feteria to grab something quick for lunch. The

e she-wolves, the girls I'd grown up

ere holding a ceremony for him that night, but I wasn't going. I

y and watch the promises he'd made me go down the drain. At this po

abbed a pre-made one to-go. I'd almost made it out of the dining ha

s up with everybody grabbing me today, huh? I'm not crazy. I'v

ned. "You're not a loser for wantin

to silence him. "

. "Have you seen the new alpha, Willow? He is so handsome. I don't think I'll ever be able

t I couldn't force it to

at me. "What crawled up y

rm so she could run away. "Don't be mean. Sh

ght. "I'm hungry. I'm g

company?"

ood company ri

ing your situation. Maybe if you were nice to

ight. He seems old school and kind of harsh. I bet he

id with a sa

wolf immediately went on the defensive. He'd bee

hated she-wolves and thought they were all beneath hi

hoved into me. My salad landed with a splat on the ground,

d his head off his shoulder. The inferior part of me wanted to tuck my tail and walk a

cking out my leg and tripping him. By that time, t

was a flame in his eyes that made me

and flinging him over my shoulder like Derrick taught me. Adrena

ck to hit me. His fist was inches from my face when I heard the snap. When Regi

as C

ered like a wounded dog and cradled his han

ng him down now. He marched with long strid

that all pack members had to obey. He stopped several yards

ooked at me, I could practically see smoke rising fr

going to ask again. What. Was. That? Does Alpha Gerald allow

his breath. "I'm sorry. When

huh? For no reason. I saw you speak to her and then step on her salad. You're a sorry e

is,

him to think I couldn't handle it. "Regis, I say you tuck your tail and go back to your room. I think a brok

s,

't stand the

turned to me, I felt my wolf wanting to submit. She loved his dominanc

nge my mind about becoming a warrior? Your dad told me about everything. I'm sorry for the loss of your mother, Willow, but it's

n self-defense moves with you? Are you serious? I know self-defense. I've been learning it for years.

cally. "You're not calling the shots, I am. Your father ap

ion, and I hated his pity. I didn't need it. "I don't care what you say," I sai

tened into fists, an

my lower stomach, and I squeezed my thighs together. This was not

by hiding in my room and

ing when my mate showed himself. It was

ilish s

and he looked confused for s

g another roll of thunderous lava under my s

said softly. Suddenly, his touch wasn't as strong.

's not it

agged me closer to his chest. "C

eyes as a tear raced down my cheek. "You can help

ld you fight when you can't even control your heat? What would happen if y

immaculate conc

, pulling me tow

don't need a mate. I don't need someone who doesn't believe in me or stand up for me. You're just like my f