We're sending you away for a while.

Pain shot through me. They didn't want me here anymore. Was this his way of saying that he didn't want the baby? Was he too scared to say it to my face? I clenched my fists at my side. I knew they were going to regret it. All I've given them were problems. Even his father was trying to kill me. I tensed when David stepped up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"We don't want to, but we have no other choice right now," David said softly.

Devon nodded. "A lot of pack members are still loyal to my father. He managed to talk them into siding with him. We got to you in time this time, but what if this happens again and we're too late?"

"We wouldn't be able to handle it."

"I can stay with you," I whispered, but he was already shaking his head.

"You're pregnant Val. Someone could slip something into your food or drinks and we wouldn't be aware of it. You should be as far away from here while we sort this out."

"So you're sending me away to go live with some strangers? What makes them trustworthy? Who—"

"Alark and his mate are our friends. I do trust them with your life because I know that they will do anything possible to protect you. This isn't something that's up for debate. You will be leaving with them. End of discussion." Devon stood and stared down at me with narrowed eyes. "Go shower and get dressed. You leave in an hour."

I jumped when he slammed the bedroom door shut behind him. Tears filled my eyes. How could he do that? Order me to go with strangers. He was worried about his pack and not about how I would feel leaving with strangers. How long was I supposed to stay with them? Would I ever be able to return to my pack, to them?

It's not your pack. They don't want you. They hate you. I pushed the little voice in my head to the back of my mind.

Pulling out of David's arms, I walked out of the bedroom and towards my own. We usually slept in the master bedroom, but that's all.

When I entered my bedroom my eyes were instantly drawn to the two suitcases on the bed. The same suitcases I had packed when Aunt informed me of visiting this pack. They had already packed my clothes. It was clear just how badly they wanted me to leave. I squeezed my eyes closed and sucked in a few deep breaths.

Once I had managed to stop the tears from falling, I opened the suitcase to pull out some clothes. They wanted me gone, fine. I won't be coming back then. They could find themselves another mate who wouldn't cause them so much trouble.

***

Melinda was completely human and mated to a full-blooded Alpha.

It was clear by just looking at them that they loved each other very much. They constantly touched, even if it was just a brush against the hand or arm. The relationship they had made jealousy fill me. Why couldn't I have that with Devon and David? Why was it so hard for the pack to just accept me?

"You will love it," Melinda said softly. "It's a lot different than Devon's pack. Everyone is a lot more open-minded, even the elders."

"That's because they have known you since you were a three-year-old," Alark spoke from the front of the truck. "Mel's parents adopted her and raised her with the pack."

"I'm sure she doesn't want to hear my boring story, Alark."

I could feel her eyes burning into the side of my face, but I refused to glance at her. David had introduced us. I was forced to listen to them making small talk for half an hour before Devon had explained everything that had happened. It was also mentioned that I was in the early stages of pregnancy. The couple was enthusiastic about the news. David and Devon were hugged and congratulated.

After that, the men grabbed my suitcases and we were headed outside.

Three dark 4x4's were parked outside with big muscled men surrounding it. My bags were loaded into the first vehicle, and then everyone was saying goodbye.

I had climbed into the vehicle without greeting either of them and now I was regretting my actions.

I blinked back the sudden tears that filled my eyes. I hated crying. I never cried over something so stupid. The pain in my chest intensified with every passing second. I knew we had left pack territory half an hour ago. I felt it—the distance between me and my mates. How long would it last until the thin threat between us finally snapped?

"It won't be for long, Valeria," Alark said softly as if reading my mind. "They feel the same pain as you. In a few weeks, you will be returning home."

"It won't be that easy," I whispered. "They all hate me."

I blocked them out when they started talking again. No matter what they said, I knew the truth. I knew that it wouldn't be easy for the pack to accept someone like me. They want a full-blooded Lycan to lead. They didn't want their Alphas to share a mate. Now I knew what my mother suffered through and why she always looked so unhappy in the photos I saw of her.

A small hand was placed over my clenched fist on my lap. "It's going to be okay."

***

"Welcome to your home for the next few weeks."

I glanced around the big room. The queen size bed stood in the middle of the room. A thick grey carpet covered the floor. The walls were painted a cream colour. It was clean and smelled of lavender.

My eyes were instantly drawn to the window with the window seat.

I walked over to it and glanced outside. I had a clear view of the backyard and the house behind it. Unlike my pack that was situated in the middle of the forest, their pack stayed in a small town. The houses were medium-sized but looked homey and ordinary. I turned when someone else entered the room. Alark carried my suitcases over to the bed and gently placed them on top of it. He straightened and turned to face me. His eyes trailed over my face.

