Elena's POV

Status in a wolf pack means everything. It determines your home, your opportunities, your entire future. I understood this truth intimately because I had experienced both sides of that reality. Years ago, my life was completely different. Back then, my father served as the head warrior, second only to the Alpha himself. We lived in comfort, respected by everyone in the pack, with privileges that came naturally with our high rank.

Then everything changed in a single night. My father died protecting the Alpha during a rogue attack, and suddenly our family meant nothing to the pack leadership. The gratitude we expected never came. Instead, we became invisible, forgotten, discarded like yesterday's news.

My mother had never worked before meeting her mate as a young woman. She devoted herself to raising me while dad provided for our family. She was content with that life, happy to be a traditional pack mate and mother. But when the grief hit her, when she lost her other half, everything fell apart. I still marvel at how she survived losing her mate. The mate bond is supposed to be unbreakable, and when it shatters through death, most wolves don't recover.

Yet somehow, my mother found the strength to keep going. She became the strongest woman I have ever known, especially after losing our house, our car, our entire comfortable existence. We were stripped of everything and relocated to the outskirts of pack territory, ranked even lower than omegas. My mother now works multiple dead-end jobs just to pay the ridiculously inflated bills that the Alpha assigns to families like ours, desperately trying to keep food on our table.

But I can see the toll it has taken on her. She barely eats anymore, works herself to exhaustion, and neglects her own wellbeing completely. The current Alpha, who inherited his position from his father, proves just as ruthless and arrogant as his predecessor. He shows no mercy toward families who have fallen from grace.

My mother constantly encourages me to leave this pack once I reach adulthood. She wants me to find my own path in life, somewhere far from here, so I won't suffer the same fate that has befallen her. She dreams of a better future for me, even if she cannot escape her own circumstances.

This morning, I woke up on the threadbare couch that serves as my bed and immediately noticed the heavy rain pounding against our trailer windows. The weather perfectly matched my mood as I realized today would bring nothing but trouble.

I stumbled toward the kitchen for coffee when something caught my attention. Fresh wildflowers sat in a small vase on our tiny table, accompanied by a handwritten note.

Happy Birthday Elena. I'm sorry I can't be here to celebrate with you today, but I hope you have a wonderful day. You're finally an adult. I can't believe how quickly you've grown up. I love you more than words can express. Love, Mom.

"She really does love us unconditionally," my wolf Tara commented softly in my mind.

"Of course she does," I replied, touched by the simple gesture despite our difficult circumstances.

"Are you going to eat something more substantial than just coffee?" Tara asked with concern.

"Actually, yes," I answered, opening a drawer to retrieve a stolen packet of cigarettes. I positioned myself beside the kitchen window and lit one up, inhaling deeply.

"I still cannot believe you took those from the store. If anyone catches you, the Alpha will throw you in the dungeon without hesitation," Tara warned nervously.

"Would you please relax? Nobody witnessed anything," I assured her.

"You were incredibly fortunate," she muttered disapprovingly.

I walked to the bedroom where our single closet stood and rifled through my meager clothing options. I selected a pair of well-worn jeans with frayed edges, a simple black t-shirt, and my sturdy black boots. After grabbing my school bag and pulling on a raincoat, I left the trailer that my mother and I reluctantly called home.

The walk to school took quite a while because pack leadership wanted undesirable families like ours positioned as far from civilization as possible. We lived in complete isolation, just inside the tree line with no neighbors and minimal patrol coverage. The pack preferred to forget we existed entirely.

By the time I reached school, I felt completely soaked and miserable. I removed my dripping raincoat, shoved it into my locker, and began gathering books for my first class. Only minutes remained before the bell would ring.

I heard approaching footsteps echoing down the hallway and turned to identify the source. A group of students walked toward me, including several former friends who now treated me like garbage since my family's social decline. Being ranked below omegas made us pariahs in their eyes.

As they passed my locker, the leader deliberately slammed his shoulder into me, causing my face to smash against the metal door. The group erupted in laughter while continuing down the hall, but I pulled back and felt warm blood trickling near my eye.

"Asshole," I muttered under my breath, but apparently not quietly enough.

The entire group stopped and turned back toward me with hostile expressions.

"What did you just call me?" Brock demanded aggressively.

"You heard me perfectly," I replied without backing down.

