The Vows Of Wolves by Tea Ravine Online Read Free Novel

I slam the door of my crappy rust bucket of a truck and grind my teeth, wishing that noxious, sweet scent would disappear from my day and, for once, just once, leave me the hell alone. Why is it that on days with perfectly blue skies—where the sun is warm, not hot, the wind is lifting my hair, urging me to walk to the distant horizon and not look back, those perfect days where anything is possible, and I can almost forget the pain of my life—so why, why can my family always be trusted to show up and make sure to ruin it?

“Sister, you’re here.” Her voice demands my obedience; the pack hierarchy prevents me from ignoring the alpha of our pack, though I desperately want to. But my nature ensures I never have to obey, which is one secret I never want to reveal. I’d never get out of the cage if they found that out. She clicks her tongue to get my attention. Nails down a chalkboard for the rest of my life would be an agreeable trade for not having to do this with her today.

I stare past my reflection, watching as she approaches, knowing that continuing to leave my back exposed makes me look arrogant or ignorant. Weak.

I look wild and half feral, my eyes are hard chips of blue hostility that I smother. The smiling mask I wear for them slips over my expression, and I hate myself a little bit more.

I don’t look like a wolf.

With a prayer for divine intervention—you know, a tornado, cyclone, meteor, anything—I turn around.

She does look wolf-like with her angular face, her gorgeous eyes with long lashes and big pouty lips. Cindel is small and compact, tiny, delicate, with a hand span waist, tits that guys talk about at the pub and long blonde hair. She’s the perfect alpha, the perfect bitch to lead Pack Foster into the future.

My sister is every damn thing I’m not. I’m what I’ve heard referred to as a ‘solid unit’. I have curves and muscles, but I work hard up on my mountain, and it shows. I’m taller and not at all like the women who seem to have drunk from the same beauty fountain down here in Beacon Falls. But, then again, I wear five layers of shirts, jeans, boots, and can slug a fucker faster than you can blink, and when I hit you, I’m breaking that jaw.

I might not be able to fight a wolf…but I can handle a man just fine.

“Cindel. How lovely to see you. I’d have dropped in to see the family, but I gotta get back home before the storm comes.” Perfectly nice and reasonable answer with no note that can be called hostile. I might get out of this peacefully if I can just keep the antagonism out of my tone.

It’s a hard ask, but I do need to get home, so I try harder today than I normally would.

Her eyes flicker to the truck behind me, and she wrinkles her nose. She even looks cute doing that, too bad she’s evil to her rotten core. Her gaze floats back to me. Assessing. Judging. Trying to figure out what weak point she can scrape open and make bleed today.

“When will you be back?”

She demands as if she has a right to know, and I guess she does, but obedience never did come easy to me.

I shrug. “Spring, maybe.” I hope.

Cindel stares at me, hard. A flicker of evil joy, and I know I’m not going to like what comes next.

“I want you here for the gathering.”

The gathering. It has a connotation of doom around it in my head. The pack gathers during certain seasons to celebrate their mastery and brilliance. It’s really just a fuckfest and a way for the wolves to fight until their hierarchy is established. Completely unnecessary in this day, but my pack hails from the barbaric Stone Age.

I bite back the instant rejection. There is one place I certainly won’t be this month, and it’s at the pack gathering. No way, no how. Never, ever. “I’ll try.”

“No try, Casey. Be there. Alpha orders.”

The alpha command hits me and rolls off. The years of pretending their stupid wolf commands work on a reject like me have turned me into a perfect actress. Since my wolf never made its presence known, I’ve been outcast, shunned, and outright hated. I’ve come to terms with my lot in life, but cutting ties from the Foster pack has been almost impossible. When I leave, their allies hunt me down and return me to the borders. I have no escape.

Cindel smiles. It’s deadly and full of malice. This is the wolf who slit her best friend and biggest competition’s throat. Her eyes gleam gold, the wolf rising to the surface.

I think that constant inbreeding has made some of the Pack Foster wolves insane, but that’s just based on their psychopathic behaviour and the way they just fuck at random with anyone.

Cindel has wanted me dead since forever. There’s no other reason. She just doesn’t like me. I must never give her a reason to follow the threat through, especially as she’s the alpha now. I’m defenseless against the might of the pack.

“It’s time to find you a mate.”

Blood drains from my head so fast I think I might faceplant the footpath. I manage to keep myself upright as a mocking smile creeps over her lips, curving them delicately upwards. She knows she’s rattled me; rattled is too paltry a word. Ruined me?

A mate? I can’t, won’t mate. Especially within the pack, I’d rather do the tango with a venomous snake and die in agony. Hands down, it’s an easy choice to make. The wolves of Pack Foster are…corrupt, vile pigs who get off on hurting women and treating them like dogs. The women aren’t much better.

“Your dad misses you.” Lies. “And Mother and I were talking.” Plotting, more like. “We think it’s time for you to come back home, to the pack. Have a mate.” Hell no. “Have some children.” Over my dead body. “Jonas has shown some interest in taking you, despite…” she looks me up and down, “well, everything.”

Jonas? Jonas! He’s her mate…which means they’ve decided I’m only fit to be a breeder. Shackled to an alpha by a one-way bond, used for sex and breeding until I’m no good, and then thrown in the fighting pits for entertainment. There is no worse a fate.

Taking me? Like I’m some unwanted throwaway piece of garbage? Like he’s doing them a favour? I try to picture Jonas, and when my mind finds him, sweat breaks out, making my skin itch. The horror of it is I can’t react; I have to hold in the scream and the shudder. I’m wearing too many clothes. I clench my hands to stop from ripping them off and fight to calm my breathing. Control, control, I am zen, I am a cloud; I am calmness itself.

Jonas is twice as wide as I am, full of muscles, and as stupid as they come. He’s had three mates in seven years. All have died under suspicious circumstances. Cindel is the only one who has lasted, but only because where he lacks in brains, she more than makes up.

“So, you’ll be there?”

“I’ll try,” I rasp out.

“Be there.” Cindel says in a deeper voice, the alpha rolling through her. I lower my eyes by force of habit.

“I’ll be there,” I grit out.

“Good. I’m pleased we could sort this out. I just want to keep the family happy, and, besides, you might lack a wolf, but you still have our father’s genetics.” She’s all sweet smiles and pure goodness again.

I hear a laugh, and my head snaps up. Ellen strokes the arm of a honey-coloured alpha who is so handsome it hurts to look at him. I stare at them, feeling the same old ghostly pain ripple through me.

My screams echo around the dark of my mind as chains rattle.

“Stay and say hello,” Cindel purrs, knowing just how painful this interaction would be.

I yank myself out of the memories.

I suck in a deep breath and stare at the pavement. Would that I had stayed at home. I shouldn’t have come here today. Why the hell did I come down from my mountain?

My distress grows as they come closer and closer.

“Casey!” Ellen rushes forward and hugs me.

Ellen is a weaker beta wolf, but no less manipulative. She’s similar in looks to Cindel, but doesn’t have the shine that the alpha female has. And one thing Cindel will never ever do is use my name in public.

I am reject, her, it, sister. But I do not have a name.

Ellen is not quite as cruel as Cindel.

I stiffen as she rubs her scent all over me. Now I have cold shivers and the urge to vomit. Her scent is similar to Cindel’s but mixed with a sunlight scent that belongs to the traitor himself. It’s one I know well. Sickly sweet. They are all evil, conniving bitches.

And he’s the worst.

The golden man next to her doesn’t acknowledge me in any way. I should be used to it, but it never ceases to cut through me sharper than a knife. I don’t know if I mourn the loss of our friendship or everything that happened there after.

“Liam.” I can’t resist jabbing him, forcing him to acknowledge me.

His eyes flicker to me, and he gives a quick nod.

We were best friends. Until we were sixteen, we were inseparable, the packs strongest potential and the bastard princess. The pack thought we would mate and be the ruling couple. And then he found a wolf…and I didn’t. My mother died, and I learned just how perilous my place in the pack is.

How quickly the bonds of friendship rotted through. How fast did my best friend turn me over to our enemies.

But that’s what family is for, right? To completely scar you and leave you a broken mess of a shifter and then drag you right back into it every time you think you’re free? It takes me a moment to push back the raw rage that starts to rise inside me.

If I had a wolf, I would growl right now.

“I have to get back, the storm,” I grit out, glancing around and making sure more of the pack isn’t hemming me in.

“Oh, right,” Cindel laughs. “Drive safely, and we’ll see you at the gathering.”

Liam’s eyes jump to mine, and I think I see fear in them. Ella and Cindel turn, but he hesitates, lingering. He looks at me, and I think I see my best friend. Then he mouths one word.

Run.

If he’s telling me to run, it’s clearly going to be really bad for me if I do appear for the gathering. Right. Maybe I can break a leg or something up on my mountain.

I stare at them until they’re gone, and only once I’m sure I’m not going to get jumped, do I open my door to my truck and climb in. The groceries can wait. If the pack is here, then I need to be elsewhere. I can come back tomorrow. I’ll be cutting it close, but it would be safer.

Once I get halfway home, I pull over. My hands are shaking, and I feel sick; the warmth of the day is gone. Even the pine-clean scent of the forests I’ve claimed as my own isn’t bringing me peace.

They claim this place is haunted, so the human townsfolk won’t come here. My pack is too lazy to run up and down mountains. When the witch, old Freida Jones, passed, she willed me the tiny plot of land and the cabin.

It’s been home for years now. Just me. Alone.

Why does that feel so heavy today?

I get back in the truck. The drive is long, and, normally, I take peace in the bumpy ascension, but today I’m just itching to be home. I want out of these layers of clothes and want to be in my own space. The smell, the stench! I want this damn scent off me. I slam my foot on the brake as soon as I reach home and jump out of the truck, ripping four layers of shirts off me until I’m in a tank top and jeans.

I close my eyes and tilt my head to the sky, letting the sun fall on my face. Remembering what my mother would say to me. Keep your anger leashed until you need it. Never let them see how strong you are, not until you can take them all down.

My mother was an omega, like hers before her. Just as I am. Whether I have a wolf or not, they can’t take that from me. And omega wolves cannot be controlled.

My phone’s shrill tone breaks the silence. I reach for it absently and accept the call while I unlock my front door and kick it shut behind me.

Home sweet home. My expensive couch and TV take up a lot of the space. There are four bedrooms, but I only use the one on the other side of the kitchen. A back door down the hallway and miles of beautiful views out old rustic windows.

I love it here.

“Casey, thank fuck.”

I sit up more alertly. “What’s wrong, Liz? Who do I have to kill?”

Liz is my only friend. My best friend. We catch up for coffee once every couple of months and talk a few times on the phone during that time. I’m aware that I put a higher value on our friendship than she does, but I need her. I honestly don’t have anyone else. She’s human, but married to a wolf, so she’ll never be accepted. Not fully.

“No one. It’s nothing like that. It’s just a simple thing, really. A huge favour.”

I wrinkle my nose and trot back down to my truck, pulling out the few bags of shopping I did manage to buy before I got cornered. I carry them up to the front of my house with my phone squeezed between my ear and shoulder. “What kind of favour?”

“The kind that would save me. I’m desperate.” She does sound bad; she sounds scared.

“Uh-huh. What kind, Liz?”

There’s a tense silence. “Dog sitting.”

I laugh at her and put my shopping on the old cut-up wooden bench in my kitchen. “Dog sitting. I can’t dog-sit.” I scoff at the very idea of me with a dog.

“Please. I’m begging you.”

“Liz, I can’t,” I growl into the phone. “I’m in the mountains; they could get eaten or worse.”

“It’s for one day.”

I pause. I need this friendship. She’s the only person left who speaks kindly to me.

“Casey, one day. I have my in-laws coming over.” I despise Liz’s new husband. He is a lazy bastard of a beta, so this makes me less inclined to help. A typical Foster wolf. “And his youngest sister, she’s ten, and she’s deathly allergic to dogs.”

I hesitate. It’s really rare for a wolf to have allergies, but then, we don’t all end up as wolves, do we?

“Please, Case, I know it’s a lot to ask, but no one will help me, and I…I just want to get them to like me. I know you can understand that.”

And I could. I tried so hard with my family until I learned better, but some lessons need to be learned the hard way in order to stick.

“How many?”

“Five!” comes the tiny reply.

“FIVE?” I laugh at her again, really get in a good belly laugh, because she’s insane. “Five dogs?”

“Yeah, but they are super well-behaved. They know all their cues, they listen well, and they’re all pretty old, so they mostly just sleep during the day.”

There is a long, deep silence. We both know I’m going to say yes. She knows I will give her whatever she wants. Money, clothes, my undivided attention. Our friendship is toxic, but she’s all I have.

“If they get out, I can’t guarantee they’ll survive.”

“Oh, no, they won’t. Please…” Liz whines.

I think it through. Five dogs for one day. Could I do this? It would help Liz, and I want her to be happy.

“One day, and you better be here to pick them up,” I warn.

“Oh, thank you. So, you’ll take the five of them? You will take my dogs?”

There is something odd in the way she phrases that question. It’s like there is something hidden, like I’ve missed the punch line.

“Yes,” I groan.

I feel the hot slither of magic wrap around me. Something cold and hard snaps up around my wrist. I stare at the silver cuff with five stones on it. Ruby, silver, bronze, onyx, and white.

Fear cascades through me. You don’t fuck with curses.

“Liz, what the fuck?”

She sobs on the phone. “I tried everything, but it won’t work. They are ruining my life. I can’t do it anymore. I’m sorry. Honestly, Casey, I’m sorry.”

“Liz!” I shout, but the phone cuts off. I dial her back, but it goes straight to voicemail. “Liz, what the hell did you do to me?”

I pull at the cuff, but I know it’s no use. Magical binding contracts are impossible to remove unless the terms of the contract are met.

The scraping of claws on wood has my head jerking up. I’d know that sound anywhere. Fear has me frozen.

A brown wolf stares at me from the other side of the island.

“That’s not a dog!” I mutter. “That’s not a fucking dog, Liz!” I scream.

I slam my fist onto the island, trying to break the cuff. The monster just stares at me, judgement dripping off him in waves of hostile derision.

And then another one appears behind his brother, slinking out of the shadows of the house like it’s been there all along. Black as coal. With golden eyes that regard me with too much intelligence.

“Not a dog and not a wolf,” I mutter, backing up and reaching blindly for my knife.

A deep, vicious bark has me freezing. I slowly lift my hands up to show I mean no harm.

A flash of white, and I look down to find another one sniffing my clothes. He lifts his muzzle and snarls. I whip around just as a red one, his coat like flames, lands on my island. He shakes himself, sending half my groceries to the floor.

No. No, this is bullshit.

I whirl towards the red wolf, ignoring all the others.

“Do you want to starve or eat?” I shout at him. “Get. Down.”

He jerks his head in my direction, red fur flying. I’ve never seen a wolf this colour. Mind you, I’ve never seen any of the colours these wolves are. They are vibrant and pure, unlike the Foster pack, which are muted down.

I round the bench and start picking up the groceries, putting them back on the island. I’m on my hands and knees when the silver appears.

My breath catches, and I’m stuck, staring into his grey eyes. He’s beautiful. Like a dream.

I’ve had dreams about a wolf like this who arrived to save me. A hero. A rescuer. Someone who can take me away.

Why now?

Why when I have nothing left?

I look down at the broken jar of pickles and swallow hard.

“Not dogs,” I say softly. “Oh, seriously, fuck this day.”

I sit there with my eyes closed, ignoring them for a couple of minutes, and then I slam my head back on the island. I thump it three times, and when I open my eyes, the silver is too close, sniffing my hair.

I jerk back and put half the room between us.

“Okay. Okay. So, this isn’t going to be for a day. This is…crap. Okay, focus, Casey.” I look up and meet the brown’s eyes. He hasn’t taken his gaze off me; I can feel his stare like a heavy weight. “You can shift if you can. There are beds down the hall. Food is in the kitchen. I’ll go back into town and get you more tomorrow. There are clothes in the wardrobes that might fit. We can talk tomorrow when I can…think clearly.”

I get to my feet, turn around, and stumble, back and back. The man is huge, all muscle with long silver hair that’s shaved on one side. His eyes are the same grey colour as the wolf. He’s wearing an old pair of jeans and a black singlet.

“What’s your name?” His voice is a delicious rasp that fills me with panic.

“Casey.”

“Casey,” he tastes the sounds of my name, somehow making it sound indecent. “I’m Wrath.”

I swallow hard. “Wrath.”

He looks me up and down, real slow, making it feel like a physical caress. I’m stunned and lost in it. So, his words take a moment to penetrate.

“Congratulations on becoming the new owner of five adorable, ruin-your-fucking-life shifters. Hope you’re ready because this war has only just started.”

Beautiful…but an asshole just like every other wolf I’ve ever met.

I glare up at Wrath, refusing to step back, refusing to back down. Aggression is what he’s offered, so aggression is what I’m going to have to give.

“Listen to me,” I hiss and then take a deep breath and force calm. Responding to shifters in a way I’d like to might get me killed. They are, after all, alphas. Their aggressive tendencies are much more trigger-happy than mine, and they have the ability to rip me apart with their bare hands. I need out of this house and away from this enclosed powder keg. “This is my home, and I don’t want this. I had no idea what I was agreeing to, but if we work together, we can get this,” I wave the cuff in his face, “off. And the five of you can trot off to terrorise someone else.”

My heart is beating so hard, and there are pretty white spots in my vision. Don’t pass out, please don’t pass out.

“You think it’s that easy?” The voice is like silk and sin.

My mouth waters, and my knees wobble slightly as I turn.

A man with very tanned skin and glowing golden eyes stares at me. Jet black hair sits perfectly in layers on his head. I don’t even know why I notice that, but I do. His cheekbones are high and angular. And he’s as gorgeous as Wrath but in a completely different way. Wrath is unspeakably beautiful; this man, this shifter in front of me, is the sexiest person I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Not fair.

“This is my pack brother Riot,” Wrath whispers with a laugh. “He bites.”

Riot smiles, revealing perfect white teeth. “Mmm, sometimes it’s enjoyable, too.” He pauses dramatically, his eyes flicking down my person, leaving me feeling like a grubby child. “For me.”

I cannot spend a day with them in my house. There’s no way I’m going to survive this.

My eyes flicker to the doorway where another man stands. The brown isn’t brown on his human form; it’s a shade darker than gold, mixed with bronze. His hair has gold and copper threads in it, and even though I can’t sense any menace from him, he’s the one that makes my heart skip a beat.

This shifter is the pack leader. The wolf who will keep the others in line, the one who will try to force me to obey. The one who will hurt me.

I lower my eyes, looking at the floor as I try to find a way out of this.

He advances towards me, and Riot and Wrath fall away, leaving just a patch of light from the window that lands across his boots. His feet are large. He is large. I can feel the massive size of him displacing the air.

I tremble violently.

“Casey.” The soft way his voice lingers on my name brings unwanted images of a secret lover whispering my name in the dark, fingers sliding over my curves, wrapping around me.

Stupid, stupid imagination.

I lift my eyes; the gold and chestnut depths stare from just a foot away. They are strong, calm, and so very angry.

Everything in me begs to lower my eyes, but I won’t, instead holding his gaze and refusing to back down. This is my home, and I will not be the weak one under this roof.

“You can call me Khaos.”

Even his name gives me a chill. “Khaos,” I echo.

The last two appear at his side, tension running between them. To my surprise, they are twins but for their colour differences. Ethereal men. Translucent skin, thin and tall. One with the darkest auburn hair glinting like fire, the other with hair as pale as snow. The redhead has gold eyes, light and bright. They dance with curiosity, while the snow white alpha has ice blue eyes that crack with temper and suspicion. Both have hair that reaches their mid-back, though the redhead’s is curly and full of waves and life, while the other has hair as straight as silk, hanging in a sheet.

“Hazard,” Khaos indicates the red head man with his probing gold eyes. He smiles slightly and dimples flash. “And Angel.”

The alpha with his pale white hair snarls at me low under his breath. I get the impression that he would kill me or at least try.

Fun.

I bob my head. “Fascinating.”

I turn my back on all of them and return to the island, opening the bag of groceries and pulling them out to put them away. I hesitate and leave out a loaf of bread and the meat I was going to cut up and freeze.

When everything’s put away, I cut up the vegetables and meat and stick them in a pot. The effort of ignoring them is making the process a million times harder. I’ve almost chopped off my finger, dropped the carrots, stubbed my toe, and spilt water all over the kitchen.

Then, I go about my normal routine. I can feel them everywhere I am, but I just ignore them, and they seem to take their lead from me and let me be. The tension doesn’t abate, and no matter how many times I try to sort out an answer, when I look down at that bracelet and remember the cold snap of magic, I know there’s no way out of this.

Freida taught me a lot about magic. She took the hermit witch living on her mountaintop mantle to the extreme.

I manage to get some of my energy out chopping wood, but, after a while, I realise I’m avoiding going back inside, and the daylight is slipping away. I stop and stare at my cabin, contemplating it. To sleep with men under my roof is one thing, but to sleep with shifters? My worst nightmare.

What am I going to do?

I could let them know that I’m one of them, but that would mean exposing my lack of wolf. There is no way I’m doing that. I don’t do packs, not anymore. That is…there’s no way. I didn’t spend all these years escaping Cindel to end up in another situation. To be a breeder to those heathens in my house or the Foster pack. A low on the podium wolf, used for nothing but a plaything for other shifters. I need time and a plan.

A human is the worst mate one can have. At least with me, they’d be getting the genes. I’m not desirable, but I’m acceptable.

I shudder. No, I won’t let that happen to me. If I’d had a wolf…I could have run, I could have found my own way in the world. No one would have stopped me.

But I’m not a wolf, and I bury my omega scent under the scent blockers, hoping that no one will learn my secret.

How am I going to hide it from five alphas?

A pang cuts through my chest, but I press with my hand. It’s better this way. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it. To keep fighting. My back has been against the proverbial wall since I was sixteen.

There’s nowhere to run.

Now…I don’t even have my home.

I make my way back to the house, my stomach growling. The stew should be ready by now. I walk in and spot all five lounging on my couch. That’s fine. I walk into the kitchen and stop. It takes everything I have not to let a sound out. I want to cry. It’s a mess. My already exhausted muscles tremble and protest as I take in how hard I’m going to have to work to clean it up. They obviously ate a while ago and just left dirty dishes all over. Is that stew on the roof? I open the lid of the pot and find it completely empty.

I put it back and close my eyes.

Fine, I’ve lived with shifter males, I know what this is. Power-play tactics, putting me in my place.

But I’m not a shifter. Not really. I have my feet in two worlds.

I set my kitchen back to rights, dig out my stash of jerky, grab a mug of coffee and a beer, and head into my bedroom.

I kick the door closed and then kick off my shoes. Instead of sleeping in a t-shirt, I opt for jeans and a long-sleeve top. I lay in bed with a book in my hands, but I can’t read. I just stare at the words for hours. Finally, I close it and lie down, listening to the dark and wondering who is breathing on the other side of my bedroom door.

I wake up to my anguished screams again. Screams that I never made in real life always manage to escape me in sleep. My bedroom door opens, and I launch myself up, throwing my fists at the man walking in. The rage I feel throbs heavily in the air.

Liam walks towards me, his hands out, placating me. I can hear him say my name, soft and full of concern.

“I HATE YOU!” I howl and rush him. “Get out!” I hiss. “Get out of my life. Get out of my head. I hate you. I fucking hate you!”

“Hey!”

The tone is wrong; the voice is wrong. Clarity rips away the cobwebs of my nightmares, bringing my cabin into focus. My chest heaves, and I blink sweat out of my eyes.

That isn’t Liam. He’s not here. I’m safe.

The wolf, the black wolf.

I slam a fist into his stomach. “Get out.”

He spins me around, somehow keeping hold of my arms and crossing them over my chest until I’m pinned, my back to his chest.

“Get out of my room.”

“Maybe if you weren’t screaming like you were dying, I wouldn’t be here checking on you.” The voice growls. “You’re waking everyone up and freaking Angel out. It’s been half an hour. What is wrong with you?”

What’s wrong with me?

So much.

Riot. It’s Riot. That sexy, sinful voice isn’t one I can forget. The relief I feel is ridiculous. Sweat runs down my face, but I’m shaking. I’m so angry, so full of fury. I lash out anyway because there is a strange alpha in my room, and I don’t know him.

He snatches me up tighter, holding me against his chest. Riot refuses to let me go, even as I struggle and fight against him. He only relaxes his hold when I relax, closing my eyes and breathing in and out the way Frieda taught me.

My pulse gradually calms, and when I tug myself free, he lets me go. I go into the bathroom and splash water on my face. When I come out, he’s lying on the bed, staring at the roof.

My feet stop while my mind tries to figure out what this is.

“What are you doing?” Why is there so much hurt in my voice?

He hears it, too; I know he does.

He arches an eyebrow; even in the low light I can see the mocking smirk he gives me.

“This bed looks comfy.”

“Get out of my room, Riot.”

He grins. “Make me.”

“I don’t know you. I’m not sleeping with a strange alpha in my room.”

“I’m not going to touch you, but maybe if you know there is a dangerous animal here ready to defend this space, you might sleep with fewer shrieks.”

My flinch is something we both ignore.

“I can’t. Get out. Please.”

He sighs and gets more comfortable.

I want to wail, to scream, to protest, but I can’t win this fight, and I know it. Physically, I can’t do anything to this alpha.

I walk over to the bed, grab my pillow, eye the blanket, but there’s no way I’d be able to move him in order to get it out, and stalk into my lounge room. I put the pillow on the couch and curl up in a ball.

The dream still lingers, dragging me back into it. The hands that grabbed. I can still feel them forcing their way into me. I exhale and toss on the couch, trying to dispel the memories. It’s been weeks since I’ve woken up like that.

Fucking Liam. Seeing him rips open those scars every time.

I’m half asleep, still lost in those bad thoughts when something warm hops up on the couch and curls up at my back. Warm and furry.

I should protest, but I’m sore and tired, and wolves aren’t as threatening as men. I’d take fangs and claws any day. Especially a wolf that looks like it came straight out of my childhood fantasies.

I twist around and find golden yellow eyes staring at me. They blink slowly.

“What are you doing?” I groan in token protest. I don’t have much more left in me, and the giant black wolf is warm and soft.

When was the last time I slept beside anything alive?

He huffs and lays his head down again as if it should be clear exactly what he’s doing and that I am being an ass.

“Fine, but just tonight. This whole thing is a mess, and I’m not sure what tomorrow is going to bring.”

There’s silence, but my guilt won’t let me sleep. So, I say the words that have been sitting on the tip of my tongue.

“Thank you, Riot. For checking on me.”

The wolf stiffens, and I feel rather than see him lift his head. Surprisingly, now that I’ve said the words, sleep pulls me back under.

The menthol scent is everywhere, but I’ve got the best sniffer of the pack, and I think that the menthol isn’t her actual scent but something she’s wearing. Something to deflect and hide.

I mean, no one moves out to a mountain and lives out here alone without some skeletons in the closet. I sniff through the entire house, finding the secret room at the back of the pantry, the attic stairs, the strange smells of an old woman that is almost gone, just a ghost of a smell lingering in the hidden corners, but all around is that overpowering menthol that Casey wears.

Interestingly, I find weapons hidden all over the house. Behind some paintings, a rolled-up wire hidden in a pot plant, three knives, and a mallet.

Who is our new owner expecting?

I continue to pace around the interior of the house before I let myself out and pad into the front yard. The wind carries the scent of the pines. I can’t smell any wolves, but that doesn’t mean anything. Whether they are wolves that walk on two legs or live on four, they will be around.

I take off, running in one direction. When I get to a certain distance away, I stop, lifting my head, sucking the different scents down into my lungs. Nothing. I turn and run in a wide arc, stopping occasionally to taste the air.

Finally, I get to a ridge and see the faint glow of lights. I watch it for a long time. When I finally feel satisfied, I stand up and turn away, only to stop when a howl lifts mournfully into the night, followed by a multitude more.

My fur lifts, and I almost dance over the ground, ready to attack or run. I swivel my ears, but these wolves are too far away for me to be able to catch anything from them scent wise. Still, I count more than twenty voices raised. Which rules out a natural pack.

It takes me a while, but I get back to the cabin. Khaos opens the door and steps outside to join me on the porch.

“What did you find out?”

“We’re in the middle of nowhere, I don’t think there is anyone close to us but,” I say, watching as he tenses, “there is a large pack close to here, and judging by how many I heard, I think we’re looking at wolves like us. Shifters.”

Khaos curses violently.

“She’s got weapons hidden throughout the house. I thought about removing them, but she had them before we came, so I don’t think we are the target.”

“No, I don’t think so either.”

Riot steps out silently. I take note of the fact that the door makes almost no noise when it opens. How do you create a silent door?

“Are you finished buttering up to her?” Khaos growls.

“Not at all, I’m probably going to keep doing it,” Riot says easily, ignoring Khaos’ vicious glare.

“You show a distinct lack of care about this pack for one of its members.”

“Oh, no. I show enough care, you just expect me to be a shadow of you, and I’m not.”

“She is our owner,” Khaos snaps, losing his temper.

“She’s alone and scared, and she’s just inherited five wolves and a curse. I think being horrible to her would be the wrong move.”

“You are not supposed to be thinking,” Khaos growls.

Riot stiffens. “Yes, Master. How low shall I bow to lick your boots, Master?”

“I didn’t mean that!” Khaos hisses.

“Watch yourself, Khaos. I know you hate humans now, and especially women who wear our bracelet, but did it ever occur to you that we create the very thing we hate by the way we treat them?”

“No one teases anyone into rape,” Khaos spits back.

Riot flinches. “She hasn’t done anything yet to be an enemy, so how about we punish her crimes when she actually commits them?”

I turn away, running my hand through my hair, hoping they will stop.

“We can’t afford to be wrong. How much more do you think Angel and Wrath can take?”

Riot hesitates.

A whine rises up my throat. We’re all cracking, but Angel is closest to the edge with his murderous tendencies. Wrath, however, is sinking into the rage he feels. One is mad, and one is insane, I think, remembering a rhyme my mother read me when I was little.

Riot is coping better, but, in some ways, his torture has been cleaner. Starvation and neglect can push people to the edge, but not in the same way that being used as a fuck toy can.

On the other hand, watching it all has Khaos and myself almost breaking. The pack can’t take much more of this. She’s our thirteenth owner.

Thirteen.

I can barely remember their names, but, at night, when I close my eyes, I dream of them. They come back with faces I will see forever, and they laugh while they peel us apart.

Will she be the same, or will she be worse?

No one knows what will happen. She wasn’t supposed to get the bracelet. Liz was going to hand it to her sister. We had a plan. But Liz got on the phone with a vindictive smile and called this stranger.

I shift my weight as Riot turns without another word and enters the cabin. Angel walks out of the treeline, his feet bare, no t-shirt on. He looks untamed and wild. The way we should be.

Would our parents even recognise us anymore?

Would they look at us and see wolves that are worthy of coming home?

Perhaps we’re now so broken that we won’t be welcome at home.

No, Angel will always be welcome. It’s me they won’t roll out the red carpet for. If we ever get free, I’ll help Angel get there, and then I will quietly go somewhere else.

“Was there anything else of note?”

I jerk out of my thoughts. “No?”

“Okay, let’s head on in and go to sleep. We don’t know how early she rises, and I don’t want to be asleep around her.”

I nod my head, ducking past Khaos. He hates me. I don’t blame him; I hate me, too.

I inhale deeply, catching a hint of lilac in the air. I stop, trying to find it again, but it’s gone.

“Go to sleep, Hazard. I’ll sit up and make sure nothing happens.”

“I think we’re safe here, Khaos.”

He nods. “But there’s a chance that we’re not, and that slight chance is why I’m going to sit up, just in case. Go to sleep.’’

I head into the spare room. It’s got wooden panelling and a massive queen-size bed. There isn’t much more room, but it looks comfortable. I get on the bed and turn in a circle three times before collapsing in a ball with my nose in my tail.

I’m almost asleep when I hear her whimpers.

I lift my head, my ears flicking as I try to pick up anymore sounds from her direction.

I hear movement and realise Riot is climbing back up on the couch, helping her to sleep. And that hurts. He should be with us; he shouldn’t be with our enemy.

I lay down, staring at the wall.

Is she our enemy?

I shudder, yes. As long as she’s wearing that bracelet on her arm, she’s not our friend; she’s absolutely the enemy.

I wake up again with my heart pounding for a second time, but, this time, there’s daylight pouring in around me. I’m lying on my back, and there’s a giant red wolf standing over me with his mouth open less than a hand span from my face. The teeth are so very long. I recoil back onto the couch, wondering what to do. I’m working up to shouting at him when he licks from my chin to my temple.

