
Jax had built me a pack. Now he was telling me it was time to leave.I'd argued with him for months. Jax and I had been best friends since we were kids. We'd grown up together, fought side by side, and survived things most wolves couldn't even imagine. My place had always been at his side."I'm fine where I am," I'd told him more than once. He would only shake his head."Grill, it's time. I've been building this pack for you for years, and it's finally finished. I wanted it to be my gift to my best friend. There are lone wolves out there looking for somewhere to belong. They're waiting for an Alpha... and they're waiting for you."His words settled heavily on my shoulders. s**t. I never thought this day would actually come. For centuries, I'd saved every dollar I could. Some of it was ancient wealth that had been locked away in secure vaults, untouched for generations. I never imagined I'd actually need any of it.But now I did. It was time to stop living as someone else's Beta.It was time to become an Alpha. I let out a slow breath before nodding."Alright, man. Give me a week to get my things in order, then I'll head to my pack."A smile spread across his face. "No problem. Just remember, if you ever need me, I'll be there. Doesn't matter when or why."We clasped forearms before pulling each other into a brief hug. After everything we'd been through together, words weren' t necessary. Then I walked out of his office. I guess this is really happening.Jax had already given me the address. I climbed into my car and began the drive. The entire trip, my mind raced. I wasn't sure what I expected to find. Honestly, I figured the place would be empty.I couldn't have been more wrong. As soon as I drove through the gates, I saw them.Dozens of lone wolves stood outside the packhouse in complete silence. Some looked nervous. Others looked hopeful. Every pair of eyes turned toward me as I stepped out of my car. They had been waiting for their Alpha.Then I saw her. Catherine. A little boy stood beside her, his tiny hand wrapped around hers. The moment our eyes met, something deep inside me warned me to be careful. I didn't trust her.Not after the night I met her.I'd gone to a hidden gathering, a place known only to Lycans and other supernatural beings. That was where fate had played its cruelest trick on me. That was where I found my mate.From the very beginning, there had been something dangerous about Catherine. There was an obsession in her eyes, a hunger that had nothing to do with the mate bond. Now I knew the truth.Catherine would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. And what she wanted...was me.The question wasn't whether she would destroy lives to have me.The question was who would stop her before she hurt the only people I would ever love and care about. Shit...Here we go.