"If you need anything just let me or Mel know." Alark gave me a small smile. "We will leave you to settle in before we introduce you to anyone."

"Please don't leave the house without informing us," Mel said. "If anything happens to you while you're in our care, they will kill us."

With one more smile, they both walked out of the room and softly closed the door behind them. The silence that surrounded me was almost deafening. I glanced at the window seat and then at the bed. There was a closet opposite the bed. Unpack or not? As they said, I would be staying for a few weeks. What if weeks turned into months? My stomach rolled. Pressing a hand against it, I made my way over to the bed. I tugged the suitcases off the bed and pushed the pillows aside. I didn't want to think about things anymore.

I must've fallen asleep because when I woke up my shoes had been removed and the sheets were covering me. The lamp on the bedside table was on and my suitcases had been unpacked. I stared at the wall across from me before my full bladder forced me out of bed. I avoided looking at my reflection as I washed my hands.

The house was silent and dark. I winced when one of the stairs creaked as I made my way downstairs. I remembered the layout of the house. Mel had shown me around first when we arrived. The house had four bedrooms—two with en-suite bathrooms—a living room, dining room, kitchen, and a big veranda at the back. It was a small cosy house that was perfect for a family. I hesitated in the doorway when I realized that someone was in the kitchen. I turned; ready to run back up to my room, but the soft voice stopped me.

"Val?"

I swallowed and then turned to face Mel. She gave me a small smile and gestured me closer. My eyes darted around the kitchen as I entered. I took the seat across from her and stared at the piece of chocolate cake on the plate in front of her. Mel glanced down it. Colour instantly flooded her cheeks.

"You slept right through dinner. I saved some for you. Do you want me to warm it for you?" she asked softly after a few minutes of silence.

I shook my head. I wasn't really hungry but the cake looked good. I glanced down at it again and then the fridge. Standing, I walked over to it and pulled the door open. My eyes were instantly drawn to the two cakes. One chocolate and the other looked like strawberry. I bit my lip as I debated on which one to chose. In the end, strawberry won. I grabbed the cake and carried it over to the island where she sat. When I placed it down, she got up to get me a plate, knife, and spoon.

A few minutes later we both had a piece of cake and a glass of milk in front of us. We ate silently for a few minutes until she broke the silence.

"How are you feeling?"

I hesitated. "Sad. Worried. Confused."

"That's a lot of emotions," Mel muttered. "I guess it's normal since you're pregnant."

I winced, but thankfully she didn't see it. Her attention was once again on her plate. She took a bite and then smiled up at me. Mel started asking me questions—questions that turned into a game of twenty questions. I learned that she was pretty down to earth. I liked her. We started joking around after cutting another piece of cake. That's how Alark found us an hour later—giggling over a piece of cake and a glass of milk.

"Are you having a slumber party?"

My eyes snapped over to Alark as he entered the kitchen. His eyes were focused on his mate. Mel wiped the tears from her eyes as she smiled at him. He paused next to her chair and slipped his arm around her waist. Alark dipped a finger into the frosting of the cake and slipped it into his mouth.

"We were just talking," Mel said softly. "When did you return?"

"Just now." He glanced over at me. "I talked to your mates."

My heartbeat increased. "What did they say?"

"That they will talk to you soon."

Nothing else? I nodded and glanced down at the plate. I was comfortable around Mel but Alark made me nervous. Maybe it was because of the power that radiated off of him or maybe it was the air of authority that clung to him. Whatever it was made me utter a hasty excuse and hurry out of the kitchen.

I took the stairs two at a time and entered my bedroom. Closing the door softly behind me, I slipped the lock in place before leaning back against the door. My eyes darted around once again. I sighed and straightened. My body ached slightly—more specifically my shoulder. I missed them.

Instead of taking a shower, I filled the big tub with water and some scented bubble bath. Collecting my nightclothes, I placed them on the counter and started undressing. The white bandage against my shoulder caught my attention. I paused then turned towards the mirror. Reaching up, I tugged the corner up and then carefully pulled it off.

After dropping the bandage in the trashcan, I turned back to the mirror to get a look at the wound. It was an ugly red mark. I reached up and traced it. It still ached a little but it wasn't so bad.

My eyes dropped to my stomach. Our baby was growing inside me. I pressed a shaky hand against my lower stomach. Panic hit me again. I just needed to stop thinking about it.