AgnesThe phone felt like ice in my hand as I stood in the secluded clearing, my heart hammering against my chest. The words from the DNA testing center still echoed in my ears, but they didn’t make any sense.Thea isn’t your child. There is no biological connection between you.I wanted to scream.
AgnesAs soon as Olivia’s lips touched Elijah’s, my heart clenched, and I turned away. I couldn’t watch. It wasn’t like I hadn’t known this was coming—their bond, as fated mates, was unbreakable.I knew that from the beginning. It was a harsh reality I couldn’t avoid. But knowing didn’t make it hurt
I was stunned. Today is my birthday?I hadn’t celebrated my birthday in years—five, to be exact. So much of my life had been swallowed by a relentless pursuit of survival—working to pay off debts, searching endlessly for my stolen baby—that I had forgotten what it felt like to have a day just for m
His other hand slid up, fingers curling around the nape of my neck, pulling me even closer until there was no space between us.I heard it then, a low growl rumbling from his chest, vibrating against my skin. His lips hovered over mine for a brief, tantalizing second before he whispered, his voice r
AgnesElijah’s lips were soft and sweet against mine, sweeter than any sugar I had ever tasted. The feeling of his hands cupping my body felt like the most natural thing in the world, and it felt as if I could stay like this forever.But as I pulled back from the kiss for air, a whirlwind of emotion
AgnesFlipping the binder open, I was met with page after page of names, faces, and intricate webs of alliances. Alphas and Lunas from every corner of the world, their pack sigils and colors, major exports, closest allies—even trivial details like their favorite foods and preferred wines.And at the
Thea studied the aging Alpha’s headshot. “He looks grumpy.”I laughed. “He does, doesn’t he? But it says here his favorite food is strawberry pie.”Her eyes lit up. “I love strawberry pie!” she said, then flipped to the next page, pointing at a regal-looking woman. “Who’s she?”“That’s Luna Seraphin
AgnesI tucked Thea into bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin. She clutched her favorite stuffed rabbit to her chest as I settled on the bed beside her.“Mommy, can you read me a story?” she asked.“Of course, sweetheart,” I replied, reaching for the well-worn book of fairy tales that was sitting on the nightstand. Flipping through the pages, I found one of her favorites—a story of a brave princess and a kind prince who overcome all odds to be together.As I began to read, Thea listened intently, her little fingers tracing the illustrations. When I reached the part where the prince rescued the princess from the tower, she sighed dreamily.“Do you think they’ll get married and live happily ever after?” she asked, tilting her head back to look up at me.I smiled softly. “Well, that’s how the story goes, isn’t it?”She nodded, then thought for a moment, tapping her chin. “Will you and Daddy get married like them?” she suddenly asked.My heart skipped a beat at the sudden reminder. She
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “No,” she said after a moment. “There is only one fated mate for each person. But…”“But?”She tilted her head, considering for a moment, and then pulled one card from the deck. “I sense something strange about your bond. A tangle somewhere in the invisible red thread tha
ElijahLast night was a mistake.At least, that was what I kept telling myself as I sat in my study, staring blankly at the paperwork spread across my desk. The words blurred together, the numbers meaningless as my mind repeatedly wandered back to Agnes—her scent, her touch, the way she’d felt benea
I watched as she stepped inside, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. She set the basket on the table, carefully arranging its contents: some pink tulips, chocolates, assorted tea bags, and a stuffed animal.I knew that Thea wouldn’t eat the chocolates with her stomach upset, and she’d bee
AgnesElijah had some matters to attend to at work that day—although I had a sinking feeling that he was just avoiding the awkwardness of what had happened last night, and I couldn’t even blame him—and Thea was still resting in her room with a stomach ache, so I had the house to myself for most of t
Elijah blinked at me in surprise. I expected him to be disappointed, to scold me for taking a book from the restricted section of the library—especially one with such volatile information inside.But instead, a slow smile spread across his face, his eyes lighting up with something that looked almost
AgnesI woke to the sensation of Elijah’s arm around me. For a moment, I forgot where I was, the events of the previous night a hazy blur in my mind. All I felt was cozy familiarity.But then it all came rushing back—the cab, the kiss, the way we’d stumbled into the house, so desperate for each othe
He feasted on me like that, right there on the floor, holding me upright with one arm. I dug my fingers into his scalp, yanking at his hair, which only elicited low, guttural moans from him that rumbled into my pelvis. “Agnes,” he murmured into me, the word sending a shudder of pleasure through my b
AgnesThe cab driver practically dumped us off in front of the estate, hardly giving Elijah time to hand him a wad of cash before he was speeding away. My cheeks were flushed, my skirt rumpled around my thighs and my lipstick smeared.We’d hardly been the pristine picture of an elegant Alpha and Lun
Agnes & ElijahAgnesGertrude’s grin was nothing short of impish as she shoved me and Elijah together. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure if I had ever seen the often meek librarian’s eyes flare with such mischief behind those glasses.My heart pounded as I glanced up at Elijah, his warm body pressed agai