“For fuck’s sake, Hazard, what the fuck?” I shout and try to push him off me. His huge pink tongue comes in again, and, this time, he gets me in my mouth. I turn my head away, but he puts his paws on my chest, pinning me in place.

“Hazard, we are not dogs!” someone shouts, but they don’t care enough to actually stop him.

The massive red wolf licks my face again and draws back, but, all at once, he pauses, his amusement fades, and he looks like what he is, a hunter. He comes back, sniffing suspiciously at my neck.

I growl.

He startles and jumps back. His eyes lock on my face, drop to my neck, and return. I can see all the questions, but I’m not answering any of them. I owe him nothing.

Shit, why did I do that? I roll off the couch and walk towards the bathroom, ignoring the other men wandering aimlessly around my house. There’s no damn space in here with all of them.

When I come out, I pull out my cereal and sit down with a bowl.

“All right. Let’s talk,” I say around the food.

The pack has followed me in and is watching me with various shades of suspicion and hostility. Not good for the digestion.

“Let’s do an easy one? What do you want to do today?”

“Do?” Wrath asks with a frown. He brushes his silver hair behind his ear and snags a protein bar, watching me almost like he expects me to protest. “What do you mean, do?”

“Well.” I frown, picking my words carefully. “You are wolves. This is your temporary home. I thought you’d like to go sus out the territory, isn’t that what wolves do?” I ask him in a mocking tone.

“We’re allowed to do that?” Hazard asks and sits at my tiny table. He takes my spoon and tries some of my cereal. He seems to like it, so I refill the bowl and offer it to him.

There’s a hesitation, a brittle moment before he reaches out and slowly drags it towards him. Food is sacred to wolves. I know what I just did, but I’m not a wolf. And they don’t know where I came from.

It means nothing in this house. Food is just sustenance.

“Look, I don’t know how other people have handled having you five, but I’m not going to be your prison warden. I’d like to consider us temporary allies in a war against the bigger evil,” I point to the cuff. “So, you can come and go as you please. Eat what you want, when you want. I’d appreciate you not leaving me a mess; I have enough work to do. There’s beer in the fridge. A whole mountain to play on. Go wild.”

The room is thick with I-don’t-believe-you energy. Angel seems the most enraged by my statements. I think if I’d locked them all up in chains, he would be less mad at me. I shake my head, dismissing him from my thoughts.

“And what do you get out of this?” Khaos asks coldly.

Oh, the icy suspicion of the pack leader. We lock eyes, glaring at each other.

“Well, I was hoping for freedom when I came up here, and yet, here I am, back drawn into the world of people. Five suspicious, home-destroying alphas invading my space and acting like assholes was not what I wanted for my happy ending,” I snap at him.

“Shifters, not people,” Hazard butts in.

“I just want to be alone,” I say calmly, regaining control. “That’s why I live out here alone. Because I like it that way. You five are ruining my happy ending. So, let’s work together at getting you gone.”

Angel is drifting closer. Of the five, he’s the most reticent but the one I’m the most nervous about. Angry alphas are dangerous. His ice-blue eyes are otherworldly. I keep my gaze off him as he eyes the bowl of cereal. Hazard senses him and pauses, looking at the bowl. I sigh and fill it again. He hands it to Angel, who takes it and disappears.

I stare speculatively at the spot he vanished from.

“Do you need anything from town…” I trail off at the rage dripping off the four remaining wolves. “What?”

“Why were you looking at my brother like that?” Hazard asks, and the licking jokester wolf from this morning is gone. This is all deadly alpha, and he’s ready to tear my cabin apart with his bare hands. It would be better not to take him for anything less than a predator. I won’t forget.

“His jeans are torn. He has no shoes. He’s not wearing a top. Furthermore, he’s too skinny for a shifter.” I list off the reasons on my fingers. “Oh, and he wants to kill me, and I have no idea why.”

Khaos blinks.

I stand up, ignoring the hostility in the room, and put a pen and pad down in front of Khaos. “Write me a list of what you need in town. I’m going to cut more wood.”

I walk out of the room before they can call me on the fact that when their wolves rose in defense of Angel, terror had risen in me. My sour fear scent is probably washing the walls. I don’t have the advanced scenting abilities of shifters. Which has been a blessing and a curse.

Today is already on my top fifty worst days ever.

I return an hour later and look down at the list and add several more items. I tuck it in my pocket and, keeping my eyes lowered, skirt the hulking mountains of alpha flesh.

“Right. I’ll be back, um, in a few hours.” I walk out to my truck and start it, only to stiffen when Khaos opens the door, and Angel climbs in. He looks pale, well, paler, and like he’s going to throw up.

“Angel’s going with you.”

“I am thrilled and relieved,” I say dryly. “And also, no.”

Angel growls and sinks down in the seat. Yeah, this is not happening.

“Why are you coming with me?”

Angel flicks his eyes up. “I don’t want you to get me clothes I will hate. I’m not wearing leather,” He barks out, his eyes wild, nostrils flared.

I glance at him sideways and feel a bit sick at the thought of trying not to say the wrong thing and ending up dead.

“Listen, I understand-”

“Oh, no, we are a whole new level. You don’t know who we are. You don’t understand anything,” Angel spits.

He’s vibrating in the seat, claws come out and puncture my dash.

I turn the truck off and turn sideways. We haven’t even made it out of the drive. I wind the window down.

“Khaos, tag in Riot. Angel can’t people today. I’m not having a fight with him in Main Street over my honest-to-god good intentions.”

Riot glides in my direction and leans on my door, peering at me, his dark amber eyes gleaming. He flashes his teeth in what should be a threat but somehow makes my stomach flutter. “I’d like to fight you on Main Street. We can make it…fun.”

“You keep that nonsense to yourself.”

I turn back to Angel. I thump my head back on the headrest; he looks like he wants to crawl out of his skin to get away from me. It’s mildly offensive, but I can understand.

“Angel, look at me.”

He looks.

“There is a storm coming. Can you smell it? It’s going to be a bad one. We need to get these things for you and your pack. We can duke it out when we get home. But let’s make sure everyone is going to be warm enough first. Have enough food. I promise I will get you good, decent clothes, nothing sexy, provocative, or that will make you feel foolish. Riot is going to help me.”

“We can hunt. You-” Angel suddenly starts hyperventilating. “We can’t let her leave; we can’t.”

I flinch at the hysteria in his voice. The truck is too small. I need to get out, but I know that if I try to move, he’s going to lunge at me and rip me apart.

“Please, Angel. I’m not asking a lot here. Listen, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m being pretty reasonable. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I promise there is no ulterior motive. Just make sure we all survive. Fire. Food. Shelter.”

Angel lets out a howl. I tense, but Hazard appears and wrestles his brother out of the truck. I sit there, gripping the steering wheel, drenched in sweat and shaking.

“You did well,” Riot murmurs.

“Fuck you.”

Hazard shifts and goes after Khaos. The two of them roll, huge, massive wolves, fur flying. While Wrath leans on my porch rail watching with detached interest and eating an apple.

I can’t see Angel anywhere.

“Get in the truck or stay here,” I growl at Riot.

He has three seconds. When I get to three, I start the truck and turn back down the mountain, refusing to look back.

The door slams open, banging so hard that Hazard snaps his teeth, growling before he realises it’s just her. She comes in, bringing the scent of menthol and a tension that has me ready to leap up and take her down before she can even think of attacking us. Instead of doing anything, she just stands there with her eyes closed. I’ve seen that look; it’s the look of a person pushed too close to the edge. Her cheeks are pink, her body tight like a live wire. She is stunning in her fury, and that is something that makes her even more dangerous. Attraction and lust got us into this; I refuse to make things worse.

I stand up and take a step, ready to leap between her and my pack and diffuse the situation by force if necessary.

I know I didn’t make a noise, but she senses it anyway and looks at us. Hazard moves towards her, and our brand new master turns tail and runs. Now, I’m left standing, staring at the spot where she disappeared, trying to work out why her scent was filled with so much anguish.

Riot! Is he? I rush to the door but stumble back as Riot walks in with all the bags in his hands. His temper is soaring. The rage pouring off him is unlike anything I’ve felt from my normal calm and even-tempered pack mate.

“Riot?”

His eyes snap to mine. “Khaos,” he growls. He puts the bags down and comes to me, leaning into me. I stroke his back. Touch is the key foundation of keeping our pack calm and the bonds happy.

“What did she do?” I snarl out, already plotting her murder. I’ll give it my best shot, magic bracelet or no.

Riot laughs, bitter, disappointed, furious. He sweeps his fingers through his black hair and inhales deeply, puffing it out as the fury returns.

“She didn’t do anything. She didn’t do anything when they overcharged her. And she didn’t do anything when they openly treated her with mockery. Or disdain. She didn’t do anything when they didn’t have what she needed. She didn’t do anything when they…” He stops, letting out a vicious growl.

My eyes find the doorway she disappeared down.

“The whole town takes its cue from the wolf pack; it reeks of them. Everywhere I went, I could smell them. And the shifters have her at the bottom of the pack and the bottom of the humans. Why, I don’t know. But they have it out for her.” The words rasp out of him in a violent hiss.

I wince. “But she’s just a human.”

“Is she?” Riot asks. “Explain it to me, then.”

Hazard makes a noise, but we both ignore him.

The door at the other end of the house opens, and we all stare as she comes out, sees the shopping, crosses to pick it up, and takes it into the kitchen. She starts violently putting it away.

She doesn’t even acknowledge us, and I find that grates. I’m not used to being ignored. No one ignores me. Where we come from, my word is valued, and no owner has been able to ignore the deep threat I project at them.

I advance into the kitchen, unable to leave the problem that is our new owner alone. “Riot said-”

“Riot should shut his mouth,” she growls and thrusts a bundle of clothes at me. I blink and look behind me to see how my pack brother reacts. Riot glares at her. Strangely, it doesn’t bother her at all.

“You should do something about-”

“You should mind your business, too. You’ve been here, what, two minutes?” Her voice is sharp and bitter as she folds the bundles and puts them on the island.

“You shouldn’t let them treat you like that-” Riot hisses.

She rounds the bench, and Angel skitters away into the shadows. She steps right into Riot’s space.

“I’m right where I want to be,” she growls up at him.

He growls right on back.

“Keep your nose out of my business, please.” The please softens the command, turning it into a request.

Riot smiles widely. “Your life is my life.”

I look sharply at him. That’s a pack saying; that’s a saying we reserve for our bonded, not for our owner.

“Just remember, boys. Two can play at that game.” And then she swirls away from him and out of the cabin with her deep brown hair swishing angrily, leaving the scent of menthol behind her.

“Hmm. That was interesting,” Hazard purrs. He licks the back of his hand, which has me doing a double take. He picks up a bottle of chocolate sauce, pours another line onto his hand and licks it off again.

“Put that down!” I snap at him.

Riot growls and lunges for Hazard, who dances away laughing.

Wrath is still watching the door, considering. His silver eyes take everything in. He hasn’t said a word, but when we have a moment alone, I want his opinion. He’s the most independent of the five of us and the most perceptive.

My attention is stolen when Angel slinks back into the room, walking up to Riot and pressing into his arms. The alpha’s rage disappears, and he pulls Angel in close, kissing the top of his head.

“You all right, Angel?”

He shudders. “I…I don’t know. How long do you think it will take before she starts to demand-” He cuts himself off.

My humour dies away. “I’ll find a way to free us first.”

He moves towards me, but when the door opens again, he disappears into the shadows, slipping out of sight.

She looks around, and I bristle, realising she’s searching for him. Not happening. Not a chance.

“Looking for something?” My tone is icy as I move to block her path to him.

She glares at the bags in her hands and then hands them to me. “These are for Angel.”

Riot spots her and goes after her, bailing her up in a corner of the kitchen. I almost laugh at their arguing, but the situation is tenuous. She lets out an exasperated noise and flicks him in the forehead. He lunges, seizes her around the middle, and twirls her around. He dips her, and my breath stutters in my lungs. His nose grazes down her chest.

What. The. Fuck.

We all freeze. Wrath stands up, alert. Hazard lets out an excited whine, while I stand there helplessly watching. He pulls her up a bit, his mouth near her throat. I let out a growl of warning, but he’s not paying any attention to us. He whirls her up and yanks on a lock of her hair.

“You should have seen your face,” Riot teases.

Has he lost his mind?

Angel snarls a deep, feral sound.

She snarls back, but then her snarl turns to a laugh. Riot…joins her.

Are they…playing? I exchange a wide-eyed look with Wrath. Angel is normally the most hostile and violent of the five of us, but Riot gives him a run for his money. He is deadly and serious most of the time. I haven’t seen him smile in years, but he’s smiling now. He’s laughing now.

I open the bag so I don’t have to watch anymore and find a snow-white jacket. Men’s boots, thick socks, and a scarf that is red and white. My throat tightens.

“There’s one for each of us,” Riot whispers and points to the door where, sure enough, there are four more bags lined up. She’s wandered outside, taking that cloying menthol scent with her.

“We can’t trust her,” I say under my breath.

“No,” he agrees. “But maybe she won’t be as bad as some of the others. Perhaps this could be a place to rest and regroup.”

I don’t want to get my hopes up.

It’s almost dusk when she finishes in the kitchen. I’m almost feeling guilty about what we did to her last night. Almost.

When I see the meal she’s prepared, that pang comes back to life real quick.

She looks at the plates and blushes. “I don’t have a table big enough. I normally just sit on the couch. If you’d all care to join me?”

Riot grabs a plate and glares at us as if daring us to say something. I want to smack him in the head and ask who he even is right now.

“Sure.” I pick up my plate and follow them in. I glance at Angel and see him pick up his plate. I know he won’t eat it.

She gets settled in the corner furthest away from him, and Riot sits right next to her. I’m going to have to have words with him. This behaviour is bizarre. Perhaps he’s doing it to distract her.

I need five minutes alone.

She picks up a remote, clicks it, and the huge watercolour painting turns into a TV.

“No way.” Hazard edges closer, staring up at it.

She throws him the remote; he snags it out of mid-air, looking like he’s won the lottery.

“Whatever you want to watch. Go to town.”

Hazard picks some stupid comedy and sets about eating with single-minded intensity. At the end, Casey gets up, picking up our plates. She returns a half an hour later balancing six bowls in her arms and starts handing them out, then sits down with hers and a smile that makes me hate her.

I stare at the ice-cream and pudding. “What’s this going to cost?” If I could take back any words, it would be these.

She stiffens. “Excuse me?”

“Who do you want in your bed tonight?” I ask bitterly.

She shifts on the couch until her feet are planted on the floor, and she can see me. “Say that to me again, real slowly, Khaos. So I understand.”

Riot makes a hand gesture, but I ignore him.

“Who do you want in your bed tonight? That’s why you did this, isn’t it?” I look around me. My pack is resigned; we know the drill.

“I see. I get it now. Yeah. Okay.” She stands up and walks out of the room, only to return a minute later and throw her bowl at my head. “Asshole.”

I roar and charge after her. She turns in mid-stride and slams a hand against my chest. Pudding and ice-cream drips off me, but neither of us cares.

“Let me clarify,” I growl down at her. “None of us want you. You are just our owner, and we aren’t here willingly. If you try to force us kindly or otherwise to service you, I will rip your cunt apart.”

She belts me across the face. “And let me be clear. You are just unwanted guests in my home. I want you gone. If you even think about touching me, I’ll rip your cock off and give it to the birds.”

We stare at each other, both of us breathing hard, and then she backs off and disappears into her bedroom. I stare after her, wondering what the ever-loving fuck just happened.

My mother would kick my ass. She would be so ashamed of my talking to a woman like that. But she hasn’t seen what I’ve seen or done what I’ve done. She’s been dead far too long, and the world isn’t the wonderland she said it was.

“Well, that went well. She’s definitely not going to want any of us now.” Riot snorts and gives me a disgusted look. “You could have waited until after we’d eaten.”

I turn around and catch a glimpse of Angel disappearing out the front door. Hazard stands up, scoops a few more spoonfuls into his mouth, and follows.

“You know, I kind of think she was just being nice. I don’t think she actually is interested in us at all,” Wrath says in quiet contemplation. “Perhaps she is a good person.”

“Can we afford to wait to find out?” I ask back coldly.

He shrugs and puts his feet down off the coffee table.

I growl at him.

He hands me his bowl and walks down the dark hallway before entering the bedroom we claimed and closing the door.

I’ve cleaned the lounge and the kitchen and put everything away, and I’m just wiping my hands on a tea towel when she comes out again. She freezes for a moment before walking over to the cupboard and getting a glass.

“I think perhaps we got off on the wrong foot,” I say quietly.

She glowers at me. “And whose fault is that?”

I growl and bite it back. “Look, you don’t know what it’s like; you’re our thirteenth owner.”

She opens her mouth, but nothing comes out, but I feel her horror to my soul. Disgust pulls at me, and I turn away from her.

I’d never been truly ashamed of myself until I was cursed into this bracelet, now there is much about myself I hate.

“They wanted it. Some of them,” I say so softly she has to lean in closer to hear. “There were no choices. You’re going to find out sooner or later, but we have to do what you want us to do. But if you start using those commands, I will rip out your tongue.”

She sets the glass down with a click. I groan, frustrated that I can’t explain myself eloquently like Riot or Wrath.

“They wanted people to work for free. Some of them didn’t know we were shifters, and so we had to stay in wolf form. Some made us sleep outside in the snow.” I slam shut the lid on the memories that want to surface. “Some figured we were magic, so we didn’t need to eat. Some of those owners…they liked to see us hurting.”

Her hand trembles as she fills up the glass before absently putting it back down. “How do we end it?”

“Pass it on-”

“That’s not an option. I’m not leaving you five stuck like this.”

“You don’t know us.”

“No one deserves to be treated like that. I can help.”

She sounds sincere. Dare I trust her? Do I have a choice?

The first real flicker of hope I’ve had in years ignites in my chest. “We need to get you what you need.” I try to keep the hope out of my voice. “The terms the curse sets are that we must meet your needs.”

“Need? I don’t need anything.”

“You must need something. If we can figure it out and give it to you, then we can be free.”

She takes a sip of the water. “Is Angel okay?”

I hesitate, not wanting to tell her anything but feeling like I owe her something. “He suffered more than any of us.”

She winces. “I’m sorry I threw pudding at you. And slapped you. Twice.”

“I’m sorry I said what I said the way I said it.”

She sighs. “The storm will be here soon, and we’re going to be stuck together in the house for days. Just…let’s try to get along. You can stay in either form; I don’t mind.” She walks away, pausing near the door. “Goodnight, Khaos.”

I stare at the spot for a long time. Have any of our previous owners said goodnight to me before? I can’t recall a single time. But there’s something different about this one. She’s as flighty as Angel, as aggressive as Wrath. Her mysteriousness rivals Riot’s, and yet, she plays so much like Hazard. She’s treating us as people, not objects.

People…not slaves.

Angel slinks into the house and inhales deeply. He barely glances at me as he disappears down to our makeshift room.

She’s still the enemy. She might be a kinder enemy, but I must not forget what she is. The woman who holds our freedom in her hands.

I walk out of the bathroom in a towel, thinking about the storm and mentally going over all my prep. Have I stocked up enough wood, food? Are the candles ready? Torches, blankets? Is everything tied down? I’m so distracted I forget about the shifters until I bump into a hard chest and get hit with the scent of cinnamon.

I look up into the feral gaze of Wrath. That silver is so mercurial, I can feel the weight of his fury and disdain in just a glance. For a single moment, he stares down at me, and I’m frozen, then I let out a squeak and race past him, slamming my bedroom door shut.

I lean against the wood, my heart thumping. I press my hand to the area and try to breathe. His steps are soft, but I hear him retreat, and I’m grateful he gave me the courtesy of letting me know he was leaving; he didn’t have to.

The wind starts to howl, and I jump for my clothes. Within minutes, the silent world and my humiliation erode away until all that’s left is a familiar routine and rigid focus. The storm front is well on its way.

I’m still tugging on my boots when I go racing past the kitchen and outside. The skies are black; the pines shifting in the winds. I run around checking and securing as best I can. I put the axe away and lock the shed, bolting it from the outside so the doors don’t come open.

“Need help?”

“Can you grab some wood?” I shout over my shoulder and finish tying down the shed doors.

I turn around and find Hazard lifting an enormous amount of wood into his arms. It doesn’t even seem to phase him. For a moment, all I can do is stare as the red-haired wolf flexes but lifts it like it’s nothing.

He’s as beautiful as his twin, maybe more so because he is so joyful.

“Where do you want it?”

I jolt out of my staring. The wind whips my hair around me, tearing it loose from the bun I put it in.

“Uh, inside the back door, there’s a small room.”

He trots off, while I grab another load. It takes us three trips, but we get all the wood inside, stacking almost the entire wall with cut wood. I hold the door for him while he comes in. He passes me, sliding past, and I look up. I swear, the world tilts when his gold eyes twinkle as he slows until we’re just staring up at each other.

What is this madness? Why can’t I look away? Why does he smell of sandalwood? And worse, why does that smell excite me?

“Thanks, darlin’.”

Hell. That’s what this madness is. It’s hell. Because all I want to do is lean into him, put my hands on his skin, and feel how warm it is. Find out if his muscles are as hard as they look. Is his hair really that soft, and what do his lips…no! Do not go there. That way lies danger.

Hazard slides past me, leaving a cloud of regret and bad choices to disintegrate on their own. I close the door behind him and trudge to the kitchen. Khaos is flipping bacon, while Angel butters toast, and Riot cooks eggs. I take a step back and into another hot wall of man flesh.

“Good morning, O beautiful one.”

I sneer. “Wrath, if you want to earn yourself a mate, try speaking with less I-want-to-fuck-you-with-a-sharpened-bone.”

“Ah, but the heart wants what the heart wants. And I would so love to stab a sharpened bone through any person who deigned to think they could be my mate.”

His aggression is so politely stated that I am absolutely speechless. Just this one thought that I would love to see him in the same room with Cindel.

He drifts past me, brushing his fingers across mine. I snatch my hand away, glowering at him.

Khaos hands me a plate of food. “Go away. I need to talk to my pack.”

The verbal bitch slap packs a punch. But I’m not going to argue with him. Breakfast on my own is something I’ve been doing for the last ten years. I take the plate and walk into the lounge and sit down, marvelling at the way they have already started to leave their mark on my house. The food tastes really good, which only serves to irritate me more.

Hazard comes in and flops on the couch beside me. He picks up a piece of bacon off my plate and eats slowly, watching me with this thoughtful, enigmatic expression that makes me want to squirm.

“What?” I burst out.

“You fascinate me.”

“If you all could try not to deliver everything you say in the form of a threat, I’d appreciate it.” I barely finish the last word before he shoves a piece of bacon in my mouth.

“As prickly as a cactus. I like it when your mouth is full.”

My eyes widen and then narrow as I chew. I reach for the remote, and he tenses. I turn on the TV, and he fixates on it.

“Behave, or I’ll put it on cooking shows all day.”

He moans in despair and then rolls on top of me. It happens so fast I have no idea what to do. I just lay there panicking. I stare up at him and give him my most withering glare, hoping he can’t feel the way I’m trembling.

“Get off me.”

“Give me that.”

He tries to get the remote; I manage to just keep it out of his reach.

“Mine!” he growls.

“It’s mine.” I bite his upper arm, and he howls.

A deep, savage snarl erupts in the room. We both freeze. I look past Hazard and find Angel glaring at us in a rage so deep that I think he’s one step from destroying me.

“Mine,” Hazard snaps, but I notice he’s carefully watching his twin.

I snarl. He snarls back. I yank on the remote. He licks the side of my neck. I let go with a shriek.

“Aha, mine!” he shouts.

Hazard is yanked off me, and I freeze as Angel crawls over me, leaning down to sniff the spot where his twin licked me. Unnerving. There’s a crazed shifter with his teeth inches from my neck.

I don’t feel arousal or attraction; this isn’t a romantic story where they kiss and make out. This is a deadly, dangerous shifter who wants to kill me, and I’m trying to control every thought and feeling so I make it to the other side unscathed.

Hazard shifts into a standing position, and I see him watching with a frown, but he’s not moving to interfere.

“Just playing, Angel. She didn’t hurt me, didn’t even break the skin.”

Angel moves his head to the other side of my neck and licks an identical line to his brothers. I pant in the effort not to move. The soft, hot pressure of his tongue causes my mind to go white. All I see are his beautiful pale blue eyes. Where Hazard’s lick was playful and curious, Angel’s is pure seduction.

“Get off me,” I whisper. “Please.”

His head snaps to mine, our noses brushing, our lips millimetres apart. He smiles, but, in his eyes, all I see is rage. No part of him wants me. This is war. This is an attack, an assault.

He smells like snow, clean, pure snow. For one hideous moment, I want to bury my face in his neck and just breathe it in.

Any remaining humour dies a quick death, and I suddenly remember the danger I’m in.

Memories resurface, and I shove him with everything I have in me. He goes tumbling off me, but I’m up, jumping over him, flying past Hazard and on the other side of the room before anyone can speak.

“No,” I say to Angel. “I’m not going to take. I’m not going to ask. And I’m not going to demand. But you, you don’t get to try to use it as a weapon either.”

My hands shake as I inch towards my breakfast and go back to my bedroom. I avoid them successfully all day.

I find myself ambushed while cooking dinner that night. Riot and Hazard corner me with typical wolf-like grace. It’s unnerving to suddenly be the focus of their complete and undivided attention. Hazard pulls himself up on the island and kicks his legs, while Riot glides around me, watching me over my shoulder, and generally leaving his incense scent cloying every bit of free air I have.

“Why are you living out here alone?”

What a weird question! I arch a brow and cut the ends off the carrots.

“Because I like being alone.”

“But don’t you want a family, kids, a mate?” Hazard asks and winks at me.

I pause, forgetting what I’m doing; something wild flutters in my chest. Probably indigestion.

I grunt. “Not particularly.”

Riot comes around the counter, brushing his black hair off his face. “Let me cut those for you.”

He gives me no choice, muscling in, his hand on mine. Warm, hard, so different from my hands. My skin tingles. I abruptly let go and step back. He flicks me one of those panty-melting grins.

Too bad I’ve seen what wolves like him can do.

“So, where is your family?”

What. Is. This? An interrogation now? Why do they want to know about my personal life?

“Other side of the valley.”

“Ah, they live with that pack, then?” Riot asks carefully.

Damn it. I glare at the first painful guest, who continues chopping, smiling at the carrots like he’s going to personally make sure they have a good time, and then the other, who has unbuttoned his shirt and is now looking like some celebrity kitchen social media star. No one has the right to look that hot in a kitchen.

I bark a laugh. “Yeah, I was unfortunate enough to grow up in the pack territory. I lived with them until I moved here.”

“Oh. But you’re human.” Hazard winces. “That was rude, sorry. But you are human, how did you survive?”

“Not rude at all,” I say stiffly, trying to hide how uncomfortable I am. I’m searching to buy time so I can come up with an answer that doesn’t give away all my secrets.

“Was your mother human?”

I shake my head. “My mother was a kind woman.” There, nice and evasive.

“I don’t understand-”

“Hazard!” Riot snaps.

The redhead lowers his head, and when he looks up, I can see the apology on his face. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’ll be right back.” I go into the lounge and feel my feet glue to the floor. My lounge looks like someone shaved a freaking wolf in here. My furniture. I’m never going to get that out.

There are clumps hanging from the roof; it’s on the curtains. I’d like to pick the culprit, but it appears to be all of them!

Wrath walks past me, leaning in close. “Oops.”

My temper simmers as I glare holes in the back of his head.

“Oh, that is real mature, Wrath.”

He spins, walking backwards, grinning snidely. Why is that glittering menace so attractive?

“I liked him better when he didn’t talk to me,” I mutter darkly.

I lift my voice so it carries to every damn corner of my house. “You will clean this up. I don’t care if you have to pick every single hair off my couch with your damn teeth.”

The feeling of the five of them converging towards me is a little bit unsettling, but I’m too mad to care.

“What’s wrong with you now?” Khaos asks in exasperation. Like I’m being unreasonable.

I point to the couch. “Clean it.”

“Now, you know what being a pet owner entails,” Wrath murmurs and reaches out, pulling wolf hair off my damn chin.

I whirl towards him and stand up on my toes, gripping his face in my hands. “That is my very expensive couch. I had to have it designed and custom-made. This is not okay.”

Hazard snickers, and I whirl towards him, dismissing the man I was holding. I almost trip as I realise I willingly grabbed the alpha and nothing happened.

No, focus on the anger.

I prowl towards Hazard and poke him in the chest.

“Clean it,” I growl.

“It looks nicer this way,” Wrath smirks and crosses his arms, leaning on the wall.

I inhale and exhale, fighting for calm. “Please don’t destroy my very precious custom couch. I have plenty of other toys for you to ruin.”

I don’t like the way they look at me like that. Like I just challenged them to the world’s best game of hide and seek.

“Just clean it up, please.” I stress the last word and turn away from the mess before I cry.

I walk into the kitchen and start making myself a coffee. I go to the fridge and reach for the carton of milk. It’s empty.

I close my eyes and go to the pantry and put the long-life milk in the fridge. This is going to drive me insane.

How long was the bad weather forecast? A week. I’m not going to survive three days.

We’ve eaten. It was tense. I sat on the floor by the wall and kept a wary eye on the wolves sitting in the piles of fur on my beautiful couch. Now I’m standing in the kitchen staring out the window as the storm ravages the landscape.

Angel appears in the reflection. “Why aren’t you punishing us?”

I still, our eyes connecting and holding. Tension in both our bodies. What is he going to do?

“Cleaning it up is punishment.”

He frowns. “You aren’t hurting us.”

His voice is deep gravel, much deeper than I would have expected.

I turn to face him but lean against the sink and hold my cup in two hands in front of me.

“Listen, I don’t know what kind of monsters you’ve had before, but I’m not about to treat anyone with anything less than respect.”

“Why?”

My eyes drop without my say-so. Hiding my shame. “Because I’ve experienced it. So, if you want a monster, you’re not going to find it here. I won’t be that person. Just please don’t destroy me.”

He advances towards me, leaning over me, his eyes wary and hostile. “Don’t you want me?”

I sigh heavily. “Do you want me?”

“No.”

“There’s your answer.”

He looks so confused. So angry and confused. I sidestep, but he cages me in.

“What if I change my mind?” he asks in a rumble that I feel to my toes.

I laugh bitterly, mockingly. “You won’t.”

“What makes you so sure?”

I push past him. “Look at me,” I say and wave a hand down my body. “And look at you. We don’t match. We don’t fit. Past experience has taught me a lot about the right people you let into your intimate circle.”

He seizes my wrist, and I stiffen, refusing to look back at him. “Don’t change your mind now. Don’t fall in love with me, don’t even fall in lust, because I won’t ever, ever want you.”

Harsh, cold, aggressive, and full of disgust. It slaps at me like a physical blow.

“Yeah, thanks for the ego boost. Let me go now.”

He removes his hand from my wrist really slowly.

“Everything all right here?” I jerk my eyes up to find Riot glaring at me. Of course, I’m the bad guy. I walk stiffly past both of them and walk out into the storm. Safer out here.

The wind snatches at my jacket, instantly turning me icy cold, but I ignore it, moving into the middle of the yard, lifting my face to the wind.

I inhale the smell of the storm and do a quick walk around the property, making sure everything is the way it should be. I would stay out longer, but I already can’t feel my fingers or nose.

I turn back to the house. The chimney is puffing away; the smoke being snatched by the wind. The windows glow with orange light.

Howls in the distance have me turning, lifting my lip in warning. I tilt my head back and let loose a long, lonely howl.

It’s echoed a moment later by five more. But the wolves, the ones that were moving in this direction fall silent, successfully warned away. They were true wolves, but still, it’s better they not come here.

I wait, listening, straining my ears until I hear the howls moving further away. Only then do I relax and turn to go back to the house.

My feet hold me still as I take in what I never expected to see. A pack ready to defend.

They stand in the yard, arranged around me. I meet Khaos’ eyes briefly and then duck my head and stomp back to the house.

I feel all their gazes on me, but I’ve had enough. Some secrets are allowed to be just mine. I walk in, kick off my shoes, and disappear into my bedroom.

I sit in my bed and swipe at the tear that tracks down my cheek. For just a second…just one second, when I turned around, I saw a dream, a future I can’t have. I thought I was over this desire for a pack, long ago, when they beat it out of me.

I’m not stupid enough to let myself linger over these self-indulgent desires. Especially not with them. They deserve freedom.

And I deserve my isolation where no one can hurt me.

