LEXI. Luna Amara, Beta Catherine, and I were sitting on the patio just beside the packhouse. I just came back from training. David was taking a nap, as was Colton, the Alpha and Luna’s son, and they were both being watched by their omegas, so we were just relaxing outside. “Lexi!” A voice rang in the air, and my body shot up from sitting. My head snapped in the direction of Austin’s voice as my heart thundered. So many bad thoughts ran through my head, worrying for Austin, but the moment I saw his smiling face as he ran toward us, my shoulders relaxed. I rushed out of where I was and walked to meet him halfway with a smile curling on my lips. “Slow down, or you might…” I was not even finished with my words when he reached me and scooped me off the ground. My arms flew around him as I hugged him tightly while bursts of giggles erupted from my throat. After the full moon, Austin was not even an inch shy of showing his affection anywhere and at any time of the day. Of course, we

LEXI. This was it. It was happening. Austin would officially claim me as his mate. Grandpa David and Jason would walk me down the aisle until we reached the stage where I needed to walk up alone and meet Austin. In the beginning, Mom told me that if I was okay with it, she and Dad would walk with me toward Austin, and Austin would stand with his grandparents, but I declined. Not that I didn’t want to, but as much as I loved her and Dad, I didn’t want to take that moment from Davina and for them to miss out on standing beside their only son before he took his mate. In the end, I chose David and Jason, as they’d been there for me when my own grandparents couldn’t. I was happy that they didn’t even hesitate. I knew I was missing Grandma Louise tonight, but we didn’t have time to tell her about shifters. We visited her, but we were not able to make our move. But Austin promised me that we would do something about it to make it up to her. “You look so beautiful, Lexi.” Mom hugged me

ALPHA JACE. ‘This is Tony. Bartender at the Sports Pub near the academy. Gamma Austin just walked in here.’ ‘Are you sure it’s him?’ I asked as I connected both our heads to Tyler. ‘Yes. He’s wearing a black coat ensemble.’ ‘Is he with someone?’ ‘Alone, and he just ordered a beer.’ ‘Keep him there and let me know if he moves or speaks with someone.’ ‘Yes, Alpha.’ “They found him,” I told Aunt Janna before I tapped Tyler’s back. “Let’s go…” I connected my head with Amara and told her what I knew and where we were headed before requesting that she drive Lexi back home if she wanted to. I left the car with her, and we used Tyler’s car to go to Austin. We were already in the car when another mindlink reached my head. ‘Alpha?’ ‘Yes, Mike.’ He was one of our newest warriors. He just turned eighteen six months ago. “I’m sorry, Alpha. I didn’t know you were looking for Gamma Austin. I was at the southeast border when Gamma Austin was requested there. He met someone, and they lef

AUSTIN. “Tell Alpha Jacob to withdraw his candidacy for Council Head!” Alpha Gray spoke confidently as our gazes met. “No!” I scoffed, but my heart was thundering. “No one has to know. It’s just between us. If you can convince him, we will simply leave this secret to the grave. No one will know she’s an Alpha Female, and you can be together and have more pups.” “No!” “An Alpha’s oath, Austin! If he withdraws, Alexandria is all yours!” “What’s the point of letting him back down? Your father is still not coming back as the Council Head!” “Yes, but someone else from our side will.” “Are you scared and peeing on your pants now because you know Alpha Jacob will win this? And you will all fucking rot in hell!” I couldn’t stop my mouth this time. I never hated anyone in my whole life except for Scott, but this man in front of me would soon share ranks with him. “But you can save us. It’s a win-win, Austin. Or we will take Lexi away from you.” “You can’t do that!” “I’m starting a

AUSTIN. “You will never regret giving me a chance to explain,” I mumbled under my breath. I was holding her face so close, our foreheads resting against each other. I could feel her breath fanning on my skin, and it was taking a lot of control for me not to kiss her. I wanted to do just that. After the agony of knowing I could never claim her and the thought of her leaving me, there was nothing in this world I wanted right now but an assurance that she still wanted me. But I had no right to ask her that. Not yet. Not until I tell her everything. “Tell me, Austin…” She took a deep breath before continuing without withdrawing from my hold. “What was more important than this union that you think it was okay to let me wait for you?” “You, Lexi. You…” I said without thinking. “You’re more important than this union.” I didn’t know how to break the news to her. I was so used to dropping bad news to Jace and to my warriors as a Gamma, but I was cowering at the moment. But it was now o