PAIGE

Arlo was eager to help and his pack was beyond loyal to their leader. My father had stolen one of their Alphas, the impact affected every single member. Beyond that, my father was one of the biggest menaces to the wolf-shifting communities. He had murdered and destroyed countless packs. Arlo's tribe knew they couldn't stand by and watch forever either, awaiting their turn.

Offense was our greatest advantage. It was the only way.

When Arlo and I emerged from his office, I felt closer to my mother than I had in years. It was as if I was still completing the puzzle that was her. She was as complex as a jigsaw, made of a million pieces, but without any picture to follow. My chest ached with the constant thoughts of her, things I had buried inside of me so long ago. It was unbearably exhausting to think about what was to come. To think about life beyond that without her there to see me... I had never felt such loss as I did at that moment.

Arlo, as if sensing my disquiet, placed a hand on my shoulder and guided me to Faith's side. The female Alpha looked exhausted but beautiful as she hunched over a cup of black coffee. As we approached, she instantly straightened up and looked to Arlo, then me. I could see the question in her eyes; well, what is the plan? I turned my gaze onto the male Alpha, waiting for his lead.

"My pack will help you, Alpha. But I ask for one favor." His voice was deep and serious as he looked down on Faith. I felt my brows furrow in confusion.

"A favor?" I asked, perturbed for some reason, but also unsurprised.

Faith stood from her chair, "What is the favor?" She was entirely unfazed by his request, which I supposed was reasonable.

"I would like access to your territory after this is all over, so I can visit Paige and her mate without interruption."

"Granted," Faith smiled.

I looked back up to the Alpha and smiled, my eyes misting up. Again, I was hit with the feeling that I wished my mother were here, safe, with him. The feeling of being wrapped in Damon's arms came to my mind. The sanctity and love that flowed between us in our embrace was something that I wished so severely for my mother.

"You mean that?" I asked him, feeling like I did when I was a small girl. Powerless and hopeful.

"Absolutely," he squeezed my shoulder with his giant hand and then turned back to Faith.

"We should go now. It won't take my people long to mobilize. But the more time we have to acclimate with your pack, the better."

It took merely ten minutes to gather up his pack outside of the longhouse and prepare for the run back to our territory. Faith, Paul, and I huddled together at the treeline, watching Arlo and his Beta assemble their tribe. A ball of nervous energy had begun to grow in my gut, prohibiting me from staying still. I had a nasty feeling about something, but I didn't know quite what was bothering me at that moment.

"Something is wrong, Faith," I murmured to her, rocking back and forth on my feet. I glanced around, catching Paul's eyes on my face as I scanned the trees behind us.

"What makes you say that?" She responded, her dark brows furrowing together. The crease between them was deep and her light eyes were concerned.

"I can just... Feel it. I guess." The pit was growing in my stomach, putting me more and more on edge as the time ticked by. Faith's mouth twisted, contemplating my words and weighing their worth.

After another moment, Arlo nodded to us and shifted into his massive wolf.

Faith looked to me, giving me the signal to shift. "Can you do it?" She asked seriously.

I nodded, gritting my teeth as I put all my focus into the shift. It still took a minute to coax the shift out and then sloppily transition, but I was getting better. I supposed I was healing, slowly but surely. Mentally and physically, I was starting to feel better, more like someone I wanted to be. And not what someone else thought I should be.

In no time, we were sprinting through the woods back towards home. The further south we went, the faster we ran. Despite the anxiety that was rippling through me, I felt what it meant to be a pack. As we ran, we jostled into one another, yipping and nudging and flicking our heads. We shared images between one another of upcoming obstacles, cliff faces, and ravines. It felt wholesome and comforting and new all at once. Until that moment, I had never realized how much I had been missing out on. The beauty of the run made my breath catch in pain. I had tried to kill these beautiful creatures. The clarity felt like a tear through my gut.

By dusk, we crossed the border of the territory line and headed for the packhouse where we had told Cody we would meet. Faith howled to alert the pack of our presence and charged forward. Her tongue lolled out in joy at the promise of seeing her mate and I couldn't help but feel the same eagerness to see Damon.

But as we approached the packhouse we knew something was wrong. When the field came into sight the group simultaneously slowed to a trot. Cody was the first to sprint to meet us in the middle of the field where he quickly embraced Faith.

In a swift motion, Faith shifted back and launched herself into Cody's arms. She had her cheek pressed to his, no doubt using the excuse of their closeness to pass him messages through the mindlink. My embarrassment at their public display of affection lead me to direct my eyes around the field to find my own mate. But Damon was nowhere to be seen, and the nervous feeling intensified.

Behind me, Arlo shifted back and approached the two Alphas with an arm outstretched. "Alpha Hatcher, it's nice to see you again."

Cody put Faith down and met his outstretched hand by clasping his forearm. "You as well, Alpha. Thank you for coming."

"Wouldn't miss it," he responded with a toothless smile.

"Paige," Cody's deep tone cast my attention onto him. His mouth was tight and his eyes burying some inward worry he was struggling with. I noticed Faith had a matching look on her face, she looked sick. "Thank you for organizing this. We couldn't have done it without you."

