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 Chapter 2

Sam

A pack fighting its own? I can’t imagine that. I have to admit though that Peter has always protected us, Ashley and me, even in spite of my shortcomings, and I’m sure he would fight for us.

The difference is that he took us in when we were children. He bonded with us like a father with his daughters. It’s different for the pack involved. They fight to defend strangers.

— Why?

— Why are they defending innocents, regardless of their origin, against dissidents?

I nod my head.

— Each member of the Guardian Angels pack has his own reasons.

This is not an answer, but a dodge. She’s ducking. Her story must be false. A lie to convince me to join her cause.

— You’re not convinced, are you. For my partner, Connor, it’s about revenge.

I understand revenge. That feeling has never left me in twenty—five years, and it’s a need that’s slowly eating me up, bit by bit.

— A rebel pack killed his family because they were hiding fatels. When the governor announced his intention to counteract the shifters’ excesses, he joined the cause.

A question I have been aching to ask. I need to know.

— Is he using you?

— What?

Her look of surprise and disgust startles me.

— No. He’s overprotective to a fault. I had to threaten to hang him from a tree to get him to let me come see you. He annoys me, he snarls, but mostly he’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

It is mawkish and pathetic. Love really does make you blind!

— You’re just in love. You don’t realize anything.

— Connor is my soul mate, Sam. And I gained so much more than him when we sealed our bond.

— I don’t get it.

— You live in a pack, but I get that you’re pretty … independent.

That’s a nice way of saying I am separate from everything and everyone.

— Have you heard of soul mates among shifters?

— Not really. It’s like being in love, right? Only more bestial.

She smiles, obviously recalling a pleasant moment. When was the last time I had a moment like that?

— The bond between soul mates is much deeper than a classic love affair. Shapeshifters may have several mates in their lifetime, but they only have one soul mate. Once they meet her, she is the only one that matters. She becomes the center of their universe, their reason for living. Once united, soul mates can’t live without each other. No pun intended.

Which means that if one dies, so does the other. So she gained the assurance that he would not kill her.

— So, you can’t die.

— Eh?

Ashley takes over.

— Connor would never hurt his companion.

— Only because if he kills her, he dies.

— No, Sam. You haven’t been listening. He would never hurt her because she means everything to him. She’s the great love of his life. The one and only.

— And that I’ll kick his ass if he bothers me.

What’s that? I think they are forgetting one thing, the two obsessive romantics.

— Fatels don’t stand a chance against an angry, determined shifter.

— Normally, maybe, but there’s nothing traditional about me anymore. I’m connected to Connor. We’re linked, hence the bite.

I wince as I look at her again. The sight of this mark is almost unbearable and it shows on my face.

— This is the only way for a shifter to be permanently united with her mate. He has never bitten me ever since. He is not with me for my blood, Sam.

This is maybe what he made her believe. But in the end…

— As I told you, I gained much more than he did. I am a prophetess originally, but the bonding has given me other gifts.

I widen my eyes and watch her carefully. There is no sign of a lie. And Ash would have known if it were a lie. You can’t hide anything from her unless you focus on it.

— Are you stronger than the shifter?

— I am stronger than Connor. And although he continues to nurture me like a fragile little flower, I also know that he is relieved that I am able to defend myself against the rebels.

— That's all very nice, I'm happy for you that you found one of the few trustworthy metas, but why are you telling me all this story?

I look at them and Sevana waits apparently that Ashley gives me the end of the story. Only my sister does not loosen her lips and I fear the worst. A bad feeling crosses my mind. I get up with a jump, having suddenly the need to walk so much my blood boils in my veins.

— You want me to unite with one of them?

Ashley joins me in a rush and stands in my way so I can watch her.

— No, of course not! I would never ask you to do something like that.

My blood pressure is easing a bit, but I’m still waiting.

— So what?

— Sevana is returning to her new territory with the Guardians, and I’m going with them.

I am devastated by this news. My sister is leaving. She is leaving the Treat for good, because I know that you can’t belong to two packs. So she leaves me too, at the same time. I let myself fall on the ground and I only wish one thing, loneliness.

— Sam, understand me. I don’t have a choice.

I’m raising my head vigorously. What do you mean, no choice? Is someone pressuring her? Is Nathan still picking on her?

— Is Nathan still pressuring you to flee?

