Gabriel wins the Ordeal and Astrid instantly attacks Esmé, seemingly with the intent to kill. Without realizing what she's doing, Vivian leaps in to save her mother's life, she seriously wounds Astrid, taking out one of her eyes. After defeated Astrid, Vivian is declared the alpha female and Gabriel's mate; horrified, Vivian runs back to her home, terrified of being both the alpha female and Gabriel's mate. The next day, Gabriel declares that he'll wait as long as Vivian needs, but eventually she'll come around to him. The rest of the pack agrees with Gabriel's assessment.