After another day of more walking than my swelling ankles were happy about, we finally realized the gates were all busts. We’d all taken the loss and put our heads together, because that damn song was still the only lead we had. We were going through the band’s other albums in the hopes of another s
"Luna," Matt said gently, reading the conflict on my face. "Trust me. I can do this." I exhaled slowly, nodding. "Okay," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "But we’re going to have a plan and a safety net. I’m not sending you in there blind, Matt.” We were about to start forming said plan whe
I felt bad, but I had to defy Iris once again. My strict bedtime schedule, as important as it was, was going to have to take a backseat tonight. Tonight, Matt was in the casino. Alone. Obviously neither Jordan nor myself were able to sit still, consumed with worry for our friend. I could hardly
“She perked right up! Said the owner was hoping to ‘tap into the Omega market,’ and if she saw my sister she’d look out for her.” “That’s not creepy at all,” Jordan cringed. “It wouldn’t be if we didn’t know what we do,” I said, even though I firmly agreed with her. I could see why somebody woul
The chandeliers were a little too dusty to sparkle, and red carpet was worn thin under my feet, and it all felt like a world away from my usual haunts. In all fairness that’s exactly what it was. The only gambling I’d ever done had been around a kitchen table, so even a subpar casino was a huge chan
My harasser opened his mouth to argue, but something in the masked man's stance made him think better of it. He skulked away, muttering curses. The new man just stood there with his arms crossed, watching the creep go. With the drunk no longer a threat, I turned my attention to my supposed ‘savior
Elroy’s POV This mask was strangely heavy, and a little hot. Sweat was gathering under the scent blocking patches Sam found for me, and I could only hope the cheap one-wash hair coloring wasn’t running down the back of my neck with the moisture. The shoulder pads felt awkward, and I was still gett
“…It’s complicated,” she answered. "Complicated, huh?" I mused, more to myself than to her. "I suppose that's true of most relationships. How has it been different from what you expected?" She gave a little, humorless laugh. “Well, I’d expected to marry my Fated Mate, but that didn’t happen,” sh
“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