-Isaac- I struggled more than I should, watching in awe how she fought her way through the ranks. Even though we changed the test for her because she was human, she still amazed me. Besides changing the test, I had ordered everyone not to use any titles. I wanted her to feel at home here, and I wondered why I did that. I didn’t know if Logan liked her, if it was a crush, or even just an interest because she was new. But I hoped I would soon find out. I struggled not to smile because it seemed she was searching for me, and the thought alone made this warmth grow inside me. A warmth I hadn’t felt in a very long time. And then she found me. Her eyes locked on mine, and the world around me faded. There was so much in her eyes, beauty, strength, but what lured me closer—heartbreak. Ever since my mate and pup were taken from me, I pushed everyone away, struggling with my anger toward the world and fighting with my wolf, and now, I wanted to be close to someone. Someone that could neve

-Joanne-Liam said nothing when he hurried me upstairs, holding onto my wrist a little too tight, but it didn’t matter how much I squirmed, his grip wouldn’t falter. I thought he would be mad when he found me with Isaac, but it seemed he wasn’t. It seemed he was excited. “You should be glad I found you. No one is allowed to be there,” he whispered, fumbling with some keys in his other hand. I held my tongue, thinking it was better not to tell him Isaac had taken me there. Tell him how I felt about Isaac, how eager I was to go back. Desperate for his touch, his words. A shiver moved through my body, and my arousal rose further. However, I knew it was all me. I was ashamed Isaac could scent it; how could I ever meet his eyes again?Liam groaned; his grip on me tightened and he jerked me against his chest. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me,” he murmured while his other hand trailed a path over my spine, slowly moving down. “I’m not going to wait anymore.” His words sounded lik

-Joanne-I was grateful Liam never showed up last night, giving me the needed space from him. Especially since I had another attack. I wondered if Liam stayed away because of the howls I heard.Maybe Isaac did something to him? The thought alone made my heart swell, and something else rose. I quickly shook my head, knowing all too well my heat would start any day now. However, I couldn’t get Isaac out of my mind. How his arm moved around my waist, gently pulling me closer, just enough to feel his warmth but not enough to feel his body. God, I wanted to feel his body against mine. I wanted to feel everything about him. I rubbed my thighs together, trying to push back the throbbing need between them. “You have an appointment in an hour with the pack doctor,” Liam’s voice made me jump. I hadn’t even noticed he was back yet.“When did you get back?” I asked, pulling up the covers.His eyes wandered over the bed, and he sighed. “A few hours ago, I didn’t want to wake you.”“Oh, okay,”

-Isaac-This was all my fault, my doing. However, I would have done the same if I could go back. I stared out my window, watching Conner gathering our forces, readying them to fight Dale. I had no idea how he found out I lied; maybe I never will. “Are you ready?” I asked Logan, hating his sudden silence. He stirred, crawling out of reach, whimpering. And I knew why. We were both waiting to feel it, to feel Liam claiming his mate and her coming into our pack. After that, she would only have to say the words to me and drink some of my blood to join the mind link.I sighed when I knew it was time to step outside and lead my pack members in this battle as I did before.I strode silently toward them, keeping my emotions hidden because they had no use for them. They would see it as a weakness—an opening to challenge me as I did my father. “What did you do?” Conner asked through the mind link, staring at me, but I wouldn’t meet his gaze. He already knew what I did. He wasn’t stupid like

I joined the meeting after I had taken a shower, almost whimpering when I washed her scent away. “Alpha Isaac, are you listening?” One of the Board members asked. I hummed and glanced up, Logan showing himself in my eyes. “No, I wasn’t,’ I said. His eyes drifted to the other members, unsure of what to do next. William, Conner, and Liam were all there. Joanne was the only one missing, but they said she wasn’t allowed because she wasn’t a wolf, nor was she marked yet. I hoped she would reach out to me, still having this tether between us, but it seemed she managed to shut me out. Clever little bird. “As we were saying, Joanne was taken by her mate, says William.” I nodded, knowing all too well this wasn’t something uncommon. “She was under the care of William, why wasn’t he contacted?” My lips curved, and my eyes snapped at Liam. “Yes, Liam, why haven’t you done your job as a good mate.” I crossed my arms, amusement filling me, but it soon died down. “We weren’t asking