Big Bad Alphas novel Chapter 43

   I have always taken care of Kendra like a mother.

   "Kendra!"

   "Kendra!"

   My mother was broken, always too hurt to properly take care of a child. All she could do was her job, helping the Luna.

   "Kendra, where are you!"

   I would make breakfast in the morning while our mother slept, or while she stayed at another's house. She was heartbroken, and it made her reckless sometimes. I wanted to hate her for it, but I couldn't. I hated her because she let the sadness make her weak.

   "Kendra!"

   "Kendra, please!"

   She never got over it, she never became determined again. All she had left, all her energy went into her job, none to spare for her family. In her mind, her family had died along with her mate.

   I grab the trunk of a tree, stabilizing myself before the intense worrying causes me to vomit. Where could she be? Where could she have gone? Did Kendra simply run in a random direction until she couldn't hear the sounds of killing anymore? Those types of screams stay in ones mind for a lifetime.

She could have ran her way into one of Alpha Kenn's guards, gotten herself taken, or worse. She is probably scared, crying, begging that I find her in time—but what if I can't? How can I let her down when it matters the most? Kendra's life is on the line, and I'm suppose to be her mother figure, I am supposed to save her, protect her. If something were to happen to her, I could never live with myself.

Swallowing, I push off of the tree and continue on.

In the distance, I spot something lurking between the heavy brush, disguised behind its dense layering. I creep closer, hoping it's Kendra, but I pause when I notice a thick coat of dark fur. Not knowing if the beast has seen me more not, I slowly back away, but against my hoping the unfamiliar creature walks forward. This is no member of the Tate Pack.

It's yellowish-golden eyes stalk me intensely, and I struggle to conjure up a solution on the spot. If I run, it will catch me. If I shift, it will kill me. If I stand here, it will kill me. If I beg, it will kill me. If I shift and then run, it will catch me. If I scream, it will kill me. Either way this beast, stronger and bigger than I in any form, can take me easily. I swallow.