Casey is the strangest human female I’ve ever met. She is avoiding us as if we are the dangerous ones. Avoiding, ignoring, pretending she can’t see us. But then, she dumps more blankets outside our rooms, makes sure there is more food cooked than last night. She puts enough milk in the fridge for all of us and doesn’t explode over the childish things the others are doing to try to get her attention.

I trail after her in my wolf form.

The storm is here, and her hair is being picked up and whipped around her. She belongs in wild places. Standing on the side of a mountain like the true wolves. Like we used to be.

There is something so isolated and sad about her.

What would it be like to grow up as a human in a wolf pack? Even in our old pack, where we’re considered to be forward thinkers, having a human in the pack? No, she would have been shipped out to just about anywhere else to be raised by her own kind.

But then, she wouldn’t be standing on the side of the mountain with one foot in the wolf world and one foot in the human one, never able to be part of either.

I pity this woman.

That is dangerous. I shouldn’t pity her at all. I shouldn’t be seeing her as anything but a threat, but her screams and whimpers as she sleeps have reached into my chest and put hooks into my heart.

I understand the nightmares; we all have them, but the bleak ones that come for me have my stomach gnawing itself and a huge collar around my neck with a chain, leaving me sitting out in the snow as I go from freezing to warm. As I start to die.

It comes back in winter. It comes back during storms.

My nightmares are lonely, where I watch my pack from windows, heavy chains weighing me down. My throat aches as I turn and pace back and forth, ignoring her.

I don’t know how long has passed before she catches up to me and slows until we’re walking side by side.

“Thank you for taking care of me during the nightmares.”

I flinch, torn out of my own horrible thoughts.

“Things happened, and I guess I’ve never dealt with it before. I didn’t need to know; I didn’t know I screamed. No one was around to tell me before, so I guess, yeah, thank you. I will try not to…” she trails off, frowning and looking unbelievably young and lost.

The light bounces off her cheek and her left eye. The blue is the clearest, most stunning colour I’ve ever seen. She’s beautiful with no idea of it. She’s not wearing any makeup; she’s got a jacket done up to her chin, jeans and boots. There is nothing about her that I would have gone after before. But there’s something about her.

She’s food when I’m starving.

Warmth when I’m freezing.

Life when I’m dying.

No, I must not think about her like this. It’s not right. If the pack found out I was having these thoughts, if they knew I was betraying them after all we went through.

Still…I was the one alone. I was the one starving for a gentle touch, for a kind word.

“Thank you, Riot.”

I melt inside. I try so hard not to; I remind myself of Carolyn and the vicious way she left me in the basement. Forgotten in the dark. I remind myself about Julie, who promised all the nice things and just delivered a dog kennel.

Thank you, Riot.

The words echo in my head until I can’t see the world. All I can do is walk beside her, following that noxious scent of menthol as we return to the cabin. When Khaos snarls at her, she turns into the kitchen.

I wait, lying down not where I can see her but where I can hear her. She’ll throw me out into the storm.

She’ll tie me to the porch, to the foundations, in the attic.

She will take the pillows, the blankets and food. I will be helpless to stop her as she shreds my soul.

Because I hope.

I haven’t had hope for a long time.

“Riot?”

I open my eyes and find her standing with a bowl.

This is it.

She crouches down and sets the bowl down in front of me. I stare into her eyes, waiting for the words to come.

“I’ve put fresh blankets out, and there’s another mattress in the hallway if you’d like to use that one. I know they don’t smell the best.” She bites her bottom lip, her cheeks turning pink. “I just never have visitors. There is a huge pot of soup on, and I have fresh bread cooking. Help yourself. There is tea, coffee, beer, and juice. Biscuits and chips are in the pantry.”

She stands up and backs off.

“Goodnight.”

That’s it?

That’s it!

I lift my head and stare into the bowl. Soup. Hot, steaming soup with big chunks of meat.

I stand up and edge towards it, sniffing. It smells good. I can identify everything I’m smelling. I can’t find anything that shouldn’t be there.

She brought me in from the storm.

She’s in the kitchen, I spring towards her, ignoring the way my pack follows, alarmed by my actions, but I bail her up against the counter, and then I lean in, pressing my weight against her legs, and I lift my head and lick her knuckles.

Her cheeks turn pink as she snatches her hand back, but I don’t wait. I ignore everyone and go back to my food.

I eat it.

The whole bowl full.

And then I go to the bedroom, and I sort out the bed, finding myself a spot. A place no one expected me to have. Because we all know what happens, and I curl up and listen to the wind howl.

Wrath is the first to join me, curling up around me, resting his head on my neck. Hazard and Angel join next, but Khaos stays apart, his body between us and the door.

By silent agreement, we decide to give ourselves and Casey a break. Until the storm passes, we will stay in this form while she is around.

I use the time to confront my past. To allow the pack to erase the wounds and to let the strange healing of the human with a heart that can’t be poisoned work its magic.

Each day, I look forward to seeing her just a little bit more. My eyes stay on her, stray to her. If she is in the room, everything else fades away.

As each day passes, she becomes my obsession.

I can’t find it in me to care.

It’s funny how easily five days can pass when the wolves turn into their four-legged shape and stay that way. Tripping over a grumbling hairball is much less intimidating than tripping over a wall of muscles. Still, the shut out is cold, and though the days pass quickly, I’m more aware of how isolated I am than ever.

The couch, which has been a source of tension, stayed filthy. But I’ve just walked in from checking my property to find it immaculate. Miracles above.

A hand lands on my waist, guiding me forward. Khaos appears, and I’m ridiculously happy to see the man-shaped version. He points at the couch.

“Sit, please.”

I sit where Khaos indicates and give him my full attention.

“We’ve spent the last few days watching you. Seeing how you act and behave. Watching what you need. And we think we know.”

I lean back. “This should be entertaining, by all means, hit me with it.”

“You need a mate.”

The silence is a roar. I sit forward slowly and stare at Khaos. “I’m sorry, I thought I heard you say, mate.”

“I did. You need a family. Someone to come home to. Someone to help you and spend time with you.”

Of all the ridiculous notions.

“You are mistaken,” I say in curt tones.

“I don’t think so. You have everything else. But you’re alone, and you don’t really want to be alone. Riot has been sleeping at your bedroom door…we all hear you scream.”

I feel the blood drain from my face. “That’s got nothing to do with this.”

“You live too far out, you need help with the chores and jobs. You need a pack.”

I hiss at the verbal blow he doesn’t know he just dealt.

“You’re wrong,” I snarl.

“I’m not,” Khaos says firmly. “We’re going to help you.”

“This is fucking crazy, Khaos. I don’t want to date, and I certainly don’t want a mate.”

He rakes his hand through his copper and gold hair, and I notice absently that his gold eyes have flecks of green. They are pretty.

“You said you’d help us; are you going back on your word?” Riot asks from the kitchen doorway.

I hesitate and close my eyes. “Can I think about this for a minute?”

Wrath smiles widely as he walks in with my tablet in his hands. How he found the password is beyond me.

“Sure. But we already made you a profile, and we’re sifting through the results.”

He sits down and cants his head towards me with a wide, shit-eating smile. I’m not going to hit him. I swear, I’m not.

I can’t move. My hands are sweating, and my head feels strange. I don’t think Wrath realises the danger he’s in.

I launch myself at him and grab my tablet out of his hand, looking at the photo he’s put up. I look drunk.

“No, no, no, no, no. Why did you do this? What even is this photo? Where did you get it?”

I scroll through the information and let out a savage growl of my own when Khaos moves towards me. My disbelief grows as I read the crap they’ve put in there.

“What do you mean, I like long walks on the beach? I’ve never been to a beach! And I like cooking, cleaning, and other woman stuff?” I screech. I’ve never screeched before, but I’m doing it now.

I read further and want to throw up.

“Looking for someone who can put up with me long enough to find happiness. I have a great ass?”

I groan and then look at the name of the dating site. I’m going to kill them. Five fur-covered rugs to keep me warm next winter. Wait!

“This is the local one!” I bellow. I start hyperventilating. “The packs are going to show up.”

Ice coats my skeleton and seizes my insides, twisting painfully. The pack wants me to take a mate. If they find out about this, I’m doomed.

“What was that?” Wrath snaps, the humour leaving his face in the blink of an eye.

I shake my head. “I think I’m going to throw up.”

They laugh, like, all of them. Except Angel, I have no idea where he is. He’s my favourite right now.

“It will be fine,” Wrath says with an evil grin.

A message pops up, and I open it, staring at the familiar face. He looks happy, smiling. The message is simple. Hey there, princess, looking for some pre-mated fun? Be careful, it’s a dog eat dog world out there. It’s a warning. A message and a warning.

I delete it so fast no one could stop me even if they wanted to. Of course, the pack knew. They don’t miss anything.

Jonas’ taunt turns my stomach, reminding me of what’s coming. A storm can make you forget things you shouldn’t, but when the sun comes out, you have to face reality, and my reality is terrifying.

I stand up and walk away from them. The tablet falls from my numb fingers. I walk outside and slide down the wall, hugging my knees.

A huge male crouches next to me, and I know it’s Riot, though I have no idea how.

“Talk to me.”

The arrogant command shifts me out of my fear and into temper. I snarl at him, low and aggressively, but he just bumps me with his shoulder.

“That was a message. I’m not allowed to date. Orders of the pack. Just so you know.” My voice is dead. “So, you’re going to have to find a way around that.”

“We aren’t afraid of your pack.”

“They aren’t mine,” I snarl. I curl even tighter around myself. “You want me to do this, but, when you leave, I’ll be left to their mercy, and there won’t be any.”

Riot sighs. “There’s always a price.”

“Always,” I whisper. I close my eyes. “I’ll think about it. But do you think we could leave what I said between the two of us for now?”

“Okay, and, Casey,” I look at him. “Thank you. I know this isn’t easy or what you want. I can’t imagine what I would do in your position.”

“Probably hit them.”

He smirks. “Probably.”

He drops his arm around me and pulls me into his chest. I stiffen and try to pull free, but he keeps me there. I gradually relax into the dark scent of him; it’s spicy and sweet. The scent curls into me, soothing me in a way nothing else ever has. I can’t identify the exact incense, but I’m learning to love it. It’s like the universe created one perfect alpha and one perfect scent and was like, there, I’m done.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a rainbow shimmer, but when I look again, it’s gone.

“How long have you been out here?”

“Out here?” I look around. “Oh, you mean, like, living on the mountain?”

Riot dips his chin, pitch black hair falling over his face. I have this urge to reach out and brush it aside. I have to curl my fingers to make sure I don’t.

“Um, I was eighteen when I moved in with Freida. She died when I was twenty-two, so I guess I’ve been here alone for six years.”

“You’ve been alone that long?”

I’m not sure if I like the surprise in his voice or not.

“Yeah, I guess. Alone is safer.”

We fall silent, just the two of us listening to the wind howl.

The door opens. “Hey, there you are, we can’t find- Oh.”

I snort and push away from Riot. “Thanks.” I get to my feet, pass Khaos, and slip into the house.

I curl up on the couch.

Dating. Could I start dating? It would mean doing the one thing I don’t want to do. Getting to know people and drawing the eye of the pack. But we are all stuck unless I find a way out of this.

I feel something inside and close my eyes. Perhaps I’m having a heart-related issue, and I’m about to die, but it doesn’t feel like that. More like stretching. It’s weird, and I rub at my sternum.

When I open my eyes again, I spot Angel in the corner of the room. He’s staring at me with an intensity that makes my stomach quiver.

“How long have you been there?” I ask, suddenly terrified, but I can’t say why.

“Long enough.”

I tilt my head to the side and watch as he comes and sits down near me. He doesn’t take his eyes off me at all.

“Show me again.”

The demand, the call, the pure dominance of it, slams against me. I let out a moan of agony as I feel like I’m being torn apart.

“Angel, stop, please,” I sob and try to hold myself upright, but I writhe until I slip off the couch, landing hard on the floor. I manage to wrangle myself into a sit as Angel blinks slowly at me. He’s quick to get on his knees, crawling over me and inhaling.

His pupils widen. “I know what you are.”

“And you’ll keep your mouth shut, won’t you?” I ask back sweetly.

“Is that a command?” His low, dark promise of pain sends shivers up my spine.

I look away tiredly. “No, Angel. Of course, it’s not. I just would prefer no one knows. It’s a secret I’ve kept all my life.”

“Omega,” he whispers.

The word is horrifying.

“Shh, don’t say that word in here!”

He studies me. “You really are just like us. Trapped. Someone else holds your leash. How can you free us if you can’t free yourself?”

His words are vicious cuts that scrape at my heart. He’s right. I’ve never been free.

“Do you even try to escape anymore, or have you given up?”

I wince. “Can you just…go away. It’s been a really bad morning, and I don’t want to take anymore verbal lashings from an alpha who has decided the whole world is his enemy.”

To my surprise, he flinches.

My phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket, answering it quickly.

“Hey, Liz.”

Angel stiffens, his colour draining from his already pale face. He backs off, up onto the couch.

“Hey, Casey. I was wondering, if you’re ready, I’ll come and get my dogs now.”

My brows snap down. She wants them back? For what?

“I thought they were ruining your life?”

“Oh, I was just having a bad day. I can come get them tonight. You don’t want to keep them; besides, they might get hurt up there in the wild.”

Angel has gripped my custom couch so hard he’s put holes in it. I stare at his hands as my suspicions grow darker and darker.

“I don’t think so,” I almost whisper.

“What?” Liz barks. “But they’re mine.”

I need to get off the phone and stop this before it gets out of hand.

“Liz, if you try to take them from me, I will kill you,” I snarl viciously and hang up. “Angel?” I say his name gently.

He stares at me for three long tension-filled seconds.

Angel launches himself at me, wrapping himself around me with all of his impossibly long limbs. I hold still, and when it’s clear he’s not leaving, I stroke his back and shift into a more comfortable position.

“Um?”

I startle and instantly coo to soothe Angel as Khaos and Riot storm into the room, pausing when they see us. The tension goes up and doesn’t come down. I feel like there are fangs settled over my throat.

“Hey, Riot and Khaos are here. Do you want to talk to them or hug them?” I ask gently.

He shakes his head and hugs me even closer. He buries his face in the crook of my neck, the feather-light hot breath sending shivers and tingles of something I should definitely not be feeling through me.

“What happened?” Khaos demands in his alpha bark, giving me no choice but to answer him.

Why do I feel compelled to obey these alphas?

“Um, Liz wants you back.” I wheeze as he grips my ribs harder.

Riot and Khaos stiffen, and their expressions grow predatory.

“And what was your answer?”

“If she tried to take you, I’d kill her.”

Riot relaxes and crouches so that our faces are at the same height. “And did you mean it?”

“Yes,” I snarl. “Of course, I meant it.”

Angel lets out a rumbling sound that vibrates through me in a way that has all my thoughts scattering.

“All right, let’s see if we can get you some air.” Riot grips me and pulls me out from under Angel while Khaos snags him and carries him off to a bedroom. “You okay? That would have been frightening.”

“Yeah. No, it wasn’t. I’m just…I need to think.”

He nods. “I’ll check on Khaos and Angel.”

But, no. Not really. My friend did something awful to that alpha. These protective, territorial feelings are from my shifter heritage. Packs are important, and, at the moment, even if it’s temporary, they are mine. Which means Liz just signed her own death warrant.

I close my eyes to process that. Was I seriously that desperate for a friend that I didn’t see her true nature?

Wrath flops down beside me. “I’m on babysitting duty. And you have been a very, very naughty baby.”

“Ah, are you capable of such a feat?”

“Darlin’, I could watch you in my sleep, you don’t do anything.”

He’s right, damn him. I don’t do anything. “Fine, want to play a game?”

He perks up, twisting, so he’s sitting up. “What kind?”

“Hide and seek out in the woods. You catch me in thirty minutes, and I’ll give you something you want.”

“And if I catch you. I want something from you.”

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

I get up and race to the door. He follows, but I shove his chest. “You have to give me a couple of minutes.”

“I’ll give you ten.”

His confidence is disgusting.

I throw myself out into the weather, dodging past Hazard, who’s coming inside. My heart thuds with excitement as I get into a sprint, heading in one direction and then turning sharply and changing direction. We played this when I was a child, my mother and I. She said it was good for skill building. I find the creek swollen and flooded and send myself flying over it before running up the other side and pulling myself up into a tree.

I sit, perched there happily until I hear a howl. No way. That cheat. Four other howls echo, and I sit up straighter. My spot might evade one, but not five. I slip from the tree and run up the creek before jumping out and slipping under an overhang.

I hear them get close and move on and check my phone. Almost. But, just then, Wrath appears in front of the overhang, cold water splashing everywhere. He crouches, staring into the overhang with glowing silver eyes.

He looks fae. He sucks his lower lip into his mouth and then lets it go, smiling.

“There you are, beautiful girl. And now you owe me my prize.”

I scowl and crawl out beside him. “All right, what do you want?” I’m cold and wet and annoyed that it didn’t even take them any effort to find me. That hiding spot has hidden me from the Foster Pack a dozen times over the years.

“A kiss.”

I step back, glancing around me like I’ll run. He can’t be serious.

“A kiss?” I whisper.

“If you run, I’ll chase you.” The threat, the danger in his voice, urges me to do just that. I tense. “One kiss.”

I stop. “I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage-“

He presses his finger against my lips. “I want this. I’m asking for it. That’s different. Do you want it?”

If we were back in the house, I probably would have said no and been able to mean it, but out here with the prince of fae staring here with his shifter eyes, his wolf so close to the surface, having found me when no one else has ever been able to-

“I want it.”

I move towards him and wrap my arms around his neck, bringing myself up to his level so that I can press my lips against his. Our kiss starts slow, almost awkwardly, but, in moments, it gains momentum, and I lose myself in the dance, the earthy taste, his hands on my ass.

He’s all the things I want and can’t have.

The world is dipping and diving, falling away and making sense in a way it never has.

His kiss puts every kiss I’ve ever had to shame, leaving all the other men looking like self-absorbed idiots.

His kiss is a mastery of the senses, an art form all of itself.

I want to stay like this forever.

“Wrath!” Khaos barks.

Wrath breaks away from me with a chuckle, licking his lips. My blood heats further at the way he’s staring at me.

I tear my startled stare away and find four pairs of eyes staring at us. Shit. I climb out the opposite side of the bank without looking back at them, trudging back towards the house. The icy water has soaked the bottom of my jeans, a fact I didn’t care about until now.

I stop. The tall trees sway around me, but I’m alone, and right now, I feel it deep in my soul. Wolves aren’t supposed to be alone. Would finding someone to share this life with be that bad?

I think about it all the way back to the cabin and long into the night.

She avoids us for the next three days; if one of us walks into a room, she walks out. She gets up early and disappears into the woods and returns at dusk with whatever she’s hunted. I track her down but keep my distance, following by scent alone. She knows I’m here; I know it, but we’re stuck playing this game.

Why?

With each passing hour, my temper soars higher. She kissed me. I kissed her. It was hot. It didn’t mean anything. I want to do it again. What does that mean?

Was it so terrible that she feels the need to avoid me? No, I felt her; she was into it. So, why is she running? Why do I care?

I exhale, forcing myself to remember those twelve women, twelve horrible humans who have tortured us and hurt us. The ones I said I’d never allow to affect me, yet here I am, making the same mistakes as all the times before, thinking she could be different, thinking she might be human.

I keep my nose to the ground but pause often, making sure to make enough noise so I don’t startle her. I find her after an hour of searching. She’s sitting on the branch of a tree, staring off into space, with one knee up and her bow hanging loosely. What is she thinking about?

I shift into my human form and sit, watching her long enough for the wind to pick up. It whips her hair free of its ties, the long shades of brown hair flying around her, making her look wild and untouchable.

With a sigh, she slips off the branch, landing gracefully before walking straight towards me. I stand from my crouch and stare at her until she sees me. She’s not surprised, which proves that I was right.

But everything about this woman is strange and different. Could she be the exception to the past we’ve been strangled by?

“I’ve decided that maybe you guys are right, and I should try finding a…mate. A boyfriend. So, I think we should do this together, all right, choose together? Because I’m not going on dates with shifters.”

I cock my head to the side at the venomous hiss in her voice. I can understand why. She’d be at a distinct disadvantage dating a shifter. I should be happy.

I am happy.

Aren’t I?

“No shifters, got it.”

I concede that dating a human would be her best option. Picturing her with a man freezes me with an uncomfortable and new sensation of horror. I am struck dumb by the bolt of rage that follows, surfacing within me so fast it has me swaying on my feet. I curl my lips.

“Don’t be like that. You don’t know what they can be like. I don’t want anything to do with shifters, ever.” She stalks past me.

I scramble to catch up to her and then pass her, shifting back to my wolf form, ranging on the trail and sniffing for any scents of danger and taking the opportunity to be alone and get some damn clarity on what the hell I just felt.

“All right, the profile will need to be edited, of course, you five have such wonderful views on who I am and what I want for my future, but I’m not okay with being the poster girl for the backwaters.”

I chuff at her, annoyed by her fake cheerful tone.

“The man will have to be…” She trails off, and I look over my shoulder at her. She appears lost. “Well, I don’t really know; I haven’t dated before.”

I snarl my opinion, but quietly enough that she doesn’t hear or pretends not to. We break through the trees, but she stops, staring. I turn to look, too. The log walls make it look smaller than it actually is. It looks cozy and warm, like the cabin I grew up in.

It must be nice to have a home, I think wistfully. If I could have one, it would be like this. Just big enough, full of wilds around us. A warm fireplace, good food I’ve hunted, and a mate…

What?

She goes inside, passing me in a swirl of menthol, unaware of my stunned and conflicted thoughts. I let the transformation take me and enter the house as a man, brushing up against her back just to hear her snarl.

“All right, house meeting,” Casey calls.

I circle around her and bite my lower lip as she steps back into the wall, trying to escape me.

“Stop it!”

“Stop what?” I say innocently.

“You know what!” She just stops short of stomping a foot.

I swipe up her hair, bringing it to my nose and inhaling deeply. There is something there, some quality I can’t place, but the idea of someone else touching her has me ready to set fire to this cabin.

My dad…I remember the way he sounded when he laughed. I remember the pain in his eyes when he found out Mum was sick. It was just the three of us. He sat me down and said he needed me; I needed to step up and be the alpha he knew I could be. I was so determined.

My mum is probably dead. It’s been four years.

I need to get home.

Casey needs a mate so I can go home and take care of my dad, so I can mourn my mother.

That’s why I’m doing this. It’s why I have to do this.

I force myself to back away from her so I don’t tempt myself into something stupid.

Hazard throws himself on the couch, Riot a half a beat behind him. They both lift their eyes and watch her. Intent, focused like she’s the only thing that matters here. Khaos comes in from the kitchen, drying his hands on a tea towel. Angel slides up against a wall, trying to play least in sight. As usual.

I snarl silently.

“I have decided to proceed with this madness.” Casey says it like a declaration of war, hands on her hips, head tossed back, eyes fierce.

She was born to be a wolf. She’s got all the strength and wildness of our species. There’s something about her not having a wolf that has mine snapping and snarling.

Her eyes land on the others one by one, but I shift closer to her, and she sidesteps away, angling her body away from me, her eyes blazing blue fire at me.

I bite my lip to hide my smile. I really like irritating her.

“But there are some rules.” Now we all get glared at, one at a time, as if to make sure we understand she’s serious.

“What rules?” Khaos asks, but he’s already focused on something outside.

“I don’t want you guys there forcing things in your favour, so you can stay as wolves, but not like this,” she waves a hand up and down Khaos’ body. “I also would prefer if you would stay out of sight. And, lastly and most importantly, no shifters.”

Khaos inclines his head. His sudden tension has me standing up straight, watching him intently. I turn away, searching Angel’s face, trying to see if he will give up the information.

“Good. Your first date will be here in an hour.”

I jerk my head around, unable to stop the vicious growl that tears from my throat. Khaos levels me with one of his glares; he doesn’t need to say a word. Just stares at me.

“AN HOUR!” The scream makes my ears ring.

I whirl around, but she’s already on the move, smashing both palms into Khaos’ chest. He falls backwards, his knees catching the edge of the couch. He blinks up at her, his eyes wide, a look of rage warring with shock.

“How dare you!”

Khaos snorts. “You’re quick to go back on your decisions, aren’t you?”

She growls, a sound that draws all our eyes. My eyebrows raise. That’s impressive.

“What’s his name? What does he do? What’s he like? Do I get a say in who you choose I date?”

Khaos shrugs his shoulders. “His name is Louis Tony. He’s just moved to town from the city five years ago. He seems dull as dishwater. And you can get a choice later.”

She narrows her eyes. “I want all five of you to stay close. If I have to suffer, you can as well.”

Khaos nods his head as if he expected that. “Agreed. We won’t let him hurt you.”

“As wolves. I don’t need it getting out that I have men living here. Promise me!”

Riot and I protest immediately, but Khaos nods, locking us into this stupidity. I bare my teeth at him, but he levels me with the alpha stare, and I look away.

She glares at him for another pregnant moment and then spins on her heel and goes to her bedroom.

I hear the shower start a minute later.

“Khaos, what the hell, we said we’d do it together,” I lunge towards him, shoving him into the wall. He catches himself and growls. It’s low, vicious, and a deadly warning.

I match it.

“She was taking too long,” Khaos grumbles. “It’s done. Let’s see what happens.”

I growl at him.

“You’re an ass.” I transform, going to the far couch and curling up with my nose in my tail, where I can watch the door. Her scent is soothing and very strong here. I close my eyes, breathing her into my lungs.

Casey comes out just before he arrives, and I sit up, staring at her. She’s put on a soft grey skirt that shimmers with pale streaks and a white shirt that is tight over her breasts. She has just the tiniest bit of eyeliner, but somehow that amount is perfect on her. Her hair is brushed out and loose and shines in the light.

I can’t look away from her. What is this? Why does my chest feel tight? She’s beautiful. The curves that I’ve had my hands all over, the way she fit perfectly to my body. I want to take her back to her bedroom, strip her of her clothes, and teach her how to howl.

I hear a car pull up and snarl at the door; he’s dead. I’m going to kill him.

Casey passes a hand over my head, cupping my ear gently. The stroke sends electric pleasure through me, and I lose hold of the homicidal thoughts.

“Chill, Wrath. This is what we all need, remember?”

I’m glad she’s at peace. I personally want to rip the guy apart, and I haven’t even seen him yet. She moves away, her hand slowly leaving my ear. Is she reluctant? Does she feel it, too?

Khaos gives me a level look, warning me not to do anything, and pushes Riot and Angel into the kitchen. Both of them are dragging their feet, looking as predatory as I feel. Hazard takes a spot on the floor, while I bury my face back in my tail and stare, no, glare, at the door.

She opens it before he even finishes knocking. I mentally shake my head. She seems too eager, even though I can tell she just wants him gone. It’s in every line of her body.

Louis Tony is pathetic. He’s tall and thin with boring, dull brown hair, his nose is too big, his ears too long, his eyes are an uninteresting shade of mud brown, and he smells like toilet flowers.

I don’t like him. All the places I’ve marked to bury bodies go through my head.

He leans down and kisses her cheek. It’s awkward because she holds her hand out. I dig my claws into her couch and release them, trying to calm down. He should not have his hands on her.

She asks him if he wants a drink as he sits on the couch. He ignores her, muttering instead, while he peers at her breasts. He’s dead. I’m going to kill him. He hasn’t even spotted Hazard or I yet. Points lost. He’s not going to be an attentive mate. I cut my gaze to where I can see Khaos looming in the doorway.

He drops his head. This idiot is not the guy. Not for her.

Louis looks around, and I really don’t like the assessing manner of his gaze. He’s looking at the value rather than seeing the character, the history, the home. I silence the growl as Casey returns with coffee.

Hazard lets out a whine, and Louis almost jumps out of his skin.

“I can’t believe I didn’t notice your dogs!” he shouts suddenly. “Look at him. What a beast!”

Hazard puts his head up and yawns.

The idiot leans forward, getting a closer look at the teeth.

“Is he desexed? I’ve got a bitch in heat at the moment. He’d make good pups.”

Hazard snaps his jaw shut and stands up, his tail tucked, and gives Louis a furious black stare. Angel appears beside Khaos, watching intently, his eyes glowing as his lips peel back from his teeth. Hidden out of sight, but ready to kill anyone who touches his twin.

Casey’s idiot date reaches out a hand to pet me, but I lift my head, curling my lips back, exposing all the sharp teeth I have. A very crystal clear warning. This idiot hesitates before continuing on his death path.

“Uh, don’t pat him, please. He’s on medication at the moment, a bit unstable and wobbly. It makes him much more unpredictable.”

I sit up, more than a lot offended!

Louis withdraws his hand. “Oh, shame.”

“So, I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, but I’m Casey, and I’ve lived here all my life.”

“Louis, but you knew that, I moved here five years ago when my wife left me.” That was the beginning of the most boring one-way conversation in the history of conversations.

He doesn’t let her speak, just continues on and on about his own self-importance. I don’t like the way he touches her thigh. I hate the way he leans in close when he laughs.

She’s awkward; she doesn’t like him; I can tell. He needs to go. I’m trying to figure out a plan to make that happen when she, in pure desperation, suggests a movie.

He leaps at the chance.

She turns on a movie, and they both sit back, but still, he won’t shut up. He turns to face her again and keeps yapping. On and on. He’s got an education, a car, and an opinion on everything.

I roll my eyes and catch Hazard balefully glaring at the guest. Well, looks like I’m not the only one who dislikes him.

Louis leans forward, and he does it so naturally I almost miss the entire thing. His hand raises, and his thumb slides up his nose, hooks, and withdraws. He then inspects his thumb for a good three seconds before flicking his fingers.

What. The. Fuck?

He’s still talking. Casey’s gaze drifts to the carpet. She yanks it up again, but her gaze is pulled magnetically back down. I can see the horror in her eyes, carefully hidden behind that polite smile.

I catch a flash of red and turn my head. Hazard stumbles on stiff front legs, his rear ones spread wide and bent like his back end is about to collapse. His body see-saws up and down, and he makes this awful wheeze.

“Haaark! Haaark!”

Don’t do it, brother, don’t do it. Control yourself.

I stand up, staring at him. Alarmed now. I silently order him to get control of himself.

Oh, Hazard, come on, suck it up, man.

The sudden image of him sucking up Louis’ booger sends such a nauseous image into my mind that I start gagging on the couch.

I pant, shudder through the heaves, but I can’t stop because Hazard won’t stop, and every time I hear him, I get set off again by the picture of Hazard vacuuming up the filthy deposit.

Casey jumps up. “Outside!”

Louis flinches at the command in her voice, while Hazard and I don’t budge. I’m a miserable wolf right now. Louis stands up, turning in a circle where he flicked his booger, possibly grinding it into the carpet forever.

That’s it. The carpet burns tomorrow.

Casey opens the front door, and I leap onto the coffee table, crashing the coffee mugs and the bowl of chips to the floor. The coffee table cracks, and then I’m on the evil carpet. I scramble up, fighting to get off the floor. I make a mad leap and land in the doorway.

Louis follows me, his face white. I feel Khaos, Riot, and Angel behind me.

“You have five? Are those even dogs? Do you have a permit for a wolf pack?” Louis shouts, but Angel is pressed against my shoulder, and Riot is blocking the entrance to the house, his ears pinned to his skull.

“Maybe 2%. And I’m sure there are a few more around somewhere,” Casey mutters.

Casey is distracted, her eyes finding each of us, and unsure which one to help first.

I hear Hazard deposit a slimy addition of gross onto the carpet, and then he pushes past Casey and Riot and comes to flop beside me, breathing in haggard gasps with a whine of self-pity.

Louis moves towards Casey but stops when Angel, bristling and intent, stiffly intercepts. His pure white coat might make him look friendly, but Angel is almost feral.

To see him protect Casey…that’s something else.

Louis lifts a hand, kinda sorta almost waves, and then gets in his car and leaves.

Casey sits down on the cold ground. “Find something else I need.”

I’d love to, but it’s obvious that Casey was not meant to be alone. She needs love.

I close my eyes to block out the sight of her so I can try to kill the jealousy that is now burning for a man she hasn’t even met yet, and then scramble away as Hazard starts throwing up a second time.

The cold air can’t chill my overheated cheeks. I can’t even look at them. My attempts to speak leave me with my mouth open but no words. I’ve never been so embarrassed. No, that’s not true. I can remember several times I’ve been in worse situations, but not since I came out here. Not since I’ve been away from the pack.

