“How, we can’t exactly demand their ID papers like a commercial airline – most of them have lost everything but the clothes on their backs.” James objects. “We can send in troops, but that would be like an invitation to Damon.” Gabriel adds, “Besides, I don’t want the relief efforts to be militariz
Ella After the meeting ends and Sinclair and I are safely ensconced in the privacy of our bedroom, I start to change out of my dress. No sooner is the delicate fabric pooled around my feet than my mate sidles up behind me, sliding his arms around my bare waist. “I can’t decide what made me prouder.
At last the combination of his tender touch, soothing sounds, steadying power and wise words take hold, and I feel the tension drain out of my body. I shake my head, my voice thick as I utter, “No.” “Of course not.” Sinclair murmurs, offering me a soft smile. “Now, on a scale of one to ten how exha
3rd Person The next morning Isabel woke to find James in bed beside her, fully clothed and quietly speaking to Sadie, who was snuggled between their bodies. Outside, the caretakers Isabel hired to help with the nursery were already getting the pups up and fed, so she let herself relax a while longe
A beat of silence met his words, and for one horrible moment, James was terrified that Isabel would lose her interest in him. What good was he as a mate or father if he made such grave mistakes? If he couldn’t detect lethal threats and endangered the very people he was meant to keep safe? Instead,
SinclairSleeping with my pregnant mate is becoming increasingly challenging as her body grows with our pup. Even though Ella takes as many naps as the pups in the nursery these days, she’s still exhausted by the end of the night and I’m not faring much better amidst all this stress and activity. St
“Look at you, big brother.” I tease in a saccharine voice, “you’re learning all about feelings aren’t you?”“Oh shove off.” He complains, pushing me away. “Enough of that, tell me what’s going on!”I drag one hand through my hair, “Listen Roger, obviously when a new Beta takes power under normal ci
3rd PersonRoger watched the delegations warily approach the refugee camp, unloading from an identical convoy of shiny black cars parked at the entrance of the air field. Some appeared far more curious than others, keeping their expressions open and interested, if somber. A few Alphas however, most
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