I slipped through the cave to where the others usually met with my bag in hand. Willow was leaning against the wall with the usual group standing around her.

"We can't risk it," said one of them. "The alpha is really cracking down on us."

"So that's it," said Willow. "We're done? We submit and spend the rest of our lives surviving a man that doesn't even like us? Hell sounds like a better option than being a slave to a self-appointed alpha."

I cleared my throat. "What's going on?"

Willow hurried to me and hugged my arm. "Archer, I thought you wouldn't come."

"My father doesn't get to decide my life for me. I'm an adult. If I want to do something, I will."

The others seemed unsure.

"Rupert is high ranking," said one. "He'll punish all of us if he finds you here."

My fur bristled. "Am I not welcome anymore?" I laughed hesitantly.

They didn't respond.

Willow gave my hand a squeeze. "Don't listen to them. It doesn't matter what they think because they're ready to ditch us and settle for being obedient middle ranks for the rest of their lives. Darius does the thinking for them now."

A couple of them frowned and scowled at Willow.

"I thought about it and I want to go tonight." I clutched the strap on my shoulder. "If we leave now, we should get to Base Acid in time for opening."

Willow squealed and kissed my cheek. "You're the best."

A couple of the girls looked terrified while the others were nodding that they wanted to go as well.

"Alright then, whoever wants to go, let's get out of here." I glanced back at the cave.

"If you're not coming, you better keep your mouth shut," said Willow. She lifted her muzzle in the air and looped arms with me. "I'll race you there."

I laughed. "You don't want to do that."

"Why?" she said with a smirk. "I'm sure you'll let me win."

***

(Saigon)

"Willow," snapped Rupert as we sat around the eating chamber. "What has gotten into that boy?"

"Hormones," laughed Darius. "Be glad he waited this long before liking someone."

"Not funny." Rupert pointed at my uncle. "This is my son, and he's playing around with that—that girl." He snapped a rib in half.

Petter patted his mate's arm and whispered something to him.

Rupert chewed on the bone as he grumbled to himself.

"It's a fling, Rupert," said Darius. "Archer is excited that someone likes him. He's a rational, pup. He's not going to do anything too hasty. He knows I have to give permission for all matings."

"You don't know that," the scarred werewolf growled. "This is the one mistake that I can't fix without killing someone."

Peter sat up on his knees. "Let's go back to the cave." He moved behind his mate. "You're so tense." He started to massage the dominant's shoulders. "I'll talk to Archer tomorrow. I'll tell him to take it slow."

"Tell him to break up with the b—"

Peter covered his mate's muzzle. "Let's not say something you will regret later." He smiled

Rupert breathed out through his nose. "We should go back to the room." Standing, he grabbed Peter's hand and dragged the sub along behind him as he marched out of the chamber.

"I don't know how Peter can put up with that man," laughed Darius. "He's so intense even over the little things."

"That's Rupert for you. He's been the way since I was a pup. I was terrified of him when I was little."

Darius chuckled. "A good portion of this pack is scared of him."

"Where's the happy couple?" I stretched out of my neck to look for Jagger and Raven.

The alpha shrugged. "Being 'the happy couple.' I don't go looking for them. Too many risks are involved."

"As in, you're afraid to admit that Raven is all grown up," I said with a smirk.

My uncle eyed me. "I know your weakness, boy."

I sat up straight.

"Mess with me and I know exactly what to say to your grandmother."

"And what would that be," I laughed nervously.

"She wants great-grand-babies. Humans don't live as long as us. Titus let that slip, and from what I hear, she's building her case to get you mated off."

"I don't doubt that." I let out a deep breath. I was pretty sure he wasn't observant enough to figure out that I had a thing for Archer. My aunt was the one I had to be careful around.

With a groan, I stood. "I'm heading to bed. I have the second watch tonight."

Darius waved. "Hey, do me a favor and check on Archer. Whenever Rupert goes off on him, he takes it pretty hard. He's always a little off the next day."

"Yeah, I'll stop by his cave. My grandma sent me a package, and he can help me eat some of it."

"Is that what was in that giant box?"

I grinned at my uncle as I left the chamber.

"She trying to fatten you up with human food," he yelled after me. "She wants to make you slower, so I have to demote you and she'll swoop in and take you back to Harper's Creek."

Looking straight ahead, I leisurely walked back to my room. I didn't care in the slightest what Darius thought of some of my eating habits. I looked forward to my grandma's packages. I stopped at my room and grabbed a few things before going next door.

"Archer?" I stood outside. "Archer, I got some stuff from my grandma and was wondering if you wanted some?"

No reply.

I moved the hide over the door slightly. The cave was empty. My shoulders dropped as I shuffled to my room. Where did he go? He better not have ran off with Willow. Rupert was in a bad mood already. Grabbed the container of brownies, I wandered outside and sat on a rock to watch the last of the sunset. My plan to split them up might have driven Archer right into Willow's arms.

I opened the lid and stuff one of the brownies in my mouth. They were still moist. I hummed to myself as I ate another. I had the best grandmothers in the world. One brought me gifts from all over the world while the other gave me all the sweets I could ever want.

"They're stupid for going," whispered a voice from behind a row of boulders. "If the alpha finds out, they won't get off without him sticking them with his toxins."

"Yeah, I don't think I'm going to with them anymore. Willows is pushing it," said another female voice.

I dropped to the ground and hear a hushing. I found the two huddled together, trying to act natural.

"Where did they go?"

Neither of them would look at me.

"Where did Willow go?" I said through gritted teeth. The fur along spine raised.

The taller girl took a deep breath. "Base Acid."

A low growl came from deep within me. Base Acid, I was forbidden growing up to even drive past that place. My grandmother hated it with a passion for some reason.

"Did Archer go?"

Looking away, the girl nodded. "Please don't tell them we were the ones who told you."

"Why?" I raised my muzzle as I felt a weird energy spread through my body. "Am I not higher ranked? They're the ones who will be punished."

Both sunk into the rocks.

I heard a crunched and notice I had cracked the container. Breathing through my nose, I peered off in the direction of Harper's Creek.

"Take this to my room and set it inside the door." I pushed the container into the girl's chest as I passed.

They had a head start, but I had a feeling I wouldn't be far behind.