He handed his bag to a friend and approached me menacingly. He attempted to intimidate me with his height, but since I stood six feet one inch tall, few people could actually look down on me physically.

"You should be extremely careful who you speak to like that. Maybe we should go behind the gymnasium and see what everyone talks about. I heard you would do anything for a free meal," he said disgustingly while brushing hair from my face.

I slapped his hand away immediately, which prompted him to grab both my arms and slam me backward against the lockers. A crowd began gathering around us, sensing potential drama.

"Don't ever touch me again, you piece of trash. I outrank you significantly," he snarled.

"Go straight to hell," I growled back defiantly.

He slapped me hard across the face, and when I turned back toward him, I wiped blood from my mouth.

"You worthless slut," he spat venomously.

"You know what your biggest problem is right now?" I asked calmly.

"And what might that be?" he replied arrogantly.

"You're standing way too close," I said before headbutting him directly in the nose.

He stumbled backward several steps, releasing his grip on my arms. Blood immediately began pouring from his broken nose as he lifted his head in shock.

"You're going to pay dearly for that," he threatened while rushing toward me again.

But I quickly stepped aside and grabbed his hair, slamming his head into the lockers before driving my knee into his stomach. While he doubled over in pain, I kneed him in the face, sending him crashing to the floor unconscious.

His friends looked ready to attack me collectively, and I prepared for a group fight. After all, wolves always hunt in packs.

"What the hell is happening down here?" Principal Brooks's booming voice echoed from the hallway's far end.

The gathered crowd scattered instantly, leaving only me, unconscious Brock, and his closest friends behind.

"I asked a direct question. What is going on here?" Brooks demanded again.

"Isn't it completely obvious? That worthless trash attacked Brock unprovoked," Sloane declared. She was Brock's girlfriend and my former best friend who had abandoned our friendship when my family lost status.

"Please help him up and take him to the nurse immediately. He's bleeding all over my floor," Brooks instructed Brock's friends, who quickly carried him away.

Brooks approached me and attempted intimidation through his physical presence, but like Brock, he lacked the height advantage.

"What explanation do you have for yourself?" he asked sternly.

"Are you actually going to believe anything I tell you?" I challenged him.

"Get to my office immediately," he commanded. I closed my locker and followed him down the hallway.

I felt surprised when I opened his office door to find Beta Hugo standing inside wearing an expensive three-piece suit. Brooks entered behind me and bared his neck respectfully to the Beta, something I refused to do because I had lost all respect for pack leadership years ago.

"What's happening here?" I asked suspiciously.

"You're coming with me right now," Beta Hugo announced firmly.

"I have classes to attend," I protested weakly.

"Are you disobeying a direct order from pack leadership?" he asked dangerously.

I reluctantly followed Beta Hugo outside to his luxury car waiting by the school's front entrance. We drove through town until reaching the packhouse, and my nervousness increased dramatically as we approached the impressive building.

He escorted me inside, and the interior looked exactly as I remembered from years ago. The living room stretched to our right, but Beta Hugo guided me through several rooms to the left, down a long hallway until we reached an imposing mahogany door.

He knocked respectfully and waited for permission to enter. A deep, authoritative voice called out for us to come inside.

Beta Hugo opened the door and I stepped into the office first, hearing him close it behind me with a definitive click. The spacious office contained a massive desk where Alpha Marcus sat in his perfectly pressed three-piece suit.

When he looked up at me, I took in his sculpted facial features, slicked-back brown hair, and piercing green eyes. Suddenly, I felt dizzy and lightheaded. His intoxicating scent reached my nostrils, and Tara went absolutely wild inside my head. I grabbed the nearest chair to steady myself as realization hit.

"Mate," I whispered in complete shock.

...

Elena's POV

Alpha Marcus remained frozen in his chair, his piercing gaze locked onto mine for what felt like hours. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken tension. I couldn't decipher the storm brewing behind his dark eyes.

Eventually, he rose from his chair with calculated precision, circling his mahogany desk like a predator. His movements were deliberate as he smoothed down his impeccable suit jacket, pausing briefly to catch his reflection in the glass cabinet door. Even in this moment, his vanity couldn't be contained.

He positioned himself directly in front of me, leaning casually against the desk's edge. The proximity made my skin crawl, yet I forced myself to remain steady on my feet.

