Charles led Adrian and me to a room down the hallway in which we landed. Anja and Orrin didn’t follow; they were led away by Anja’s father.I’m not going to lie; I am terrified right now. What Charles said in the hallway about him being my real father shocked me.I mean, it can’t be true, right?My mother wouldn’t be that cruel, would she?I sit beside Adrian on the old-fashioned sofa and keep my hand in his.I’ve never seen anything like this room. I’m not sure what year we’re in, but it seems to be the 1800s or thereabout. From the décor and furniture, I’d say I was right.If that’s the case, and if what this man is saying is the truth, then I’m related to my best friend. Christ, it would make Anja my aunt! And to think, I thought I was older than Anja.It also means that my mother has been lying to me my whole life. She bound my wolf, but she kept my true identity from me.How am I supposed to forgive that?I don’t want to believe Charles could be my father; I feel I would be betra
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, Tracey. Just know that I’m right by your side, and I always will be.”‘I know,’ I tell him through the mind-link. ‘But what about the baby? I don’t want to do anything that would harm him, Adrain.’We found out that we were having a boy just yesterday. Liam sniffed out the gender of our baby, shocking Adrian and me. We’ve decided to call our child Adam, and we can’t wait to meet him.I know that neither Adrian nor I will ever treat our son the way we were treated. My mother may have loved me, and Adrian’s father loved him, but they did everything wrong. We want the best for our child, and we’ll make sure he gets it, no matter what.Adrian smiles while tucking my hair behind my ear. ‘Adam will be just fine, Tracey. I would never allow you to do this if I believed it could harm Adam in any way. Looking into the past won’t hurt him because you won’t be moving from this room. You’ll be seeing Charles’ memories, nothing more.’I accept A
I watch Charles as he scrubs his hands over his face and sighs. Then out of nowhere, a woman appears, as if by magic.‘What are you doing here?’The woman I can see is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Her long, dark red wine hair falls in waves around her shoulders and back. Her red lips shine in the light, her big midnight blue eyes have light blue swirls, and her porcelain skin shimmers. Her curves are covered in gothic attire, and she wears a dagger at her waist. I see it because her long coat shifts as she moves toward Charles.‘I came to check on you,’‘You shouldn’t care about me; I’m not worth your time.’‘Maybe not,” The woman shrugs. ‘But it won’t stop me.’‘You shouldn’t be here, Victoria. My grandfather didn’t grant you the power of time travel so that you could follow me.’‘No, he granted me that power because I’m a fierce warrior. I protect our people because it’s what I was born to do, and I’m good at that. Theodore trusts that I would never abuse time travel,
I take a deep breath while pulling my hands away from Charles.“None of what you showed me proves that you are my father. I don’t understand why you’d even think that you were.”“I have many abilities, Tracey. One of those abilities is to recognise my own kin.”“All wolves can recognise their own kin.” Adrian points out.Charles nods his head once.“This is true. However, my ability is amplified when it comes to my children.” Charles looks at me. “The moment my eyes landed on you, I saw myself in your eyes. When I looked at you, the love that filled me could only come about for my child.”Tears fill my eyes.Though my mother told me now and again that she loved me, Robert never did. I don’t remember him ever saying it to my siblings either. But the truth is, I never really felt loved or wanted by Karen or Robert. I always felt as though I were a burden to them.I know now the reason was that Karen was terrified Robert would find out what she had done and she’d lose him. She treated me
Victoria stops and looks at me for a second. She smiles at me, then at Adrian, who gets to his feet and tips his head in greeting.“Victoria, is everything okay?”“I’m sorry, Charlie,” I like that she calls him Charlie; it’s cute. “Briar said that you were busy, but William snuck off, and I didn’t realise right away.”“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Victoria,” She moves to Charles’ side, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “I’d like you to meet Tracey and Adrian.”Victoria shakes my hand, and then Adrian’s. “The Prince of Zidiah?”I narrow my eyes.How did she know that?‘Timetravel, idiot.’‘Thanks, Simia!’“That’s right,” Adrian smiles. “And Tracey is my mate.”Victoria looks at me again, furrowing her brow slightly.“Charles, is there something you forgot to tell me?”Victoria has her back to me, but Charles, I can see, is staring into her eyes. His own have turned red. From what I know, this is how vampires communicate when talking to their mate, the same way wolves do.I’m
Whatever the arsehole standing against the back wall did to me has left a massive headache behind. I don’t know what happened; I just know I couldn’t break out of his hold. After a moment of struggling, mentally against Byron’s hold, everything went black.I don’t remember anything until a light hit me, and I fell to the floor. Then there she was, my Anja, right in front of me. I had never felt relief like it!Finding out Anja’s older brother is Tracey’s father is a lot to take in. That wasn’t something I expected when I fell through the portal. If it turns out to be accurate, I don’t know where that will leave my brother.Will Charles expect Tracey to live in the past with him?No, that can’t be true. It would never work. Besides, I know Charles Crowley-Beaumont is alive in the future. My grandfather did business with him years ago. Not that we consort with vampires, but the Crowley-Beaumonts are hybrids, which grandfather believed meant he wasn’t going against his own rule about sta
‘Asha, please calm down.’‘No! It’s alright for you, you’ve got your father. I want mine!’I sigh as Asha pushes me back into my mind. I can’t keep control when she’s like this, and nothing I say will calm her down.‘Asha,’ Alarick speaks through Orrin’s mouth, trying to calm his mate. ‘Everything is okay, my love.’‘No, everything is not okay!’Asha stands, looking right at Papa. ‘Tell me where my father is right now!’‘Asha?’ Mama stands, and I see that her wolf, Alice, speaks through her mouth.‘Mother,’ We rush into our mother’s arms, and she holds us closely.I understand how Asha is feeling; I’ve spent time with my parents, leaving my wolf to look on in. Of course, she’d want to be with her parents too.‘Calm, my little wolf, everything is alright.’‘I cannot sense father. Where is he?’Alice smiles while touching Asha's face. ‘He’s right behind you,’Asha spins on the spot, coming face to face with Atlas, who has taken over Papa’s body. His eyes are white over, and Papa looks e
“There’s something I have to tell you,” Anja strokes my face with her fingertips.We’re lying in her childhood bed, naked after making love for a second time. I have no doubt everyone in the house heard us, but I gave up caring. If they heard, they heard; nothing we could do to change that.I’m impressed with the luxury of Anja’s room. Though it’s what anyone would call a typical Victorian bedroom for the wealthy, anyway.There are wall lights with candles in them, a dark wood dresser, a desk and chair, and even a large rug on the floor with a fancy looking sofa. The window is floor to ceiling, and I see that’s because they’re French doors opening onto a balcony.It seems to me that being the only daughter of Drake Crowley-Beaumont has its advantages.“What do you have to tell me?”‘As if you don’t know,’‘Shut up, Alarick!’‘Prick!’“I think you already know.” Anja smiles. “We’re going to be parents, Orrin. I’m pregnant.”I can’t keep the smile off my face. “Three boys and a girl.”“