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CeliaKyle Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
Chapter30
Chapter31
Chapter32
Epilogue
AbouttheAuthor
Copyright
Description HOWCANSHEWANTboththealphawhorejectedherandthealphawhohealedher? SchoolteacherAbigailleavesherpackinshameandpainwhenherMate’sfatherinformsherthatshe’sbeenrejected,a messagehepunctuateswithhisteethandclaws Injuredandfrantic,sherunsasfarasshecan Whenshecan’tfleeanyfurther, sheendsupinDominic’spackandunderhiscare.
ButitsoonbecomesclearthathermateLukehadnoideaofhisfather’sclaimsandwhenheshowsupattheMoonstonepack Abigailismoreconfusedthanever HowcanshewantbothLukeandDominic?Andhowwillsheeverchoose?
Asdaysgobyandtheirrelationshipgrowsstronger,Abigaildiscoversthattheremaybesomethinginthepowerofthree ButLuke’sfatherisplottingsomething,andifthepackdoesn’tfightback,Abigailmightlosebothofhermenbeforeshecan trulyclaimthem.
Chapter1 Abigail THEWAYTHESUNhitherclassroomwindowalwaystoldherwhentheschooldaywasalmostover forthechildrenat least Shestillhadtheclassroomtotidyandtheactivitiestoplanforthefollowingday “So,everyone,we’renearlydonehere Ifyoucanfinishupwithyourprojectsandthenleavethemattheside,wecanpick backupagainwiththemtomorrow.”Abigailsmiledasshesawtheconcentrationonthefacesofheryoungpupils.“I’mso proudofyouall,andyoushouldbeproudofyourselves,too.Justlookatthiswonderfulwork.”Herheartfilledwith contentmentasshetracedhereyesoverthechildren’swork
Thisterm,theywerelearningallabouttheecosystemoftheforest,andtodaytheyhadstartedontheirownprojectsbuilding modelsincorporatingrealmaterialsthey’dsourcedonarecentouting.Thiswasparticularlyimportantfortheseyoungpups. Asshifters,theyweremoreconnectedthanmosttothenaturalworld,anditwaspartofherjobastheirteachertoembedthis knowledgeandappreciationintothem.
TheCrimsonClawpackwereproudmembersoftheshiftercommunity,andshewasequallyproudtobeoneofthemandhelp thenextgenerationofshiftersnavigatetheworldaroundthem.Beingateacherwaseverythingshehadhopeditwouldbeand more.Nothingwouldevercomparetoseeingthesparkinsideyoungoneslikethisandhelpingitgrowintoahealthyflame. “Ididn’tthinkminewasgoingtowork!”Amberexclaimed,herfacelitupwithbothprideandexcitement.“Butitdid,Miss Abby!”
“Itdid,”saidAbigailwithconviction.“Iknewitcouldwork,Amber,welldone.Thisisgreatstuff.”Amberlookedupat Abigail,herlargebrowneyesfilledwithwarmth.No,nothingcouldevercomparetothis.Abigailknewthat.Shewasborna shifterbutmadetobeateacher nodoubt.
“Canwefinishthemtomorrow,please?”Amberpleaded “Surewecan,”shereassuredtheyounggirl.“Youcangetrightbacktoworkfirstthinginthemorning.” “Awesome!”shereplied.
“Thebellwillberingingsoon,everyone.Makesureyourprojectsaresafe,andthenyouneedtogoandcollectyourthings fromyourcubbies Andmakesureyoutellyourmomsanddadsaboutbringinginsomethingthatmeansalottoyourfamilyfor nextweek’sShowandTell.”
“CanIbringMr.Pickles?”Chaseraisedhishand.
“Oh,who’sMr.Pickles,Chase?”Sheknewthatwasprobablyastupidquestion.Shehadafeelingwhoeveritwaswouldn’tbe makinganappearanceatnextweek’sclass
“He’sourdog”Chasespokeasifthiswasthemostobviousthingintheworld “He’sapug” Abigailsmiled,tryingnottolaugh.“MaybenotMr.Pickles,Chase.Speaktoyourmomaboutit.”
“Buthemeansalottoourfamily,”hereplied,almostconfusedbyherrefusalofhisrequest.“Hemeansthemostintheworld.”
“I’msurehedoes”Sheknelt,meetinghimateyelevel “AndI’msurehe’sthebestdogever,butwecan’tbringdogsinto schoolforShowandTell.Butyouknowwhat?Youcanbringsomephotosofhim,andmaybesomeofthethingshelikes.Atoy maybe.Whataboutthat?”
Hestaredather,disappointmentevidentinhiseyes,butshecouldalsoseetherecognitioninthem,hearthecogsworkingthat signifiedhewasthinkingaboutheroffer
“ItmightnotbeMr.Pickles,buthopefullythenextbestthing.”
“Okay,”hesaid,hiseyessortofdriftingoffashethought.Shelovedthatlook.Duringhertimeasateacherspendingsomany hoursaroundyoungchildren,she’dbecomeaccustomedtothatexpression.Thelooktoldhertheyweredisappearing somewhere aplaceofimagination,ofnewthoughts,andcreativity
Workingwithchildrenmeantalwaystraversingthefinelinebetweentheknownandtheunknown everydayanewadventure ofdiscovery.Itdidn’tevenfeellikeworktoher,justawayoflife,andachancetolearnsomethingnewaboutthelittleonesin hercareeveryday,toseethingsthroughtheireyes.
Whenthebellsounded,shesaidgoodbyetothem,knowingthattheyardsupervisorwouldmakesuretheywerereunitedwith theirparentsoutfront.Notthatitwasmuchofanissuewithatight-knitpacklikeCrimsonClaw.Everyoneknewwhobelonged towho oneoftheadvantagesofbeingashifterandapackmember.
“Hey,haveyouguysnothadenoughofmetoday?”Shesmiledatthethreeleftbehind.