"You were already aware," I stated, breaking the suffocating quiet.

"I'm twenty-four years old. Naturally, I was aware." His response was clipped, matter-of-fact.

"Yet you never mentioned it," I pressed.

"I discovered our mate bond when I turned eighteen. You were merely twelve years old. What did you expect me to do? March up to a child and declare her the future Alpha's mate? Besides, keeping quiet proved to be the wiser choice." He ran his fingers through his perfectly styled hair.

"Why is that?" The question escaped before I could stop it.

"Because no one can discover we're mates. Your ranking in this pack sits below even the omegas." His words cut through me like shattered glass.

"And whose responsibility is that? You and your family abandoned my mother and me the moment my father died. He died protecting your father, if you've forgotten." The bitterness in my voice surprised even me.

"Watch your tone with me, girl. We're not here to dissect ancient history. We're here to establish the rules moving forward. Sit." He gestured toward the chair with the authority of someone accustomed to immediate obedience.

I forced myself to move closer, holding my breath as I passed within inches of him. His scent threatened to overwhelm my senses, but I refused to show weakness. I settled into the cold leather chair, my spine rigid.

He returned to his throne-like chair behind the desk, carefully unbuttoning his jacket before sitting. Even that simple action was performed with theatrical precision.

"Can we expedite this process? I need to return to class," I said, desperate to escape this suffocating office.

"Expedite what, exactly?" Confusion flickered across his features.

"The rejection." The words tasted bitter on my tongue.

"I never indicated I would reject you." His statement knocked the wind from my lungs.

"I don't comprehend this. You just admitted you're relieved nobody knows about our bond. So why wouldn't you reject me?" My mind reeled, trying to process his logic.

"Because rejecting a fated mate brings catastrophic consequences. It's an insult to the Peak Goddess who orchestrated our pairing. She must have her reasons, though I cannot fathom what they might be. Given this pack's troubled history, I refuse to invite bad fortune upon us." His explanation felt rehearsed, calculated.

"So what happens now? You'll acknowledge me as your mate and future Luna?" Hope crept into my voice despite my best efforts.

"Absolutely not. Nobody will ever learn of our connection. I won't reject you, but you won't be moving into the packhouse. We won't behave as a couple in any capacity. If Alpha duties require your involvement, I'll notify you. Otherwise, we maintain complete distance." His words crushed whatever foolish hope had begun to bloom.

"While you continue parading around with your artificial girlfriend to maintain appearances?" I couldn't hide my disgust.

"Precisely. I'm pleased you understand the arrangement." His satisfaction made my stomach churn.

"I never agreed to anything. What prevents me from exposing the truth?" I challenged.

"Who would believe such an outrageous claim? Even if someone did, I'd simply deny it. They'd despise you for fabricating lies about their Alpha." The smugness in his voice was unbearable.

"And what about my future? Am I supposed to remain on standby for the rest of my life? What if I want to attend college after graduation? What if I refuse to accept the same dead-end existence my mother has endured?" My voice rose with each question.

"You have several months remaining until graduation. We'll revisit your options then. For now, you understand the terms of our arrangement. You may leave." He dismissed me like an unwanted servant, already reaching for his pen to resume his paperwork.

Shock numbed my limbs as I stood and walked toward the door. My hand trembled slightly as I turned the handle.

Viviana stood in the hallway, her presence immediately assaulting my senses. Her dress clung to her body like a second skin, barely covering what decency demanded. Her makeup was applied with the subtlety of a paint roller, and her ridiculous heels still left her shorter than me. Her artificially curled hair cascaded down her back in perfect waves.

"Darling, why are you wasting precious time with this garbage?" she purred as Marcus appeared behind me.

"Just another school altercation," Marcus replied smoothly.

"We're already late for lunch. You promised to take me shopping in the city. The drive alone will take an hour." She pouted like a spoiled child.

"I apologize, sweetheart. Give me one moment, then we'll leave. Elena, we'll continue this discussion later." Marcus's dismissal was final.

I refused to dignify his words with a response. Instead, I walked down the hallway with as much dignity as I could muster, heading straight for the exit.

The moment I stepped outside and descended the front steps, oxygen finally filled my lungs again. I stood there, drawing in deep breaths of fresh air, trying to cleanse myself of that toxic encounter.

