I wake up, and a wave of anger surges inside me. I take the pillow under Alec's head and throw it right in his face.

He wakes up and looks at me in disbelief.

"What the fuck, Liv?" he asks, sitting in the bed.

"How could you do that to me? You're a fucking asshole. Get out of my room!" I scream at him. I swear I could rip him right now. How could he hide that from me?

"Wow, Liv. Can you relax one minute and tell me what's going on?" Alec tries to caress my cheek, but I push him away.

"Get out of my room," I howl again at him.

"Well, technically, it's not your room because your room is on the opposite of the floor," he says, a smile on his lips.

I take the other pillow and throw it right at him. He catches it effortlessly with one hand before grabbing my hand and dragging me against him. "Plus, you can ask me to move out, but I would like to know why you are so pissed off at me, little wolf," he whispers, as my head touches his bare chest.

As I collide against him, waves of peace take over the previous anger that rushed in me.

Damn, that's so unfair. I want to be mad at him.

You can't be resentful of him. You're supposed to act like you know nothing, and you're already failing. You're supposed to do your best to play your part. That's not brilliant until now.

Selene's voice pops up in my head.

I sigh and then push Alec back gently.

"Can I have some mint tea, please?" I ask him, almost murmuring. I look at my hands, so I don't face him and don't start to scream at him again.

"Of course, little wolf," he answers.

"But when I come back, you'll tell me what's going on. I don't mind having you mad at me, but I would appreciate knowing what I've done wrong," Alec says as he gets out of bed.

He puts some sportswear on and leaves the room to get me some tea in the kitchen.

Well, let's think about your little lies, Olivia.

Selene speaks in my mind.

I hate her for that. She's hidden inside me and does not have to get out if it's not needed. She has the best part in it. Just like Ares, this traitor. He should get punished, too.

You won't scream at anyone, Olivia. You have to protect your family, so just play it smart. I understand you didn't like to figure this out this way, but don't hate them. Just act like you do to me; that's the same.

Selene tries to reason with me. She's also a traitor.

Who said that I would listen to you?

Take that, dear loving wolf.

She spends two decades sleeping, and she's already hiding things from me. So I should get mad at her for at least two decades.

Well, you can't. I'll protect you, but you will also need the people who know about you.

She says, almost mocking me.

I wonder if all the wolves have this tendency to mock their human parts or if I only met the most sarcastic wolves and lycans on this planet. I will need Alec to be part of my life to deal with this mess. Alec is the other half of me, my person. Of course, I need my person.

Wait a minute... She said 'people.' Not 'person.'

Selene, who knows about me? You said 'people,' so I suppose Alec and Ares are not the only ones.

You're screwed, gray wolf.

I feel she is getting nervous.

Selene, I'm waiting.

She will not elude this question that easily.

Well, maybe Alec and Ares are not the only ones knowing about you and your condition. Perhaps some others know some parts of it.

She whispers.

She slowly lies down, and I know that she feels a little stupid.

Who knows, Selene?

I ask her authoritatively.

It's better if you don't know, Olivia. Really. You should figure it out on your own.

She answers, but she sounds like she is trying to convince herself more than me.

I'm tired of your' figure it out yourself.'

Before I can add anything else, I capture Alec's lovely perfume. He enters the room with a mint teacup in his hand.

He gets back to bed and gives me the cup. I take it with both my hands and try to cool it down, blowing on it.

"Thanks," I say to Alec.

"You're welcome, little wolf," he replies. Then he sits beside me and takes my chin so I can look at him.

"Do you mind telling me what happened, Liv?" he asks me gently.

"I had a dream. That got me upset. But never mind, I suppose I just have to go with it and act like nothing happened," I answer abruptly.

"It's hard to feel like you're alone in something. And I feel so alone right now, Alec." Tears fill my eyes.

Damn, I hate this. All of this.

"No matter how you feel, just know that no one will ever leave you on your own, Olivia. Sometimes, things just have to happen before feeling better and safe again," Alec says.