“Notreally”Poppyshruggedandofferedheratoothygrin
Warmthpervadedherchest.Shewasn’toneforhavingfavorites,butshe’dknownPoppy,Rowan,andEthansincetheywere bornandhadtaughtthemconsecutivelyforacoupleofyearsnow.Inawaytheywerealmostlikesurrogatechildrentoher,not justherpupils,havingwatchedthemgrowovertheyearsandplayedapartintheircaregivingandeducation. “So,whatcanIdoforyou?”Abigailasked
“Well,wewerejusttalkingatrecess,andRowanwassayingthatshiftersandhumansaren’talwaysgoodfriends,butIsaid thatcan’tbetrue.BecauseIknowforafactthatmymomhasahumanfriendandthey’vebeenbestiesforforever,”Poppy stated.
“Ineversaidtheycan’tbegoodfriends,”Rowanprotested “Isaidnotbestfriendsbecausehowcanyoubebestfriendswith someoneifyoucan’tplay-fightandgoonrunstogether?”
“Wellnoteveryoneyougoonrunswithisyourbestfriend,”Ethanjoinedinonthisveryphilosophicalconversation. Abigailblewoutabreath.Ithadbeenalongday,andstillthequestionskeptoncoming,butthiswaswhatshewasherefor, anditseemedtobeimportanttothem “Okay,soIdon’tthinkthereareanyrulesspecifically,butIgetwhereyou’reallcoming from”
Sherememberednavigatingthesewatersasachild,wonderinghowshewouldfitintoaworldthatdidn’talwaysseemready forherandherkind,evenifshedidhaveapackthatshewaspartofandcouldfallbackon.
“Theimportantthingtoremember,Isuppose,istobetruetoyourselfandwho you are Youhaveyourinstincts,andyoushould alwayslistentothemaboveanythingelse Yourheart,yoursenses”
Shenoticedthewaytheywerelookingather,hangingoneveryword.“Youalreadyknowhowtodothat,andyougetto practiceiteveryday.Then,nomatterwhocomesintoyourlife shifterorhuman you’llknowifthey’remeanttobethere.” “Likeyou?”Poppyasked
Italmostbroughtateartohereye “Likeme,”Abigailagreed “Okay,let’stalkaboutthismoretomorrow,”shesaid,seeing someoneappearatthedoor.
Sheswallowed,wonderingwhatthehellhermate’sfatherwouldbedoinghere Granted,hewasthepreviousalpha,butthat didn’tmeanheshouldjustshowupatherplaceofwork.
“Sure,”Poppysaidasifansweringforthemall.“Hey,Mr.Harper.”
“Hey,kids,”hegreetedastheypassedhim,disappearingintothecorridor.“Yougoalonghomenow.”
“Hi,Christian”Abigailsmiledwidely “Thisisasurprise”
Heflashedheraflatsmile.“Sorrytobargeinonyoulikethis,”hebegan.“Iknowit’snotreallythedonething.Iwaiteduntil thechildrenleft,though.Niceworkthere,bytheway.SomegreatkidswehaveinCrimsonClaw.”
“Thanks,andyesthey’regreat allofthem.”Beingalonewithhiminthiswaywasstrange,andhersenseswerecomingalive. Thetoneofhisvoicedidn’tmatchhiswords,thoughshecouldn’tquiteputherfingeronwhatstirredherinstincts Itwasn’tlikesheknewhimthatwell,eventhoughhewasherfuturefather-in-law.Shewasalwaysstudying,training,or working,andhewasbusywithpackbusinessuntilrecentlywhenLuketookover,sobothhadpreciouslittletimeforanything oranyoneelse.
Unlikesomepacks,CrimsonClawdidn’trequiretheirnewalphastoofficiallytakeamateuponascension,andthissuited Abigailwell.ThoughsheandLukewereathing,shealsoenjoyedtheabilitytosettleintohercareerandworkhardatit,and hewasdoingthesame.Asalawyer,heputinthehours,determinedtobuildastrongclientlistandanevenstrongerreputation. “Issomethingwrong?”Worryovertookher.“IsitLuke?Didsomethinghappen?”Herstomachflippedasshebegantoimagine theworst TheonlythingconsolingheratthispointwasthatChristiandidn’tseemupset “No,nothinglikethat,”heassuredher.“ButIdohavesomethingtotellyou.It’snotgood,anditdoesaffectyou.” Justwhenshethoughtitwasokay,henowpulledtherugoutfromunderherfeet.Herheartthuddedandshecouldn’thelpbut thinkwhateverthiswaswouldn’tbeeasytotake.Shefeltasifherentirenervoussystemhadnowbeenhijacked,herstomach finallysinkingtothefloorandthebloodpumpingfuriouslyinherears Thewayhelookedathermadeherfeelevenworse Whatthehellwasgoingon?
“Please,justtellme,Christian.”
Chapter2 Abigail ITWASLIKETIMEstoodstillasAbigailwaitedforChristiantotellherwhatwasgoingon.Okay,soitdidn’tseemLukewas hurtorinanytrouble,butsomethingmustbewrongforhisfathertoturnuplikethis Whenhesteppedclosertoher,shealmoststoppedbreathing,andsomethinginhiseyesjustmadeherinstinctsyell,“Run!”Her skinprickled,theshort,softhaironherarmsstandingup.
“I’msorrytohavetobetheonetobreakthenewstoyou.Afterall,heshouldbedoingthis,”Christianexplained. “Who?Luke?”Hervoicewassmallandcrackedunderthepressurethatalmostswallowedherwhole “Yes,thatsonofmine ButthenhealwayswastoogoodforyouIsuppose,”hesneered Thereitwas.Sheknewherinstinctswererightonthisone.Hiswordswerenowdrippingwithcruelty.“What?” “That’sright,Abigail.He’srejectingyouashismate.”
Sheshookherheadindisbelief.“No,hewouldn’tdothat.”Herheartdroppedtothefloorandshatteredintoamillionpieces. Lukewasagoodman,whichwaswhytheyhadbecomefriendsinthefirstplace Thathadeventuallygrownintosomething more,andshewaslookingforwardtospendingtherestofherlifewithhim,startingafamilyonedaywithlotsofchildren.
