grabbed his

    daughter by the arm and dragged et her from the office, leaving est

    of us standing in shock, now- wondering how best to deal with finding Miles. This sorry mess only got worse...

 Chapter 0245

    Chapter 0245

    The journey felt like it wassting an eternity. But we had ditched Marc''s car, he said, for an additional safety measure, so if Miles managed to get on our tails he''d at least be looking for the wrong car. Something I don''t think I''d ever have considered in a bid to escape. Evidently, Marc was better skilled at this sort of thing than me. But as things were, the car ride was now calm and Marc seemed at ease, which told me things were likely good.

    If he seemed on edge, which he had at the beginning, then I knew we had to worry. He had taken it upon himself to be the sole protector for Morgan and me right now, and he had been frequently reassuring Asher on the phone that he would be taking care of us before we cut the call.

    I thought it was sweet he was so concerned about us... or maybe me. Perhaps the other day had been nothing more than an overreaction caused by a build up of emotions and a messed up mind... there was no denying my mind was messed up from all the stuff going on over thest few years! I needed to make it up to Asher when we got home.

    ''Wow. Home?'' Akira questioned with a hint of sarcasm in her tone. ''Already set then are we? Decided Autumn Valley is our home?'' she was so clearly teasing, and I chose not to respond.

    Yet, I found myself smiling at her words. I hadn''t even considered my thoughts then. But, it was my home right now, regardless of where my pack may be. However, I have to say, I felt more content in Autumn Valley Pack than I did in Lotus Shadow Pack. Happier... and more settled. And, I think so much of that was because of Asher. The more I think about what he said on the phone, I think I do want him to speak with the Alpha. Formally take me into the pack. I just wish I had asked sooner. I have no doubt Luna Eden would have epted without a second''s thought, especially if I had exined my reasoning for leaving my home pack.

    I nced down at the buzzing phone in my hand to see a message from Harley. And I released a long breath of relief as I opened the message.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Just a quick one, ''sweetcheeks'' haha. It is Dana, here, Harley is driving, but I wanted to let you know that we are on our way back to our pack. Harl dyed that psycho as best as he could, but I didn''t want to put him at risk, or at least not for too long, not with the baby on the way. He did fight valiantly though. We escaped in your Dad''s car, leaving it at the packhouse, to collect our own. As we left Miles, your brother and Ellis arrived, so Harl said hopefully they had dyed him even longer or took him back to the packhouse.

    It was so nice meeting you. Though I won''t lie, I wish we never epted the offer of an invite to the wedding now, but think they invited all pack members and former pack members, and Harley had wanted a chance to see you were okay, and it meant I got a chance to meet you. We will arrange something soon. Just wanted to let you know we are okay.

    D&H

    I smiled as I read her message, so relieved they were on their way home, and they were safe. That had been weighing heavily on my mind since the moment we had left them ready to battle with Miles. I know how he fights, and it definitely is not fairly. But,

    y. But, the fact that Ellis and Jordan had thene along meant it was likely Miles had been taken back to the packhouse. That had to be good for us. It meant we had so much more of a chance to get back to Autumn Valley safely with no further issues. I snuggled into the seat, nning to snooze for a little while as I was more than shattered after the stress after today. I would reply to Dana and Harley when I get home...

    Suddenly, I was swung into the door of the car, jerking me awake. I blinked, quickly trying to adjust my eyes, as I heard Morgan scream. "Be careful!" "I''m trying!" Marc growled.

    Through sleepy eyes I could see the fear upon Marc''s face, as I saw him battling to get the car back under control. "Are you okay?" I asked, knowing it was the silliest of questions because right now the car was swerving back and forth across the road. Marc appeared to have lost control of it.

    "Someone just appeared in front of the car. He swerved to miss them, but I think he hit something else." Morgan said, her voice trembling with nerves.

    My heart was pounding heavily as I

    looked out of the window, trying to get a nce at what Marc had hit, but could see nothing. But as I looked around, I was sure the road was familiar, this was the road to town from Autumn Valley, I was sure of it, Set deep within the forests, the road running through the middle of the trees, it felt suddenly intimidating. Imposing. We needed to get out of here. Stopping here would not be a good idea, even with a warrior by our side. But, suddenly, the car came to a screeching halt, the engine making a strange hissing noise.

    Morgan looked back at me, terror within those beautiful eyes of hers. "We will be okay, right?"

    "Course you will. I am here, baby. And I can fix cars." Marc said with a shrug. "I just need to see what damage there is." And with that he stepped from the car, flipping the bo to go and see if he could fix the car. I truly hoped he could. I did not want to be here too long, especially with the fact it was getting darker now...

    My eyes were frequently falling into the darkness of the forest either side of us, something that normally I found great calmness in. Always loving running through the trees, or rxing as I sat enjoying the stillness and calm of the forest. The peace and quiet. The sereneness. But today the forest felt nothing but dangerous.

    "Should I call Asher?" I suggested to Morgan, who was still sitting in the car with me. "He may be able toe and help?" I suggested, and she nodded eagerly.

    But as I nced down at my phone, I

    realized there was no service. I

    couldn''t call him, and I think we would be too far out for Marc to use his mind link too. Right now, we were isted within the forest, while Marc fixed the car. My heart dropped as I looked out of the car once more, as I was certain there were eyes out in the forest watching us...

 Chapter 0246

    Chapter 0246

    I had chosen to drive with the rogues with me for arge portion of the journey, despite us all being fast in our wolf form, we didn''t have the resilience to maintain that speed for longer lengths of time, and a car was always going to be quicker. Plus, being in the car would keep us on the more likely route that Bailey and the others had taken. I needed to get to her and bring her back to me. The incessant calls to my phone were bing tiresome now, but they were easy to ignore, and no doubt my father, brother and others from my pack who were attempting to call would be far more tired of attempting to contact me than I would by rejecting their calls.

    I did not need to answer their calls to know what they wanted me for. They wanted me back there to deal with this mess with Kaia. They wanted me back to prevent me gaining ess to Bailey. Why they suddenly felt the need to protect her after being so blindly oblivious to the shit we put her through for so many years, I do not know. Their attention had always been so intensely focused on Jordan and I over the years, with us being the heirs to the Alpha and Beta titles, it had so easily distracted them from all else; and sweet little Morgan had a way to garner their attention too, with her being the youngest, not to mention being so demanding. Bailey was easily forgotten about; and I guess in many ways so was my brother. So this sudden need to protect her and be there for her reeked of guilt in my view.

    After their many calls were rejected, many messages began to pop up too. I had received so many messages, like they thought I would take notice!

    Miles.

    This needs dealing with. Bailey is not a priority right now, this marriage is. You are risking our pack here and I will not tolerate it.

    Dad.

    Bro,

    Not cool running off on us. We are meant to be able to trust you, and you do that? Now we have to go and deal with your mess. You need to leave Bailey alone, or I will not be responsible for the shit you have to face from me, and my Dad - likely the rest of the pack too. You chose to reject her, nobody else. You deal with the consequences. She deserves a life now - and that is a life without you!

    So get your fucking ass back here and grow the fuck up!

    Jordan.

    Miles.

    Do not keep ignoring me. We dealt with Kaia and her father, but that does not mean we do not need you back here to sort the situation properly. You killed a man today. That cannot be ignored!

    Dad.

    Listen here you little shit. You think yourself the big man now, huh? All because you managed to escape? Kill some random warrior? That means little. When you are an Alpha, Miles, you should be able to do that. But here is when you prove whether you have the ability to be a fucking man. To be a GOOD man. A GOOD Alpha. Because neither one of them runs away from their mistakes, and right now that is exactly what you are doing. You made some huge mistakestely. Not to mention forcing a woman against her will being the sickest thing to do.

    Time to step up, little boy. So, want to be the Alpha you im you are? Get your pathetic ass back to the pack then, and leave Bailey be. Or there will be consequences.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Uncle D.

    I could tell from their messages not one of them could see why I was doing what nned, they were solely focused on their own reputation''s and the reputation of the pack. They did not care about how I was feeling. They did not seem to realize that for me to be the strong Alpha our pack needed, kneeded that girl. I needed Bailey, and she would being home with me.

 Chapter 0247

    Chapter 0247

    But, I was not going to allow them or their calls and messages to stop me from fulfilling my goal. I

    was going to get to Bailey, and I would be returning her to the pack, making her my mate, the way

    fate had initially intended. Even if I had rejected her. I now needed her. She was suitable as my

    mate now, and I needed the strength she could bring; and having heard the way in which Kaia had

    spoken, I think I underestimated the benefits of intelligence.

    Previously, Bailey''s intelligence had done nothing but irritate me. Making me feel inferior to her,

    despite being her uing Alpha. She had always had the ability to talk to me in a way that made

    me feel stupid because of the things that she knew, without even realizing it, and I hated her for

    that. Despised her. Yet, seeing Kaia, I wonder if Bailey was like that as a defense mechanism. And,

    when I thought about it, I had seen I could easily use Bailey¡¯s intelligence to my gain in my running

    of the pack¡­ in my ns to change things¡­ whether pack members liked it or not.

    ¡°All our contacts have been contacted now.¡± The head rogue spoke up from my side, snapping me

    from my over-running thoughts. Causing me to look in his direction, as he added. ¡°They are wanting

    to ensure they get paid. They not doing nothing without funds.¡±

    ¡°Money will be provided the moment Bailey is handed over. Gives them a reason to try harder to

    find her.¡± I said coldly. I had no n of allowing any sly little fuckers to try to have me over. "If they

    want the money, they will do as they are asked. There are plenty more rogues I can ask."

    He sighed before nodding, telling me he knew I was right. Rogues were renowned for being

    underhand. Doing tasks for packs for cash, usually illegal things that the pack cannot do

    themselves. Anything for money. ¡°I inform them. They spread across areas between here and her

    new pack.¡±

    I felt a deep growl slip from my lips. ¡°That is not her new pack. Simply one she has been working at.

    That fucking ce will never be her new pack! My pack is her home and will always remain

    that way!¡±

    The rogues within my car all looked at one another with judgmental eyes. I could only imagine what

    their thoughts were right now, but I did not care. They were pathetic excuses for werewolves that

    had no ce in our werewolfmunity, hence being rogues. No pack wanted them, making them

    the lowest of the low. Worthy of nothing and no one. So they were in no position to judge me!

    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    ¡°A figure of speech is all.¡± He said nervously. ¡°But they have been told, so they will be ready to act

    now. All ready to look for this girl. We know car now. Now we look for her more easy. So let us go

    find her.¡±

    I could only hope he was right. Their attack on the security guard and this crazy fucker¡¯s ability to

    hack theputer system had meant he had been able to find us the information we needed to

    gain ess to the security system to watch the camera footage of Bailey, Morgan and her man as

    they arrived at the car hire shop to collect a new car. Likely thinking they were being clever. Well, I

    can assume they never thought I would be arriving to investigate right behind them. Gaining the

    information we needed was as easy as taking candy from a baby with the help of these guys¡­ so I

    can only hope now, with their assistance, the rest of the mission went my way too.

 Chapter 0248

    Chapter 0248

    I had worked tirelessly on the car. But nothing I did seemed to make a difference. Fuck knows what was wrong with it. I was increasingly aware of the rogues lingering, but I did nothing to anger them, knowing that with the number that were known to be in this area, I stood no hope of protecting the girls if they were to turn on us. It was best to continue with trying to fix the car and hope they went on their way, leaving us alone. That was what we needed...

    The moment Morgan stepped from the car my wolf was going wild with apprehension. He knew it was not good. If the rogues got the scent of the girls, they were more likely toe closer... more likely to attack. That was why I had intentionally spilled some of the fuel from the can on the edge of the road to confuse their senses. The strong sense of car fuel was overwhelming for their noses, and I had hoped it would detract from the overpowering scent of the she-wolves.

    Rogues do not always have many she-wolves around, putting females more at risk when around them. I did not know what they might do knowing the girls were here. I understood the girls were restless. They wanted to get home, and so did I. I had tried persistently to mindlink, but where we were was a dead spot, for both phones and my mindlink. Just slightly too far out of the range of our pack link. I needed back up... I knew that. I needed Asher. He would never forgive me if something were to happen to Bailey. Damn, I don''t think I could forgive myself. That girl had been through so much already, I did not need to be the reason she came to further harm. And I would be beyond forgiveness if anything were to happen to my mate. The moment the wolves surrounded us, I knew we were fucked. There were more of them than I realized when I had looked up. They seemed toe from everywhere, and they were looking at us with purpose. Bailey''s suggestion of shifting and running back to pack was our only hope now. We had no other option. But, it was not going to be straight forward. Not with a bunch of fucking rabid rogues on our asses, desperate to get to us... desperate to get their filthy ws into us... or what was probably more likely was get their ws into the girls.

    As we shifted and began to run, I could only hope the girls did as I asked and stuck together. We needed to stick together to give ourselves the strongest chance. If we didn''t, then the wolves would decimate us, of that I was certain. And the moment we began picking up speed, the wolves worked to target us individually. Them working in smaller groups to separate us. My gut was instantly to protect Morgan as a wolf flew at me, my wolf biting into the flesh of the nk of a wolfing at me... the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth...

    A loud whimper from Morgan''s wolf as one of the wolves targeting her dragged her down caused my wolf to growl deeply, somehow giving me an additional surge of strength to pounce forward, getting to my mate, dragging the wolf upon her away. Teeth deep in his neck as I snapped it. Only as I looked up did I realize Bailey''s wolf was nowhere to be seen. In the mayhem that had been urring she seemed to have fled, and the other wolves were retreating. I could only hope she had managed to escape them. But a sinking feeling lingered in my gut, with a question hanging in my mind: Had they specifically been targeting Bailey?!

    ''Morgan? You okay? We need to get to pack. Get help.'' I mindlinked her, knowing we can''t mindlink Bailey as she doesn''t yet share our mindlink. I only wish Eden and Caleb had considered this earlier. Considered the need to keep her safe while she was in the pack, and made her part of her pack, if only a temporary one. Asher''s suggestion made so much sense. That fucker of a former fated mate of hers was poison, and the more I think of it, the more I realized this whole thing reeked of him. He had likely found a way to enlist rogues to help him. He was evil enough. Fuck, he likely controlled rogues, he was that fucked up...

    ''Yeah. I will be okay. Mimi is injured, I think, but she will be okay. Come on." Morgan''s wolf twists herself back to standing, and I can see arge wound down her left side. Blooding weeping out. My wolf quickly rushed forward to lick along the wound to assist in it''s healing, knowing a mate''s saliva helped in that, as we made our way back to the pack. Knowing Morgan needed treatment, and in the knowledge that within pack we had back up. We could get the help there we so desperately needed to ensure Bailey was safe too.

    The run to pack felt like an eternity, all the while keeping a close eye out for Bailey. So desperate to find her, but there was no sight. Asher was going to be so angry with me!

    As we got a little closer to the pack | knew my mindlink would work, but at the same time I was more than a little tentative in telling him what had happened... he would never forgive me... no, I needed to do this.

    ''Ash?''Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    ''Are you home? I have been waiting all fucking day! Where are you, so I can meet you?'' Asher''s voice sounded so excited even through the link, I knew now I was about to break his heart.

    ''Ash, I am sorry... ''I began.

    ''No. No.'' Asher interrupted. ''Do not tell me she is dead Marc. I cannot lose another.'' His voice is trembling.

    ''No.'' I told him abruptly. ''But we have been attacked. She is trying to evade the rogues in the forest near the pack. The car broke down and they came fokus. I tried to protect the girls. Told them to stick together, but I think she bolted as they came for her I have tried to find her, don''t know where she is. But, the way they retreated from us tells me this was not a normal rogue attack. This was nned, Ash. I think he arranged it.''

    ''Fuck no. I am on my way. I will get more warriors. And with that he was gone. I could only hope we could

    find her. could never live with myself if Bailey were toe to any harmThe thing is, if this was arranged by Miles, I don''t think he would want her dead. He would have her returned to him, and then her life

    might as well be over. We needed to act fast.

 Chapter 0249

    Chapter 0249

    Having spoken to Bailey, and heard her voice, I felt on top of the world. I knew she was on her way home to me. Things seemed to be good. I had spoken to Eden, and a formal ce in the pack was guaranteed. Eden did not need much convincing, as Bailey was her new best friend. They got along so well, and were forever messaging from what Caleb told me.

    Marc was doing everything he needed to keep them safe, and I had no doubt within my mind that they should be back anytime. Zion was pacing heavily within my mind though. I do not think he would settle until Bailey was back here, by our side, and where we could protect her. I had been to her room, a beautiful bouquet of flowers awaited her, along with a beautiful hamper of chocte. I had a feeling I knew which she was likely to love the most... but either way, I just hoped they brought a smile to her face.

    It was time for my girl to be treated properly. To have a smile on her face more often. I was ready to prove to her what she meant to me. I had been scared for too long to admit what my feelings truly meant.

    Time seemed to be dragging... slower than slow, so I had decided to head to my office to get some paperwork done, when suddenly a mindlink came through. One I did not expect, and one I did not want to hear.

    ''Ash?'' I knew that voice. Marc. Which had to mean they were home. My heart raced excitedly at the prospect of seeing Bailey. I could escape the paperwork, and finally see her! Spend time with her. Show her how much I had missed her...

    ''Are you home? I have been waiting all fucking day! Where are you, so I can meet you?'' I blurted out, unable to hold back my excitement. I don''t care what Marc thinks anymore, after thest few days, I think it is safe to say he already knows how I feel about Bailey.

    ''Ash, I am sorry... He began, and it was at that moment my heart tightened. Contorted in pain. Zion crumbled in despair. It was happening again, wasn''t it?

    ''No. No.'' I quickly interrupted. ''Do not

    tell me she is dead Marc. I cannot lose another. My voice wobbled. The very thought of Bailey being gone tore me apart. I felt like I was shattering. Not seeing her again... not hearing herugh... or seeing that beautiful smile... I felt like my heart was shattering into a million pieces. This cannot happen to me. Not again. What had I done to deserve to go through this again?!

    ''No.'' Marc suddenly spoke, his voice more than a little abrupt. ''But we have been attacked. She is trying to evade the rogues in the forest near the pack The car broke down and they came for us. I tried to protect the girls. Told them to stick together, but think she bolted as they came for her. I have tried to find her. I don''t know where she is. But, the way they retreated from us tells me this was not a normal rogue attack. This was nned, Ash. I think he arranged it.''

    His words registered within my mind. It all made perfect sense. Of course it did. He had wanted her back. He had tried to stop her leaving his back to no avail, so he had found another way to bring her home Rogues were known to do anything for money... and now they had helped that evil bastard to attack my beautiful girl to drag her back to that psycho. To force her to be his mate. No. This cannot happen! My heart ached at the very thought, while anger raced through every pore... my vision blurred with fury. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    ''Fuck no. I am on my way. I will get more warriors.'' I snapped through the link, as I charged from my office. The desperate need to get to Bailey taking over now. She needed our help, and she needs it now. And this time it wasn''t just me, this was the whole pack.

 Chapter 0250

    Chapter 0250

    ''Warriors.'' I sent out a general mindlink. ''Bailey West, our teacher from Lotus Shadow Pack, who lives on pack, is out in the forest alongside the northern route to the nearby town. Rogues on her tail, likely to kidnap her for her former fated mate. All help needed to bring her back here. Now! Urgent help needed.''

    ''Receieved.'' Multiple mindlnks came through to me, as I flew through the main doors of the pack, Caleb and Eden walking up the steps, their children both in their arms as they did.

    "Not time to talk. Bailey being attacked in the forest." I yelled, as I ran toward the forest.

    "No!" I heard Eden wail, when suddenly I heard footsteps alongside me. Caleb...

    Seems, I had my friend and Alpha to help me find her, and battle these fuckers. Hopefully, we would get to her in time. I don''t think I could survive losing her. ''Right what is going on?'' Caleb mindlinked as we headed to the treeline.

