Ella POVAt some point, I managed to fall asleep, though far too late. When my mother knocked on the door to wake me for the rehearsal dinner, I was beyond exhausted. It took several attempts for me to stir, let alone keep my eyes open long enough to respond.Somehow, I forced myself out of bed and
The voice of the man that had commanded our release was low, measured, and simmering with restrained fury. Even now, it sent a chill down my spine. At the time, the authority in those words had been inexplicable.But now, I knew.The realization struck me like a sudden bolt, leaving me momentarily b
Ella POV Alexander’s kiss was unlike any we had shared before. There was a heat, a sense of urgency in the way he held me, pulling me impossibly close against him as if letting go wasn’t an option. Somewhere near the door, I vaguely registered Michael’s startled voice, an exclamation of surprise
The rehearsal dinner wasn’t a grand event—just an intimate gathering of those directly involved in the ceremony. Our families were here, along with August, Elizabeth, Andrew, and the priestess who would officiate the wedding. “It’s good of you to join us,” Diana said with a teasing smile. “I’m s
Ella POV The next morning at the Castle, doubt still clung to me like a heavy fog. The last time I’d gone through with a wedding, I’d known in my heart it would end in disaster. This time, it wasn’t certainty that haunted me—it was uncertainty. Last night, I was convinced that I had placed the
“When you say strange things, what exactly do you mean?” Elizabeth’s expression darkened. “They seem to have ties to some very questionable people. In fact, I believe I may have found some correspondence between them and Dr. McIntyre.” My stomach dropped. “Are you saying David isn’t the one behi
Ella POV I stood in the dimly lit hallway, waiting for my moment to walk down the aisle. My nerves were strung so tightly that I felt as though they might snap. I had just watched Elizabeth depart, arm in arm with Michael who was Alexander’s best man. She looked absolutely stunning in her baby-b
Third Person POV "This can't possibly be all there is," David spat angrily, gripping the balcony railing as he glared down at the meager crowd of guests gathered below. The small assembly consisted solely of members of his own pack and Amanda's, and the sight made his blood boil. "We were suppos
“I can’t,” he said weakly, his voice choked by tears.“Why?” I asked, frustrated.He looked away from me and I realized that I already knew the answer to that question. “Alexander is keeping something from me,” I said softly.He nodded, but couldn’t seem to meet my eyes.I could only imagine how har
Ella POVAugust paced across the living room, his brows drawn together in frustration. The tension in the room was thick.He and Alexander had a huge fight just a short while ago. I wasn’t in the room when it happened, but I could hear them shouting. I couldn’t make out any of the words, but it was
“I–” Sabrina looked at Lexie and sighed softly. “I’m very grateful. We’d be happy to stay with you until we’re able to find a safe place of our own.”My father smiled brightly. “Wonderful. We’ll be very happy to have you.”Overwhelmed with gratitude, I reached for his hand. “Dad…thank you. I didn’t
Ella POVThe warm glow of the restaurant’s chandeliers cast a golden hue over the elegantly set tables.I sat beside Alexander, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of my wine glass as I watched Lexie beam with pure delight. The little girl twirled in her chair, the soft pink dress Alexander h
Alexander’s gaze softened as he considered the offer. “That… might actually be the best solution.” He reached across the table, taking my hand in his. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’re thinking about her like this.”I squeezed his hand. “She’s important to you. That makes her imp
Ella POVThe bustling noise of the shopping center’s food court was drown out by the sound of Lexie’s excited voice. Her tray of food was mostly ignored in favor of conversation.Her bright blue eyes were filled with excitement as she rattled off every thought that came to her mind.“And then the pr
Alexander blinked in surprise, obviously caught off guard. "Alright,” he said. “Let’s play."I watched as Alexander followed Lexie into the play area, my chest tightening with emotion. I could see it so clearly—the bond forming between them, the way Alexander was already looking at Lexie like she wa
Ella POVAlexander sat on the couch, staring blankly at the darkened television screen. The soft glow of the city lights filtered in through the windows, but his mind was elsewhere.His fingers tapped absently against his knee, his body tense with restless energy. He didn’t even seem to notice that
Third Person POVArcher Gray tried to keep his breathing steady as he stood before Ironfang. The dimly lit chamber was suffocating, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and something more metallic—blood, perhaps.His palms were damp, but he refused to let his nerves show. He had dealt with dan