I put my face in my hands and rub at my eyes. How do these things happen to me? Now I need to clean up. But still, I can’t face that carpet. I keep seeing him do that over and over. It’s in my carpet. I could bleach it. No, that’s not going to be enough. Roll it up and burn it? Not in this weather.

I stand up and blink twice when they imitate me.

Right, the wolves. I am really, really glad they were here tonight. Not that I will ever tell them that.

“Are you okay?” Hazard asks. His face is almost as red as his hair. “I’m really sorry.”

It’s the first time any of them have apologised. He really doesn’t need to, not over this.

I look at him and bite my lower lip.

“No, don’t cry, I’m sorry-” Hazard reaches out to me but stops when I step back, trying but failing to control myself.

The giggle works its way free, and, once I start, I can’t seem to stop. It just continues to rip through me. I laugh until tears run down my cheeks and then, to my utter surprise, Khaos starts to laugh, too. Even when my stomach is aching, I can’t stop.

“There is snot on my carpet. A big, giant booger.”

Hazard tilts his head to the side, his eyes glinting with the light from the house. His smile spreads slowly as he realises I’m not about to lose my mind.

“I was trying to signal Khaos for help, but that…that was just too much. Oh, jeez, where did you find this guy? He picked his nose and flicked it on my carpet, Khaos!”

Khaos glowers at me. “That man was a buffoon. Ugly, disgusting human.”

I laugh harder, wiping tears from my face. I sway over to Khaos and tap his chest with a long fingernail. “But, darling house terrorist, since you agree with me, you five can pull the carpet up and put it outside.”

“Oh, thank the wolf gods,” Riot says and makes for my home. “I thought you might want to keep it.”

“Nope. I really don’t.”

We follow Riot into the house, and I stare, pole-axed as he pulls off his shirt, tosses it on the couch, and starts moving furniture. Those muscles flex, ripple, and stretch in a hypnotising pattern that leaves me parched and without a single thought in my head. I watch him lifting the cupboard that took almost a week to shift into its position, but he lifts it with ease, his muscles flexing easily. I’m drooling, unable to look away. It’s not until Wrath sidles up behind me, a long finger stroking down my back where no one else can see, that I’m freed from the spell.

“Pretty, isn’t he?” Wrath whispers. “Our sexy Riot, he’s got an enormous cock, too, and he knows exactly,” he leans closer, “how,” his fingers slide down the topmost curve of my ass, “to use it.”

I expel the breath I’m holding and sidestep the vicious alpha with averted eyes, but he stays with me, pressed right up inside my space.

“Wrath!” Khaos growls.

Wrath snickers and turns his head to inhale my hair. And now I have the other four staring at us intently. The moment is intensely powerful, and I want to glory in it. I greedily take it until I remember that they aren’t really mine to have. I sidestep, turn, and go into the kitchen.

My hands are shaking as I carefully clean the dishes, nodding silently to Khaos as he brings the broken cups in. These are the last two Freida left me. Time has the most amazing ability to erase the existence of the people you love. I wish it would let me keep her for a bit longer.

“I’ve set up your next date. It’s in two days in town.”

Wrath snarls at Khaos and seizes my wrist.

“Wrath,” Khaos warns in a deep, low voice that has me hunching my shoulders.

“Before she goes on her date, we need to fix a couple of things,” Wrath says with a purr.

“What things?” I snap. If he wants me to cut my hair or wear makeup or a dress, he can go sit on a knife and bleed out.

“I was watching your behaviour, and you’re not at all comfortable with touch.”

Touch? I’m not comfortable with touch? What does that mean?

“We need to fix that.”

I gape at him. Whatever that means, no, a thousand times no. “No, we don’t.”

“When he touched your thigh, you looked like you wanted to hit him; you even balled your fist. Clearly, you hated him touching you.” Oh, the smugness of this alpha. Cinnamon catches my attention, and I realise it’s him. It’s…intoxicating.

“Did you see him?” I ask pointedly.

Khaos covers his mouth and turns away.

“You need to be more relaxed, more receptive. Let us help you.”

I feel like I’ve been walked into a trap, and I can’t find a way out of it. I’m fighting my body because I really want to lean into his scent; it’s hard to pay attention to what they are talking about.

“I looked that bad?” I ask Khaos.

He sighs and gives Wrath a long look. “Yes, you did. It did, in fact, get worse over time. You looked like it was physically painful.”

I wince.

“All right, Wrath’s right. We should be doing all in our power to help you get ready for these dates,” Khaos says with deep regret.

It’s almost offensive the way he’s saying it and looking so disgusted.

“No, I, you don’t have to,” I stutter over the words, but Khaos ignores me.

Wrath puts his hands on my shoulders, leans in, and presses a kiss to my forehead. I freeze, oh, my god. Cinnamon fills the air around me, and I let out a whimper. What the hell is he doing? Oh, my god, make him stop!

“Your back stiffened. You went all tense, you tried to lean away from me,” Wrath lists with a smirk. “You need our help, pretty girl.”

I roll my eyes, but I feel way out of my element, nervous, unsure. I flick a look at the others and find them watching every move I make. Hazard especially shifts closer to me. He walks right into my space. I step back into Wrath. The redheaded monster beams with pure, undignified delight.

I’ve just shown my hand.

“Oh, this is going to be fun.”

His fingers grip my waist and yank me forward, right up against him. Sandalwood mixes with cinnamon and then takes over. The scents are so strong and clear. My head’s dizzy, and my skin is tingling where he’s touching me.

“This is just to get used to touch,” I clarify in a squeak. I glance at Angel, who watches with intense, fierce eyes.

Khaos studies me. “What else do we need to teach you? Because Riot is going to fix your wardrobe tomorrow.”

Riot sidles over and grips my chin. I’m frozen, Hazard holding me still, while Riot steals all my air. Cinnamon, sandalwood, and incense. They are distinct but blend perfectly. I lick my bottom lip, and I can taste them. My mouth waters.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me!

“My wardrobe is fine!” I snap out.

“For a librarian,” Riot says with an evil grin. “Don’t worry, babe, I’ll fix it.”

My mouth falls open. Babe? I’m glad Hazard is holding me up because I might sink into the floor.

“And for the love of fur, stop shuddering when we use pet names,” Wrath snaps.

“I’m not.”

Wrath pushes the others aside, stalking towards me. He lifts a hand to the side of my face and stares down at me. “Baby girl, you are quaking…” the husky, fuck-me voice almost cripples me.

I don’t just shudder; I recoil away from him, shrinking back. Self-preservation at its finest.

I try to remember the reasons why I shouldn’t be doing this. His other hand grips my wrist, fingers bruising my skin. The cuff tight under his hold.

The cuff.

I yank backwards and twist sideways, putting space between me and the five of them.

“Wait, just wait.” I hold up my hand and try to calm my racing heart. “I think this is a really bad idea. No touching.”

“I think this might be a really good idea,” Riot purrs. He leans over, Hazard turns his head, and their lips meet.

I stare in shock, watching the intimate way they move. Did the room temperature just go up and up and up? I peek at Khaos, who looks bored. Wrath is smirking at me, and Angel is sullenly glaring at me like I hurt his feelings.

I find myself drawn back to staring at the way Hazard’s hand holds Riot’s neck. When Riot’s hand slips down the front of Hazard’s pants, I jerk my gaze away and back frantically out of the kitchen.

A few minutes later, they all follow. Hazard and Riot fall onto the couch, grinding and turning my home into a sauna from hell.

And this ache between my legs, the wetness in my panties, that is not something that I expected. I go to the fridge and pour myself a glass of cold water. Aware that what I am doing is absolutely running. I chug it too quickly and struggle, choking when Khaos appears at the fridge door.

“You need to relax a little. I think Wrath might be right.”

I shake my head. “What does that mean?”

“You’re like an inexperienced girl or a woman who’s taken vows. How can you date if you are this jumpy? Don’t worry. We’ll fix it.” Khaos sounds so disgusted that it’s hard not to take offense.

“It doesn’t need fixing,” I snap stubbornly.

Khaos pushes the door of the fridge closed, and I move back into the kitchen. He cages me against the sink, leaning close as I lean back. My heart pounds; I can’t look away from his eyes. Those beautiful gold flecked green.

He’s so close I can smell the pine of his scent, feel the warmth of his body. I see the way his jaw tenses and the size of his arms as they block my only way out.

“I want to be free,” he murmurs in a low voice that has the hairs on my body rising in alarm.

I stop trying to move backwards. There’s nowhere to go anyway, but I did promise. I sag. He’s right. They’re right.

“Okay, teach me, then,” I say quietly.

He leans down, brushing his cheek against mine. I shiver and hold perfectly still. The rough stubble surprises me. I shudder and clamp my teeth on a whine that desperately wants to come out.

He’s scent-marking me. I bite my lower lip and tremble. It goes on forever; it only lasts a second. My body is on fire.

“Tell me what experience you have had?” he asks when he pulls back.

“There was a guy when I was seventeen,” I say evasively and quietly. I’m too shocked by how I reacted to feel anything but rocked to my core.

He waits, but there’s nothing else to give him.

“That’s it? One guy?”

“My family isn’t exactly touchy-feely unless you count punches and verbal slapdowns. I didn’t date around because, well…my family. I had one guy that I met up with for a few months when I was seventeen. We had sex once.”

“And how was it?”

I don’t like the guarded tone in his voice.

I shrug. “It was sex. Just quick. Messy. It wasn’t anything to write home about.”

Khaos leans away and bends, dropping his head down so I can’t see his face. “Just quick? Messy?”

I think I hear him say.

I look over and see Angel watching closely. Too closely.

“Any other times?”

I clamp my mouth shut and stare at the white-haired bastard. “None that count as sex,” I hiss, furious at the sudden intensification of his gaze. He’s trying to steal my secrets.

Angel steps forward at the same time as Khaos whips his head up. The movement is so quick he almost knocks me out. Angel glares for a bit longer, then turns and vanishes. It hurts, but I can’t say why.

Khaos stares into my eyes, his turning that glowing amber gold, which indicates his wolf is close. “Did someone hurt you?”

I shove at his chest. “That is none of your business.”

His growl is deadly, causing my limbs to lock and my own chest to tighten. He’s snarling loudly, claws rip out of his fingernails, and his muscles bulge. No, I can’t have a shifter losing his temper; it could be fatal. I hold my hands out, facing up, and, with extreme difficulty, I lift my chin, exposing my neck to him.

Submitting to him.

He lunges forward and bites, not hard enough to break skin, but just to hold, to reassure. To claim. I close my eyes as waves of pleasure and longing roll through me.

No, this isn’t right. It’s supposed to be fear and loathing. I hate shifters.

Still, I tremble in his arms.

His tongue laps at the skin. I shudder and reach out to grip his jacket, holding myself up. The second he releases me, I fly across the room and race into my bedroom, slamming the door.

No one follows. I don’t know if I’m relieved or happy.

Touch? We’re supposed to touch her?

Not in this lifetime.

No way am I touching her.

She rolls onto her back, and I edge closer to the side of the bed, leaning over her. I don’t know why I’m in here. Just watching the flirtatious way she was touching my pack and my twin infuriates me. It would be so easy to snap her neck.

She turns and twists on the bed, restless, her seductive whimpers inflaming me more.

I creep even closer and reach out, my fingers itching to wrap around her throat and squeeze the life out of her.

Hazard catches my hand, I turn my head and stare at him.

He shakes his head. I could break his hold, but this is Hazard, and I would never do that to him. I bring our hands back from her. She whimpers again, but instead of staying, I stalk out of her room, Hazard on my heels. He follows me out to the porch where I pace, gripping my head, trying to drown out the past.

“She’s not them.”

I whirl on Hazard, growling. It’s hard to remember who everyone is when the past is riding me like this. It’s hard to remember why I let everyone live.

Hazard doesn’t fight me when I slam him back from me because he’s the last person I want to hurt. He’s the only one I trust. Truly trust.

“She’s our owner. She is exactly them.”

“Yet, all she’s done is treat us with respect and dignity. I won’t let you hurt her, Angel.”

“You would choose her?” I hiss, outraged.

“No, I’m choosing you, and you would regret hurting her.”

“You’re wrong. I would feel nothing but pleasure.”

Hazard laughs. “Don’t you remember? We’re two halves of the same soul, Angel. I know that you would hate yourself forever and a day.”

“We’d be safe, though.”

“Would we, though?” Hazard edges closer, lifting his hands slowly and cupping my face. I close my eyes as he presses our foreheads together.

“She’s not them.”

“She has the bracelet.”

“She’s our salvation, Angel.”

I bark a laugh. “Oh, you’ve drunk the koolaid have you?”

“I don’t need to drink anything; all I need to do is stop seeing the world through the lens of our past. She’s kind and considerate. She’s not the same.”

“You’re infatuated with her!” I accuse.

He shrugs. “Yes. I am. I like her a lot, Angel. Casey is everything I feel like I was always looking for. She’s kind and good, and she takes care of us, like we’re a pack. She fed us, she feeds us. Gives us blankets to keep us warm. Cares about us like we are people, shifters, and alphas.”

“Anyone would do that-” I cut myself off because isn’t that the exact opposite. No one has done that. Just her.

Twelve owners, and no one cared about feeding us or giving us blankets so we didn’t get cold. We even have a bed. And a mattress on the floor in case the bed is uncomfortable. She lets us share her things.

“She’s our owner!” I hiss.

“She’s Casey.”

“Casey,” I snap, finally saying her name, even though I’ve been avoiding it. “Fuck Casey.”

“Angel, give her a chance. For me.”

I scoff and turn away from him. “This is ridiculous.”

“It’s not, though. I know you feel something, the connection. That thread between us all. Casey is someone we protect, Angel.”

I snarl at him and turn away, looking up at the star-filled sky. They wouldn’t allow me to go outside. I didn’t see the stars or feel the wind. I didn’t get to go wolf. Chained to beds, forced to kneel.

She’s got no locks on the doors. I can come and go as I please. She’s not ordered me to kiss her, to kneel before her. I can feel the wind and the stars. I can spend days wolf. Is she different?

“I’m going for a run.”

Hazard leans back against the wall of the building. “Do you want company?”

“So you can stop me from killing what I want to kill? No, stay here and rot your heart-shaped eyes out of your head.”

It doesn’t matter how much venom I put into my tone, Hazard never takes it to heart. But then he’s the only person on the planet who truly understands me. He’s got the smile and the charm.

I’m the depth and danger.

I spring into my wolf shape and race across the grass clearing, racing through the woods. It doesn’t take long before I’m picking up a trail that intrigues me enough that I stop thinking about anything else.

The scent is delicate, like flowers, but it makes me hungry; it smells wild and intriguing. I follow its faded trail until I get to the spot where Wrath kissed her. Under the dip where she was hiding in the creek, that’s where the smell is coming from. I duck under there and find a small bundle of clothes. I nose around them, inhaling the scent.

Lilacs.

It’s lilacs.

And something else that puzzles me. I leave the clothes there and step out of the creek, jumping up onto the bank, pausing when I remember a story my dad told me when Hazard was out one night.

The story was a bloody one. Lots of people died. But the alpha and his omega disappeared from the field of battle when a rival pack had come to destroy them. They were never seen again, but their bodies weren’t among the dead either. It’s a warning about how dangerous an omega can be and the lengths her alpha will go to to protect her. Two wolves against a pack. The pack didn’t survive.

I stare at the overhang, thinking about the smell, thinking about what it means. Wondering how a human would have the scent of an omega wolf and not have a wolf.

Suspicion rises, and I look up at the sky. I can only see a few stars through the trees.

“Omegas attract the worst fortune. You will rarely find anyone more traumatised by a world that hates them than an omega. They are fearsome in battle, terrifying, but the most beautiful and graceful creatures you’ve ever seen,” My father whispers.

“What should I do if I see one?”

“You should kneel, my son. Kneel, and hope she honours you.”

I shake my head. There’s no way. I will never kneel.

But just in case, I walk back to the cabin, determined to watch this woman carefully. She will show who she truly is, eventually. Either enemy or ally.

Omega or just another human whore.

And…if she proves to be the latter…well, not even Hazard will be able to stop me slitting her damn throat.

I follow Riot around and snarl at the saleswoman who tries to flutter to his side. I swear, she’s got hearts in her eyes. It’s been the same everywhere we’ve gone. The town doesn’t know what hit it. He charms women, men, and children with an easy smile and his whiskey-soaked voice.

He’s too damn pretty to be allowed out.

I am totally not jealous, not at all.

It’s been four hours, three more hours than I’ve ever spent in this town shopping, but somehow, this alpha knows not just how to spend money, but how to bring humans to their knees with just an arched brow and a smile that makes me want to crawl to him on my belly.

Not. Freaking. Jealous.

I’m carrying around too many bags. Just the sheer volume of clothes we’ve purchased has made my head spin. At the third shop, he’d bullied me into trying on some clothes and told the sales clerk to burn mine. She had tittered at him while I cussed him out.

It didn’t make a speck of difference. So, now I’m wearing jeans so tight that if I hadn’t been the one to put them on, I’d have thought they were painted on my body. Underwear that is little more than lace on a string, a bra that has no practical support at all and itches like crazy. A top six inches too short and three sizes too tight, and I have a brand new leather jacket over that that hugs me like a glove.

Every curve I’ve been trying to hide, every mask I’ve deliberately cultivated is gone. I’m exposed, and he’s smiling like he knew what I was doing all along. I can’t even tell him to stop without explaining why.

How do I explain what I am?

Would they think differently of me if they knew I was the princess without a wolf, the pack reject, the joke? Nothing but a breeder.

Riot turns on the street corner and sees I’ve fallen behind; his lips twist with easy amusement. As soon as I catch up, he puts an arm around me. I’m almost too tired to care, but he’s like warmth and…no, he’s sexy, and I’m human. My body is reacting the way any red-blooded person would in close proximity to him. He guides me into a new store.

I take one look and turn, but he grips my hips and drags me back.

“No!” I protest, struggling, but my arms are full, and he’s not even using any strength to stop my escape.

“Behave yourself, and you’ll get a reward,” he purrs into my ear.

I melt. The saleslady, who is trying really hard not to hear, melts. The whole damn world melts.

He turns and flashes a charming smile to the poor girl, while I’m still standing there trying to remember how to breathe. “We’re going to need five evening gowns. One in red, black, white, silver, and bronze.”

The girl coos, and why wouldn’t she? The alpha is god-level hot, and he’s spending a fortune; it’s the day of her life. “Um, any particular style?”

I look around the store, at all the gowns, glitter, feathers, sequins, taffeta. Dresses that would be useless to me up on the mountain. Why am I letting him do this?

Because he’s a force, and I have no idea how to stop him.

“Make her curves shine.”

I snap my head in his direction and glower. “I don’t want to shine.”

The girl looks me over, frowning, and then nods. “I think we have some of those that might work, but we can order the other colours in.”

They both completely ignore me. I adjust the bags in my hands, trying to squash the panic that’s pressing at me.

“Excellent,” Riot purrs.

“Am I paying for all this?” I hiss, running down another avenue of attack before I start crying.

“I hacked your bank account this morning. You can afford it.”

“You hacked my…bank account?” I feel faint. Who does that?

He cups my cheeks and leans in so our faces are alarmingly close to each other.

Kiss me, please. I’m dying for it.

“I hacked your account.” The corner of his lip curls upwards, smug, knowing. I’m sure he can hear my thoughts.

He’s really lucky I have my hands full. I might hit the smugness off him.

“Trust me. I promise I won’t steer you wrong.”

I want to trust him, but I can’t yet, not for me. But I can trust completely how much he wants to be free of this spell. So, I reluctantly nod.

This is for them.

His smile makes my stomach jolt and a warm feeling grow in my chest. Their touch over the last two days have been insanely addictive. They have been warm and lingering; the close proximity makes me want more. I can’t resist leaning into them now.

Two days, and they are breaking my will.

They are ruining me.

I’ve never been more aroused or attracted to anyone. I want them to stop; I want them to never stop.

It’s the most confused and conflicted I’ve ever been in my life.

He uncurls my fingers from the bags and takes them, moving to sit on the lounge while the saleswoman ushers me behind a curtain. A massive pile of dresses has her almost bending backwards trying to keep them off the ground.

“I don’t see why I need five. I don’t have anywhere to wear them,” I grumble.

“Why does anyone ever need a reason to look like a queen?” Riot’s ridiculous answer comes from where he’s sitting.

I strip off my clothes and hesitate before allowing the woman to carefully help me into the dress.

The black lace falls heavily around my hips, but the bodice is tight. Trish, I read on her nametag, smiles and turns me to face the mirror. I stare and blink; the reflection doesn’t change.

“You look lovely.”

I do look lovely, not at all like me. I look grown up and mature but not in that aged, dried up way I’ve been trying to hide myself. No, this gown will thrust me into all sorts of attention.

When I look at myself, all I feel is fear.

“Come on, let’s show him. He’s going to love it,” Trish almost squeals as she takes my hand and squeezes it, completely oblivious to my meltdown.

I step out from behind the curtain, and Riot looks up. He freezes when he sees me, his mouth going slack, his eyes heating. I see the wolf in the spark of colour before he gets control and gives us a dazzling smile.

I twitch the skirt nervously and then force myself to stop.

“Casey,” he murmurs. “You look magnificent.”

He stands up, leaving the bags, and glides towards me, circling. Trish turns away, and I find myself watching him from under my lashes as he circles. He stops behind me, his hands cupping my shoulders.

“You still tremble when I touch you,” Riot whispers. “I’m starting to think you like us touching you.”

I bite my bottom lip, trying to control my breathing. He should not think that; it’s not safe.

“Casey,” he whispers.

The way he says my name has me fighting the urge to turn and throw myself into his arms.

“I should…uh, get changed.”

“Should you, though?”

“You wanted me to try on the other dresses,” I remind him breathlessly.

“I’m not sure I can survive another dress.”

Before I can say anything else, he drops a kiss on the back of my neck, then walks to his couch and sits down. I stumble half-blind to the change room.

Trish fans herself and then me. “Do you need water? Like a bucket?”

“Yes!” I say to her. “Maybe a lake.”

Riot, damn him, laughs.

I’m exhausted after the tenth dress and ready to concede that dress shopping is closely akin to next-level torture. The only highlight has been the steadily growing tension between Riot and I.

Because he’s not smiling anymore, and his eyes have not stopped glowing. For the first time in my life, I can see that this alpha wants me. Not because of my pack or anything other than he finds me attractive.

It’s as empowering as it is terrifying.

I pull my jeans back on and hiss at the feel of them where I’m so freaking sensitive. This is not right, not at all. I walk out, pretending like everything is fine, but his nostrils flare.

I freeze. He can smell it? Of course, he can smell it! I’m horrified. My arousal would be obvious to a wolf; how stupid can I be?

Riot stands up, but the way he does it is all predatory.

He hands the woman the card he must have pilfered from my purse when I wasn’t watching, without even looking at her. He prowls towards me and stops in my space, so close I find it hard to breathe, so close all I can smell is his incense scent. I tilt my head back so I can see him. He’s not smiling. He’s intent, intense, focused, searching for something in me, but I don’t know what.

He bends, lowering his head. He’s going to kiss me. There’s a split second of panic, and then I throw it to the wind.

“Hey, are you two ready to go?”

Riot slowly, reluctantly takes a step back, giving me space to breathe, space to regret.

I turn, with my heart hammering in my chest, and find Khaos leaning against the door, a knowing asshole expression on his face.

Riot closes his eyes and then storms past Khaos, leaving me to pick up all the bags and find a few precious seconds to work out exactly where and when I lost my freaking mind.

I storm back into my cabin and slam the door in their faces. The satisfaction I get isn’t enough to even put a dimmer in my anger.

It opens immediately as Khaos barrels in, looming large and furious with me. I can see why people find him intimidating, but I don’t. It’s hard when he’s now all twisted up with my nightly fantasies. Waking up from repeated dreams of them between my legs has just about killed any fear.

I am a churned-up mix of desire, anger, and self-loathing.

“What is your problem now?” Khaos asks, smacking my cabin wall hard enough to startle me.

“My problem!” I shriek.

I do an abrupt U-turn and stalk up to him and hiss; the air escaping from between my clenched teeth. “My date didn’t say I looked nice. He said, ‘hey, sweetheart, you look much more fuckable today than your pics. Your tits are fucking ace.’”

Behind Khaos, I see Hazard wince.

“He said that?” Wrath asks, his eyebrows in his hairline. His silver hair catches the light as he turns to Riot.

I ignore him.

Khaos exhales and puts his hands on my shoulders. I stare at the point of contact and try to find calm and then decide, fuck it. I throw his hands off me, stalking into his space, and, to my surprise, he steps back.

“He wanted to go for a drive. I agreed. He said it was on the way to this really cool place he wanted to show me. Which, for your information, was code for ‘place outside we can have a quick fuck’. I did not know this at the time, but he explained it very eloquently in the car on the way.”

Angel snarls, startling all of us.

Khaos licks his lips, and I can see some form of hesitation or caution appearing in their depths.

“‘But, first, babe,’” I sneer the words, “‘I gotta stop and get a fuel up.’ Now, I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t sure what the fuck that meant, so I just shrugged and agreed. He drives me out to the outskirts of town. Parks on the side of the street in the shittiest suburb I’ve ever seen and disappears for an hour!” I scream. “An hour! When he comes back, he smells like the musty end of a teenage boy’s washing hamper. He gets behind the wheel and then turns and gives me this smile, all toothy and completely messed up. I realise he’s sky fucking high. ‘Can you drive, babe?’ he asks. I get behind the wheel, swapping spots with him, and he puts his feet on the dash and starts rolling another joint. At that point, not to my surprise, he lights it up and offers me one. I slam my foot on the brakes, get out of the car, and walk back. It took me three fucking hours.”

Khaos frowns. “None of that was in his profile.”

“Do you know what he yelled while I was walking away?” I hiss menacingly.

Khaos takes another step back.

“Your profile says you’re down for a good time. Why don’t you loosen up and get laid? It might take that stick out of your ass.”

Khaos winces this time.

“He said that?” Riot snarls and turns to go back out.

I stare after him, trying to hold on to my anger but finding myself ridiculously pleased by his response.

Wrath drags him back inside.

“All right, all right. So that was a bust, lesson learned,” Khaos mutters, which ignites my rage again.

“I’m not losing my license over drug possession. I thought you said you checked him out?”

“I did.”

“Where from? Pluto?”

Khaos grinds his jaw. “I’ll check them more thoroughly.”

“You do that.” I turn and go into the kitchen. I open the fridge and pull out a beer and skull it down. It doesn’t put out the fury that I’m feeling. I hate people sometimes. This is why I live alone on a mountain.

“Hey.” The hesitant voice makes me turn.

Hazard stands there staring at me. His fingers trace the pattern on the refrigerator door handle. He won’t actually make eye contact with me. I set my beer bottle down and turn to face him directly.

“I’m sorry, I put that there in your profile, I mean.” His face goes bright burnished red, and he hunches his shoulders, his eyes downcast.

And because it comes from him, I know that it was just miswording, and my frustration at the pack turns back towards the main source of my rage; my disgusting pig of a date.

“I’m not angry at you; it was just…him. He was gross and rude and just…it was awful, and it brought back memories of a different time in my life.”

Hazard opens the fridge and snags a beer. He leans his ass on the island and exhales. “This is all harder than I expected.”

I move so we’re side by side. “Yeah, it is.”

“I really am sorry.”

“Hazard?”

“Mmm?”

“How did you guys get like this?” I lift my arm with the cuff.

The transformation is instantaneous. Agony, thick tension, and shame.

I swear, I can smell all of that in the air.

Hazard purses his lips. “That…was my fault, too.” He falls silent, and when he opens his eyes, I can almost see the guilt in them.

“I liked women, and I liked men. I used to enjoy the chase, the flirting, and the sex, all hot and intense for the first couple of times, but then I would grow bored. Fuck, I was an ass. I would leave, find something new. I didn’t care how they felt.”

He makes no excuses, just gives it to me. His voice is flat, without inflection, just stating the truth.

“I slept with the wrong women. They found out and talked. I didn’t know they had magic, that they were witches. I didn’t know that Khaos had refused one of them and Wrath the other. Because I slept with the three of them, they were able to hook the pack into the spell. Cursing us into being pets for our owners. They say there’s never been anything so scary as a woman scorned; well, they weren’t lying.”

I swallow hard. “They played you, didn’t they?”

He nods his head, his distress making the air almost prickly. “Yes, but it wasn’t difficult. I should have been more careful.”

“Hazard, it’s not your fault what other people do.” I reach out, putting a hand on his.

He shakes off my hand and turns on me, one hand gripping my hip painfully. “Do you know what it’s like to watch-” He cuts himself off and looks away. “To watch them force Khaos into submission, to collar Riot like he’s a feral beast and leave him all alone in the snow. The things I’ve seen. What they did to Wrath? They punished him over and over for everything any of us did. They stole my brother’s innocence and turned Angel into someone I don’t recognise. I did that; each blow to them is a blow to me.”

“And what did they do to you, Hazard?”

He shudders. I reach out and put my hand on his chest, above his heart. The pain is so strong it’s almost like I can feel it.

“They ignore me mostly; that’s part of the curse. Whatever they do to the others, I feel it. I get to bear witness and watch.”

His words are bitter and angry. He leans back and closes his eyes.

Damn it. He steps back, but I step with him. I throw my arms tight around his waist and slam our bodies together, hugging him fiercely. He stands there with his arms held out stiffly, and then he wraps them around me and buries his face in my hair.

“What’s this for?”

“Something for you,” I whisper back. “Don’t stop smiling, Hazard. You might be the one who brought them here, but I think you’re the one stopping them from falling into ruin.”

I step back, taking in the stunned and shocked expression before I quickly leave the room. I have to because, if I don’t, I might cry…or burn the house down.

If I ever get my hands on those witches…

I pause in the hallway and lean against the wall. Damn it. They are all growing on me. I’m starting to, dare I say it, like them. Enjoy having them around. I want to help them. I try to find the resentment I used to feel, the fear, but it’s gone.

I’m in dangerous territory now. If I’m not careful, I will want them to stay, and that is one thing they can’t do.

I flop down on the couch beside Hazard. He shifts the laptop over to my lap.

“This guy seems nice.”

I stare at the profile picture. He’s not handsome, but his smile is wide, and he seems happy, like he’s living the life I would want. I click on his profile and read. He owns his own gardening business and is single. A family man looking to settle down.

“He does,” I say reluctantly.

On paper, he’s everything I should want. Yet, sitting here next to Hazard, I can’t bring myself to feel any sort of excitement for him. Hazard shows me three other dates they’ve organised, and I agree to two of them.

He sends a message to the third, and we watch as the dots appear. A photo shows up, and it takes me a second to comprehend what it is. I blush but refuse to look away.

“You’d be sorely disappointed. He’s definitely out,” Hazard says.

“You should send him one back.”

Hazard’s eyes widen and then gleam. “I should, shouldn’t I?”

I slide my phone to the red-haired wolf. He takes it, stands up and disappears. When he comes back, he hands me my phone back, but my eyes drift to the telltale hard bulge in his pants.

“Well, that was anticlimactic. He blocked us.”

I huff. “Annoying.”

“Want to watch a movie?”

I close the laptop screen and launch myself over his lap, snagging the remote. He grabs my thighs and holds me against him. I struggle harder and crawl up the couch, clicking as I go. The TV flashes with shows, and I get it to romance.

Hazard growls and throws himself on top of me, pinning me to the couch. I freeze, feeling the hardness of his erection grind into my ass.

My breath stutters, and I shift my hips almost without thinking. Our groans are simultaneous.

“What the hell are you two doing?”

I turn my head to Khaos and bare my teeth. “Practice.” I lie through my teeth, but I’ll be damned if I sit through another lecture from him. “Isn’t that what you said? I needed to learn how to be okay being touched, O wise and ancient one?”

Hazard snickers into my shoulder and flexes.

My eyes widen, and I bite my lower lip to hold back another moan.

“Hazard,” Khaos’ voice is livid.

Hazard scrambles off me, and I turn to watch as he stands up and storms out of the house, slamming the door shut behind him.

I stalk towards Khaos and stand in front of him. “That was bullshit.”

He opens his mouth, but I interrupt him again.

“Do you know what kills a soul as quickly as violence? Apathy, isolation, segregation. Don’t do that to him, not in this house. Consider it a rule.”

Khaos stares at me. “You don’t know-”

“He told me, Khaos. I do know. Stop blaming him for what others did to you. Are you a pack?”

“Yes.”

“Do you love him as pack?”

“Yes.”

“Then forgive him.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Yeah, that’s what my dad said, too. I am my father’s mistress’s child. I am unwanted in the home I grew up in. They weren’t mean, not until after my mother died; they just pretended like I didn’t exist.”