Beta Hugo emerged onto the veranda, his eyes finding mine immediately. For a brief moment, something resembling sympathy flickered across his features. But I dismissed the notion immediately. Nobody in this pack felt sorry for me.

I began walking toward town, already decided that school could wait until tomorrow.

"Why doesn't he want us?" Tara whimpered in my mind.

"Because he's an arrogant fool," I replied tersely.

"Elena, he's our mate. Don't you want to return to the packhouse and fight for him?" Her desperation was palpable.

"Why would I subject myself to that?" I asked.

"I live inside your mind, Elena. You cannot deceive me. You're as devastated as I am." Her words struck too close to the truth.

"So what if I am? There's nothing we can do to change his decision," I said.

"We could return and demand his attention, make him see our worth," she suggested.

"He couldn't care less about us. That approach would only land us in the pack dungeon. Mother doesn't need that additional stress. I'm counting the days until graduation. The moment I have my diploma, I'm taking Mom and getting us both out of this place." I pushed down the pain threatening to consume me.

"But what about our mate?" Tara's whining intensified.

"I don't care about him anymore. Don't you understand? He doesn't want us, so why should we want him?" I tried to convince myself as much as her.

"Because he loves us. He just hasn't realized it yet," she insisted with naive hope.

"I can't handle this right now, Tara." I forced her voice to the back of my mind, craving silence.

I decided to take a shortcut through an alley instead of walking around the entire block. The decision proved to be a mistake when Brock emerged from behind a dumpster, blocking my path.

My feet stopped moving as I saw him standing there with that familiar cruel smile. Then Toby and Derek appeared behind him, completing the trap. I spun around, hoping to retreat, but Zane and Knox had already sealed off my escape route.

"This doesn't seem like a fair fight," I observed, turning back to face Brock.

"That's exactly the point. You might know how to handle yourself in a one-on-one situation, but I refuse to be humiliated by worthless trash like you again. Especially when I have this." He held up my father's watch, the one he'd stolen from my locker, dangling it like a prize.

"Return that to me." My demand carried no real authority, but I had to try.

"Make me," he laughed, the sound echoing off the alley walls.

I watched his friends slowly closing in, tightening the circle around me. My heart hammered against my ribs while my stomach twisted into knots. Tears threatened to betray me, but I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break. Showing weakness to Brock and his gang would be signing my own death warrant.

"Look at that, guys. I think she's about to cry," Brock taunted.

I forced myself into a defensive stance, knowing full well the odds were stacked impossibly against me. Five against one was a losing battle, but I wouldn't surrender without a fight.

They began advancing simultaneously, and I desperately tried to avoid being cornered against the brick walls. My father's watch remained visible in Brock's grasp, fueling my determination despite the hopeless situation.

The first blow came without warning. Brock's fist connected with my face, spinning me around just as Derek's boot slammed into my stomach. Someone grabbed me from behind, trying to hold me still for the others. I threw my head back, connecting solidly with my captor's face.

But my small victory was short-lived. All five of them swarmed me at once, and I knew my fight was over before it truly began.

...

Marcus's POV

The moment Elena stepped out of my office, my ability to focus completely shattered.

Viviana sauntered in moments later, settling herself onto my lap while I attempted to review the documents scattered across my desk. The same papers that had made perfect sense an hour ago now appeared like foreign language. Elena's intoxicating scent still lingered in the air, making concentration impossible.

How had everything gone so wrong? My plan had been foolproof. Reject her the instant she turned eighteen. Simple. Clean. An omega could never be my mate. The pack would revolt. Yet when she walked through that door, every rational thought abandoned me.

"Marcus. Are you even paying attention to me?" Viviana's voice cut through my thoughts.

"My apologies. I'm somewhat distracted at the moment. What were you saying?" I managed.

"My uncle wishes to arrange a meeting with you. He emphasized urgency." Her fingers traced patterns on my chest.

"Absolutely. Inform him I'm available at his convenience," I replied automatically.

"He's an extremely busy Alpha. I'll coordinate something," she said.

"Get this revolting creature away from us immediately."

My wolf Ronan's voice thundered in my mind, dripping with disgust.

"Be quiet," I commanded internally.

"We just encountered our mate and now you allow this thing to paw at you. Have you completely lost your senses?" Ronan's rage was palpable.

