o

ng grounds as I step onto the field. The smell of my c

Rock the first thing I

t the gravel as I head

s lithe frame is there-center ring-bear arms

e

t, and she doesn't look down a

ghtens, her eyes- a vibrant sky blue like our m

I crash into her squeezing her, thinking of a

shoulders, pulling my back gently to look over my f

h

s only been a day and half

se her worry. "Yeah.

e as Ben lifts his larg

to shove my body through th

hich is not a hard th

warriors, a gamma

that? Besides, if you were paying atte

was responsible for the su

enny,"

early? I thought you would stay with

d. Plus, I wanted to b

bull shitting me look.

know Leah won't give up h

ng to leave our mate doesn't make actually doing it easier. We will always want hi

body tense as she stud

ith Leah and Tyler, but why did i

way home and Leah threw one of her t

her eyes. "Y

n I kicked Tyler's into her," I admit, try

our mother's necklace from me, it will

dened. "You

er was always as fiery as her hair, I've al

No blood, no bruising, jus

t sure I'm real. "I don't know what

d. I just got tir

nto another hug, strong arms squeezing tight. "I thought I'd h

done letting people trea

s me. "Wha

t I don't say

ly not

okay when they're not. And that goes for

a celebration burger," Ben says, ho

" Tessa agrees.

spinning in my heel and walking backwards. "Maybe a show

before I turn and sp

e with each step, and my heart feel

ll congregate in the kit

es to cooking, I volunteer my serv

the burger meat a loud chi

warriors carry. "Zan needs me in the security

sure we'll be fine for th

ly. "Don't miss me too

ce at him, but I can see th

seeing her

evening laughing and joking around. It gets late Ben excuses himself to

'm sure Ben is out of ear

wild red curls bouncing w

Has been since we were kids. Nothing but the Stars above u

d I tucked the strains back,

k Karen made Da

over, cautio

now she's

poison. You just di

s back on

d. It took him so many years to be himself again and all I wanted was for him to be happy. It blinded me but I see it now.

k for years. maybe not physically but emotionally.

derstand how Pap

ants so badly for our family to be whole that he isn't thinking clearly. It wo

nd the reason I told my father I wa

argument about her ascensio

or it and as first born she had every right to th

le Alpha would be filled w

t considered fit fo

u. He's just afraid," I say

nly gave up her dream,

ut my fears? The fear of never living up to my potential, of letting myself beneath a male I know will nev

found herself with him that she recognized Ben as her true mate, but it was too late. Her Alpha ma

this

ond chance, I realize l

aze. "No. Yo

sks, blinking

. It won't be easy. Father's fear is justified b

her eyes, like she wants to believe me

pha of this pack," I

head. "Dad wo

e'll ma

she says, unable

seri

'd back me? Even if it means standing

whatever

listen. They still think women

how them o

xactly do

your strength. I wi

l on a duel for the position. With the King and Queen overseei

s. "You'r

eady and s

e she's seeing a new p

ave no

Then she reaches ov

y think I

lready consider you, my Alpha. No

t's make them chok