We finish our meal calmly, chatting about our hobbies, our likes and dislikes, and sharing some of our childhood secrets. We finally leave the pizzeria at about two in the afternoon. Alec laughs as the waitress thanks us for our time at their restaurant.

“I’m pretty sure we should thank her because I hardly think we will do that in the Capitale,” Alex says, kissing the top of my head as we get out.

“Do we have to return to the packhouse now?” I ask him. He checks his phone before he answers me.

“Nope, you can show me around. We have two hours before we have to come back to the packhouse.” I kiss him at the news and start to show him where I grew up.

As we walk through the city, I comment on almost every shop or street as many memories come back to my mind.

“This is the cinema where we used to go with Elijah. We rarely paid, as Mr. Denan had kids who were with us at school. They left the pack as they found their mates in other packs and accepted to join their mates’. Their father is still working hard to ensure everybody can enjoy movies every day, no matter what,” I tell him first, showing him the prominent and ancient building.

“And here is the only candy store in the pack. Caleb’s grandparents are the place owners, so we could spend hours eating for free.

“And here is the school. The one I used to attend during my young years. Even if we could have had our own teachers, my parents wanted Eli and me to go to public school,” I explain before some youthful voices call for me, using the supreme Alphuna title, for Alec’s annoyance.

I pull Alec with me to enter the school playground. Twenty little wolves jump around us to play when we pass the fence.

Quickly, six boys who must be around six years old take Alec to play some ball games. To my great surprise, Alec starts playing with the boys, and he seems genuinely happy and innocent. He looks nothing like the cold prince he’s always been described for as long as I remember.

He will be a wonderful father, there's no doubt. I laugh as the boys jump on him to stop him from winning the game. My big bad wolf outrageously falls on the ground, acting like he is defeated by the group of young kids.

He suddenly gets up and says something to the boys before joining me.

“We have to go, princess. Looks like there are some changes of plan,” he says, holding me in his arms.

“What kind of changes?” I ask him, raising my head to meet his eyes.

“The ones that have long hair and sharp words when she addresses you,” he answers.

“We can avoid it if you prefer,” he says, his coldness reappearing on his face.

“No, that’s okay, Alec,” I answer with a smile. I take out the bracelet made of stone I bought earlier.

“Keep it for me. We’ll need it later. Make sure you can give it to me next time we meet.” He looks at me, furrowing his eyebrows.

“Don’t question me now. Be a good asshole if needed. I’ll try to play the jealous girl,” I say as I kiss his lips.

“You’re jealous and want to mark me as hell. I don’t doubt you’ll be convincing, whatever you have in mind,” he chuckles.

“Try not to kill her. We need answers, little wolf,” he says, kissing my forehead.

We walk a little back to our car, talking to act like we don’t expect the two people on their way.

It does not take long before a car stops a few steps ahead of us. The moment the door opens, the awful odor reaches my nose.

Jackson gets out of the car, soon followed by the uniquely bitchy lieutenant general Amber. I don’t have to force anything to growl loudly as she walks to us with a bragging grin on her face.

Jackson looks like he is very sorry for the disturbance. His fists are closed, and I know it takes him a lot not to grip Amber and smash away her rictus.

I’m tempted to laugh, but that would not help for now.

“We’ve been calling you, Alec sweetheart,” Amber says, walking to touch my mate. My nails turn to claws, Selene boiling inside me. Alec is holding my hand tighter.

Relax, little wolf.

He tries to calm me, but Selene’s protectiveness runs in my veins even if I know I have to.

Tell that to the wolf that your wolf marked, Alec. And I’m on Selene’s side, if you wonder.

I mind-link shout to Alec.

I’m on your side too. But you said you could do it.

He rubs my hands, stopping my nails from totally turning into claws.

“I was busy and could not answer. What’s so urgent, Jackson?”

Alec asks as he turns to Jackson and waits for his answer. I appreciate he tries to avoid Amber as much as he can, but unfortunately, this leech does not seem to get the message.

“The thing is, wolves entered the woods again and tried to ambush our men. So you need to come home, Alec,” She talks to him like I was not even here, touching his arm.

This time, my mind goes crazy. At least I won’t have to force myself, as I’m absolutely pissed at her, and I would rip her heart out of her chest without an ounce of regrets. Jackson grows nervous, his eyes moving from Alec to me.

Alec lets go of my hand and takes a step back, his awareness rising in case he would need to intervene.

“You,” I yell as I grab Amber’s arm.

“This is not your home: it is mine. And he is not “sweetheart”: he is prince Alexander, am I clear?” This is a growl that goes out of my chest. Not just a Luna’s growl: the one of a true Alpha.

She looks at me, her grin disappearing from her face as she is forced to submit. After a few seconds, I let my aura down, unwilling to ruin our chance for her to speak.

As I let go of her arm, I move away to breathe some air.

“You should not get distracted by a wolf,” she adds with a disdainful tone, already walking to Alec. She dares to disrespect me after I forced her to submit. Damn, this woman may be attractive, but she’s stupid.

I roar, Selene on the edge of turning the moment I let her. My hand grabs Amber’s neck and pushes her against the fences of the park.

“I am your princess, you stupid lycan. You should show a little respect,” I tell her with an icy stare.

Let me kill her, Olivia. She deserves it. Ares agrees.