“What?Youthinkyouknowhimbetterthanme?”hesnapped.“Lukeismysonandfromafamilyofalphas.You’renothinglike him.”
“Why Whyareyousayingthis?”Tearssprangtohereyes “LukeandIarehappy” “Happy?”Hescoffed.“He’llneverbehappyifhesettlesforsomeonelikeyouasamate.You’renotgettingyourfilthyclaws intohimanymorethanyoualreadyhave.Whateveryou’vedonetohurthim,you’vechosenthewrongguyandthewrong family.”
Hermindspun,likethiswassomekindofbaddreamthatshecouldn’tmakeheadnortailsof,orwakeupfrom “Whatareyou talkingabout?I’dneverhurtLuke,Ilovehim!”shepleaded.
“Huh!Love!Youthinkthisislove?”
“You’remakingnosense!”shecried.“Whateveryou’retalkingabout,you’vegotitwrong.” Heleanedagainstherdeskandfoldedhisarms “Andnowyouwanttolieaboutit,too Look,Idon’tknowwhatyoudidto hurtmyson,buthe’lltellmeeventually.Truthalwayscomesout,sweetheart.”
“Thisreallyisamistake,”sheassuredherex-alpha.“LetmecallLukeandseewhat’sgoingon.I’msurewecanworkthisout, whateveritis.”
“Toolate,”hesnappedandsmiled,revealingsharpcanines “He’smadehisdecision,andashisfatherandthepreviousalpha ofCrimsonClaw,I’vechosentogoalongwithit You,ontheotherhand,havenochoice” Abigailfoundherselflookingatthedoor,herself-preservationinstinctsnowfullykickingin.Somethingwasseriouslyoff here.NothinghadhappenedbetweenherandLukeotherthantheusualstuffthatwasalwayssweetandpositive.Hewasa
wonderfulguyandtheonlyoneforher
It makes no sense!
Asifreadingherthoughts,Christianmovedawayfromherdeskandstrodetowardthedoor.Inherheart,shehopedhewas leaving,butsomethingtoldhershewasn’tsolucky.Whateverhisintentionswere,theyweren’tgood.Shecouldsmellitinthe air
“NobodygetsawaywithmessingwithaHarper,”hesaid,hisbackstillturnedtoherashepulledthedoorclosed.Heturned backaround,hiseyesnowglowingandhisteethbared.She’dseenhiminwolfformplentyoftimesbefore,butneverlikethis humanyetwithhiswolfclearlyondisplay.Andshe’dcertainlyneverbeensubjecttohiswrath.
Pencilsandcrayonsscatteredacrossthefloor,asshebackedup,knockingthecontentsofthechildren’stablesoverasshe stumbled.Beforesheevenhadachancetomoveanyfurther,hewasinfrontofher,histeethdrippingsalivaashegrowledinto herface.“Timeforyoutolearnalessonofyourown,MissAbigailWesterfield.”
Hegrabbedherbyhershirtandthrewheracrossthetables,thesharppaininherarmstabbingatherasshelandedonit awkwardly Completelystunned,shelookedaround,surroundedbythedebrisofthechildren’sprojectsasChristianloomed overher.
Lightsflashedbehindhereyeswhenhedealtherasharpblowtotheface,herheadcrackingagainstthetable.Shefeltthe trickleofwarmliquidasitmadeitswaydownintohertemples,collectinginherear.
Helookeddownathersmiling,hiseyesstillwildandwolf-like,hisfangsbared Shecouldbarelyseethroughheroneeye, andforamomentwishedshewasn’tabletoatall.Somethingwassoterrifyingabouthimthatitwashardtodealwith. “Please,”shebegged.“Thisisa ”
Toolate,anotherblowtoherfacealmostknockedherunconsciousbutnotcompletely.Becausenowshewasawareofbeing pickedupagainandthrownacrosstheroomlikeshewasnothingbuttrash Shelandedbythesideofherdesk,wonderingif thiswasitnow.Becausewhatevercamenextwouldsurelybetheendofher.Shesawhisbootsatthesideofherheadand waitedforthefatalblows.
Blowsthatnevercame.
Instead,sheheardhisfootstepsfollowedbyherclassroomdooropeningandthenbeingslammedshut Shelaythereforafew moments,nothingbutshockandpaincoursingthroughher Whenshesatup,herribsached,thoughbysomemiracleshedidn’t thinktheywerebroken.
Shewantedtocallforhelpbutthoughtbetteroftheidea.Christianwasalphastock,afterall.Ifthiswashischoiceofaction andindefenseofthealphahimself,itwasadonedeal Onlyoneoptionwaslefttoheratthispoint Shehadtoleave Tearsnowrushedfromher,joiningtherivuletsofbloodthatstreameddownherface Howdidthishappenandwhy?Noneof itmadesensetoher,butfornow,shedidn’thavethetimetothinkaboutinjustice.Shehadtogetoutoftownandawayfromthe packassoonaspossible.
ThethoughtofseeingLukeorhisfatheragainwastoomuchtobear
Shehadtogo,and fast
“Think,”shesaid,takingsomesteadybreaths.Shewipedherfaceofbloodandtearswithhersweaterthatwashangingover thebackofherchair.Herbagwasthere,too,andinitwaseverythingsheneeded
ID,phone,wallet,andmostimportantly, carkeys
Athome,shehadnothingbutclothesandbelongingsthatshecouldaffordtolose Therewasnothingshecouldnotreplace exceptforLuke,herhome,andherpack.
Still,ChristianandLukehadleftherwithlittlechoice Asuddensurgeofadrenalinepropelledhertorise,despiteheralmost brokenbody,pickupherbag,andgetthehelloutofthere.
Herheartbrokefurther,ifthatwasevenpossible,asshetookinherfinallookatherclassroom aplacethatcontainedso manymemories,heldsomuchloveandnurturing.Nowitwasdecoratedwithbrokenfurniture,spattersofblood,andthe remainsofthechildren’swork
“Mygod,”shemurmured,unabletoquitebelieveit.