I shook my head, unable to convince myself to shift back with the sensation of anxiety drifting in the air. I didn't deserve the gratitude.

"Come with us, back to the house. We need to talk." Cody's jaw tightened as he spoke. Turning to Arlo, he inclined his chin. "You are welcome to come with us. Actually, I would rather you did. Our peacekeeper Paul will show your pack to the dining hall in the packhouse."

Faith smiled to the gathered wolves, "Help yourselves to anything you need and make yourselves at home. We will gather back out here at oh-six-hundred tomorrow to discuss the attack."

With that, the group dispersed and I trailed after Faith, Arlo, and Cody back to the Alphas' home. My head felt like it had begun to spin and the nervous pit in my belly refused to lessen. I kept glancing around, waiting for the Wolf to appear. But each glance granted subtle disappointment and a little more anxiety.

When we got to the house, Faith directed me to a bin of clothing outside before leaving me alone to shift. My mind was bleary as I shifted and jerkily pulled on some sweats and a tee before going inside. Time felt like it slowed down when I rounded the corner into the den and saw Arlo, Faith, and Paige all wearing matching expressions of concern and upset. When they noticed I was in the room, they turned immediately and their expressions dissolved.

"What?" I gritted out. "Where-"

Faith cut me off, "I need your help with something. Can you come upstairs?" Her gaze shot to Cody before coming back to me. The large Alphas were looking at Faith with brows knitted together. I wasn't sure what was coming my way, but I knew it wasn't good.

"Yeah," I sighed, motioning for her to lead the way. My brain reminded me Damon wasn't there, but I figured that might have just been the mate bond making me worry. As I climbed the stairs behind Faith, I convinced myself that he had duties and was probably off doing them. At the top of the stairs was an open loft, and past that two rooms were concealed by closed doors. The open area was a sort of lounge with an armchair and a couch. Behind the couch, against the wall, was a desk and a wooden chair.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Faith shook her head, holding a finger to her lips. Her eyes met mine and she tapped her ear before pointing downstairs. I nodded slowly in understanding. What was she going to say that Arlo and Cody couldn't hear? My ears strained and I could hear the hum of their conversation, as if they were underwater. The female Alpha dragged me into one of the two rooms and shut the door softly behind her.

Faith flicked on the light and after a moment my eyes adjusted to allow me to look over the interior of the room. I was shocked. Before me was an intricate handmade crib and rocking chair, surrounded by pale colors and soft-looking blankets. My eyes widened as I realized I was looking at a nursery. Turning around, I could see that Faith read the surprise on my face. I raised one eyebrow in a silent question.

Faith shook her head, "We've been trying for the last few Solstices. Seems like my body knew to wait, though." For a moment, I thought I could read a deep longing on her face, and then it was gone.

I wasn't sure what to say, so I kept my mouth wired shut. Having children was something I had never considered. Something I never thought I wanted. But when Damon's face came into my mind, I could tell that resolve would eventually waver.

Into my mind, through the mindlink, Faith suddenly whispered: Can you promise me you will stay calm?

Why wouldn't I be calm? What did you need help with? Is this- I tried to respond but was cut off by the fast rapping knock on the front door.

Never mind, you're about to find out. Her eyes met mine before she turned to head back downstairs. As I went to follow, I felt like I was being led on a goose chase. My eyes narrowed on Faith's back. Without thinking, I reached forward and grabbed her wrist to stop her.

I'm not stupid, what are you hiding? I said into her link.

I was going to tell you privately, but there's no point now. I'm sorry. Faith's eyes were on mine, her gaze sharp as a knife. Come on. She nodded her head for me to follow and descended the stairs. I felt frustration bubble in my chest. The feeling of anxiety increased inside of me until my mind felt swimmy.

When we got down to the entryway, Rhia and Berenger were following another couple into the Alpha house. The man who led the group looked eerily similar to Cody with his graying blonde hair and dark eyes, I realized this must have been his father. The woman was just as impressive looking, with dark brown hair and intense grey eyes. For their age, they still looked decently young and fit, just like Damon's parents. I supposed it was the wolf genes.

Faith hurried to all four of the wolves, pressing her cheek to each wolf and smiling her heart smile that I rarely saw. She looked genuinely happy to see the couples and they seemed to be pleased to see her as well. All of them paused for a moment to fawn over her, exchanging how are yous and you look greats. I realized I had never seen Faith's parents and wondered where they were. Something from the look on her face, maybe the slightly cautious edge in her eyes, told me they might not be around anymore.

Rhia stepped forward to me and laid her hands on my cheeks. I was immediately comforted by her presence, enough so that it nearly brought tears to my eyes after the day I had. Her thumbs brushed my cheeks and her smile was watery. From her eyes alone, I knew bad news was coming, though she didn't even know yet.

The Wolf's mother didn't even have to say anything to greet me. Instead, she simply moved her hands and pressed her cheek to mine before pulling back slightly and taking my hand. Over her shoulder, Berenger nodded to me with a small private smile that shocked me. First, she gestured to the woman I didn't know.

"Paige, these are Cody's parents, Rosa and Salem. They were the previous Alphas of the pack." Rhia smiled and nodded her head to me.

