The night was eerily quiet, the wind moving through the trees, making them sway gently. Our footsteps were almost silent as we marched through the forest, the melting snow muffling our feet. Goose bumps erupted over my skin as I waited in anticipation. My hands shook at my sides and I clenched them to suppress the movement, making my knuckles crack. The sound was a shock through the silent night, as if it were the only sound in the entire vicinity.

The wind suddenly pick up and howl sounded in the distance, making me shiver in fear. They have arrived. They traveled in numbers, their heavy footsteps pointed against the forest floor. The first wolf broke through the tree line and many followed along behind him, filing into a line, side by side. A few in the middle parted and two familiar figures stepped through, making my wolf swish her tail nervously in the back of my mind.

"I warned you to come here alone." Master's baritone voice bellowed. "You didn't follow my orders." I wanted to bow down in submission, beg at his feet for mercy. It was something that I had been trained to do for years. Never break his order unless you are asking for a slow and painful death. My legs shook as I fought the urge to fall on my knees.

"She's always been disobedient, Gordon. I warned you of this when I sold her to you." A voice I hadn't heard since my teenage years joined the conversation. My breath started to come in heaves and I felt as if I wasn't getting any breath. My head felt light and my vision became blurry.

"She was a pain in the ass to train but she was a hell of a fight. Earned me back the money I paid for her at least five times." I started coughing and choking on my own breath, making everyone's attention turn to me. Two pairs of eyes landed on my breaking figure, making my legs buckle. Before I hit the ground, two warm, strong arm caught me and turned me around, cutting off their glares.

"Ahh. It seems as if the bitch actually found someone to like her. What, your mate die and she was the next best thing? Or was she a whore, pushed herself onto you and now she's pregnant? I wouldn't be surprised there." The man who was supposed to be my father, laughed. "It would be the only way she would get anywhere in life!" He bowled with joy and tears threatened to fall from my eyes. The person who was supposed to protect me all my life was the one bringing me harm, bringing me pain.

"I'll have you know that she is my mate." Alpha Orion's voice sounded beside my ear and his arms tightened around my quivering figure. "She is the best person who will ever walk on this earth and I have been completely blessed to call her my mate. I am honored for her to be mine and I really have to thank you."

"For what? For her being a bitch? A whore and a complete and utter disgrace?" Alpha Pierce asked, menace laced in his voice.

"Of course not, asshole. For bringing her into this world and not allowing for her to call her father. You don't deserve such a title."

"Why you son of a bitch!" Alpha Pierce bellowed. "You're going to pay!"

"No, you are for being such a disgusting, sadistic man who doesn't even deserve to even look upon the person he has sired! You may have fathered her but you will never be her father!"

Alpha Pierce growled with fury, his face turning that Goddess awful shade of dark, redish purple that I was all but familiar with. The vein on his forehead swelling and throbbing with anger. Alpha Pierce's figure shook and spontaneously shifted and crouched, getting ready to attack. Alpha Orion had just enough time to let go of me and shift to counteract the attack. As soon as their body collided, the two packs emerged and a blood bath began. I watched as the Mountain Ridge pack and the rouges went at each other.

I was suddenly frozen in my spot, my legs and arms refusing to move but tears were still able to flow freely down my face. Tufts of fur and chunk of flesh were being forcefully torn from a sea of bodies. Pain filled cries filled the air along with the smell of blood as it shed onto the ground. I had to stand, there completely paralyzed and useless, as I watched my pack being slaughtered. Their enforcements were easily ripping through our warriors, no matter how much training they had been put through. Their dead eyes seemed to stare directly at me, blaming me for being them into this and then not helping at all.

A searing blower through my chest, efficiently knocking me to the ground. The burning fire ate through my body, starting from my heart and then ripping and spreading elsewhere. It was the most painful thing I had ever felt. It felt as if I was dying but nothing was touching me. I opening my eyes and clutched my chest in agony. I turned my head and I was met with pure heartbreak.

Lifeless, dull green eyes that were once so full of life blankly stared back at me. The now dead body of my mate laid beside me, his body torn to shreds and his blood staining the snow. A scream of pure agony escaped my mouth. I desperately clawed at the ground to go to him but it seemed as if I were going nowhere. I screamed again in heartbreak. My mate was dead. Was ripped away from me all because I didn't leave.

A laugh sounded and another voice joined it. I turned my head from my mate and my eyes landed on Master and Alpha Pierce. I kicked my feet, trying to squirm away from them. They easily caught up with me and stood over my defenseless body.

I sat up, clawing at my chest, the burning pain beginning to subside. My breathing was erratic and my face was wet and cold. Bringing me free hand up, I rubbed the tears from my face. I had even cried in my sleep. It had felt so real. A knock sounded at the door, making me jump in fright.

"Malia? Are you alright? I heard you scream." His head popped in and his eyes immediately took in my distraught form.

"Aw, Sweetheart." He spoke gently and shut the door behind him. He walked over to me and gently grasped my hand.

"Bad dream?" He asked.

I nodded my head, not trusting myself to talk right now. My chest still burned and my throat felt dry and hurt from my screaming. I watched as his thumb stroked the back of my hand in a soothing way and I felt the pain slowly disappear.

"Are you okay?" He asked again and I nodded.

"Would you like to talk about it?" I shook my head no and wiped more tears away with the hand that used to be resting over my pounding heart.

"It's alright now. Why don't you try to relax and get some more sleep. It's only two in the morning." He pulled the blanket around and stood up.

"Wait!" I called out and his eyes met mine. "Can I-" I hesitated and played with my fingered. "Can I have another one of those hugs?" He smiled gently and wrapped his arms around me.

"Of course you can."