Shereachedforthedoorknob,hopingnoonewasontheotherside.Thelastthingsheneededwastofaceanyoneelse, especiallyinthestateshewasin.Downthecorridor,shespiedtheschoolsecretary,Alice.
“Hey,Abby,”Alicecalled “Canyoupoptotheofficeand ” “Sorry,gottogo,”Abigailcutheroffmidsentenceandheadedtothefireexitattheendofthecorridor.
“But ”Alicecalled.
Toolate,shewasoutofthedoorandinthesmallparkinglot,franticallytryingtoopenhercarwithherdamagedandshaking hands Onceshewasinside,shemanagedasmallsighofrelief,asifthemetalcontainershewasinwassomekindofbarrier betweenherandtheoutsideworld aworldshethoughtshecouldtrustandonewhereshebelonged. Howwrongshewas.
Therewasnopurposeinstoppingatherplace,she’dmadeherminduponthatone.Shewouldjustleaveanddrive,puttingas muchdistancebetweenherselfandCrimsonClawpackasshecould,howeverstrangeandpainfulthatwas Shetookoff,notlookingbackeveninthemirror,withnoideawhereshewasheadedorwhatshewasgoingtodowhenshe gotthere.Allsheknewwasthatlifehadchangedforeverforher.
Themanshethoughtlovedherwasn’twhoshethoughthewas.Hisfather,evenlessso.Asthetowndisappearedbehindher andtheroadopenedout,allshecouldhearwasChristian’svoicetellinghershewasnevergoodenoughforLuke,thatshehad hurthimsomehow.
Yetnothingcouldbeasbadaswhathe’djustdonetoher.Rejectedherandlefthisfathertoseeksomekindofrevengeonher forsomethingshehadn’tevendone.
Nowthetearscamefastandhot,almostburningherskinwiththeirintensity
Butthatwasnothingcomparedtothepaininher heart,anagonysodeepshedidn’tknowifshe’deverrecover
Chapter3 Abigail ITMUST’VEBEENHOURS,butregardless,shecontinueddriving.Thoughherbodyachedfromheadtotoe,thethingsturning aroundinhermindkeptherfromsinkingintothepaincompletely
“Shit”Shewincedasthepaininherleftarmremindedheritneededsomeseriousattention Sheswalloweditdown, wonderinghowlongshecouldcontinueandwhetheranyofherpackwouldcomelookingforhertofinishthejob. Shewouldn’tputitpastChristiantodojustthatbasedonthewayhewaswithherearlier.Onlyhewouldhavethegalltoenter aschool,beattheshitoutofoneoftheteachers,andwalkstraightoutlikenothinghappened WouldLukebepleasedtoseeherlikethis?
Shecouldn’timagineit,despitewhathisfatherhadtoldher.Hewasalwayssuchagoodguy.Toughmaybe,buthewasan alpha.She’dneverseenLukedisplayanyofthetendenciestowardviolencehisfatherpossessed.
Infact,shecouldn’trememberatimewhenChristianhadeither.Theywereusuallyapeacefulpack,notlikesomeothersshe’d heardofthatwereharshandbrutal
CrimsonClawwasagreatpacktobeapartof untilnow.
Panicspreadthroughheragain,notthatithadleftmuchsinceseeingChristianearlier.She’dneverworriedaboutviolencein thepack,butnowthatshe’dexperienceditfirsthand,shesuddenlyworriedaboutthechildren.
Oneofthegreatestmercieswasthatnoneofthemwitnessedwhathappenedtoher,shehadthattobethankfulfor,atleast But whatiftheyweren’tsafenow?Sheknewhowmuchtheythoughtofher.WhatifthatmadethemvulnerabletoattackfromLuke andhisfather?
“No,hewouldn’t,”shemutteredtoherself,hardlybeingabletobelieveLukewoulddosuchathing.“Notthekids.”
Hermindtraveledbacktojustafewhoursago,totheirfacesastheyworkedontheirprojects,completelyimmersedintheir workduetothenatureofit,andhowproudtheywereoftheirachievements.Beforesheknewit,hugesobsrackedher,the thoughtofneverseeingthemagainsounbearableshecouldn’tcope.
Thosechildrenwereherlife.Shelovedthemasiftheywereherownandhadseenthemgrowanddevelopfrombabiesinto wonderfullittleshifterswhogreetedhereverymorningwithbigsmilesandtheoccasionalhug
Thelosshitherlikeafreighttrain,crushinganyhopeshehadleft.Thepainattackingherbodywasonething,butthelossesshe wasnowgoingtohavetodealwithweresomethingelse.Thechildren,herjob,andherhome. AndLuke,ofcourse.
Forhoursshehadbeendebatingwhetherornotshe’ddonetherightthingbydisappearingwithoutspeakingtohimfirst She wascertainshecouldhavetalkedsomesenseintohim,lethimknowthatwhateverhesuspectedherofwasn’t true Shedidn’thavethefirstideawhatthatcouldevenbe.Sincetheyhadbeentogetherasacouple,everythinghadgonesowell, andshewasalwaysgladtheyhaddevelopedafriendshipbeforebecominganythingmore.
Becauseofthatfriendship,Abigailthoughtsheknewhimallthebetter Theyhadbypassedthesometimes-awkwardget-toknow-youstages,whichwasastrengthinitself.Moreover,theirsharedeagernesstoestablishthemselvesintheirrespective careersonlyaddedtothefoundationoftheirrelationship.
Maybeshewaswrongallalong.
Perhapsheresentedherforhercareerchoiceandwouldhavepreferredamatewhocouldsimplysupporthiminhisroleas lawyerandalpha.Wasitthattheyspentsomuchtimeapartaftergettingtogethersomuchlaterthanmostalphacouplesdueto Lukebeingpreparedforhispositionaspackleader?
Abigailfoundherselfbeingtakendownmanyroutesinhermind,noneofthemleadingtoanykindofconclusion.Whatever answerswereoutthere,theyweren’tavailabletoheratthispoint,andshehadlittlereasontobelievetheyeverwouldbe SheresignedherselftothefactthatLukewouldneverhavepickedheroverhisfather’swishes,despitetheirrelationship.