“Casey, it’s not the same.”

I shrug my shoulders. “It’s enough the same.”

“It’s not his fault. It’s mine. They used him to hurt me,” Khaos growls low and furious. “I am my father’s son, and they wanted to use that.”

I idly wonder who his father was, but I don’t really care.

Ah. “Well, then, what was that?”

“Protecting him.”

“From?” The answer dawns on me and makes me die inside. “From me,” I whisper.

He looks away. “We don’t really know you. And you are wearing that.”

I look down at my wrist and cover it with my other hand. “Yeah. Okay.”

“And you don’t have a pack or a wolf, so you don’t understand.”

“I hear you.”

“At the end of the day, no matter whether you’re the nicest master we’ve had or not, you are still a master, an owner, and we are still on leashes, and I won’t let you hurt my brothers.”

Yep, this conversation is not what I want to hear, but maybe it’s what I need to hear. “Good talk, Khaos. I have to go…do anything now, so let’s chat again later.”

I turn away, but he spins me back, staring down at me. “If things were different…”

“If things were different, you never would have noticed me in the first place. Let’s face it, we wouldn’t be friends if we didn’t have this, and because we do, we never will be.”

“We would have noticed you.”

I tilt my head to the side and smile sadly at him. “No, you wouldn’t have, and that’s okay. Let’s fix this, and you can go back to your lives, and I’ll return to mine. No harm, no foul.”

I tug myself free of his hold and back away from him.

Riot appears beside me, and I flinch. He opens his mouth, but I turn and stalk out of the house. I need a moment. I need to run.

The full moon is tonight.

I’m going to put some distance between the six of us, and I’m going to go and just be.

Alone.

Always alone.

I leave a note before I disappear onto my mountain. There are some places I can go to hide where I don’t think they will find me, but giving them their freedom will help matters and keep them happy.

Am I running? Yes, of course. It’s not that I thought we were starting to become friends or that the attraction was mutual. It was a huge kick in the teeth, a brutal reminder that their will is not their own, and that, if they were to choose, I wouldn’t even be in the running. Am I embarrassed? Most assuredly, but, worse, I feel like I’ve betrayed the fragile trust we’ve built.

My chest gets tight, and I stop, turning to look down at the incredible views. I can’t see the town, but I can see the packs lands. They will be out tonight, but they won’t come here.

Well, most won’t, but there’s always one or two idiots who try and end up lost and needing to be rescued. But with my five house guests, there is less chance. The presence of alphas intimidates others without even knowing why. They will sense the threat and stay away tonight.

The pine needles are soft underfoot, not yet turned crunchy. The grass is thick and lush from the rains we’ve had. There are flowers that are closed up, but I know that, come the daylight, they will cover the entire area in a sea of pink, yellow, and white flowers like a blanket.

The moon has risen in the sky. I stare at the fat, waxy orb. Why am I like this? Why would I be so cursed to be so weak and so strong? I can’t hide my omega side forever; my heat will come. It’s inevitable, and then if I still haven’t found freedom…I will be at my pack’s mercy, and they won’t have any.

I’ve survived two of them locked in my basement with toys and various creams and teas that dull the heat. But the last time I emerged, I found Benson and Liam on my mountain, unable to explain what they were hunting. It has been the wake-up call I needed.

Frieda spent forever concocting the perfect blend that would steal the danger out of me and just leave me writhing in my own self-pity. Dulling the heat, suppressing the overwhelming scent. No wolf and no fury.

An omega without a wolf. Who ever heard of such stupidity?

I hear a howl and turn away from the moon. It’s echoed by another and another. I listen carefully and realise that I can identify them easily. Khaos called first, answered by Angel and Riot.

I tilt my head back and let out my own human wolf song. It drifts into silence. The night seems so much more alive knowing they are out there.

With a last look at the view, I head up further. There’s one place on this mountain where I can get the herb I need for this brew, and I can only find it under a full moon. I wish Frieda had removed some of her spells that hid her secrets on the mountain, but she was paranoid, and for good reason. The town hated her, the wolves even more so.

The last thing I want to do is hurt them or sexually assault them because my heats got me all twisted up. It’s worth braving the danger to protect us all. I’m grateful Frieda showed me how to find it at all.

I walk across a fallen tree, refusing to look down at the forty-foot drop into a crevice there is no way out of. Falling down there would be a death sentence. The familiar path lulls me into complacency. Once I get to the cliff, I smile grimly and tighten my backpack straps. I throw myself at the cliff wall, dragging myself up.

Three feet. That’s all I make before Angel slams into me. I hit the ground hard, my arm going numb, but Angel’s fur is standing on end. He’s crouched low, his teeth bared and ears pinned.

“Angel?”

How did he find me so fast? I look around for the others, but it’s just him and me. There’s been something between us for a while now. The fear morphed into something deeper, like an understanding. He knows what I am, and I know what he is, and we both guardedly accept each other.

But this…the rage surprises me.

He lunges forward and snaps; I dart back against the cold stone and sit there, stunned by his aggression.

I grab my bag and stand up; I reach for the wall again, but, this time, I have to dive out of the way of teeth.

“What the hell, Angel!”

He snarls, but it’s echoed by another. Hazard trots over to us, his tongue hanging out in a way that I have never seen another wolf do before. It’s far too dog-like an expression, and most wolves wouldn’t be caught dead wearing that face.

But he looks adorably pleased. He noses Angel, who calms down and then turns to me before raising his head and looking up at the wall.

“I need to go up there.”

Angel growls and moves on stiff legs even closer. Apparently, that is not an option. Pushy, pestilent wolves.

Hazard looks up at the cliffs and then suddenly puts his head between the wall and me and shoves me away from it.

“What are you doing?” I shriek. “I have to get up there.”

They don’t let me go, just bully me further and further away from the cliff.

“Stop, come on, I have to get up there. What are you doing?”

It’s cute, though, and Angel hasn’t interacted this much with me in ages, and despite the fact that I need to stay away from them, I don’t want to. I’m lonely.

Hazard jumps away from me, dipping into a play bow. Angel chases him. I follow, walking behind them through the dark forest.

When I get to the tree line, I suck in my breath and stand there, poised, one hand on a cool tree trunk as I watch.

The meadow is silver blue, reflecting the light of the enormous moon, but I’ve never been here before.

Wrath darts out from the other side, racing so fast he’s a silver blur. Angel and Hazard wrestle and play. It’s like seeing versions of them that I’ve never seen before. Even Khaos comes down and runs with them.

I stare until I can’t silence the ache in me. I shift behind a tree, leaning up against it, my fist to my mouth to silence the muffled cries.

I thought I was resigned to my fate.

Wolfless.

I march back the way I came because I need that plant. I throw myself at the wall, climbing it with all the skill and practice I’ve developed over the years.

It takes me another three hours to get to the little cave. The plant grows in the sandy soil outside. It’s a tiny plant with delicate leaves and white blossoms. I harvest enough to get me through the next few months and then pause. Something musky and hot hits me.

I stand up slowly, backing away from the cave.

I can feel the air displacement. The changes in the brush over my skin, the scents that are throwing more and more information at me. Why can I smell things I shouldn’t be able to?

There is something in the cave, something big.

My mind supplies the answer; bear.

I back up slowly as the first rumbling roar splits the night.

Freida told me not to run, but I have to get away from it or I’m going to be ripped apart. I back up, desperately moving slowly but steadily, but, for every step I take, it takes two.

The dark peels away from it as it steps into the moonlight, displaying the massive form. Its mouth is open, revealing deadly teeth and a huge tongue. Its eyes are fixed on me. It’s angry, I’ve invaded its territory.

I try to remain calm and think, but it’s hard. I don’t want to die here.

There’s only one choice left.

I whirl and race for the cliff, but the bear gets there first, cutting me off. I back up, frustrated and scared. There’s so many things that can go wrong running in the dark. I don’t know these forests well, but I’m going to have to take my chances.

With a prayer to whoever is listening, I dart into the forest left of me, running unchecked through the dark.

My chest aches, and I can’t breathe properly. My side is on fire, and my calves are cramping.

The bear is following. I can feel each step reverberating through the ground and air. I don’t belong here, but the bear is part of every part of this world.

I duck and barely escape the paw that swats at me, but I roll to the right, and I’m up and running again.

I skid to a stop, looking out at another massive cliff. I almost ran right off it. A whimper escapes me. I run along the edge. It’s sloping down, but I can’t see well enough to run flat out, and the bear is gaining.

The bear roars, and I whirl, throwing myself backwards. I hit the ground hard and it charges. This is it. It’s over.

I wish I’d done so many things. The bear stands up, roaring, huge paws with enormous claws slashing the air. I scramble back, but it’s not going to save me.

A black shape darts in and attacks the bear viciously, making it roar and drop to all fours, trying to shake it off. The snarls and roars are deafening.

Riot, oh, god, it’s Riot.

The alpha is thrown across the empty space; he scrambles on the edge of the cliff and leaps, and I watch with my heart in my throat, not even daring to make a simple squeak. But he lands on his feet and growls his warnings as he stiffly approaches the bear, putting himself between us.

He’s…saving me. I exhale in a rush, unable to look away from him.

The bear swipes, but Angel slams into it from the side, knocking it off its feet. The white wolf attacks with a savagery that borders on insanity. He is beautiful in his movements, but so, so deadly. I don’t know that he needs anyone else to help him take down this bear.

Khaos attacks from behind, a behemoth of a wolf, using sheer strength and power. He bites into its haunches, and the bear screams.

I can see it’s looking for a way out. This fight is too much and not what it’s expecting.

Hazard dances in front, distracting it, lunging forward and back, and he is pure joy and glee as he dances.

I’m transfixed and shocked by how fast it has all happened, but Wrath appears beside me, hoisting me up into his arms. He holds me to his chest and simply walks us away. Ten minutes later, the others join us, ranging around us.

“Is the bear alive?” I ask urgently.

“Of course, the bear’s alive,” Khaos growls.

Wrath stops and sets me down. The first thing I notice is that I don’t have the bag. I almost say I want to go back, but I turn and find Khaos standing so close we’re almost touching.

“Are you out of your mind?”

I lift my chin.

“You are human, you can’t defend yourself, and you came up here on your own, for what? Some weeds?”

I open my mouth and close it, glancing at Angel.

“I needed them; it’s medicine, and I’ve made this trip hundreds of times. That’s the first time that cave has had a bear in it.”

Khaos grabs my shoulders and shakes me twice. “Do I need to chain you up? I fucking will. I’ll lock you in shackles and spoon-feed you if it means you are safe.”

“What happens if I die?” I say and watch him fall silent. “What happens if I die and you get to go free? And that’s the answer.”

His mouth opens and closes, but he shakes his head sharply. “That is not an option.”

“Death is always an option.”

“NO!” Khaos bellows, and then he’s got my face in his hands, and his lips are on mine, his tongue pressing into my mouth, stroking mine and leaving me mindless.

I cling to him, holding him to keep me upright. Holding on because, surely, this is a dream, but then no dream ever felt this good. I can feel the heat of his skin, the taste of him, the scent of pine, the way his huge hands wrap around my back, pulling me up against the hard planes of his body, making me feel tiny.

He pulls back. “You will live. I command it.”

What?

He lets go and growls before changing in front of me. He flicks an ear at me and then lopes off, leaving me under the furious and watchful eyes of Wrath and Riot.

I sit down in the grass, staring out at the clearing.

“You’re not supposed to care about me. Don’t save me.”

A hand slams into my throat, sending me backwards in the grass. Wrath straddles me, staring down, his face in shadow.

“You don’t get to tell us what to do. What if you died, and we were just trapped, waiting forever while your corpse rotted?”

I stare up at him. Of course, I didn’t think of that. Just the thought of them stuck waiting and waiting until the bracelet was picked up sends horror chills over my scalp.

“You’re right; it was inconsiderate of me,” I concede.

He groans and squeezes my throat, cutting off the next words I try to say.

“I want to hear you howl; I want to see you smiling. I care about you; we all do. We’re going to save you for us and for you. So, don’t be reckless.”

Though his words melt most of me, another tiny part stares into his eyes and wonders how much he’ll hate me when he finds out what I am and that they have lost their choice to decide if they want me.

Now, it’s just a matter of time until my heat decides for all of us.

Khaos stomps into the house, glowering at Casey’s back like he’s going to launch himself after her and start roaring. To be honest, the bond is screaming so loud with his rage, we’re all uncomfortable.

The worst part is that when Riot called him on his bullshit and insisted the reason he was so angry was because she almost got hurt and he actually cares–they ended up having a fur-flying fight in the meadow. Riot has disappeared to cool off, but Khaos can’t leave things alone until he’s sure she’s safe. Not that he will ever admit that.

I stand close to the wall and watch.

“Go to your room!”

I wince.

“You remember that she’s the one who calls the shots, right?” I say to Khaos with a grin.

He whirls on me. “You keep your mouth shut; this is your fault.”

I blanch and look down, lowering my eyes to my alpha.

Angel slams into Khaos, shoving him hard into the wall. When Khaos whirls on Angel, Wrath steps in, cool-tempered, but an implacable wall that Khaos won’t challenge.

My twin stands in front of me, his hands balled, his temper snapping off him.

“You want to take a walk, Khaos, and remember that the people you are attacking are the ones you have to live with. We all know you are doing your best, but that was over the line,” Wrath says with steel in his voice.

Khaos snarls. “She could have ruined everything.”

“She could have been hurt,” Wrath agrees.

“She doesn’t care!”

“We know she cares too much.”

“We could have ended up back with someone else!”

“But we didn’t. We saved her. We will save her again, and she will free us.”

Khaos’ tension holds for a moment and then collapses. He turns on his heels and stomps out of the house. I lift my eyes in time to see a brown wolf race into the forest.

“He didn’t mean it,” Wrath says gently to me.

“It is my fault,” I say quietly. “I like sex; I like to touch. I should have been more discerning or careful or something.”

“She hurt you,” Wrath says with compassion.

I wince, remembering that night, tied to the altar. The spell they’d cast has been horrific. I still have nightmares about it.

Angel turns and takes my hand.

The unsteady world rights itself. As long as we are together, nothing will break us. But still, Khaos’ sharp words are like a lance in a wound, reopening it and making me bleed again.

“I’m just going to go and start making breakfast.”

I didn’t think there would be anything useful these bitches we’ve been enslaved to have taught us, but I admit the cleaning habits and cooking skills we developed have been helpful.

Casey appreciates it, too.

I’ll make her pancakes this morning and see if she wants company. It takes me an hour to cook enough for everyone and then bring a piping hot stack of pancakes into her bedroom. She’s sitting on the bed, staring at the wall.

I bring it over and set it on her bedside table.

“I should have knocked, sorry.”

Fuck, why am I always doing things wrong?

I hesitate and then set it down and turn, only to knock over the fork. I dive for it, my cheeks heating, and put it on the plate.

“Oh, it’s dirty. I’ll just…I made the plate dirty. I’ll make you a new one.”

Shit. Fuck. What is wrong with me?

I spin but bump my knee on the bed, spit out a curse, and wish for a hole in the ground to swallow me.

“Sorry!”

Her long, cool fingers touch my cheek, and I still. She slides off the bed and into my arms. I sit down heavily against the wall with an armful of woman, a woman who is driving me out of my mind.

She doesn’t kiss me.

She doesn’t demand anything. She just curls up in my lap and buries her face in the crook of my shoulder. I wrap my arms around her as delicate shivers rock her body.

We don’t talk, and she doesn’t tell me all the things I’m doing wrong or how I’m fucking everything up. She just curls tighter like I’m giving her something she needs, like my presence is wanted, is valuable.

The door opens, and Angel peers in. His pale blue gaze finds us instantly on the floor. He waits for ten seconds and then quietly closes the door and disappears.

I don’t know when she falls asleep, but that’s when I realise something inside me changes. No one has ever been this vulnerable around me as to fall asleep in my arms. I want to protect her from everything. I want to see her smile. I hate this silent pain.

Instead, I get up and carefully lower to her mattress. The breakfast sits forgotten, but I can’t find it in me to care. I sit on the edge of the bed, watching her.

I want to stay.

Where I’m wanted, where I’m needed. I take my boots off and lie down on the bed. For a while, I wait for her to scream at me, to tell me to go, but when she doesn’t, I relax. I’m almost asleep when she rolls towards me, throwing a leg over mine and wrapping an arm around my chest.

She does this little sigh, and her whole body relaxes even more.

I lay there staring at the ceiling.

She’s different from anyone I’ve ever known. She’s kind, considerate, she doesn’t treat us like scum, she hasn’t forced us to do anything.

Casey is different.

I want to stay with her.

I can feel the pack bonds as my contentment and bitter yearning flood into the others. I don’t even care.

She’s not the same.

She won’t hurt us.

I know it. I know it deep down inside where it counts.

The door opens, and Riot walks in. He closes the door, shifts into his other form, and jumps up on the bed, curling up on her other side.

Now I can sleep.

It’s been forever since I’ve slept alone. I can’t do it. Somehow, the pack always knows. It’s only safe if we’re together.

I let out my own satisfied sigh.

I like the way this is changing, even if the rest of the pack doesn’t.

I dig my hands into the soil and pull the weed up. I can’t even remember the name of it, but I know that if I don’t get a grip by the roots and instead pull from the top, it will snap off and become a menace later.

Waking up this morning with Hazard wrapped around me was unsettling. I laid there, his arm around my stomach as he snored softly, and all I could think was that I would give anything to have the moment stretch on forever.

“What are you doing?”

The question startles me. Not because it’s asked but because of who asks it. Angel crouches five feet from me, his arms resting on his knees, his eyes, as always, guarded and watchful.

“I’m planting my garden.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to be self-sufficient.”

“You don’t want to shop in town?”

How do I answer this? “What if there’s a storm or the road is closed? I would be stuck up here. I need to make sure I have supplies to survive if the worst should happen.”

“Has it happened?”

“Once or twice. The veggies I preserved and canned kept us fed and from starving until they got around to opening the road.”

Angel goes silent watching me.

I rub my forehead with the back of my wrist. It’s not hot exactly, but, under the beating sun, it’s warm. I dig in the soil, turning it and putting the rows of seedlings in.

“What are you planting?”

“Beans go at the back so they can climb the house. I’ve got tomatoes and chilies. Potatoes and squash. And I’ll be planting watermelon and strawberries later.”

Angel creeps closer, I watch his shadow until he’s almost on top of me.

“Is being alone worth it? Does it fix anything?”

His murmur sends chills up my spine.

“I don’t know, but it stops the worst things from happening.”

“What’s worse?”

I clench my teeth, not wanting to answer. “There are lots of worse things. Being with someone you hate, living a life that doesn’t fit you.”

“Living a lie?”

I suck in a breath, but he creeps closer, his face so close to mine that we’re almost touching. I keep my eyes on the dirt, but he’s breathing on the side of my face, so close.

“Why are you trembling?” Angel whispers.

“I’m not.”

He moves suddenly, and I’m lying on my back in the dirt with no idea how I got here. He leans over until we’re nose to nose.

“You smell like menthol.”

“So what?”

“I remember what they say about omegas.”

I stiffen. “I don’t know omegas.”

Angel smiles; his haunting blue eyes are hard crystal chips. “Sure, you don’t.”

I startle, my lips parting as his fingers touch the sides of my hips. He splays out his hand and slowly moves it under my top.

“What is that smell covering?” Angel whispers.

“Nothing.” There’s no conviction in my voice; it’s just a hoarse thread of sound.

“I see you,” Angel whispers.

I tense, but he closes the distance and runs his nose up the side of my face. I exhale in a puff, my chest heaving.

“Angel-”

“Shh, don’t ruin it.”

He turns his head slightly, and his lips graze mine. My eyes are wide open, and he doesn’t even blink.

It’s a powerful kiss, not even a kiss, it’s a touching of lips. Angel draws back, and then he’s up and walking away.

Just like that. Did that even happen?

I sit up, my lips tingling. I want to go after him, but I get the impression I won’t find him.

Angel kissed me.

I thought he hated me.

What do I even do with this information?

I turn back around and continue planting, only to find myself again, surrounded by wolves and Khaos.

“We’re going to help.”

“What?” I squawk.

“You need help; you won’t get this done, so where do you want us to dig?”

I stand up and look at them. Hazard butts his massive head into my thigh.

“All right, I need the weeds dug up, and there needs to be a furrow dug like this.”

Khaos leans over, looking, and then sets to digging.

What would have taken me hours is done in minutes as the wolves lose their minds, digging in my garden.

They love it.

I press my lips together and watch them as they bounce around, and then Riot gets the zoomies. His butt sinks down, and he just takes off, which sets off Hazard. The two of them race around the small clear space around the cabin. They come very close to running into trees, but the sheer speeds they get up to, they swing back around and almost crash into each other, but that just sends them into even faster speeds.

I catch sight of Angel, walking around the side of the house like nothing has happened, his eyes fixed on me. Khaos, who is now in wolf form, simply lies down in the grass, puts his head on his paws, and goes to sleep.

Wrath bounces around, chasing butterflies.

For a long moment, I just stand there watching them. I’ve never seen wolves behave like this. In the pack I grew up in, they would be fighting, snapping at humans, biting and causing wounds. They didn’t play or relax in the sun.

The wolf inside them is a weapon that they wield against everyone who is weaker, and it’s a constant battle, an endless war.

But this pack, they float up and down their dominance hierarchy like it doesn’t matter. Khaos is the leader, but he’s not always stronger. Pack members can and do say no, and that’s okay. They protect each other like the families in the books I’ve read.

There are no politics, no games, just a bond that seems impossible to break.

Watching them is like seeing the sun for the first time, like getting clarity after a long time of confusion. This is what being a wolf is supposed to be.

It doesn’t automatically make you a monster.

You choose what you become.

Just like my mother told me.

I turn back and start planting the seedlings, trying hard not to think about anything. They join me, one by one, until all six of us are in a line planting what would have taken me weeks.

I can’t imagine anyone from my old pack helping like this. It would have been considered human work. Frieda was too old to help me easily, so this is the first time anyone has.

I don’t want to examine why that means so much to me, but it’s touched something inside me that’s all vulnerable and left me wondering if keeping secrets is really the right move to make.

Should I tell them what I am so we can deal with it together?

I remember how the pack treated an omega they caught on our territory. They’d ripped her apart. Her screams still keep me up some nights.

There is nothing more dangerous than an omega, except a pack with a deep hatred and fear of them. They didn’t ask, they didn’t try to help her; they just shredded her.

One wolf can’t hold back the tide of a pack.

And I don’t have a wolf.

No, it’s better to find another way. I have another full moon coming next month, I can get back up there and…face the bear. I sit back on my heels, staring at the dirt.

My gaze finds Angel and lingers there. He knows what I am, but he still kissed me. Why did he do that?

Wrath glances at me. The gleam of menace is easy to read.

I glare. “Don’t you dare.”

He stands up, stretches up on his toes, and shakes. Clumps of dirt go flying, hitting everyone and the side of the house.

“Wrath!”

He bounces around and knocks me on my back, sitting down heavily on my lap.

“Oh, god, get off!” I wheeze. “You weigh a ton, you overgrown fluff ball.”

He wiggles and then stiffens.

“Don’t you dare, Wrath! Stop! No!”

He flops back, smooshing me to the grass. He wiggles around on top of me before springing up and taking off, doing more laps of the yard.

I roll up on my hands and knees and lift my head, coming face to face with Hazard. He opens his mouth in a doggy grin and then licks my face.

“Ugh! Why?” I shout at them. “Just why?”

Khaos chuffs.

I grab the bucket of water. “You think so, do you?”

Without putting much thought into it, I empty the contents of the bucket on his head.

He jumps up and howls, whirling on me with gleaming eyes, and his teeth bared.

“I’m not scared of you, Khaos.”

He snaps his teeth and tenses, crouching low.

I run.

They chase me. I don’t have any hope, but they let me stay ahead, playfully snapping at me and bounding around me.

I can see the guys they could have been if this hadn’t have happened to them. That thought gets shoved out of my head when Riot appears in front of me.

I stop dead, and he changes forms, the familiar haze making it impossible to look right at him until he’s human again.

The others have run off ahead, but it’s just him and me, alone in this silent forest. I can feel it closing in.

“Riot…” I murmur and step backwards.

“You ran.”

He sounds so darkly pleased.

“I didn’t mean it that way,” I admit.

“It doesn’t matter how you meant it; the fact is you did it. Oh, Casey, you ran. I’m never going to let you go now.”

I hear the words, but they still take a full minute to settle in my mind, and then my body reacts, flushing hot, breaking into goosebumps, every single cell on my body attuning to him.

I turn away, trying to give myself some space to control myself.

“Run again,” Riot whispers from right behind me. “Let me hunt you.”

I shiver and open my mouth, trying to find something to say, but I’m speechless.

“Run!” his voice snaps out, and I obey instantly.

This time, there is nothing funny; this feels like a race for my very life. I pump my legs harder and faster, throwing everything into it, knowing I’ll lose. I don’t know where he is, just that he’s behind me.

When I can’t run any further, I stop, turning around, but he’s gone. All around me is silence.

“Riot?”

No answer.

A raven calls and takes flight, but there is no wolf.

I take a step back, scanning the forest around me.

Where is he?

More to the point, where am I?

I shift my weight when I sense something behind me, heat, movement, an aura. I don’t know what it is that alerts, but I stiffen as his hand slides over mine, and then I’m pulled slowly towards him and into his arms. He continues walking backwards, leading me into the dark.

My heart is in my throat, but I follow him. All the secrets between us, the imbalance of power, all the reasons why disappear.

There is only Riot smiling that small smile that promises that everything will be okay.

He presses me up against a tree, under the thick branches of a massive pine, and leans in, his lips pressing to my throat. I swallow hard, breaking into shivers.

“Do you think-”

“No.” Riot cuts off my words as his tongue brushes over my skin leaving pinpricks of sensation in his wake.

“What?”

“No, when you’re around, I don’t think. I can’t think. Thoughts cease, and all there is is you.”

“But-”

“I think about your butt, too.”

I splutter a laugh. “Riot, be serious.”

“Riordan.”

I still. “What?”

“My name…it’s not Riot, it’s Riordan.”

I spread my fingers across his chest. The shirt is cool and soft, but I can feel the heat of him under it.

“I was…less in my pack. They said I was uncontrollable and savage, and I was. I would fight because I could and fight because they tried to make me something else. Everywhere I have gone, all I have left is a trail of destruction. Even our old pack,” Riot’s face tightens, “even they couldn’t accept me and what I was. They feared me.”

I stare up at him. The weight of his wonder, awe, and confusion hits me, pressing into me. I’m lost in the intoxicating incense that is leaching off him. The heat flares in my stomach, my mouth waters, and my knees threaten to buckle.

He’s everything I shouldn’t want.

Fear him? How could I?

“Why don’t you?” he purrs in perfect synchronisation with my bleak thoughts.

“Because,” I murmur, lifting so my lips are almost touching his, “you aren’t the monster who haunts my nightmares, you’re the one that appears in my fantasies.”

His eyes flare wide, and then his hands are on me, lifting me up against him as his lips claim mine.

Fear him?

He’s the one who should fear me.

I sit on the date, trying really hard not to think about why my lips are still slightly sore and puffy. All we did was kiss for like an hour until breathing seemed pointless and his hands had mapped my entire body. Until I was burning up in flames of need. Until, when we parted, it felt weird and unnatural because, clearly, kissing this alpha is my life’s ambition and all my goals. Who needs chopped wood? I’ll stay warm with the power of his kiss.

“Did you like it?”

I blink back to the current conversation. We’re in town at one of the most expensive restaurants. I’m wearing skin-tight jeans and a turtleneck jumper because Riot wouldn’t let me leave until I was wearing more than the ‘scrap of material on my chest’.

He and Khaos really had it out. I swear, they made the house shake. Angel had waited until they were distracted, grabbed the hem of the top, and simply shredded it off my body.

So, jumper it was.

“Casey?”

“I’m sorry; I was just panicking over whether I remembered to leave water out for the dogs.”

He nods. “I love animals. I think they are amazing for the soul.”

Err… “Yes, I agree.”

He picks up his glass of red wine and swirls it around. “So, I was just asking about your life goals. What do you really need in your life to make it wonderful?”

I need Riot naked and in my bed when I get back. Why am I here? With this man? I want to go home.

“Uh,” what is this guy’s name again? Was it Tennyson? Davidson? Harrison? Crap. “My life goals? Well, I just want to keep going with my business, growing it, living more sustainably off the land.”

“Really? That is interesting. Do you have a lot of land?” He looks at me coyly and licks his bottom lip.

Ew. I must be missing something here because that question and the coy, teasing look don’t marry up.

“Uh, yes, I own a plot up on the mountain.”

His eyes gleam as he leans forward and takes my fingers. I stare at them, wondering if it would be rude to shake him off. No, I’m doing this for the wolves. I relax into his hold.

“Do you like nature?” I ask without really thinking. It’s a ridiculous question.

“Oh yes, nature and I are one.”

What? Maybe not such a dumb question.

I sit back, pulling my hands free. The dinner was too rich, but he ate all of his and then ate mine.

He’s got dark hair and dark eyes and just seems like a normal guy, which is making me very nervous.

Or maybe I’m just jaded.

“Would you like dessert, or would you like to go for a walk with me? I always think ending the night with a stroll is the perfect way to end a day.”

I mean, sure, that sounds nice. “Okay.”

I stand up and follow him out of the restaurant. He pays for everything, doesn’t even let me speak, just tells me he has this.

He seems like the perfect guy.

We walk side by side, deep into the dark. I can smell the wolves, which is insane. They can’t be here. Surely.

“I’m really glad you agreed to come on this date with me. I didn’t think you would.”

“Oh, why wouldn’t I?”

He laughs softly. “I guess, I’d assumed you’d have looked at my social media and bailed. But I love that you have an open mind. That you are so accepting of differences. It would be easier to show you all of me than explain. Can I do that?”

I rub my chin, unsure whether I should or not. “Okay,” I say hesitantly.

In the dark, I catch sight of a huge grey wolf. So, they are here. Wrath lays down and watches from under a bush.

“I thought you weren’t going to be here?” I hiss.

The tip of his tail wags, but he doesn’t answer me otherwise.

I pace the darkness, wondering where my date has gone and whether I need to be alarmed or not.

When I turn around, my heart stops, and I immediately have to bite my cheek so I don’t start laughing. Because this is so bad right now. It has to be a joke.

He’s going to get us killed. That thought rings crystal clear in my mind.

He’s got furry wolf ears, a long tail that bobs when he moves, sewn oversized paws, and he’s modified his face, even so far as putting fur markings on where a wolf would have them. He does a skipping jump to me, tilting his head up and sniffing the air.

Wrath lifts his head, his eyes wide open. I focus on my date, refusing to look at the real shifter losing it in the shrubs.

“Rrrwff,” my date says and tilts his head back and arrooos into the night.

Oh. My. God.

He pounces on a tree and scratches it up. I don’t know what to do; I just stare at him. Wrath stands up, his gaze focused on my date like he doesn’t want to miss a second of this shit show.

“My name is Razor, rrrwff.”

He comes up and bends down behind me, following when I spin away. My cheeks heat, and I cast a look at Wrath as I try to fend him off.

“What are you doing! Stop!” I shriek. I try to shove him away, but he just follows me in circles, sniffing and growling.

Someone help me.

“You have wonderful smells,” he says, panting when he stops trying to sniff me. “I like you. We should go to your mountain and play. You can run, and I can chase.”

Wrath’s ears drop, pinning to his head, and he exposes his teeth in a sinister snarl.

My date flicks his tail, his long wolflike tail. I look down at the grass and swallow hard, not looking at Wrath, definitely not looking at Wrath.

I blink at him several times. “What is this? What are you doing?” I wish I could remember his name.

“Rrrwff.”

“Seriously, we need to talk. Look, I don’t have a problem with this, but you need to listen; you can’t be doing that here!”

“Woof.”

“I’m not joking. I need to have a human conversation with you, please,” I snap, my anger finally breaking through my shock.

He cocks his head to the side and whines, then throws his head back and howls.

I take five steps back from him, but he rushes me, cuddling up to me.

“It’s perfect. I know you’re from Pack Foster. We can live as wolves together.”

I freeze. The horror of what he’s implying, what he’s saying, sinks deep. I need to cut this off now. “You’re not a wolf, and neither am I,” I say coldly.

“No, but-”

“No, I’m not a wolf. I don’t have one. I’m human, and I’m not dressing up to be anything but what I am, and, trust me, you should stop this nonsense in this town. If Pack Foster finds out about you, your life is over.”

He shoves away from me and pouts. “You’re just jealous.”

