“I just don’t think I deserve to be rewarded.” I shrug, uncertain now. “I think it’s fitting that you get to have fun while I practice restraint.” “Well I don’t believe in punishments without rewards, little wolf.” Sinclair declares imperiously. “The reward is how I show you that no matter what hap
Ella “I don’t want to wake up .” I complain, still snuggled beneath the covers of my dream bed with Sinclair. “I know, but the sooner we do and get back to work, the sooner we can be reunited.” Sinclair replies, sounding every bit as reluctant as I feel. “Meet me again tonight?” I request, wonder
“I didn’t mean it that way.” I sigh, replaying my words in my mind and realizing how cold they must have sounded. “You were a human for thirty years Ella, and you’ve been a wolf for less than a month. I thought your allegiance was stronger than that.” Cora remarks, “You’re so concerned for all thes
Ella “Hello Ella, I’m Leon.” I’m staring skeptically at the strange man, not trusting this one bit. He doesn’t bat an eye and only continues as if i’m not watching him like a wary rabbit preparing to bolt. “King Gabriel tells me you’re in the market for a hypno-therapist.” I don’t respond, still s
A little while later, I’m stretched out on the couch with one hand on my belly and the other clasped in Henry’s large hand. “Don’t worry, Ella. I’ve got you.” He tells me warmly. “If he puts one foot out of line I’ll sick my guards on him.” “Thank you.” I reply, squeezing his hand. “Will you wake m
Ella I’ve never really done drugs. I experimented in college like most people, and I’ve partaken at a few parties over the years, but nothing in my limited experience prepared me for the ether. As soon as Leon injects it, I immediately feel it taking control. The room around me becomes sharper and
I suck in a deep breath, and the tightness in my chest eases slightly. I was about to say that I don’t remember, but I realize that isn’t true. For the first time, I’m able to follow this memory past being caught. “He reported me, and the next day I was put in the punishment box.” “What is the puni
Trigger warning – Assault (non-sexual) Ella “It’s all right, Ella.” The first priest says, approaching me as one might a skittish horse – with slow, measured movements and hands exposed to show he holds no weapon. “We only want to protect you.” “Protect me from what?” I question shakily, my back
He shakes his head at me as tears fill his own eyes and he leans forward, pulling me against him while somehow miraculously managing not to crush our children between us as he holds me tight in his arms. “So, I guess it wouldn’t matter,” he murmurs against my hair as I sniff back my tears and nod.
“Even more than the kids!?” I gasp, my mouth falling open a bit. “I mean, the kids,” he says, shrugging as if they’re not much, which makes me laugh. But then he goes a little rigid as he realizes something, raising his eyes to glare at me a bit. “Wait, are you saying you like the kids more than m
Ella “Nope,” Sinclair says, heaving himself out of bed and grabbing his phone off the bedside table as he does. “I can’t live like this, Ella – I’m calling Roger, I’ve got to know –“ “Dominic!” I say, laughing and grabbing for him, trying to catch the edge of his pajamas and failing because I’v
She laughs and I look first at Sinclair, who shrugs, and then back at my sister. “Come on,” Roger says, nodding at the crowds of people waiting to congratulate us and at the small table of refreshments. “Let’s decide this over some champagne.” Sinclair nods at me and I sigh, moving with my famil
The last image, though, lingers. Ariel, with Rafe and Jesse on either side – as they always are – and her two mates behind her. All standing together on a battlefield with Ariel at the center, magic welling between her hands and passing to her brother, to her cousin. Their faces are serious as t
Cora The images of Ariel’s future come in quick flashes, and somehow I get the impression that the Goddess is eager to share these glimpses of her life. The ones that come first are what I sort of expected, especially after seeing some images of Rafe’s childhood and hearing about the ones that
“We are not,” Cora scoffs, gently taking Ariel into her arms as Sinclair and I laugh. Roger grins, leaning forward to kiss me on the cheek before passing Jesse to me. “You know I’m kidding, right, Ells?” he whispers. I smile at my brother-in-law and gently pat his cheek. “When in doubt, Roger,”
Ella Three weeks later – Ariel was born under a waning quarter moon, not a new moon like her brother and her cousin – I stand anxiously in the woods, my little girl held tight in my arms. “I’m sensing some anxiety,” Cora says, grinning at me with a little too much glee as she comes up to my sid
“Oh my god,” I say, the words spilling out of my mouth. “Oh my god,” I sit up straight, staring at Henry, my eyes flicking to his legs – because honestly, I don’t even notice his chair anymore, or think of him at all as someone whose abilities are hindered. Or of me as someone who is able to do an