Chapter 172

Cole’s POV

Monday, March 5

I pause just outside the pack house’s doors. It’s the first time I’ve been outside on my own in over a month. It’s been one hell of a ride since I came to Crimson Dawn six weeks ago. I’m doing better. I’m not fully healed from my father’s last beating, but I’m not on death’s doorstep either, so definitely better.

I haven’t seen as much of my mate as I would like. I guess that’s the best thing for us right now. I’m completely torn between telling this Alpha everything so I can stay with my mate and my continued belief that he’s just like the others. He’s not my father, that’s for certain, and I could actually live, not simply survive, if I were to choose to live here.

I close my eyes and inhale deeply with my nose, easily picking up