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
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