KARINA POV I can't help but pick at my cracked cuticles mindlessly as the support group talks to another rejected wolf who will be shifting with me. The other wolf is a male. An omega male who seems utterly distraught to be doing this without his mate. The support group already took the time to explain what would happen to me in twenty minutes and expressed how sorry they were that I wouldn't be experiencing this with my mate or family. I thanked them and told them I was ready for my first shift just so they would move on. Plus, the other wolf needs them more. I know the group means well, but their words of support and understanding weren't making me feel better. They were making me feel lonelier and more anxious. I look up at the dark sky and sigh. I can't help but wonder what Atticus is doing right now. Is he as nervous as I am? Is he explaining to his father he will be shifting tonight and that he rejected his weak mate who wouldn't have won the competition? Is he missi
ATTICUS AGE 20 I keep my eyes straight as Rupert growls and grumbles about the fact his new ally is late to their meeting. I couldn't care less about who is coming or when. I don't even care about what my Father's next plan is. It is never good so I don't concern myself. Rupert promised that if I came with him today and behaved appropriately I would be able to see Adeline. I haven't seen my sister in six months. Not since her last escape attempt... Father built her an inescapable cell and hasn't let anyone know where it is. I am starting to think she might be dead, which is why Father is probably caving. I can feel my bonds to the pack ripping and if they become severed completely I will be a lone wolf. I won't have to listen to his commands. Something I learned at that stupid Alpha training. But if he shows me Adeline my bonds will probably heal. "Where the fuck is he," Rupert snarls as he punches an Oak tree. I don't answer. Nor do I flinch. Violent outbursts no longer af
ATTICUS AGE 22 I pick up the new shirt and look it over with cautious eyes. Father only provides me with new clothes when he needs me to make some kind of an impression. "Let me see, boy," his voice growls through the door and I yank the stretchable fabric over my head. I open the door to my small bedroom and his eyes immediately look me over. "That will do. Your muscles are on display for the Thurmans to gawk at," he snaps, and my right eyebrow raises. I haven't heard anything about the Thurmans in a while. I know Father has remained interested in their land, but I put those thoughts in the back of my mind. He and his female spy haven't spoken in months so I thought he wouldn't be doing anything with them for a while. "Thurmans? Are we meeting with them," I ask before I can stop myself and it's his turn to look surprised. "Look at you asking questions... Thurman has sent his bitch to the dungeons. Since none of the other females have provided me another heir I want to see if T
ATTICUS POV Rupert slows down when we get about a hundred yards from the Thurman's packhouse. Rage is still rolling off of him in waves, but there is a smirk on his face that tells me he is up to something. When I get right beside him he shoots me a look that reads as pure hatred though. "If you ever grab my arm like that again Boy you will lose your hand," Rupert growls and I nod once. I don't know what came over me back there for me to even touch him, but I did. "Yes, Father," I mumble to appease him. "Chances are we won't be leaving these lands, which is fine by me. I just admitted to plotting with their ex Luna so that dumb Beta should have me arrested at any moment. If they do throw me in a cell it's up to you to provide the distraction. I have to coordinate the attack so I can't be in a cell. Remember who owns you and your sister. Adeline will be safe as long as you play along. She will be off to become a Luna as soon as the battle is over," Rupert states under
ATTICUS POV "Fucking wake up," I faintly hear as my eyes begin to flutter open. I feel like I slept for a whole week. My body is heavy and my brain is groggy, but I feel refreshed. "Fucking piece of shit," Father suddenly snarls and I sit up quickly. For a second I forgot I was out of his reach. I thought he was cer me. I slowly wipe the sleep from my eyes and clear my throat. "Yes," I croak and he growls. "Finally! I been trying to wake you for an hour. The guards should be coming around soon and I need you to pay attention," Father snaps, and I roll my eyes. I wish he wasn't here. If he wasn't imprisoned with me this would be my ideal situation. I could still be asleep enjoying the covers and solid bed. "Yes, Alpha," I reply before forcing my body to stand. I stretch my back and yawn loudly. Having a pillow to sleep on was a different kind of experience. It may have been the flattest pillow ever made, but it was like sleeping on a cloud. "The female said t
ATTICUS POV Waking up from a hard sleep is something I don't think I could ever get used to. My mind is foggy and my body is sore even though it hasn't done anything for hours.I can tell it is early from the chill in the air so I test the prison with my nose before calling out to Rupert. "Father," I call calmly and he grunts. "About time. Snoring away over there as if the silver has absolutely zero effect on you. I was beginning to think you would sleep until the trial," Rupert growls weakly and I realize with smug satisfaction that the silver is affecting him. I don't reply to his comment instead I wait. He will have orders for me and that is the only reason I am speaking with him at all. "Once you leave she will slip in and let me out. She has also agreed to help with the fight. You don't need to do anything else," Father finally says, and I grab the bars of my cell. "What about Adeline? She is still too young to mate," I say and he laughs a little. "I would worr
ATTICUS POV I can't help but feel guilty as the guards shut the cell door behind me. I know I didn't have much of a choice, but this pack deserves justice. They have an excellent Alpha and their Alpha treats their enemies fairly. My Father wronged them and their Luna betrayed them. They deserve to have my Father's head on a stick. But I had no choice. I sit down on my bed and let the hours slip past me without a single thought until I hear the prison door open. My ears and nose immediately know who it is. "I wish to say something to Atticus Kincaid. He is from my old pack," Karina says softly and Roman whines in my mind. I stand to my feet as I hear them tell her it is okay. I brush my hands over my still relatively fresh shirt and move close to the bars. "We will be beside you the entire time. Partially for your safety, and partially for the pack's safety," a guard says and I bite my lip in anticipation. But I only have to wait a few more milliseconds before my beau
ATTICUS POV The Alphas seem concerned and caring as they circle around the hospital bed I am sitting on, which is strange. I don't like feeling weak and vulnerable. Father made sure I feared being seen as such, but their faces all say one thing,... Poor Atticus. He is needy and we have to help him. It makes me hate myself more. "I will begin first. It's a long process. Since we are on the Committee your body should recognize our commands as higher than your Father's," Alpha Jacobs says as if he is speaking to a lamb instead of a man who has killed. I shrug and the older Alpha crosses his arms. "We might be able to issue simple commands. Rupert is no longer an Alpha. We stripped him of that, which is probably why Atticus was able to speak so freely in the field. I am betting Atticus has been tortured for so long his Alpha spirit has been broken, which makes him easier to control with basic commands. Basically his body believes it is still under commands, but it actually isn't.