Everyone stands above me as my back is pressed against the mattress. This is as calm as I'll get, which isn't very much at all. My hackles are raised, my breathing a little hitched. My heart is kind of erratic, a lot faster than it should be. The faces of my mates are the only things keeping me serene and sane. If it weren't for them, I would have left ages ago.

"Alright, just... do as you do and fall asleep," Cytherea tells me, an awkward smile on her face.

When I try, nothing happens. I close my eyes and see darkness, but I can't fall asleep. Willing myself doesn't work as I'm too awake now. I sigh in frustration and open my eyes again to look at her.

"I can't sleep," I say, my tone silent and sad. "It won't work, not until the day passes on."

"Untrue." Cytherea turns and walks out of the room.

I look at my mates but they shrug, telling me they have no idea why she just left. Blowing out a breath from my mouth, I raise my eyes to the ceiling and stare at the grooves of it. The paint bunches to make up flowers as the ceiling decoration. It's much like my own cottage at the pack, the one that was mine. My heart aches at the loss of my home. It was my sanctuary, the one place I had that made me feel comfortable. There's a chance I'll never see it again. It's unfortunate.

"Hey," Rory speaks up. I turn my gaze to him and give a weak smile. "Everything will be okay. We'll figure everything out together, even if this doesn't work."

I want to kiss him and kiss Alexei. There's nothing I want more than to officially claim the two as mine, but we're having to wait.

"I wish that were true, Rory," I whisper and look away from him. "But I have a feeling that we're up the creek without a paddle. Things have taken a horrid turn, eh?"

"Don't—"

"Alright, I have something." Cytherea bustles back into the room, effectively cutting Rory off. A miniature teacup is in her hands, steam rising from it. "This will help you sleep. Drink it and you'll be out in no time."

She walks over and hands me the cup. When I grab it, my knuckles scrape against the sides, burning them slightly. With a firm grip on the handle, I sit up and pull it towards me. Taking a deep breath, I raise the cup to my mouth and sip cautiously. The liquid burns the tip of my tongue. It's a lot more scalding than I originally thought. I can barely taste it now since the beverage has singed my mouth. Shaking my head, I blow into the cup before trying again. With more cautious actions, I steadily sip at the drink until it's all gone.

"What was that?" I ask her as I settle back down. Burrowing myself into the pillows, I pull the blankets over my chest, allowing the warmth to surround me.

"Tea with some herbs in it." She shrugs. At my dubious look, she drops her shoulders and laughs. "Magic, happy?"

Knowing she won't give me a definite answer, I turn away from her and on my side. This herb seems to be working quickly as a yawn tears out of me. My eyes droop slightly and I grow drowsy by the seconds. The time ticks by in silence and soon I'm barely able to keep my eyes open. Someone moves into my line of sight, but it's too blurry to properly see who. After a final yawn, I close my eyes and don't open them again. My body relaxes further into the bed and I fall into a slumber.

***

My head lolls to the side as I wake up. Looking around, I'm not where I need to be. The throne room of Ameri's castle doesn't greet me. Instead, I'm in the office once again. The sight of this makes me want to scream and shout and let it all out. But I don't. I have no idea if I'm visible or not. I'll just have to play the waiting game to see if I'm really here or not.

"Just lead whoever it is to my office." The voice of Timothy breaks through the door as it opens. He steps in and completely walks past me. Seeing as he doesn't even acknowledge my presence, I let out a breath of relief.

"Yes, Alpha," David mutters. He grabs the door handle and closes it behind him.

When David is gone, Timothy walks behind the desk and takes a seat. He leans back and trains his gaze on where I'm standing. He narrows his eyes and my heart stops and falls to my stomach. He stands up and walks over to me. I close my eyes, not wanting to see his menacing face as it switches between beast and man.

Stopping right in front of me, Timothy stands still. I can feel his breath on my face and it causes me to open my eyes. Opening them, I see he's looking past me and not at me. Timothy reaches up and through me. I turn and see a picture frame behind me. He went right through me to the frame, fixing it, straightening it. He went right through me.

Slouching my shoulders, I allow myself to feel at ease.

A strangled growl leaves him and he turns. Looking back at the frame, I take in what has just made him so angry. It couldn't be anything good if he is fighting with himself now. But as I look, I see it's a framed photo of me and my parents. This picture is from so long ago, about ten years. I was eight and happy at the time. The smile on my face couldn't be knocked down by anything. Two sets of arms are wrapped around me—my mother and father. Both look exceptionally younger, not a lick of gray on their heads and wrinkles practically nonexistent. It was a happier time for us.

Removing my gaze from the picture, I shake my head. Times are different now and I'm nothing but a nuisance to my parents. They aren't even affectionate to each other anymore and there's no telling how their wolves are because of that. No matter. I'm not here to play matchmaker.

I watch Timothy as he takes his seat again. He breathes deeply, his nostrils flaring. Each breath accompanies tensed muscles as he clenches his fists repeatedly. Pretty soon, he'll give up and his beast will take over his mind and body. He'll no longer be Timothy but a deranged wolf who's lost his way.

My waiting game comes to an end with the opening of the office door. His eyes go in that direction and I follow suit. Nausea rolls through me as I see who steps into the room. Her heels click against the woodboards that make up the floor. Her long gown swishes and rubs against the ground. Blood red lips are set in a smirk. Gray eyes are done to perfection.

The crown on Ameri's head glints as the sun peeks through the window. The gunmetal color matches her black dress perfectly. Each step she takes is slow and careful. She raises a hand and fixes her crown even though it's already set to perfection. It's a classic power play on her part.

When she comes up to the desk, she settles into a seat without the graciousness of Timothy. "You wolves are cute to play house like this. It's like one big happy family."

Timothy narrows his eyes at the vampire in front of him. He tilts his head up and takes a whiff of the air around him. "Who the hell are you and what business do you have on my pack?" He can't detect her smell. Since wolves hardly encounter vampires, he has no idea what their scent is like.

"Hmm, it's no wonder you guys are so brutish. You are dogs after all," Ameri comments. "I suggest you get rid of the attitude, little boy. I'm hundreds of years older than you and I will not tolerate a dog thinking he's above me."

I shiver at the tone of voice she uses. Even Timothy shifts uncomfortably at the deadly atmosphere that's just come about. He scoots back in the chair and I move closer so I can see his face. Now I know why he looks like a pup with its tail between its legs. Ameri has allowed her fangs to extend and her irises are now red.

"That's better," she speaks after silence is all she's met with. "Now, let's talk about this pack situation because a little birdie told me that this is her pack."

Timothy tenses and straightens. "Sophia-Grace... you have her?"

I'm actually surprised he hasn't stopped to comment on the fact that she's a vampire. It shows how psychotic and obsessive he really is. Timothy is sitting right in front of a vicious being, one who won't hesitate to kill if she needs to. He doesn't even care, not really.

"No." Ameri's answer causes him to lean right back. In a quick movement, he pushes everything from the desk. The sound is loud as they clambor to the ground; a paperweight, a stapler, folders upon folders. "You're one angry man, aren't you? So much anger can only lead to one thing."

"I don't care." Timothy's face changes for a split second. His canines come down and he breathes deeply. "You've seen her, where is she? Where is she?"

Ameri cocks an eyebrow and scoofs. She crosses her arms in front of her, setting her face. "Well, now I believe we can help each other out."