    ''She has been to a wedding. Her former fated mate''s, who rejected her because he never saw her as good enough. Wedding not gone to n. And he decided he wanted Bailey back. Allplicated and fufked up, Cal. But she is in danger. Marc was trying to protect them, but the car broke down, and rogues came for them. But I think the ex paid them to help him. We need to help her, or he will trap her in her pack. She doesn''t want that.'' I exined through the link as we ran, trying to keep things as basic as I could.

    ''Shit. Why did I not know about any of this?'' He asked, and in truth I didn''t know what to say, other than the truth.

    ''She didn''t tell anyone. Didn''t want anyone thinking badly of her.''

    ''But why would we think badly of her when this was not her fault? She needed protection from this. Is he dangerous?'' Caleb asked through the link, and in truth, I am unsure just how dangerous this uing Alpha is. But the more I hear, the more I fear the risk he brings to Bailey.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    ''He is her pack''s uing Alpha.

    And he is a fucking nut-job. Let''s just say that much, yeah?'' I exined, as I allowed Zion to push forward, my bones cracking and dislocating, into the smooth and easy transition which I have easily mastered while on the move, which is vital when in battle or needing to get somewhere fast.

    Zion was soon in control. His sleek and strong Beta wolf form running, while Caleb''s strong and skilled Alpha wolf, Thor, is alongside him, both of them pounding along the forest floor now. Noses in the air, desperate to pick up a scent of Bailey or some rogues. Anything to give us a scent to let us know where she may be.

    The uing Alpha?'' Caleb asks, as he allows Thor to take control. ''And he rejected her? Why would he do that?''

    ''Not a clue. She is perfect.'' I said without thinking as Zion dodged and darted through the trees, seeming to follow a scent now, and Thor was doing the same.

    There was a deep chuckle through the link before Caleb spoke. ''Oh, she is perfect is she?'' and I realized what I had done, but it was irrelevant right now. ''Something you want to tell me?''

    ''Yeah. Bailey is perfect. And I need to bring her home, Cal. I want to make her mine.'' I said without faltering. Knowing now that I had never meant my words more. I just hope that between us and our warriors we were able to do exactly that, well, bringing her home, at least... the making her mine, that was purely down to me!

 Chapter 0251

    Chapter 0251

    Hearing everything Asher had told me had shocked me. This poor girl had been through a lot. There

    had been slivers of information that Eden had identally mentioned, and then sworn me never to

    mention ¨C she had never been the best at keeping secrets. But, my mate liked to talk about this new

    teacher we had epted into our pack. One that we evidently knew very little about when we

    agreed to hire her.

    Bailey hade across so well when we interviewed her; though in truth, the things I had learned

    did not change my opinion of her. The things she had gone through did not change the woman she

    was. If anything, they made me view her even more highly. Made me see her as being even

    stronger. And I knew my wife thought incredibly highly of her too.

    Bailey had be a firm friend of my wife. So I knew a little of Bailey¡¯s difficult times; but never had

    I known the severity of the mess she found herself in. She needed assistance, of that there was no

    denying, and I only wish she had spoken up sooner, because we would have provided it without

    question. I would never allow someone to endure the things she was and not offer our help. But, I

    think a small part of me understood why she may have kept quiet.

    This young she-wolf had been a wonderful friend to my mate, bringing a smile to her face again

    after the loss of her friend. Giving her the hope of a new friendship, and that alone had meant the

    world, both to Eden, and to me. Because seeing my mate struggling broke me. Not knowing how to

    help her. But this new friendship seemed to pick her up, in a way I could not. It gave her someone to

    gossip with again. They would regrly meet for a coffee, and message one another; and it seemed

    to work wonders for Eden.

    And then there were the skills Bailey had brought to the school. Bailey was loved by the children,

    the staff and the parents alike and fitted in immediately. She had soon be an asset to the pack,

    despite the fact she was not a formal member. I would have offered her an official ce within our

    pack without doubt, especially had I known she had been battling issues in her home pack. I think

    most in the pack would agree with me too. Everyone treated her like she was already part of the

    pack, so I knew she would be weed.

    And for Asher to then admit his feelings for her, that hit me like a fucking freight train. I had not seen

    thating, yet it made so much sense! After he lost I, I had sat many a night with him, offering

    my support as he mourned her loss. Trying to be the best friend I could, while being unsure how to

    help him as I saw him falling apart. But hoping one day he may find another she-wolf that could

    have found a ce within his heart. I knew nobody could ever take the ce of his fated mate, but

    there could always be the potential space for another love; of that I was sure. And I desperately

    hoped one day a she-wolf woulde into Asher''s life that had that potential.

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Seemed that exact she-wolf hade into our pack out of the blue, and into Asher''s life, and I had

    completely missed it! And if Asher was having these feelings for Bailey, how had I missed it? I knew

    I had been so tired ofte, having a new little one at home, and then getting back into the flow of

    work; it must be that causing me to have been oblivious to it. Completely unaware, and missing the

    signs of my friend falling for the new teacher within the pack.

    Yet I had noticed differences in him. I know I had ¨C because I had even pointed them out to my

    mate! Asher had seemed lighter in himself¡­ more carefree again¡­ even the asional prank

    being pulled again¡­ but Eden kept dismissing it, telling me I was imagining it, so I tried telling

    myself it had been in my mind. Wishful thinking on my part, that the old Asher wasing back.

    Because it hurt that I had lost my friend when he lost his mate, because he had lost himself.

 Chapter 0252

    Chapter 0252

    Hister nights within the office seemed to have been reduced, and now I cannot help but wonder if

    that was to give him time with the beautiful Bailey. After all, they were both residing in the

    packhouse together. Had they be close, and now he had allowed himself to open his heart to

    another, she was so close to being cruelly ripped from him? No. I cannot allow that to happen. Not

    after the pain losing I had caused him.

    ¡®Thor, we need to find that girl. For Ash. Now!!¡¯ I ordered my wolf. Determination rushed through me,

    which my wolf had to have sensed as his pace only seemed to have picked up.

    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    ¡®I know, dumbass.¡¯ He grumbled, like he did not appreciate my snappiness. But I was so desperate

    now to find her. And the more our wolves scooted between the many trees within the darkness of

    the forest, there seemed to be no trace of Bailey. Was Marc sure it was here she had headed? My

    mind filled with the possibilities of what the rogues could have done to the poor girl if they had

    singled her out to get her alone, and it was not pleasant... if Asher''s theory was right, and they had

    been sent by her former mate to kidnap her, we may stand no chance of finding her...

    ¡®I think they may have already got her, Cal.¡¯ Asher linked, and I could already detect the defeated

    tone to his link. No, we could not give up. We had to continue to look. She still had to be here. She

    was a strong wolf. I had seen her running a number of times, early in the morning before work.

    Eden said she trained twice a day too, though with a Beta for a father that did not surprise me.

    ¡®No. Do not think like that. We will find her. Warriors are out too, right?¡¯ I questioned, knowing he

    would have sent them, and already able to detect their scent in the forest ahead of us.

    ¡®Yes. But why can we not find her?¡¯ he grumbled. He was slowly losing hope. But I knew why. I

    had been his everything and when he lost her it had changed Asher forever. The happy, go-lucky,

    and carefree guy I had grown up with was gone. The joker of the pack left with his mate. He

    changed overnight, and it hurt me to see that change. Only through support and the inner-strength

    of Asher nd his wolf did he survive. But, I truly do not think he could survive it again. Not when it had

    taken him so long to even contemte opening his heart to another.

    Suddenly, Thor skidded to a halt, his nose was in the air, and as he tilted his head to the side, I

    could catch a glimpse of Zion at his side doing the same. They had detected something¡­

    And soon they were off again, at a slower pace, noses down, side by side. As close as brothers, like

    Asher and me¡­ and as they turned the corner there was a bloodied Baileyid on the forest floor.

    With not a rogue in sight. Which made no sense with regard to Asher¡¯s theory, something clearly

    panicked them¡­ or did they break their allegiance to the uing Alpha? But right now that was

    irrelevant, we needed to help Bailey¡­ And Asher had already shifted, and was on his knees next to

    the wounded body of the woman he loved, tears in his eyes¡­

 Chapter 0253

    Chapter 0253

    After what felt like far too long pacing the forest floor, our wolves pushing themselves to their very edge in a bid to find Bailey, we finally caught a scent. Zion was whimpering. Whimpering so loudly, saying he smelt her scent. Far too strong, along with blood. The scent was bringing him to the point of breaking. He loved her now as much as I did, I think. And as they continued to run in the trail of that scent, we soon came across her. The broken and damaged naked body of Bailey wasid battered, bloodied and bruised upon the forest floor. My heart felt like it shattered at the sight and Zion whimpered even more loudly the moment weid eyes upon her. He ran toward her, before pushing me forward, allowing me to shift. My body soon cracking and twisting back to my human form, before I dropped to my knees to be by Bailey''s side, battling the tears that were filling my eyes. Our reunion was never meant to be like this!

    I had hoped to run to her, envelop her in a tight hug, maybe even spin her around, before telling her how much I had missed her. Then find her lips with mine, and I was sure then my heart would have been racing so fast... but I had nned to tell her at this point I loved her. Tell her just what she meant to me. Something I had been fighting for a while now... something I had been terrified to admit...even to myself, but I knew it; and I was so desperate to share it with Bailey.

    But now... now as I looked down at her injured body, I feared I may not get the chance. Her former fated mate had been so determined to bring as much chaos to Bailey''s life as he could, and today he had done exactly that. Before we were finally able to free her from their restraints.

    As my eyes darted over Bailey''s beautiful face, the tears were bing harder to fight, but I was able to quickly check her breathing, and released a huge sigh as I realized she was in fact still breathing. They hadn''t killed her. She was still alive. But, looking at the injuries, and the fact I was not a doctor, I didn''t know for how long she might be alive, or if her wolf was even healing her.

    We needed to get her back to the pack hospital. They could care for her properly there. Give her the treatment she needed, and hopefully save her life. Bring her back to me. I gently stroked her hair back from her face, but her eyes were closed, and there was no reaction... her skin felt cool to the touch, and I was terrified she was slipping away. Zion paced heavily in the pits of my mind, on edge, not sure what was happening, and in pain at seeing the she-wolf we had both been falling for hurt and damaged in front of us. We had not been able to protect her... Bailey may not be my mate, but once again I had failed in protecting the one I loved... Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    ''Help me Cal.mindlink, needing his assistance, and he was soon shifting to put himself beside me, as we lifted her between us, until she was snug against my chest. Her breathing was low, and I feared for her health right now. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    "Why do you think they didn''t take her, if you think her former mate sent them?" Caleb asked me as we began to walk through the trees.

    "No clue. Something spooked them maybe? But right now, I don''t care, because she is still here. We can get her the help she needs." I said, as I felt a lone tear slide down my cheek.

    "The fact she is in her human form

    seems odd too, Ash, if she was trying to escape from rogues." Caleb said with a deep sigh, something I had already considered, but coulde up with no answer for. If she had been running from them, as Marchad said, she was in her wolf form. Something had caused her to shift back to her human form. Was it to yell for help? Did she think she was closer to pack? Were they trying to kidnap her? I honestly could not work it out... my mind was working overtime with worry and theories.

 Chapter 0254

    Chapter 0254

    "I will mindlink the hospital, Ash, get them to meet us at the treeline with a car to get her to the hospital sooner, right? Along with a doctor." Caleb said, and I nodded, he made sense. I don''t know why I hadn''t thought of that. I don''t think my mind was functioning properly right now. Or the worries were taking over my mind. But Caleb was here by my side, and he was doing what I needed him to. Being the friend I needed.

    "I will call the warriors back." I suggested, and Caleb nodded.

    ¡°Unless you want them looking for the rogues?" he offered, and I shrugged, as we began to walk, while I considered his words. I didn''t know what was best right now. My head was battered. I don''t know what would be the most effective thing to do. If they had been brought into this by that sick bastard, were they truly to me? But then we needed answers... we could interrogate them if they were found.

    "I don''t know. Are they to me? Or is it him?" I said with a sigh, my whole body a confused mess of feelings and emotions at that instant, desperately in need of getting Bailey to the hospital and getting her the help she needed.

    "Let me deal with it, Ash. You focus on getting Bailey to the hospital." Caleb tells me, and I nodded, he might be better equipped right now to think straight and make sensible decisions. I knew I wasn''t able to.

    "Thanks Cal." I whispered, as I nced down at Bailey, still unconscious in my arms, another tear trailing down my cheek.

    Caleb looked across at me as we approached the treeline. "You love her, don''t you?" he asked, and I

    nodded. There was no point in hiding things now. I wanted this to be out in the open. I wanted to be with her. But, I needed her to be okay for that to happen.

    Caleb smiled at me. "Then we need to make sure that girl is okay, she deserves the best of treatment if she is going to be putting up with your sorry ass" He winked, as we came through the trees to find ourselves blinded by the headlights of a truck, and the pack hospital''s lead doctor waiting for us. He had wasted no time in making his way here to meet us after Caleb had mindlinked. But I had never been so d to see him!

    "Right, let us get this youngdy fixed, right?" Dr Lambert said with a sad smile, motioning for us to bring her to the car. "Shorts for you boys in the back, figured you might need them Lay Miss West in the back, you can sit with her Beta. Let us go." Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    ¡°I am going to go and join the warriors. Find these rogues. Ash will go with you to the hospital though." Caleb said, with a nod in my direction, as I climbed into the car with Bailey, now by my side,id across the seats.

    ''I will get them found, and they will be punished. You focus on being there for her. Getting her better.'' Caleb mindlinked me, as the doctor drove us away toward the hospital. I can only pray to the moon goddess right now that they are able to save my girl.

 Chapter 0255

    Chapter 0255

    The wolves had gone. Leaving Marc and I alone in the forest... well, I say alone, they were nowhere in sight, yet I still felt we were being watched. I could not shake that feeling the whole way back to the pack. I hated it. Marc was adamant that we make our way back to the safety of the pack; but I did not want to leave my sister out there alone. Not knowing rogues were out there trying to get her. But my mate guided me home, telling me my injuries were too bad to allow me to look for my sister and that he would arrange help toe; and I had to trust him. Mimi was in so much pain, I could feel it through our bond...

    And as I shifted back to my human form, my bones twisting into ce it hurt more than it had done in a long time. My wolf, Mimi, had been injured and while Marc''s wolf had desperately tried to help the healing process, I am not sure whether she had been fully healed as she gave me control back. But somehow I was able to shift back.

    I looked across at Marc with an empty feeling inside of me. There was no sign of Bailey. I had desperately hoped she may have arrived pack in pack before us; I knew she was fast in her wolf form; but as my eyes darted around the area of pack we had walked into there was no sign of her.

    "Have they heard anything?" I asked my mate, knowing he had asked for help. He had reached out for support, so surely they would keep him updated. But he slowly shook his head, and at that moment I wanted to go back out and look for my sister. Whether I was injured or not. She should not be out there alone. She needed us. My eyes darted back to the trees...

    "You can''t go back out, baby." Marc wrapped his big, strong arms around me. ¡°I know you want to, but you are hurt, and you need to recover. Asher is out there, as are some warriors. He let me know he had got them helping too. They will be searching for her. They will let us know."

    "But what if they are toote?" I felt tears filling my eyes. What if they have already captured her? If Miles had her, then we might have no hope.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    "Then we will go to Lotus Shadow to bring her home." Marc said with a determination that shocked me.

    "Marc, Lotus Shadow is her home." I pointed out, though he already knew that.

    "Not if Asher wants to make her his mate." he told me sharply, and I felt a ripple of shock running through

    me. I knew Asher liked my sister et

    and it

    it was fairly evident he had an

    effect on her too, but had it be that serious? Did Asher want to make my sister his chosen mate?!

    "Really?!" I found myself questioning.

    "I think that is what he is realizing he wants, yeah, He has been falling for her since she arrived. They are good for each other." Marc exined, and I could see from the look upon his face he was hoping that it could happen. "I think he fought it out of guilt. For I."

    "Your sister?" I asked, and he nodded with a sad smile.

    "Asher struggled so badly with losing her. He has never so much looked at another she-wolf, so getting close to Bailey has shocked him and scared him in equal measures, think. He didn''t see it at first, then denied there was anything there, avoided it. Until it hit him like a wrecking ball. Now, he wants nothing more than her. I think he is maybe worried about how me and Mum may feel too, but we saw it happening from the beginning, and we want nothing more than him to be happy." Marc said, emotion heavy in his voice, and I tightened my grip on him. "We know he loved I, and that won''t change. But, she is gone, he can''t be alone forever, holding onto her memory and the pain of losing her. That would destroy him."

    "I wish Bai knew that." I sobbed.

    "Well, hopefully soon enough she will." Marc told me. "But right now we need to do all we can to bring her home. So give your Dad a call. Tell him what has happened. They need to know what Miles has done."

    "We don''t know if the rogues are linked to him. You said yourself that area is always heavy with them." I suggested, and the dark look that passed over Marc''s face told me I had annoyed him, and I instantly regretted my words.

    "Are you defending him?" he snapped. "I am going off the fact the moment you and I were together they retreated and went after Bailey. That indicates the attack was targeting her. Does that not tell you it was him? How else would the rogues know to target her?"

 Chapter 0256

    Chapter 0256

    I looked up at my mate, his handsome features angry, and I felt guilt flooding me. I hadn''t intended to sound like I was standing up for Miles. "I am sorry." I whispered. "I wasn''t defending him, I didn''t know if it was him. That is all I meant. I will call my Dad."

    I moved away, to walk to the house, as my phone was left in the car. I hated the thought that I had disappointed my mate. I would never defend the monster that was my former pack''s uing Alpha, not anymore. Not after everything he had done. And the thought that Marc thought I might upset

    me.

    Marc quickly followed alongside, reaching for my hand. "I''m sorry I snapped baby. I am just worried. Scared for you. Scared for Bailey. I feel like I let you down."

    I squeezed his hand tightly to reassure him. "You were not to know that was going to happen."

    As we arrived at the house, he looked at me with a sad smile. "Make sure your Dad knows what has happened to Bailey. They need to prepare for what may have happened, Morgan."

    I realized the seriousness of his words and I felt dread filling my stomach as I lifted the phone to make the call, not wanting to wait a moment longer. My Dad would know what to do. "Hello?" My brother''s voice surprised me.

    ¡°J?" I asked, wondering why he was answering my Dad''s phone.

    "Morgan. Did you all get home okay?" Jordan''s voice was full of unease, which told me my Dad had told him everything. I didn''t want to be the one to do this. I looked up at Marc who was watching me, his eyes full of concern.

    "You want me to do this?" he offered, and I nodded, fighting tears, putting the phone onto loud-speaker.

    "Hey Jordan, it is Marc. Morgan is struggling right now. There was an incident on the way home." He began.

    "What sort of incident?" he interrupted. "DAD!" he suddenly yelled, before continuing. "You were meant to be looking after them!"

    I felt a rush of anger, not

    appreciating my brother implying

    el.ne

    this was Marc''s fault. None of this was his fault. What happened could not have been predicted. He had nned out our drive home to protect us as best he could. This was not his fault, and I would have my brother say otherwise! "No. He was looking after us. This was not his fault!" I snapped, as I saw guilt spread across my mate''s face. This was not fair.

    "Well, what the fuck happened then?" Jordan yelled.

    "Hey, what is all the shouting?" I could hear my Dad now, making me think he hade into the room. "Morgan?"

    "Dad, things are a mess. Bailey is missing. We think Miles sent rogues to attack. The car broke down. We tried to run, but Bailey didn''t get back." I blurted out, as tears burned my eyes.

    "Miles sent rogues?!" Dad''s voice was filled with fury.

    "Well, that is not certain, we have warriors out searching, as it was close to the pack thankfully. If we find any, we will interrogate them But they retreated the moment they had Morgan and I separated from Bailey. It seems too convenient. Too nned." Marc exined, Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Hmmm, you are not wrong. Especially when he could not get any warriors from his own pack." My Dad said with a coldness to his tone I rarely heard. He sounded ready to kill...

