I felt achy when I woke up. I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. I knew that I was in Cassandra and James' cabin from their scent. I looked over to see Ryder sitting in a wooden chair in the chair staring at me.

"What you are looking at?" I snapped as I tried to sit up.

"You're awake."

"No duh," I replied.

"Glad to see the buck didn't alter your personality," he growled, and I smiled cheekily.

"What the hell happened and why am I in here?"

"That buck got you pretty good. You fell unconscious before help could arrive. You scared us half to death. You lost a lot of blood. Angela, the main pack doctor, assured us you would be fine after a few days."

"A few days? How long was I out?"

"Three days." My eyes widened. "That buck got you deep plus the injuries you got from your fight with Jeremiah, so it took longer for you to heal."

"Damn buck," I grumbled. I was upset that I didn't get a chance to taste any of that delicious meat, especially from that buck.

"Here," Ryder said, reaching under his chair for a skull. It was the buck's skull.

"You saved it?"

"Don't feel special, alright? My wolf wouldn't let me throw it out. He wanted me to give you it." My heart swelled as Ryder placed the skull in my lap. "You risked your life for Cassandra so I'm thanking you."

"You don't need to thank me," I told him.

"I do." He sighed and sat back down. "I've treated you like shit the moment you got here, and it turns out you're a decent wolf so I'm apologizing."

"Stop it, Ryder. I don't need you going soft on me." He rolled his eyes.

"I better go tell everyone you're awake. Cassandra hasn't stopped blaming herself since they brought you back here."

"Figures," I mumbled.

"Also, a certain male wolf has been circling this house." I growled and Ryder bursted out laughing.

"Tell him if he doesn't leave me alone, I'll have to give him the lesson again."

"I doubt that'll deter him. Poor guy is in love with you." I growled again and Ryder laughed more until James came through the door.

"What have you done to Savannah's poor face this time?" James asked before he paused and saw me. "You're awake."

"What did this asshole do to me?" I asked, throwing the covers off me and trying to get up to look in a mirror.

"Slow down, Savannah," James rushed. "You need to take it easy. There's nothing on your face, I promise."

"Better not be."

"I should go get Cassandra and let her know you're awake."

"Ryder, go get rid of that asshole."

"What am I? Your personal assistant?" he asked with an eye roll. James and Ryder left. James came back with Cassandra who was looking anywhere but at me.

"I told you she was awake," James said.

"I didn't doubt you," she mumbled. "Glad to see you awake. I'll go finish cleaning downstairs," she said as she tried to rush out of the room, but James blocked her exit.

"What is there left to clean, Cassandra? Everything in this house is spotless."

"There's plenty left to clean," she hissed.

"I know what this about. You feel guilty. How many times do I have to tell you that it wasn't your fault and that Savannah is okay. Just look at her." Cassandra refused to look at me.

"He's right, you know," I said. "It's not your fault."

"I was careless!" she snapped. "I was careless and because of that you got hurt." I rolled my eyes at her.

"It's not the first time I've been hurt, and I've suffered worse. It was my decision to jump in front of you so stop blaming yourself. It's annoying."

"Savannah..."

"I mean it, Cassandra. Things happen in life that we can't control. There's no point in harping over them." She sighed and walked out. I knew this wasn't the end of it. She was scared and this hunting trip probably did more damage than good.

"I'm sorry about her," James apologized.

"I'm guessing there's a story?"

"You guessed right, but it's not my place to tell."

"Of course it isn't," I said as I moved to get up.

"Take it easy, Savannah."

"I'm starving," I said. "I don't need you being a mother hen, James. I get enough of that from David. Speaking of the alpha, where is he?"

"He came often to see you. He should be by later."

"Goody," I groaned. We walked downstairs to a bunch of shouting and growling.

"Dammit, Jeremiah, I already told you she doesn't want to see you."

"I want to hear her say that." He paused when he saw me on the steps. "Savannah," he said sounding relieved.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I growled.

"I was worried about you."

"You don't have a reason to be. I thought I already made it clear to you."

"Savannah, I can't help how I feel."

"Well I hope you understand that I can't help but feel like putting your ass in the damn dirt again," I growled.

"You saw for yourself, Jeremiah. She's okay," Ryder said to him. "You can leave now." Jeremiah growled but was cut off when James growled.

"You heard your delta." Jeremiah looked from James to me, but I turned my head. I didn't want him here. I wasn't his damn mate. He had no right to worry over me. Jeremiad left with no other choice. I could feel his wolf try to reach out to me, but mine only snapped at him in return. He left in defeat.

"That male," Ryder grumbled.

"I know. He won't give up," James said.

"Can you blame him?" Cassandra asked. "He feels the pull."

"He shouldn't worry about that damn pull. He should be more worried about my fist," I growled as I walked into the kitchen. Cassandra had made lasagna for dinner and I was starved. I couldn't wait to fill up.

"Let's move everything to the dining room. David's coming for dinner," Cassandra told me, and I helped her move the dishes to the big table.

"This looks amazing, babe," James said as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

"Thank you." The door opened as we all sat down at the table.

"Glad I'm not late," David said as he entered the dining room.

"Nope, just on time," James said as he offered David a seat.

"I'm relieved to see you're awake," he said to me as he sat down in the seat across from me.

"I feel like I missed a lot," I said. "Did anything exciting happen while I was out?"

"Not really," James said. "It was just a pain in the ass to deal with Jeremiah sitting outside your window."

"I feel for the boy," David said, "but he is becoming a nuisance. Oh, and I did make the phone calls to the neighboring packs. There are a few I feel comfortable with."

"That you feel comfortable with?" I asked with an arched brow.

"Let's not start, Savannah. Now I talked to a few and they're willing to let you in. It's all up to you who you choose. We all did think it was best to wait until spring for you go."

"What? Why must I wait so long? I can run across the border right now."

"You'll have more time and freedom to feel the packs out. You wouldn't be stuck. They also want me to get a better feel for you. I don't know you well, so they don't want to accept a wolf that I barely know." I sat in my seat in disappointment. I was eager to find my new home. My wolf longed for an alpha she could give her allegiance to.

"Did you ever manage to get in touch with Alpha Odin?" James asked and David rolled his eyes.

"No and I don't think I want to deal with that alpha."

"What's wrong with him?" I asked.

"Nothing too bad," Ryder said with an amused look. "He just likes to do things his own way."

"He has a constant stick up his ass if you ask me," James said.

"James!" Cassandra scowled, and James looked at her with an innocent expression.

"Oh you mean like Ryder here?" I asked, and he growled.

"I've met Odin once," Cassandra said. "He isn't really a pleasant man."

"He never was, not even as a child. He's always been rough around the edges."

"You knew him as a child?"

"I knew his father. He was a good man. Odin's a good man, but not like his father. His father was a happy soul. He always saw the good in others. Odin was more like his uncle. Like I said, he was always rough around the edges, but his father's death hardened him."

"Do you approve of him?" I asked.

"He's a good alpha I suppose."

"Then make contact with him. I wish to meet him too. He sounds interesting."