The breakfast table was quiet the next morning. I had eaten very little and when I had asked to be excused, Alpha Thorn had told me to remain sitting. Out of the twelve large tables in this banquet room, only two were occupied. Persephone, one of the housekeepers, told me everyone else was instructed to eat elsewhere for the day.

Persephone was the one to show me to the room that housed my things last night. I refused to call it my room. "You'll be okay here. It may not be home but you'll be comfortable," she had said meekly by the door. Her green eyes begged for me not to be mad at her. I wasn't, I was made at her Alpha and I was mad about this situation. I could see the mesh and bars on the windows, thinking it overkill. "The bathroom is through that door and I'll wake you up in the morning for breakfast," she said before closing the door. I had heard her lock it behind her and tears fell onto the plushy carpet.

She was around my age, had mousy brown hair and a natural Omega disposition. Eager to help and eager to please. Persephone sat at the other table with two other females, her hands shook as she ate with every word I said that went against Alpha Thorn. Her small form was my gauge on how far I could push him this morning.

Aspen didn't make eye contact with me. He had come into my room uninvited after I was dressed. "Is this him? Derrick," he asked, picking up my photo of us. I could see his fingers smudging the glass. "Yes," I said, snatching the picture from his hands and placing it back on the nightstand. "I thought about going to Hale too," he said. "Why do you think it is appropriate to barge into my space," I asked pointedly. "I thought we could get to know each other. Besides, this is my home," he answered with a smirk and made to touch the photo again. My wolf wouldn't have it.

His neck still had blood stains from my teeth tearing into the sensitive skin. We hadn't shifted but I had earned his submission much to his father's annoyance. My lip twitched at the memory of him trying to claim my space. In Mountain Rise, I wouldn't have to worry about another unmarked male coming into my space. They respected the Warren family, they always kept a respectful distance on the rare occasion Derrick was walking by my side.

"What did you study at Hale," Alpha Thorn asked. "I did a double in Microbiology and Biological Engineering with plans for an MD before my mate's passing, Alpha Thorn," I answered plainly. I could see the grip on his cup tighten and Persephone's eyes widened as his irritation was felt by everyone in the room. One of the other females dropped her spoon. The clatter was loud as it hit the lip of the bowl followed by her slamming her hands on top of the utensil to muffle what was already heard. I made a note of their skittish behavior, this pack had to be quite strict for them to act that way. "Derrick was studying Computer Science and Finance. We had plans on upgrading our pack's financial strategy," I offered. Alpha Thorn nodded as he drank his coffee.

"Why didn't Markus go to Hale," Aspen asked. "Markus found a better Environmental Science and Horticulture program," I said. It wasn't a complete lie, Markus had found a great program but the main reason was because Derrick and Markus weren't getting along at all. Anytime they were alone for any length of time, they would be at each other's throats. Derrick said that by sending him away, he might find his mate and he would mellow out. "He was going to help make the pack more self-sustainable while I trained for a medical degree and Derrick was updating our business practices," I said and Alpha Thorn nodded as I spoke on the plan. I didn't see anything wrong with sharing this, the plan was scrapped once Derrick died. "Markus said you had a degree in Life Science," Aspen argued and gave me a smirk that instantly disappeared from my venom coated glare. "As I said, before Derrick's passing," I said, getting up.

"You still haven't eaten," Alpha Thorn remarked. "I told you I wasn't hungry," I stated, careful to keep my tone even. "Then you won't eat until dinner tonight," he said. I fought the urge to shrug. "That is fine by me, Alpha," I said. "Once Persephone is done eating, she will take you to the training field," Alpha Thorn stated. "I'm done Alpha," Persephone said throwing back the rest of her oatmeal and getting up from the table. She grabbed her dishes and went to our table to take mine. "I can take them," I offered and followed her out the door. Aspen raised an eyebrow and had a silent word with his father that I chose to ignore.

As we went to the kitchen to give our dishes to the staff, I couldn't help but feel bad for Persephone. "I'm sorry I made you hurry through your meal," I said quietly. "Don't. It's quite alright. Alpha, can be a little hard on us but that's just how he is," the small wolf said with a smile as she led me outside. "He is quite intense," I admitted. "Besides, it will give us a chance to get to know each other. Is it true you lunged at him when he went to your pack," she asked, a tone of amusement in her voice. I nodded with a small smile.

"That's quite impressive. I also couldn't help but notice our Alpha-to-be's throat at breakfast," she said, asking a question without trying to be rude. I nodded again. "He was touching a photo I had of my mate as if he was allowed to wander in my space," I argued, ready to defend myself. Persephone nodded in understanding. "I couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose a mate," she said. "I think Alpha will see you as in the right," she added with a reassuring smile. I didn't care if the Alpha punished me or not, my wolf and I felt like we were in the right and that is what mattered at the moment. "Your Alpha-to-be didn't say when Alpha Thorn asked him about it," I said. Even I knew my scent would be on the wound. "Besides I doubt any other wolf here could take Aspen's throat so easily," I said, Persephone nodded in confirmation.

"You don't need to explain yourself to me, he should have known better. You aren't exactly a wolf to push right now," she said, leading me to a trail past the tree line. I felt my own brow rise at her words.

"He didn't know me. It won't be easy to have his throat again," I admitted. I didn't want the pack to think I was trying to overthrow their prospective Alpha or that I was trying to make rank. "I know you don't want to be here," Persephone stated in a matter-of-fact voice. I shrugged, I saw no reason to lie to her. "Alpha Thorn didn't give me a choice. I just hope this situation resolves itself soon," I said, carefully. Persephone nodded as if she understood what I meant. "I would hate to be separated from my family because someone was lying about being my mate. I'd consider yourself lucky since you have such a high ranking in the pack and the Mountain Rise wolves respect their females voice," she stated easily. For such a small wolf, she had a lot to say. I liked her and she was right. If I had been a lesser born wolf, my voice may not have been heard and I would be in Witherstone. I repressed the shiver.

"Pathetic wolf. I felt nothing for him. My wolf wanted to tear him open as soon as he claimed I was his," I spat on the ground. Unladylike, sure but thinking about that wolf riled my primal side. "You are quite well versed for someone who was not born within a pack, if you don't mind me saying so," Persephone said warily. She was testing the limits of where our relationship would be. "Mountain Rise's females made sure I know how to behave," I said to Persephone's shock. "Do not mistake that for malice. I am thankful. If was to be their Luna, then there were some mistakes I could not make," I said my voice croaking at the end. I missed home.

"The practice field is not too much further. I'll introduce you to my mate. He is scheduled to help you train today," she said sweetly. I knew the sound, I used I talked about Derrick when he was alive. I nodded and genuinely smiled at her mood.