Liam

After Azalea was cared for, I went downstairs to find the kids. I found Felix, who told me they were still playing soccer. I went outside and found Felix and Damien watching from the sidelines. I joined them. The kids ignored us. I noticed Missy and Vlad playing. Missy was smiling and laughing as two smaller children tried to take the ball. As I watched, I realized Vlad never took his eyes off Missy.

“I don’t like him,” Gavin said in my head.

“I don’t either. I don’t like the way he watches her,” I replied.

“He wants our pup,” Gavin said.

“He wants something, but I don’t know what,” I said. “I can’t figure out his motive. Missy won’t be the next Alpha, so why target her?” I’d been suspicious of Vlad for a while. I’d hoped Missy’s infatuation would fade, but I was wrong. Azalea was concerned, mostly for Missy.

“He better not be her mate,” Gavin complained.

“What’s the score?” I asked Damien and Felix.

“They’re tied,” Damien said. “We wanted to let them decide a winner before calling them in for dinner, but neither side can get two goals ahead.”

That made me smile. Our pups were fiercely competitive, especially Delilah. “Should we help them?” I asked. Felix remained stoic, as always. He was a damn good guard—observant, attentive, efficient, and reliable. He never took a day off. Azalea had only managed to send him away once, during her first pregnancy. If he wasn’t watching Azalea, she was with me or a few other trusted people. He’d even stopped a hunter from reaching her at the inn a couple of years ago.

“It might not be fair to get involved,” Damien observed.

“Maybe you’re just afraid to lose,” I taunted. He rolled his eyes but smiled slightly.

“You’re on, Alpha,” he said. We walked toward the game. When they saw us, they stopped, and smiles spread across their faces. Vlad’s face was impassive, but Missy gave me a small smile.

“Room for two more?” I asked.

Lily eventually broke up the game, declaring it a tie. Damien and I led the kids back and forth between goals for over an hour before she stormed onto the field and took the ball. She lectured us about responsibility and keeping the kids out so late. Damien calmed her down somewhat, but I knew he’d get another earful later. Some kids raced home to tell their parents about playing soccer with the Alpha and Beta.

The rest of us went to the dining room, where Lily had left dinner despite her irritation. I hadn’t heard from Azalea during the game. I pulled out my phone; no messages.

“She’s in her office,” Lily said. “She told me not to tell you. She wanted to take care of a few things after you pulled her away earlier.” Felix looked at me before leaving the dining room without eating. He was probably going to her office. I sighed at my headstrong mate and sat with Leo. Junior sat with Austin and his eldest pup, Carly. Damien, Lily, and Delilah sat with Leo. Dinner was pleasant. Azalea and Felix soon entered the dining room.

“You can’t guilt me into not working by starving my bodyguard,” she said, sitting beside me.

“I did nothing of the sort. But I did leave you to relax, only to find you back at work,” I said, kissing her cheek. She looked at Felix then at me expectantly. She knew he’d only leave her for the night if I told him to. I laughed and nodded to him. He went to the kitchen for food, I assumed.

“How did the appointment go?” Lily asked Azalea. The women then gushed about the baby.

Gwen

I sat on the tiny bed in my cell. My mother had visited earlier. Pretending repentance for attacking Azalea six years ago was exhausting. I just wanted out. Over time, my treatment had improved somewhat. I had a small table with books, paper, and pens. Reading helped pass the time. The therapist gave me a journal; once I realized he read it, I started writing about being sorry and a better pack member—whatever it took to get out.

I picked at my food, staring at the photos my mother hung on the wall. Of course, they used adhesive, not nails. I was still a prisoner. I wondered if he was coming tonight. I never knew when he’d show up. My mother told me about pack happenings, detailing my niece and nephew’s lives, though I didn’t care. I pretended to, to maintain the charade and convince them to release me.

More than anything, I wanted revenge on Azalea for the six wasted years. I wouldn’t let a minute of this torture go unpunished. When he started showing up two years ago, I was intrigued. He never gave his name or showed his face. He bypassed the guards undetected. He was very interested in everything I knew about the “wolf-less bitch.”

He said he’d help me if I helped him. I had nothing to lose. He seemed like the closest ally I’d get if he was targeting Azalea and Liam. As long as I got my revenge, I didn’t care how it played out. I ate a piece of banana and watched the clock. After twenty minutes, I gave up. I put my tray on the table for the guards to collect in the morning. I lay down on the uncomfortable bed and closed my eyes. I just had to endure a little longer. I had to be close to getting out.

Azalea

I tucked Leo into bed and kissed him goodnight. He hugged me tightly. “Goodnight, Mommy,” he mumbled sleepily. He’d played soccer all evening. He’d sleep well tonight.

I left his room after turning on his nightlight. His eyes were closed before I shut the door. Liam came out of Junior’s room. “No bedtime stories?” I asked.

“Nope. He’s too old. Apparently, Delilah and Carly don’t get stories, so he doesn’t need them anymore,” Liam said. I sighed. My baby was growing up, and it saddened me. Thinking of Missy, nearing seventeen, and Junior, finishing his first year of school, brought tears to my eyes.

“Oh no, you don’t,” Liam said, hugging me. “Yes, they’re growing up. Yes, Missy is about to come of age and might find her mate. But they won’t leave us; they’ll still need us, and they’ll always love you,” he reassured me. I chuckled.

“How do you always know what’s in my head?” I asked.

“Magic,” he smirked. I kissed him. The moment was short-lived. His eyes glazed over, his face fell. I knew that look. Something was wrong. He wasn’t my Liam; he was Alpha Liam.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Rogues,” he said. “Go to our room. Don’t leave.”

“How many?” I asked. He gave me a look, and I met it.

“Not many,” he admitted.

“Can’t the patrols handle it?”

“They called me, didn’t they?” he said sarcastically. If there weren’t many rogues, why did they need Liam?

“What aren’t you telling me?” I asked.

He studied my face. “Fine. They aren’t violent. They’re seeking a new pack. They surrendered willingly to the patrol,” he said.

“What? Then what’s the problem…?”

“This is the third group in the last month like this,” he said. My eyebrows shot up.

“Third group? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“We sent the first two away with food and supplies; we didn’t trust the situation,” he admitted.

“Liam!” I exclaimed. “We have to help them!”

“Azalea, it’s not that simple…”

“Yes, it is. Now, Alpha, you’re taking me with you! We need to help these people. We’ll find them beds tonight and get to the bottom of this tomorrow. Tell Marci to prepare food. Have Damien get Lily to help me,” I commanded. He looked conflicted. He wanted me away from danger, but he knew I wouldn’t stand by while he sent peaceful people away.

“Fine. But you’ll stay with me, and Felix is coming! If I think something’s fishy, we’re leaving! And you aren’t walking; I’ll carry you,” he said. I smiled.

“Okay, let’s go,” I said, heading for the stairs before he changed his mind.