FATE OF THE ALPHA

nst the faint light separating through the timberland overhang, the delicate snap of a fire some place clo

ing, the firelight flashing against the trees, and Athens situated a couple of feet away, his back

voice came out rough, scratch

ght. Help washed over his face for the briefest second

he said. "The impri

glared. "T

ared and torn. A weak gleam beat from underneath the texture, m

eart

ve. The image was powerful, its examples excessively exact, too purposeful to possibly be normal. She con

s this?" s

stimated. "The characteristic of the picked,"

it sounded more like a wail. "Favorin

evile. The imprint picks its conveyor just in the midst of extraordinary need. It implies

the rush of tipsiness that followed. "No. I didn't request this.

iction. "Nobody requests it," he said. "However, the imprint couldn't c

or this? Of driving a pack? Of being some picked friend in need?" She

verpowering, his voice consistent. "I've seen it in you. Your dad s

o say that. You've been deceiving me this entire time, haven't

respite was all the affir

voice rising. "How long have

ers. "Since the night your family was gone after. I didn't reali

? This time, you realized Victor was

guarding the equilibrium, holding him back from assuming command. In any case, indeed

blend of fury and despondency. She dismisse

n informed me," she sa

g. "On the off chance that you knew, you'd have been a cons

e? My dad and sibling are dead, Athens. Lorenzo is gone. I'm

. Briefly, quietness extended between th

however no less unfavorable. "Furthermore, what does it try and mean? T

ies you're implied. To lead. To bring harmony where there's been only conflict and slau

ied? I've proactively lost everything.

shoulder before he halted himself. "You haven't lost yourself, Annabell

them, to deny any case of solidarity when all she felt was broken. Be that as it m

swer, a far off wai

asn't the distressed cry of her pack. Thi

ead snapping toward the sound. "Th

at animated

look examining the shadows.

nding from the dimness. Annabelle ventu

murmured, however

shining red eyes showed up in the shadow

r tangled and their eyes igniting with unnatural light. Their growls se

murmured, her

yes never leaving the wolves. "Remain behind

ening smile. Its voice, low and throaty, sent shudders through Ann

somewhat as though getting ready

broadened. "That

he wolves rushed, their growl