I watch as the Alpha talks, but I am lost in my own thoughts.

What is going to happen now that he is back? Will Colt be the one to ascend as the next Alpha? I glance at Kaecy and realize he has no issue with it at all. It is evident in the way he claps with a wide smile, looking relieved for the first time in nine years.

Colt, however, hasn't said a word. He remains silent, wearing that familiar, serious expression he has always carried. I cannot decipher his thoughts, but this is not the Colt I remember from my childhood—and that is another reason why I failed to recognize him at first. He has changed, and I can only guess that whatever he endured during his absence shaped the man he is today.

The celebration continues once the Alpha finishes his announcement. Many pack members crowd around Colt, eager to express their joy at his return, but not me. I watch Lauren and James join the throng, but I hang back. I cannot bring myself to face him, not now that I know who he is.

I am furious with myself, humiliated by the realization that I was lusting after him—that I actually told him I wanted him to kiss me. I feel like such a fool. It feels like a sick prank he would have pulled back in the day. He was playing with me this whole time... they all were, weren't they? I don't want to be here anymore. No one would even notice if I left.

I turn on my heel and head toward the forest.

"Where are you going, Curls?" Dash suddenly calls out, walking toward me.

I stop, but before I turn to face him, my mind reels with the betrayal. They all knew. They lied to my face. This is why I can’t trust—I am always the fool.

Anger surges through me, and I turn to him, my eyes burning. Dash immediately notices the shift in my mood; for some reason, he takes a step back, as if he fears I might actually hurt him.

"You! Don't you talk to me, you liar!" I shout. "All of you are nothing but liars! Men like you—that’s all you do. I don't want to talk to or see any of you ever again!"

He holds his hands up defensively. "I'm sorry, Curls. We didn't mean to lie. And to be honest, it wasn't really a lie."

Omitting the truth is still a lie. I despise liars. Then again, my anger might be clouding my judgment; I feel like a petulant child. I turn away and whisper, "I'm warning you. Leave. Me. Be."

I feel a feral urge rising within me, a warning growl bubbling up from my wolf. She is just as enraged as I am. Dash says nothing more, simply watching me go.

I enter the tree line, my pace quickening from a walk to a sprint. I reach the house, but I don't go inside. Instead, I shed my clothes, folding them neatly and leaving them on the porch. A wave of relief washes over me; I no longer have to look over my shoulder, no longer have to worry about Niles. I feel no remorse for his fate. He deserved it.

I shift, my bones snapping and reforming as I embrace the wolf.

This is the only time my problems truly vanish—when I give my wolf control. I could easily take it back, but most of the time, I don't. We take turns, and I let her have her moment. Once she tires, she will return the favor. We cannot speak in words, but I feel her emotions as clearly as she feels mine. Despite being treated poorly for so long, I haven't felt truly alone since I turned eighteen and she manifested. We have weathered so much together. Perhaps it was her influence that made me hopeful when Ezra turned out to be my mate—she hadn't experienced my childhood trauma, yet she, too, was drawn to him. Now, we are one and the same when it comes to him.

I hate thinking about him, yet I can't stop. He is my mate, whether I like it or not. I wish he would reject me so we could be done with this. Doesn't he want a mate he actually desires? Why drag this out? He could have any she-wolf in the pack. Why be so cruel? What did I ever do to deserve this?

Lost in my thoughts, I succumb to the solitude of the night. The moon passes overhead, the stars shift, and the air grows colder. I hear the calls of owls and the sounds of nocturnal creatures roaming the woods. To me, these are peaceful.

It must be well past midnight, but I know Lauren and James won't worry. They’ll see my clothes on the porch and know I’ve gone for a run. When Niles was alive, I never stayed out long, but the fear is gone. I can finally enjoy the night.

At least, that’s what I thought.

I spin around, sensing something, but there is nothing there. Maybe a coyote? I brush off the feeling and stride a few more feet until I reach a stream. Again, I feel a presence behind me. I turn—nothing. I’d be concerned if I were at the pack border, but I’m close to home. Still, a chill runs down my spine.

