My legs felt unsteady, a familiar warmth spreading through me as unbidden images flashed through my mind. I hated that a part of me wondered what it would be like if there was any truth to those fabricated stories.Ava caught up with me as I reached the exit. “Are you okay?” she asked, grabbing my s
KaylaI looked around the room I had lived in for twenty-two years, and felt my heart sink. I didn’t want to leave. But I had to.Sitting at my desk one last time, I began composing a letter to the guild. I was formally requesting that Nicholas be appointed as the temporary Alpha of Bluemoon Pack. P
He was using a Mindlink to orchestrate the chaos.I narrowed my eyes. So, this wasn’t just some spontaneous uprising. It was planned. A coup.“You are unfit to take over as Alpha!” another voice rang out. “We all agree to make Mason the new Alpha!”Mason. I stored that name away for later.“You,” I
KaylaNicholas helped me into the car, then slid into the driver’s seat and put the car in drive.“So,” he began, casting a sideways glance at me, “I’ve moved out of my old place. We’ll be living in the Alpha Manor together.”I felt my heart skip a little. The Alpha Manor was where the Alpha and his
I blushed, but nodded, allowing her to take the pictures. Nicholas explained that Emma was a photographer. She seemed to have a real passion for it.Suddenly, another figure approached. A striking woman with raven-black hair and dark eyes.“Nora,” Nicholas said. “This is Kayla.”Nora looked me up an
KaylaOh, Goddess! My back stiffened, and I buried my face in Nicholas’s chest. Liam was standing not far from us, his mouth hanging open. I felt like I was on display.I hadn’t done anything wrong—not at all like Liam, who had actually cheated on me with my best friend on our wedding day—but I did
“And ruin the authenticity?” he smirked. “Come on, Kayla. You wanted us to appear convincing.”I glared at him. “Not at the expense of being manipulated.”He sighed, his expression turning cold. “It’s all part of the arrangement.”“Arrangement?” I scoffed. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”He tilt
KaylaNicholas walked into the room and closed the door behind him. I stared at him as he entered, not moving from where I was perched on the bed.He sauntered over and sat beside me, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. His proximity made my jaw instinctively tighten, and I looked down,
At that, Nicholas released me, taking a step back. He furrowed his brow. “You look surprised.”“Because I thought you had no intention of going on a honeymoon,” I blurted out, smoothing down the front of my jacket. “I thought…”My voice trailed off, and I couldn’t find it in me to say it out loud. I
KaylaI looked up to see Nicholas approaching, his face pale. “Are you alright?” he asked, stopping a little ways away from where I was standing.I quickly turned away, hoping he couldn’t see the tears welling up in my eyes. “I’m fine.”“Kayla.” Nicholas stepped in my way. “Talk to me. Did something
Was it true that Nicholas had laughed in her face when she confessed her feelings? Was he truly that heartless, even back then? Was it true that Nora thought she was doing me a favor by trying to break us up, by showing me that audio clip?I didn’t think Nora could ever be my friend, not by a long s
KaylaI stared at the deer turning on the spit, its skin turned red and glistening with fat as the fire cooked it from beneath. The air smelled like roasting meat, mingling with the scent of fresh bread and mulled cider.I was starving and surrounded by food that looked utterly delicious, and yet my
Before I could protest further, Nicholas whisked me off my feet, gathering me in his arms like I was as light as a feather. He strode quickly toward the edge of the forest—I was surprised to find that we weren’t nearly as far as I thought we were this whole time—and then veered toward the house.“I’
KaylaI stared wide-eyed down at Nora’s unmoving body, at the pool of blood forming around her abdomen. She coughed and sputtered, eyes glazed over, already worlds away from this place by the time I found her.The warrior said that he had accidentally pushed her too hard during a spar, and she fell
And although it was bitterly cold out today, with the feast being held outside no less, all of the torches and fire pits scattered around the gathering area kept me warm enough that I’d even removed my jacket some time ago.Jade shook her head and took a seat next to me, perching on the edge of the
NicholasI never would have admitted it, not to anyone or even myself, but I spent three days straight thinking of nothing but Kayla.The moment she walked into the forest, wearing nothing but some practical training gear with only a flint and steel kit in her pocket, her head held high despite the
The next morning, I woke up early, the cold air biting at my skin and my legs aching from yesterday’s exertion. I broke down my makeshift camp once more and set off into the woods, once again searching for the stag.I moved quickly, my eyes scanning the trees for any sign of the stag. I heard a scuf