Damien”Samara?” I call out as I follow her. I knew she was heading for home as her pace picked up speed. She wouldn’t even stop to look at me, desperately trying to get out of the sight of others.She crashes in through the front door, slamming it shut behind her. This was not the reaction I was expecting. When Dane told me why Neah wanted to see her, I thought keeping it quiet would be a pleasant surprise, and that she would be happy. I did not expect it to go like this.I find her on the sofa. Her legs pulled up to her chest as she rested her forehead on her knees. She wasn’t crying. There were no snuffles of her trying to hide any tears.”We are not doing this!” I tell her, lifting her face until I can see her grey eyes. “Whatever this is, it’s not happening. I am right here. The silence is not needed or wanted. I’ve let that happen once before, and I’m not making that mistake again.”I see her chest rise as she takes in a deep breath. “It’s risky.” Her brow crinkles into a small frown. “There are a lot of people in this pack that don’t want me to be here, Damien. It’s not just Blair. They want me dead, and the only reason I am alive is because of you. They know that if they did anything, it would be the end of their life. It’s so hard, Damien. To be told by Dakota that I am made for this, that this is who I am. Do you know how many times a day she reminds me?”Too much?”She rolls her eyes at me. “What if they blame Neah for making this decision? What if it turns everyone against her?” “They won’t.””Of course they will. The only reason they don’t say it now is because they are worried they will get punished. Why can’t they see me how you see me?” “Because if they did, I might have something to say about it.”Her lips curve up a little, but it doesn’t stay. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.”Samara, you have kept yourself squeaky clean, that’s more than most. Even Brax isn’t bothered about you looking after his daughter, and that says a lot.””He is just one man.” She glides her tongue along her lips. “Dakota wants me to accept. She keeps telling me it is our calling. I know I won’t let Neah down, but all those people outside that door will think it’s the biggest mistake in the world and all because they can’t let go of the mistakes I made in the past. Mistakes that I had no control over.” “You don’t give yourself enough credit.””How can I give myself credit when I’m one of the two most hated people in this pack? Even Mallory won’t talk to you because of me. I know she came by.””I knew you weren’t going for a nap.” I muse. She had said to me she was going to lie down and seconds later, Mallory knocked on the door. Mallory stared at me for a few seconds and then stomped off without muttering a single word.”Before you say anything, this is nota pity party. I’m just trying to make it make sense. And I’m not wrong with what I said about Blair. You know she is a thorn in my side. She already uses the fact that I’m with you as an excuse, telling everyone you are the reason Neah is letting me live. And maybe that is true, but this, this is like rubbing salt into the wound.” I had been keeping an eye on Blair from afar. Yes, she did her job and kept her head down unless Samara was nearby. It was as though Blair couldn’t control her anger around my mate. Not enough to make her shift or physically attack Samara. Still, I was waiting for her to cross the line. I drop on the sofa next to her. My weight forces her body into mine. “If you don’t want to be Neah’s Beta, that’s fine. She won’t hold it against you.” I tell her as I slip my arms around her. She drops her head against my chest and sighs. “She won’t””No.”She frowns, “I wish the answer were a simple yes or no.”