FromthewayChristianhadjustjumpedtohisson’sdefense,sheknewbloodwasthickerthanwaterwhenitcametothose two.
WhetheritwasanalphathingorjustaHarperfamilything,shecouldn’tbesure,andithardlymattered Neitherdidshe Now, shewouldhavenoideaifsheeverhadatall.
Shepassedasignlettingherknowaservicestationwasjustupaheadand,lookingatthegaugeonthedashboard,realizedshe wouldneedtomakeagasstop.Plus,shecouldreallydowithcleaningupabitandwasdesperateforadrink.
Lookinginherrearviewmirror,shehardlyrecognizedherself Herlefteyewasbruisedandswollen,herlipcut,andherface streakedwithtearsamiddriedandcakedblood.Ithadrunintohertemples,collectingatherears,hershort,darkbobnow stucktothesideofherheadontheleftside.
Shesmootheddownherbangs,wishingtheywerelongersoshecouldhidebehindthem.Luckily,sherememberedshehada baseballcapinhertrunkthatsheusedwhenhikingorrunningasahuman
Whenshefinallyreachedthereststop,shepulledinandsatinsilenceforafewminutes,feelinganumbnessthatengulfedher spirit.Instarkcontrast,herbodywasanythingbutnumb.Itscreamedather bruised,battered,andaching butherheartand mindcouldn’tescapethevoidthathadopenedinher.
Sheclimbedout,despiteherbody’sprotests,andwentstraighttothetrunktoretrievehercap Shewassogratefulitwasthere asshepullediton,hidingsomeofherinjuriesbetweenthecapandthesunglassesshealwayskeptinherglovecompartment Thenshefilledupbeforeheadinginside,payingforthegasincashandcollectingsomewaterandpainkillers.
“Anythingelse?”Thecashierdidhisbestnottocatchhereyeasifunderstandingshedidn’twanttobelookedatandcertainly didn’tneedanyquestions
“No,butdoyouhaveabathroom?”Shespokeascalmlyasshecould “Outthedoor,turnright,”hereplied.
“Thanks.”Shecollectedherthingsandheadedthere.Thesmellofurinehitherbeforeshe’devenopenedthedoor,oneofthe downsidesofhavingheightenedsenses,butshehadtoomuchgoingontobeconcernedaboutthestench Shetookoffherglassesandcap,wincingasshedid,andlookedintothedirtymirrorabovethebasin Evenwiththelayerof grimeoverthereflectivesurface,shespiedthestateofherfacebeforeturningonthewaterandsplashingsomeoverherself. Thesinkturnedadarkredasshewashedawaysomeofthedriedblood,stillinshockthishadhappened. Untilnow,heronlyinjurieshadbeentheminorscrapesandbruisestypicalofplay-fightinginheryouth,theusualfarefora wolfcub This wasbeyondherexperienceandunderstanding
Shewasacalmandgentleperson,despitebeingashifter.She’dfoundherroleinlifehelpingothersandcaringforchildren. Shewasn’tthetypetogetintoscrapes,whetheronaplayingfieldorinabar.Instead,shewasmorelikelytobetuckedupat
homewithhernoseinagoodbook
Butshecouldn’tallowherselftocrack,notyet.
Shedriedherhandsandfacebeforepickinguphercapandheadingbacktohercar.Shestillhadsomemilestoaddtoher journey,thoughshehadn’tsettledonadestination.Atleastshenowhadplentyofgas,somewater,andsomepainkillers.It wasn’tmuch,butitwasastart
Whenshewasbackinthecar,shethrewherbagfromthestoreonthepassengerseatbeforereachinginandretrievingher waterandthepainkillers.Sheknockedthembothbackgladlyandthenturnedontheengineandheadedbackoutontotheroad. Onceagain,hermindkickedin,throwingupallsortsofquestionsandscenariosasitgrappledtounderstandwhatthehellhad happened ShewonderedwhereLukewasrightnowandifheknewshewasgone HadChristiantoldhimwhathadhappenedattheschool?Whathe’ddonetoher?
Herphonewasstillswitchedoff.Nowaydidshewanttohearfromanyofthem,andapartofherstillworriedshecouldbe trackedsomehow ifthat’swhattheywereplanning.Orwouldtheylethergoquietlytojustslipoffasifshehadnevereven beenthereinthefirstplace?
Herheadthrobbedwithstressandinjury,hereyesdroopingheavily.Herbodywasreachingitslimit,anddespitebeinga shifter,sherecognizedwhentoadmitdefeat.Afewmilesfurther,asharppainshotfromherheaddowntoherfingertips, sealingherdecision.
She’dbeendrivingforhours,andnowfoundherselfheadingthroughanationalpark Theforestthatstretchedformileswasthe mostwelcomesightshe’dseensinceleaving. Nowaycouldshegoanyfurther.Sheresignedherselftothefactshe’dbespendingthenightthereandpulledover.
Chapter4 LATERON,LUKEWOULDtellhimselfheknewsomethingwaswrongallalong.
Lateron,hewouldtellhimselfhe’dhadafunnyfeelinginhischest apartofhisbodytellinghimsomethingwasamiss Inreality,Lukehadnoinklingthatwhenhereturnedfromhisdiplomatictriptoanotherpackeverythingwouldhavechanged
TheCrimsonClawpackcompoundwaswideandsweeping,coveringmanyacresofland.Now,ashepulledupthedriveway thatledtohishouse,Lukemarveledateverythinghehadachievedasalpha.
AyoungwolfstoodinthecommonroomsofthemainhouseasLukeentered ThatwaswhenLuketrulyknewsomethingwaswrong whentheyoungwolfturnedtolookathimwithwide,worriedeyes “Whatisit?”hedemandedrightaway.
“Uhm,”shestutteredseveraltimesbeforesheanswered.“Abigailisgone.She’sleft.”
