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-bare 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 at

was responsible for the su

enny,"

early? I thought you would stay with

ed. 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

nd Tyler but why did it feel

way home and Leah threw one of her t

her eyes. "Y

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

our mothers necklace from me it will o

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 feels

ll congregate in the kit

mes to cooking I volunteer my ser

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 the

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

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 Papa

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

this

ond chance, I realize l

tting all of my ...

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

already consider you my Alpha. N

t's make them chok