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
Once I was certain she was fast asleep, I got up and set the book aside. Pressing a soft kiss to her temple, I whispered, “Sweet dreams, my little one.”Leaving her room, I headed back to my own, where the daunting binder Elijah had given me lay open on the desk. Fifty more pages of names, faces, and alliances stared back at me. We had made great progress today, but there was still so much left to learn, and I had to make sure that my memory was perfect by the time the gala came up.I wouldn’t be sleeping much anyway tonight, I figured. So, with a sigh, I settled into the chair and resumed my work.Hours passed as I tried to commit the details to memory. My eyes grew bleary, the names, faces, and information on the page starting to swim before me. Hours passed, and still I didn’t make much progress.Rubbing my temples, I realized I needed a break. My throat was dry, and the clock read half past midnight. Grabbing my empty glass, I decided to get some more water.The house was blissful
Elijah grinned, looking incredibly pleased with himself. He looked almost impish, a flicker of the young boy within shining through. “It wasn’t easy. James helped a lot, and so did Evelyn and Gertrude. Plus, you’ve been rather distracted with your sewing.”Just then, Thea appeared at our side, tuggi
AgnesI placed my hand in Elijah’s, my heart fluttering in my chest as he led me down the steps from the stage. The crowd parted, forming a circle around the dance floor. His arm slipped around my waist, drawing me close.It still amazed me just how perfectly our bodies fit together.And then we wer
The crowd cheered. Warmth washed over me, and for a moment, I almost forgot that Olivia and Mason were watching. But then Elijah’s expression hardened, and he pointed to where they were standing at the back of the room, James and a few other pack members flanking them.“But our celebration was nearl
AgnesBy the time we made it back downstairs, I’d managed to smooth down the remainder of the wrinkles in my skirt and quickly fix my hair. Thea was already chattering to Elijah about the tasty cakes she’d eaten while we were gone, even though he’d told her not to ruin her dinner.But right now, nei
Elijah’s hands gripped my hips, steadying me as I adjusted to his size. “You feel so good,” he rasped out. “Do you know that? How amazing you feel, every time I’m inside you? It’s like a drug.”His words made me begin to move instinctively, rocking against him with slow, deliberate rolls of my hips.
AgnesThe force of my kiss sent us tumbling backward, Elijah’s solid frame catching me as we fell against the bed. My skirts billowed around us, tangling in a swirl of fabric that trapped our legs together.Our mouths locked desperately, lips bruising against each other as I pressed myself closer, m
With trembling fingers—shaking partly from the aphrodisiac still coursing through my veins and partly from nerves—I fumbled with the clasp. It took three tries before the little door swung open.A delicate silver ring tumbled out, landing in my palm. It caught the light from the few remaining candle
Agnes“Because I love you.”The words hung in the air between us, simple and profound all at once. I stared up at Elijah, my mind struggling to process what I’d just heard.He… loves me?My heart seemed to expand in my chest, swelling with an unexpected emotion that I could barely contain. The fog f
When had he promised me anything? I couldn’t remember. Couldn’t think clearly.He turned me to face him, his hands cupping my face, and for a moment—just a moment—I thought I saw Elijah’s face instead of his. Elijah’s dark eyes looking into mine. Elijah’s hands gentle against my skin.Elijah.The na