Page 4 of Chasing Dawn

Talbot xoxoxo

SEVEN MONTHS AFTER THE GATHERING

Dear Dawn,

The guys inform me that you wish to leave your pack, but until I hear from you personally, I can’t be sure that it isn’t just wishful thinking on their behalf. They are more than a little smitten with the pretty Omega wolf they met at the gathering, and they talk about you as if you are the moon goddess herself. However, having met your Alpha, I’m inclined to believe that perhaps it’s true that you wish to leave.

If that is the case, then you will indeed be safe here in our sleuth. We do not tolerate violence against Omegas, but even if you hadn’t been an Omega, we would provide you with shelter, because we believe every life is precious. I only saw you briefly at the gathering, but Talbot and Franklin tell me that your specialness isn’t derived from your designation anyway, but rather (and this is a direct quote from Franklin, who would murder me if he knew I told you) that your smile was the most glorious thing he’d ever seen, and it literally stopped his heart and stole the air from his lungs.

That kid is a poet deep down inside.

You will be treated with respect here. Write back as soon as you can, and we will work out a way to extract you from your situation if that’s what you need.

Kindest regards,

Vance

Alpha-Heir, Cold River Sleuth

NINE MONTHS AFTER THE GATHERING

Dear Franklin and Talbot,

I’m sorry I worried you. Don’t worry, I didn’t end up marrying the old guy. The Alpha found out about your letters the night before the other Alpha arrived, and he was angry. Turns out the other Alpha didn’t want damaged goods. I don’t know how writing you letters makes me damaged, but he didn’t seem to believe we hadn’t done… things at the gathering.

He wasn’t very nice, and I don’t think he was the answer to all my prayers anyway.

Some days, early in the morning, when the birds are awake but the sun hasn’t risen yet, I lie in my bed and wonder what it would be like to take you up on your offer. To come and live with you on Black Mountain. Then I realize how insane it would be to move across the country to live with men I’ve only known for a few hours and a handful of letters.

My Alpha may not be a nice man, but he’s right about one thing—my pack needs me. They need me to protect them from him.

I’m sorry.

Love,

Dawn xo

NINE MONTHS AFTER THE GATHERING

Dear Vance,

Or should I call you Alpha? Thank you for your offer of protection, but I’ve realized that like you, I have responsibilities to my pack.

They need me to keep them safe, because the ones who are meant to keep them safe are failing miserably. There was an increase in cubs this spring, although their mortality rates seem to be high. Pups who were happy and healthy one day are gone the next. The older Omega from my pack recently died, and it’s time for me to do my duty, because up until now, I didn’t realize how many burdens the old Omega shouldered.

Please tell Talbot and Franklin not to worry. I will see them at the next gathering, I’m sure, but I don’t think I will have the opportunity to write to them anymore.

Thank you again for your offer, Alpha. It’s enough to know that men like you and the twins exist in the world.

Best wishes,

Dawn xo

FOURTEEN MONTHS AFTER THE GATHERING

Dawn,

We haven’t heard from you in months, and we are really, really worried. Franklin and I are going to fly over to the West Coast to see you. Vance wants to come, but our old Alpha was seriously injured, and now Vance is Alpha. He can’t leave, no matter how much he wants to come too. He named us his betas, and this is the last thing we can do before we officially step into our roles.