Whatever else I might have to say about the Ruby Room, it had one hell of a comfortable bed. Talking to a maybe-cannibal had really been the icing on the cake for my anxious body, the residual discomfort still keeping my shoulders tense hours later, but at least tonight I could actually sleep at a r
I realized how close I came to being Iris. I hadn’t thought about it in what felt like ages, but some of Elroy’s past words drifted back to me. I whispered, "You threatened to do the same to me." Elroy flinched as if I'd struck him. "Olivia, I..." He reached for my hand, hesitated, then let his
The heavy oak door creaked open, revealing Elroy's office. Sunlight streamed through the single window, illuminating shelves lined with leather-bound tomes and casting a warm glow on the polished mahogany desk. It wasn’t a huge space like the library, and something about being able to see the whole
“Yes, Iris told me,” I said. “Well, all that time Astor had our father to himself. It was like I didn’t even exist, and he was basically an only child. All of father’s attention, all his efforts, went into him. “When I presented as an Alpha, it changed everything. Suddenly my father was interest
The door swung open with a bang, startling Elroy and I both and breaking the moment we were suspended in. Astor sauntered in, his lips curled into that infuriatingly smug grin I'd come to both dread and secretly appreciate. He’d been more endearingly annoying than truly problematic recently, but tha
I instantly loved my new office. It had everything I’d asked for, and I couldn't help but smile, relishing the prospect of having my own space to work and think and spread out. I started off with placing the less-crucial case information in the built-in bookshelf—background information and leads t
“My excuse,” he grit out, “is that my Mate is shaking her ass for me.” “That’s all it takes?” I laughed breathily, looking over my shoulder with a look that said ‘I dare you.’ “I didn’t know you were so easy, Alpha Elroy.” Elroy pulled his hips back with a curse, and I bit my lip on an excited s
Elroy’s POV My fingers trembled as I loosened his tie, the camera flashes still burning behind my eyelids. The press conference had been a crucible, every word scrutinized, every gesture analyzed. But I’d done it. Olivia made it look so easy—definitely a talent I didn’t have. I’d stood tall as t
Olivia POVI had achieved a kind of patience while waiting for Iris to finish her analysis. Rodin was quietly helpful, and Brady had returned from her errand to organize getting Iris whatever equipment she needed.I was so impressed watching her. How nice it would be to have a demonstrable skill, so
Elroy POVHer room was empty, but that didn’t alarm me at first. There were many places throughout the palace where she could be reading or napping or hosting a return visit from one of the pack leaders.But even as I walked the halls, I knew she was doing none of these things. I could feel her miss
Olivia POVIt had been months since my last visit to my mother’s side, but I could tell that Iris was right. Before, she always seemed to be sleeping. Her skin glowed, and her muscles remained taut from the ‘round-the-clock care she received.Now, there was a yellow, almost jaundiced look to her ski
Olivia POVElroy was knocking on my door when I woke up. It was early in the morning, just after dawn, and even as I sat up in bed I remained half-asleep. Still, I knew that knock.“Come in,” I called.Elroy came inside wearing dirty battle gear, and there was dried blood on his chin.“Are you all r
“Now, what is it I can do for you, Luna?” she asked.“Actually, you can accept my sincere apologies.”She frowned just slightly. “Luna?”“You were made to witness a most distressing scene in my household. Obviously, I had no idea the so-called Rogue King would crash my banquet, but that’s no excuse
Olivia POVWith Elroy gone, I needed to concentrate on my duties as Luna, which meant I had to deal ASAP with the fallout from my pretty much disastrous banquet. I mean, Denis might be trying to stage some sort of revolution and destroy my reputation, but did he have to crash my party so fatally?I
Olivia POVElroy left with a thousand soldiers the next morning, half on horseback and half in their wolf forms. I supposed I should be curious about the battle strategy, but I wasn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to care.A part of me knew I wasn’t defeated, that I would still fight for wolves’ rights a
She held up a hand. “I said I had to ask. I didn’t say I give him any credit. Officially, I am asking if you’re denying his claims.”“Of course I am!” I threw up my hands. “It’s all just some lie he’s made up to cause trouble.”I put my hands down. “Think about it, if I had someone from my past I lo
Olivia POVRefusing to follow behind Elroy like a naughty child, I swept out of the room ahead of him, though I took care to dismiss Jordan gently. She, like most of the wolves in the room who didn’t fight, looked shaken but still present in the moment. I trusted they could all take care of themselv