— No. Nathan is dead, my companion killed him.

My blood runs cold. Ashley immediately puts her hand over her mouth, but her revelation did not escape me, far from it.

— Your companion?

My sister rocks from one foot to the other, uncomfortable. I suspect what will follow, a foreboding creeps into me and fear exudes from every pore of my skin. I reach out to hear and pull off her scarf. I instantly see the bite mark on her neck. I knew it. Ashley never wears scarfs, never. I could swear she struggled. It’s a nasty wound that must have made her suffer in agony. Rage fights inside me with incomprehension and a sense of betrayal.

After all we’ve been through, she has surrendered and thrown herself into the lion’s den. I clench my fists so hard that my nails dig into my palms.

— Sam, calm down.

My sister has tears in her eyes while her friend has a nosebleed. I can’t stand to see them being manipulated like this. My sister deserves better.

— Bring your companion.

This word literally tears my mouth off.

— It is normal that I meet him since he is part of the family.

My sweet tone doesn’t fool anyone and they both shake their heads in denial.

— Not as long as you’re in that state of mind.

I feel her magic rubbing against me, trying to get into my head to soothe me, but I’ve been able to stay sealed off from her power for a long time and she should know better.

— Stop it.

I don’t want to hurt her. She is my sister, half of my heart, however, I am wary of her today. It’s an unpleasant feeling. I always thought that she would be the only one I could loosen my attention with and now, there is nothing more wrong.

— We’re in love, Sam.

— Open your eyes. This is nothing like a love mark.

I point to the deep tooth marks on her skin.

— That’s a nasty wound you were forced to accept.

— Sam, let me show you and explain. I beg of you.

Her tears are as much hers as mine, and I hate myself for making her suffer like this.

— Don’t ask me to choose. I wouldn’t be able to.

Wouldn’t she prefer me to her torturer? Why? I take a deep breath to control my storm of emotions, but remain on the alert.

— What do you want to show me?

She pulls her shirt a little and I see a second, sharper bite.

— It’s the union mark that Sean made for me. You’re right, the other is a wound and I was against it.

My anger spikes. Is this how she thinks she can calm me down?

— Nathan did it to me. He betrayed the Treat and tried to claim me by force. He had me kidnapped by a dissident alpha, Sam. Sean came to rescue me with Sevana and her mate.

My sister was missing and I was not informed of anything. It’s worse than being the last wheel, it’s being insignificant.

— Sean killed Nathan to protect me. And he didn’t force me of anything. He was ready to wait to claim me. He was very protective with me, and he will never ever bite me. He’s not with me for my blood.

I am a little lost. Dissidents don’t fight with themselves. On the contrary, they shared fatels blood so that other packs owe them.

— I want to see him.

— And you have the right to. I just want you to calm down. He’s a part of me, of my soul, and if you hurt him, I would suffer a lot.

I nod to show her that I understand. Sevana grabs a tissue to mop up the dried blood under her nose that has stopped flowing.

— I leave you with the family, I need to rest and Connor is anxious.

— You’re part of the family Sevana.

They smile at each other and I feel a twinge of sadness that they are so close.

— I know, but I came to your rescue when he wouldn’t let me be on the front lines, and I had to fight him to come see Sam with you.

She looks at me with a shrug.

— He didn’t want me near you.

I get it. I have a certain reputation among the Treat that certainly doesn’t inspire much confidence.

— I have to take it easy on him or I’ll make him crazy.

With that, she leaves the room and my house.

— Is she acting against her alpha’s wishes?

Ashley shakes her head.

— She’s standing up to her mate, that’s different.

Maybe it is. Or not. Actually, I don’t know.

Three sharp knocks on my door startle me.

— Easy Sam. It’s Sean, my companion. Before opening him, I must warn you.

I squint my eyes, suspicious, waiting for the next part.

— He’s bossy. And stubborn. He’s a beta, you know. A beta shifter.

And that suits her? She who can’t take orders?

— I understand your doubts, but he’s my soul mate. I fell in love with him at first sight. Which doesn’t mean he doesn’t get on my nerves sometimes!

— Go open the door for him. He’s waiting and I wouldn’t want him to break down my door.

Indeed, he started banging on it again, with more intensity.

— True. He blew mine up when Nathan attacked me and I wouldn’t open. He’s quite capable of that.

And I’m the one who’s judged unbalanced?