When I woke the following morning, it was to the ceiling of my bedroom. I frowned, momentarily forgetting just how I got back into my room the night before. A warm blush heated my entire face as I thought of how worn out I was from the night before because of some… strenuous activities.

I rolled onto my side, the coolness of my pillow pressing into my face.

Thinking about the night before, spending those few hours with Ridge made me smile, biting my bottom lip as I remembered every little detail of our time together.

Before we had parted ways, Ridge pulled me to him; resting my hand against his chest and his green eyes held my gaze.

I tilted my head, smiling that this was the perfect goodbye that I could have asked for.

“This isn’t goodbye, Gianna. Not by a long shot.”

“But—”

Ridge placed a finger to my lips, shaking his head. “I said it’s not goodbye. I will protect you, no matter what.”

“Ridge— Ridge, you can’t possibly be able to stop Alpha Hannibal from taking me! What part of that don’t you understand?! The deal’s been made!”

Instead of being hot tempered and frustrated with me, my mate sighed and kissed my forehead. Ridge softly replied, “And what part of me taking care of that did you not understand?”

I sighed, letting my shoulders sulk and shook my head with a small grin, “You’re so hopeless.”

Ridge shrugged a shoulder.

“More the opposite. You should be the same. You always had hope for everything else but us. I think it’s about time I change that for you. Starting tomorrow.”

I had no idea what he meant. I kept pondering this question over and over again as I laid in bed. Pursing my mouth to the side, I tapped my finger on the mattress then decided it was best for me to start getting up. I tossed off the covers, rolling out of bed and stood in the middle of the room for what would be the last time.

My eyes kept looking over everything and realized how every part of it had something to do with my life but by the end of today I’d be in a totally different room where I would make new memories in. Memories I wouldn’t be so fond of.

Looking skyward, I groaned and ran my fingers through my hair before trudging out of my room and into the bathroom.

My older brother was coming out of it, towel drying his hair and stopped when he saw me. His hazel eyes looked my face over for a moment. I tried my best to smile at him but it faltered as my brother’s hard expression was still plastered on his face.

Tilting my head to the side, I shook it and shrugged a shoulder. “Come on, Wade… I don’t know what you want me to tell you—”

I broke off when my older brother pulled me against him. My eyes widened, but then I calmed myself. I tightened my hold around him.

Wade sighed against the side of my hair, muttering how could he have a sister he was supposed to be protecting be so strong at such a young age.

“That’s just the Quail Wolf stereotype,” I joked.

Wade pulled back, not letting me go completely.

“Not true, Gigi. You have been hearing it all your life just how strong you are. Why is it that you can’t believe it? Are you ever going to?”

A large part of me knew he was right.

Everyone had been telling me something that I refused to believe in. I think maybe I don’t believe it—or want to—to avoid disappointment. But even my soulmate, the night before, had told me that it was time for me to realize I was just as strong as the wolf side of me.

I looked down at my bare feet, clenching my jaw and heard my brother heavily sigh, “You’re really something else, Gigi…”

When I looked at him, Wade frowned as he asked if I’d heard from Ridge. I could feel my face get hot the longer my brother was staring at me. His hazel eyes narrowed in a curious manner, turning his chin away slightly. He suddenly eyed me up and down before leaning his head forward and took a sniff.

I scrunched my nose, leaning away as I squealed, “Wade!” but my brother growled, “You damn little sneak! I can smell him all over you! When did you see him?”

I hushed my brother, glancing down the hallway to make sure no one else could hear our conversation. I sighed that the night before, I snuck out of the house to meet Ridge in the forest. I bit my lip after explaining that we’d spent most of the night there before we separated to go home.

Wade ran his fingers through his hair, closing his eyes and groaned, “You’re making it really difficult on yourself, Gigi. On both of you. Do you realize how much harder you guys are making it for you to leave now?”

Though I knew it was true, I didn’t care—at the moment, anyway. I had just spent the best night of my life with Ridge and it was something I was going to treasure always. Even if I wasn’t going to see him again… but I’d still have the memory. And Ridge was going to be the love of my life no matter what happens after today.

I nodded, agreeing that I did realize how hard it was going to be to leave today.

My brother placed his hand on my shoulder, making me lift my eyes to his.

“Hurry up in there. I’m sure Mom and Dad want to eat with you one last time before you have to leave.”

