I stared up at Elroy in shock. To invoke the Alpha—it was the only way to fight someone without their Fated Mate being injured as well, but it was also the most serious of all challenges. It was a gift from the Goddess, a privilege for Alphas alone, but the price for failure was astronomical.Elroy
No, frankly, the outcome was certain. Damian was smart, and quick on his feet, but he wasn’t going to win. There was nothing there to question, nothing to worry about.So why was I worried?Was I…actually concerned about Elroy? I shook my head at myself. That was just stupid—but I couldn’t deny tha
From Inside the RingElroy’s wolf was displeased. No, actually, Elroy’s wolf was enraged.This man, this worm, hurt his Luna, broke her heart, tried to take her from him, and now couldn’t even stand on his own merit in front of the Goddess? Elroy snarled, clearing his eyes of the blue haze just in t
But of course that was all false, because the moment I realized there was blood leaking through his shirt I glared at him and he confessed everything. “It’s just a cut along my side,” he said nonchalantly. “It’s not pretty but it’ll be healed by morning.”“It would heal by morning,” I hissed, “if it
And that’s how I ended up horizontal with Elroy for the second time—though this time was much less…enthusiastic. We laid together above the covers, fully clothed, as I let Elroy rest his hand gingerly just above my waistband. Right over our baby.Elroy’s hand was large, warm, and heavy, and it was s
“So?” he purred. “Do you want my help, or…?”The idea of him not touching me made me immediately and irrationally angry, like I was denied a prize I’d rightfully earned, and my decision was made in that instant.“If you don’t fuck me within the next five seconds—” I growled over my shoulder. Elroy
Through Elroy’s EyesMy mother lived in the southern tower. I made my visits here as frequently as I could to help ease her seclusion, but this was the first time in a while I’d had actual news to share.I was internally giddy to inform her she was going to be a grandmother, but I hadn’t actually as
Mom took Olivia’s hand in hers, releasing calming hormones. “Dormancy is rare,” she said kindly, “and traditional medicine is much younger than herbal practice. I’m not surprised they didn’t have the knowledge to help you.”Olivia looked up from her lap, chewing her lip nervously. “But do you?” she
“Jordan,” I said, “I think it’s time to hold a banquet.”The low light of my bedside lamp lay across Elroy's face, casting a warm glow on his furrowed brow as we settled down to sleep. It was hard to believe that I’d once been so reluctant to lay near him, and now this protective little cocoon we fo
I rose with the sun, brushing aside the veil of last night's uncertainties. Elroy had left early, and even though he was usually gone by the time I woke up, his side of the bed felt colder than normal.I moved through the morning with my thoughts in a tumult, incessantly repeating the same questions
But he hadn’t told me his feelings, hadn’t told me how close he wanted us to be. He could just mean he wanted a strong partnership as Alpha and Luna, like we’d discussed at the very beginning of it all, or it could be he cared for me as the mother of his child but didn’t love me. Not like I loved hi
The diner was a 1950s style burger joint, complete with black and white checked flooring and too-shiny red seats. The waitresses were wearing the same type of uniforms I’d seen in old movies, and Elvis played quietly over the speaker. One of the booths seemed to be made out of a classic car.Elroy l
I glanced at Elroy, feeling his silent encouragement radiate through our clasped hands. "To be honest," I confessed, "the depth of deceit took us by surprise. We were largely in the dark, just as many of you were."“And the council?” someone else asked, shoving a microphone towards Elroy.“The counc
Olivia’s POVI smoothed my dress, silently appreciating the way the purple fabric hugged my hips, accentuating my small baby bump. This would be the first time I’d be outside the manor since my pregnancy became visible, and the knowledge that everyone would see that there was life growing inside of
The incense stick sparked to life with a hiss, its aroma weaving through the air of the Ruby Room. I settled onto my knees, the rough carpet biting into my skin, and closed my eyes. Smoke curled like ethereal tendrils, carrying my silent prayer upwards."Great Moon Goddess," I murmured, choking on a
I wanted to pull until the hook ripped out, taking whatever traitorous chunk of me it wanted as long as it was gone. It was like an infected limb, but nothing I did seemed to force the amputation.What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I just let this go? She was just a healer, someone I’d never even
Elroy’s POVThe effect of those words was immediate and indescribable. More than guilt, or shame, or horror—it was something that howled through me like a hurricane, ripping me apart and leaving ragged, bloody holes. My body could feel it, and it was as real as any cracking bone.My ears rang. My vi