Selene says in my head. A simple thought and she would separate Amber’s head from her body.

Do you know how to get information from the dead?

I ask her, sighing internally.

Just an arm, then?

This wolf is something. No wonder why I am so stubborn.

Get ready to shift. I think I might have a plan.

I say to Selene, who grumbles, unhappy that I deny her request.

Alec stands between the stupid lycan and me.

I feel he does not like the idea. I send some waves of love and easiness through our bond, and he finally moves to act like he would take Amber’s side. He takes my hand away from Amber’s throat, letting me enter her skin with my claws before he intervenes.

As he does, Amber’s face shines in victory.

“You would be a future Princess if you were marked. But it is not the case,” she spits her venom, her eyes glaring at my neck.

“Your little hickeys show only one thing. You’re nothing but a distraction to my prince,” she says abruptly, probably hoping for me to cry or fall to the floor. Who knows what’s going on in her crazy mind?

As Alec faces me, I can see what Amber does not.

Anger burns in the emerald irises of my mate. His jaws are stiffened as he restrains himself from exploding. I know he has to fight Ares not to let his rage out. And I’m not responsible for his state.

“I have to go, Olivia. You’ll go home with Jackson,” he says with a very authoritative voice, and I understand he does not like how things go.

Unfortunately, I’ll play it my own way.

I grab his vest and force him to look deeply into my eyes.

“Are you really avoiding marking me?” My voice is shaking, and my eyes are full of tears as I remember how sad I was when I was scared for him to be hurt during the first attack and how low I was when I found the babydoll in his bag.

Alec does not speak a word, as I sense his brain is trying to process what I’m doing. Just play the game, Alexander. That’s what I want to tell him, but I can only think about it. His mind is a mess as he tries to figure out how to answer this.

“Answer me, Alec. Do you REALLY avoid marking me?” I sound angry, hoping it will take him out of his silence.

“Yes, but…” As his mouth says those words, I feel anger growing in me. My grip tightens on his vest to pull him to me. I put my heart on his chest, above his heart, and he seems to get out of his lost thoughts.

I’m sorry, it’s gonna hurt.

I slap his face, playing furious. Not complicated when I allow myself to think he had Amber in his bed, in our house, just before he left.

“Am I nothing more than your fuckable doll, Alec?” He looks at me, surprised.

I move to slap him again, but he stops my arm.

“No need to lie, Alec. Admit I’m nothing but a game for you.” His hand tightens around my wrist.

“Never say that again, Olivia. Am I clear?” I free my hand from his grip and push on his chest.

“I’m not your puppet or your subject, Alec. You may not consider me your mate and don’t mind screwing another woman, but I am your mate.” Selene whimpers inside me, and as I look into Alec’s eyes, I know both Ares and him are hurt by my words, no matter if I don’t believe a word I say. Not after the last hours.

That’s the risk when you use your past to act better. My eyes fill with tears, and my sadness joins my mate’s.

“I deserve you to respect me, and you do the exact opposite while tolerating her,” I say, tears rolling down my face.

"Can you tell me how you do it? To deny the mate bond? To feel no pain not being with me? 'Cause it doesn't seem to wear you down at all."

He feels the pain. I feel our pain, the mutual need to comfort one another. But still, I have to stay away from him. Just an act.

“Come on, Olivia. Let’s just go to the packhouse with me,” Jackson says, worries filling his eyes.

I might not hear him, but I know what he wants to say. I think that’s enough, Olivia.

“Don’t, Jackson. I won’t go anywhere they are,” I whisper, looking one last time at Alec.

That’s your turn, Selene. Show them who we are.

I ask my wolf.

Within a second, I turn into the majestic silver wolf that is now Selene’s appearance. I turn to Amber, growling at her. I bite the air, a few inches in front of her face, then turn to run away.

Where do I go, Olivia?

Selene asks me.

Straight forward, up to the hill.

I answer, letting her deal with this run. As we escape the town, people look at us, probably wondering what happened to make me that irritated.

Find Elijah and tell him I’m on the hill. He will know what I mean. I’m sorry.

I mind-link Alec, feeling sorry to make him bad.

I’m on my way back to the packhouse. Be careful. I’ll send Eva to you.

He answers.

Never say you’re my subject or a doll, ever again. It hurts to think you might have thought I could consider you that badly.

I won’t. I’m sorry. Did it work?

I answer my mate.

You convinced Amber. She is all smiles and happiness, thinking she’s more valuable than you.

I sigh in relief. At least the whole thing, even if painful, was worth it.

I’ll see you later. I love you, Alec.

I say, thus focusing on our race to the hill.

We reach the place within five minutes. It’s just a large meadow covered with flowers on the top of a small hill. From here, I can see the lands, including the packhouse.

It does not take long before I hear a long howl. I could recognize this wolf among all. Elijah is the one making - or Jonas, as I’m sure he is in his wolf’s form.

The alarm rings a few seconds after I hear Jonas’ call, meaning we’re under attack.

Stay on the hill, Olivia. Eva, Joey, Jackson, and I are coming for you. They’re everywhere in the woods. Don’t do anything stupid.

Elijah mind-links me.

I want to tell him I can take care of myself when I perceive something behind me: wolves. They are not rogues, but I recognize the fragrance.

How the hell could they find me so quickly?