Nate

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?

Chapter 3

Sam

The man who walks through my door is a shifter, no doubt about it. He is tall, taller than Ashley, whom he hugs as if his life depended on it. He’s a tall blond man with piercing golden eyes, sizing me up as I do. And grunting.

At me? Or at Ashley? I’m not sure, but I can confirm, this guy is as unstable as I am and I know how an uncontrollable animorph can get. My sister elbows him in the ribs to get his attention.

— Stop grunting!

He stops instantly, obeying at once, which does not fail to amaze me.

— I’m sorry. Reflex.

He looks at her and his eyes change from golden to molten gold. I am blown away by the intensity of his gaze, filled with adoration for my sister. I never paid attention to the couple in the pack. I never paid attention to the pack in general, to tell the truth.

So, I don’t know the ins and outs of the bonding and soul mates. But whether I like it or not, whether I accept it or not, the depth of his feelings for Ashley is obvious. There’s no need to fool myself, he’s not with her for her gift or her blood, he’s with her as a person, and I certainly would never have believed it if I hadn’t seen them together.

My kind—hearted sister looks at him in exactly the same way. It’s sickening. I think they’ve forgotten I’m there.

They are in their world, in their bubble. I am a little jealous. I, who often feel alone and misunderstood, can only dream of experiencing such harmony with someone one day. I could be mean and make him bleed to remind them that I am there, only my sister would surely reproach me.

— You’ll have plenty of time to look at yourself later. And especially, somewhere else, outside my house.

Ashley blushed to her ears as she looked at me, looking contrite.

— Hello. I’m Sean, Ashley’s companion.

He takes a step forward without letting go of my sister and holds out his hand. I don’t like to be touched and the fact that he is more than a head taller than me makes me nervous. His powerful shifter aura dominates and disturbs me.

In front of my sister’s pleading eyes, I make the effort to grab his hand for a thousandth of a second out of politeness.

— Sam.

He tilts his head to the side and takes a deep breath. It’s a shifter thing. He smells my scent. He can also pick up my emotions through this and I don’t appreciate it. A little trickery never killed anyone. Didn’t it? Sean frowns, pinches the bridge of his nose, and starts grunting again.

— Sean, you’re doing it again.

He doesn’t stop despite my sister’s comment. He keeps staring at me.

— You have an interesting gift. Very rare too.