He smiled, though it didn’t reach up to his eyes.

“Plus… It might bring you some comfort that Cece is going with you, being Sawyer’s mate and all.”

I sighed, knowing that was true, but it wouldn’t be the same. With the way Alpha Hannibal looks at me, it was kind of obvious he might not let me interact with my sister as much as I’d want to.

From Sawyer’s stories of how our neighboring pack is run, the alpha cares about one thing, and that was order. It made me wonder how Nikko managed to live there all his life yet turn out the way he was. Sawyer, too.

“Okay. Give me ten minutes,” I nodded, watching Wade enter his bedroom and shut the door behind him.

I took a deep breath, walking into the bathroom and shut the door. When I looked into the mirror, I leaned my face closer to my reflection.

My nose scrunched as I concentrated on letting the blue coating seep over my irises. The radiant electric blue looking back at me made me wonder what it was that was going to happen now.

I was the Quail Wolf. I didn’t know about them as much as I’d like to. Perhaps then I’d be able to get out of this situation I’m in, but I didn’t. And now I’d be losing my family. And Ridge.

Thinking about him made my heart hurt. We’d had our ups and downs, especially with Molly’s interference, but I loved him with all my heart.

I fell in love with Ridge so much deeper than the mate bond offered. It took just one week but in that short amount of time… I learned to love Ridge on my own.

Ridge talked about me needing to realize who I was. That being a Quail Wolf wasn’t supposed to define me. He told me how I was still Gianna Gomez, and was a unique person from the start. My wolf was just a reflection of who I already was.

The glimmering blue shade of my eyes still looked back at me as I tilted my head to the side and narrowed my gaze.

“Quail Wolf…” I grumbled, shaking my head. “If only I could be so optimistic about you, as the rest of them are.”

My eyes flickered and I realized this was the wolf side of me arguing back. I pursed my mouth to the side, shaking my head then closed my eyes before opening them again and seeing my normal brown hue.

Sighing, I reached for my toothbrush and toothpaste to catch up to the ten minutes I told my brother I’d be up here.

Walking down the stairs, my family’s chatter reached my ears. There was laughter and loud talking that I took a moment to stand by the wall to savor it. I didn’t know how long it’d be til I heard this again. It really was making me appreciate all the times of hearing it before today.

I smiled to myself hearing Cody whine at Nikko for hogging up all the bacon. Then there was Wade laughing at my younger brother and teasing it was really Wade who hogged it in the first place.

The small murmur of Cece asking Sawyer to pass the syrup was faint but still heard. Her mate’s mumble was also soft but whatever he said made her laugh.

My parents were talking to one another. Dad’s mouth was full as he was commending Mom on the breakfast she made, before boasting that his was way better. I held back a laugh when Mom gasped and sternly spoke my dad’s name.

I pushed my shoulder off the wall and entered the dining room and my family turned. They smiled a little. I greeted them, walking over to my dad to plant a kiss on his cheek and he smiled, “Morning, Button.”

Everyone nodded as I walked over to give Mom a kiss on top of her head. She handed me a plate once I sat down beside her.

I glanced at Sawyer beside me whose blue eyes looked sad; probably because he knew more than anyone about the pack I would be going to today. I placed my hand on his forearm, mouthing, “I’m okay.” then turned away to eat breakfast.

I was glad my family was respecting my wishes, after I asked of them to not mention what was to happen today, and instead we spoke about happier topics.

For instance, I was surprised of Cody expressing his interest in trying out for the football team at the end of summer. He never really seemed interested in it other than playing with his friends but that was because I just thought it was for the boy he had a crush on. But then Cody bragged about Nikko being one of the best players on a team that Carmel’s high school rivaled against.

I grinned at my baby brother whose eyes looked over at me right then, and there was a gratefulness in them that made today a bit easier. His eyes glassy, Cody’s chin trembled as he mouthed, “Thank you…”

A smile with a mouthed, “You are so welcome.” was returned, and I got to enjoy Nikko staring at my brother with a crooked grin before Cody noticed this. His eyes widened, slowly turning to meet his adoring mate’s gaze then my brother’s nose scrunched, craning his neck back. Cody nudged his mate with his elbow.

“Quit it!” he grumbled, and Nikko bent to kiss my brother’s cheek.

The rest of us laughed, and I sighed happily, taking it all in. That is… until we heard my name being shouted outside.