“Jealous? My poor, deluded date,” I snap out, “I was born into a pack that hates humans with a passion, and you are trying to be like them. Not only will they find you offensive, but they will find you sport. Stop doing it. Or go somewhere it’s safe to be you. But this town will hand you over to that pack, and no one will mention your name once you’re gone. Trust me,” I say bitterly, “I know.”

He lifts a hand, sorry, a paw, and scratches his ear. The whole thing is ridiculous. I cover my face with a hand until I hear a bark of laughter.

“What is this? What the actual fuck is this, Casey? Oh, god, this is just perfect. It’s made my night.”

I go completely still, glancing at Wrath and making a stay motion with my hand.

James walks into the park and looks between us. “Oh, this is sad. You couldn’t find anyone who wanted you in the pack, so now you’re playing dress-up? I mean there’s hard-up, Casey, and there’s this. If you were desperate for a wolf cock, they would have found someone who could have taken care of you if you’d begged.”

James is tall with light brown hair, mean green eyes, and is built like a tank. He’s human, but one of Jonas’ drinking buddies. One of the few humans tolerated, and the reason why is because he helps the pack with things they need. Like a delivery service. He might think he’s in with the pack, but he’s just another tool they use.

“Leave, James.”

He sidles closer to me, looking between us, and now Razor looks unsure; he whimpers and steps back. His whole self collapses, and I see that all his bravery was mostly bravado, and in the face of an actual bully, he’s got nothing.

Big mistake. James can scent weakness like sharks scent blood in the oceans.

“Who is this?”

“Never mind who he is, what do you want?” I fold my arms under my breasts, noting the way he’s looking me up and down.

“Oh, just passing through, and I saw the most amazing sight. Fuck, you actually look like a woman tonight. Almost fuckable.”

“No, you didn’t,” I bark. “You didn’t see anything.”

James grins. “It’s going to cost you.”

“How much?”

James leans close and licks his lips. “Give me a blowie.”

I don’t let him see the dismay in my eyes; I just harden myself and cock my head to the side, watching as he sidles even closer.

“Come on, Casey, it will be a secret between us. What Jonas doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

“What Jonas finds out will get us killed,” I say back just as quietly.

“What Jonas hears from me will get your ass put back in the hole, that pussy smashed, and your date will be the latest entertainment if you don’t make good.”

“Leave him alone.” I glance at my date. “You remember what I told you?”

He nods stiffly, and I realise he’s as close to terrified as I’ve ever seen anyone. I wonder how many times he’s been hurt for being who he is.

“Go. Don’t look back.”

He leaves without any more warning, not even looking back, but I’m already skirting around James, drawing his attention. He licks his lips and reaches out, grabbing my upper arm and spinning me around so I’m facing him.

“He’ll give you to me anyway, when you’re his. You may as well stop fighting. The gathering is in three weeks, and then it’s all over for you, little wolf.”

I try to pull my arm free, but I can’t. He squeezes hard, and I let out a groan that makes his eyes fire up.

If I hit him, how long until the pack shows up on my mountain? They’d find my guests for sure.

And just like that, as if my thoughts conjured them, they appear. A silver wolf, flanked by a white one, stepping out of the shadows, growling, violence and threat dripping off them in waves.

James just gives me a knowing look.

Angel snarls at him.

His face drains of blood. “I was just kidding; I wouldn’t have let her go through with it.”

I keep my lips pressed together. It’s unlikely James would know that these aren’t Foster Wolves; very few people ever get to see their other forms.

They continue to advance.

“You’d better leave, James. Clearly, I owe them a conversation.” I force myself to sound resigned and unhappy, but I’m really trying not to laugh.

James takes another step backwards and then another. Within minutes, I’m standing alone in the park, shoulders slumped, while Wrath shifts into his human form, snags my wrist, and drags me to where we left the car.

I’m pushed into the passenger side while he gets in the back with Angel. Khaos looks at us with a raised brow.

“What happened this time?”

Angel lets out a sound that silences the entire car.

Khaos sighs heavily. “All right, tell me what happened.”

Angel throws his head back and starts to laugh. I cross my arms under my breasts and glare out the window, refusing to speak.

“Well, it was going really well inside the restaurant, but then they went for a walk,” Wrath begins.

I’ve listened to the story three times, but there is something off about it, and she isn’t saying a word. She’s just staring out the window, pretending she can’t hear this conversation.

Like we are discussing the weather.

Who is this Jonas who thinks he owns her? Is he a mate? Has she had one this whole time? It wouldn’t be the first time a woman who owned us was trying to cuck her mate.

But if she had one, we would have known about it. We would have felt it, smelled him. He wouldn’t be okay with us being here.

No, I don’t think she has a mate.

So, who is this male who thinks he has ownership of her?

Dangerous. So dangerous.

If she is owned by a wolf, then we are owned by a pack, and I need to hope that no one figures out who my family is. All it’s going to take is the wrong person recognising us, and it will bring down the entire wolf world.

I rub my chin, watching her carefully.

“Is he your mate?”

She chokes. “No.”

“Is he your future mate?”

She shakes her head. “No, what wolf would take a human to mate?”

Breeder. I don’t let the word escape my lips. It’s the highest of the low. Only humans are worse. I’ve heard shifters say they’d prefer to take a knife to their throats before they’d touch a human, and others would rather mate with a true wolf.

It’s sick.

For a species that has been living side by side with humans forever, you’d think that we would have grown into some kind of mutual respect, but some wolves can’t see humans as anything more than stupid food.

Except the eating of humans has been banned and abolished for a hundred years. Yet, it hasn’t changed the hate and fear.

And still, I know that people suffer for it. Clearly, Casey has no idea what power she has on her wrist right now. She could destroy us.

I turn away from her and pace the lounge. I’ve sent the others away; it’s just us. The tension in the air is thick and heavy. I can feel her listening to me in every line of her body. She is tense, alert, and ready to react.

I step up behind her, unable to stay away.

“How can I help you?” The words escape before I really think them through.

Her eyes widen in the reflection of the glass. Clearly, she wasn’t expecting that. “There’s nothing anyone can do.”

“I won’t leave you here to become that for him.”

She inhales, her breath hitches, her distress turning the menthol sweeter with a note of flowers that is much more alluring.

“Khaos, none of us are in a position to make promises.”

“I’m making this one to you.”

“You can’t.”

“I will find a way to save you.”

She spins around, staring up at me. “Frieda said making vows under the light of the moon meant that they’d always be kept.”

“I mean to keep it. I’m not going to leave you to them. No matter how long it takes, I will come and save you.”

“I will set you free. All five of you will see home, will find your freedom. I will be your last owner.”

I lift my arm. She mirrors me, and we clasp hands, palm to palm.

I duck down and brush my lips against hers, feeling drunk on the feeling of her and the promises we’ve just made.

When I pull back, her eyes are closed, and her cheeks are slightly red. She’s really beautiful.

“I wish we’d met somewhere else.”

“Me, too,” she whispers after a long pause. “I wish we meet again when all of this is done. Free.”

I don’t understand, but I lean down all the same, sealing our wishes with a kiss.

“I’m going to take everyone for a run to calm down. We’ll be back tomorrow.”

She nods, her expression hiding her thoughts. I think I see disappointment, but if I stay, I’m going to throw caution to the wind. I’m going to tell her everything, give her everything.

And what would have happened to us before today will look like a walk in the park with what comes next.

It hurts to step back from her.

It hurts to put the mask back on, to find the hard alpha who suppresses all his wants and desires. That is my job after all. I am to protect my people, protect my pack.

And Casey.

I want so badly to protect her.

I tug the bonds, and the pack falls into the room, flowing around like water. Hazard brushes up against her, kissing her cheek, murmuring sweet words that make her eyes shine.

Riot turns her cheeks red with a look that is just between them. Wrath pulls her into his arms and kisses her neck, holding on even when she laughs. Angel is more intense, hesitant, but he takes her chin and holds her face so she’s staring into his eyes.

“Howl if you need help,” he whispers.

“I will.”

They file out of the house, and I stop in front of her.

I don’t want to leave.

I don’t want to say goodbye.

I don’t want it to be like this.

With a suddenness that surprises both of us, I pick her up, kissing her hard. She meets my passion, my desperation, and matches it. She holds me to her, and her fingers curl in my hair, pulling me tight.

I don’t know how long we’re trapped in the kiss.

But I do know I don’t ever want to come out.

Which is why I have to leave.

“Stay safe. We’ll be back,” I say and set her down.

Then, without a backwards look, I stalk out and away, leaving her behind with the scent of menthol and, under that, the confusing scent of lilacs.

I brace myself as they invade my home, bringing with them the scents of linseed oil, aniseed, wet hay, and something foul I can’t place. My father is a large man with meat on his bones, solid in a way an elderly dog gets. He’s got mean eyes that are blue like mine, but, other than that, he has a darker receding hair and a mean jaw. Raphael Foster always gets what he wants, one way or another.

“You’re coming to the gathering.”

No ‘hello,’ no ‘how are you.’ No ‘you look terrible.’ Nothing but a demand for my obedience.

But then, this is the reigning alpha; when he falls, Jonas will take over with Cindel, and I have no doubt my life will descend into hell. No, I’ll just be Jonas’ breeder, and when I’ve put out enough of his wolf pups, I will be disposed of.

They are cut from the same foul cloth.

My gaze goes to Cindel. They are a match made in hell. As he’s the strongest male, and she’s the strongest female, both of them alphas, they will be the lead pair, shoving the rest of the pack into line.

I refuse to be part of it.

“The gathering is in a couple of weeks; I didn’t realise I was required to make my presence known in advance.”

My father’s eyes blaze yellow, and he lashes out, hitting me hard across the back of the shoulders. “Watch your poisonous tongue!” he bellows.

I duck my head. Shit, his temper is bad today. “I’m sorry. I thought I had time to get ready.”

“I’m not here about the gathering.”

“Oh?” Well, this is worse.

“Who was the wolf?”

I still.

“What wolf?”

“The one you were seen with, the white runt who attacked James in the park the other night. The coward.”

I shrug. Angel? They saw Angel? “I didn’t stop to ask. I assumed you had new pack members, and I took off as soon as the freak left.”

My father rubs his chin. “I couldn’t find him; do you know who that human was?”

He says human like it’s the worst possible insult.

“No idea. I was meeting up with him to fuck, but then he pulled the wolf shit, and everyone here knows I’d rather slit my throat than fuck a wolf.”

I’m struck again, and, this time, my arm goes numb. Calculated move, and worth it, but the muscle is going to be sore for a while.

Pressure sits heavily on my chest, but I ignore it.

“Watch yourself.”

Yes, Alpha is sneered in my head, but I haven’t called him alpha since I was seventeen.

I won’t ever address him as that because he’s not my alpha.

You call the wolves here alpha all the time, a voice in my head points out.

That’s something I should consider at some point.

My father paces and I thank god I had enough time to spray the menthol deodorizer down before they got here. My home stinks like wolves that don’t belong here.

If my father smelled them, he would probably try to beat the answer out of me.

“What are you wearing to the meet?”

I look up at Cindel, thrown by her sudden question. Her nose is crinkled as she looks around my home with judgmental eyes. I don’t even want them in here. It feels like an invasion.

“I figured I’d just wear jeans and a jumper. There’s no reason for me to dress up.”

“Good.”

I look down at my foot and break into a cold sweat. Instead of panicking, I focus on breathing slowly, controlling my heart rate and pushing the fear down so they don’t smell anything.

Ever so slowly, I slide my foot across so it covers the three long red hairs.

“Right. Have you got our tithe yet?”

My head pops up. “Tithe? What tithe?”

“You live on our land, so you owe us a tithe.”

“This land does not belong to the pack-”

Another blow rocks me back against the couch. My head spins wildly, and it takes me a moment to be able to hear over the ringing in my ears.

“I was gifted this land from-”

He raises his fist again. I glare at him, furious and defiant.

“I was given this plot. It’s not part of the town; it’s not part of the pack; it belongs to the witches that lived here long before the packs did.”

“You are not a witch.”

“I was gifted it.”

“And you are my daughter, and what’s yours is mine. So, you will pay the tithe or I will send people up here to take you back down to where you belong, and you can watch me burn this place to the ground.”

“No!”

“Then do what I want.”

“What do you want as a tithe?” I ask reluctantly.

“Three quarters of the vegetables, canned preserves, and all the meat you have stocked.”

I bite my lip on the protest. There is no arguing with him, if I even try, I know it will just end up worse.

But it’s everything I need for the winter.

You won’t be here in the winter; you’ll be tied to Jonas’ bed.

No, I won’t.

They stand and walk towards the door. Cindel turns back, peering hard at the floor. I break into a sweat again, waiting for her to say something that will probably get me killed.

“Didn’t you used to have a carpet?”

I don’t let them see how much her question relieves me.

“Yes, I got sick of it.”

She sniffs, and they walk out. I follow them onto the porch, silently begging the pack to stay away.

My father lingers, looking around, glaring as if searching for something he can use against me. When he finds nothing, he growls, low and threatening, before he climbs in to his truck and yanks the door shut. Cindel gets in like she’s relieved to be leaving.

I stand there long after they’ve driven away.

There is a noose around my neck, and it’s getting tighter and tighter.

Before I can do anything else, the pack gets back. Riot grabs my hips and spins me around, murmuring something in another language.

“What does that mean?” I ask softly, leaning into him.

“You are so beautiful it makes my heart melt.”

Khaos walks into the house and explodes back out.

“There were shifters here!”

I nod. “I know.”

I need to trust them a little.

I know I need to, but I don’t want to. I hunch my shoulders.

“My dad and sister.”

Khaos’ mouth falls open. “You’re a wolfless? I assumed you were human and just raised in a pack.”

I flinch hard.

“Khaos!” Riot snarls.

“You were born with wolf parents, but you don’t have a wolf?” Khaos asks again, stunned.

“Yes! That’s right. I am broken, and I don’t have a wolf,” I shout at him.

He jumps down the stairs, grabs my wrist, and yanks me to his chest. “How does your pack treat the wolfless?”

“How most packs treat us, I assume. Like we are broken and humiliating blights on their proud legacy.”

His eyes glitter as he stares down at me.

“What?” I shove at him, but he picks me up and puts me inside.

“You stay here. I need to talk to my pack. We will be back by night.” He pauses, looking over his shoulder. “I don’t care if you have a wolf, are wolfless, or human, you are Casey, and that’s enough.”

I glare at him as he leaves and then, to my utter mortification, tears start falling, and though I roughly try to wipe them away, they just keep coming back.

I put my head in my hands. “What is wrong with me? I don’t care about what they think; I don’t care what anyone thinks.”

Instead, I go to the stockroom and go through my supplies. I need to give my dad enough that will tide him over, but I’m going to make sure there’s enough for me to last. He’s not getting everything.

I brace myself as they invade my home, bringing with them the scents of linseed oil, aniseed, wet hay, and something foul I can’t place. My father is a large man with meat on his bones, solid in a way an elderly dog gets. He’s got mean eyes that are blue like mine, but, other than that, he has a darker receding hair and a mean jaw. Raphael Foster always gets what he wants, one way or another.

“You’re coming to the gathering.”

No ‘hello,’ no ‘how are you.’ No ‘you look terrible.’ Nothing but a demand for my obedience.

But then, this is the reigning alpha; when he falls, Jonas will take over with Cindel, and I have no doubt my life will descend into hell. No, I’ll just be Jonas’ breeder, and when I’ve put out enough of his wolf pups, I will be disposed of.

They are cut from the same foul cloth.

My gaze goes to Cindel. They are a match made in hell. As he’s the strongest male, and she’s the strongest female, both of them alphas, they will be the lead pair, shoving the rest of the pack into line.

I refuse to be part of it.

“The gathering is in a couple of weeks; I didn’t realise I was required to make my presence known in advance.”

My father’s eyes blaze yellow, and he lashes out, hitting me hard across the back of the shoulders. “Watch your poisonous tongue!” he bellows.

I duck my head. Shit, his temper is bad today. “I’m sorry. I thought I had time to get ready.”

“I’m not here about the gathering.”

“Oh?” Well, this is worse.

“Who was the wolf?”

I still.

“What wolf?”

“The one you were seen with, the white runt who attacked James in the park the other night. The coward.”

I shrug. Angel? They saw Angel? “I didn’t stop to ask. I assumed you had new pack members, and I took off as soon as the freak left.”

My father rubs his chin. “I couldn’t find him; do you know who that human was?”

He says human like it’s the worst possible insult.

“No idea. I was meeting up with him to fuck, but then he pulled the wolf shit, and everyone here knows I’d rather slit my throat than fuck a wolf.”

I’m struck again, and, this time, my arm goes numb. Calculated move, and worth it, but the muscle is going to be sore for a while.

Pressure sits heavily on my chest, but I ignore it.

“Watch yourself.”

Yes, Alpha is sneered in my head, but I haven’t called him alpha since I was seventeen.

I won’t ever address him as that because he’s not my alpha.

You call the wolves here alpha all the time, a voice in my head points out.

That’s something I should consider at some point.

My father paces and I thank god I had enough time to spray the menthol deodorizer down before they got here. My home stinks like wolves that don’t belong here.

If my father smelled them, he would probably try to beat the answer out of me.

“What are you wearing to the meet?”

I look up at Cindel, thrown by her sudden question. Her nose is crinkled as she looks around my home with judgmental eyes. I don’t even want them in here. It feels like an invasion.

“I figured I’d just wear jeans and a jumper. There’s no reason for me to dress up.”

“Good.”

I look down at my foot and break into a cold sweat. Instead of panicking, I focus on breathing slowly, controlling my heart rate and pushing the fear down so they don’t smell anything.

Ever so slowly, I slide my foot across so it covers the three long red hairs.

“Right. Have you got our tithe yet?”

My head pops up. “Tithe? What tithe?”

“You live on our land, so you owe us a tithe.”

“This land does not belong to the pack-”

Another blow rocks me back against the couch. My head spins wildly, and it takes me a moment to be able to hear over the ringing in my ears.

“I was gifted this land from-”

He raises his fist again. I glare at him, furious and defiant.

“I was given this plot. It’s not part of the town; it’s not part of the pack; it belongs to the witches that lived here long before the packs did.”

“You are not a witch.”

“I was gifted it.”

“And you are my daughter, and what’s yours is mine. So, you will pay the tithe or I will send people up here to take you back down to where you belong, and you can watch me burn this place to the ground.”

“No!”

“Then do what I want.”

“What do you want as a tithe?” I ask reluctantly.

“Three quarters of the vegetables, canned preserves, and all the meat you have stocked.”

I bite my lip on the protest. There is no arguing with him, if I even try, I know it will just end up worse.

But it’s everything I need for the winter.

You won’t be here in the winter; you’ll be tied to Jonas’ bed.

No, I won’t.

They stand and walk towards the door. Cindel turns back, peering hard at the floor. I break into a sweat again, waiting for her to say something that will probably get me killed.

“Didn’t you used to have a carpet?”

I don’t let them see how much her question relieves me.

“Yes, I got sick of it.”

She sniffs, and they walk out. I follow them onto the porch, silently begging the pack to stay away.

My father lingers, looking around, glaring as if searching for something he can use against me. When he finds nothing, he growls, low and threatening, before he climbs in to his truck and yanks the door shut. Cindel gets in like she’s relieved to be leaving.

I stand there long after they’ve driven away.

There is a noose around my neck, and it’s getting tighter and tighter.

Before I can do anything else, the pack gets back. Riot grabs my hips and spins me around, murmuring something in another language.

“What does that mean?” I ask softly, leaning into him.

“You are so beautiful it makes my heart melt.”

Khaos walks into the house and explodes back out.

“There were shifters here!”

I nod. “I know.”

I need to trust them a little.

I know I need to, but I don’t want to. I hunch my shoulders.

“My dad and sister.”

Khaos’ mouth falls open. “You’re a wolfless? I assumed you were human and just raised in a pack.”

I flinch hard.

“Khaos!” Riot snarls.

“You were born with wolf parents, but you don’t have a wolf?” Khaos asks again, stunned.

“Yes! That’s right. I am broken, and I don’t have a wolf,” I shout at him.

He jumps down the stairs, grabs my wrist, and yanks me to his chest. “How does your pack treat the wolfless?”

“How most packs treat us, I assume. Like we are broken and humiliating blights on their proud legacy.”

His eyes glitter as he stares down at me.

“What?” I shove at him, but he picks me up and puts me inside.

“You stay here. I need to talk to my pack. We will be back by night.” He pauses, looking over his shoulder. “I don’t care if you have a wolf, are wolfless, or human, you are Casey, and that’s enough.”

I glare at him as he leaves and then, to my utter mortification, tears start falling, and though I roughly try to wipe them away, they just keep coming back.

I put my head in my hands. “What is wrong with me? I don’t care about what they think; I don’t care what anyone thinks.”

Instead, I go to the stockroom and go through my supplies. I need to give my dad enough that will tide him over, but I’m going to make sure there’s enough for me to last. He’s not getting everything.

I’m sitting on the porch steps staring up at the night sky. It’s only visible just above the clearing; the trees hide all the rest of them.

“The stars remind me of my mother. She used to say that we were only one step away from going out to explore them, just the two of us, where we’d find a world that offered us so much more than the pack life.”

Wrath sits beside me, but I can feel the others around me, listening intently. It’s only right that I should say this to them. Only right that they hear it from me on a night like this. I don’t just drag myself into the hell that’s awaiting me; I drag them, too.

I need to tell them everything.

Well, not everything.

“I didn’t understand why she didn’t just take me and run, but, as I got older, I recognised what that hideous bite on her shoulder meant and the fact that only she wore one. He bound her, but he didn’t allow my mother to bond him. She was a slave. I’ve never said that out loud. My father kept my mother as a slave. The bond was the thickest and strongest chain he could hold her with, but she never stopped fighting.”

“How did she die?”

“Oh, the reigning female alpha got jealous. The usual. A fight between two bitches. My mother’s death was quick.”

Wrath reaches out and takes my hand.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I push out in a strangled voice.

“Like how?” he asks, amused.

“Don’t you feel sorry for me. I got out. I got away from them.” Except I didn’t; I just bought myself time.

“I’m not looking at you with pity. Or sympathy.”

Wrath grabs my jaw and turns my face so our noses are almost touching. “This isn’t horror, this is awe, this is pride, this is wonder. You’re a wolfless shifter who grew up in a pack and not only survived but is thriving.”

“Don’t test me,” I growl at him, fear spiking through me at the look in his eyes and find myself falling.

“Casey,” he whispers.

Just my name.

It shakes my walls. It rattles my foundations.

His hand slides over the bruise on my cheek. “Casey,” he whispers again. “I think perhaps that you are the single most incredible person I’ve ever met.”

I shiver as his silver eyes flash, his thumb grazes my bottom lip. He leans in close, pausing, his eyes searching mine, and then he so very gently kisses me.

He lingers and then moves his lips, and I can’t help but to kiss him back.

I’ve been so alone.

For so long.

And no one has ever thought I was incredible.

I cover his hand that’s still cupping my face and pull back. My lips tingle, and I want to lean back in, but Angel moves in the tree line, and I remember why I shouldn’t have anything to do with them. I turn away, staring at the dark forest.

“My father can’t know you’re here. He will send the pack to destroy you.” I clear my throat. I need space to maneuver. Worse, I need distance from this pack.

Remember, it’s me alone, always alone.

“He won’t.”

I glance at him sideways.

“I’m going to make you my favourite meal. You coming in?”

I can see he’s heard my silent but loud shout for space and is mentally taking a step back. I just wish I wasn’t crying inside over it.

“No, I’m going to stay out here a while longer.”

“Okay.” He bumps me with his shoulder and disappears.

It’s cold, and I’m alone. Just me and the stars, how it’s been for a long time now. Except I’m suddenly not.

Hazard stands at my side, appearing as quietly as a ghost. He sits beside me so we’re pressed together thigh to thigh, shoulder to shoulder. Our silence is unbreakable.

We stay like that for a long time, and then he slips his hand in mine, just holding. Just us in the dark.

His scent fills the air around me, and the cold isn’t so cold; the dark isn’t so oppressive. His hand is warm and feels like it could be a good place to stay. To stop.

When I look at him, he’s staring up at the stars, and I can see their reflections in his eyes.

“You’re not alone. Not right now. I know this isn’t forever, but today, tonight, we’re here.”

My hand tightens around his; my chest feels like it’s been cracked open, and somewhere deep inside of me, the warmth of a fire has been lit.

Tonight, I’m not alone.

When he turns and touches his lips to mine, it’s as inevitable as the stars themselves. If Wrath was going to shake me apart, Hazard is lifting me up and putting me back together.

I surrender to his kiss, to him as he pulls back, staring at me, the way he stared at the stars.

“I’m going to stay with you,” he whispers the promise so only the stars and I hear.

And I want that…so badly.

I try not to sigh as I follow my date around the hiking trail as we head deeper into the mountains. He had been adamant about not meeting in town, and whilst that was a little bit of a red flag, since I have five big wolves who can eat him if he tries something, I was not terribly worried.

I really should have been.

“Did you see it!” He turns and bounces up to me. “Did you see the bird?” His enthusiasm might be infectious…to a five-year-old.

“I saw it.”

“It’s a brown thornbill. It’s excellent to know they are here.”

I look around, noting the half dozen other brown thornbills in residence. Should I point them out or…no. My date rushes off, crouching over some rabbit shit and poking it with his finger.

I look at my hand and pull out my hand sanitizer, rubbing it all over–twice. I glance to my left, where I can feel the intense stare of Angel. His head is low, but his fur is catching too much light; he shouldn’t be this close.

He’s hunting my date.

I bite the inside of my cheek and try not to imagine what Marcell Donnelly the Third would say if confronted with a huge white wolf. Or acknowledge the other thought that’s making me feel all shivery inside.

Marcell is wire-thin, no doubt because he forgets to eat and spends all his time in the forest chasing animals, which he is, surprisingly, incredibly bad at.

“Come on, I found the tracks of a bear.” He gives me a huge smile, but I don’t think he’s really seeing me. “I studied the bear for my thesis.”

“Have you ever seen one?”

His eyes get hard, and he lifts his chin. “I do not need to see an actual bear to be an expert. Casey, I have already told you, I am a professional and highly qualified. I studied for seven years. I know more about them than almost anyone in the field.”

“Uh-huh.”

My reply doesn’t impress him, but I think he’s going to continue trying to find this bear regardless of what I say.

I nod and follow, but when I pass the tracks, they are scuff marks from a dirt bike. Seriously, if you’re going to be into animals, you should probably at least learn how to track and identify them properly.

Hazard huffs, and I whip around, finding him standing there, right out in the open. He wags his tail, opens his mouth, letting his tongue hang out.

“Hazard! Please don’t-”

The red wolf flashes me a mischievous look and crashes through the trees, making as much noise as possible.

“THE BEAR! AFTER IT!” Marcell cries.

Oh, sweet lord.

I’m tempted to leave him to it, but Hazard would have no problem accidentally losing him out here. I do not want to spend the night hunting this moron down.

He’s already spent two hours showing me pictures of his cats, Snowball and Dark Pepper. Apparently, Snowball has a yeast infection and is being treated with herbal remedies that he learned from the native people he met, supposedly, while he was searching for the rare and endangered horned puff adder, which has ancient medicinal properties in its tears.

I had worked very hard not to roll my eyes.

I’m wondering if the person who’s paying him to do this is secretly hoping he’ll try to pat something poisonous and die. To be fair, it’s an effective way to kill someone. I don’t think there’s any way to trace the death back to the boss, especially if he removes paper trails.

I need to stop thinking about offing this guy, get him back to town, and get back to my mountain, without a rap sheet, preferably.

I grumble as I follow the loud sounds of Marcell. He suddenly explodes through a bush, holds a finger to his lips, shushes me, and then cups his ear, listening intently.

Who is this guy, and what’s wrong with him? Did he forget his meds this morning?

To my absolute annoyance, Wrath is sitting right behind him, staring at his face, slowly wagging his tail back and forth.

“This way!” he shouts loud enough to wake the bear he’s trying to hunt down and runs off, never once seeing the predator at his back.

This is ridiculous. I turn to the wolves.

“Which one of you picked him?”

Wrath looks at Riot. The pitch-black wolf snorts and slinks into the bushes as I gesture rudely to him.

None of them come to save me, but I think they are getting some kind of perverse pleasure out of this. I trudge up the path as my date darts from bush to bush, shouting when he finds something of note, which, of course, is anything but.

“Shall we head back to the car?” I suggest.

He gives me such an offended glare that I immediately feel guilty and then wonder why.

“We’re on the verge of discovery; it’s our duty to this planet to see this through.”

“Humanity never did much for me.”

He doesn’t hear me but continues on. He undoes his jacket, and I watch in growing horror as he uncovers a hidden fanny pack, stuffed full of–what is that? I peer closely as he pulls out…oh, a sample jar. At this point, I’m not even surprised.

Hazard bounces out and woofs at him.

I cover my face with my hand as Marcell screams in a high and strangely female way.

“Do you see that? Do you see it? It’s a wolf. A big red wolf.”

I remove my hand as Hazard rolls on his back and paws at the air.

“That’s a dog, not a wolf.”

“Excuse you, but I’m the wildlife expert, and I think I would know. I spent seven years studying at the highest ranking university with the best animal courses.”

“Oh, did you?” I snap. “I know that is a dog.”

“How do you know that? It’s clearly a wolf.” The dismissive arrogance of this man is maddening.

I growl in frustration. “Hazard, come.”

He snaps to his feet, jumps three bounds, and lands beside me, woofing up at me. Appearing for all intents and purposes like he’s a red Labrador Retriever.

The others spread out, slinking out of the brush to range about me.

Marcell staggers back. “Don’t hurt me!”

What?

I roll my eyes and stroke Hazard’s ears. Riot presses against my thigh, no doubt urging me back to the town so I can get my car and head home.

“You’re shifters.”

The horror in his voice is surprising. I thought he was an expert.

“No-”

“You are! I know a shifter when I see one. Don’t kill me. I won’t taste nice, I promise.”

“Oh, for god’s sake, of course, they aren’t going to eat you. Besides, these are my dogs. Not shifters.”

He whimpers and darts off, running into the bush, but he’s running the right way to the car, so I ignore him, turning back to Khaos instead.

“Well, this was a massive waste of time.”

“To be fair, it was extremely entertaining,” Khaos says as he changes into his human shape.

I whirl on him, stepping up into his space. “This better not be your idea of fun.”

He catches my hand, and I lose track of my thoughts, instead staring at where he’s holding me.

“It’s not, I promise. None of us would put you through that deliberately.”

I lift my eyes slowly until I’m staring into his golden eyes. “You promise you won’t do that to me?”

“I promise,” he says gruffly, and his thumb strokes over mine, one long caress that sends tingles through my stomach. My mouth goes dry, and all I can do is stare at him.

A wolf howl breaks us apart.

I listen intently. “That’s my father. You guys need to get back onto my land.”

“No, we’re not leaving you-” Riot growls, but I stalk past him.

“If you want to keep us all safe, you need to go back to the cabin. It’s the only place they won’t find you. I will be fine. Just head up there. I’ll go down and get the car and be back there as soon as I can.”

They hesitate, but another three wolves join the chorus.

“Trust me to be able to handle this,” I say softly, full of confidence.

Khaos dips his chin. “Let’s go.”

“No, Khaos, this is wrong-” Riot protests.

“Now.”

Hazard sweeps me into a hug. “You call if you need help, and if you aren’t home in four hours, we’re coming to get you.”

“I’ll be fine. They won’t hurt me.” As long as I play along and luck holds me.

Riot doesn’t look convinced, and he lingers.

No one has ever lingered or worried about me since my mother died. I give him a smile of reassurance, and he finally steps back, shifting into a wolf and following the others.

I don’t move, standing there for a long time because I know those howls; they are hunting howls. And they aren’t my family.

They are someone much worse.

Jonas.

I have to get to town, get my car, and get back to the safety of the mountain without him finding me.

I crouch down, make sure my boot laces are tight, zip up my jacket, pull my hood on, and then I plunge off the trail, racing straight towards town.

The rough terrain should slow me down, but I’m so desperate that I fly through, allowing branches to snatch at my hair, scratch my arms up. When I see the town, I slow down, working my way closer to where my car is parked.

I stay in the trees, watching intently before I dash down, pressing myself up against the side of Mason’s Hardware store. I creep down the street, glancing furtively as a car slowly cruises by.

I’m only a few feet from my truck, and I think I’ve made it. I’ve got my keys in my hands, relief is already filling my body, when he steps out from behind the car beside mine.

“Just where have you been, breeder?”

