Yumi's POV- This is happening in a vast clearing in the forest; the Pack’s training ground. We all watch Henry pick up a knife from the tall stool stationed before him to slice his palm with it and watch droplets of his blood drip into the goblet on the stool. Which is said to be filled with moonflower water. I witness this moment along with everyone else as the all-powerful and dominant Alpha expresses his dominance, superiority, and leadership for all to behold. The whole place is silent while we watch as one by one, the new members stand up to follow in the act Henry just did. “I, Jayden Andrea accept you, Alpha Henry Slater, as my alpha. I swear my loyalty and life to my Alpha’s command and brotherhood to the Black Forest Pack,” One of them goes first, resolve blazing in his eyes and I dart my gaze over to the Alpha staring down at him. “I, Alpha Henry Slater, accept you, Jayden Andrea, as a member of my pack; Black Forest Pack. I shall offer protection and care.” The rest fo

Henry's POV.- “I-I…w-want to go…h-home.” I hear a very weak and tranquil voice bubble out of her trembling lips and I suddenly feel guilty. Letting go of her hand, she retracts it protectively. Much to my hurt and I look away. “I’ll drop you off. And there’s no refusing me”. She just nods and I hear a sniffle. Now my heart cracks. I made my mate cry. Talon is depressed and I feel so sad within. I follow after her slow pace and shut the door when she’s securely in and promise myself to protect her and rid of whoever makes her cry again. We remain in silence as I drive down the street. Yumi still sniffles and it’s breaking me, especially knowing she’s avoiding me on top. Or is it possible I triggered something? A trauma? A terrible memory? I drive up to the front of her apartment building and turn off the engine. “Sorry about earlier if I startled you. I hope it doesn’t bother you much…goodnight then.” Those aren’t the words I want to say. At least, it should be followed by a long

Yumi's POV- 5ft, 11 inches tall, alloy-orange long hair held in a male bun, amazonite eyes, and a funny sweet smile. That’s Nyx; my ex and first love. He’s only two years older than I am and he’s been mated to someone else for the past two years, and I’m deeply overjoyed he’s going to be a dad. “You look more excited than I do.” Nyx smirks and proceeds to say, “So, how’s it like now that you’ve found your mate?” I stiffen to stillness and everyone laughs at me. I blush, avoiding the teasing gazes. “It’s well um…good, I guess,” I give a shy and uncertain reply and Lisa holds my hand, making me look at her as she asks, “You guess? Hasn’t he marked you yet?” All eyes simultaneously turn to Henry at the head of the island and he shrugs with a groan. “Don’t give me those looks. She’s not as easy as she looks,” He chugs down his drink and sighs right after. Charles flashes a devious smirk with uplift brows, “Oh, that really? Then I’m guessing you’re out of it, huh. Committed?” I have

Henry's POV.- I detach myself from the aroused girl, eyes firmly on my mate. She whines, “Why did you stop? I’m hoping to get laid!” In a monotonous voice, I say to her, having her freeze up frostily and cower with her body trembling so greatly. “Get the fuck off me”. I refill my glass of vodka, downing it with a quick reflex as I watch the strippers do their thing around the poles. They’re in nothing but bum shorts and see-through lace bras. Their fluid body movement is a deadly turn-on and I hope to get laid tonight by nook or by crook. I can’t allow one woman to overpower even my sex life. She has me under no leash, there’s no spell she got me bound to and I don’t owe her a heartbreak, so she can let me be and allow me to enjoy my paradise. The stripper directly in front of me winks seductively at me and I shift uncomfortably in my seat. She’s as hot as fire and got that curvy body I lust after like the moron I am. I lick my lips slowly, noticing how her peckish eyes trail the

Yumi's POV.- I haven’t seen him since then. More like I kept looking away and avoiding any form of contact. We were a little late for the party but I still got there after seeing the Pack doctor. Henry left halfway into the party and wasn’t seen again. But when I recalled what went down in the Woods, maybe he went to indeed ‘have fun’. My friends are still over there. I got tired of all the noise and bustling wolf vibes and left. So here I am, not in the Packhouse like I’d want to, but in my Mate’s mansion. All alone with the sleeping Tommy next to me on the couch. He ran around so much and got tired eventually. When I decided to head back, he tagged along. I stare down at him with a smile. He probably wanted to retire for the night itself. I let out a yawn. “No, no…I don’t wanna fall asleep yet. No one’s in to watch after us.” I stand up gently, sure not to wake the sleeping kid. I walk to the other side of the living room where there are large glass doors that lead to the verand