    "Well, I don''t mean to be harsh, but if he has got her, he will be bringing her home, won''t he?" Jordan said, and I saw Marc''s fists clench.

    n

    "And you are okay with that, are you? Letting that fucking monster of a psychopath have your sister? Just going to sit and wait for him to bring her home, right? Not knowing what he could do to her in the meantime? Is that what you are happy to do? Because Tam not. She does not want to be his mate. She has a good man here in our pack that wants her for a mate, so why should she be forced to be mates with a man that treats her the way he does? That man needs locking up for the things he has done." Marc snarled at the phone, and I was shocked at how angry he was getting. He was standing up for Bailey so

    mercilessly. Or was it that he was

    standing up for Asher? Either way, right now, I could not be more proud of him.

 Chapter 0257

    Chapter 0257

    I paced the corridor of the hospital, hating that smell of antiseptic and disinfectant. So overpowering and so distinct of the hospital. Reminded me of illness and death. But I would remain here as long as I needed. Until I knew that Bailey would be okay. The doctor had rushed Bailey away from me the moment we had been met at the door by a handful of nurses and doctors. Taken her to be checked over and treated. I could only hope... pray that she would be okay.

    She did not look good. Zion had been whimpering since the moment we had found her. Torn between wanting to be here, and being out in the forest hunting the bastards that had hurt her. This was not a good feeling. So much like the emotions we experienced when we lost I... it was taking all I had to keep myself together. I had to put my faith in Caleb that he and our warriors would be able to find the rogues, if they were even still around.

    A part of me doubted they would be if they had in fact been enlisted by Miles. That fucking sick bastard was not fit to be an Alpha. Let alone mate to Bailey. He deserved to be locked up. And when I was done with him, I hoped he would be. But first, I needed to know that Bailey would be okay. And to know that, it meant staying in the hospital... pacing the corridors... my mind overrun with some of the worst scenarios imaginable.

    Time seemed to be passing so gradually... sluggishly. And I felt like it would stop. I just wanted to hear some news. But instead, I saw doctors rushing up and down the corridor, going about their business. Who knew the pack hospital was so busy? I certainly didn''t I stayed away. Thankfully, our wolves tended to heal us from most things, so doctor visits were generally rarely needed. But the pack hospital was there to deal with general care, childbirths, and the more serious health conditions, and injuries.

    "Asher!" I heard a voice from the end of the corridor. I knew instantly I would not be waiting alone. Eden hade to join me. She had mindlinked me numerous times since we had found Bailey, and told me she would be with me as soon as she could, so I was not alone.

    I turned to look at my friend and smiled. "Eden." I greeted her, not even able to bring myself to smile. But she flung her arms around me. It looked like I was getting a hug whether I wanted one or not.

    "Any news?" she asked, despite the fact she had only mindlinked a short while ago. I gently shook my head.

    "Nothing, I feel like I am going insane Eden." I whispered, tears stinging at my eyes.

    "Maybe that is a good thing." Eden began, before shaking her head. "Not that you feel you are going insane. I mean that you have heard nothing. Maybe that means they are able to treat her more. Give her more of a chance to get better." Her big blue eyes looked at me filled with hope.

    I guess that was one way of looking at it. I simply shrugged. "I don''t know. I just need her to be okay."

    "I know, Ash." She squeezed me tightly. "Sorry it took me so long, my Mum took ages to get back for me to drop the little ones with her."

    I nodded. ¡°Ede, it is fine. I understand. A hospital is no ce for kids to sit. You didn''t have toe, you know?"

    She scowled at me now. "I was not leaving you here alone. And I want to know if Bai will be okay too."

    I attempted a smile. "I get that."

    "So you told Cal, finally?" she asked, and I nodded.

    "I needed to. I want to make sure we can help her properly Eden. I know she asked me not to share the mess going on in her pack, but this made me see I had to. I know it means breaking that promise, but I need to protect her." I admitted, and Eden was looking at me with understanding.

    "For what it is worth, I think you did the right thing. And when Baileyes around, I am sure she will too."

    "I hope so." I muttered.

    "Did you let her sister and Marc know you found her?" Eden asked, and I felt a rush of guilt pass over me. In my panic and urgency to bring Bailey to the hospital I had not even thought of them!

    I shook my head. "I hadn''t even thought of it! How terrible am I?! I have been so focused on Bailey, and worrying about her."

    Eden''s face softened, as she looked at me, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "Let me deal with that."

    As I watched her walk to sit down on

    one of the chairs lining the edge of the corridor, saw the doctor walking from the room I knew Bailey was in. quickly rushed over to him. "Doctor?" I called after him, wondering why he hadn''te to find me. Did he not know had been waiting here since the moment we had arrived?! I needed to know Bailey would be okay!

    He turned to look at me, and I could see from his face he was exhausted, but as his eyes met mine, his face filled with pity, and at that moment my heart felt like it was being tornin two. "Ah Beta, I thought you may have headed home." He said, and I found myself ring at him, fighting hard to stop Zion responding, while biting my own tongue to stop myself saying something out of order. Why would I have gone home?

    "How is Bailey?" I urged.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    "It is too early to say, I think Beta. She is currently sedated to allow her the best chance to recover. To allow her body a chance to heal, but there were multiplergecerations across her body, internal bruising and bleeding too. Her wolf is attempting to heal her, but because of the extent of her wounds and how weak the wolf is, she is struggling. Hopefully, we will be able to help." The doctor told me, but his words did not register fully. This isn''t telling me if Bailey will be okay or not...

    "But she should be okay though, right?" I asked, and the doctor looked at me with a sadness in his eyes I did not want to see right now.

    "Beta, I don''t think I can say."

 Chapter 0258

    Chapter 0258

    Hearing what was happening over at Autumn Valley Pack was tearing me apart. And to know there was so little we could do from here right now broke me even more. I hung up the phone from Morgan and Marc and looked across at Jordan, whose eyes were filled with defiance. "Dad, you know there is not a lot we can do, right?" he said, and I began to wonder if this boy was mine at all. Or if he had what it took to be a Beta. This was his sister, and he was ready to sit and wait for Miles to bring her back here?!

    I shook my head at him in disgust. "You might be ready to sit and wait, Jordan, but I am not. Did you hear what your sister and her mate even said?! Everything that boy just said was right." I said coldly, referring to Marc, as I pushed back my chair, and moved toward the door.

    I needed to find my friend. He needed to deal with his son before I did, and if I did, I know I would not be forgiven. I moved along the packhouse corridor, already sick of this day. A day that was meant to be one of celebration, but had turned into one that was nothing but a disaster. All at the hands of Miles - our packs apparent uing Alpha. But that should not be allowed to happen, and it was about time his father realized it.

    Thankfully, guests were dissipating from the pack now as the celebrations seemed to be drawing to a close. Though the drama queen of a bride and her family had already made a sharp exit as suggested from the back doors and returned to their pack with an offer of anotherrge payment to their pack to keep this whole sorry mess quiet.

    Though, whether I agreed with it or not was yet to be decided, but I knew one thing, I would be ensuring that Miles did not be Alpha. That had been decided within my mind the moment I had discovered he had killed yet again for no real reason. He had no control and no discipline. He did not have what it took to be an Alpha. He was a bully. Brutal and cruel. But, I wanted the reputation of the pack to remain intact for the benefit of Ellis, for it was him that deserved the title; and I would do all I could now to ensure it was him that took that title from his father.

    I knocked lightly upon the door of the Alpha office before walking in. "Marshall, we need to talk." I demanded as I walked in, to find my friend sitting at his desk, looking more than a little stressed as his eyes met mine.

    "What now?" he grumbled, and I felt ready to rip his head from his shoulders now, but held back to see how he would react to my news first... "Well, where would you like me to start? Your son, your delightful fucking son, has been hunting my daughter down, as we full well know, and it appears he hired the assistance of rogues. Morgan has now just called to say they were attacked as their car broke down. Bailey is still missing, and from what both Marc and Morgan saw, it looked like the rogues were targeting Bailey. That son of yours needs dealing with. I want him locking him up. He is not fit to be Alpha." I snapped.

    And as I spoke I could see the face of my friend fall as my words seemed to register within in his mind. "Bailey is missing?" his voice faltered. "Do we know where? Do we need to send our warriors? We must try to find her!"

    "No, we do not. She is somewhere

    §Ö

    near the pack she teaches at, thankfully, and they are hunting for her. But what concerns me Marshall, is if these rogues were hired by that fucked up mess of a son of yours what if they already have her, what if he has her now, because he sure as hellisn''t here. He could be forcibly marking her. She does not want him. He does not deserve her! He never did. She has a man in her new pack that wants her, wants to make her his chosen mate." I found myself blurting out uncontrobly, and I could see Marshall''s eyes widening in shock.

    "Bailey has a chance at a chosen mate? Why did she never say anything?" he asked, his voice shaking.

    "That is irrelevant right nowN?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Marshall, and you fucking know it is, if that shit head of a boy of yours has got his way!" I roared in fury, hating the thought of Miles harming her. I hated myself right now for the failure of a father I had been to my daughter. I had let her down massively. The whole pack had. She was so quiet, so happy to just get on with things that we missed so much of what was going on. Trying far too hard to please the jackass of the heir to our pack...

    e

    Marshall''s face crumpled, and there were tears in his eyes. "I know. I know Don. I should never have given him a chance to redeem himself, but I hated the thought my own son could be so evil. I thought maybe if he found love it would redeem him. It seems even that went wrong. I knew the moment he hurt that warrior here he was never right for the Alpha role. Why do you think I sent Ellis for training?¡± his voice faltered, as his head fell into his

    hands.

    I hated seeing my friend struggling, but it was time he saw that his son was far from the idol everyone had been treating him as for far too long. Even I had been guilty of that. "Marshall, we need to deal with him. Ellis needs to be made Alpha, and soon. Show Miles there is no going back. You know it is time for you to step back now. We are both ready for that. Ellis is more than a capable heir to your role."

    Marshall''s eyes met mine, and he nodded slowly. "I know." He chewed his lower lip anxiously. "Send our warriors out to search for him, and call our allies for support too. Miles needs to be found."

    "That can be arranged, I am sure. I know this is difficult, but it is what is right for the pack." I told him, walking around the desk, to ce my hand upon his shoulder. ¡°I will go and speak with the Gamma.¡±

    "Thanks Donovan, I know you must want to kill him for what he has done to your girls. I know I would." He said as I moved back toward the door. "No, I do feel like killing him right now. But, instead, I will do what I should have done at the start. I will call the council. Allow them to deal with him. It is time he faced the consequences for all he has done.¡±

 Chapter 0259

    Chapter 0259

    A nurse came from the room where Bailey was being treated to speak to the doctor as Eden joined me, having spoken to Marc and Morgan. I looked at the nurse, pleading with her with my eyes to let me know that everything was okay, as she spoke to the doctor. Eden squeezed my hand in an attempt to reassure me, but right now I don''t think there was any hope of that. ''Try not to think the worst.'' Eden mindlinked, as the doctor suddenly

    came across.

    "Beta, we have done all we can..." he began, Zion wailed heavily within my mind as it felt like my heart was shattering into a thousand pieces, while my heart began to race, thinking he was about to tell me my beautiful girl had gone. I could not face this again.

    "No, doctor, please no!" I interrupted.

    "Ash, let the doctor finish." Eden wrapped her arms around my waist as she looked toward the doctor, urging him to continue.

    "As I was about to say, although maybe I should have put it slightly better, we have done all the treatment we can for the time being, so it is just a case of monitoring Miss West, and maintaining the treatment we have now removed the sedation, and hoping she regains consciousness. It is difficult to say how long this may take due to her injuries, and how weak her body is right now. She needs to rest, and most importantly recover. But, if you want toe and sit with her, you are more than wee to."

    I felt my body sag in relief as Eden nodded at the doctor. "That would be good thank you."

    We followed the doctor along the corridor, my body feeling like I was in a trance right now, as we made our way into the private room they currently had Bailey being treated in. And as I saw her lying in the bed, I felt myself weakened at the sight of her... she looked so frail... damaged... and I felt like I had let her down in not being able to protect her. I wish I had done as I had wanted, and gone to that wedding with her. Show that Miles fucking Davenport that she was moving on in her life. That she had a good man there to love and care for her. To support and protect her. But instead I had stayed here like the pathetic mess that I am.

    I found myself frozen at the bottom of the bed, my eyes unable to move from the sight of my beautiful Bailey so badly injured, as she was attached to drips and machines, her body covered in dried blood and dressings, as well as a sheet ced lightly up to her shoulders, where the hospital gown had also been ced neatly over her body.

    "Ash, she will be okay." Eden said calmly. "They know what they are doing."

    How could she be so sure? She sure as hell did not look okay right now. She looked close to death, in all honesty...

    "I am scared, Eden." I whispered, as Eden led me to the chair next to the bed. I gently sat myself down, my legs were trembling under me, as I lowered myself to the chair, my eyes desperately not wanting to leave Bailey now she was back with me. Zion had retreated to the pits of my mind, this was affecting him worse than I wanted to consider right now.

    "Talking to her may help." The nurse who was attending to one of the machines said softly. "She may be able to hear you."

    ¡°Okay, thanks, we might give that a try, right Asher?" Eden looked across at the nurse with a smile. "Just out of curiosity, would it help her heal if he marked her?"

    I quickly turned to look at my friend, while the nurse looked at Eden in shock. "Is he her fated mate?" she questioned.

    I slowly shook my head, earning a swift nod from the nurse. "But you are a couple, I assume?" she said kindly. I rolled my eyes, wondering why Eden felt this conversation would even be necessary right now. And nothing like the nurse asking stupid questions...

    Eden smiled in response though. "Yeah. So, would him marking her help her heal?" she asked again, urgency evident in her voice. I think she was desperate to find a way to help her friend right now, just as much as I was, but this did not seem right...

    The nurse looked torn. "I think it would be hard to say for certain. It does certainly help for fated mates, but for chosen mates it does not always have the same effect. So there would be no way we could guarantee that. But, obviously, if it was something you had considered, then it could be worth a try, I guess." she said with a small shrug.

    I shook my head abruptly. "I am not marking her without her permission. Not when we don''t even know if it will help." I know we had spoken about being together, but we had not specifically spoken about bing one another''s chosen mates. had thought about it, but it had. discussed. Not properly. No, marking her without her permission was wrong. I could not bring myself to do that to her. She may not want it...

    ot been

    Eden released a deep sigh. "So we could try talking to her though, yeah?" she looked to the nurse, like she was swiftly trying to change the subject. The nurse simply looked back at us awkwardly after my response and nodded as Eden continued. "We could definitely give that a try then, couldn''t we, Ash? Just in case Bai can hear us."

    I nodded, unsure if I felt I''d be able to

    het

    talk to Bailey when she wasid there like that. But Eden suddenly began speaking, and her chatter made me smile without even meaning to. "Hey Miss thing, you sure know how to give us a scare! But, now you have scared us all, you need to get yourself better. We have shopping to do, and I had you marked as chief babysitter now you and this grumpy old fart are making things official. So, please Bai, and that gorgeous wolf of yours, fix yourselves up real soon, so we can have you back, yeah?¡± Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    I looked across at Eden, and while her words may have been joking in nature, there were tears within her eyes. I reached for her hand. I could see she was struggling as much as me now. This was the woman she had be close to. A new friend. One that Caleb believed was filling a gaping hole left behind after her best friend had died; she was likely as terrified as me.

    "I will sit here until she wakes up." I told Eden, as she wiped away an escaping tear, and she smiled.

    "I have no doubt that you will, but sometimes a break might be needed, Ash. We truly don''t know how long she might be here. The doctor doesn''t know how long she might be this way." Eden said to me softly.

    "I don''t care. I don''t want her to beConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    alone again. Lwill be staying here until she wakes up. She has to be okay, we need her, as much as she needs us. I am not going anywhere.¡± I said again with determination knowing I would not settle if were to leave her alone in the hospital like this. I needed to be by her side until she had healed and was returning home, with me, hopefully...

 Chapter 0260

    Chapter 0260

    We continued to drive. The stench from the rogues was sickening. Even with windows open the

    farthest they could go, the stench was sticking at the back of my throat; but I knew there was little I

    could do. I needed these disgusting creatures'' help. ¡°We must be getting close.¡± I said with a snarl.

    ¡°You not heard back yet?¡±

    I was getting tired of theirck of information. Their so-called contacts were supposedly helping.

    Trying to assist in bringing Bailey back to me. Anything so she did not get back to her temporary

    home. There she would have too much help. Too much protection. At least if the rogues could

    attack this car, there were only the three of them, they could over power it.

    But, despite my persistent harassing for updates, there was nothing. I was beginning to lose

    patience and wonder if these fools were even helping at all. But, I knew I had nothing else. Without

    their help, I was alone. My pack turned their back on me in returning Bailey to us, so I needed this. I

    needed to turn to rogues for help. Pestering them for information right now was my only source of

    hope. And, in fact, at theirst attempt to contact them they were uncontactable. I only hoped that

    meant they were on their tail.

    ¡°I will try again. But you have to give them the time they need.¡± The rogue in charge snapped. I felt

    my anger bubbling as I looked across at him, my brows raised, he seemed to be getting a little

    ballsy now. Was he getting tired of my persistent demands? Because if that was the case, he could

    fuck right off. I am paying them for their services right now. They ought to be grateful I was willing to

    even spend time around their stinky selves¡­

    I had long since turned off my phone, sick of the excessive number of attempted calls and the

    number of messages arriving from members of my pack. Mainly my family. All trying to make me

    see the error of my ways, it would seem. Well, that was their opinion, of course. In my mind, I was

    doing nothing wrong. Not now. The only thing I had done wrong was letting Bailey go in the first

    ce... rejecting her... forcing her to ept the rejection... But, I was about to fix that. Put fate back

    to how it was intended.

    But, all of that aside, I had no intention of listening to any of them back in the pack, giving me shit

    down the phone about me stepping up and dealing with the mess I had created. I think they would

    find the mess that was currently ongoing in that pack right now was down to Kaia and the fact she

    had no self-control over her carnal desires. She should never have agreed to marry me if she

    wanted another man. The thought still sickens me. But, I feel no guilt for killing him. He knew she

    was my wife, and soon-to-be mate, he knew he should not be touching her the way he was. He had

    deserved all that hade to him.

    My Dad and my Uncle acting all holier-than-thou about it was a fucking joke, because I can

    guarantee if they were in my situation they would have done the exact same thing. Betrayal by your

    woman was no small thing as a werewolf. Especially one in a senior rank. It was demeaning.

    Humiliating. If anyone was to find out, it would have them questioning me as a man. I would not

    tolerate it. I had no choice but to kill him. Jet snarled, as I felt his anger building, and I knew I

    needed to bring this back under control before he became too much to handle.

    ¡°Well, we are getting closer to her pack now, and if we are, that has to mean she is likely already

    back!¡± I told them, growling at the thought. If she was back in the pack, I knew I stood little chance

    of bringing her home with me. She would have the Alpha on her side by now, no doubt. And

    others¡­Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 0261

    Chapter 0261

    "I need to pee." A female voice from the back of the car spoke up for the third or fourth time since we had set off. This was turning into a fucking joke. I am sure she was intentionally trying to irritate me. I red at her through the rear-view mirror.

    "Are you fucking kidding?!" I snapped. "Didn''t you just go?!"Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    She simply shrugged, a small smirk upon her lips. "Well, I need to go again. I have a small dder, and I drank a lot when we ate. Unless you want me to pee in the car, of course." She repeated her words from earlier, and I quickly pull up at the side of the road to allow her to get out to go and pee. Her and her fucking toilet breaks were doing nothing but dying us further, and I think she fucking knew it too.

    "She needs to quit with this, or next time I fucking leave her, got it?!" I snarled to the others, knowing they would not want to leave her behind, and they all nodded, though not one of them said a word. They all know that I needed their help; and it drove me crazy that right now I was so dependant on someone else. I was an uing Alpha, I was the one others usually turned to. I was the one others looked up to. Not someone that needs help from others...