I scowl, rocking back on my heels. Surprised because he set a trap, and Jonas isn’t normally that patient or smart.

I can’t run. I can’t fight.

All I have is outsmarting him and luck.

I hope she’s on my side today, she’s never been before, though.

“Jonas,” I whisper his name with all sorts of dread and fear.

My future mate leers at me in a way that is terrifying and brings back memories I’d rather keep buried.

And all I can do is stand there, feeling the terror wash over me and the dawning realisation that I just made a huge mistake.

And there’s no one coming to save me.

I follow the pack reluctantly, furiously, each step I take dragging. There was something off about her scent, something spicy that I didn’t like.

She wasn’t telling us the truth; I know it deep down. So, what awaits her back in town? I don’t want to leave her to deal with this alone.

She’s protecting us.

The thought explodes into my mind, and I stop, my feet refusing to move. I let out an unhappy whine, struggling against the bark. If I can just get free of it, I can go to her.

Please, Khaos, just this once, let me go.

We don’t use words exactly, it’s more thoughts, feelings, and body language, but we’re so used to each other that our way of communication is almost stronger than words.

He whirls, his teeth exposed. You don’t think things through; you are rash and impulsive, and she said she could handle it.

There is handling it and handling it, I impress on him. She’s protecting us. Khaos please. I will do anything.

Walk, Riot. She asked us to trust her.

With deep reluctance, I start walking again, then I break into a trot and finally a run. Fine, I’ll play his game.

Hazard runs at my side, watching me every few seconds. I can tell he’s not happy about the alpha bark that Khaos put on us either. I can only list five times Khaos has pulled rank. He was right the other times, but he’s not right this time.

She needs us.

It’s only when we’re halfway home that I realise Wrath isn’t with us. He’s almost as strong as Khaos, sometimes stronger. It’s hard to pinpoint because we’re all on a sliding scale, but if anyone could shake off a command like that, it would be him. I don’t dare say a word, though I notice Hazard keeping his head down and carefully avoiding looking around as well.

I spot the cabin, and as soon as Khaos sets a paw on the porch, the command disintegrates. I spin and race back the other way, faster and faster.

RIOT!

I ignore the call, running at speeds I’ve never reached before. My heart beats her name. Something’s wrong, really wrong.

The trees are a blur. My paws find purchase in the dirt, off rocks. I bound faster and faster; this deep unease won’t let me settle. Why the hell does she live so far up the side of a mountain?

My ears swivel, picking up the sounds of pursuit.

The pack’s coming with me.

Good.

She’s going to need us. I know it in my gut. Trees whip by, and I weave and dodge, thanking the moon goddess for gracing me with agility and speed. If all I do in my pitiful life is save this woman from what I fear is coming for her, then it’s a life worth living.

The thought makes me stumble. How deep do my feelings for her go?

What wouldn’t I do for her?

Not much.

The terrain gets steeper but sparse. I leap, flying several feet before I land lightly and take off again. Rocks shift and fall, tumbling around me, but I just keep leaping, trying to sprout wings.

Our pack hates me. I am the disgrace, the scapegoat. The joke. If something goes wrong, it’s my fault. If there is a fight, it’s my fault. All my life, Khaos has stood in front of me, protecting and stopping them from exiling me from the pack. I have been the bone of contention between him and his father for my whole life. But Khaos has never wavered.

He believed in me.

They believed in me when no one else did. They loved me when no one else could.

Not even my own parents stuck around to love me, they shot out before I could even walk.

I would do anything for this pack, but I can’t ignore a threat to Casey. Even if it means I fuck up, and I let Khaos down. Because that feeling that he feels for me, that deep knowing that I am important to him, that I am part of him…I feel that for her.

If I could save her, just once, I think all my sins, all my failures, all that love I lacked that burned and ruined me would be washed away, and I could be okay with that.

She is something special. A comet, a rainbow. Elusive and spectacular.

I can’t let anything happen to her.

I get close to town, but I don’t stop, not even when I hear Khaos’ warning yip. He can suck it. I’m not giving him a chance to bark me again.

I just fly across the road and into the shadows, racing through the town, trying to find her scent. I head towards where we left the car, but the town feels weird, wired. Something is wrong, that thought just keeps returning, pounding into me. And then I catch another scent, one that leaves me with no doubt she is in trouble.

It smells like burnt flesh and musk. I let out a vicious growl and lift my head, peering around to see if anyone is watching me. Another growl escapes, and I flick my tail hard.

I turn, circling the spot as Hazard catches up to me. He lowers his head, inhaling the scent before revealing his teeth. The red wolf looks absolutely feral when he’s mad. I don’t know why people fear him over all of us, but right now, I can see it.

There are shifters in town.

The Foster Pack is here, but not the scents we smelled at the cabin. These are alphas, strong, in their prime, and they are hunting.

And our owner, our friend, is here with the very people who want to force her to be a breeder.

I look at Khaos, who pauses to take in the scent. For the first time, he looks uncertain. He lifts his head to the wind, inhaling the stench of all the alphas and betas who have invaded.

He hesitates, but Angel shoves him back the way we came. Khaos can’t be caught here.

Go, alpha.

But…

Khaos, go.

He drops his eyes, his whole body wilting with disappointment and what smells suspiciously like guilt.

I turn back to dealing with Casey. Khaos can wait.

We have to get her and get out.

That’s what we need to do. It’s simple, and yet, I have a feeling it’s going to be one of those impossible tasks.

Angel and Khaos disappear, but Hazard follows me, letting out unhappy grumbles as he goes.

Hazard and I race through the streets, but where her scent splits, we pause. He follows it, so I continue to the car.

I’m almost there when a sound I’ve never heard before but recognise instantly bursts into the air. Casey’s cries terrify me. I race around the building, but there’s no entrance. I can hear her. My blood pounds. A trash can crashes, and she lets out another sharp cry.

I’m frantic, uncaring if I get seen. She’s here somewhere. I need to find her. Casey is hurt; I can smell her blood. Oh, god. What if I’m too late? There’s another cry.

It’s higher than the others and filled with pain. It sends chills through my body.

It’s cut off, and that scares me more.

Casey!

No.

I run and find an entrance to the alley. I race down it and around the corner. The monster in front of her is huge and the most wolf-like shifter I’ve ever seen. He’s human at the moment, but one hand has enclosed her entire throat. He’s got a body like a body builder, but his face is cruel and harsh. His clothes are filthy, and I smell old and fresh blood coming from him. His cock is hard and bulging obscenely against his jeans.

She looks like a rag doll in his grip, helpless against him. Her face is white, but bruises are already forming. She mouths something but no sound comes out.

How the hell does she even have a chance?

She could never have fought off a beast like this.

I let out a growl of challenge. His eyes find me right away. I know I don’t have the strength to fight him off, not in a space this small.

If I can give her enough time to escape, then it’s worth it.

It’s all worth it.

I love her.

So, I’ll die here if it means getting her out.

I’m sorry. I send that one last thought to the pack, I hope it’s enough. They will understand.

I feel the rage from four distinct directions, and they come for me, for us.

They won’t make it.

The pack is coming, they’ll get Casey out, and I will buy them the time.

I watch out of the corner of my eye, waiting to see if any of his wolves are loitering around. Jonas is much crueler when he has an audience.

He bites his bottom lip and looks me up and down in a way that leaves me feeling dirty.

Jonas’ face is weird–he’s had it broken in so many fights that even the rapid healing of the wolves can’t keep up–so his nose is wider and askew slightly to the right. His brows are thick over his eyes, which are a murky blue. He’s missing a front tooth and has thick dark hair that starts on his chest and back and covers every revolting inch of him.

I know because I’ve seen it way too many times.

You could shave him and create a wig for several people.

“Hi.” My voice is weak, breathless. He will probably think I’m impressed or intimidated. No, not at all, I’m terrified.

He approaches, and I take a step back. He pauses, a wide and evil smile spreading across his lips.

“Gave yourself away again, Cassidy.”

“My name is not Cassidy.”

He ignores me, reaching out like he might brush my hair, but, at the last second, his fingers clench. My scalp burns, but I’m dragged step by step until I can smell his fetid breath.

He’s wearing a shirt that smells of sweat and musk and jeans that are dirty and covered in dried blood.

“Where have you been?”

“Home.”

“I heard you’ve been going on dates? Did you ignore my warning?”

“I’m just meeting people.”

“You know you belong to me, and I don’t share.” He leans in close, pressing his forehead to my temple and growling a deep, violent warning.

I lower my eyes and tuck my shoulders, but he stays right there, pushing at me, refusing to let me go.

“I don’t like you going on dates, my dearest.”

I cringe. “Cindel is your mate-”

Jonas growls even deeper, his fingers tightening in my hair until I let out a whimper. It feels like he might tear my scalp off.

“That’s my girl,” he growls with deep satisfaction. “Whimper for me, whine for me, show me that you missed me.”

Fear has me paralyzed. I’m a hot mess, and the world is shaking, but I can’t move, not even an inch.

I remember my dad throwing my mum across the room. I remember the realisation that I was helpless physically against the wolves. A month later, I watched my dad’s current alpha kill my mother, and that’s when I realised how helpless I was over every aspect of my life. And that knowledge makes everything a thousand times more terrifying.

I’ve learned that fighting makes it worse. Talking back makes it worse. My father wants me to be obedient. Cindel wants to see me humiliated. But Jonas, he loves to see me hurting; my pain excites him, and he will go to extremes to get it.

He won’t be happy until he has succeeded.

So, I don’t pull away from him. I don’t close my eyes or do anything but stand there completely submitting to him.

“Now, tell me all about these dates of yours.”

He grips my nape and drags me towards the alley, his hand going to his jeans and flicking the button open.

I struggle, forgetting myself, and he laughs and picks me up under the arms and slams me against the wall so hard that I’m instantly dizzy.

“If you can put out for them, you can put out for me.”

“No, please.”

“Pweeeze,” he mocks. “Can you talk without a stutter and just be normal for once?”

I squeeze my eyes closed, trying to control my breathing. I might die, like I might just have a heart attack from sheer fear. My heart is beating so hard in my chest. No, I will endure this.

One thing I do have is an uncanny ability to heal incredibly fast.

“I-I didn’t do anything with them.”

He scowls darkly, violence almost dripping off him.

“I don’t believe you, whore.”

“Jonas, please.”

“You just keep begging, and it’s music to my ears.”

He drops me. I land hard, my knees buckling and sending me into his arms. He throws his head back and laughs as he leans down and kisses me. I manage to turn my head at the last minute so he kisses my cheek.

“You’re going to keep resisting?”

“It’s only a few more weeks, and then it will be official. I’ll be your ma-”

“Breeder,” Jonas whispers. “Everyone is going to call you my mate, but we all know I’m only using you for a breeder and a cum-dumpster.”

“I know,” I say quietly.

“My mate is the strongest female, the alpha who can rule by my side.”

I look up, meeting his eyes for the first time. “I know what I am, and I know what my future is.”

My words seem to enrage him even more. He leans down, his lips almost on mine. I tense, trying to work out what I said wrong.

“You’ll breed the next generation, your father and your mother’s strength paired with mine. You’ll make me a stronger alpha, and with Cindel by my side, we’ll put my children everywhere.”

“You want to destroy the neighbouring packs?” I ask in captivated horror. Just imagining him ruling more than this pack is a nightmare.

“I want to rule the world.”

Fire flares in me. “You aren’t fit to rule.”

He smashes his head into mine, leaving me with an agonizingly painful headache and hot blood running down my forehead. My cry is still ringing in my ears when I lift a hand to my head, but he’s not done; his large fingers wrap easily around my throat and squeeze.

I grab at his hand, but he lifts me off my feet, pinning me to the wall.

I can see the sweat stains on his clothes, smell the horrible stench of him; his eyes are slightly red-rimmed; he’s got long eyebrow hairs that curl over. All of it I see quickly, and I hate that these might be my final moments.

The pressure builds, and my lungs ache. I kick my feet, thrashing, but it does nothing. Everything starts going black, and then I hit something hard. The sound is so loud it couldn’t possibly be death.

I open my eyes and find myself lying in a pile of trash, with the metal trash bins scattered around me. Still rolling and screeching from where I sent them spinning.

“Remember who you are!” Jonas roars, spit spraying out of his mouth.

If there was ever a wolf that needed to be put down, it’s this one. He’s so unbelievably feral. I don’t know how my dad doesn’t see it. Or maybe he does, and he’s confused sociopathy with strength.

I claw my way up onto my hands and knees, struggling to breathe. I do a quick assessment, and I think I’ve got at least a broken rib, my trachea is bruised, and my wrist might be fractured.

I gingerly get to my feet, turning my back to the wall so I can face him as he stomps towards me.

“Look what you made me do!”

I don’t dare say anything, but when he reaches out, I flinch.

His expression darkens, and he shoves me in the chest, hard enough that I stumble over the trash and elbow the brick wall hard.

“Jonas,” I groan, trying to appeal to his intellect. Which is a futile effort because he seems even crazier than he used to be.

“I don’t think I’ll let you up to those mountains. I think I’ll just take you home now and collar you to the hole. Leave you there until you learn your place. Maybe I’ll let the other alphas have a run through you after I’ve broken you in.”

I cringe.

I shake my head, but he’s not listening. He lashes out, his hand closing around my throat again, but stops when he hears a fierce growl. I turn my head just slightly and spot Riot.

My relief and horror are equal. He looks so beautiful.

He stalks into the alley, his teeth exposed, his growl loud and threatening.

“Who the fuck are you?” Jonas miraculously puts two and two together and figures out that he’s with me. “Who is he? One of your dates?”

I edge back to the wall.

“He’s dead.”

“Jonas, please, just leave him-”

Jonas lashes out. The blow smashes into my face. I let out a pained yelp as I catch myself.

The aggressive alpha shifts, and, suddenly, there is a patchy grey wolf with nothing interesting about him but his size standing where the man vanished.

Riot snarls, and I have to admit, he looks savage. They charge and clash. I stumble towards them, but an arm wraps around me and drags me away. I fight, struggling against the hold, but it’s impossible to escape from.

“Easy, it’s me.”

“Wrath?” I sob in pure relief. “You have to help him.”

“He’ll be fine.”

“No, he won’t, help him. Jonas is the reigning champion alpha enforcer. He will break Riot. Please, please.”

“Fine, but you get in the car.”

“No, I have to-”

“That’s the deal. You get in the car and you go, and I go help Riot.”

I spin in his hold, meeting his eyes. One second, two.

“Okay.”

“Good girl, get in the car. Get home.”

He releases me, and I move swiftly towards where I left the car. I hear a wolf snarl in pain and whirl, tears blurring my eyes.

“Riot.”

I don’t know how I know it’s him, but I do.

I whirl back and see Wrath charge Jonas, but he’s wedged in, and Riot is growling, his neck between Jonas’ teeth.

No, this can’t be happening.

I need to do something.

“JONAS, STOP!”

He ignores me. I run back into the alley and throw myself on his back. My screams do nothing as he continues to shake Riot.

I see blood on the alley pavers.

Riot’s blood.

Our eyes lock, just for a second, a whole second.

He’s sorry.

He’s so sorry.

“No, I won’t let you do this!” I snarl.

A fury unlike anything I’ve ever felt rises in me. This unfit alpha is going to take one of mine.

He’s going to kill Riot and then me.

Wrath attacks, but it’s not enough.

If we had Khaos, we could stop him, but Khaos isn’t here.

They are going to die.

No.

I don’t think. I just act.

We’re all in town racing to find them, and the presence of the wolf pack is something you can feel in the air. I don’t care; I follow the pull of my pack and the smell of menthol through the streets until I find her truck.

I hear the growls and lunge towards the alley, only to see a giant wolf I don’t know tangling with a smaller wolf with dark fur tipped in silver. She’s gorgeous; I know her instantly.

My omega found her wolf.

I lunge towards the enemy and grab him by the throat, my teeth sinking deep, hot blood flooding my mouth. He’s big enough that he shakes me off, but the pack falls in. Riot attacking his flank, Wrath grabs a back leg and snaps the bone, Hazard appears and grabs the other side of his throat, while Khaos walks towards us on stiff legs.

We bring down our prey for the alpha to destroy. It’s a time-honoured show of respect and dedication to the pack as a whole.

I glance to the side and see her standing, her front legs spread wide, head hanging low, panting.

She starts to shake.

I can hold him, her enemy, or I can help her. I can’t do both.

She trembles, and she collapses to the ground, shaking all over. Shock. It can kill. I let go of the wolf. He breaks free of the hold, fighting his way out. Khaos surges past me, driving the feral wolf away.

I shift and kneel, lifting her into my arms, holding her close to my chest. Her fur is soft and thick, her body perfectly proportioned for a shifter. She’s heavy, but I have her.

“Breathe, Omega. You need to breathe.”

“Angel?” Riot says hoarsely.

I ignore him, carrying her quickly out of the alley to the truck. I climb in the back almost pulling the door off the hinges. We’re joined by Hazard in wolf form, who scrunches up until he’s almost leaning on me, making the vinyl seats creak. Riot gets in the passenger seat, while Khaos gets behind the wheel. There’s not much room with a wolf, but it’s enough. Just.

“Where’s Wrath?”

“He’ll meet us up there.”

“No!” I say sharply. “No one stays behind.”

As if he hears me, Wrath opens the door and climbs in. His face is severe, but I can almost feel the rage pouring off him.

“Get us out of here!” he spits out. “They are coming.”

Khaos puts the truck in drive and gets us turned around. He struggles with the truck, specifically the accelerator, until he gets it, and then, finally, we’re on the road up the mountain.

Khaos stops the truck right in front of the house. “Does anyone want to tell me what the hell happened?”

I’m so careful when I lift her out of the truck. She’s stopped shaking, but she’s got her nose buried in my throat.

“Clearly, Casey found her wolf,” Wrath spits out and slams the truck door.

Hazard gets out and sits down on the porch, putting his head in his hands. “What happened?”

“She tried to save us,” Riot says furiously. “That piece of shit beat her up, and then she still tried to save us.”

Khaos’ head jerks towards us. He really takes her in. She’s beautiful, as big as us, but with thicker fur. The strange colouring is so intriguing.

I snuggle her closer and then sit beside Hazard, who buries his face in her fur. He inhales deeply and lets out a rumbling purr.

She flinches but then relaxes more, soothed by the rattling sound my brother makes.

I stroke her fur, trying to will the safety that we have into her. Trying to show her with long, slow caresses that nothing is going to happen.

“You’re home, and you’re safe,” Wrath says and kneels down before her.

Riot stands back, watching, he looks exhausted.

Khaos paces back and forth, refusing to look at her.

“Khaos,” Riot warns.

“It changes nothing.”

Three words fall like a hammer coming down.

The silence stretches until, finally, Hazard scoops up the newly awakened wolf and walks inside with her.

“She doesn’t need to hear this,” he mumbles.

We wait until we hear the doors close and music comes on.

“It can’t change anything,” Khaos stresses.

“Look at her. She’s not just a wolf but an omega; when do you ever find one of those?” Riot hisses.

“You don’t because they are so rare and so damn dangerous,” Khaos shoots back. “Tempers, savage drive to destroy what they decide they hate. Unstoppable need to mate. You remember the mating heats? All the rumours? They can go through entire packs until the pack dies. During the heats, they are temperamental, they can and do slaughter any pack that comes to service them.”

“So what?” I grit out, furious at him for reminding us of this crap because that’s not her.

I know it’s not her. Casey is a protector and a caretaker. She would only fight if she had to. But I’m not even convinced she’d fight to protect herself.

“What about our other owners? They seemed fine too until they weren’t,” Khaos says, and I realise with shock that I’ve spoken out loud, and he’s answered me.

“That is out of line,” Wrath says in a malevolent hiss.

“Is it? Didn’t we think they were all okay? Gwendoline? Persephone? Lira, Wynnie? Didn’t they all seem harmless at first? And didn’t the power of the bracelet corrupt them one by one?”

I flinch hard, unwelcome reminders slamming into me. Hands run over my skin, tongues on my body, trying to force me to get hard. Punishing me when I couldn’t. Chains holding me down, mouths on my cock.

I turn and vomit.

Wrath makes an irritated sound. “Khaos,” he warns.

Riot stumbles and drops to his knees, the wounds are healing, but he needs to rest.

The door explodes open, and Hazard marches out, stepping in between Khaos and I, shielding me like he always does.

I reach out, pressing the backs of my knuckles to his ankle.

The tension eases in him, but he doesn’t step back.

Khaos throws us a furious look. “I’m not going to hurt him.”

Hazard still doesn’t move.

“Look, I don’t care what she is. She’s Casey. I’m more concerned about the fact that she was being beaten half to death when I found them.” Riot rakes his fingers through his hair and growls. “Serious injuries. He looked like he was going to kill her.”

Khaos is silent. “The pack here has a really awful reputation. I remember them now. The Foster Pack. I met Jonas when the packs met up a few years ago. He’s about ten years older than us and merciless. The pack is huge, and they are very traditional. They still believe in executions. We can buy some time because they won’t know how many of us are up here, but, eventually, they will come to remove us.”

A low growl rumbles out of me. They can fucking try it.

“While we are contained by the bracelet, we cannot confront them. We would lose.”

Khaos’ laying down of the law has me flinching. But I can see the logic and merit in it. I can see how we’d be sitting ducks.

Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

“We’re in enemy territory with the omega wolf that the pack just found out about?” Hazard asks. “You’re saying that us getting free is still the number one priority?”

“Yes, it has to be.” Khaos turns away, and I want to pretend I can’t feel the disgust and self-loathing through the bond, but it’s loud and clear, he hates this as much as we do.

“How badly are they going to want her?” I ask.

“They are going to be feral for her,” Khaos says quietly.

“So, what do we do? How can we protect her?” Hazard asks.

I don’t need to ask. I know Khaos’ answer. We don’t.

We’re as powerless as we’ve been for four years with thirteen owners. We have no choice.

But Casey…she’s got even less power than we do.

I wake up overheated. I sit up and find I’ve got a man wrapped around me on one side and a large red wolf pressed against me from the other side. Wrath grips my arm and pulls me easily back down onto his chest.

“Where are you going?” he mumbles sleepily.

“Nowhere.”

“Good. Stay here.”

I lay my head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. “We need to get this curse undone yesterday. It’s the only answer that doesn’t end with the six of us dead.”

Wrath and Hazard stiffen.

“You are all doom and gloom first thing in the morning, aren’t you?” Wrath teases, stroking a hand down my spine. “We will sort it out.”

I blink back tears. “My mother was an omega wolf. I know what the pack did to her. You can’t be here when they come for me.”

“Then we all leave.”

The wave of hope that hits me is stronger than I expected, leaving my head spinning.

“We can’t get across the borders; the packs will bring me back. I’ve tried.”

Wrath curses.

“We will find an answer.”

I bury my face in his chest and try to hold back the emotion, but my body starts to get this full-body tremble that I can’t stop. “I have a wolf,” I whisper in horror.

What Jonas will do to me now, I have no idea, but it won’t be pretty. He will never let me go.

“You are a wolf.”

Hazard puts his furry face against mine. I throw an arm around his neck and cling to him in desperation.

“First things first. Tomorrow we teach you everything you need to know about shifting.”

“Tomorrow, I have another date,” I whisper in protest.

Wrath hesitates, his disapproval flooding the air. “Fine. But we will all sit down and talk about everything, including why that alpha was trying to beat you senseless.”

I lay there for a long time, holding onto him. Wishing that a million things could be different but knowing they aren’t, and no matter how much we might wish, some things aren’t going to change.

My date, Mike Sanderson, comes to my house. He’s funny and charming, and he shows the right level of interest in all things. Mike notices the wolves; he doesn’t pick any orifices. He’s neat and clean and smells okay, and he’s not drugged.

All pluses in his column. And yet, there is something off about him.

I struggle not to yawn when he speaks. He sips his coffee and talks about his job but gives very little details. His story is perfectly ironed out, and I can’t find a single hole in anything.

Which should be good.

And yet…

The three hours he spends before I can politely convince him to leave are excruciatingly slow. Wrath has been lying at my feet the whole time, his bulk pressing into my legs, a relief and a reminder of what we both stand to win or lose.

“So, for our date tomorrow, shall we go out to Erebus Pass?”

My eyebrows shoot up. That’s a day’s drive away and completely isolated. “Uh, that’s pretty far away, and I have to look after the dogs.”

“Oh, nonsense, it will be fun. We can bring a blanket and have a romantic lunch, and if one thing leads to another, we can make out. I’d love to see you looking so beautiful out in the wild.”

Isn’t my mountain wild enough? Erebus Pass is notoriously dangerous. People fall off the cliffs all the time. My nerves twang, and I find myself watching him intently. All the warnings that had been chiming are now peeling in my mind, huge alarm bells.

“I don’t think so.”

Mike’s smile slips. It shouldn’t mean anything, but the slip of the smile transforms him. His eyes are sharp, predatory, and he watches me with a little too much interest and intent to dismiss.

“I really want you to come with me.”

“No.”

His face darkens, and he takes half a step towards me, inhaling so he appears bigger. The mask of whoever he was pretending to be has completely slipped away, and I realise the man inside my house at the moment is a monster.

“So, you got me out here just to tease me? You are one of those women?”

I shudder, my neck prickling. The wolf inside me snaps and snarls, demanding freedom to rip him apart.

I consider it.

Khaos walks into the room, huge and menacing. The fur on his back stands in a thick line as he exposes his teeth.

The other four, who have been leveling up their aggression, take their cue from him, openly showing their anger.

“Uh, the dogs seem stirred up. Let’s call it a day, shall we, and I’ll contact you?” I smile and wave at him, hoping he will take a hint and get the hell out of my house.

I don’t want to have to clean up blood; you never quite get all of it out of the woodwork.

He leans forward, but Wrath gets in between us and bounces up, snapping his teeth where Mike’s face was. He’s almost as tall as a person when he stands. I wrap my arms around him from behind and throw my entire weight backwards when he goes in for a second attempt.

My date finally seems to register the danger he’s in, but he just smiles that creepy ass smile.

“Your dogs should be mounted on walls.”

The sentence takes a second to compute.

“What?”

Mike smiles wider, knowing he’s unnerved me. “The only good wolf is a dead one.”

I struggle to hold Wrath back, but Mike just casually walks to the front door, unconcerned.

Holy crap, I think he might be one of those wolf hunters we all hear about.

“Perhaps we should be happy to call this the one that got away?” Mike says and shrugs. “Don’t come back into my world, little wolf, I’d hate to have to kill you.”

I gape at him as he walks out the door and leaves.

Khaos shifts back and finally releases whatever growled command he had on the pack.

Riot shoves into him. “He deserved to die!”

“Yes, he did.”

“Why did you stop me?”

“Because his dying would have come back on Casey, not us.”

Riot freezes. “Oh.”

“We think before we murder, Riot,” Khaos grumbles and turns to me. “Are you all right?”

I hold on to Wrath until I hear the car disappear, and then I let him go and fall back onto the couch.

Khaos grabs my shoulders and gives a little shake.

“You don’t go anywhere with that man. You hear me.”

I snarl. “I’m not stupid enough to go out with Serial Killer Mike or whatever his name is.”

Khaos blinks and smiles widely. “We’ll take care of him. How did you know?”

“He gave no details about his life. You can’t contact him during certain hours. He looks perfect on paper. He wants to go out bush on the second date. I’m female, not dumb.”

“Well, then. Just so you are aware. But, for reference, that smell on his clothes is commonly used to remove blood, and he had defense marks on his neck.”

I close my eyes because he needs to be destroyed. Clearly, he needs to be killed.

“You need to be more assertive.”

I roll my eyes and curl into the couch. “Be gone, oh, dark and growly.”

“Dark and growly?” I hear Khaos murmur in amusement.

I smile into the couch cushions. I like when I can hear the smile in his voice. “You have another date tonight.”

I sit up slowly and turn to glare unhappily at Khaos. “Another one? Tonight?”

“Yes.”

I groan and go into the kitchen. This is cruel and unusual. I had better get the dinner on now, otherwise we won’t be eating. I start chopping vegetables when Riot comes into the kitchen.

I very nearly slice my thumb clean off.

“Riot, where are your clothes?” I sound faint and slightly panicked, but he’s naked. Oh, my god, he is hung.

He raises an eyebrow and drags himself up onto the bench beside me. I exhale through my nose and try to cut the carrots, but I can barely focus. His legs are tanned and muscled. I didn’t think there was anything sexy about a man’s legs, yet here I am, admiring every long line.

Which leads me to another long line that is getting longer. I swallow hard at my first view of his erect cock. He reaches down and lazily tugs it.

“You are naked in my kitchen, where we prepare food,” I rasp out. “With…with…that!”

Riot simply grins back lazily.

“I have a date tonight.”

“How about we bring your tension down?”

“You’re causing my tension,” I point out acidly.

I walk past him, and he grabs me, bringing me into the V of his legs, where I try very hard to ignore what is painfully, obviously pointing in my direction. I peer up at those golden eyes, refusing to look anywhere else.

“I don’t want you to go.”

“I have to.”

“No, you don’t. You could stay here with us.”

I chuckle at the thought of Khaos’ response. “Riot…” I slide my arms around his back and press my face to his shoulder, still ignoring the hard cock pressed to my waist. “Freedom is more important. Your freedom is important.”

I pull away but only make it two steps before he snags my waist and turns me so I’m facing him and shoves a thigh between my legs. He pulls me up by my ass until I’m on my tiptoes. I grip the counter to keep my balance, but he’s just so hard everywhere, and the friction on my already aching pussy melts my brain.

My nostrils flare, and my mouth falls open as I grab onto him so I don’t fall.

“You want us.” He says it with pleasure, as if it’s a surprise. “You’re fighting us so badly so we can be free, but you want us. I promise, I won’t hurt you ever. All I want to do is make you feel good.”

His fingers curl into my ass and pull harder, dragging me up. I gasp, my back arching.

“I could make you feel good, just for now,” Riot murmurs and kisses his way down the front of my throat. “I don’t have enough hands,” he growls.

“Riot,” Khaos groans in exasperation. “She has to get ready for the date. Let her go.”

Riot growls, and his fingers clamp tighter, lifting me off my feet. My eyes widen as all my weight is now supported by the hot heat of his thigh at the apex of where all my brains have suddenly disappeared to.

“Let. Her. Go.” Khaos growls, and this time, his voice is darker, deeper.

I’m slowly lowered to the ground, but I reach out to Riot, holding on to him to keep me upright. My cunt is throbbing. My nipples are aching. I need…more.

A plea is on my lips, only held back by the memory of Khaos’ growl.

His arms hang by his side, and I take three seconds more before I find the strength I know I have inside me and step back.

Without looking at Khaos, I lick my lips and speak. “Can you sort out the rest of dinner?”

“I’ll get someone on it,” Khaos says gently.

I walk stiffly out of the room and head to my bedroom. Getting ready is something I do slowly, taking my time to prepare myself, and then I go out and get into the truck, Khaos sitting beside me.

“Are the others sitting this out?”

“I think it’s for the best.”

I start the truck and pull out of the drive, heading into town.

“You can’t encourage them,” Khaos says.

I whip my head in his direction, sure I misheard him.

“I’m not encouraging them.”

“You are, maybe you don’t mean to. But they can’t help but want you. But if you want this to work, you can’t form attachments with them.”

“I hear you, Khaos.”

“Do you?”

“Yes. No attachments. Got it.”

“Good.”

We fall silent until we get to town. “I’ll park here. I’m meeting, what’s this guy’s name? Frank? Yeah, Frank in that café.”

I breathe through my nose and loosen my fingers on the steering wheel.

“Why are you so nervous?”

“Uh, because I don’t date, and you keep setting me up with weirdos. Just wondering what disaster is on the menu today.” I glare at him and push open my door. I take a deep breath and slip out of the truck.

I can tell instantly that none of the pack are here. The town has a whole feel when they are present. My nerves twang, though, and I hesitate when I normally wouldn’t. The memory of Jonas’ rage has me gun-shy.

I walk into the café, looking for the man I dimly remember from the photos. He stands up when he sees me, his eyes running over me, and his expression closing off.

I take the seat he offers, wincing inwardly as he steps back. His eyes light up when another woman walks past though, following her as she walks through the café.

Ah, I get it. I lean back in my chair and watch him carefully. I should be annoyed to be wasting my time, but it gives me some breathing room from the oppressive scents and sounds of the pack.

“So, uh. I can see you’re pretty nervous,” he says quietly, still not quite looking at me.

“Yep. I don’t do this.”

“I think maybe this is too much stress for you. Maybe we should end the night here. Yeah, I think that’s for the best. You are way too wound up. It won’t be pleasant for you if we can’t talk. I’m doing this for your benefit, thinking only of you.”