He gets closer to me and puts my cup on the bedside table. Then he wraps his arms around me. I put my head against him.

"I promise you, Olivia. I'll never leave you alone, and I'll always do what I think is the best to protect you. I want to live an eternity by your side. I'll always be yours, I promise you."

His words remind me of the Moon-Goddess's words. I have to trust him.

No matter how much I want to tell him I know everything, I have to keep it to myself.

I need to find out things on my own. So who's in a better place to give me information but Alec?

"Alec, can I ask you something?" I ask him.

"If I can answer, I will," he answers.

"What do you want to know, Princess?" he says with his sweet voice.

Still, I notice he is hesitant about something. I'm somewhat sure he hopes I ask nothing about the current situation.

I'll have to play it smart.

"Why did your father send you here?" He lets me go and moves to his side of the bed.

He sits cross-legged, then signs me to face him. I take my cup of tea on the nightstand and hold it like a child would with hot chocolate, waiting for their bedtime story.

"We've been dealing with rogues' attacks for months. It started months ago when my cousin's Pack was attacked by a group. We thought it was just some isolated attack. But, unfortunately, they attacked Black Stone Pack again and again."

Anger rises in his voice, and he gets more and more nervous.

Why do I feel like I know this Pack more than I can remember? The name sounds familiar.

"The attacks finally stopped. At least for a while. New attacks were reported after a few days, in other packs. The only thing we knew for sure was that they were moving East. Your brother's ceremony was the perfect place for them to attack. There were a lot of Alphas and Lunas, and a pack without their Alpha is easier to break. As I'm considered a heartless Prince, my father hoped that my presence would be enough to dissuade anyone from attacking. It seems that my clever father was wrong," he sighs as he says that.

"What did your cousin do to stop the attack?" He looks at me with dark green eyes: Ares is facing me.

"He did nothing. They just stopped," Ares coldly answers.

"Why did they stop, Ares? What happened?"

You're not going to hide that from me, Ares. No matter how hard you try, I'll get my answers.

I look straight into his eyes, so he knows I'm not scared of him, and I'm more determined than ever.

"They ended the day the babies died. Probably rogues had enough, as it destroyed Nathaniel and Evangeline." At his words, my heart stops.

Evangeline.

"Evangeline Stewart? Like Evangeline of the White Moon Pack?" I sound completely ludicrous.

I have to control myself. Breathe, Liv.

"Evangeline Grayson-Stewart, yes. They were expecting twins, but they lost them during the last attack. Both Nate and Evangeline went heartbroken. Evangeline completely lost her mind after that," Ares says sadly.

My eyes fill with tears.

Selene, why did she not tell me about the kids? Why did she not tell me about her mate?

I need my wolf to answer me.

I suppose she was too miserable to say anything. What she is going through is heartbreaking. She did what she thought was the easiest for her to survive the pain. Anyway, you know how she trusts you, right?

Selene is right. That makes sense. I mean, she calls me sometimes. She probably doesn't want to talk about it.

I have to focus on having my answer. I'll think about Evan later.

I need to protect my family before taking care of my friend's sanity.

Damn, why am I so hurt by my friend's situation? Why do I feel like I can understand her pain? Why do I feel like I'm the one who can ease it?

"Are you feeling alright, little wolf?" Ares says.

I nod, despite the tears running down my cheeks.

"Can I have Alec back, Ares? Please?" I need my mate to hold me. I like Ares, but I need Alec's kindness.

"Of course, mate. Just ask me if you want me to answer questions about it. Alec is not comfortable with his cousin's nightmare," Ares says. Alec's eyes turn bright green again.

"I'm back, Liv. Come here," he whispers, moving his legs so I can settle down between them.

I move slowly to join my little cocoon of love and security.

"Alec? Promise me you'll protect our children the day we have some. No matter what happens, you'll have to protect them at all costs. I won't survive to lose them, just like I won't survive to lose you," I sob.

Alec's embrace tightens around me.