    "Right he got back to me. He asked what happens if she is hurt?" he asked tentatively, and my eyes turned to him fiercely. That better not mean what I think it does.

    "What the fuck does that mean?" I snapped. "You know what happens. I made it clear. You get fuck all. No money. Nothing. And then I will be out to hunt each and every one of you down!"

    "Uh-huh, he figured as much." He nodded with a shake of his head. "Well, you might like to know their car broke down. Not far from where our guys were. Seems some other rogues had seen them too though. Took a liking to the girls. But, your girl was running. It seems she was separated from the others. And anyway, it seemed she was running for her pack, maybe thinking she was closer to the pack than she thought, because she had shifted back. I assume to shout for help. Well, he went to get her... she fought a little... he fought back... he isn''t quite as patient as we are. His wolf can be a little unpredictable. Maybe a little heavier handed at times... And... Well.. " his voice faltered, as my eyes narrowed angrily.

    "He killed her?" I growled.

    He shook his head. "No. But once he had gained control of his wolf again, he realized at that point there was no hope of you giving him the

    far from her pack, chances a.

    money, so he left her. They were not

    someone will find her. Especially if the others in the car ran for help."

    I felt anger racing through my body. This was simply not right. How did that fucker think he had the right to hurt her? He had been ordered to bring her to me. Not to hurt her. "Where is he?" I roared.

    "Not a clue. Making his escape, I would imagine. Be d he was honest. He could not have said a thing. Said he couldn''t find her. But why waste your time on him right now? If you want your girl, hadn''t you best go and find her?¡± he suggested; and I realized he was right. Even if she was safe within her pack now, which in truth, I think that may be for the best right now, as it sounded like she needed medical treatment, I wanted to make Bailey see that us being together was the right thing. Not just for me, but for her too. We could make this work, and we could be a sessful Luna and Alpha. The pack would be happy with that, I know they would. I just needed Bailey to forgive me, and be happy with the idea too.

 Chapter 0262

    Chapter 0262

    I sat once more at the side of Bailey¡¯s bed. Eden had left to go to collect the children so she could

    sort them for bed. It was already gettingte, and I imagined they would already be sleeping, but

    Eden was adamant she needed them home with her. Telling me she would not settle if they were

    not there. I think, given everything that has gone on today, I can understand that.

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    I reached out and gently stroked back Bailey''s dark curls. The curls she had tried so hard to hide for

    so long. I had no clue why. She looked amazing with them. ¡°Come on beautiful.¡± I whispered, feeling

    silly speaking to her, but having a desperate need to talk. ¡°Pleasee back to me. You know I

    can¡¯t do this on my own anymore, right?¡±

    I felt tears building in my eyes as I spoke, and I wondered if she did know. I think I had kept my

    emotions hidden from her¡­ hell, I think I hid them from myself¡­ or maybe had been in denial for so

    long. I gently took her hand in mine, stroking my thumb over her palm. ¡°I mean it, Bai, thisst day

    or so while you have been away I have felt like a part of me has been missing. And that part was

    you. I don¡¯t think I had realized just how big this had be this quickly. You came into my life

    beautiful, and turned it upside down. I think I may have fought it, like the stubborn and crazy fool I

    am, but youing into my life was the blessing I needed. I wouldn¡¯t change it for the world now.

    Even if it means I have got to share my chocte.¡± I smiled slightly, as I poured my heart out to her,

    totally unaware if she could hear me.

    ¡°But, I just make sure I buy extra chocte for you now. Seeing that smile of yours when you get

    your chocte¡­ or anytime that smile appears on your face¡­ well, it makes my heart melt. And

    don¡¯t even get me started on thatugh of yours¡­ my heart melts even more each time I hear that!

    Which is maybe a good thing as I was pretty sure my heart had turned to ice after everything I went

    through. I was a mess, Bai, and you with your sweetness¡­ your kindness¡­ just by being you, I

    think you were fixing me. I am begging you, beautiful,e back to me. I will spend my life doing all

    I can to make you happy. So I can see that smile and hear thatugh as much as possible. I don¡¯t

    want you feeling scared again. Or being sad again.¡±

    I looked up at her beautiful face, but still Baileyy there, her eyes closed. There was absolutely no

    response to my words and I felt hollow inside despite the emotion in my words. I don¡¯t think she has

    heard me, in spite of the fact I have told her everything I felt for her. Everything I should have told

    her before she went. Or even while she was away. I wish terribly now I had called her. Spoken to

    her... Opened up to her... So she knew what she meant to me. I would do anything for another

    chance right now¡­

    I gently lifted her hand to my lips and ced a kiss on her hand. ¡°I love you Bailey.¡± I whispered, a

    lone tear slipping from my eye.

    As I ced Bailey''s hand softly down onto the bed next to her, the door opened, and Morgan came

    rushing in, with Marc not far behind. ¡°Oh, you are still here. Do you want me to sit with her a while?¡±

    Morgan asked, and I shook my head. I don''t think I could bear to leave her. I needed to be here the

    moment she woke up.

    Marc smiled at me. ¡®You aren¡¯t leaving her, are you?¡¯ he mindlinked, and I shook my head again,

    making Marc continue. ¡®When she is better you need to make this right, Ash. It is time to let I

    rest. You being happy doesn¡¯t change anything with her. You understand that, right?¡¯

 Chapter 0263

    Chapter 0263

    My eyes met his, and he was looking at me full of concern. I could see no judgment in his gaze. ''I mean it, Asher. Me and Mum would never look at you any differently for choosing to move on. You have stayed so loyal to I''s memory, but you do not have to be alone forever. I saw the connection between you and Bailey from the start. I think Mum did too. She is one hell of a girl. I think I would like her. Don''t let this go, because you are worried about what others are thinking, or because you feel guilty. It is time to think of you, ok? I would want you to be happy.¡¯

    I bit my lower lip, deep in thought. Hid words meant a lot. There would always be guilt. Of course there would. That was the reason I had battled my feelings for as long as I had been. Why I had denied them for as long as I had. But, without ever intending to, I had fallen for Bailey. ''I love her, Marc.'' ''I know you do.'' He linked with a smile.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    I turned to see Morgan stroking her sister''s hair back from her face, before pulling up her eyelids, making me wonder what in the hell she was doing, but Marc got there first. "Erm, Morgan, what are you doing?"

    "Just seeing if she would wake up." She said, like it was the most normal thing in the world to do to someone in a hospital bed that was unconscious. "Used to work when she was a kid."

    Marc held back a smile. "I think the fact she is unconscious may be slightly different to when she was pretending to be asleep as a kid, darling."

    e

    Morgan shrugged, like she believed her logic had beenpletely valid, and even had to smile a little. Bailey''s sister was certainly unique. "What did the doctor say?" she looked at me, and now I could see the concern upon her face. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    "Just a case of waiting for her to recover, basically. Hoping for the best." I exined, and she nodded, so I looked toward Marc. "Any news from the warriors?"

    "They only found a couple of rogues,

    but they are unsure if they were involved. So Alpha is going to interrogate them to find out. But there was definitely more than they brought in, I know that much. It was such a mess. I am just sorry Llet you down, bro." and in his words, hot to mention the devastation upon his face, I could see he was ridden with guilt. He was forever going to struggle with this. I was unsure if he would forgive himself over this. I didn''t want that for him. Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    ¡°Marc, this is not your fault. We know who is to me for this. And we will ensure he gets the punishment he deserves." I said with determination. The words were as much for my benefit as they were Marc''s...

    "Oh, about that, Dad messaged." Morgan said, as she continued to stroke her sister''s hair. "They have warriors out hunting for that sick fucker. But, even better, my Uncle, or the Alpha, if you like, has seen that things are not repairable anymore. That Miles is not a fix-it-up project he is capable of doing a botch repair on, He has seen things cannot be fixed. Not that I think they ever could, so Ellis is going to be made Alpha. And he has called the Werewolf Council to report the incidents with Miles. He will be handed over to them to deal with him. So, he will more than get the punishment he deserves."

    And I have to say, they have to be some of the best words I had to have heard in a long time. We just need Bailey to wake up to share in the good news now...

 Chapter 0264

    Chapter 0264

    I sat in my office, drinking a ck coffee in a bid to keep myself awake longer. I still have so much to do. Our search through the forest which sits alongside the pack had proved to be difficult. The area wasrge and there were so many different areas the rogues may have branched off into. We could not risk losing them. I wanted to capture at least some to gain some answers. For Bailey. For Asher. We needed that. If it was in fact an attack linked to the uing Alpha of her pack, then I would not be failing in reporting him to the Werewolf Council.

    I had heard all the things he had done to Bailey as we ran. Asher shared them with me as our wolves were hunting for her. Though my gut told me that was likely not all he had done to her, it may just have been the things she felt able to share with Asher. When someone has been treated that way for that long, it is not always easy for them to talk about it. But hearing it all, I knew he needed his punishment; and it infuriated me that his own pack had not dealt with him. They were seriously failing their pack if they still considered him fit to run the pack.

    I understand Bailey''s need to keep quiet. She feared him, and he had likely threatened her with many things over the years if she spoke out. Not to mention the fact I could see when she came to visit our pack how much she respected her father, I think she considered their feelings and reputation too much as well. That poor girl had considered everybody but herself in her action, and in doing that had found herself getting hurt.

    I was shocked she had agreed to go to the wedding of the man who had tortured her for so long, though I imagine it was her family wanting her there. It would be expected with her being part of the Beta family. She must have hoped the sick bastard choosing to take another mate was her lucky day. A way out. It seemed that something had gone hugely wrong. Though I think the bride had simply had a lucky escape, or had seen sense. Not that it had done Bailey any favors. The sick fucker simply turned his attention back to what he knew...

    I just wish Asher had spoken to me sooner. I know he wanted to protect her. Respect the trust that Bailey had shown in him by not talking to anyone about the things she had confided in him; but this information showed how much in danger she truly was. She had likelye to our pack in a bid to escape him... escape her pack. Had I known that I would have offered her an official ce in our pack. She would never have had to return. We would have kept her safe. I feel I have, as an Alpha, failed her, when she was never even our pack member.

    Thankfully, she was stable in the

    hospital, and the doctors, Eden and

    Asher''s regr updates were

    keeping me informed. I could only

    fet

    hope that they were able to make her better. Because I did not want to see my best friend lose the woman he so evidently wanted to make a life with. This was ying so heavily on my mind. I had been so wrapped up in my own worldtely with the arrival of the baby that I hadpletely missed this change in Asher...

    There was a sudden knock at the door. "Come in!" I yelled.

    The door opened and Felix, one of the older warriors, came through the door, looking tired. "The three rogues we detained are ready for you to interrogate if you want? The other younger one is getting medical treatment first."

    eCcontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    I nodded at him. This was why I had been waiting up. I would have liked nothing more than to return home and snuggle up in bed next to my mate. No doubt she would be fast asleep by now, lightly snoring, the way she does. Both our little ones hopefully allowing her to sleep. They were both making sleep more than a little challenging ofte... maybe another reason I was so oblivious to things. I felt more of a zombie than a werewolf some days - the joys of being a parent! But, this was something worth staying up for. A chance to gain answers. A chance to speak to the rogues who had injured Bailey.

    I quickly followed Felix to the cells. Wondering what sort of beasts I may find. Rogues were renowned for being mindless... vicious... evil. And the damage that was done to that poor girl was done without thinking twice about her or her welfare. It was some of our other warriors that had caught them on the outer edges of the forest, telling me they had been trying to escape. Which, to me, seemed a little odd. She was injured. They could have taken her. That had to have been their n. Something had to have spooked them. Or that was my theory. That was why it was so vital we spoke to them.

 Chapter 0265

    Chapter 0265

    I marched into the cell, ensuring my aura was at it''s fullest, knowing that way I was most likely to get the answers we needed. Instantly, the three of them were looking at me in fear. These did not look like ruthless monsters. These looked like young wolves. Scared young wolves at that. Ones that would not be capable of doing the damage done to Bailey... had we captured the wrong ones? The forest was riddled with rogues on the run after all.

    No. I still need to do this. Looks can be deceiving. I know that. "I want answers." I allowed my voice to boom, and the three of them looked at me fearfully.

    "We already told your men we don''t know anything." One young guy with deep auburn hair spoke. All three had filthy skin, like they could do with a bloody good shower.

    "Well, that will be my ce to decide, won''t it?" I red at him, and his big green eyes looked back at me, full of terror. "We need to know why the girl was hurt. Who ordered you to help?"

    A frown crossed the faces of all three of them. As this time a dark-haired guy spoke up. "Why someone order us? We are not in pack. We rogues. No Alpha to order us."

    I looked to Felix. He shrugged. Had Marc and Asher''s assumption been wrong? Had it been a chance attack when they had seen the car broken down? Nothing to do with the uing Alpha after all? I could understand their paranoia given the things he had done previously, but going of what these rogues were saying, I did not know now...

    "Why attack them then?" I ordered.

    The red-headed one deeply sighed, looking guiltily at me. "We see them on road. The car was damaged, I think. There was two she-wolves. Pretty she-wolves...¡± his voice faltered as his eyes looked down. They had gone after the girls. Not an unusual trait of rogues, sadly.

    "You wanted the girls?" I demanded, and he nodded.

    "We do not have any she-wolves near us." He muttered, and I shook my head in disgust. How they think it is eptable to attempt to attack she- wolves; but this wasmon for rogues, unfortunately. This was how so many made their mates.

    "But one had man with her. He fighting for her. Helping her. So we go after the other." The dark-haired one spoke up again.

    I turned to look at him now, my eyesN?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    narrowed. He was talking about Bailey now. And you hurt her? Because we found her injured, nearly dead in the forest." I found myself int snarting; and the young guy''s eyes widened as he emphatically shook his head.

    "No! No. She was still running. But she shift again. To girl form. To scream for help. Scream so loud. I think because she was near to this pack. She wanted get someone to help her. We were scared then and run. He told me, his voice wobbling, and as I looked at him the fear in his eyes was telling me he may well be telling me the truth. But it still does not answer who hurt her.

    "She was hurt. Badly. If not you, then who?" I ordered.

    All three looked at me and slowly shook their heads. "There was another rogue there as we leave. Bad one. Very bad one." The third guy spoke, his eyes slowly meeting mine, just as I received a mindlink.

    ''Alpha, can you make your way to the gate please? Someone is here demanding to see you.'' the guard on duty told me, as the link quickly cut out.

    ''Who? And why at this time of night?''

    I replied, but I got no response, making me wonder what the hell wasg at the gate, but making me know I had no choice but to go and find out, all the while wondering if this bad rogue that the others spoke of was one enlisted by our current suspected uing Alpha. There was still so much to learn to give us the answers we needed.

 Chapter 0266

    Chapter 0266

    I paced around the room once Morgan and Marc had left. The room was deathly silent despite the asional buzz from the machines in here. I had tried desperately to get some sleep in the chair next to Bailey''s bed, but let''s be honest, hospital chairs are most definitely not designed for taking a nap in. Zion was pacing too, but within my mind. As strange as it seems for me to say it, I was missing his snarkiness right now; and usually that drove me crazy. I would do anything for things to return to normal.

    The doctors had switched shifts, and another doctor hade in to do a check on Bailey, though little had changed. He said her stats were stabilizing, which he felt was a good sign; so I could only hope that may mean her wolf could be helping her now. That was what we needed. If her wolf could help her heal, she stood a better chance at recovery.

    Morgan had been on my case, much like Eden at potentially marking Bailey. But, I was still adamant on the point I would not do that without her permission. As much as I would love nothing more than to make Bailey my chosen mate, I could not be sure if she was feeling the same, or even if she did have simr feelings for me if she was in the same ce as me right now. Things wereplicated. She had been through a lot, and I wanted to respect that. I would not take her choice away.

    ''Ash, just to let you know, spoke to the rogues in the cells. I am sorry to say, they were not the ones that hurt her, I don''t think. And it was not involving Miles Davenport either from the information they gave me. The rogues I spoke to did attempt to chase her and Morgan, but it seems it was because they were inexperienced,cking females, being rogues. Marc being with Morgan, protecting her meant they went after Bailey then and continued to chase her.'' Caleb mindlinked me, and my heart sank.

    Marc would always instinctively protect his mate. I would expect nothing else, and I don''t think anyone else would either. He had done nothing wrong. But, I could only assume as he did, the rogues had used that as an opportunity to separate Bailey from them. Easy hunting tactics. But it was not what I expected to hear; and if I am being honest, a small part of me is thinking it wasn''t what we wanted to hear either. I had genuinely thought Miles would have been involved. It would have made so much sense. Given a purpose and reasonable exnation as to why my beautiful girl wasid so badly hurt in a hospital bed right now. But, instead, it seems this was nothing more than your standard rogues out on the hunt, after vulnerable she- wolves.

    ''But why hurt her?'' I asked, knowing that it still didn''t give an answer for attacking her. What terrified me is, if they wanted her for that, then they could have assaulted her. And that thought sickened me...

    ''Thankfully, Bailey must have thought she was closer to the pack than she was, she shifted to her human form, and was shouting for help.'' Caleb began, and while that exined while she was in her human form, the thought of her doing that breaks my heart, knowing that nobody would have heard her. That nobody came for her... ''They panicked. Obviously not expecting her to yell. Terrified help mighte. So they ran. But, they did say there was another rogue around as they left. All they could say was he is bad.''

    My blood ran cold at his words. There had been another. And for rogues to consider him bad had to mean he was not good news. But, it still begs the question, why had he left Bailey? Could we have been right, and her former mate had enlisted rogues to help him, now we knew he did not have the support of his pack to assist in looking for Bailey? That could be the only way he would have help to find her before she got home. But again, why did he leave her if that was the case? He would want his payday if that was what had ured. Maybe I was just being paranoid...

    ''Why did he leave her?'' I asked, desperately in need of an answer.

    ''That I can''t say, and the guys in the cells wouldn''t know either as they were already fleeing by then, likely to where our warriors caught them. Look, I have been called to the gates to speak to someone, fuck knows why at this time of night, and the guard won''t answer me now, but I''ll call in at the hospital before heading home, okay?'' Caleb linked, and I was puzzled why he''d be needed at the gates thiste.

    ''Thanks bro.'' I responded, moving back to the chair, and dropping myself into it. Just as I do, I look across to Bailey and I realize her eyes are no longer closed. Her big brown eyes are looking back at me. My girl is awake! My heart races within my chest as I quickly stand back up. "Bailey!" I stuttered.

    She smiled, with a slight wince of pain.

    ''I have been trying to tell you for the

    last few minutes that Akira and I were talking! Zion suddenly interrupted as I sat myself on the edge of Bailey''s bed, careful not to catch her, desperately not wanting to hurt her, but desperate to be close to her as Zion continued. ''But you and that friend of yours talk more than two teenage girls gossiping about yourtest crush!''

    ''Piss off.'' I responded, but secretly d he was back to normal.

    "You are awake!" I eximed, gently stroking Bailey''s face, knowing I was stating the obvious, and again, she attempted a smile, as I realized I needed to get help. "I should let the doctor know!"

    I jumped up from where I was

    sitting, and rushed from the bed to

    e

    the door. "Doctor!" I called, nearly falling over my own feet in my hurry, as I opened the door, almost smacking myself in the face with it as I did from trying to move so quickly. "Doctor! Doctor, she is awake!" I yelled down the corridor, and once I could see the doctor was walking in our direction, I moved back toward Bailey in her bed. And she was smiling at me again, affection in those amazing eyes of hers. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    "Could you not just have mindlinked him?" she asked, her voice a little hoarse, and I paused, feeling a little silly.

    But, I grinned before shrugging. ¡°Ah

    well, I fancied making a fuss." I

    winked, making her giggle lightly. I

    "Admittedly, I may have for at

    that moment to mindlink, I was just so pleased to see you awake! My first thought was you."

    "Yeah?"