My family’s and my attention snapped to the door the moment it was thrown open, smacking against the wall. I stood up seeing my best friend panting heavily, bending over her knees and trying to catch her breath.

“Eden? Eden, what’s going on?”

Eden gasped, looking up at me while still bent forward, “Gi—gi! You—get to—arena!”

I glanced at my older brother who looked at me then turned back to Eden who squeezed her eyes shut and swallowed a breath of air.

“What’s at the arena?” I asked.

The alarm didn’t go off so there wasn’t a way for us to know we had been wanted. Usually, there was some form of announcement.

I walked around the table, noticing my family began to stand as I got closer to Eden.

Shaking my head as she was trying to talk and catch her breath at the same time, I squinted, “Eden, I don’t underst—”

“It’s Ridge!” Eden gasped, finally able to catch her breath long enough.

My eyes widened as she nodded.

“He’s—he’s—argh!”

Eden growled, taking a deep breath that returned her breath to a normal talking speed.

“You have to get to the arena! Quick! I just passed by there and some of the pack is there! Gigi! Ridge challenged his father!”

I shoved past Eden, jumping off the front porch and ignored my name being called after by my family. My sneakers crunched the gravel as I picked up speed; pumping my arms to make myself go a little faster.

As I rounded the corner of the last house, sure enough, Eden was right about half the pack being there. I was in the middle of racing past the rest trying to get to the arena.

The murmurs from the crowd had me quicken my feet. Once I reached the crowd, a few of them glanced at me; eyes wide—still uneasy around me, I guess, after finding out who I am—but I ignored them. I could hear the growls and snarls from up ahead and I tried shouldering my way through the crowd to get to the front.

I found two dark haired wolves gnashing their jaws in each other’s direction while circling one another. One of the wolves had a bit of gray on its coat and I knew this was Alpha Beaumont.

My gaze switched to Ridge’s wolf; his shiny coat glimmering in the sunlight and his back muscles moved gracefully with each of the cautious steps he was taking. His gold eyes locked on the other wolf.

I turned my head to the opposite side of the crowd where Mrs. Beaumont stood with her fingers clasped together and pressed against her mouth. She looked on worriedly, and swallowed every few seconds.

Switching back to the pair circling one another, I swallowed hard.

Panic ensued the way Ridge stood his ground, his eyes solely following his dad’s pace back and forth in front of him. Ridge’s lip curled, a deep growl projecting towards the other wolf gnashing its teeth at his son. They stared one another down, lashing out in growls.

My heartbeat quickened, eyes widening when Ridge’s shoulder blades rose and his head lowered; a stance of readying himself to attack. But his dad beat him to the punch.

Alpha Beaumont lunged off his back legs and used the front ones to shove his son backwards. The younger wolf held his ground, dodging to the side in time.

The alpha growled, snapping his head in Ridge’s direction; the glowing eyes fierce. He snapped his jaws when he pounced again, and caught the scruff of Ridge’s wolf. Alpha Beaumont growled, jerking his head to the side and took Ridge with him. Ridge’s wolf let out a yelp and I winced, clenching my fists at my sides.

Movement beside me had me turn to see my family and Eden had joined me up front. I looked at my dad, desperately.

“Dad! Dad, stop this! He’s going to get hurt!”

I clenched onto his sleeve, begging him to please stop the alpha from fighting Ridge. But my dad looked in front of us where Ridge rolled a few feet after his dad had tossed him yet again.

I could see the frustration in my dad’s face and he sighed heavily turning back to me.

“I can’t do that, Gianna. It’s a challenge. Ridge has challenged his father—the alpha of all people—and this is where he will have to prove himself. The Beta has challenged the Alpha for his title. To take it, it only ends one of two ways…”

My eyes widened as he revealed, “Either one of them surrenders willingly… or is killed.”

Shaking my head as my jaw dropped, I looked back to the alpha latching onto Ridge’s shoulder and bit down. Ridge’s head tilted back, howling out and I shut my eyes, my clenched fist pushing against my chest.

The alpha released his son for a split second but ended up snapping at one of Ridge’s ears that was closest. Using a head butt to Ridge’s side, the younger wolf was knocked over but used his hind legs to kick his dad in the face.

Alpha Beaumont snarled, leaping over and pouncing on top of Ridge; biting into his neck. Ridge’s whined yelps made my bottom lip tremble and I couldn’t stand just watching them.