"No one will ever touch you or our future pups. You are the future Queen, and everyone will make sure that we are safe." He kisses my neck lovingly.

I turn to face him. I put my cup on his nightstand and kneel between his legs. I cup his head in my hands.

"If I trust you blindly, promise me I'll never lose you," I say.

His lips part as he is about to answer. I put my hand on his mouth.

"If I trust you blindly, promise me you will trust me the same way. Promise me that no matter what I do, you'll be there in the end. Don't give up on me. Just promise that you'll stay."

Our eyes don't break contact. I feel like there is nothing but us in the world.

Alec slowly wipes away the tears on my cheeks, then he cups my chin with his hands.

"I promise I'll always trust you and always be there in the end, no matter what, little wolf," Alec finally answers me.

Then his lips crush on mine, lovingly but still eagerly.

"Just come here," he says as he pulls me to his side so I can lie down.

I'm on my left side. Alec spoons my body with his.

"You are the only one that keeps me grounded. I love you, Liv. More than anything," Alec whispers in my ear.

"I love you too," I reply.

After a few minutes, I feel Alec's warm breath on my neck. He is slightly snoring.

I wish I could sleep, but still, I'm lying awake and thinking about what Alec told me earlier.

As I close my eyes, the scenery of that day just comes back to life in my mind:

I'm in the packhouse garden.

That's the end of February, and yet the sun is up. I have a warm, comforting jacket in order not to get cold. Despite the sun, the air is still cold.

I'm drawing a pair of wolves.

One big black one is howling under the shining white moon, while the second one, a gray one, is on its paws, on an enormous black stone.

Suddenly, I hear my phone ring.

Only a few people call me on my phone, as I'm not really fond of it. But still, I have one to keep in touch with people when I'm out, traveling, or want to call some other packs' friends.

'Evan' appears on the screen.

"Evan, how are you?" I ask.

The moment I hear her sobbing, I know that something is wrong. Evangeline is one of the most emphatic women I've ever seen.

"What's going on, Evan? What can I do to help you?"

"I really need your help, Olivia. But before I ask you, you have to promise you'll not ask for any details, please," she says.

At the sound of her voice, I feel how in pain she can be and how this call breaks her heart.

"Of course, Evan. Anything you want," I answer.

I try to speak as gently as possible as I understand she needs me to get some comfort. I wish I could be with her right now.

Our mothers grew up together, and we spent a lot of time together in the past. Just like Eli and I, Evangeline has a twin, Noam. And just like me, she turned late, months after her brother became White Moon Pack's Alpha.

"I need your help, desperately," she says.

She tries to hide her tears the best she can.

"Could you take one of White Moon's Omegas to your Pack? She will come with two babies: a boy and a girl." She stops for a moment, overwhelmed by her emotions.

I promised her I would not ask questions, so I just wait for her answer.

"Protect them like they are yours. You must tell no one, except your brother and parents, that I asked you to hide them. They need to be forgotten, like they've never existed. She is great, and she'll find a way to be useful to your pack. She won't be a burden. You should never tell anyone that they are at your place under my request." Then she stops again.

"I'll make sure they can come here, and we'll guarantee their safety. No one knows her here. Just tell Noam to tell your people she had to stay here to meet Annie. She's one of the best doctors and healers. No one will question her situation."

I don't know how I can act so calmly. I'm literally helping a she-wolf to escape with her babies, without question.

"They'll wait for your men at the border between Black Stone Pack and the neutral area," she almost whispers.

"Eli, Julie, and my father will come to get them. Don't worry, we'll take care of them. I'll let you know when they are safe, okay?"

I can't do more, but I know they will be safe with Julie, my father, and my brother.

"Thanks, Liv," she says, her voice shivering.

"We'll protect them with our lives until they can be safe by your side. Moon Goddess's promise," I finally say before ending the call. Why did I say that?

Then, suddenly, I wake up. I'm fixing the ceiling.

I might have had the answer right under my nose for weeks. I need to make sure I'm right about it.

Moon-Goddess, why do things have to be more and more complicated?