    "Hell yeah! I have been so worried, Bailey. You have given us such a scare." I whispered.

    ¡°Hmm, I heard." She looked at me, her gaze intense, making my heart flutter as I wondered suddenly if she may have heard everything going on in here while we thought she was sleeping...

 Chapter 0267

    Chapter 0267

    My head felt like a storm was spinning through it... my whole body ached, even parts I didn''t know could ache! I felt like I had been run over by a herd of elephants. What the hell had happened to me? I pried my eyes open tenderly, realizing in shock as my eyes attempted to focus that I was in a hospital room. I had been at the wedding not long ago, hadn''t I? My eyes drifted to Asher... oh, Asher...

    He did not look too great. He was anxiously pacing the floor of the room, his back currently to me. Had he been here long? Had I been here long? What had even happened? My mind was filled with questions that I was so desperately trying to find answers to, which was pretty difficult when it felt like I had a band of drum yers currently residing in my head. We were in the car, I think...

    My mind was such a blur of information. Flickers of images... rogues... fighting... screaming... ckness. Snippets of conversations I think had happened... but then, they just didn''t seem to fit with the wedding... doctors... Asher... could they have been while I was here in the hospital? Is that possible? Eden... Morgan... Asher... oh... definitely Asher. Had he told me he loved me? Were they dreams? Can you dream if you''re out of it?

    I tried to speak, desperate to let Asher know I was okay... well, maybe not quite okay. I felt like a doll right now that has been through a washing machine, but I am awake, that has to be good, right? I tried again, but my throat felt tight, and my mouth dry. Asher was moving toward the bed, but his gaze toward the floor, I think he could be mindlinking.

    ''Zion knows. I told him.'' Akira told me tiredly, she sounds as shattered as me right now. If I had been hurt, she had to have been using all her energy to attempt to heal me. Yet she still felt the need to tell Zion we were okay. Aww... seems the wolves were as close as we were. My heart warmed at the thought.

    ''Thanks. I think he is mindlinking.'' I told her.

    ''Yep. Zion said he is. He was trying to get his attention, but he is gossiping with the Alpha. He''d hate to interrupt their lovefest.''

    I smirked at her description. She

    may be tired, but she was still her usual charming self, it seemed. I watched as Asher suddenly dropped into the chair next to the bed, and his eyes suddenly met mine. The shock within them was so adorable I could have hugged him if moving did not hurt like a bastard, His eyes were darting all over me, like he was checking if it was really me, though who else it would be I was unsure.

    "Bailey!" he stuttered, like he was struggling to get his words out, and I couldn''t help but smile. But I think it came out more as a grimace of pain too, as I moved my leg too quickly under the sheet and it hurt. It seemed Akira''s healing had only done so much. I was still badly bruised right now...

    "You are awake!" he said excitedly, reaching over to gently stroke my face, his touch making me sigh in contentment. I had missed him so much. I smiled up at him again, while he suddenly spoke again, causing me to jump slightly. "I should let the doctor know!"

    I was not sure where that idea came

    from, but he obviously decided it was urgent as he rushed from theConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    ??

    bed to the door. "Doctor!" he all but yelled, as watched him almost tripping up over his own feet in desperate attempt to make it to the then

    door in a hurry. Not to mention

    almost smacking himself in the face with the door as he opened the door, once again in a little too much of a rush. I had to hold back a giggle. He was the sweetest.

    ''I think I''d like to see him do that again.'' Akira giggled, and I held back a smile at her teasing of Asher. He was just excited we were awake, right?

    "Doctor! Doctor, she is awake!" Asher yelled down the corridor, I assumed to the doctor, but at the volume he was shouting I think the whole of the pack had likely been awoken by his announcement. I am sure the whole pack wanted to know I was awake; and even if they didn''t, Asher had clearly decided they were going to know anyway!

    ''Wow. That was interesting. He is a weird one.'' Akira announced, before curling up within my mind to snooze, as Asher turned back towards the bed and began making his way to me. I once again couldn''t help but smile. He is so perfect, and while Akira may be right, he may be a little weird, and I had no clue what that had been all about, he was adorable.

 Chapter 0268

    Chapter 0268

    "Could you not just have mindlinked him?" I suggested, realizing that all he had just done was probably not even necessary. My voice sounded so husky right now, and it hurt a little to speak. Asher faltered a little at my words, I assume, as he considered my words, before he grinned at me. The most heart-melting grin I think I have ever seen. Before he shrugged at me.

    "Ah well, I fancied making a fuss." He winked, and I found myself giggling, despite the fact it hurt. "Admittedly, I may have forgotten at that moment to mindlink, I was just so pleased to see you awake! My first thought was you."Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    Oh my god, he was killing me...

    ''Find me a sick bucket.'' Akira teased, evidently still choosing to pay attention despite the fact she was meant to be resting.

    "Yeah?"

    "Hell yeah! I have been so worried, Bailey. You have given us such a scare." Asher whispered, and I could see the anxiousness upon his face. I hate the thought of him being worried about me. Though my mind flickers back to the conversation I thought I recalled. Had that been what it was? Him talking to me when he was worrying? Telling me how he felt?

    I found myself looking up at him, my gaze prating, so unsure if what I was guessing could be right, as I tentatively said "Hmm, I heard." Asher''s eyes widened in shock, before they moved across my face like he was trying to read my feelings. Was he nervous? "You heard?" he mumbled, and I nodded slowly.

    "I think so. I have snippets of things in my mind. Images... conversations... that don''t make sense, but you saying that makes me wonder if the conversations were from while I was unconscious." I whispered, as it felt a little easier on my voice.

    Asher nodded. "That would make sense. The nurse did say you may be able to hear us. What did you hear?" he asked, and from the expression upon his face he looked a little nervous.

    "Was I not supposed to hear?" I asked, and his gaze met mine, and the way he was looking at me gave me butterflies.

    "If it was the things I am thinking,

    then all of that has been held inside for too long. I wish I had told you before..." he began just as the door opened, and the doctor walked in, causing Asher to roll his eyes. Wish I hadn''t called him now." He Said with an ironic smile. I knew exactly what he meant. There was nothing like bad timing...

    "Ah, Miss West, it is so good to see you awake!" the doctor greeted me, as he made his way to my bed. "Am I okay to give you a quick check over?"

    I nodded. Unsure why I would have refused him. They had so evidently been treating me so far, and I wanted to feel better, and for that I needed their help. Iy as he did what he needed to do, wincing each time he caught areas on my body which were badly bruised or had wounds still upon them that Akira had yet to heal. Making notes as he went along, he kept muttering to himself, making me worry something was wrong, and I kept ncing across at Asher, who looked so anxious right now.

    §Ñ

    The doctor did a fairly detailed examination before he smiled at me before doing the same to Asher. "Well, Miss West, I am d to say you are looking like you will make a full recovery. The injuries do look to be healing on their own now after the treatment we gave, along with the assistance of your wolf, of course. You certainly gave us a scare, poor Beta Asher hasn''t left your side. Not even slept for a moment." My heart tightened at his words. I don''t know why I was surprised at that. But the thought of Asher not leaving me and not even

    sleeping made me feel guilty.

    He narrowed his eyes at the doctor, before I saw his face turn into a frown, and he was suddenly getting up and walking out of my room. Not a word,

    just storming from my room, leaving me suddenly alone and wondering what was going on.

 Chapter 0269

    Chapter 0269

    I hadn''t wanted to break the news to Asher. He had desperately clung to the hope we would have answers from these rogues. I knew he had, but I knew he would need to know. He wanted the me to fall at the feet of the uing Alpha of Lotus Shadow Pack. Of course he did. He was the one who had made Bailey''s life a living hell for too long. Far too long. He wanted to see him pay, and who can me him?

    But, that simply was not to be. Not unless the other rogue they spoke of was linked to him, but nothing so far implied that. It was merely a theory held by Asher and perhaps Marc. I needed this to remain professional for the sake of our pack''s reputation. But consider the feelings of my friend. Although, I think with the information Asher had provided me, there was still enough information to go to the Werewolf Council to report this sick individual before he harmed anyone else.

    But, right now, Asher''s concern was Bailey, and her getting better. I could hear in his tone, even through the link, how disappointed he was at the news I had given him. I would call in and see him when I had done what I needed at the gates. I was still clueless as to why somebody was calling at the pack gates thiste. I wanted to return home and snuggle up with my mate. Instead, I was driving through the pack to meet with this mystery guest.

    I pulled up a little distance from the gate, stepping from my car, to hear angry shouting, causing me to rush to the small building we have where the guards tend to sit, the shouting getting louder as I got closer.

    "Just fucking let me in!" a voice roared, causing my wolf to push forward. This sounded like somebody ready to try to infiltrate my pack. But why would they attempt to speak with me? Or try toe through the main gate? None of that made sense.

    I turned the corner of the building to find our guard pinned up against the wall by a young looking guy, maybe in his early twenties. ring at him aggressively as he had him by the neck. Now I had my answer as to why the guard didn''t respond to my mindlink, if he was having to deal with this stupid fucker.

    ¡°What the fuck do you think you are doing?" I roared, pushing my Alpha aura forward slightly, and the young guy, released the guard who slowly slid down the wall gasing for breath, looked at me with a sneer. Like my aura did not bother him in the slightest.

    "Took your fucking time didn''t you?" he snapped, and I raised my brows at him, while Thor was pushing further forward.

    ''Let me at him. He is asking to be fucking eaten.'' He snarled, and as tempting as that sounded, right about now I needed to find out who he was and what he wanted.

    "Excuse me? You are turning up at my pack gates in the middle of the night unannounced, demanding to see me, and then assaulting one of my guards, and then have the nerve to criticize me?" I snarled. "What do you want?"

    "I am here for my mate." he said bluntly, like it was the most obvious exnation in the world.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Your mate?" I questioned, his attitude was already getting my back up. He was acting like he was something more than he was. Like he felt the world owed him a living. I hated fuckers like this.

    "Yes. She is in your hospital, I

    believe." He said, his dark eyes ring into mine, and at that moment realized exactly who this was. I should have realized sooner, but I think theck of sleep was affecting my mind. This was him. The uing Alpha. Bailey''s former fated. He had been brazen enough toe here for her? What a fucking fool. Did he think we would

    just hand her over to him? Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    I felt anger bubbling through me. This man was a fucking monster. He nned to take her back with him and likely forcibly mark her. No. I could not... would not allow that to happen.

    ''Time to take him down.'' I told Thor,

    knowing he would be more than ready to show this young wannabe Alpha who was boss. It was about time he saw what a real Alpha was capable of; because it was obvious he had no clue what a real Alpha should be.

    ''I think we let him in.'' Thor told me matter-of-factly, shocking me to the core.

    ''Say what now?'' I demanded. ''He will forcibly mark her. Not to mention taking her away. Breaking Asher''s heart. No T. No.''

    ''Let him in. Inform his pack. And the

    Council. He will be held here until theye for him. He will not be taking the girl. But if he is here, we know where he is.'' he told me, and I see that my wolf may have a point. It is good to have that second view Sometimes.

    ''Good thinking.''

    ''But, you also need to see what Bailey wants.'' He added, and my anger built again. He had to be kidding me! She surely would not go back with him?!

 Chapter 0270

    Chapter 0270

    "You even there?" the fool in front of me asked, stepping closer to me, obviously having been waiting for an answer while Imunicated with my wolf.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    "Yes. I am here." I scowled. "Were you not taught to respect others when you were growing up?"

    "Why would I need to when I am of Alpha blood and the Alpha heir?" heughed.

    I rolled my eyes at his response. Seems everything I had heard of him was true. "Being of Alpha blood and being the heir means nothing. Respect is earned. And from what I have already seen of you, if you go around acting like that, you will have nobody respecting you. Your pack would fall easily if you were to be Alpha. Your father would be a fool to let you take his title. I hope for his sake he has another son." I said coldly, knowing that would be a hit to the stupid little shit''s ego.

    He growled deeply as he moved forward again, hair beginning to protrude from his arms, telling me he was close to shifting.

    "Oh, do you really want to do that here?¡± I questioned, pushing the full force of my aura forward, making him step back slightly. I think he saw I was stronger than him now. "Your pack would not question why you were killed when you went to attack an Alpha in his own pack, little boy."

    His eyes flickered darker, likely his wolf, but he remained where he was, simply glowering at me, as I continued. "So, if you want to go and see this so-called mate of yours, I suggest you wind your neck in. Fucking behave yourself. You are in my pack now and I will not tolerate any shit. Nor will I think twice about killing you. I doubt you''d be missed. I know who you are saying is your mate. She was brought in earlier. Attacked by rogues. She also works for us. Rejected by you, was she not?" I turned to him as I motioned for him to follow me to my car. I wanted him to know I knew of the circumstances surrounding their matebond.

    He was still scowling as he shook his head. "She is my fated mate."

    "Not when you rejected her." I climbed into the car and he followed suit.

    "I changed my mind. Besides, even if I hadn''t, I need her close. Your fated mate brings you strength. To be the strongest Alpha I can be, I need her there. To give me the strength and power that will produce the most powerful Alpha my pack has ever had." He said as I drove away. Surprised he was admitting all this to me, I was wondering if he hoped it meant I would take pity on him. Yet, his words echoed around my mind, not making any sense, causing me tough.

    "She will bring you strength?" I asked, wondering if this fool had listened to any of the lessons you were given as a young wolf. He was evidently clueless. He needed sense not strength.

    "Yes. Especially as an Alpha. Even

    when I didn''t want her as a mate, I needed her in the pack. Why do you think I didn''t want her working away? She was always going to stay in our pack. I nned to bring her home e the moment I became Alpha. The strength her presence gives me because of the matebond, with us being fated mates would be what made me the strongest Alpha our pack had seen. Bailey is strong. She is of Beta blood. Plus, she is intelligent. So she was always going to be giving me extra strength.

    Imagine the two of us together?"

    Despite the fact I was driving, I looked across at the fool incredulously. He sounded like he believed every word he just said. I don''t think he was

    joking. I shook my head in disbelief. "Erm, did you do well in school?" I asked him, and instantly his face twisted into a frown.

    "What has that got to do with anything?" He shrugged. "I did okay, got others to help me."

    I held back a smirk. Exined a lot.

    "Well, I hate to disappoint you,

    perhaps you should have paid more e attention because you seemed to have missed quite a lot. Bailey won''t give you any strength. When you rejected her, you broke that fated bond. You broke the mate bond, do you not realize that?!"

    "What do you mean?" he snarled.

    "Meaning there was nothing there anymore. Her presence would most certainly not bring you strength. And making her your mate now would be no different to being chosen mates. Plus, she would have to want it otherwise it would be considered forcibly marking her. I think you have been seriously misunderstanding things. Bailey was never going to make you a stronger Alpha." I enjoyed every word I told him,

    especially as his face fell.

    "That can''t be right." He growled angrily.

    ¡°Well it is.¡± I told him with glee, as we pulled up outside the hospital. But he wasted no time as he was quickly storming out of the car in a desperate

    bid to go and find Bailey. I quickly needed to mindlink Asher to let him know so that he didn''t just storm into her room...

 Chapter 0271

    Chapter 0271

    Bailey was awake. The most wonderful feeling in the world; and I was hoping things were looking up for us. I had been about to tell her how I felt for her... well, more confirm what I think she had likely heard me dere while she was unconscious... until the bloody doctor chose that moment to walk in. Jeez, nothing like great timing. We sure didn''t seem to have much luck when it came to time alone...

    And then the doctor decided to announce to Bailey I had done nothing but sit by her side like a lost puppy. Unable to eat. Unable to sleep. I am sure Bailey did not need to know that, and the doctor definitely did not need to be sharing that. It truly did not paint me in the best of lights, I am sure. I was just about to defend myself when a mindlink suddenly came through. One I had not been expecting, and one I most certainly did not want to hear. ''Ash. He is here. He is on a mission to get her back.'' Caleb''s voice was blunt and to the point, even in the link, but my blood ran cold as his words hit me. Miles had chosen toe to our pack in a bid to im Bailey? I felt a frown take over my face as Caleb continued. ''Got things under control right now. He might act like a big hard man, and a bully, but he is dumb as fuck. He was the one causing shit at the gate. Though he is now rushing through the hospital. Be alert.''

    My face twisted in anger as I quickly stormed from the room, not even exining where I was going. I didn''t have the time right now. No. I needed to go. I needed to go and stop this sick bastard before he got anywhere near Bailey. How fucking dare he turn up here thinking he can demand her back?! After everything he had done, too...

    ''Marc, get your ass to the hospital.'' I mindlinked him quickly as I rushed down the corridor. ''That sick fucker has arrived in hope to take Bailey home with him.''

    I knew their home wasn''t too far away, and also I knew we could rely on my former brother-inw for protecting Bailey. He had done all he could so far to protect her. He woulde without a doubt...

    ''Hmm?'' he responded, albeit sleepily. ''No? He turned up here? On my way.''

    Fury rushed through me, while Zion was raging in my mind, which was never a good thing... What was Caleb thinking in allowing him into our pack, let alone bringing him to the hospital? He knew what that little shit was capable of. He knew that that sick fucker''s ultimate mission was to take Bailey home with him; and I doubted he would stop until he had seeded.

    al.n

    ''Where is he Cal?'' I asked, not seeing a sight of either of them, but a deep-seated hope that Caleb would be on his tail if he had rushed into the hospital: We did not need some jumped-up uing Alpha smashing our hospital up, putting out pack members at risk. I didn''t want to believe that Caleb would have just allowed some self-entitled little bastard of an uing Alpha to storm our pack and crash our hospital. This little shit would be taken down, I had no doubt about that!

    *Coming through the hospital now. Youing to meet us?'' he asked.

    ''Too fucking right I am. Not a chance he is getting near Bailey.'' I snapped.

    ''Where the hell else did he think we was going to be? With our feet up having a coffee?!'' Zion snarled angrily in my mind, making me smirk. He was more than ready to go... ready to defend his girl. And so was I.

    ''I am allowing him the chance to talk to her before I detain him. Not that he knows that part yet. She needs to hear him out. Let him see this thing with them is done. Let him see she is moving on. Or, if she chooses, she returns with him.'' Caleb said, and I felt anger bing so out of control as Zion growled inside of my head. This was one of the few times he felt ready to turn upon his own Alpha. He was taking the man who had made her life a living hell for so long right to her door... N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

 Chapter 0272

    Chapter 0272

    ¡®Do not even go there.¡¯ I snarled, turning the corner, to walk straight into an angry-looking young

    guy. Currently, dressed quite formally, and Caleb, not far behind. I gave him a dark re, as I

    shoved the little fuckwit in front of me, looking down at him angrily as I did. He looked like an

    arrogant little ass. Zion growled once more...

    ¡°So, thought you would turn up and im what you think is yours, did you?¡± I growled. ¡°Only she

    isn¡¯t yours anymore, is she? Hasn¡¯t been since the moment you decided she wasn¡¯t good enough

    for you. Not that you ever deserved her in the first ce.¡±

    He stumbled back a little, clearly not expecting me to touch him, but soon steadying himself, as his

    eyes darkened before settling upon me. ¡°And you are?¡± he sneered. This little shit so clearly thought

    he was something, I was more than ready to show him he wasn''t¡­

    ¡°This is my Beta. And, you want to remember what I warned you outside, Miles. Or you will be

    detained, or killed. Remember that. This is my pack.¡± Caleb growled, his Alpha aura pushed right

    out at full force, making me flinch in pain. He rarely used his full aura, and he shouldn¡¯t be doing

    that in the hospital either, but I assumed it was a sign of his power to this little knob. Putting him in

    his ce. ¡°You are here to say what you need to say to Bailey, allow her to make the decision she

    needs to make.¡±

    Miles turned to look at Caleb, still looking far too confident for my liking considering Caleb¡¯s aura

    and the fact he was on another Alpha¡¯s pack. ¡°Well, perhaps you want to tell your little sidekick to

    wind his neck in. I am here for Bailey. Nothing more. And as for Bailey making the decision she

    needs to make, she knows what is best for her pack.¡±

    Zion pushed forward, so far forward and so fast he took me by surprise, as a deep growl emanated

    from my lips, as hair began to protrude from my arms. I battled with my wolf knowing that shifting in

    here would not be ideal¡­ Zion could be brutal if he lost control, and while I had no issue with him

    losing control with this dick, losing control in the hospital was not the ce for that to happen.