I stare at him, astounded. His hands twitch on the coffee table, and his eyes dance around the café, barely pausing.

“Are you strung out?”

He jerks his head. “NO! Of course not. I can just tell, feel how anxious you are. There’s no point going on a date with someone who can’t be themselves.”

I’m not nervous, though; a deadly kind of calm has come over me.

“Fine. I’m going to go.”

“Good. I mean, it was great meeting you, and I really hope you match with someone when you feel less stressed.”

It’s a good thing I’m wearing boots because if I were wearing stilettos, I might put them through his skull or the café floor.

I get back into the truck and sit there. Ten minutes pass, and I see another woman walk into the café. Fifteen minutes later, the thin, beautiful redhead and he leave together.

Booty call. I wasn’t even good enough for a booty call.

The passenger door opens, and Khaos hops into the truck. “Over already?”

I start the truck; he just gets the door shut before I drive off. I don’t say a word. My anger is next level. A throbbing mass of insecurities, pain, and self-loathing.

He tries to speak to me several times, but I’m lost in my thoughts, lost in my rage. We get home, I get out of the truck and walk into the house. I’m immediately confronted by four giant alphas. I recoil and then push my way past them.

“Casey!”

“Leave me alone!” I shout.

I go into my room and lock the door, but because I can’t keep them out, I go into the bathroom and lock that door, too. I stare at myself in the mirror and scream in rage.

The door flies open, and Wrath appears in the dark rectangle of space. Our eyes meet, and I turn, lifting my fist. He grabs it and pulls me close.

“What did he do?”

“Nothing,” I snarl. “He took one look at me and rejected me. He thought I was fat. Ugly. I don’t know, just not what he wanted. And then he said it was because I was too stressed. I was too anxious. But I wasn’t. I was angry. I hate these dates and that they make me feel so unworthy.”

Wrath snarls back at me. “Who cares what he thinks?”

I tug myself free, pacing in the small space. “I hate feeling like I want to hurt people.”

“Really, I love it.”

I stare at him and then lunge forward, grabbing his neck and crushing our lips together.

“I’m not supposed to form attachments. I’m not supposed to want you.”

“Fuck everyone,” Wrath growls back.

Wrath tastes like violence and aggression. He seizes control of the kiss while his hands find the button on my jeans, flicking it open. He drags them down, while I rake my fingers through his silver hair, pulling hard. His fingers slide inside me, and I hiss, biting his throat.

He growls, and the sound vibrates against my teeth. He viciously pulls me off him, turning me around.

“Is this what you need?” Wrath hisses, shoving his jeans down and leaning over me.

“Yes,” I snarl back.

In the mirror, the light of my wolf shines through my eyes.

He slams inside me. I arch back against him, crying out. This is what I need. I didn’t even know I needed. He bites into my shoulder, and I throw my head back as his hands grab my breasts, kneading them hard, the pleasure is pain, and the pain is the most exquisite pleasure.

“Fuck these people who don’t want you. Fuck them all. I want you. I want you so much I could spend the rest of my life buried right here in this spot and never come out again.”

I clench around him; the words seeping past the poison, past the wall of rage, and reaching deep inside me.

I cry out; the orgasm comes too fast and sudden to anticipate. He holds me through it, continuing to thrust slowly into me, never stopping.

“Good, that’s good. Feels better, doesn’t it?”

He reaches around me and rips open my shirt, then snaps the front opening clasp of my bra. He reaches up and pulls and teases my nipples, sending heat coiling inside me.

“That’s it, tighten around me, you little tease. Tell me you like it.”

“I like it.”

“I need more,” Wrath purrs.

“I really like it, now move, Wrath.” I whine. With a frustrated growl, I grab his hand and slide it down to my clit.

He strokes my clit with painful slowness, then with a dark chuckle, thrusts up into me, bringing me to my toes.

I let out a strangled groan as I feel so full, so complete. This feels right. Khaos be damned.

“Right, put your hands on the sink and hold on now.”

I let go of his wrist and brace myself on the mirror instead. He smiles evilly over my shoulder. He starts moving again, slowly, and then with increasing thrusts, pounding into me. I hang on as best I can as my body coils tighter and tighter.

He starts growling, growing steadily more feral, his thrusts becoming erratic. His hand dips between my thighs, skating over my clit. My body tightens instantly, almost locking onto him.

“Look at me!”

I force my eyes open as the tide of my pleasure spasms through me. He thrusts twice, out of control, deeper than before, and then I feel his hot seed pumping into me. His groan is one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen.

And still, our eyes remained locked.

He pants and kisses my shoulder. “That’s how much I want you.”

Over his shoulder, Angel appears, studies us, and disappears again. I shift my gaze back to Wrath and try to understand why Angel looked so satisfied with Wrath being buried inside me.

But then Wrath pulls out and drops to his knees, and I stop thinking altogether.

The car pulls up, and I recognise it by sound. For one second, I allow myself to feel pure panic, and then I shove it deep down inside me and spring up from the couch, throwing myself across the room. I grab the menthol spray and spray it everywhere, then I scramble, doing up my shirt and leaping towards the hallway.

I throw a hand out at the two men following me.

“Please stop. I need everyone to stay in the bedrooms. Please. I’ll explain later.”

Riot’s eyes darken, and he takes a step. “Who just arrived?”

“Please. Just this once, can you listen to me?” I beg, I plead, but this confrontation could go a couple of ways, and I might be able to buy us some time if they just stay in the bedroom.

“No matter what you hear, don’t come out,” I whisper.

Wrath pauses, looking me up and down. I can see him thinking intently, weighing his options, and then he turns abruptly and goes back into the bedroom. The others take their cue from him and follow him.

I glance around. It’s tidy enough. No one would know there are five shifters in the other room.

I open the door a moment after my father knocks. He barges in, shoving me up against the wall.

Not a good start.

“Sit down on the couch,” he barks at me.

I obey like his order doesn’t grate on my last nerve. My legs are stiff as I move so I’m sitting on the couch, legs together, hands on my knees, and my eyes fixed on the floor.

He paces, letting the tension build and then some.

“Now, I’ve been hearing some things in town.”

I heave a sigh and then have to bite back a growl when my stepmother and two half sisters come in, followed by Cindel’s bodyguard slash fuck friend, Preston. He’s a whiny little bitch who thinks the only way to achieve greatness is to sleep your way to the top. If my father swung that way, he would be warming my father’s bed, not Cindel’s.

Preston’s got grey hair, but looks young and pretty rather than handsome, but he’s meaner than a snake.

My stepmother stands next to my father and taps her foot. She is the pure picture of Cindel, but older. And she hates me. I get it; my father fucked around on her and knocked up the help and the pack’s disgusting omega wolf. It cost my stepmother her place in the pack. The shame of it is something she’s never forgiven, and she’s taught her daughter where to hate, too.

“Look at me,” she spits out, clearly wishing she didn’t have to speak to me directly at all.

I lift my head obediently. She’s gloriously naturally blonde, small and petite, but her face is sharper in a way her daughters isn’t. Alora isn’t a beauty. She’s too mean.

“You have disgraced our pack. These lies about you being an omega wolf have got to stop.”

“I went on a date. That’s all I did. I don’t know what you’re talking about-”

My father’s hand cracks across my face.

I transfer my glare to him. “Why are you hitting me?” I ask my father, cupping my cheek where it’s turned numb.

His eyes widen and then narrow, but I think I see fear there.

“You will not go on any more dates. The pack has decided who you will breed with. Jonas is waiting for you. This nonsense of a wolf suddenly coming to you will stop.”

I bark a hysterical laugh. “I’m not breeding with the pack.”

“Oh, yes you are,” Cindel sneers at me. She imitates her mother, copying the pose almost exactly. Ellen, on the other hand, hangs back, yawning. She looks nervous.

Not a good sign.

“I will die first.”

“I can arrange that, you useless bitch!” My father roars.

There’s a warning growl as my father’s hand lifts again, and I see my five wolves appear from every corner. They stalk towards my family, who gather in a tight group.

No! No! I begged them. I told them not to.

“What is this? You’re consorting with another pack? Have you whored yourself out to them?”

I shake my head, ignoring my father’s drivel.

Cindel whimpers as Angel fixes her with a stare that promises death.

I study my wolves intently, wishing they hadn’t been so stupid, but it’s done now. I have to roll with it.

I stand up, embracing who I am. “Father. Do you know what I am?” I smile.

The fear flashes in his eyes again. “No, you aren’t. We tested you.”

I smile and let the wolf come to the surface. “I am my mother’s daughter.”

He wheezes and recoils, protecting his flabby belly as he jumps away from Wrath’s wild snap.

“I’m not mating in your pack. There is not a single wolf in there that I couldn’t chew up and spit out. So, let’s strike a bargain. I will stay up here. If I take a mate, we will stay up here. I won’t come down and shred your pack, and you will all leave me alone.”

Cindel snarls. “You’ll be punished for this. We won’t allow this.”

“Hush!” my father barks, but he’s not Cindel’s alpha, and the command rolls over Cindel with no power.

No, Jonas is the problem. I have no idea why he hasn’t killed my father and taken over yet.

They rush out of my house. I walk outside and over to their car, tearing through the metal with my claws.

Cindel shrieks, her anger overcoming her. She shifts, revealing a blonde wolf. I look at my father and let him see just how happy she’s made me and shift.

The truth about omega wolves is we are uncontrollable, insatiable, reckless, dangerous, loyal, fierce. We don’t answer to alphas. We’re stronger, faster, and more in touch with our wolves. I remember everything my mother ever taught me.

So, I lower my head, allowing my wolf and I to blend seamlessly, and then I stare at my father.

“You’re a monster,” he whispers.

I lift my lips, baring my teeth.

His face drains of colour so fast I think he might faint. He grabs his alpha mate and their daughters and bundles them into the car. I turn to watch them leaving until I relax and shake out my fur.

Only then do I turn to face the temptation that fate has thrown my way. Wrath walks forward with no caution, no fear, touching his nose to my neck.

I feel it in the air now, the electricity, the sparks. I can see the rainbow hue around each of them.

No.

No, that’s not fair.

Oh, god, that’s really, really not fair.

Angel walks on his toes, pausing, his eyes intent. Riot and Hazard seem happy, but Khaos stands stock still. His devastation matches my own.

Our eyes meet across the distance, and he lowers his head, almost like he’s defeated. I know how he feels.

I change back, and he does, too.

We stare at each other.

“You’re our fated mate,” he whispers.

I can feel the tentative bond hanging in the air. We’ll have twelve months to seal our union. The bonds will stay like this until we embrace them or reject them. One chance. No one ever gets another.

“Yes,” I whisper and look away.

I stand before him, waiting to see his reaction, when he turns away and sits down on my porch with his head in his hands, my heart does this strange, painful tear.

“So, it’s our fated love or freedom?” He laughs softly, bitterly, and I wish I could fix it for him.

I sit on the grass, my legs feeling wobbly. I don’t trust them to keep me upright.

Wrath wraps his arms around me from behind and sniffs at my neck. “Did your father slap you? Shall I eat him?”

I snicker. “No. You’ll get worms.”

Wrath licks my neck, and goosebumps break out across my skin.

“This is mine,” Wrath growls.

“Ours,” Angel snaps, his eyes glinting as he creeps closer and crouches in front of me, really staring at me.

He is so beautiful. The connection between us that was once one of hatred and suspicion is filled with affection, awe, and respect. I understand Angel in a way I don’t think the others ever will. He has to come to me, and he’s here, approaching. Claiming.

He breaks my heart.

Wrath’s hands tighten, and I tap them lightly. He releases me, and I walk over to kneel before Khaos.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know either.”

He lifts his head; his face just appears exhausted. “Casey.”

That’s all he says, just my name. I shift forward and put a hand on his knee; he wraps his own over the top and squeezes.

Fuck. I blink away tears and take a moment to swallow hard.

“Who’s next on the list?” I whisper.

Khaos looks at me with such sadness. “Brian. His name is Brian.”

The others have stiffened behind me. Tension that crashes their little fantasy into a million pieces.

I stand up and turn to stare at the others. “You can’t really be fated mates to someone if you’re in literal chains to them.”

“I could,” Wrath snaps.

“No, you couldn’t. Because there will always be a worry, a niggling concern wondering when I will use these chains to break you. The power discrepancy between us would be wrong. No one can start an honest relationship like that.”

“So, what do you want to do, reject us?” The horror in his voice makes me ache for them.

I heave a sigh and look skyward. “No,” I say honestly. “That’s not what I want, but I also know any permanent thing between us is impossible while I wear this.” I hold up the cuff. “We have a year. Let’s go ahead with the plan.”

“You want us to watch our fated mate fall in love with someone else?” Hazard shouts at me.

He’s furious, more furious than the others.

“You are a once in a lifetime, and you want to throw it away?” Hazard roars. “What is wrong with you two?”

I wince. “Hazard, I’m sorry-”

He throws his hand up and spins, shifting, and vanishes into the trees. Angel follows him.

“What exactly do I need? Love or just a mate? A companion or family? Can you clarify that or do you just have a general feeling?”

Khaos stands up behind me and circles me so we’re standing shoulder to shoulder, watching the spot where the twins vanished. “I don’t know; it keeps shifting.”

“So let’s play it by ear. We have some time. Let’s see if we can find some way of getting this thing off.”

Riot walks up to me and grabs me by the shoulders. His eyes are blazing. “I’m not going to help you fall in love with someone else.”

I glare up at him. “Then you won’t ever be free.”

“I don’t care.”

“You say that now.”

“I won’t ever care.”

I shake my head. “But what about them?” I fling my hands out to the others. In the direction Hazard and Angel ran off in, looking so broken and torn, to Khaos so exhausted, to Wrath, who is still heaving with anger. “Not one of you can decide for all of you. It’s all or none. Now, I’m going inside to get ready to meet Brett…Brenton…no, Brian.”

The car pulls up, and I recognise it by sound. For one second, I allow myself to feel pure panic, and then I shove it deep down inside me and spring up from the couch, throwing myself across the room. I grab the menthol spray and spray it everywhere, then I scramble, doing up my shirt and leaping towards the hallway.

I throw a hand out at the two men following me.

“Please stop. I need everyone to stay in the bedrooms. Please. I’ll explain later.”

Riot’s eyes darken, and he takes a step. “Who just arrived?”

“Please. Just this once, can you listen to me?” I beg, I plead, but this confrontation could go a couple of ways, and I might be able to buy us some time if they just stay in the bedroom.

“No matter what you hear, don’t come out,” I whisper.

Wrath pauses, looking me up and down. I can see him thinking intently, weighing his options, and then he turns abruptly and goes back into the bedroom. The others take their cue from him and follow him.

I glance around. It’s tidy enough. No one would know there are five shifters in the other room.

I open the door a moment after my father knocks. He barges in, shoving me up against the wall.

Not a good start.

“Sit down on the couch,” he barks at me.

I obey like his order doesn’t grate on my last nerve. My legs are stiff as I move so I’m sitting on the couch, legs together, hands on my knees, and my eyes fixed on the floor.

He paces, letting the tension build and then some.

“Now, I’ve been hearing some things in town.”

I heave a sigh and then have to bite back a growl when my stepmother and two half sisters come in, followed by Cindel’s bodyguard slash fuck friend, Preston. He’s a whiny little bitch who thinks the only way to achieve greatness is to sleep your way to the top. If my father swung that way, he would be warming my father’s bed, not Cindel’s.

Preston’s got grey hair, but looks young and pretty rather than handsome, but he’s meaner than a snake.

My stepmother stands next to my father and taps her foot. She is the pure picture of Cindel, but older. And she hates me. I get it; my father fucked around on her and knocked up the help and the pack’s disgusting omega wolf. It cost my stepmother her place in the pack. The shame of it is something she’s never forgiven, and she’s taught her daughter where to hate, too.

“Look at me,” she spits out, clearly wishing she didn’t have to speak to me directly at all.

I lift my head obediently. She’s gloriously naturally blonde, small and petite, but her face is sharper in a way her daughters isn’t. Alora isn’t a beauty. She’s too mean.

“You have disgraced our pack. These lies about you being an omega wolf have got to stop.”

“I went on a date. That’s all I did. I don’t know what you’re talking about-”

My father’s hand cracks across my face.

I transfer my glare to him. “Why are you hitting me?” I ask my father, cupping my cheek where it’s turned numb.

His eyes widen and then narrow, but I think I see fear there.

“You will not go on any more dates. The pack has decided who you will breed with. Jonas is waiting for you. This nonsense of a wolf suddenly coming to you will stop.”

I bark a hysterical laugh. “I’m not breeding with the pack.”

“Oh, yes you are,” Cindel sneers at me. She imitates her mother, copying the pose almost exactly. Ellen, on the other hand, hangs back, yawning. She looks nervous.

Not a good sign.

“I will die first.”

“I can arrange that, you useless bitch!” My father roars.

There’s a warning growl as my father’s hand lifts again, and I see my five wolves appear from every corner. They stalk towards my family, who gather in a tight group.

No! No! I begged them. I told them not to.

“What is this? You’re consorting with another pack? Have you whored yourself out to them?”

I shake my head, ignoring my father’s drivel.

Cindel whimpers as Angel fixes her with a stare that promises death.

I study my wolves intently, wishing they hadn’t been so stupid, but it’s done now. I have to roll with it.

I stand up, embracing who I am. “Father. Do you know what I am?” I smile.

The fear flashes in his eyes again. “No, you aren’t. We tested you.”

I smile and let the wolf come to the surface. “I am my mother’s daughter.”

He wheezes and recoils, protecting his flabby belly as he jumps away from Wrath’s wild snap.

“I’m not mating in your pack. There is not a single wolf in there that I couldn’t chew up and spit out. So, let’s strike a bargain. I will stay up here. If I take a mate, we will stay up here. I won’t come down and shred your pack, and you will all leave me alone.”

Cindel snarls. “You’ll be punished for this. We won’t allow this.”

“Hush!” my father barks, but he’s not Cindel’s alpha, and the command rolls over Cindel with no power.

No, Jonas is the problem. I have no idea why he hasn’t killed my father and taken over yet.

They rush out of my house. I walk outside and over to their car, tearing through the metal with my claws.

Cindel shrieks, her anger overcoming her. She shifts, revealing a blonde wolf. I look at my father and let him see just how happy she’s made me and shift.

The truth about omega wolves is we are uncontrollable, insatiable, reckless, dangerous, loyal, fierce. We don’t answer to alphas. We’re stronger, faster, and more in touch with our wolves. I remember everything my mother ever taught me.

So, I lower my head, allowing my wolf and I to blend seamlessly, and then I stare at my father.

“You’re a monster,” he whispers.

I lift my lips, baring my teeth.

His face drains of colour so fast I think he might faint. He grabs his alpha mate and their daughters and bundles them into the car. I turn to watch them leaving until I relax and shake out my fur.

Only then do I turn to face the temptation that fate has thrown my way. Wrath walks forward with no caution, no fear, touching his nose to my neck.

I feel it in the air now, the electricity, the sparks. I can see the rainbow hue around each of them.

No.

No, that’s not fair.

Oh, god, that’s really, really not fair.

Angel walks on his toes, pausing, his eyes intent. Riot and Hazard seem happy, but Khaos stands stock still. His devastation matches my own.

Our eyes meet across the distance, and he lowers his head, almost like he’s defeated. I know how he feels.

I change back, and he does, too.

We stare at each other.

“You’re our fated mate,” he whispers.

I can feel the tentative bond hanging in the air. We’ll have twelve months to seal our union. The bonds will stay like this until we embrace them or reject them. One chance. No one ever gets another.

“Yes,” I whisper and look away.

I stand before him, waiting to see his reaction, when he turns away and sits down on my porch with his head in his hands, my heart does this strange, painful tear.

“So, it’s our fated love or freedom?” He laughs softly, bitterly, and I wish I could fix it for him.

I sit on the grass, my legs feeling wobbly. I don’t trust them to keep me upright.

Wrath wraps his arms around me from behind and sniffs at my neck. “Did your father slap you? Shall I eat him?”

I snicker. “No. You’ll get worms.”

Wrath licks my neck, and goosebumps break out across my skin.

“This is mine,” Wrath growls.

“Ours,” Angel snaps, his eyes glinting as he creeps closer and crouches in front of me, really staring at me.

He is so beautiful. The connection between us that was once one of hatred and suspicion is filled with affection, awe, and respect. I understand Angel in a way I don’t think the others ever will. He has to come to me, and he’s here, approaching. Claiming.

He breaks my heart.

Wrath’s hands tighten, and I tap them lightly. He releases me, and I walk over to kneel before Khaos.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know either.”

He lifts his head; his face just appears exhausted. “Casey.”

That’s all he says, just my name. I shift forward and put a hand on his knee; he wraps his own over the top and squeezes.

Fuck. I blink away tears and take a moment to swallow hard.

“Who’s next on the list?” I whisper.

Khaos looks at me with such sadness. “Brian. His name is Brian.”

The others have stiffened behind me. Tension that crashes their little fantasy into a million pieces.

I stand up and turn to stare at the others. “You can’t really be fated mates to someone if you’re in literal chains to them.”

“I could,” Wrath snaps.

“No, you couldn’t. Because there will always be a worry, a niggling concern wondering when I will use these chains to break you. The power discrepancy between us would be wrong. No one can start an honest relationship like that.”

“So, what do you want to do, reject us?” The horror in his voice makes me ache for them.

I heave a sigh and look skyward. “No,” I say honestly. “That’s not what I want, but I also know any permanent thing between us is impossible while I wear this.” I hold up the cuff. “We have a year. Let’s go ahead with the plan.”

“You want us to watch our fated mate fall in love with someone else?” Hazard shouts at me.

He’s furious, more furious than the others.

“You are a once in a lifetime, and you want to throw it away?” Hazard roars. “What is wrong with you two?”

I wince. “Hazard, I’m sorry-”

He throws his hand up and spins, shifting, and vanishes into the trees. Angel follows him.

“What exactly do I need? Love or just a mate? A companion or family? Can you clarify that or do you just have a general feeling?”

Khaos stands up behind me and circles me so we’re standing shoulder to shoulder, watching the spot where the twins vanished. “I don’t know; it keeps shifting.”

“So let’s play it by ear. We have some time. Let’s see if we can find some way of getting this thing off.”

Riot walks up to me and grabs me by the shoulders. His eyes are blazing. “I’m not going to help you fall in love with someone else.”

I glare up at him. “Then you won’t ever be free.”

“I don’t care.”

“You say that now.”

“I won’t ever care.”

I shake my head. “But what about them?” I fling my hands out to the others. In the direction Hazard and Angel ran off in, looking so broken and torn, to Khaos so exhausted, to Wrath, who is still heaving with anger. “Not one of you can decide for all of you. It’s all or none. Now, I’m going inside to get ready to meet Brett…Brenton…no, Brian.”

I sit at the dinner table and smile at my date. He’s nice. If you ignore the fact that he stinks of another woman.

He’s got a whole sob story, too. His ex has done a number on him; she’s crazy. He’s going to be divorced soon, but it’s been two years of drawn-out hell. She’s ruining his life. He, too, likes to live alone, and he’s just looking for a new start. Everything I think I’m supposed to want to hear.

He works long hours, but he assures me that if he wants to make time, he will make time.

It’s just…I’m surprised you can’t see her pussy juices shining on his face, he stinks so much. Did he even wash or come straight here?

“Do you want to go for a drive?”

Did I want to go for a drive with him? Not particularly. I want to go home to my wolves. Time is crawling, but I think I’ve been here long enough. I pull out my phone and scroll through social media until I find his name. I click twice, follow the links, and find his beautiful fiancée. All in under five minutes.

“Does she know you’re here? She’s really beautiful. And a teacher.”

He looks down at my phone, and his face pales. He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing while his hands clench on the table.

I stand up and walk out of the restaurant.

He grabs my arm and swings me around to face him. “Don’t fucking say anything?”

I sneer at him and pull my arm free. “You suck at this whole cheating thing, so maybe if you’re this bad at it, you should consider not doing it.”

“It will kill her to find out.”

“No, it won’t. It will just be awful for a while until she finds someone with a goddamn shred of respect for her and themselves.”

He lifts his hand, but he’s ripped back away from me faster than I can blink.

Khaos glances over his shoulder, his burning eyes finding me. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He leans forward and growls. The sound terrifies the idiot he has pinned to the wall, but it does horrible, awful, amazing things to me.

That sound makes me want to roll naked in the grass and do whatever I can to make it happen again.

I miss the next part because I’m stuck in the fantasies and rubbing my thighs together. But Khaos returns to my side and takes my elbow gently.

“Ready to go home?”

“Uh-huh.”

He stops, and I turn to face him. “Stop…doing that.”

“Doing what?” I murmur quietly.

“Purring.”

His words cut the sound off as I realise what I’m doing. Shit.

We climb into my truck and drive out of the town, but, halfway, Khaos slams on the brakes.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m just tired, I guess. People are exhaustingly awful lately.”

Khaos gets out of the truck and walks around it to stand in front. I stare at his back, and then I climb out and go to stand beside him.

“I’m not sure what’s going on here,” I say at last.

Khaos clenches his hands. He whirls really quickly and backs me up to the truck. He reaches up and pulls a strand of my hair. My stomach flips wildly.

I reach out and touch his stomach, soft, hesitant. When he doesn’t stop me, I let my fingers trace over the muscles I can feel through the shirt. I reach a button and flick a look up at him.

His eyes are intense and very dark. I flick the button open and then another before slipping my hands under to feel the satin warmth of his skin. His tiny little growl urges me on. I drag my hand down and flick the button of his jeans open. Finally acknowledging the huge length of his erection pressing against the material.

My mouth waters, and I briefly wonder what he tastes like.

“Khaos,” I moan his name, a plea for permission.

He grips my hair and yanks it back. “I’m not going to be gentle.”

“If I wanted gentle, I’d ask for it.”

His mouth slams against mine, completely controlling our kiss. The power of him surges over me, buffeting me one way and another. I cling to him before tearing away, gasping for air. I hike my dress up, and he lifts me and drops my ass on the truck.

“Is this what you want?” There’s something cold and cruel in his expression that tries to temper my arousal, but one touch of his thighs on my inner thighs melts the care away. He can hate me all he wants. Hate me as long as he fucks me.

“If you want it, take it.”

I stare at him, my sex-drenched mind slowly making sense of what he’s saying. With clarity comes mortification. I shove at his chest and slip off the truck. He grabs my hand, but I whirl, my hand cracking against his face.

“Stop doing that,” he thunders.

I snarl and edge away from him. “I already told you, I’m not going to make,” I thrust the bracelet in his face, “you do anything. If you don’t want to fuck me, Khaos, just say no. It works. Try it.”

We stare at each other.

“But that’s the problem, isn’t it? You don’t want to say no. You want to say yes; you just want me to take away your choice so you don’t have to give in to your damn pride.” I march up to him and glare. “I’m not going to make this easy on you, Alpha. If you want me, swallow your damn pride and meet me halfway or tuck your tail and cower. I don’t care.”

I turn away from him, but, with a shove, I’m pushed against the side of the truck.

“Damn you.”

“Damn you!” I growl back, fighting against him. “Damn you for being like them!” I shriek. I get an arm under my chest and shove; we both tumble backwards, and I land hard on him. He snarls and grabs for me, but I scramble away. I’m almost free when he grabs my ankle and yanks me back.

I hit the ground hard and roll just in time to see him land on top of me. My hands are yanked and pinned to the ground above my head, he thrusts his knee between my legs, parting them.

“I’m not like them,” he growls. “I’m a whole new beast, and I don’t need an excuse to fuck you, I need a reason not to,” he snarls.

He reaches between us and pulls my dress up slowly. “Tell me to stop.”

“Fuck you.”

His hands grip the gusset of my underwear and tear it off me.

“I am going to fuck you right here in the dirt,” he snarls, “but tell me to stop, and it stops.”

I roll my hips, pushing his hand into the hardness I know is in his pants.

He snarls. “Playing with fire, Casey. If you were smart, you’d tell me no. You’d run far, far away.”

“Yeah, well, my father always said I was a dumb bitch,” I sneer at him. “So, Khaos, fuck you or fuck me. Make a choice and stop pussyfooting around.”

He growls, and his teeth go to my throat, holding me there. My head falls back, and my body feels soft and supple.

“Bitch,” he whispers against the skin.

“Earned that badge, and I wear it proudly.”

His tongue flicks out, tasting my skin, and goosebumps break out all over me.

“I want to be free. You will give us that freedom.”

He thrusts my thighs wide and pushes into me. My head falls back, and I open my mouth in a silent scream. He’s so freaking big.

“Is this what you want?” he growls.

My eyes snap to his, and I wrap an arm around his neck. “Yes.”

I roll my hips, meeting his rhythm, clawing at his back, panting, moaning. But neither of us speak. Everything we need to say is in our eyes. Anger, distrust, the battle we are fighting and the pull, the attraction we feel. It’s all there in the way our pelvis’ slam together, in the way his cock hits deep inside me.

His hand squeezes my wrists, and he grabs my thigh with the other, changing the angle, hitting a spot inside me that turns that tide of dark pleasure into a wave of white water. I scream as it crests over me, clenching on his cock, milking it.

He growls and savagely thrusts into me over and over until, with a vicious hiss and glowing eyes that make him look completely feral, he pours his release into me. Hot jets of cum bathe my insides, and I hold him there, locking him there.

He didn’t give me his knot, but I want this moment to last as long as I can.

A few precious minutes of us in another world and then we come back, he pulls out of me, turns around, and straightens his clothes.

I stand up, wincing at the feel of our combined juices sliding down my thigh. Khaos turns to me, and his nostrils flare, but, other than that, he looks completely calm.

I get into the truck, and so does he. Our silence is awkward, bordering on hostile.

I glance sideways at Khaos.

“Call it a slip or-”

“If you say mistake, I will shift right now and leave you missing a semi-vital part of your anatomy,” I threaten.

“I wasn’t going to say that,” he barks out. “Let’s just say it happened. It’s not going to happen again.”

“Why?” I tease. “Afraid you might fall for me?”

He glances sideways at me, his jaw grinding. “Shut up or I’ll let Hazard pick your next date,” he teases.

I burst out laughing, and the tension eases between us, not completely gone, but enough that we can ignore what’s coming, for now.

I bully her outside, poking and pushing her until she’s ready to snap. I grip her shoulders and point her toward the forest as I bite down on the urge to laugh.

“Picture your wolf.”

She snorts but closes her eyes.

“Now, step into her. And run!”

She falls forward at my shove, shifting and landing on four feet like she was born to it. I lift my head and howl.

There’s a scrambling inside the house, and Hazard bursts out, shifting on the fly and landing in a playful leap. He runs crazily around the clearing and does circles around her.

She stumbles and walks slowly, picking up speed as she turns, looking for Hazard. The rest of the pack joins us. We stay spread around her, guarding her back as she finds herself.

I see the moment that finding herself becomes experiencing the world as a wolf. The colours, sounds, details are all so much more, but it’s the smells. It’s like we can see the world through scent. It’s remarkable, but I forgot that until right now.

She stops at the treeline, looking down into the valley; her fur lifts and catches in the wind. She truly is the most beautiful wolf.

Her eyes are blue, too.

Unique.

Not like us.

Or maybe exactly like us.

She steps out and looks up as a falcon soars past, circling over us before it vanishes. It’s only us and the wild up here. No people, no wolves. She can be herself and be safe being herself.

Khaos stands beside me as Angel and Hazard lead her down, racing beside her. Riot ranges ahead of them, making sure everyone is safe.

I shift into my human form.

“I don’t know how to go back to a world without her, Khaos.”

He looks at me and looks away.

“You feel it, too,” I whisper. “You feel how perfect she is.”

He dips his chin just once.

It’s all I’m going to get from him, and I should be grateful to get that much. I sit down, running my fingers through the grass as she runs.

“She’s a miracle. My miracle. An omega, Khaos. When was the last time one was recorded?”

I have to have her. To make her ours. It’s the only reason I will accept for how the last few years unfolded. We were meant to meet her, and this was supposed to happen.

My mother would have bundled her up and brought her into the fold without thinking twice.

For the first time, I accept that my mother isn’t here anymore. She’s gone. Maybe she helped guide us here. Maybe this is my mother looking out for us.

That thought brings peace, and the anger inside me tempers and stops burning quite so bright.

“I’m going to bring her home. I want her to meet my father, and I want us to be a family, a pack.” I make the promise to myself. One day, I will bring her home.

The silence is brittle and deep.

Khaos steps away but looks back. He jerks his head, demanding I join them.

I shift and follow my alpha down into the valley where the omega who has captivated my heart and soul is playing in the wildflowers.