I’m almost to Cam’s room when arms wrap around my waist and the fresh forest scent surrounds me. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Jason, now is not the time to mess with me. You either let me go voluntarily or I make you,” I tell him bluntly.

He sniffs my hair before letting me go with a sigh. “I told them it wouldn’t work holding you back. Can you please just calm down before talking to him?” he asks me softly.

I consider his request when I hear the others all racing down the hall. “Oh, thank god you stopped her,” Nate sighs looking relieved.

What did he just say? I watch as Jake and Rick make a run for it leaving me with my mates. Smart boys.

“Where is he, Nate?!” I growl out watching him pale.

He shuffles his feet back and forth, completely avoiding eye contact. He knows where Cam is, he just won’t tell me.

“I’m going to count to three. You tell me where Cam is or I will hunt him down myself, got it?” I warn.

“Oh god man, she’s counting down, better make a run for it while you still can,” Pete laughs, making my anger ignite. Why would he think this is a laughing matter? I’m pissed!

“You think this is funny?! We have to leave tomorrow! I understood he wanted to give me my space because he felt it was his fault but enough is enough! Now, where is my mate?!”

“Dani?” Cam’s voice surprises me and for a moment I forget why I’m angry until he opens his mouth. “What are you doing here?”

“Man, if I were you, I would run, and fast,” Pete whispers, backing away slowly. The others, aside from Cam, all join him backing away as quietly as they can. I don’t care if they run away but I will deal with Cam now. No more hiding.

“What am I doing here? How about we start with, where the hell have you been?! These past two days have been hell for me and I needed you! Everyone else has been with me so why haven’t you?!” I ask, my voice rising with anger. He blanches but doesn’t speak which just spurs me on. “Then, I go to a meeting with the Elders to find out we leave tomorrow, and you’ve told them that you will be staying behind when we go to your father’s pack! When were you going to tell me? Or were you just going to wait until we got there and spring it on me? ‘Surprise, I no longer want you now, so piss off.’ Is that it? Is that how you feel? Why aren’t you saying anything?!” I scream, tears trailing down my face.

He’s just staring at me, not saying a word. Screw this, screw him. If he doesn’t want this then fuck him. I walk away not able to look at him anymore. If I see any of them right now, I will lose it. The scent of pine assaults me just before I reach my door and he steps in front of me, stopping me from going in.

“Cam, move. You had your chance, just leave me be,” I beg, wiping away the tears. I get the courage to meet his eyes and I’m surprised to see tears. Why is he crying? I thought he’d be happy to be free of me.

“Dani, I can’t even begin to say how stupid I am. I didn’t want to bother you so I went to the Elders by myself. I don’t want to leave you. I never wanted that. All I wanted was to try and make things better for you,” he groans, wiping at his tears. “I asked them if I could stay with Dad’s pack because I thought it was the best way to stop any rogues from attacking. If I took responsibility then maybe they would trust me and know our packs are going to be ok. I haven’t thought it all through yet but I promise I was going to talk to you when we had time. Things are already overwhelming you and I didn’t want to add to that. Can we talk? I’ll explain everything, I promise,” he grabs my hand, giving it a tight squeeze.

Deciding to give him a chance to explain, “Fine, but if you don’t explain everything, then you can leave and not come back. I don’t want to be pulled around on a string like some twisted plaything,” I warn him.

He breathes a sigh of relief before nodding and going in. Pete rushes me from behind, engulfing me in his arms. “Yay, you didn’t kill him,” he cheers in my ear.

Jonnie mutters to the side, “Not yet anyway.”

Jason pulls me to him for a hug and breathes in my scent, “Dani? Do me a favour and try not to kill him. I know he was an idiot but just give him a chance to explain before doing something drastic.”

“Fine. I won’t kill him. Though if I find out any of you knew about this, I will castrate you,” I tease, watching the smile disappear from Pete and Nate’s faces. Jason, Mitch and Jonnie all chuckle knowing I’m not being serious.

Mitch and Jonnie each step forward for a hug, which I gladly give. I love having each of their scents lingering on me. It’s comforting. Like wearing your favourite pyjamas.

Nate is the last to hug me. “I’ll come grab you for dinner,” he whispers as the others all start to leave. Once everyone is out of sight, he steals a quick kiss that leaves me tingling. Damn him. Now I’m not angry. Ugh. Better get this over with.

Cam is splayed out on my bed, hands covering his face from the light. I stare at the edge of his stomach where his shirt has ridden up just enough to see the beginning of his abs.

No! I can’t be distracted!