    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    ¡®Calm down.¡¯ Caleb ordered me through the mindlink. ¡®I know you are annoyed, and so am I. But

    this cannot get out of hand, and right now he is behaving. First let¡¯s put this thing with Bailey to bed.

    I have allowed him here so we can detain him until the council get here. So we know where he is.

    Logic, Ash. Logic. Do not make me use my aura on you too.¡¯

    I tried to calm my breathing. So angry at my friend and Alpha for thinking it was eptable to let

    this man into our pack when he knew the threat he posed to the woman I loved. Yet he seemed to

    have some sort of n. Did it make sense to me? Not right now, but Caleb¡¯s ns rarely failed¡­

    The anger inside was harder to control when it came to the little fuckwit by Caleb¡¯s side, a small

    smirk upon his face, looking so smug and cocky. I was so desperate to want to rip this young

    uing alpha¡¯s head from his shoulders. He seemed to see no fault in anything he had done,

    recently nor in the past. He couldn''t do, or else he would not have turned up here now for Bailey.

    But he would not be leaving here with her, of that I was sure. He would have to kill me to get to

    Bailey, that much I did know.

 Chapter 0273

    Chapter 0273

    Iy in my bed, the doctor still talking to me, exining the treatment they had given, but I was barely listening. My mind was on the fact Asher had stormed so angrily from my room. My eyes found themselves frequently drifting to the door in the hopes he would return. I couldn''t help but wonder if he had been about to actually tell me he loved me before the doctor disturbed us. Not that it matters right now.

    Right now it seemed he didn''t want to be here. I felt numb. I don''t know if that was from my injuries or from the pain I felt from what had just happened with Asher, and without the ability to mindlink him, I had no way of reaching out to him to check he was okay.

    "Are you okay, dear?" the doctor asked, interrupting my thoughts. "I am sure the Beta is fine. He is known for being a little tempestuous. Has been since he lost his mate. They do say losing a mate can destroy a man, and I think with Beta Asher it truly did. But, I wouldn''t worry. He soon gets over things, and is back to his ever-charming self." The doctor was smiling at me. Yeah, that sounded like the Asher I had first met. But not the Asher I hade to know. The Asher that had been opening up to me...

    "I will be fine. I think I just want to rest." I lied. I just wanted him to go. Leave me alone. The doctor nodded in agreement, when suddenly we heard amotion out in the hallways. The doctor''s eyes narrowed in confusion, before his eyes met mine.

    He quickly stood and walked toward the door. ¡°Let me go and see what is happening. There should not be that amount of noise in the hospital.¡± "You are not fit to see her!" I heard Asher''s voice roar, and I had a sinking feeling I knew exactly who he was yelling at. I felt sick at the prospect...

    But, the doctor, who had just

    reached the door of my room, turned

    to look at me with an awkward

    smile. "Well, I think we may have found the Beta." And with that he excused himself. Yes. We had found Asher. He had gone to deal with the worst possible scenario. Mites had arrived to take me home, and I could only imagine the arguments

    happening right now... Content

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    ¡°I am her mate. Her uing Alpha. Who is more fit to see her if not me?" the voice of the one person I did not want to see again, who was loud and confident in standing up to Asher. This was definitely not going to end well.

    "You are not her mate, you fucking

    fet

    fool. You rejected her. That means you are done. She isn''t yours. You don''t own her." Asher''s voice was the angriest I had ever heard, and loud too, despite the fact I was listening through the walls of my room. I hated that the whole of the hospital were likely listening to their conversation right now. We''d be the pack''s source of gossip for the next few weeks, no doubt... ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    "Well, she sure as hell is not yours, or this pack''s." Miles growled.

    ¡°Enough!¡± I heard a third voice, one I am almost certain was Alpha Caleb. He sounded pissed off. Extremely pissed off. ¡°This back and forth is getting you nowhere. Miles, you came here for a reason, so get it over with." He snapped.

    My heart sank as I realized what his words meant. Alpha Caleb had allowed Miles into the pack. He had let him in to take me home. I had hoped he would offer me protection, but it seemed he was standing by the pack protocols here...

    Suddenly, the door swung open, and

    Asher rushed in, his eyes darting to

    meet mine.. Are you okay?" he asked, and I nodded slowly, as he joined me, at the edge of the bed, taking my hand in his. "I''m sorry for rushing out. I heard he had arrived" he mumbled.

 Chapter 0274

    Chapter 0274

    I smiled. I realized that now. He stroked his thumb over my palm softly, his eyes not leaving mine,

    before Miles pushed past Alpha Caleb toe storming into the room. ¡°Oh, this looks fucking cozy.¡±

    He snarled. ¡°So this was why you were all up in my face, was it?¡±

    I watched as Asher took a deep breath, his eye shifting between his and Zion¡¯s. I knew he was

    doing all he could right now to halt a full shift, as his grip tightened on my hand, as Miles continued.

    ¡°You think she would lower herself to you when she had been fated to an Alpha?¡± he jeered,

    sounding so cocky.

    ¡°You are not an Alpha yet, Miles.¡± I pointed out, and his eye rested on me. ¡°Asher is by far more of a

    man than you could ever be.¡±

    Asher¡¯s eyes rested upon mine as he smiled, while a deep growl slipped from Miles, causing Caleb

    to fly across the room, pinning him to the wall. The fact he was able to do it so easily told me Miles

    was not expecting it. I had seen Miles fight, he was a more than capable fighter¡­ ¡°You were fucking

    warned to watch yourself you little shit. You are here to say what you need to say. Keep this up, and

    I will think nothing of letting my wolf out to y. He will quite enjoy ying with you, I am sure.

    Snapping you in half.¡± Caleb took me by surprise at his aggressiveness. That was not the man I

    was used to. But that was the voice of an Alpha in charge.

    Miles did not break eye contact with Caleb, telling me he did not feel particrly intimidated by him.

    But, the good thing was, he did not push any further.

    The door quickly opened, disturbing the tense atmosphere that was building, and in rushed Marc

    with Morgan following behind. I could only assume Asher or Caleb had contacted them. But, I saw

    Miles smirk as his eyes rested upon Morgan. ¡°Aww, did you hear I was here, and you rushed over to

    see if I hade to take you home too, Morgan?¡± he said spitefully, and a deep growl came from

    Marc, but Morgan pulled him back stepping forward as Miles continued. ¡°Realized your fated mate

    can¡¯t live up to what you so desperately wanted before?¡±

    ¡°Take me home? I don¡¯t think so.¡± Morgan said coldly, but confidently. ¡°What I so desperately

    wanted? Get over yourself. I wanted you for all of about five minutes, Miles. It did not take me long

    to see sense. I would not touch you now. I might fucking catch something, because fuck knows

    where you have been. I know what a real man is now, and it most definitely is not you. Seems

    Bailey does too.¡± And Morgan nced toward where Asher was sitting, with a smirk. Wow. She was

    definitely more confident. I had never seen her stand up to Miles that way, and going off the look of

    shock upon his face, neither had he. I have to say I loved this side of my sister - she kicked ass!

    Marc stood behind his mate, a big smile upon his face, looking prouder than ever. But Miles looked

    dismissively toward Morgan, like her words meant nothing, before he turned to me. ¡°Seems to be an

    awful lot of people rushing to protect you, Bailey. You been telling lies again?¡± he said, raising his

    brows usingly. ¡°I suppose all of you don¡¯t know how good Bailey is at telling lies, do you? Making

    people believe things that didn¡¯t really happen. Like, me rejecting her, when in truth it was her

    rejecting me?¡± he looked at me with a smirk, but what bothered me more was the eyes of Caleb,

    Marc and Asher all fell on me with confusion and doubt.

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Surely they were not believing his fucking words after everything they knew?!

 Chapter 0275

    Chapter 0275

    I had to give it to Morgan. She stood up to Miles. Not that he seemed to care in the slightest. And now, as he turned to Bailey, we just need her to do the same.. ¡°Seems to be an awful lot of people rushing to protect you Bailey. You been telling lies again?" he said, and his voice held an using tone, I can''t say I cared for. "I suppose all of you don''t know how good Bailey is at telling lies, do you? Making people believe things that didn''t really happen. Like, me rejecting her, when in truth it was her rejecting me?" he looked at her with a smirk, one that made me want to knock his head clean right off his shoulders. Did he truly think we would believe that?

    I turned to look at Bailey, knowing she must be feeling a pit of emotion right now. She had to want him gone. But as I turned to look at Miles I could see Caleb and Marc were watching him. I''d like to say through narrowed eyes, but they both look confused. They both knew the situation, they should not have been taken in by this dick''s words...

    ¡°Oh, so she is a liar is she?¡± Caleb suddenly spoke up, before I even had an opportunity to defend Bailey. Ultimately, d my friend had seen through the lies. ¡°Yet out there you admitted to me, you regretted rejecting Bailey. So, you may want to consider getting your stories straight." He looked at Miles with a small smirk. ¡°Exactly which one of you is it that is lying?"

    I held back the smile that was forming. Miles had to know he had nowhere to go with this if that is what had just happened. Though we knew the information we had, we knew his words were all lies. All produced to make him look better, or to get him out of a tight situation. But what bothered me more, was the fact this sick bastard now said he regretted his decision to reject Bailey. That meant he wanted her back, not just in his pack, but as his mate. This could not happen. And it was not going to end well.

    "Maybe I was trying to garner pity, so you would allow me into the pack? I needed to speak with Bailey." Miles said, and Caleb looked at me incredulously. Was this guy for real? His stories seemed to be swirling out of control.

    Caleb chuckled. "Your stories seem so far-fetched, I think even you are forgetting the tales you have told. I know I struggle to keep up with them. Perhaps it is time you gave up trying to be an Alpha and considered a career as an author, because you are damn good at making up tales. Maybe it is time you gave up, Miles. We are not your pack, we are not your family, and we won''t be easily swayed by you. Nor are we going to be idol- worshiping you, meaning you easily get away with things like you have been doing in your pack. Here you are held ountable for your actions."

    Miles turned to look at Caleb, like his words meant nothing. "I think you forget, Alpha." The way he said Alpha was filled with venom. He did not like being put in his ce, whether it was by an Alpha more powerful than him or not. "These girls are my pack. Always mine."

    The way in which hisst two words were said was intentional. Possessive... causing Zion to push forward agressively, growling, just as Marc was growling deeply behind me. Neither one liked this man staking im on our women. "You might want to reconsider that, because Morgan is my mate, wearing my mark, and therefore became a part of my pack." Marc snarled angrily. He was ready to attack...

    ¡°Oh, dude, you are wee to that one." Milesughed.

    I was heavily aware of Bailey''s hand upon my arm. It had moved there the moment I had growled, in what I believed was an attempt to calm me. Her big brown eyes rested upon me, looking at me pleadingly. She did not want me to respond. But I could not leave it like this.

    "Bailey is not yours. She is entitled to a life. To make choices of her own." I said, trying desperately to remain calm despite the fact I was battling Zion terribly within my mind. He wanted to be let out to defend Bailey. He wanted to take this man down. Destroy him...

    "A, and you think she would pick you, do you, poor little Beta boy?" Miles jeered, an evil grin upon his face.

    "Miles!" Bailey snapped, while Zion pushed further forward and hair began to appear thicker upon my arms...

    Milesughed. "Oh, did you not like

    that Beta boy? Realizing she would not want you when it came down to it? See, we were always brought up to be loyal to our pack. Bailey has never failed in that. See, she is one of those people who goes above and beyond to do the right thing. Trying to please everyone. Always doing what was expected of her to remain loyal to the pack, so what makes you think she would pick you now over her uing Alpha? Over her pack?"

    I rolled my eyes. His description of Bailey was too close to being urate, it worried me. Surely she would not be foolish enough to lose her opportunity of freedom because of her ties to her pack? I felt sick at the thought... And this fuckwit was getting on myst nerve now, and as I went to stand to deal with him, Caleb mindlinked. ''Sit. I am dealing with this.'' He ordered. ContentN?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    belongs to NovelDrama.Org

    I had no option but to follow his order, and did just that, cing myself next to Bailey on the bed, who looked at me with confusion. "Right, Miles, you came to speak with Bailey, did you not? Yet all you have done so far is insult my pack members." Caleb said angrily. He sounded like he had had enough now too, not that I can me him, he likely wanted to get home to Eden by now.

    ¡°Well, perhaps if they would all fuck off, and let me speak to her instead of acting like a personal guard, I would have been able to talk to her." He snarled.

    ¡°We are not leaving her." I growled back. ¡°And surely Bailey should have a choice as to whether she even wants to speak with him. Considering everything? She likely wouldn''t want him anywhere near her, and could you me her?"

    Miles rested his angry gaze upon me, his eyes shing between his own and his wolf''s, telling me he was as equally desperate to fly at me, as was at him. "She will listen ast

    to me. She is from my pack. ?am her

    uing Alpha. This is pack

    business." Miles said bluntly.

    ¡°Fucking pack business?!" I snapped. "No, it is you here in a desperate bid to get her back because you fucked up. Why the hell would she want to listen to you?"

    "It is our business. Fuck all to do with you." Miles snarled. ¡°I have things I need to say to her. Things she needs to listen to."

    "If it is to do with Bailey, it is to do with me..." I began.

    "Stop!" Bailey interrupted, and at that moment my heart faltered. She wanted to listen to what this dick had to say?! "I want to hear what he has to

    say."

 Chapter 0276

    Chapter 0276

    This fucking Beta seemed to have a death wish. But he seemed to also want Bailey. And that was simply not going to work. I did not like the way she was looking at him. I had seen that look from her before, though maybe not quite as intense. And that was to the warrior boy. She had more than a thing for this one... she had best not have given herself to this one. She was mine. Fated to me. My mate. I felt fury rippling through me, as her new "friend" red at me from her side on the bed.

    "Fucking pack business?!" he snapped at me angrily. "No, it is you here in a desperate bid to get her back because you fucked up. Why the hell would she want to listen to you?"

    He sure had a fucking nerve. I will give him that much! He knew I was an uing Alpha yet spoke down to me like I was a nobody. I would destroy him if given a chance. If it wasn''t for his beefed-up Alpha buddy, I would have kicked his ass by now. I needed the opportunity to speak to Bailey, but that would onlye if I behaved. I knew that. This Alpha Caleb had made that more than clear...

    "It is our business. Fuck all to do with you." I snarled. "I have things I need to say to her. Things she needs to listen to."

    "If it is to do with Bailey, it is to do with me..." The Beta began.

    "Stop!" Bailey interrupted, and my eyes darted towards her. A smile formed on my face. I think my n was working... "I want to hear what he has to say." she added, and at that moment, my heart soared. She was willing to hear me out. I knew mentioning our expected loyalty to pack would make this choice hard for her. It was something all of our pack members are taught, but something her family, especially her father, are extremely dedicated to. It was what made Bailey keeping back to pack when so many others would have run by now, I was sure of it...

    I saw the sheer disappointment

    upon the Beta boy''s face. He looked deste. Absolutely heartbroken. Haha. I loved it. Every fucking moment. He hoped she would not want to hear me out. He hoped she would tell me to leave and nevere back. But the thing was, there would always be a connectio

    between Bailey and me. We had grown up together. Our familiesContent held by N?velDrama.Org.

    were like family. Despite the animosity between us, we had been close until she started doing better than me in school. Then she was simply nothing more than an

    irritation.

    I hated that she could so easily excel while I struggled. And when I turned to her for help she refused, saying I would never learn if I didn''t do the work myself. Everyone else in the pack would bend over backward for me, do whatever I asked of them, but this girl, she never did. And I hated her for it. She never saw me as special because of my title. Maybe that was because we were fated and somewhere deep down she knew it, but herck of respect infuriated me further.

    "Well, she has said she will hear you out, Miles. Yet, you stand there not saying a word. Get on with it. It iste, and Bailey needs to rest.¡± Apha Caleb said icily, interrupting my thoughts, and I looked at him as

    coldly as he had spoken to m

    walked to the edge of her bed, where she looked up at me tentatively. She did not look quite as stunning as she had when she walked into our pack this morning. But despite the injuries, and the wildness of her hair, I could still see the natural beauty thaty beneath. Maybe it had been there all along, and I had just allowed my resentment towards her to make me miss it... Content

    belongs to

    "Bailey, I hope you will give me a chance to exin myself properly." I said quietly, and she nodded.

    "Well, that is what you came for, isn''t it?" she said, and I had to smile. She may be injured, but her attitude was evidently not hurt. "And I think I am due an exnation, if not an apology."

    "I believe so." I nodded, hating all the

    other curious eyes being upon us, but knowing likely had no other choice right now. "Look, I owe you an apology, I know that. Hell, I owe you many apologies. I never did treat you the way you deserved. Not since we were young, anyway. You can''t deny we had fun growing up?" I looked at her, and she was looking down toward her hands, fiddling with her fingers, which made me wonder if she did not want to think of the memories of us all growing up

    together. They were good memories, she had to know that.

 Chapter 0277

    Chapter 0277

    I sighed. If I could not use good memories to my benefit, then I have to work harder... "I have never been the smartest Bai, you know that. That was why we ended up falling out. I was childish. I resented you. And, I held that against you for longer than I ever should have. I turned to you for help and you walked away. From then on, I was set on revenge, never realizing that you would be the one the moon goddess selected for me. Not that it matters, that was never the way to treat someone..." I looked at her again, and her big brown eyes were looking at me, but she shook her head. I don''t think she ever knew my reasons. Well, she did now.

    "That was why you treated Bai the way you did?" Morgan asked in shock.

    "I am not going into it. But yes." I admitted, and I saw many disgusted faces. I knew I was in the wrong, I did not need telling. I just needed to convince this girl I could change. "Bai, I realize now I made a mistake. I should never have rejected you. The moon goddess decided you were the one that was meant for me, and I think she was right. I have thought back so many times to how close we used to be growing up, before all this mess..." I faltered, and I could see her face was emotionless, as she looked up at the Beta.

    "Why do you look at him?" I asked. "Do you need his input? This is between you and me, is it not? Can they not leave?"

    Alpha Caleb shook his head. "We stay. Ensure her safety."

    I rolled my eyes again. I would not hurt her. Not now. I wanted to make her mine. The way fate had intended all along. ¡°Is a guy not able to make mistakes? So long as he can admit them?" I urged her, and her eyes darted to mine. I was shocked at the anger I found there. This was not the mild and weak girl I remembered. She had changed recently. She was certainly more confident. Bolder. Braver...

    "Make mistakes?" she questioned. "Miles, you almost killed Harley just so he could not be with me. He left the pack to escape you. Yes, you may have had your reasons within your mind for being a dick with me, all because I refused to help you with your studies, or should I say do all your studies for school to help you pass, but you made my life hell for far too long, and dragged others into that too. They aren''t mistakes, they were choices. Mistakes are one-time things, but these things were happening time and time again."

    "And I am sorry for them, so, so

    sorry for them, Do you not see that? I requested an annulment from Kaia today because I realized it should have been you. I should never have given up on you. I have been a fool, Bai Please, give me a chance to prove I can change?" I lied. She did not need to know the circumstances of the situation with Kaia.

    "You will never change. You went for treatment and came back worse." She said coldly. "Whatever went on with Kaia is nothing to do with me. We are not connected anymore."

    My heart ached at the thought. I needed her to want me. Every other she-wolf I tried with wanted me, but the one I needed seemed to resist me so easily... "Bai,e on, darling. You know we could be good together. Luna and Alpha? You and me? Yes, I messed up, and will spend forever making that up to you." I put on my best charm, my voice a deep purr. "Think of the pack. What do you say?" I added, hoping that would sway her.