"It is very nice to meet you, Paige," Rosa said, stepping forward to press her cheek to mine.

"You too," I replied, my voice scratchy with tears.

I looked up to the giant male as he stuck his arm out. He was nearly as big as Damon's father. Tentatively, I grasped his forearm as I had seen other wolves do. He shook my arm firmly once and smiled without teeth. "I am sorry about the current circumstances," his voice was deep and gruff.

"Me too," I responded, lowering my head to the two slightly as I backed up a few steps. Arlo took my spot, stepping up to reunite himself with the four previous leaders. I supposed they had to have pack history, growing up into power around the same time as one another.

"What is it you need to tell us, Cody?" Rose spoke up after the greetings had subsided.

For some reason, I opened my mouth and the words tumbled out. "Shouldn't we wait for Damon?"

Subconsciously, all eyes landed on me.

"That's what everyone is here to talk about," Faith sighed, looking over to Cody.

I tried to swallow but my throat felt clogged with tears. The dread pooled in my belly and I feared I was going to throw up.

"Samuel Baylor took Damon," Cody spoke up, voice tight. "He got cornered on the Eastern border. He didn't tell us until it was too late, but his instructions were not to follow. He was explicit we wait until we were ready to attack."

The others had begun to talk but I couldn't hear them. My eyes were on the floor, I didn't remember when I had moved them there. It felt like my stomach had bottomed out. My father took Damon. I jerked upright and turned around, heading for the door through the parents that had gathered in the entryway. There was nothing on my mind except getting him out of there.

"Where are you going?" Cody barked, moving towards me. Arlo was up too, as if they were going to stop me.

"I need to get him out of there," when had I started crying? My breath was hitching and tears were streaming down my cheeks.

"No, it's too dangerous," Arlo said. "Not without backup."

Faith reached for me but I shied away from the three, holding up my hands for space. "You don't understand! You don't know what they will do to him!"

"There's nothing we can do until we have everyone together, Paige." Cody's voice was terribly sad and defeated, but not as much as I felt. "Trust me, if I could get him right now I would. But it's just not the time yet. He can take care of himself, don't worry."

"Don't worry?" I cried, grabbing the door handle behind me. "I won't leave him there alone."

The previous Alphas and Rhia raised their voices in protest.

"Paige, wait," Arlo demanded, eyes intent on mine. "We must be smart about this situation."

"Damon risked everything for me, over and over. I will not leave him there alone. It is my father we are dealing with. I know what he does to wolves and I will not let that happen to him." I yanked the door open and stormed outside into the night.

"Don't do this, Paige." Faith pleaded, coming out after me. She grabbed my wrist as I had done to her. "Listen to what he said. It's what he wanted us to follow."

I turned on her, shoving her off of me. "This is all I can do," I responded before I leaped into my fur. It was the fastest shift I had ever done.

But Faith was fast too, and her shift landed her directly on top of me. Her teeth caught ahold of the scruff of my neck and rolled me to the ground. Faith was a lot bigger in her wolf form than I was.

Don't fight me, Paige. She beckoned, sending me images of me submitting with ears flagged low against my head. I whined out as she growled, dropping my chin to the ground. Her weight bore down on my spine.

Then the image of Damon came into my mind, tied up, tortured, broken.

With a sudden burst of adrenaline, I threw her off. Arlo and Cody were shouting from the porch. Before any of them could come for me, I was taking off into the night.

- - -

If they were coming after me, I was too fast and I didn't know. I had never run so fast in my life as I headed towards the Eastern border. The same border where I had been attacked by the bear, stabbed Damon in the side, and had been threatened by my father. The feeling of running that path was somewhat akin to traveling back in time. I wished I could go back to when I had first seen Damon and redo it all. I would give anything to go back and avoid all of the pain and suffering I had caused that Wolf and everyone around us.

Knowing I could save him was like redemption. The last gift I could give him, even if that meant I never saw him again. Despite the pain that thought caused, I wanted it desperately. I wanted him to be safe from me and my fucked up father.

He had chosen me, and now it was my turn to choose him.

Night had fallen, dark and cold. I had scaled the mountainside towards my father's house. It wasn't much further but I had to slow significantly. A blanket of old snow still covered the ground and I knew all sorts of traps were still hidden just beneath. I trod the path leading to the backdoor. I knew it just like the back of my hand despite all the time away. It had been ingrained into me once.

Before long, I could smell him and the house through the trees. I diverted from the main path and into the woods to my left. Trusting in my nose, I let my senses lead me to my mate.

The house was quiet and lit dimly, probably from the living room on the opposite side. At the end of the deck that hung off the back of the house was the old steel pole that my father had chained numerous wolves to before he slaughtered or tortured them. At the base of the pole laid the unmistakable giant blue-gray wolf. I stayed frozen still, silent, watching the slope of his shoulders down to his back, waiting for the rise and fall of breathing. When he did, I let out a shuddering breath. In an instant, Damon's head snapped up and his golden eyes found mine.

For one blissful moment, everything felt right again. I knew it then: if we were together, things would somehow be okay.