Colt’s POV

I watch Cass leave the office. My stomach knots when she is near. I can’t believe this girl gives me butterflies—fucking butterflies!

"That’s done, but what are you up to? And why?" my father asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"You know why. Besides, I want to see how well the pack adapts to change."

"Hmm... and that girl? Are you sure?"

I nod. "I want her close."

"Son, I don't understand your fixation on this woman. You’re doing all this just to keep her near?"

"...Yes."

"But you won't tell me why she is so important to you."

I stay quiet. I’ve told him almost everything, but this—this I keep to myself. Besides the damn butterflies she gives me, she possesses something else that intrigues me.

"Hmph. You could have your pick of the pack," he says.

"And I did pick. I want her."

"Okay, but what is the need for all of this? You can just take her. No need to play games or wait."

"No. I want her to

want

me. I want a genuine bond—not one based on her being forced into it and hating me for it."

He shakes his head. "You are to be the next Alpha; no she-wolf in this pack would pass up that opportunity. She won't hate you."

I almost laugh at how little he knows her. "Oh, yes, she would. She’s different from every other woman here. She doesn't like being told what to do."

"That can be easily corrected," he says.

"Why would I do that? I like that about her. She has a will of her own—a defiant little minx who refuses to follow the herd like a sheep."

"Alright, fine. I don't really care, if I’m being honest. All I care about is your succession. An Alpha is born, and a Luna can learn her duties." He mutters under his breath, "Thank the Goddess you are back. Your brother was never cut out for this."

"And I will succeed you... if I get what I want," I say.

He nods. "You will get what you want. Your mother won't like it, though. Not that girl."

I couldn't care less, but I keep that to myself. Mother has always had it in for Cass, but that is our fault—mine and my siblings'. We targeted her for years. She fought back, and for that, she was the one who got in trouble.

I hope she can forgive me. I know I wasn't as cruel as my brothers, but I am not without fault. I realize the role I played, and I vow never to hurt her again. It takes a man hitting rock bottom to finally see the value of a good woman. And I see it, Cass. I see you.

Dad puts a hand on my shoulder, startling me. I almost jump.

"You are home, son. You are safe. You don't have to live in fear anymore."

Fear?

Maybe not fear, but hatred is another thing entirely. I hate

him

. I hate them all. Now that I am free, they will pay for these nine years of torment.

I stare out the window, lost in thoughts of her.

Cass... Cassiopeia.

The power she holds will be his undoing. I want her—that is no lie. Even before I knew of her power, I wanted her. The kindness she showed us... I was blind to her beauty all those years ago. If it weren't for the hell I endured over the last nine years, I would never have been able to appreciate a woman like her. She is rare.

The moment I left those cells, I knew I wanted her. But now that I know about her power, I

need

her by my side. She will be the one who turns the tide. They will all pay.

"I'll be back. Your mom needs me," Dad says, checking his phone before walking out.

As he leaves, Kaecy pokes his head into the office. "Hey, meet us in the game room in a few minutes."

"For what?" I ask.

"Just come."

I nod. "Alright."

As he leaves, I stand there, looking out the window. Nothing has changed here. It’s like everyone is trapped, playing their parts. I need to change that. They need to be more aware of the enemy.

"Hey, what are you up to?" Dash walks in, collapsing into a chair and resting his feet on the coffee table.

"You’re getting comfortable," I mutter.

"Haven't been this relaxed in years," he replies.

"I know what you mean, but—"

"Hey! Where is Cass?"

I narrow my eyes. "Why?"

"Just wanted to talk to her. Did you find her yesterday?"

"Yeah... I did."

"Was she really angry?"

"She was... but I made it better." I steer away from the thoughts that threaten to surface.

"You made it better?"

"Yes."

He squints. "How?"

"You want the sweet details of our lovemaking?"

"Oh, shut the hell up. You're lying. Curls wouldn't have."

I laugh. "And you know her that well just from the time we spent down there together?"

"Yeah. I'm good at reading people. And she’s a good girl."

That makes me like her even more. I let my thoughts wander to last night—how her body felt, how she reacted to my touch. "Hmm..."

Dash shifts uncomfortably. "What are you moaning about, fucker?"

"Nothing."

He squints. "What did you do?"

"Nothing," I repeat.