    But instead her eyes fell on the Beta, tears beginning to build. And he suddenly enveloped her in anContent held by N?velDrama.Org.

    embrace. Angry eyes were upon me from all directions as I began to realize my n was failing

    miserably. I was about to spear

    again, try desperately to win Bailey over, when I saw her whispering to the Beta. And then I saw a smile spread upon his face as he looked at her adoringly as she offered him her neck. Before I could move, his canines had elongated and his teeth sunk into her neck... he had marked her!

    My heart tightened in pain... shock... fury... he had marked her. This man had marked the she-wolf that the moon goddess had chosen for me. The one I had been fool enough to let go... And the smile upon her face as she looked up at him, told me it was everything she wanted. I had already lost

    her.

    "Well, I think you have your answer, don''t you?" Alpha Caleb said with a smile, as I felt all hope falling from me... leaving nothing but emptiness...

 Chapter 0278

    Chapter 0278

    Being ordered to sit and allow this dick to have his say had been bad enough. But what broke me was the fact that Bailey had said she wanted to hear him out. She wanted to hear what he had to say. Zion whimpered the moment those words had left her mouth. Terror had filled every part of me. He had yed on her loyalty to her pack. Even I could see that. Manipting her emotions, I just hope she could see it too.

    Bailey was loyal to a fault. And I would never criticize her for that, but it worried me that it meant she would find herself in a position she did not want to be. That it could mean we find one another apart...

    But, her hand remained upon my arm as Miles tried his hardest to convince her, and the expression upon her face barely changed. She looked down at her hands fiddling with her fingers. I barely took my eyes from her, and I think I saw her look at Miles a matter of a few times, and there was no fear there. She was not scared of him, and she was standing up to him.

    His excuses were the most pathetic I think I have ever heard. It seemed toe across to me, that he had chosen to make her life a living hell, and turn the kids of their ages against her all because she refused to do his school work for him? All because she was more intelligent than him? He needed her help to pass his school grades and she refused him. He was so used to everyone doing things for him, trying hard to please him, that when someone suddenly didn''t, he hadn''t known how to handle it; and he took revenge.

    Even Morgan was shocked, and she will have been one of his minions, one of the ones following him and doing as he did in a desperate attempt to fit in with him...

    I heard him apologize, and I saw no reaction from Bailey. Her eyes were cold. Emotionless. I wished we could mindlink right now so I could determine if she was okay. I needed to know what she was thinking. Her emotions and her face were so hard to read at the best of times, but in this moment they were near on impossible, and it seemed Miles was struggling too, as he almost begged her to forgive his mistakes. But Bailey fought back. She gave him shit, and I sat there a hidden smile in proudness for her. She was stronger than she ever gave herself credit for.

    Seeing the pain upon the uing Alpha''s face as Bailey told him they shared no connection shocked me. He looked genuinely hurt, and I could not help but wonder if he held genuine feelings for her, or if it was the fact he knew she would be his

    last hope at a title that he so ve

    desperately craved. But he blurted out some shit about proving himself to her. His voice had changed, a bid to charm her, it seemed, while mentioning the pack once more to manipte her. And at the mention of the pack I saw tears in Bailey''s eyes.

    He was a dick. Bailey''s eyes fell on me, full of questions. Full of doubt. I knew she was scared right now, even I could sense that. I hated seeing her like that, and all I wanted was to reassure her. I wanted to be there for her. I could not care that this fuckwit was here bringing what appeared to be his pathetic attempt at charming her, I needed to hold her... be there for her...

    I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around her, needing to feel her in my arms. I so desperately did not want to lose her, but I had to let her make her choice. If her loyalty to her family and her pack was what had toe first, I had to respect that. I felt tears filling my eyes, as Zion whimpered, obviously picking up on my emotions right now. I felt Bailey tilt her head slightly, so her mouth was tickling my ear.

    "Ash?" she whispered, taking me byCcontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    surprise as the warmth of her breath sent a shiver down my spine. I

    el.ne

    nodded gently in response. "I know this is out of the blue, and so not how we would have wanted this, but if we do this now, he can do no more will be yours. I will belong to you. To your pack..." her voice faltered a little and my heart raced as I realized where I thought this was going, as she continued. "Will you mark me?" she added, and I could not hold back the smile spreading across my face as I pulled back slightly to look down at her. Damn, I loved this girl... and I did not need asking twice!

 Chapter 0279

    Chapter 0279

    Zion wasted no time in helping out, in pushing forward to allow my canines to elongate, as Bailey smiled up at me, nothing more but happiness in her eyes as she offered me her neck. No, this may not be the way we would like to do this, in a hectic room, but we could always mark one another again. This made her mine. It meant she was safe...

    I leaned a little further forward as I sunk my teeth into the soft skin of Bailey''s neck. In the spot where her cor bone met her neck, and I felt the shudder rush through my body as the matebond snapped into ce... and a sense of contentment flooded me too. Tears filled my eyes as I realized, I felt whole again... I had been withdrawn and alone for so long. Broken and isted after losing I... and Bailey had fixed me.

    The metallic taste of her blood filled my mouth, before I ran my tongue along her mark to help it heal and clean up any blood. A rush of pleasure and happiness flooded through me in that moment as I pulled away to look at Bailey, who was looking up at me with wide eyes. That sense ofpleteness so strong. Who knew Bailey could be the one to bring that for me?

    ''Hey you.'' she mindlinked, with a little wink, and I smiled.

    "Well, I think you have your answer, don''t you?" I heard Caleb say to Miles, and I had to hold back the threateningugh. My friend was definitely being to the point today...

    "No. Bailey, you are making a mistake. You know that, right?" Miles tried, and Bailey shook her head.

    "No. You were the mistake, Miles. A mistake from the moon goddess when she fated me to you. Because that never made sense. I would nevere back to you. Or that pack." Bailey said confidently, as she held onto my hand tightly. "This is where I belong."

    And hearing her dere that to him, to the world sounded so good. I don''t think I had heard better words...

    Miles shook his head, somewhere between disgust and shock. "Clearly you made your choice. I do not want another man''s sloppy seconds. I will be leaving now." He began to turn away, though I swear there was a hint of pain in his voice, perhaps even a tear in his eyes.

    "I am afraid that isn''t happening."

    Caleb said icily, as the doctor walked

    into the room unexpectedly with a nod toward our Alpha. "You have said what you came to say, allowed Bailey to gain her closure, and had somewhat of a pathetic attempt at an apology. Now, you wille to the cells. The Council are on their way for you."

    Miles''s eyes suddenly darkened as he roared. "The fucking Council?!" The expression upon his face was a picture. He knew his time was up. He was no longer getting away with the same shit he had for so long... he flew forward, ready to take out his rage as hair began to protrude. I jumped up from the bed to help Caleb and Marc tackle him, bringing him to the floor with a heavy thud, as the doctor suddenly stuck a syringe into his neck.

    "We shall take him to the cells, andContent property of N?velDra/ma.Org.

    wait for the Council. He is sedated

    now. Wolfsbane means he won''t be hurting anyone." Caleb informed me. "Now, you two have some time

    though." he added with a wink, and I have to say that sounded good to me...

    alone he smiled. "Co 22

 Chapter 0280

    Chapter 0280

    I was never going to take the words of Miles as the truth. He never did speak the truth. I knew that. I

    saw the hurt upon Asher''s face as I said I wanted to hear what Miles had to say, but, I wanted to

    hear what he had to say. I wanted to see if he would apologize to me. I felt I deserved an apology

    after everything over the years. And, I wanted an exnation. Over the years I had tried so hard to

    work out what it was that made Miles turn on me, and had never been able to fathom it. Hearing him

    say it was because I had refused to do his school work to help him gain his grades made me see

    that I had been right all along.

    His reasons were not valid. Not in my mind. He said he could change. I knew he couldn¡¯t. Or he

    would have done as he grew up. He would have seen the error of his ways, and if anything, over

    time, he had got worse. No. I knew what I needed to do. He just made it harder when he kept

    mentioning the pack. He was right, we were brought up to be loyal to our pack, and that was what

    kept meing back to the pack. So many times during my time away studying I had been tempted

    to go AWOL. To never return. I had told myself I was sure I wouldn¡¯t be missed, my parents'' focus

    was always on my brother, with him being the heir to the Beta title. Or my younger sister. I easily

    faded into the background.

    But, no, themitment to our pack that we had ingrained within us would y upon my mind and

    always bring me back. That and a loyalty to my family. But this time it waspeting with love.

    Love for Asher. And, I knew now I had my Dad¡¯s permission. He had said he was happy for me to

    be here. But, deep down, I knew even if he hadn¡¯t, I would be leaving. I wanted Asher. I wanted to

    leave and be here. Autumn Valley Pack was all I wanted ¨C the job, themunity, and, of course,

    the mean, mysterious and moody Beta that had etched his ce within my heart. I wanted all of

    that. I needed Asher. He had changed my view of life. Of myself. I couldn''t imagine my life without

    him now; and I was not ready to let him go.

    So when Miles was trying his hardest with his fake-ass pimp voice, that so many of the she-wolves

    in the pack would swoon over, trying to convince me to imagine us as Alpha and Luna, and adding

    in the maniption of thinking of the pack, I found my eyes looking at Asher. I could see the fear in

    his eyes. He was scared of losing me. Akira was telling me that. She and Zion had to be talking,

    despite her weakness. I knew then what I needed to do. It would end all questions, and hopefully it

    would send this dick packing too. I would not risk this anymore...

    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    I felt tears in my eyes, and Asher wrapped his arms around me. I winced in pain as he did, but right

    now, I didn¡¯t care. I knew what I needed to do, whether there were people watching us or not. We

    could do this again when we were alone. Right now, we needed to do this. Make this official. I

    rested my mouth next to his ear, and felt him shiver, the way I love when I know I am doing

    something he likes, before I whispered to him so nobody else could hear, ¡°Ash?¡± I felt him nodding. I

    couldn¡¯t quite believe I was about to do this. ¡°I know this is out of the blue, and so not how we would

    have wanted this, but if we do this now, he can do no more. I will be yours. I will belong to you. To

    your pack¡­¡± my voice faltered. What if he didn¡¯t want this yet? But I knew I had to ask. ¡°Will you

    mark me?¡±

    The smile upon his face told me all I needed to know as I offered him my neck. The shock of pain as

    his teeth broke my skin, was soon followed by an exhrating pleasure running through me as I felt

    the matebond begin to form. Oh! wow¡­ we were really doing this! I was going to be Asher¡¯s mate!

    After everything¡­

    Who would have thought when I walked into this ce all those weeks ago I would be finding my

    mate? My mind was a blur as I smiled up at Asher. He was my mate¡­ Akira purred happily in my

    mind. This was meant to be.

    ¡®Hey you.¡¯ I couldn¡¯t help but link, with a little wink to test out the mindlink, and Asher smiled, his

    face full of happiness.

    ¡°Well, I think you have your answer, don¡¯t you?¡± Alpha Caleb said to Miles, and he most certainly

    did. I hope our actions have shown him exactly where he stands now. I would never have gone

    back to the pack, and he was never meant for me.

 Chapter 0281

    Chapter 0281

    "No. Bailey, you are making a mistake. You know that right?" Miles said coldly, trying to get my attention. I turned to look at him, shaking my head. He had a fucking nerve. I am making a mistake?

    "No. You were the mistake Miles. A mistake from the moon goddess when she fated me to you. Because that never made sense. I would nevere back to you. Or that pack." I told Miles, while squeezing Asher''s hand. I knew where I was meant to be. "This is where I belong."

    The proudness upon Asher''s face told me all I needed to know, while Miles shook his head, with an expression I don''t think I had seen upon his face before. Remorse? Guilt? Pity? I honestly didn''t know. I think he knew he had lost everything. "Clearly you made your choice. I do not want another man''s sloppy seconds. I will be leaving now." He began to turn away, and I was more than happy to allow him to go, so I was surprised to hear Alpha Caleb intervene.

    "I am afraid that isn''t happening." Alpha Caleb said, his voice full of authority. "You have said what you came to say, allowed Bailey to gain her closure, and had somewhat of a pathetic attempt at an apology. Now, you wille to the cells. The Council are on their way for you."

    I was shocked by his words. Somebody had finally reported him to the Werewolf Council? I had been tempted so many times, but Miles had made so many threats to me. I had always backed out, knowing I would have no proof or no back up. Now there was back up, and plenty of it... Miles''s eyes shed dark, and I knew what that meant, as he roared. ¡°The fucking council?!" He surged forward, his wolf Jet ready to take control, and I knew then we would be in trouble as he was as crazy, if not more so than Miles. But at that instant, Asher, Caleb and Marc were moving. All toward Miles, ready to take him down, and they did. Knocking him to the floor with a sickening thud. Before the doctor, who had slipped into the room at some point, leaned over to where Miles was nowyed pinned to the floor by the three strong men of my new pack, and stabbed him in the neck with a syringe, I could only guess with what was likely wolfsbane to sedate him and his wolf...

    "We shall take him to the cells, and wait for the Council. He is sedated now. Wolfsbane means he won''t be hurting anyone." Caleb said calmly, like he was discussing the weather, rather than having just taken down an absolute psycho. A man who had been making my life hell for far too long. This man was a hero. They all were.

    "You two have some time alone. "Congrattions, though." he smiled with a wink, and I could see the big beaming smile upon Asher''s face as we watched everyone leave the room, Morgan giving me a sly little wink as she did. Nothing like being indiscreet...

    "So, that was unexpected..." Asher looked at me, his eyes filled with so much happiness, I could not help but smile.

    "I am sorry for putting you on the spot." I looked up at him awkwardly, hoping he didn''t mind what had happened.

    But that smile upon his face did not falter, not even for a moment. I think this was the happiest I had seen him since I had arrived. This was most definitely a different side to Asher...

    ''You think he has been drinking while we were gone?'' Akira asked with a giggle, making me smile again. ''Or is he just high on looooovvvee?!'' she teased. Yeah, I think my wolf would be just fine...

    "You do not have to apologize for anything would have marked you that first night we spent together..." Asher eximed, then he looked down as he seemed to realize what he had admitted, and I giggled.

    "Oh, is that right?" I stroked his hand with mine, loving the touch of hisz skin under mine. I could not wait to be better, so we could be snuggled up together again. "You kept hat to yourself didn''t you?!" I teased. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    He smiled. "Well, all I can say is I can''t tell you how good it feels to know you are mine, beautiful." He reached over and gently stroked my face. "I swear Bailey, I could not stop thinking of you since the moment you arrived here. You turned my world upside down without even intending to. I have been terrified the whole time you were away wishing I had told you how I felt for you. Seems I was a little slow on the uptake, scared to admit what I was feeling. But, you were everything I needed and I hadn''t even known it. I love you, Bailey."

    My heart fluttered at his words. He had told me he loved me...

    ''Let me at him!'' Akira purred, and I felt her push forward, my canines beginning to elongate, I think she had decided it was time to mark her man.....

 Chapter 0282

    Chapter 0282

    I could see Bailey''s eyes watching me as I told her I loved her, they shed darker for a moment, and I caught sight of her canine teeth, taking me by surprise... was Akira deciding she wanted to mark me too? Was she even well enough? Strong enough after everything?

    ''Maybe us marking her did make her stronger?'' Zion suggested. I guess that could be true. The nurse said she couldn''t say for sure if it would, but here she was ready to mark me despite the fact her wolf had to have been weak trying to heal her.

    "I love you too, Asher." Bailey whispered, and those were now the most wonderful words I had heard. Words I hadn''t even realized I had been desperate to hear.

    I offered her my neck without a moment''s hesitation. I wanted to have her mark upon me. I wanted this matebondplete. She was the one meant toe into my life and fix me, I am sure of that. Her arriving in our pack had not been a coincidence. Fate had intervened in a different way... No, I had not been blessed with her as a fated mate, but second-chance mates were rare; yet the connection I felt to Bailey was something else. Like a soulmate. She brought me peace. Contentment. She made me whole again. In a way I never thought could be possible after losing I. And as I felt her teeth sink into my neck, that shudder of pleasure rippled through my body, bringing tears to my eyes as I felt thepleted matebond snap into ce. She was mine. Bailey was officially mine. And I was hers. I felt goosebumps spread across my body as she traced her tongue across the new mark I now wore, before I moved back slightly to look at my new mate. I smiled down at her, fighting the tears. "You do not know how happy you have made me." I whispered.

    "I think I may have some idea, especially when I feel just as happy." She teased, reaching up to gently stroke where she had just marked me. "I can''t believe I have a mate!" she eximed excitedly.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.

    "I just wish we hadn''t waited so long!" I told her, and she smirked.

    "Oh, is that so?" she prodded me yfully, a teasing smile upon her face.

    ¡°That is most definitely so!" I reinforced. "But now you have everything you wanted, beautiful, you have the dream job, you have your new pack, and, I would kind of like to think you have your dream man..." I winked, causing her to giggle.

    "Meh, he isn''t too bad, I guess. Kind of the tall, dark, and handsome type. A little mean and moody. Brooding. Mysterious..." She joked, making me smile. I would settle for that description, she made me sound quite appealing, in fact.

    "Ooooh, he sounds perfect." I winked again, and she smiled, her eyes gazing at me adoringly.

    "But I definitely do have everything I wanted, Ash. And something I didn''t expect; a mate. It shows just what you can find when you aren''t even looking." she said to me with so much emotion in her voice. "And to know that Miles will be dealt with is an added bonus. Maybe we should let my Dad know I am okay? Let him know we are mates now, and let him know Miles is here?"

    "I think he was notified Miles was here. But I do think he will want to know you are okay, and I would like to think he might want to know you are now settling down." I agreed, only hoping that her family agreed with her choice of chosen mate. After the whole mess with Miles, I would like to think I would not be too much of a dreadful option.

    I passed her my phone, and she scrolled through my contacts to find her Dad''s contact. Being a Beta, I had contact''s for all the Alphas and Betas within our region, and slightly further afield too. I saw Bailey look at me with uncertainty as she dialled. Was she nervous about telling her Dad we were mates? | sure hoped not...

 Chapter 0283

    Chapter 0283

    "Hello?" Beta Donovan''s voice answered almost immediately, despite sounding sleepy, which was unsurprising given the hour. "Beta Asher, please do not tell me you are calling me to tell me something else has happened. Last update I had Bailey was stable. Has that changed?" he demanded before Bailey was able to even get a word in. I could see nothing had changed with this guy, he always had too much to say...

    "Good day to you too, Beta Donovan." I said sarcastically, earning a dark scowl from my new mate, making me smile in response. "Were you going to give us a moment to talk before jumping to a conclusion?"ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    As Bailey had the phone on speaker, I could hear everything her father said and did, and heard a loud grunt. ¡°Well, it is far from day, is it, you fucking pile of sunshine? And it is a bit hard not to jump to conclusions when I am worried sick, and you call me at an ungodly hour."

    "So you don''t want to know the news then?" I began with a smile, and Bailey looked at me again with a shake of her head this time. Her Dad was too easy to annoy, and I was too childish to resist...

    "Hi Dad." Bailey interrupted.

    "Bailey!" he responded, and I could hear relief just in the way he said her name. ¡°You are awake?!"

    Zion chuckled. ''Well if not, she is doing a bloody good job at pretending to be. That is one hell of a circus trick.'' And I held back augh at my wolf.

    "Seems that way." Bailey rolled her eyes at me, evidently thinking much the same way as Zion and me.

    "Oh, sweetheart, we have been so

    worried about you. Uncle Marshall has contacted the Werewolf Council about Miles. Ellis is going to be made Alpha too. Things are going to be changing. I don''t know if Morgan told you? Though I believe your¡¢ Alpha has too. The two Alphas have spoken. The Council should be on their way to you now. I am so sorry that boy has put you through so much. And that we let you down so badly." I could hear the pain and regret within his voice, so I could only assume Bailey could too, not that it would change the suffering she had gone through at the hands of Miles, but I hoped it meant she could begin to move forward.