Stupid, delicious abs making me want to touch them. “Ahem. Are you awake or just building the suspense?” I ask dryly, trying to keep any lust from my voice and knowing I failed when my breath hitches.

He starts laughing, jumping from the bed quickly, “Dani, I can smell your arousal, precious. You can’t pretend you’re not attracted to me when you clearly are, so no pretending. OK?”

“Fine,” I huff, irritated that he can smell my arousal. Stupid wolf senses. “Now you need to start talking mister. Why haven’t you been with me? Why did you leave me?”

“Oh precious, I didn’t leave you. I was watching you the whole time. With everything that happened, I thought you would be upset with me for antagonizing my father into trying to poison you and killing your dad. I’m sorry for being an ass. I should have known you wouldn’t think that way but I still gave you space.

“What I now realize is, you don’t care about that. You are trying to mourn your father, and me not being there for you has just made it harder. You shouldn’t have to mourn me as well,” he says sadly. He takes a deep breath before continuing. “I went to the Elders because I’m scared for you. If my father could get to you while you were surrounded by all of us, then what’s to say you will be safe at each pack? They wanted to separate us which I was strictly against. The last thing we need is you being attacked when none of us are with you. As it is, we have been told only we are allowed to go. Jake and Rick have to stay behind, but somehow James has been given the ok to tag along.”

When he finishes, I wait a moment to absorb it all. He was trying to protect me? In his misguided attempt to protect me I thought he was pushing me away.

“You know Cam, sometimes, you’re an idiot,” I laugh. He shrugs sheepishly, not saying anything. “You put me through hell this past day when I needed you. You can’t do that again. Either you’re all in, or you’re out. You can’t keep your foot wedged in the door but run away when you fear I’ll get hurt. The reality of the situation is, as Alpha Queen, every day there is a chance I’ll be killed, whether from friend or foe, it seems to be part of the job description.

“If you sit on the sidelines panicking about every threat, you’ll push us all away. Do you really want that? How about instead of being Mister strong, tough guy, trying to protect everyone, share the burden. If you don’t want to say something for fear of worrying me, tell the others. Nate or Jason will help. Jeez I’m sure Mitch and Jonnie could help you a lot more than you realize. Don’t go to Pete. All you’ll get from him is sarcasm,” I grin, enjoying the smile that lights his face.

He pulls me closer, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, “You can’t even imagine how sorry I am for being such a douche. Forgive me?” his blue eyes show his sincerity and I know I’m going to give in though it might make me feel better if I draw it out a little.

“Oh, I don’t know. It was a pretty mean thing to do,” I tease, crossing my arms and pulling away from him.

He watches me with a calculated look on his face, “So you don’t forgive me? I guess that means you don’t want me to kiss you then? To touch you, make it all better?” he growls, voice going low, sending shivers through my body. That cheeky boy knows exactly how to get me flustered. “What’s wrong Dani? I thought you didn’t forgive me. If you’re still upset, why is the scent of arousal coating the room? Why are you breathing in short pants?” he asks softly, hooking his fingers into my jeans and pulling me close. I watch as he inches closer, not stopping him. I need him. I want him.

The moment his lips touch mine, a fire ignites inside me, a fire only he can put out. He pulls me back with him until he reaches the bed, sitting on the edge, making me climb into his lap if I want to keep kissing him.

I straddle him, moaning from the taste of his lips. His hands slide up my hips, under the back of my shirt reaching my bra. He hesitates, waiting for permission. “Is this ok? Do you want me to stop?” he pants, looking up into my eyes. We both want more so why stop?

“It’s better than ok. I’ve wanted this since I tackled you to the ground. Please don’t stop,” I murmur against his lips.

He doesn’t need more than that before plunging back into the kiss. I rip his shirt off, mine goes next along with my bra. He studies every inch of me when a knock sounds on the door. “Dani? Have you found Cam?” Lance calls through the door.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me! Go away!” Cam growls annoyed. I chuckle against his chest. I should have known it was going too well.

“Cam? Look we need to talk to you and Dani. Can you meet in our room in thirty minutes?” Lance asks through the door. Thank god, it’s locked.

I call back hoping he will leave quicker, “Yes, we’ll be there in thirty minutes. Now will you please leave?”

No response so I take it to mean he scurried away. I turn my full attention back to my mate. “So, looks like we need to stop this and go meet with the Elders,” I smirk, climbing out of his lap, putting my bra and shirt back on.

He reaches for his shirt, slowly putting it on. I shamelessly ogle him as the muscles in his arms stretch and bulge. “It may be over now Dani, but let’s get this straight. Sooner or later, I will have you all to myself and no one, and I mean no one, will stop this from happening.”

