JAKE: I had just returned from my early morning run, feeling a new surge of strength as I got into the palace. River, my wolf, had become more active these days and I attributed his change in countenance to the unconventional arrival of his second mate. He was always hyperactive every time we discovered a mate and I would always kill the enthusiasm by rejecting the mate. Fortunately, it never made him less powerful or dormant. I was going to reject this one too, it was only a matter of time. I showered after every run. As I stepped out of the bathroom, the sound of a knock on my door made me turn my head toward it. Then the male voice followed. "Alpha Lake, it's me, Bek." It was the voice of my gamma. "Come in," I called out. I heard my door creak open, he walked in and bowed in cour

