Two weeks after Anna woke from the coma, she stood in her room, several bags laying at her bedroom door, waiting. Her eyes searched the room, making sure that she hadn't left anything behind. A faint shuffling of feet behind her, along with a hint of rose, told her that her mother entered her room. "Hey Mom," Anna said with a small smile.

    "Sweetheart, do you really want to leave?" Her mother's voice was soft, but Anna could still hear the sadness within it. She nodded once, not trusting her voice. "It's because of Alpha Black, isn't it? He's your mate." Mrs. McCallum whispered as her anger flared. It was hard for she-wolves to watch as their pups were hurt, and it was even harder to be separated from them.

    "How'd you know Mom?"

    "When you were in the coma, he came to your room and touched your hand. Your heart sped up a little at his touch." Unshed tears had Anna's eyes shining as she tried to blink them away. With a shrug, she reached for one of her bags. "He doesn't want me, Mom." Anna rubbed her neck where his mark once stood proudly.

    "He isn't the man that I once thought he was, but I can't stay here anymore. It hurts too much..." Anna stopped as she heard Anthony coming up the stairs. She pulled her mother into a hug as she started crying. "Anthony will take very good care of me Mom, and I'll call you and Dad often, I promise." Mrs. McCallum pulled away as she wiped the tears from her face.

    Anthony stepped into the room and smiled at the two women. "Aunt Kathy, I promise I'll take very good care of your girl here." Kathy McCallum wrapped her arms tightly around her nephew. "You better young man. I don't care if you're the crown prince, if you let anything happen to my only child, I'm coming for you." Anthony chuckled softly, but he knew that the promise was real. "You have my word that I'll do my best to keep her safe."

    Anna rolled her eyes at the two of them, before pointing to the bags beside Anthony's feet. "Could you take those down for me? I'll get the other one." With a nod, Anthony picked the bags up and left the room. "You and Dad are more than welcome to come and visit anytime you like Mom. I love you." Anna gave her mother one last hug before taking her remaining bag and slowly making her way down the stairs.

    Her wounds had finally healed, but she was still weak. The fight had taken more from her wolf than she had realized, but she didn't let on. Her parents didn't need to be more worried about her than they already were. Her father was standing on the front porch, waiting for her. He smiled when he saw her, but Anna saw the sea of emotions swirling in his eyes.

    "Daddy..." Anna whispered as she threw her arms around his neck. Greg McCallum hugged his little girl tightly, tears falling down his face. He knew that something was wrong with her, but he wouldn't push. She would tell them when she wanted too. "Listen to me Anna," he spoke as he pulled back, wiping her tears away with a smile. "No matter what happens, I'll always love you. If you ever need me or you mom, we're only a phone call away."

    "I love you too Daddy. And I promise I'll call you." Anna kissed his head before he lead her to the car, holding the passenger door open for her. Once she was inside, he shut the door and placed her bag in the back. The McCallum's stood side by side and waved as they watched the suburban pull away.

    Standing in the forest, Alpha Black watched as well. His heart had broken again the night that Anna woke from her coma. He had gone to see her but found her wrapped in the prince's arms, sobbing her heart out. "I hate him." Those three little words tore at him more than anything else she could have said or done. He regretted everything he ever put her through, but there was a reason.

    He didn't know why his Anna and Prince Anthony were so close, but he could only hope that he could give Anna what he couldn't. Thaddeus followed the car to the edge of his territory. Just moments before they crossed the border, he released Anna from the pack. It was a small gesture, but it would allow her to leave pain free. And he had caused her more than enough pain.

    He stood in the forest, watching the car grow smaller and smaller as it carried away his heart. Once it was out of sight, his head lowered in shame as he shifted and slowly began his way back to the pack house. The pack would be gathering for a barbecue behind the pack house for an announcement from the alpha couple, an announcement that he should have been making with Anna. His heart sunk lower in his chest at the thought of her baring some other wolf's pups.

    When Mary had told him the news, that she was carrying twins, he just stood there shocked. They had been trying since he marked her, but this came as a surprise. He would have an heir to take the pack one day, but he wasn't truly happy. With a shake of his head, he picked the pace up. He would also have to inform the pack that Anna had left.

     As the pack border grew closer, Anna gasped softly as she felt the bond that tied her to Silver Mist disappear. Anthony looked at her concerned, but she gave him a small smile. "What's wrong Anna?"

    "He released me." Anthony and his father looked at her, confused. "What?"

    "Alpha Black released me from the pack." She said as they crossed the border. Understanding hit both men as Anthony pulled Anna close to him, letting her lay her head on his shoulder. "That's the nicest thing he's done for you in three years cousin."

    "He cared once," Anna whispered, too soft for anyone to hear. She closed her eyes as she focused on her cousin's beating heart. Within seconds, her breathing leveled out and she was asleep.

    Keeping his voice low and soft, Anthony spoke. "Father, is there any way that you know of that would strengthen Anna's wolf?"

    "What do you mean son?" King Sparks asked as he met his son's gaze in the rearview mirror. Anthony sighed softly. "Anna and Thaddeus Black are mates. I found out when I came to visit her three years ago when he took the alpha position. I think that no one knew that they were mates. But Dad, you should have seen her when he announced that woman as his mate. Anna was totally heartbroken.

    "Then, to top it off, he gave her position as beta to another. I didn't see her after that, but from what I heard when I would pass through the area, she became distant, withdrawn. How anyone could not connect the dots I'll never understand. But I think that she knew they were mates long before that day."

     "What makes you think that?"

     "You remember how she used to be about eight, nine years ago don't you Dad? She was always smiling, carefree, and happy. But then, it was like someone stole her reason to smile, to laugh. She just shut down and focused more on her training. I think that she found out they were mates before he left and during that time he was away, something happened." Anthony shrugged as he looked down at Anna.

    His gaze softened as he tucked a wayward strand of her hair behind her ear. "He took everything from her Dad. And now, because of what he's done, she's losing her wolf. If her wolf dies, I'm afraid that she will too." His father growled but stopped when Anna whimpered softly. "I'll see what I can find out Anthony. Until then, we'll just have to do our best to keep her happy and safe."

     Anthony didn't say another word as he leaned his head against the window. He and Anna had been best friends growing up, as most cousins were. But they were closer than that, they were like siblings. And he was willing to do anything to protect her. Sighing softly, he shifted slightly and wrapped his arm around Anna. She was his whole world, always had been. And she deserved better than what life had dealt her.