    "Yeah, I know the Council areing. I don''t really want to talk about Miles any more Dad. He is done with. He has done enough damage within my life. And besides, I have bigger and better things to look forward to." She said, and I could hear proudness dripping from her words, and it made my heart melt. She was talking about us... our future...

    "Oh, is that right? You nning to take over the world now?" her Dad teased, making me chuckle.

    "Can a Beta''s mate take over the world?" Bailey asked, and I heard a shocked gasp.

    "Oh goddess, you and the Lord of grouchiness are mates?" he eximed, but I could hear the smile in his words.

    "Dad." Bailey warned.

    Heughed. "I am happy for you both. I truly am Bailey. I just hope that boy knows how much it will cost him to keep you in books and chocte. He may need a second job."

    I found myselfughing now. "I think I am up for that challenge." I told him with a smile at my mate. Hell, I think I would do anything for this girl, so buying her books and chocte was nothing...

 Chapter 0284

    Chapter 0284

    I woke up from snoozing, and found Asher crashed out in the chair next to my bed. He still had not left my side. Despite every reassuring word the doctor could give him, he had chosen not to leave me. We had marked one anotherst night, so were now officially mates, and I can only say it feels beyond amazing. More than I could ever have imagined. This is what I wanted in life, I had realized while lying there, watching him sleep.

    A mate who loves me for who I am. With no judgment. Who doesn''t try to change me. Who cares for me, protects me, and makes me feel adored. Asher does all of those things and more. It seemed I had wanted a mate, and I never knew. But I had also wanted a ce I could call home. A ce I felt safe, felt secure and content, and Lotus Shadow Pack had not been that in a long time. Autumn Valley Pack had given me that security almost as soon as I walked in, in a way I couldn''t exin, and that only developed the closer I became to Asher, and as my friendships within the pack bloomed. Fate and the moon goddess seemed to have messed up when fating me to Miles, but, in a bitter-sweet-twisted intervention, things were somehow realigned in me finding my way here to find Asher. To find the other half of my soul; because that is what it felt like. Yes, he drove me wild in the beginning, but now I know that was because he was feeling lost. He was feeling broken, just like I was. We fixed one another. That darkness that had lingered around him had long since faded, and now all I saw was light. Happiness. And that is what he brought into my life too.

    The doctor walked into my room with a smile upon his face as he looked at Asher. "Wow, such a handsome fe when he is sat there snoring." He chuckled. "Though I think we can let him off when he has been here since the moment you arrived, worrying sick, and I don''t think he has even slept."

    I nodded, I felt guilty for that, but if anything, it just proved my point that this man cared for me like no other man could. He was dedicated to me, and I wanted to be the same for him.

    "Well, I have some good news for you dear, you are good to go home. I think the marking helped you heal. We were not sure if it was, as Luna was asking, suggesting Beta try while you were unconscious, but he refused to without your permission, when we could not guarantee it would help. But, it seemed it really did help. Thosest wounds seem to be healed up now. Your stats are stable. All looking good. But, I would say to not overdo it for a day or so. And if you feel unwell, you can alwayse back. I imagine this big doofus here will be making sure you are okay, and ensuring you get checked if there are any issues."Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.

    I had to say I was shocked at his words. I had no clue Eden had been trying to convince Asher to mark me, but again, the fact he was considering me while wanting to do what was right only made me love him more. The doctors couldn''t tell him making me would help me heal, and he hadn''t wanted

    to do that without knowing it was what I wanted. I don''t think he could be more perfect...

    "Thank you doctor." I smiled up at

    him, I could not wait to go home, no

    matter what they may try and tell

    e

    you, there is no chance of gaining any rest in a hospital. All the chaos going on, and being checked on every few minutes for one thing or another.

    "Not a problem." He nodded, and as he moved toward the door, he looked back at me. "Congrattions on bing our Beta''s mate, am truly happy for you. I won''t lie, we worried about him for a while. He is a good man, and despite all he went through he still managed his role of B¨ºta valiantly, despite feeling like he was falling apart. He deserves good things. I can see the happiness you bring to him, Miss West."

    Asher cleared his throat from next to us, and the doctor looked across to him awkwardly, evidently not realizing he had been listening. "I was just saying how happy I was for you both."

    Asher raised his brows usingly. "Hmm, so I heard." He muttered sleepily.

    "The doctor told me I can go home." I informed him, and his face instantly lit up.

    "She is okay? No more concerns?"

    "Everything is fine, Beta. She will be okay. Just keep an eye on her for a day or so." The doctor nodded. before moving out of the room, likely wanting to make a quick escape after his faux-pas.

    "Well, let me get my mate home then!" Asher exims, almost jumping from his seat.

 Chapter 0285

    Chapter 0285

    "Slow down, I don''t need you near falling over again." I teased.

    ''Spoilsport.'' Akira joked. ''I was looking forward to that.''

    I used the en suite shower room to take a shower, and get myself dressed into the clothes that my sister had thankfully dropped off for me, before we walked from the hospital together hand in hand, being waved off by the doctors. It felt good to be back out in the fresh air, I had to admit, and was surprised to see Eden waiting for us with Alpha Caleb, and their little ones.

    "Good morning!" Eden greeted me excitedly. "We just wanted to say congrattions. Do you feel better? Do you feel different now you are Asher''s mate? Aww, I can''t believe you guys are mates! That is such good news! Aww, my babies have you both now as Aunt and Uncle. You wille and visit when you feel up to it, yeah? I already told Alli you would need some time off to recover. You have been through a lot, so you need a rest."

    Asher and Caleb looked at one another before shaking their heads andughing. "Did you breathe that time, Eden?" Asher teased, so I assumed her talking with so much information in one go was normal. I had noticed it a few times when we had chatted and thought it was quite funny.

    "I have been worried about Bailey. And I have missed her. She is the Beta''s mate now!" Eden eximed. "Aww, Ash, you done well for yourself." She smiled, and Asher smiled in response.

    "I know I did. Not quite sure how I managed it to be honest."

    "Aww, really? You guys are a perfect match. Despite you being a grumpy fucker at times, Bailey is definitely good for you." Alpha Caleb pped Asher on the back.

    ¡°Cal, stop cursing when the babies are near." Eden frowned, and Asher wagged his finger in fake mockery at his friend. I think I could get used to being around these two as friends as well as pack Alpha and Luna. They seemed to work well together, and I knew they were close with Asher. "Well, I do want to take Bailey home, the doctor said to let her rest, but we will call over to see you guys in a day or so, yeah?" Asher told the Alpha, who nodded.

    "Taking it easy is probably for the best. But we will have a BBQ or something when you are up to it. Wee you into the pack properly, Bailey. Not to mention officially introducing you as Asher''s mate. This is definitely where you were meant to be from what Ash had said."

    I smiled up at Asher, who had his arm around my waist protectively since we left the hospital. "Will you keep us updated with any news about other stuff." Asher said, and Alpha Caleb nodded.

    "He is currently in the cells, Council

    are expected here today. Not sure what they n with him to be honest. Morgan said he killed someone at the wedding. Plus attempted murder of your friend." He looked at me, and I nodded, knowing he was talking about Harley, though I was a little shocked, to say the least, at the fact he had killed someone at the wedding. knew Miles had a temper, but could only imagine what had gone down to cause him to go as far as killing someone at what was meant to be his own wedding day. I don''t think that man was ever capable of change. "He could be looking at being locked up for a long time. If not killed." Alpha Caleb added, and I nodded. I hope he got everything he deserved.

    I felt Asher''s touch tighten upon me, in what I assume was reassurance. "Come on then, let us head home. You are staying with me, so I can take care of you." he told me, and I saw Eden and the Alpha smile, as they walked away.

    el

    We walked the rest of the way to the packhouse in afortable silence, my mind overrun with all the new information it had thrown at it so far. So much had changed in thest day or so, and things would be changing even further in the future, but was ready for them. I was ready to be the Beta''s wife of Autumn Valley, and I was ready to put the past behind me, that was Miles and Lotus Shadow Pack. It was all irrelevant now. I had the man I wanted and he wanted me. Content

    belongs to

    Asher opened the door to his Beta suite, letting me follow him in, before he turned to take my hand. "Wee home, beautiful.¡± He whispered as he pulled me closer to him. I felt my body reacting to kis the moment I fell into his embrace. "I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us." He added, as he

    brought his lips to mine in a deep and passionate kiss. ContentN?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    belongs to

 Chapter 0286

    Chapter 0286

    Epilogue - Bailey...

    4 monthster

    I sat on the edge of our bed, nerves rushing through every part of my body, while Asher paced the floor in front of me before he looked down at me. In the whole time since we had officially be a couple, this was the first time I had felt so worried. I did not know how he would react when I told him the news, but now he was as nervous as I was.

    "Are you sure you did the test right?¡± he asked, his voice wobbling a little.

    "Can you do them wrong? You pee on it and wait, right?" I attempted to joke, but I genuinely didn''t think I had done it wrong. I just hated the wait...

    I had not felt right for a couple of weeks now, and had put it down to a virus going around school. It had not taken me long to go back to work after leaving the hospital after all the drama of the incident with Miles. And soon Asher and I had fallen into the routine of a couple, and I loved it. It was like we had always been together.

    Histe night working sessions were a thing of the past; he rushed out of work each day toe home to me, or would oftene to meet me as I finished work, which always brightened my day. Fresh flowers would often await me, and chocte was always stocked up too, which made me smile. Asher was far from the dark and moody guy I had first met and was always smiling now, and showering me with love andpliments, as well as the fun banter we had going on which always had me smiling, and amused Akira greatly.

    But this feeling of constantly being tired, and persistent sickness had made me begin to feel a little suspicious, especially as it never seemed to ease. It had led me to buy a pregnancy test, which, admittedly, had sat in the bag on the shelf in the bathroom for a little while until I had found the courage

    to do it. Terrified about what Asher might do if I was pregnant, as we had never actually nned for a baby just yet.

    But, the moment he found the test,

    he was as nervous as me, but he had an excitement about him that had melted my heart. But he wanted to do the test immediately the

    moment he looked in the bag.ne

    saw it. Patience clearly not h

    not his

    strongest point... Which meant we were going to be running a littlete today...

    "Bai, is it time to check it now?" Asher looked at me, his face full of expectation, and I nced at my phone, nodding. He offered me his hand, pulling me up from the bed as I took it, and we walked over to the dressing table where the test now sat. Together we leaned over it, and my heart raced at the sight.

    "There is nothing there." Asher whispered.

    ''Isn''t he meant to be smart?'' Akira giggled.

    "I have to turn it over." I told him, realizing it was faced down. And as I did, there was no denying the answer, as the word ''pregnant'' sat inside of the little screen.

    Asher gasped in surprise, before wrapping his arms around me. ¡°Oh Bai!" he snuggled his face into my neck. "We are having a baby!" his voice told me all I needed to know, as I felt every bit as overjoyed as he did.

    There was a sudden knock at the door, telling me we were alreadyte. "I bet that will be Marc and Morgan." Asher grumbled. "Marc already mindInked to say they were ready to leave."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Today was the day Ellis would officially be Alpha of the Lotus Shadow Pack, and we were all invited to join them, as were Eden and Caleb, as Alpha and Luna of a nearby pack, so, it was a day to visit family, as well as a day to celebrate.

    Miles would not be there, so visiting my home pack was not so much of a chore now. Miles had long since been detained by the Werewolf Council, and was now awaiting a formal trial for his attempted murder of Harley, and for the murder of his former bride''s boyfriend. They had said they would attempt to bring charges for the attempted kidnap of me too, but I held no hope of that one. But, it was expected he would be locked up for a long time toe, and when or more like, if he was released, he would have all ranks taken from him and be forced to join the Werewolf Council defense force army.

 Chapter 0287

    Chapter 0287

    Epilogue Bailey contd...

    Miles would no longer be involved in, anyway, shape or form with the Lotus Shadow Pack. His actions had well and truly severed all ties to his family and his pack. And, I have to say, I felt nothing towards him, no pity or anything. He deserved everything he got."You two better not be holding us up because you couldn''t resist ripping each other''s clothes off!" Morgan called through the door, so loud it was likely half the pack heard.

    "Open the door before she says anything else!" I warned Asher, and he chuckled. He may not have been keen on my sister when she first arrived, but now he was spending time with her and Marc on a more regr basis, he was getting used to her somewhat unique and quirky ways, and he actually found her quite amusing now.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Come on, we are going to bete!" Marc said as Asher opened the door. "Alpha and Luna are just putting the little ones in the car."

    I walked to meet them at the front door, ready to make our departure to our former pack. "Are you okay, Bai, you look like you have been crying?" Morgan asked me suddenly, and my gaze fell on Asher, and Morgan''s eyes followed. "Actually you both do. Is something wrong?" she asked usingly.

    ''Has he done something?'' she mindlinked, and I could see she was ready to argue with him for me. I needed to make sure this was right, before she said something she regretted. Ever since she got pregnant three months ago, she had got even more fiery than before, that and little more loopy too in my mind...

    "Everything is fine. I just did a test." I smiled across at Asher, who looked at me in shock. Maybe he hadn''t expected me to tell anyone, but he had to understand why. Morgan had a habit of saying what she thought, especiallytely, and I honestly did not want her saying something she shouldn''t. Asher''s face softened and smiled before he finished my sentence for me. "And we are having a baby." He came over to meet me, his hand resting upon my non-existent belly, knowing that our little pup was already growing in there.

    The look of shock on Morgan''s face was a picture, while Marc just smiled. "Aww!" Morgan almost squealed. "You got pregnant soon after me then! Our little ones will grow up so close they will be like family!"

    I found myself frowning, wondering how her mind even worked, while Asher looked at me with a smile. "Erm, Morgan, I am pretty sure they will already be family." He pointed out, and she looked at him, confused momentarily, before sheughed.

    "You know what I mean!"

    Marc grinned at me, like he was used to my sister''s weirdness. "We sure do, baby." Marc gently kissed her head. "Anyway, let us get going, before we have Lunaing up here joining us."

    I nodded. "Yeah, I do believe we have an Alpha ceremony to get to."

    Marc and Morgan walked out of the door, before Asher pulled me to him in a gentle embrace. "You okay with today?" he asked, and I nodded.

    was actually looking forward to ne?

    seeing Ellis being made Alpha of my former pack. He definitely deserved it and was without a doubt the right man for the title.

    "I am fine. Looking forward to seeing everyone. And, this time, I have you toe with me. As my mate too don''t think it could have worked out more perfectly." I smiled up at my mate, who looked down at me with nothing but love.

 Chapter 0288

    Chapter 0288

    Epilogue - Asher

    7 monthster

    ¡°Asher, I hate you!" Bailey screamed, as sheid on the hospital bed, writhing in pain. And Zion chuckled in glee at the insults my mate was throwing my way, not to mention the pain she was inflicting upon me as she gripped my hand through each contraction. He seemed to be seriously enjoying my suffering...

    "Is she meant to be this angry?" I muttered to one of the nurses, who looked at me with her eyebrows raised like I was some sort of monster. Okay, maybe I would just sit quietly. Now I seemed to have angered the nurse as well as my mate...

    Zion once more wasughing. ''Not so good at this are you?'' he teased. ''Oh, big shot, Beta.''

    ''You''re a Beta too, you freak.'' I snapped back, while my eyes met Bailey''s and, quite honestly, she looked like she was possessed.

    ''Can childbirth turn a woman into a demon?'' Zion asked me. ''Because right about now she looks pretty freaky, and I do not mean in a good way, like, we about to get freaky sort of a way...''

    Wow. My wolf has officially lost it.

    "Okay, Bailey, if you just try to slow your breathing a little." the nurse calmly told my mate, and she turned the devil''s re upon the nurse. "What do you think I am trying to do?!" she snapped.

    The nurse simply smiled. "I know, and you are doing really well, but if we can slow it a little more, and on the next contraction, I think you can push." She told her, and I looked at Bailey with anticipation.

    "Aww, did you hear that Bai, you can push soon?" I told her. I knew she was more than ready for that. It felt like we had been in here for a lifetime already...

    The death stare was back on me now as she hissed. "I will push you, if you''re not careful."

    I swear the nurse chuckled. And these are the staff I helped interview! Yet here she isughing at my mate all but eating my heart out because she is in pain. Pain, which apparently was all my fault, ording to the recent insults...

    "Arrrrggghhhhh!" Bailey squealed out once more, the grip around my hand tightened, so damn hard I think my hand was about to snap right off. Though I had already learned to stay quiet about that...

    "Okay, Bailey, push..." the nurse said from her position at the end of the bed. "Beta, do you want toe and see your little one arrive?"

    I looked at her in shock. Did I want to? Would Bailey want me to? No, I wanted to see our little one born... I released Bailey''s hand and moved toward the end of the bed, as she panted between contractions.

    ''I may check out now.'' Zion told me, unhelpfully. ''Don''t think I can cope with the...''

    ¡°Arrrgh..... holy..... mother of ... fucking... shitting hell!!!" Bailey cursed, interrupting Zion''s words as she bore down hard. And a whole lot of stuff I was going to pretend I didn''t see came out of her, but so did our baby''s head... covered in beautiful dark curls, just like their mama...

    ''I think I agree. Holy, mother of fucking, shitting hell. What in the hell was that?'' Zion asked.

    ''Shut up.'' I snapped. ''That is our child being born.'' I felt emotions rushing through my body as my eyes met Bailey''s. I moved up the bed, to hold her hand again. I wanted to be there for her too. I wanted to hold her. Tell her how proud I was of her, and tell her I loved her.

    ¡°Come on, beautiful, you got this." I said softly into her ear, kissing her head. "You are doing amazing. I love you, Bai." "One more push and I think baby should be out, Bailey." The nurse told her, just as I felt Bailey''s hand tighten around mine.

    She sobbed as she pushed once more, but this time there was a cry as the baby slid into the nurse''s waiting hand. "Aww, congrattions. You have a little boy." She smiled up at us.

    I looked at Bailey, tears in my eyes,

    avener

    and she looked at me like she was in shock. "I''m a Mama." She whispered as the nurse suddenly passed her a little bundle wrapped in a nket. My eyes took in the beautiful sight of my amazing mate, with our gorgeous new baby in her arms. I have never felt so proud, as a rush of love and pride flooded my body. And, as I took him in, I could see he was indeed a gorgeous little fe. He had his mama''s curly dark hair, and my big green eyes.

    "You certainly are." I smiled at her, and I knew she would be a wonderful mother too. She treated every one of those children in her ss like they were her own, and they thought the world of her, so I knew our own child or children, if we went on to have more, would be blessed having her as a mother. Just as I was blessed to call her my mate.

    "He is perfect, isn''t he?" She stroked

    back his curls, and I nodded. He most definitely was that. I could not believe I was finally a father. All

    those times.over recent years, I saw friends settling down with their mates and having pups, I had long since resigned to the fact I would be alone. And then, this beauty came into my world, turning everything on its head. Making me fall for her without even trying. And here we were now, our own little one toplete my dreams... dreams I had never thought were possible. Yet Bailey had made them possible... N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    "I think he suits the name we picked, don''t you?" I asked, and Bailey nodded, as she offered my son to me. I took him from her without hesitating, sitting myself on the edge of the bed next to my mate. He felt tiny in my embrace, as he snuggled into my chest. My heart swelled with pride, as Zion purred in contentment, while Bailey rested her head upon my shoulder. I truly think my life wasplete.

    "Wee to the world Jai Asher Alcott." I whispered. "You are so perfect, little one, and you and your mama have only made my life that much better by arriving into it..." I began, as there was knocking at the door, and I instantly knew it would be one of our friends, or family desperate to meet our new arrival. I knew they had been waiting since they heard Bailey had gone intobor...

    ¡°And wee to the mad house." Bailey added with a chuckle. ¡°It is the best ce to call home, I don''t think I could imagine being anywhere else." And her words made me smile, as I looked down at our son; once upon a time I hated being in the pack, it being filled with too many bad memories, but now, I don''t think I could agree more with my mate.

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