I was never meant to have the Clear Waters, I was


    always meant to take on Dad''s original legacy...the Amber Desert.


    With Cleo by my side.


    We would be close to her family pack, which is important to Cleo...she is extremely close to her Dad and brother, and she would want to support Ares in the years he takes over as Alpha of the Red Thorn pack.


    This felt like divine providence.


    "No, this feels right. Like this is where I am meant to be. The alliance can''t deny my request, being that this pack is in your bloodline Dad, and that my mate was already the luna. For the first time in a long time, I know I am where I am meant to be."


    "So, Kit and I are taking on the Clear Waters? I don''t know..." Josie bites down on her lower lip, the feeling of hesitation hitting me through the triplet sibling bond.


    "If this is what you want, I will be by your side the entire way Red. It''s fitting that a moon blessed wolf should return home don''t you think?"


    By the time 5am arrived everyone just fell asleep in the spots they were sat in.


    Silence finally descended upon the alpha house, Mum''s uncontroble sobs from upstairs faded out, and I gave into that call to sleep, to recharge my mind.


    I can''t have been asleep long when I jolt awake, to find myp empty...coldness washing over me from theck of her touch.


    I check the clock on the wall behind me, 8am...gentle snorese from those around me, Josie asleep in Knox''s arms, Dad and Orpheus each sprawled out in an arm chair, whereas Jaxon and Ares both passed out on the floor.


    All ounted for but my mate. Where was Cleo?


    My mind is instantly put at ease when I hear the low whsipers of Cleo talking...to


    the elderly woman, that so happens to be my long lost great auntie...


    "Can''t you stop drinking that now?" Cleo''s hushed tones hit my ears. "No, never."


    "But Than and Medea aren''t around, and we won''t trade you."


    "You are pregnant dear...with my great great nephew."


    "So?"


    “So, if anything the White Moon have more leverage over me now. If they were to find out where I am and realise what is at stake, they will take you without a second thought. No it''s best for everyone involved that I keep taking this."


    My wolf growls in my head at the very mention of somebody taking Cleo and my child.


    "But it is killing you." Cleo sighs out in despair.


    "A small price to pay for freedom."


    "Freedom?"


    "Oh yes,pared to what my mate would have in store... yes this is freedom. "


    A slight pause in conversationnds between them both, as movementes from upstairs.


    "You should eat.."


    "I''m not hungry." Cleo yawns out, her voice slightly hoarse from tiredness. "Morning sickness?"


    "Guilt."


    "I remember the day my sister died like it was yesterday...Kaia will get through this. It will just take a while. But in no way are you to me for this."


    "If I hadn''t of left, if I hadn''t of been so reckless..."


    "You mustn''t be too harsh on yourself child, I...whats that?"


    They pause, my own hearing stretching out further as I hear the sound of paws climbing down the stairs.


    I leap out of my seat when I hear the terrified gasp escape from Cleo''s mouth.


    "It''s Mum, she''s overtired...just don''t


    move, pretend you don''t see


    her.


    20''s once hoarse voice is higher


    fearced within it.


    "She what...oh my..."


    I don''t wait, not when my Cleo is at risk.


    I creep down the darkly decorated hallway, towards the kitchen where I find Rosa in her wolf form, prowling around the kitchen table as if Cleo and my rtive were on the menu for breakfast.


    A snarl escapes her wolf, as she snaps her teeth at Cleo...who flinches back


    slightly.


    I see red, pure unadulterated anger.