"You understand why I cannot terminate this relationship," I reasoned.

"Of course. Your precious alliance with her uncle. Make the damn agreement and dispose of her afterward. Secure it in writing so he cannot back out," Ronan snarled.

His constant commentary was triggering a massive headache, so I forced him into the depths of my consciousness where I wouldn't have to endure his protests.

I knew he desperately wanted proximity to Elena. Hell, I found myself craving her presence now too. These past few years, I had deliberately maintained distance between us. I ensured we never occupied the same spaces simultaneously. But after today's encounter, something fundamental had shifted.

I had understood the mate bond possessed strength, but this intensity caught me completely off guard. When I first discovered her at twelve years old, the attraction had been entirely one-sided.

Now everything was different, and I had no strategy for managing it. I couldn't comprehend why I had been so unnecessarily cruel to her. She deserved none of that treatment.

She absolutely didn't deserve it. And I remained completely lost about how to proceed.

"Come along. Lunch time," Viviana announced, rising and tugging me from my chair.

Yesterday, her touch had meant everything to me.

Today, I could barely tolerate her proximity.

"I have some paperwork requiring immediate attention," I deflected.

"It will remain there after lunch. Move," she insisted.

Viviana always achieved her desires. Having never been denied anything, she simply refused to accept rejection as an option.

We departed the packhouse and climbed into my black Mercedes parked at the entrance.

"Beta Hugo," I reached out through the mind link.

"Yes, Alpha," Hugo responded immediately.

"The girl who just exited my office. Elena. I need surveillance on her," I instructed.

"Understood, sir. Any specific information you want reported?" he inquired.

"Everything," I replied tersely.

We arrived at the town's most exclusive restaurant, which maintained a private dining room permanently reserved for my use. No reservations necessary.

After settling at our table, I skipped the menu entirely. I had memorized every item long ago. We placed our orders and Viviana launched into her typical chatter, her voice becoming increasingly grating. What I had once found endearing now felt insufferable.

My thoughts drifted back to Elena's office visit. She had been such a child during our last encounter. Now she was completely transformed. Stunning in ways I never anticipated when my father declared their family's demotion to omega status. I had expected her to appear broken down, defeated. Instead, she seemed remarkably resilient despite their reduced pack standing. That surprised me.

"Alpha!" Hugo's panicked voice crashed through my mind.

"What's the emergency?" I responded urgently.

"Elena is in serious danger. She's been transported to the hospital," Hugo reported.

"I have to leave," I announced, bolting upright.

"What are you talking about? Our food hasn't even arrived," Viviana protested.

"Pack business. I must go," I said, already racing toward the exit.

I drove recklessly to the hospital, and upon arrival, noticed activity in one of the emergency rooms. I approached cautiously.

Through the doorway, I witnessed a man attempting to remove Elena's shirt. He definitely wasn't medical staff.

I burst through the door and hurled the intruder against the far wall.

"Who are you and why are you undressing her?" I growled menacingly.

"I'm Miller. I found her in the alley. She was being beaten and these medical staff aren't providing proper care," Miller explained.

"Explain yourself," I demanded.

"I told you. They're ignoring her but she needs immediate help," Miller insisted.

I dragged Miller from the room and confronted the doctor at the front desk.

"Why aren't you treating that girl?" I demanded, and the doctor turned toward me.

"She was just admitted, sir. And it's Elena Fairfax," he said hesitantly.

"I don't care who she is. Get in there and save her life. NOW!" I roared, and the medical team immediately rushed into action.

"Can you release me now?" Miller asked.

"You still have questions to answer," I said firmly.

"I was checking her injuries. Nobody else was bothering," Miller explained.

"How did you discover her?"

"I work at the cafe beside where she was attacked. I was disposing of trash when I saw five men beating her. She wasn't defending herself. She was down. I drove them away and they left this on her body," he said, producing a watch.

I recognized that timepiece immediately. Her father's watch. My father had gifted it to him before his death.

"Leave. Now," I ordered, releasing him.

He stumbled away as I turned to observe the medical team working on Elena.

They needed extensive testing to determine the full extent of her injuries.

I waited for hours, ignoring countless people attempting to contact me.

Eventually, they moved Elena to a private room where I stationed myself beside her bed.

"What's her condition?" I asked.