“Oh really?” I ask softly.

He takes a step towards me, making my knees tremble with the dominance he’s putting forward. My wolf is panting in my mind and it takes the little self-control I have not to mimic her. “Is that what you want? To have me all to yourself? To do with as you please? I’m happy to give up my dominance for you,” he murmurs, making me deflate a little.

“What if I don’t want you to give up your dominance? What if I want you to be the dominant?” I whisper, giving into my desire.

“Oh, precious, that can definitely be arranged. Just say the word and my wolf will be all over you,” he grumbles, his eyes going amber as his wolf gets excited.

Banging on the door drags us out of the moment. “Dani, the Elders are waiting for you!” Mitchell calls out from the other side.

Sighing, Cam gives me a quick kiss on the lips and grabs me by the hand. “Come on, we’ll finish this later.”

I smile half-heartedly knowing that wasn’t thirty minutes but I want to get this over with anyway. My wolf however, is very excited by the ‘later’ part that Cam mentioned. The only challenge is going to be making sure we’re not interrupted.

Mitch, Cam and I all walk together quickly down to the Elders’ room. The rest of my mates are all gathered here, obviously waiting for us.

“About time you guys showed up, the Elders have been very impatient,” Jason says, taking in our dishevelled state. It’s my own fault for wearing a t-shirt that crinkles so easily.

“Yeah, sorry. We got held up. Are we all going in?” I ask, gesturing at the closed door.

Pete grabs my other hand, pulling me forward, “Yes, we’ve all gotta go in. We were just waiting for you. Now come on, let’s get this over with. I get antsy when the Elders want us all. Usually it means bad news,” he grimaces, opening the door without knocking.

Tim, Laura, Walter and Monique are all in the room but what makes me wary is how frightened the Elders are. You can feel the fear in the room like a bitter smell coating everyone. Sonja notices me first, “Ah Dani. Thank goodness you’re here. You will be leaving at once to Pete’s pack where his aunt is waiting for you. There will be no arguments, go pack and come back,” she demands, not even giving the boys a second glance.

Thankfully, Monique is here to give that bitch a piece of her mind. “Sonja, you do not order my granddaughter around, regardless of the circumstances.” Sonja looks chastised, not enough to actually feel bad for it though. “Dani, as much as I hate to agree with Sonja, we need you to pack. I’m sorry to throw this on you but it’s important you don’t argue. You have to leave immediately,” she says.

“Why? What’s happened? What’s the big rush?” I ask, not giving in to their demands. If they want me to pack, then I want to know why the timetable has been moved up.

Tim is muttering furiously with Erick before bursting out, “Just tell her! They all deserve to know! You can’t hide this from them due to your incompetence!”

Cam and I exchange looks, not liking where this is going. My gut is screaming at me that something horrible has happened.

Jax steps up, a guilty expression on his face, “I just went down to check on Luke and Carrie to see how they were handling the silver. We had six guards, two in their cell, two on the door, and two around the house. When I got to the basement, the guards were gone. I rushed into the room to find the room empty. Luke and Carrie are gone,” he admits shamefaced.

Son of a motherfucking bitch!!!

“And the guards?” Cam asks calmly. I don’t even know how he’s calm right now when I’m practically vibrating with anger.

Lance fidgets, wringing his fingers, “Well, as far as we can tell, they’re gone. None of the six have been found. What’s worse is, from what we can tell, another twenty wolves are gone. Which means they could be doing pretty much anything. James is getting the cars ready and then we should go. The only hope we have now is to finish the trials.”

Sammy nods grimly, approaching me, “I know this is not the news you wanted to hear but it’s done. The only chance we have now is to finish the trials. We have decided since you have been staying here, we will be giving you a pass on your challenge here. You have successfully stopped Luke from leading our kind when he has been corrupted by power. Now you only have to pass the next challenges. The first pack you visit is the Tiern pack, followed by the Slade pack, then the Parks pack before finally ending at the Bairn pack. Once you reach the Bairn pack, we would ask that you and your mates stay there to show a united front for our people,” he announces, making me feel like this has gone from one big shit storm to another.

“Fine, we will pack and leave at once,” I say turning from the room. I don’t want to hang around and delay this any longer. I still can’t believe they escaped. Who puts guards with them if they know each other? That seems the only reason they would let them go. Unless Cam is right about the pack being easily influenced with all the changes happening.

All I know is, I will do everything in my power to stop Luke leading our people. Even if it means hunting him down and ending him once and for all.