“Whatthehelldoesthatmean?Whatdoyoumeanshe’sleft?”Lukewasconscioushisvoicewasdangerouslysharp. Hetriedtosoftenhistone,triedtocalmdown ButallhecouldseewasanimageofAbigail,leaving.
Justthen,Daniel,anolderwolf,walkedintothecommonrooms,andLukeroundedonhimimmediately. “Where’sAbigailgone?”
Danielshrugged “Sheleft Shedidn’tgiveanyoneareason Shejustleft” Lukeswallowedseveralgulpsofairashestruggledtothinkstraight. Howhadhismatejustupandleftwithoutgivinganyoneareason?Andwhyhadtheylethergowithoutdemandingan explanationfromher?WhenLuketurned,andfoundhimselfinfrontofamirror,hesawthathisfacewaswhiteandhiseyes werewet
Hewasn’tdoingmuchbetterontheinside. Inside,hiswolfpacedandletoutapainedhowleveryfewseconds.
Thebeastwasincleardistress,mirroringeverythingLukefeltinside.
Your father, avoiceinhisheadspokesuddenly Your father, you need to see your father Heexhaledasaslightcalmdescendedonhim.HehadassignedhisfathertotakecareofAbigail’ssafetywhilehewasgone. Hopefullythatmeanttheolderwolfwouldbeabletogivehimanswers.
Lukewasn’tsureifhisfatherhadbeenwaitingforhimtoarriveandquestionhim,butwhenhewalkeduptohisfather’s quarters,thedoortoChristian’sstudywasopen Themansatinsidewithacigarinonehandandaglassofbourboninthe other “Son,”Christianspokeinhisgravellyvoice.
“Dad!”TherewasenoughtensioninLuke’svoicetosnapanelasticband Thisdidn’tseemtofazeChristian,whosimply raisedaneyebrowandstaredsilentlyatLuke.
“Abigailleft!Howcouldyouletthathappen?Iassignedyoutoprotecther!” Christiansighedheavilyandstood.“Ihavebeenrackingmybrain.”Christianswallowedthelastofthebourbonintheglass.
“Tryingtofigureouthowtotellyouthis”
“Tellmewhat?”Lukefelthimselfdeflateathisfather’swords. Thatwaswhenhefeltit anoverwhelmingsenseofdread.
Lateron,hewouldtellhimselfthatasingularsenseofdreadhadbeenhangingheavilyintheairallalong. “Abigailcametome,”hisfathersaidashestartedpacingaroundtheroom “Shesaidshewasn’tsureshewantedtospendthe restofherlifewithyou.Sheaskedmehowshecouldrejectyouashermate.”
“You,youcan’t…youcan’tbeserious.”Lukestaggeredbackwardafewsteps.
Christiansighedandnoddedheavily.“Shesaidsheneededtofindaworthymate.Shesaidshecouldneverreallyloveyou.” “No!”Luke’svoiceechoedaroundtheroom Thenagain,moresoftly,“No”
Helookeddownastearswelledupinthecornersofhiseyes.Thesenseofdreadthathadhungheavilyintheairhadtakenup spaceinhischest,intheshapeofthemissingAbigail.
Forasecond,Lukecouldn’tbreathe,couldn’tthink,couldn’tquitefunction.“No.”
Hecouldn’tacceptChristian’swordsastruth
Andthatwassayingalotbecausethewords Abigail’ssupposedwords hadburrowedtheirwayintohisbrain.
You need to find her.
Thevoicedidn’tquitebelongtohim.Instead,itwasanamalgamationofAbigail’svoice,andhiswolf’svoice.Theeerie soundoftheircombinedvoicesechoedinsidehishead
You need to find her
You need to find her.
Find your mate.
EveryinstinctinLuke’sbodyscreamedathimtofindAbigail EvenifChristian’swordshadnowburrowedtheirwayintohis heart
Intohis soul.
HestrodeoutoftheroombeforeChristiancouldsayanythingandrusheddownstairs.Lukeneededtofindher,andheneededto findherfast Heheadedforhistruckandslammedthedoorasheclimbedintothevehicle
LukeknewonewayhecouldfindAbigail
Throughthematingbond.
Yetwhatifhisfatherwasright?
WhatifAbigailwantedtorejecthim?Wantedtorejectthematingbond?
Thatwouldmeanthematingbondwouldbeweakening Itwouldbeweakeningevenashestoodthere
That doesn’t matter. You need to find her. It doesn’t matter if she’s upset with you right now. Once you find her, you can fix everything.
Lukebegantoformulateaplan
Hepulledhisphoneoutofhispocketanddialedthenumberofanearbypackalpha thealphahehadjustcomebackfrom visiting.
Aftertwentyminutes,hehadspokenwithfivedifferentpackalphas,eachofwhompromisedtolookoutforAbigail.
Hislastphonecallwastoatracker awolfshifterwhobelongedtoaneighboringpack Theshifterhadthespecifictalentof findinglostshifters,especiallychildren.
“Whatcanyoudoforme?”Lukefoundhimselfasking,afterhehadexplainedthesituationtothetracker.
“I’llputmyeartotheground.Butyoushouldgetoutamapandmarkdownanyplacesthatsheknowswell.Scaredwolvesare morelikelytosticktofamiliarplaces”
Lukenodded,eventhoughtheshifterontheotherendcouldn’tseehim. Fearhadswollentoalumpinhisthroatandrestrictedhisairflow.
Come on, man!You’re the alpha!You can’t let fear overtake you! Butasmuchashetriedtoswallowtheterror,Lukecouldn’t Hecouldn’tletgoofthefearthatmaybehisfatherwasright,and Abigailwasrejectinghim,evenwhenhisgutinstinctstoldhimtheopposite.
Rightthen,hisfearwasgreaterthananythinghisinstinctscouldimpart.
“Thankyou,”hesaidferventlytothetrackerbeforehangingupthephone. Then,heevaluatedhisplans
Heneededtofindherhimself,andaskingotherpackalphastokeepaneyeoutforherwasn’tgoodenough.Asanalpha,andas Abigail’smate,hisresponsibilitymeanthecouldn’tsitaroundandwait.Thewolfinsidehimgrowledinagreement,andLuke drummedhisfingersonthetopofhistruck’ssteeringwheel.