If we were under attack, we’d know. Our borders are well-guarded.

I decide to head back, but stop dead in my tracks. This time, I hear a rustle in the shadows. I relinquish control to my wolf; her instincts are superior in this form. She scans the dark corners, tracking something—or someone—circling us.

I know what this is. I’m being stalked. It has to be a pack member, right? Maybe someone playing a predator-prey game. If so, I shouldn't worry. Maybe it’s even Ezra, screwing with me. But that thought dies the moment a massive, unfamiliar black wolf steps out of the shadows.

Panic flares in my throat, but my wolf doesn't hesitate. She takes off, and the beast gives chase. I may not be the strongest, but I am fast. I’ve always prided myself on my speed. Yet, this wolf is gaining on me. He is massive, but agile. I realize with dread that this must be a Beta or an Alpha.

I don't dare stop. In their wolf form, they are unpredictable, and this one does not look happy.

My run ends abruptly when a heavy weight slams me to the ground. My wolf snarls, snapping at the massive intruder, but he clamps his jaws around our neck, pinning us down without drawing blood. He growls, a vibration of pure dominance. My wolf goes still, submissive. She knows we are no match for him.

The great wolf loosens his grip and steps back. I realize, with a shock, that it’s Colt. He bears a faint scar near his eye that is visible even in this form. As my tension eases, my wolf retreats, and I shift back into my human form.

I kneel, clutching my arms to cover my nakedness. Colt’s gaze rakes over my body before he steps back, shifting as well.

"Why... why were you chasing me like that?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

He kneels before me, making no move to cover himself. He clearly doesn't care. "You ran, and I gave chase. Instinct," he says simply.

I suppose that makes sense. My wolf shouldn't have bolted like prey. I look away, silent. Knowing his true identity makes me feel small.

"You left early," he says. "Dash told me what you said. The guy is soft; he was a bit upset."

I nod but remain silent.

"You’re not going to talk to me? Are you that angry?" he asks.

"I was... am, but..." I look up at him. "I just can't talk to you."

"Why?"

"Because... you're Colt."

"I was always Colt."

"Not to me. You were Alexis. Someone new who knew nothing of my past. But you're really Colt... a bully."

"I am not a bully."

I narrow my eyes at him, surprised to see a flicker of guilt cross his face.

"Not anymore," he adds. "I was a boy back then. Boys do stupid things."

"You’re still that same bo—"

His hand reaches out, cupping my neck. "I am not," he murmurs. His touch isn't rough; it's gentle, his thumb caressing my skin. He leans in until our noses are touching. "I am not the same Colt you knew."

My lips tremble. I don't know what to say.

"I am sorry for what I did to you back then. I will never do anything like that again."

I summon the courage to look into his eyes and am stunned by the sincerity I see there.

"Even when we were locked in those cells—when we were dangerous—you showed us kindness. When you were ordered to hurt me, you chose to take the pain instead. Where I’ve been for the last nine years, there was no kindness. But you... Cass, you are a rare gem in a sea of stone. And this has nothing to do with your ability."

"Ability...?" I’m confused, but he presses on.

"...And I still owe you a kiss."

He pushes me back down onto the grass.

"I-I..." I stammer, nervous, overwhelmed by the intensity in his eyes. "I have a mate."

"I know," he says, slowly crawling over me. His eyes track every inch of my exposed skin. "It's your brother."

"I know."

Now he is hovering over me, supporting himself on one elbow, his other hand gripping my chin, forcing me to hold his gaze. I don't know how to protest. If my words haven't stopped him, nothing will—and truthfully, my body isn't fighting him.

He leans close, his breath ghosting against my lips.

"You... you don't care?" I whisper.

"No," he breathes back. "I don't care. My brothers aren't children; they should know better. I've seen how he treats you. He doesn't deserve you. If he doesn't want you, then I'll steal you away."