Alpha David and Jeremiah continued their conversation for a while longer, but honestly, I couldn''t recall any of the details if someone asked meter. My mind waspletely consumed by one person-my mate-who was deliberately avoiding me, yet chatting easily with everyone else in the room. I could feel the tension between us, and I was certain she was aware of our bond. Still, she wouldn''te near me, nor would she even nce in my direction. Honestly, I wasn''t angry about it. She was an alpha through and through, and she needed to be paired with an alpha, not someone like me. I was still tangled up emotionally with Kennedy, and I knew I wasn''t ready to be good for anyone else just yet. But my wolf inside me refused to ignore the fact that she was in danger. The thought of leaving this pack and going home in a few days, knowing something could happen to her after we left, tore at me. But if I stayed, what about Jeremiah, Tommy, and Jason? The confusion was overwhelming. I needed to get out of this room. I wasn''t made to be an alpha''s mate. I was a beta-my role was to protect the alpha. That was all.


    I snapped out of my daze as the room began to stir. People were standing up, saying their goodbyes and wishing each other goodnight. Finally, some relief.


    I tried to catch ra''s eye, but she was already the first to leave, slipping out of the room so quickly that by the time I reached the door, she and her two shadows had vanished down the hallway.


    Why was she avoiding me like this? We needed to talk—this couldn''t just be ignored.


    "I''m not leaving without her," my wolf growled fiercely inside me.


    I tried to reason with the voice in my head. "She''s the alpha of this pack. She has to stay here."


    "Then we stay here too!" my wolf snapped back, and honestly, I felt like we were about toe to blows.


    “What am I supposed to do about Jeremiah? He''s my priority..." I pleaded internally. "Not anymore. Stop being a coward."


    "And Kennedy?"


    "What about her? She has a mate. It''s not you. Get over it. She''s noting back the way you want."


    I turned to see where my friends were. Jeremiah and Jason were shooting me odd looks. Tommy was still deep in conversation with Luna Margaret about patrol schedules. It seemed like he was trying to gather intel about the rogues prowling their western borders.


    "Jason, Ben, you want in on this? We should go together-get some coborative feedback," Tommy called out without looking away from ra''s maps.


    "I need to stay with Jeremiah and Rayna," I said quietly.


    Tommy grumbled, "No, you don''t! She''s staying right here with Jeremiah while they work on pack unity with ra tomorrow. You and Jason are free to scout."


    Jason chuckled, “Looks like it''ll just be you and me, bro."


    "Why can''t hee out?" Tommy asked, still glued to the maps, only half-listening to our exchange.


    "Because he looks like his brain got scrambled and he''s got some stuff to sort out,” I muttered under my breath.


    I really wanted to punch Tommy in the face for that, but I couldn''t deny the truth behind his sarcasm. I nodded, waved them off, and started walking down the hallway toward my room. Right now, I wasn''t good for anyone.


    "Are you okay?" Rayna''s voice came through the mindlink, her concern palpable.


    "I''ll be fine. Don''t worry about me," I said, forcing augh. She didn''t need to be distracted by my mess. Her focus had to be on Jeremiah and helping him with the pack''s problems.


    "I didn''t ask if you''ll be fer. I asked if you''re okay right now." She wasn''t going to let it go easily. I rolled my eyes.


    "I''m still working through some things. You guys don''t need me getting in the way. I''m going to bed," I sighed. She didn''t answer, but I could sense she wanted to press more. When the opportunity arose, she''d probably grill me about my mood swings. Rayna was incredibly perceptive-she was going to be an amazing Luna.


    Now, I just had to figure out how to be an amazing Beta with a mate who was an Alpha, living in a pack an hour away. F*ck me. My whole body suddenly felt drained as I stepped into my room. The moment I closed the door behind me, I was mmed against it. A strong forearm pressed against my throat, and electricity surged through every fiber of my being. Then, I heard the sweetest voice I''d ever known.


    "What the f*ck do you think you''re doing, mate?"