Hewasconsciousthenofhisfather’sfigure,inthetopmostwindowofthepack’smainhouse Christianwaswatchinghim His fatherwasprobablycurioustoseewhathewouldchoosetodo.
WouldLukechoosehismateandleavepackterritory?OrwouldheabandonAbigailandremaintruetohispack?
Again,Lukewasconsciousofthefeelingofdread,whichhadnowmadeahomeinthehollowofhischest.Hehadmadethe decisionbeforehewasreallyconsciousofhischoice
Thedecisiontogoafterher himself.
Heturnedthekeyintheignitionbeforeheknewwhathewasdoingandpulledoutofthedrivewayofthepackcompound.As Lukedroveawayfromthemainhouse,hismindranwithimagesofAbigail.Theirrelationshipwassonew soperfect that hesometimescouldn’tquitebelieveitwasreal
Theydidn’thavealotofmemoriestogether,butthememoriestheydidhavewereprecioustohim Andhecouldnotloseher.
Notnow.Notever.
Thedrivefromthemainhousetotheborderofhispack’sterritorywasalongone,andthefartherLukegotawayfromthe house,thelongertheroadseemedtostretchon Asifsomesupernaturalforcewaspullinghimbackward Asifsomething largerthanhimwantedtoforcehimtostayinpackterritory.
Heshudderedashetightenedhisgriponthesteeringwheel.TheskinonLuke’sarmstingled pricklinganxietyorfear. Hecouldnottellwhich
Whathecoulddiscern,though,wasthathisfatherwouldnotbehappyhehadchosenAbigailoverremainingwiththepack Christianwouldbefuming,eventhoughhisfatherwouldnevershowsuchemotion. Lukewasn’tsurewhy,butthethoughtgavehimsomesatisfaction.
Eventually,Lukecrossedthethresholdbetweenthepack’scompoundandtheoutsideworld Ashedroveaway,allhesawin hismindwashisfather’sshadowyfigurestandinginthetopmostwindowofthemainhouse Whatwouldhiswolvesthinkofhisleaving?Wouldthepack’sviewofhimasalphachange? Someofthemwouldprobablybelievehehadabandonedthem.
Wavesofguiltcrashedintohim,butthenanimageofAbigailtookshapeinhismind Hetightenedhisgriparoundthesteeringwheelagain.
I have to find her.
Chapter5 Abigail THEFORESTENVELOPEDABIGAILindarkness.
Theexperiencewaseerie,withherconsciousnessebbingandflowing Eachtimesheawoke,theshadowsaroundherhad shifted,castingstrangeandever-changingformsinthedimlight Sometimestheygrew,becomingswollen,livingthingsthat seemedtotauntherthroughthewindowsofhercar.
Then,justassuddenly,theywoulddiminishandfade,onlytore-emergeinnew,hauntingshapes.
Theshadowswereugly,ahazeofdarkgreensandgrays,andtheyseemedtowatchher I’m so fucked
Thevoiceinherhead hervoice groanedthewords.
Abigailhadn’trealizedhowinjuredshewasuntilthen.Untilshestartedtothinktheshadowsoftheforestcouldbealive. Who would have thought I’d end up dying here?
Herinnervoicewassnarkyandpetulant
Because I don’t want to die here!sheretortedatherself.
Abigailknewshewastrulyunconsciouswhentheshadowsoutsidebecamehumanoidfiguresthatchasedher.
Thedream,thatshewasn’tsurewasreallyadream,madeherfreezewithfear.
Thenot-dreamchangedthenasaloudbangingcamefromtheheavens
Thebangingseemedtochasetheshadowyhumanoidthingsaway.
Abigaillookedupgratefullytowardthesky,onlytofindoutthatshewaswakingupfromunconsciousness.
Andtheloudbangingwasnotanangrygodorgoddess,theretoprotecther.Instead,thebangingcamefromanoldwomanwith wirywhitehairandawizenedface,whowastappingonthewindshieldofthecar “Areyouokay,dearie?Bert,Idon’tthinkshe’sokay!Bert!Bert!”thewomancalledoverandoveragainasAbigailstaredup ather.
Thewomanhadtobeinherlateseventies,ormaybeherearlyeighties.Shehadlostthebeautyofyouthalongtimeago,and onlytheoutlineofitremained Yetinthatmoment,Abigailhadneverseenamoreradiantwomanbefore I’d think that about anyone who saved me, shethoughttiredly.
Shetriedtomovethenbutrealizedquicklyenoughthatshewastrappedbyherinjuries.
Hermouthwaspainfullydry,andherbladderwasfull.Abigailwasonthevergeoftearswhenamanappearednexttothe woman
Bert, I’m guessing
Andthoughhelookedasoldasthewomanwhohadcalledhisnamesoinsistently,hewasstrongenoughtotakethelocked doorofhercaroffitshinges.
Becausethatwaswhathedidnext
“Thankyou.”Abigailfoundherselfcoughingthewordsastheyhelpedheroutofthecar.
“Noworries,dearie,”thewomanpracticallychirrupedthewords,likeanagedSnowWhite. ThatwaswhenAbigailsmelledthemproperlyforthefirsttime wolf
Theywereshifterslikeher Shehadn’trealizeditatfirstasshehadbeensoboggeddownbypainithadbeendifficulttofocus onanythingotherthanbreathing.
“I’mfine,”sheinsistedastheyhelpedhertoherfeet.Sheinhaledunsteadily,andthebitingpainseemedtoflareintoexistence witheachnewbreath.“Youreallydon’thavetoworry.Ijustneededtorest.”
“Ohdear,butwecan’tjustleaveyouhere Besides,Berthastoputyourcar’sdoorbackon Don’tyou,Bert?Bert!” “Ireallyamfine.”Abigailstruggledtosmileatthewoman,whosenameshestilldidn’tknow.Whenshelookedaroundher, shesawtheshadowsagain,gatheringaboveher.Sheneededtogetawayfromthere.Andsheneededtodoitsoon.