"We're administering blood transfusion and IV antibiotics. She's comatose due to brain swelling from the assault. The swelling will eventually subside, but we cannot predict the timeline," the doctor explained.

"Get out," I commanded. He departed immediately.

I leaned forward and grasped Elena's hand. I could sense her life force. She remained alive. Sparks traveled up my hand and arm.

I couldn't let go. I couldn't leave.

My phone rang repeatedly, Viviana's name appearing on the screen. I ignored it completely, maintaining my vigil beside Elena.

I hoped the mate bond would somehow aid her recovery. Despite my earlier cruelty, I desperately wanted the bond to help her heal.

I lost track of time. A nurse periodically checked her vitals, observing me holding her hand but remaining silent on orders. Hugo guarded the door, ensuring privacy. I lacked energy for Alpha commands over the entire staff.

I had never felt such despair.

I had heard countless stories about Elena's fighting spirit. Why hadn't she defended herself this time? Despite being outnumbered, she showed minimal defensive wounds.

This was my fault. My words and actions had caused this. She was fighting for her life because of me.

Eventually, Elena's fingers began moving.

I looked up as her eyes slowly opened. I released her hand and leaned back.

She appeared confused, scanning the room before focusing on me.

"What happened?" Elena asked hoarsely.

"You were attacked. A dishwasher brought you here. You're covered in his scent," I said, struggling to control my wolf.

But control failed, and I stood up, leaning over her.

"Why was that dishwasher so interested in you?" I growled.

...

Elena's POV

The sterile hospital room felt suffocating as I stared up at Marcus's intense gaze, his words barely registering through the fog in my brain.

"What are you even saying?" My voice came out as a harsh whisper.

"That dishwasher who carried you in here." His tone was sharp, cutting.

"I have no idea who you mean." The confusion was genuine.

"The one from Seraph Cafe." He pressed.

My mind struggled to piece it together before the realization hit me.

"Are you talking about Miller?" I managed to ask.

"That's the one. I had the nurse dispose of your clothes. They reeked of him." Marcus's voice held barely contained anger.

"What exactly are you asking me?" I tried to sit up straighter despite the pain.

"Why was he so damn interested in helping you?" His eyes narrowed.

"I don't know. He works with my mother at the cafe." The truth felt inadequate.

"You seriously expect me to buy that story?" Skepticism dripped from every word.

"It's not a story. It's what happened. I don't know what else you want from me." Panic started creeping in. "Where's my mother?"

"I haven't contacted her yet." He crossed his arms.

"Good. Keep it that way." Without thinking, I yanked the IV needle from my arm and ripped the monitoring cables from my chest.

The machines erupted in a chorus of alarms. Within seconds, the doctor burst through the door with a nurse close behind, just as I was swinging my legs over the side of the bed.

"What do you think you're doing?" The doctor's voice was sharp with concern.

"I need to leave. I can't be here." My feet hit the cold floor.

"Absolutely not. You sustained a severe head trauma." He moved to block my path.

"No, you don't understand. We can't pay for this." The reality of medical bills crashed over me.

"Where's her mother?" The doctor looked around frantically.

"Don't call her. Don't tell her anything. She has enough problems. Just let me walk out of here." My voice grew desperate. "Where are my clothes?"

"I already told you. The nurse burned them." Marcus's glare could have melted steel.

"You'll need to sign discharge papers if you're determined to leave." The doctor sighed in defeat.

"Fine. Get them." I sat back down, immediately regretting the sudden movement as my ribs screamed in protest.

When the medical staff left the room, I clutched my side, trying to breathe through the sharp pain. I'd moved too quickly and hadn't realized how badly my ribs were injured. My focus had been on my throbbing arm and twisted ankle.

I noticed Marcus watching me intently, so I forced myself to sit normally, hiding the agony.

How was I going to handle this hospital bill? The weight of it felt crushing.

I glanced at Marcus again and caught something softer in his expression as he observed me. But the moment our eyes met, he looked away and his face hardened again.

The doctor returned with the paperwork, insisting on one final examination before my release.

I agreed, wanting to get it over with quickly. He checked all my injuries, including the numerous stitches scattered across my body.

"This is unusual." The doctor frowned.

"What is?" Worry crept into my voice.

"These wounds. They shouldn't be healing at this rate. You're malnourished and dehydrated, which is expected given your rank, but this accelerated healing doesn't make sense." He looked puzzled.

