Marley’s p.o.v. I have read many books and journals from Devlin’s library as I grew up, but none as messed up as this. Last night, we discussed everything we had uncovered until it was time to go to bed. None of us could understand why Koa kept Jacan as his Beta or why he would let him stay in the territory. Alpha Lincoln confirmed that it was very unusual for an Alpha to keep a Beta around who tried to seduce the Alpha’s Mate. Everyone with a Mate confirmed his remark, because none of them would want someone like that near them. It doesn’t always end with a banishment from the Pack, but in most cases, the person in the wrong gets ordered by their Alpha to stay away from the couple. My life has been very different from how the others grew up, but if something is unclear or odd to me, the others explain it thoroughly. It makes our conversations interesting and educational for me. “Are you ready to dive back into the lives of the Bluetails and Fareyes?” Malek asks as we exit our rooms, after freshening up from a sweaty training. “Yeah. I hope we get some answers today. This all seems so strange to me and I doubt many Shifters have found themselves in a similar situation as the Duverons.” I answer him. I walk over to the whiteboard to write down the question that Acadia came up with, which I have no answer to. Why did Jacan wait until Mahina turned eighteen? “It doesn’t make sense to wait over eighteen years to take action. We might find a reason for some delay, but not a delay of that many years.” Mauro states that as he picks up the journal, he had been reading. In the eighteen years that Keola and Koa were together, there was more drama than in the centuries before that. Even though Koa kept Jacan as his Beta, he didn’t trust Jacan enough to leave Keola behind when he had to leave the territory and always brought Keola along. “Jacan never made a decision that could harm the Pack-members. He was an excellent Beta who handled his duties with care and always listened to the opinions of others.” Meadow says. I cannot understand the picture that is painted with that of the cold-blooded murderer of Alpha Koa and Luna Keola. Something doesn’t add up and I am going to find out what no one else saw. “Does anyone understand how that works?” I ask. “He is an excellent Beta who cares for his Pack, but in the end, he kills his Alpha to take over that position. If you make it make sense, enlighten me.” For a few minutes, it is quiet and I see Mauro going over all the notes we made. I doubt that the answer is in there, but maybe we overlooked a note from someone. After all, we made that list together and we all heard the points that were written down. “Could it have something to do with the war?” Mauro asks. “It is the one subject that isn’t mentioned in those novels and our answers might be hidden there.” “Do I have to remind you all that we don’t have time to search the entire Pack-house?” Meadow asks. “There might not be a party, but we are expected to attend dinner and spend the evening with the rest of the Pack.” We decide to read as much of the journals as we can before we go our separate ways to get ready for dinner. This is still a few hours away and may provide the answers we are looking for. Malek prepares a simple lunch to ensure we can continue reading the journals and waste as little time as possible. “Okay, problem solved regarding the Bluetails and the Fareyes. Ilma found her fated Mate in Reese Fareye, which answers the question about how that family name entered the territory.” I say after I have read about a Full Moon party in the journal I am dissecting. Meadow starts laughing after my words and we patiently wait for her to explain herself. “I am related to Mia and Rory.” She says and I hear her Mates groan at that revelation. “Damn, this was not what I had expected. Well, there is nothing I can do about it, except for keeping it to myself.” “Keep it to yourself?” Mauro asks with a grin on his face. He is right, she can’t keep it to herself because we are all aware of the family connection now. “Yes, because you are all going to forget what Marley said.” Meadow responds. “What did I say?” I ask while Malek asks what did Marley say and we laugh as we put the journals back in Gamma Layton’s office.Everyone heads back to their rooms to freshen up and we meet downstairs in the main living room. I am listening to Meadow as she talks to some of her friends and it seems as if they know a lot about Meadow’s past. From what I can gather, Meadow didn’t have a good childhood, and Acadia points out that it also applies to me and Milcah. “True. None of us had an easy childhood compared to the guys. However, I’d like to believe that it wasn’t that bad. We both know that there are Shifters who have or had it worse.” I respond. “Marley, are you hoping to find your Mate tonight?” One of Meadow’s friends asks. Damn, I need to think of a diplomatic answer to this or I might shoot myself in the foot. “If our Goddess believes that it is time for me to find my Mate tonight, then who am I to argue with that?” I ask in return. I can’t say what is actually on my mind and risk getting rejected over it. “That isn’t a real answer and you know it, Marley.” I hear Grandma say from somewhere behind me and I turn around to face her. “Fine, but if he runs because of it, I am going to blame you for the rest of your life.” I state. “I am not sure if I want a Mate at the moment. I have only recently escaped my so-called prison and I would like to enjoy my freedom for a while.” Grandma looks at me with understanding; actually, most of them do. If my Mate is here, he might understand what I mean by my words. I would never walk away from him, but it will probably take me a little while to accept that I have someone who wants to be with me as much as he can or it might not matter to me at all. No one can tell how I might react if I find my fated Mate tonight and I’d rather not speculate on it too much.