“Dear,whydon’tyouletustakeyoutoourpackhealer?”ThewomanmusthaveseenthestartledlookonAbigail’sface becauseshepracticallychortled “Wesmelledthewolfonyourightaway Pleasedear,itwon’ttakeevenaminute”
Eventually,Abigailallowedthemtoconvincehertogototheirpackhealer.
Esme theoldwomanhadfinallytoldAbigailhername helpedAbigailintotheircar.Bert,whohadsaidnothingatallbut noddedateverythinghiswifesaid,startedtheiroldcarquickly.
TheMoonstonepack becauseEsmehadalsorevealedthenameofherpack territorywasalmostaslargeastheCrimson Clawterritory.Abigaildidn’tseemuchofit,though,stillintoomuchpaintotakenoteofhersurroundings.Shemusthave fallenintounconsciousnessagainbecausewhenshewoke,shewasn’tintheoldcaranymore.
Instead,shewasonacotinwhatwasclearlyaninfirmary.
“Hi,welcomebacktotheworld!”ayoung,femalewolfshifterchirped
“WhereamI?”Abigail’stonguewasthickinhermouth,andherheadspunasshetriedtositup.
“Pleasedon’tdothat!”Theshifterplacedafirmhandonhershoulder. “WhereamI?”Abigailwhisperedoncemore.
“You’reintheMoonstonepackinfirmary IthoughtEsmetoldyou”
“Esme,”Abigailmurmured Shereachedforthememoriesofthewoman,butallshecameupwithwasabizarreimageof SnowWhiteinhermind.“Esme.”
“Yes,Esme,”thewolfshiftersaidencouraginglyasAbigaillaybackdown.
“Now,ouralphawantstoseeyou Igaveyousomepainmedicationtohelpwithyournaturalhealingprocess You’llbeabit loopyforawhile,buthewon’tmind”
Abigailnoddedstifflyasthedoortotheinfirmaryopened.
Themanwhowalkedinwasheartbreakinglygorgeous.Abigailcouldunderstandthateveninhercurrentstate.
“Wow,”shebreathedasshelookedathim Thewordsshespokenextslippedfromherunbidden “You’resobeautiful” Themanjustsmiledkindlyashelookeddownather “WelcometotheMoonstonepack I’mgladEsmeandBertfoundyou If youhadbeenoutthereformuchlonger,youwouldhavefrozen.” “I’mgladtheybroughtmeheretoo.Toyou,”Abigailsaidwithoutthinking.
Themanlaughedagain “Now ”Hebecameserious “Iwantyoutotellmewhathappenedtoyou Ayoungwolflikeyou doesn’tjustendupinjuredlikethiswithoutsomethingbadhappening” Abigailwassilentforamomentasshetriedtoanswerthealpha’squestion.Then,toherhorror,shefoundherselfcrying.The medication,sheknew,wasmakingheremotionalandsappy.
“Hehurtme,”shefoundherselfwhispering Somethingflashedinthealpha’seyes “Hehurtmereallybad”Shesobbedthen “Christian.Idon’tknowwhatIdidtohim.Buthehitmesohard.Heclawedatmyface.Hemademebleed.” “Okay,calmdownforme.”ThealphaplacedasoothinghandonAbigail’scheekandsheleanedintohiswarm,slightlyrough skin.“You’refine.You’resafenow.Repeatafterme,Iamsafenow.”
“Iamsafenow,”Abigailrepeateddutifully,butasshespoke,sherealizedherwordswereslurred
That pain medication must have been very strong. Thefemalewolfshifterwhoseemedtobethehealercamebackintotheroomthen.Inthemomentofsilence,Abigailforgot everythingshehadjustsaid.Eventheremnantsoftherememberedpainfadedundertheassaultofthemedication.
“Listen,Abigail” When did she learn my name? “We’regoingtosedateyounow Yourarmisbroken Itwillbetoopainful formetosetitwhileyou’reawake.”Shenoddeddrowsilyatthehealer’swords.
Thealpha,whosenameshedidnotknowyet,stillhadhishandonhercheek.Hestrokedhercheekgentlywithhisthumb beforeremovinghishand.
Abigailjumpedattheabsenceofthealpha’shandagainstherskin
Thesedationworkedquickly,andsheslippedintothedarknessandsafetyofsleepquickly. WhenAbigailwokeonceagain,theinfirmaryroomwasdark,asidefromadim,goldenlightthatshimmeredfromwhatfeltlike milesaway.
Hermouthwasdry,andthehealermusthaveforeseenthisbecauseaglassofwatersatnexttoherbed Shemovedawkwardly, andwhenshelookeddown,shesawthatherarmwasinacast.
Abigailhadnomemoriesofwhathadhappenedbeforeshehadfallenasleep,butitseemedthatsomeonehadsetherbroken arm.Shesighedwithreliefaftershetookagulpofwaterandthenlaybackdown.
Sheknewsettingherarmwouldhelphershifterhealingabilitiestoworkmorequickly Thesedation,painmedication,and settingofherarmwouldhelpherinternalinjuriestohealaswell.
There must be a healer here in the Moonstone pack, Abigailthought.Shepursedherlips. How did I know I’m with the Moonstone pack? Herthoughtswerejumbledandherbrowfurrowedasshetriedtorememberwhathadhappenedbeforeshe wassedated Theonlythingshecouldrememberwasthepresenceofanalpha ThenAbigailthoughtaboutLuke AndChristian Sharp,shootingpainsskitteredupherarmatthethoughtofthetwomen.
Tearswelledupinhereyes,andsheturnedontoherleftsidetofacethewall.
ShedidnotwanttothinkaboutLukeorChristian
Shedidnotwanttothinkabouttheattack
Shedidnotwanttorememberthepainanylonger thephysicaloremotionalpain. Allshewantedtodowasfallasleepandwakeupwithnomemoriesofwhathadoccurred.Whenshefellasleepthistime,her slumberwasfitfulanduneasy
Whileunconscious,greenandgrayshadowschasedher