I stepped forward, but my dad took hold of my arm. I frowned, trying to pull my arm out of his grasp but Dad clenched his teeth, warning me that I could not intervene with the fight.

“It’s not allowed, Gigi! Ridge stepped up to the challenge on his own and has to see it through. He cannot receive help from anyone or he forfeits. And that’s much worse. Darren could have him exiled from Carmel.”

My eyes widened, turning back to where the alpha head butted Ridge again to knock him over.

Could the alpha really do that to his own son? Exile him?

Ridge was now on his back again after being tossed and his dad was on top of him, his sharp toothed snarl against the younger wolf’s snout. The alpha used his paws to claw at Ridge underneath him.

The whined yelps were tugging at my heart; seeing Ridge was losing and I couldn’t do anything but watch. I shook my head, trying to go forward again but this time my older brother wrapped his arms around me. Wade got me in a good locked grip.

I struggled against him as I shouted, “Stop! Stop it! Let me go! Alpha Beaumont, stop it! Ridge!”

I could feel some of the crowd’s eyes on me but I didn’t care! I needed to help Ridge!

Alpha Beaumont’s head turned that moment. His golden eyes narrowed at me all while keeping his struggling son pinned with his weight. The alpha gnashed his teeth now in my direction and then jumped off his son.

The alpha’s head lowered, watching his new target: Me.

Dad frowned, stepping in front of my brother and me as the alpha growled while making his predatory pace towards us. His sights focused on me, baring his teeth with a snarled growl.

Ridge forced himself to his feet, and growled in his lunge towards his dad. He tackled the alpha, knocking them both to the side. They rolled until Ridge was quicker in pushing off his paws to make a defensive stance in front of me. I saw how much Ridge’s spine fur stood on end as he barred his teeth, his snarling growl giving a warning to his dad.

The alpha eyed his son, taking on his own stance. One moment the two were staring each other down, egging the other to make the first move. The next… the father and son were colliding mid-air and Ridge bit down on his dad’s throat with enough force to knock them back to the ground; Ridge having the upper hand.

Just as his father had done to him at the beginning of the fight, tossing him around to show his superiority, Ridge was now the one biting, shoving, tossing, and overpowering the alpha. Ridge was being fueled by his father’s attempt of going at me and my family, and the way those eyes burned with that fury only made him feel stronger to latch onto his father’s neck.

When Ridge bit down harder, growling out his demand for the alpha to give in, the alpha let out a yelp and tried to tug his head away. But Ridge kept at it; one of his paws reached over and clawed into his dad’s chest and then took a deep nasty bite down on the alpha’s shoulder until the alpha nudged Ridge off him.

They kept going back and forth of standing on their hind legs and taking bites out of the other. Ridge latched onto his dad’s back leg while the alpha snapped at Ridge’s snout, scratching at it to get away.

With his strong hold on the leg still, Ridge turned his head in the opposite direction to make a snapping noise and sent the alpha howling. Alpha Beaumont jerked his head in his son’s direction with a flustered growl.

Ridge released the back leg, twisting himself around to use his own back legs to kick his dad in the face. The older wolf was knocked over before being pounced on by the younger wolf.

It didn’t look like there was any mercy from Ridge now. His claws kept coming down at his dad’s face and chest, bending his head to bite into his dad’s shoulder and make a new flesh wound.

Alpha Beaumont’s yelped cries were weakening but Ridge kept at it. He wasn’t letting up even if it meant killing his own dad. Suddenly, the alpha stopped moving and Ridge’s clawing and biting paused. He was breathing heavily, emitting a low growl as his eyes stared down at his heavily panting father. Ridge was smart enough not to let go of his opponent yet.

The wolf laying on his side, panted for air. His stomach rising up and down rapidly with blood coating his dark fur.

Ridge lowered his head, growling at the alpha, and then snapped his jaws at his dad who flinched. The murmurs from the crowd began as I watched on to see Ridge’s wolf slowly back away, keeping his sight on the injured wolf.

The alpha whimpered, slowly tucking his tail underneath him and raised a weak paw to place over his bloodied snout.

“He’s surrendering…” Dad whispered, his brown eyes wide.

I looked at my dad whose gaze shifted to the Beta growling with an intense stare at the alpha on the ground.

A small grin started to appear on Dad’s face and I could hear the excitement when he looked at me and announced, “Ridge won!”