Nicholas“Meeting adjourned,” Kieran said, tapping his gavel on the wooden table.The other guild members rose from their seats, the council chamber filling with the sound of scraping chairs, rustling papers, and voices. It was the end of the day—a long day, might I add—and everyone was itching to g
And as for me, I needed more information on my mother’s death for a start.I finally found the section on pack birth and death records, which was neatly alphabetized in filing cabinets. It didn’t take me long to find information on my mother’s death.“Mia Reynolds,” I whispered, flipping open the ma
Kayla“And… You’re all set!”The stylist spun the chair around, revealing my reflection to me for the first time all morning. My eyes widened as I took in my appearance, everything from the delicate pearls woven throughout my hair, the subtle gold eyeshadow, the tea-length dress and long, elbow-leng
Over the following couple of hours, we took a multitude of pictures, everything from subtle poses flashing the engagement ring to more… intimate ones.I hadn’t anticipated having to kiss Nicholas in front of the camera, though. I supposed, in a naive sort of way, I’d hoped that we could just skirt a
Kayla“Get it over with,” I hissed through clenched teeth, slamming a cupboard shut with force. I picked up the bowl and whirled around toward the fridge, making no attempt to muffle the sound of my stomping footsteps as I stormed over and flung it open. “The small details don’t matter that much…”I
“Finally dragged the witch out of her cave, I see,” Marcus remarked as he loosed another arrow at the apple. The arrow struck the apple smack dab in the center, splitting it and sending sticky fruit gunk showering all over the sandy ground.I rolled my eyes, but joined them in training. We all took
KaylaWe ran for a little while, the cold night wind whipping at our faces, before the group eventually slowed and came to a stop in a large clearing that was cut through by a small, frozen stream. Noah stopped alongside the frozen water and I slipped off his back, briefly pressing my forehead to hi
KaylaI woke the next morning feeling like I hadn’t rested at all. My dreams had been filled with images of chasing a white stag through the forest, my wolf form’s powerful legs carrying me across the ground at speeds I had never imagined.“I guess last night impacted me more than I expected,” I mut
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