LOGINSorry for the shorter chapter. But thank you for reading!
The paths through the territory hadn't changed. The same trails cut the same way. The same rocks littered the paths. The same flowers lined them. It was like time in Snow Pointe stood still. Nothing changed. Nothing new grew. Everyone and everything was in stasis, a perfect snapshot of when life was "best" in the territory. But the servants always saw the cracks beneath the surface.The weakness within the leadership. The fraying control Alpha Damon had over everyone. Gamma Olivier's aging body and mind. The status quo was maintained, but barely. And with Evangeline suddenly stricken with a mysterious illness, the future of the pack was more precarious than ever. No wonder everyone celebrated my return and the promise of a healed heir to the alpha. Snow Pointe was slowly rotting from the inside, and Evangeline was the cure.I passed by the old servants' lodges, lingering only a moment beside the dilapidated structure I used to call home. It still smelled like sickness and liquid silve
Every. Damn. Hour.A servant or visitor woke me. Every hour. For five hours straight. They asked about my accommodations. Asked about my preferences for fruit, meat temperature, and pillows. Everything was wiped and fluffed until there was nothing left for them to do in my room but stand and stare at me as I fought to get some rest. After the first two hours, the servants got the hint and stopped knocking. But their visits were soon replaced by various pack members coming to pay their respects."Oh, Lady Aurelia, I'm so happy to see you again," said the guard who frequently tripped me while I delivered laundry to the various guest suites. She muttered excuses and apologies for her previous conduct, mentioning how sorry she felt when she learned that I was ill all those years ago. "But you look very healthy now!"As if that made her "previous conduct" or unwelcome visit any less of an annoyance."My Lady Aurelia, we are all overjoyed at your return," claimed the Beta's daughter, whom P
The old man huffed, slapping the piece of meat dangling on the tines of his fork onto his own plate. "Is it a crime for an elder to want to tend to a child? You are too thin. Strong though you may be. The more meat you get, the better your constitution. I won't apologize for helpin'."Does he remind you of anyone? Arya poked, teasing in her tone.If I closed my eyes, I'd swear that Gabe was sitting beside me right now. I never noticed how much their personalities favor, I snickered internally. It's almost endearing. I wonder if I'd have been able to experience this version of him before... if I'd never been weakened.The thought soured my stomach.Was this what Evangeline had experienced? A life of people doting and fussing and treating her well? How could she have lived this kind of life and still made it her mission to hurt and demean someone with far less than her? The urge to refuse her care, to let her suffer and die, rose in me. A cruel, twisted thing born from hurt and lack. Wh
The meeting ended in a large feast. Not the usual fare of a common dinner, but a boisterous celebratory occasion that rivaled that of one of Lady Evangeline's birthday parties. No expense spared, an agitation to my already restless and disgruntled spirit. Snow Pointe was so eager to roll out the red carpet and welcome me when they needed me, but I was unworthy of basic care when I lived here.Hypocrites.I was sat at the head of the table between Gamma Olivier and Luna Alena, across from Alpha Damon's piercing, calculating gaze. My rejection of his welcome and offer to return to Snow Pointe wasn't going to be the end of it. He was not the kind of man who accepted "No" lying down. That sharp mind of his was working, plotting, weaving better, more tempting offers together to try and entice me to stay. All because he finally saw my worth as a wolf and warrior."And you're certain that you wish to return to the mountains?" Luna Alena asked, pulling my attention away from her glowering hus
"Please, Alpha Snow, be at ease. I had no part in the rogue attacks on Snow Pointe five years ago, or in any that may have occurred during my absence. I can assure you of that much," I explained, taking a single step back from the dais, arms crossed over my chest—the posture of defense. I didn't aim to come off too aggressive and give him a reason to imprison me. My goal remained the same: Return home to Wayfinder. To my people. "I came here in goodwill to provide aid to your daughter. I came alone. Unarmed. No tricks up my sleeve."Alpha Snow huffed, his eyes narrowing to dark slits. "You were the one who pointed us in the direction of the false doctor with your testimony. I am no fool. You claimed to be in the isolation ward when the attacks started, and we found the imposter's journals that confirmed it. That was the damning piece of evidence in their trial."Like a shadow, he strolled down the steps and stopped before me. The Alpha of Snow Pointe was a mountain of a man that could
Perhaps warming up to Phillipe was a mistake. The entire time we walked from the guest quarters to the Great Hall, he talked. Nonstop. On and on and on, until I started getting a headache from his excited rambling.How had I forgotten that part about being his friend? You had a small pool to choose from back in the day. I think you were just happy to have anyone acknowledge your existence in a way that didn't cause lasting physical damage, Arya snickered. I hated that she wasn't wrong. The talking had been endearing when I was a lonely child. Now, I couldn't help wondering what his mate thought about it."You are so different than before, Ari," he stated, pausing briefly before the final stretch into the Great Hall. His expression turned pensive as he glanced at me over his shoulder. He hadn't changed much since he was 17. Still tall. Still lean and a bit gangly. He never quite filled out like the rest of the warriors he trained with."You're strong and healthy. And you've got this a
It was a small blessing that my seventeenth moon day fell on one of my days off. I don't think I could have survived Delta Hester's displeasure at me taking the entire day off otherwise. Small mercies found me in those days, and I never forgot to thank the Moon Goddess for the reprieve.Bu
Outside Evangeline's room, I finally breathed again, free from the overwhelming stench of her unnaturally heavy vanilla scent. Just another reason I always left from her presence nauseous and dizzy. It clung to my clothes as I returned to the kitchens, burning in my nose until I had to rush to the
Evangeline Snow was not nearly as unconcerned as her parents.The moment I pushed the cart into her quarters, her gaze landed on me, sharp and unyielding. I lowered my head, shrank in on myself as I had in the Gathering Hall, but it returned the opposite result. Where the pack nobility ignored my h
"Scrub those pots. When you're done with that, you're to serve Alpha Snow and Luna Snow their supper in the Gathering Hall. Lady Evangeline Snow will be taking her supper in her room." Delta Hester's stern voice barked her orders down at me, her voice rough. "Be sure not to spill anything this time







