I'd come to consciousness only to fall back into the darkness from the pain. It conti

. Turning my head, Nate was curled up on the side of the bed. He was on top of the covers, sn

re. It wasn't terrible and I could push past it. I sat up slowly, trying not to make my muscle

probably the worse pain I had ever felt in my life. Reaching out, I still felt Eros. He was too far away, or deliberately choos

ircles, pale skin, and even my cheeks looked a little sunken in. A few good night

like someone had branded me. The lettering was the same as on the coin. I didn't know what it meant, but it did at least tell

re I stepped in. Hissing when the water touched the open wounds, I did my best to wash around them. The heat helped rel

en exponentially more crowded since I stepped into the bathroom. Charles was standing in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. S

what the hell happene

nd opened up the clos

got my boxers and pants on before anyone said a

east explain what

it's n

ot to you without passing out myself. Charles had to come and help drag you back to the pack house. That wasn't

Aelia had given me. I just never

it was something my father gave me. I'd already talked to them about how I was feelin

es. "Why do I get the f

l information, but nothing about how it would feel when invoked. Sorry to wor

g me from the b

g. "Five? Really? Well, I

frowned. "...what

nd, I'd like to get started on

hey will never g

need to make some changes. We need to start more training if we can't even protect our own borders. Having

d at me like I sprouted

ha

ill..." Sam looked at Nate and then hi

to be run. We still have things to take care of, whether we are in mourn

u for it. It was Solaris, or rather, Aelia. Your sister. I mean, a lot has changed. We can pick ourse

t needs to be done. If you need more time,

ooked at my sister's pyre. It was like a dream, though, something I couldn't quite grasp. That was okay. Those feelings would

st. He looked up at me with eyes that said he was still upset, but holding it

to talk

I will give you time to mourn Aelia, but I need my Beta back. I want you to take over the r

ng about, Silas, and you k

be joining your pity party. Aelia is dead. For real, this time. Nothing is going to bring her back. We need to be stronger. Now that the First Alpha P

a measured tone. He held his hand to his chest, looking at me like he was searching for something. Whatever

ished, a whisper in the back of my mind, but I had freed myself from the intensity of the bond. Taking a deep breath,

ak about. Get your head in the right

in the kitchen and she turned, surprised to see me. She smiled wid

You haven't e

ld be lovely.

g in favor of pulling out food from the fridge. "I'll make

be in the office

e looked back at me. "A

y about me. I'll be right as rain

ough for me and I would hold on to that. Sitting down at my desk, I smirked as I ran my hands over

st. To rival that of the First Alpha Prince. Then economically thrive more than we had been. In order to do that, we would need

always correct, especially later on, he wasn't a terrible Alpha in the beginning. He was strong, and he helped this pack flourish. F

the price to pay, that was fine. I was finally free. Already, I felt stronger. The si