KaylaGray and his two cohorts lay side by side in the hole we’d dug. They were wrapped in sheets and placed six feet underground, a good half mile away from the cabin.If it weren’t for the unfortunate circumstances, today might have been a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirpin
I frowned, opening my mouth to say more, but Grace had already returned to her knitting.For the remainder of the day, Nicholas stayed outside, the forest echoing with the sounds of hammering and cursing. When I glanced through the window at one point, he was shirtless, his muscles rippling and glea
KaylaThe debate was set in the guild hall’s communal room that Saturday morning. The room was already filled with people by the time I peeked through the curtains. A bubble of nerves rose in my stomach at the sight of all the cameras, and I swallowed hard.“I think you might be more nervous than I
“Furthermore,” Nicholas said, finally dragging his gaze back to Denver, “I agree that the guild upholds traditional familial ideals; which is exactly why I think it’s in poor taste to insult such a lovely woman in a debate that has nothing to do with her.”“I didn’t—”“Luna Kayla is a graceful, eleg
Kayla“Alpha Nicholas… Welcome to the guild.”No sooner had those words left the chairman’s mouth than Nicholas was suddenly whirling around, sweeping me off my feet and spinning me in a circle. The sounds of his raucous cheers blotted out everything else—the applause, the murmurs, even my own laugh
Nicholas shrugged, his eyes flicking to me as he sipped his champagne. “Lucky for me, I’ve got a good team.”I blushed without meaning to, averting my gaze. Truthfully, though, I knew it was going to be a tough journey for him to become chairman, with or without us. It was a highly esteemed position
KaylaThe first couple of weeks that Nicholas was an official member of the guild passed in a whirlwind. Day after day seemed to encompass some sort of interview or public statement or another, while night after night was filled with paperwork, preparations, and plans for the next leg of Nicholas’s
But Nicholas was still staring at me, and when I glanced up at him and saw the puzzled look on his face, I knew I couldn’t remain silent forever.“I just feel like we could back off a little,” I ventured. “Maybe take some more time to plan a wedding that isn’t so… cookie-cutter.”Nicholas stared at
The sensation was indescribable—like finding a piece of myself I hadn’t known was missing, like coming home after a lifetime of wandering.I grinned up at Nicholas, feeling almost impish with the secret I’d kept for so long.His mouth hung open, shock written across his features. “You knew,” he said
Kayla“One more push!” the doctor’s voice barely registered through the haze of pain that had consumed me for the past sixteen hours. “I can see the head, Kayla. One more big push!”Nicholas gripped my hand, his other arm supporting my back as I leaned forward. I was beyond exhaustion, beyond pain,
There was Emma, fierce and loyal despite everything she’d been through, slowly healing from her injuries with her brother’s unwavering support. Marcus, who’d practically raised his sister from childhood and would do anything to protect those he cared about, including us.Noah, with his gentle demean
Kayla“She’s going to get what she deserves. Today,” Emma said, drumming her fingers against the armrest of her wheelchair. It was the third time she’d said it in the last half hour, but none of us called her on it. We were all tense.We stood outside the guild hall in a loose circle, our faces grim
“What did you do with her?”“She’s locked up in Nightshade’s prison for now,” Nicholas said grimly. “I’m going to speak to the guild to decide her fate.”I shivered. I couldn’t believe it, and yet… Somehow, I could. Because Isabella had done so much worse. This was just the cherry on top.My thought
KaylaLight filtered through my eyelids, hazy and blurred. Everything felt heavy. Sore. But alive.The first thing I saw was Nicholas hunched over me, clutching me so tightly I could barely breathe.“Kayla,” he murmured against my throat. “Kayla, please come back…”My shaky hand came up, my fingers
Across the room, Noah let out a roar of grief and anger, his fist punching through the wall with enough force to crack the plaster all the way to the ceiling. Marcus’s hands tore at his hair as he cursed violently. Emma shook in her wheelchair, silent tears streaming down her face. Grace simply star
Nicholas“Detain her!” I snarled at the nearest warriors, who were tangled with their new mates in various states of undress beneath the trees. They scrambled to their feet at my command, eyes widening as they took in Isabella writhing on the ground beneath me, her glamour spell completely faded now
“I’m here, Kayla,” she whispered. “I’ve always been here. It’s going to be okay…”Sobs tore from my throat. “I’m miscarrying, aren’t I?” I choked out, clutching her tighter. “I’m going to lose my baby.” I pulled back just enough to look into those luminous green eyes. “Please emerge before that happ