"What do you mean 'given my rank'? My father was the head warrior. He was strong, a fighter. So am I. That's something this pack can never strip away from me." Anger flared in my chest.

Marcus leaned against the wall, watching my outburst with what looked almost like amusement flickering across his features.

After signing the discharge forms, the doctor left, and I faced the reality of walking home in a hospital gown with a damaged ankle.

At least the gown tied properly in the back.

"We need to have a conversation." Marcus's voice stopped me at the door.

"About what?" I turned to face him.

"About what we discussed earlier." His tone was measured.

"What? I'm pretending we mean nothing to each other. Isn't that the plan?" I shot back.

"Then explain why I can smell another man all over you?" The accusation hit like a slap.

"Because he saved my life. Why do I smell another woman on you?" I countered, surprising us both with my boldness.

His head snapped up, clearly not expecting the fight I was giving him.

"She's my girlfriend. I'm your Alpha. I do whatever I choose." His voice carried authority and warning.

"Then so can I. If you can parade around with that artificial excuse for a werewolf, I can do what I want too. I don't understand why you're angry. Nobody cares about me like that. Your father made sure of it." The words tasted bitter.

"Keep my father out of this." Danger flashed in his eyes.

"Then leave me alone. I have something important to retrieve." I stood up, putting weight on my fractured ankle.

Pain shot through my leg and I started to fall, but Marcus caught me before I hit the ground.

The moment his hands touched my arms, electricity raced through my body. Sparks traveled down my arms and across my chest, a sensation I'd never experienced before.

I pressed my hand to my ribs and felt around the broken bones. The excruciating pain from before had dulled significantly.

I looked up at Marcus without speaking, and he released me as quickly as possible.

"I have to go." I turned toward the door, limping out of the room.

"What are you searching for?" Marcus followed me out of the hospital.

"I lost my father's watch. I need to find it." The thought of losing it forever made me sick.

"You mean this?" He held up something in his hand.

I turned around and saw my father's watch dangling from his fingers.

"Where did you get that?" My heart stopped.

"The dishwasher had it. He said it was with you when he brought you in." Marcus extended his arm.

I limped back toward him and held out my hand.

He slowly placed the watch in my palm, and relief flooded through me.

"Thank you." I turned away and started limping home.

"Marcus! There you are! What's going on? You've kept me waiting all day!" A shrill voice echoed behind me.

I knew it was Viviana without looking back. I didn't need to see her draped all over Marcus to know what was happening.

By the time I reached home, exhaustion had settled deep in my bones. I collapsed onto the couch the moment I walked through the door.

"Well, that was quite a day." Tara's voice drifted from somewhere in the house.

"I'm not in the mood right now." I closed my eyes.

A knock at the door made me try to stand, but the pain in my ribs and ankle kept me pinned to the couch.

"Come in." I called out weakly.

The door opened and Marcus stepped inside.

Shock rendered me speechless. I didn't know what to say or think.

He turned to look at me and I saw his eyes shifting color. He was fighting his wolf for control.

I couldn't understand what I'd done to anger him so much, but he stalked toward me with predatory intent.

"No more lies." The words came through clenched teeth.

"I haven't lied to you." My voice was barely steady.

"That's complete garbage. How many are there?" His voice was low and dangerous.

"What?" Confusion clouded my thoughts.

He grabbed the front of my hospital gown and pulled me up off the couch.

"How many boys are you sleeping with?" He growled, still battling his wolf.

I pushed his hands away from my clothes and limped to the other side of the small room.

"There are no other boys. What's wrong with you?" I demanded.

"Is it just Miller then?" His eyes remained dark.

"It's not Miller at all. I was attacked in the alley behind his workplace. That's probably how he found me. He knows me because my mother works at the same cafe. It's one of the many jobs she needs because you overcharge her for everything." The truth poured out.

"Do you think I enjoy any of this?" Something vulnerable flickered in his expression.

"You look like you're having the time of your life." I backed away as he moved closer.

My back hit the wall, and I expected the impact to send fire through my ribs, but there was only a dull ache. I couldn't explain the improvement.

Marcus slowly placed his hand around my throat, a dark smile playing at his lips as if he was savoring the fear in my eyes.

Was he actually going to kill me?