"You know what? It doesn't matter. It's not like she can't take care of herself. You fuck with her, you're the one risking it." He pauses, contemplative. "Do you really believe she is—"

"Yeah. Let's not talk about that here." I cut him off quickly.

Dad isn't stupid. He knows there is more to the story. I don't think he has anyone watching us, but you never know. I’d rather be careful.

"It's crazy, though. When we weren't looking—"

"I know. Now stop."

"Fine, fine..." He leans his head back, then bobs it up again. "Hey, that sister of yours is a bitch."

"Yeah... I know."

"She treats people like they’re the dirt under her shoe, and she thinks she’s the only jewel on this earth."

"Yeah... she takes after my mother."

"Damn. That's sad."

"My whole family is sad. A pathetic excuse for an Alpha family," I mutter.

"Isn't that a bit harsh?"

"No. But I'm not going to lie; I was part of the problem, too. I used to be just like them—entitled. I thought I was better than others. If I can take anything good from what happened to us, it’s that it opened my eyes."

He nods. "Yeah. I'm not the same person I was before I went there, either."

"It changed us all," I whisper. "Speaking of which, aren't those two fuckers supposed to leave any minute now?"

"Yeah. We should go see them off."

We head to the front of the house where Quinn and Petter are packing up to head home.

"There you two are. Come to be sappy and say your goodbyes?" Quinn asks.

Dash gives him a soft punch on the shoulder. "Don't start with that shit, man. Emotions are normal."

"You

homo sapiens

," Quinn teases.

Dash's face crinkles. "Homosapiens?"

"Well, yeah. I don't want to be offensive to Petter here, so I added the 'sapiens' part," Quinn explains.

"Fucker! I don't pitch for the same team!" Petter shouts.

Dash, Quinn, and I burst out laughing.

"Little bitch-ass," Petter mutters.

Dash sighs. "I'm going to miss you guys."

"Yeah. We've been through a lot together," Petter says.

"Again, you guys are—" We interrupt Quinn before he can finish.

"Shut up!" We all shout in unison, making him laugh.

I put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Take care. You guys are like brothers to me." I lean in closer. "And remember what I said."

Quinn nods. "Yeah. We won't tell anyone. You know you can trust us."

I nod. I know they won't say a word. This benefits us all. I watch them get into the car and drive away.

As I turn, a girl approaches me. I nod politely. "It's good to be back."

She giggles, leaving me confused as I haven't given her cause to.

"I remember when you used to practice in the fields. But you've changed. You look much different now," she says.

"Ah... Bryn’s friend?" I ask.

She nods with a smile. "You remember me!"

I don't remember her at all. All I recall is my sister having a tiny girl trailing after her like a shadow.

"I'm really going to miss them," Dash mumbles behind me.

"I know. Me too."

"Well, I'm off to cause some mischief with the ladies of the pack." He walks away laughing, and I just shake my head.

I walk back inside, only to be stopped by another face.

"Hi, Alpha. I am so glad you are back."

The girl has wavy blonde hair and green eyes. She looks vaguely familiar.

"Colt, there you are," Mother says, coming down the stairs.

The girl nods at me and rushes away.

"We haven't had any time together, my dear boy." Mother cups my face, pulling me down to kiss my cheek.

"Sorry. Dad has been occupying my time," I tell her.

I’m glad to see them, truly, but if I’m honest, I feel numb. There’s no genuine happiness in seeing them. It’s as if I’ve lost the capacity to feel.

"I know. I just had a word with him. You just got home; he can't work you this hard without letting you rest. I won't have it."

She pulls me into a hug, and for the first time, I notice how frail she feels. Or maybe it’s just because I’ve grown—I’m much bigger than I was when I last lived here.

"I’m going to have the cooks prepare your favorite meals all week." She beams, heading toward the kitchen.

Even her smile doesn't reach me. I sigh and head toward the game room.

Let’s see what they want.

As I walk down the hall, I encounter Cass. She stands in front of the billiard room doors. I stop, watching her for a few seconds. She’s completely unaware of my gaze.

Thoughts of last night invade my mind, as they have all day. This girl has no idea of the power she holds. Underneath that bitterness, there is profound beauty—inside and out.

And for the first time since I returned, I don't feel numb. When I am with her, when I think about her... I feel warmth. I feel

alive

. She is special in so many ways, but mostly, she is special to me. She deserves a good life. She deserves a good mate.

I am going to make her mine.