Nan’s POVMy brains was in shambles.I couldn’t think straight. Nothing had terrified me like this before. Not even David’s threats or being nearly drowned by the neighborhood children as a kid.I knew the sight of Vera’s unconscious, blue tinted face and closing throat would be seared into my brain
There sit my daughters. Patti crying quietly at Nan’s side. Her big brown eyes shut tight.Vera is being cradled like a small infant to Nan. Her body slumped unconsciously. Her cheeks terribly flushed. My feet move before I actively make the choice. I kneel at my family’s side. Worry clogging my vo
Lionel’s POVA wave of tension washes over the room at Irina’s accusation.“You can’t be serious.” Nan says disbelievingly.“Are you truly going to deny your actions?” Irina asks. “You said it yourself…you made lunch. I only added the leeks you requested.”Nan shakes her head. “I know I didn’t add a
The elderly man immediately hands it over. Curiosity etched on his wizened face. But his questions will have to wait.I take a sip of the dish. Allowing a brief moment of pleasure at the enticing flavors before I refocus. I frown.It is a light soup…one with notes of citrus and fresh herbs. Almost p
Third Person POVJoseph felt like a cornered animal.Irina had fucked things up beyond repair.It took a lot to set up that little sob story about Irina’s ‘depression.’ As if a family as old and powerful would ever risk news getting out that could damage their reputation by dropping her off at somet
I had no evidence. Still, I knew who was behind this. Only one person was so bold to pull this off and use those disgusting tactics.My alpha eyes flashed and my fangs threatened to elongate at the thought of my traitorous brother. The stress of this heated my blood.How did I not see this coming? I
Nan’s POVLionel’s wife is alive. That was the only thing I could think. It felt unreal. Like a dark joke.But the DNA did not lie. Every possible test on her identity came back positive. It is her.The entire thing has been kept under wraps. No one outside of Lionel’s inner circle was aware. Nobod
Everything feels too scary to face.Katya approaches us. “Lionel…” She stares at him.Lionel swallows. “Katya…I had no idea.” He says roughly.She waves away his regret. “It’s okay. I forgive you…you couldn’t have known.”Then she turns her attention to me. I meet her gaze head on. Not knowing what
Third Person POVIt had been the easiest wedding Nan had ever planned.She knew that she might have been stressed under any other circumstances. Nan had survived much worse than planning her own wedding. So this did not phase her.Scarlett and her sister had been a huge help in that regard.Nan was
He pulled out all the way and then slammed back in. Again and again. It was fast and brutal.I loved every second of it. This is what I had been craving. Lionel at his wildest and utterly crazed for me.At one point he turned me onto all fours. This new ankle only brought him deeper. Making me clenc
Nan’s POVIt should have been awkward.We were on a deserted island. The heavy weight of history of this place resting over us like a dark cloud. Exposed to the elements.It should not have been as arousing as it was.There was something about this that excited me. We were out in the open. Anyone co
I felt sick to my stomach. Everything I had uncovered had hinted at some dark origins. I could not have imagined anything like this.I could imagine it in my mind’s eye. The betrayal from the people they had led. Blood and shackles their new fate.“Only one clan remembered its original purpose. Only
Nan’s POVThis was the moment I had been waiting for.Mr. Holder had allowed us to go home and rest for a while. Correctly guessing that Lionel and I needed time to rest after that ordeal. Neither of us wanted to be far from each other that night.Mr. Holder had requested for us to meet with him at
I let the bond wash over me. Lionel pushes his emotions through. His fear, his worry, his love.I send back my own terrible fear and pain. He takes it into himself. Almost cupping it like he would a wound.There are no true words in the bond. Not really. But if there were…‘Remember…fight…remember w
Nan’s POVMy entire world was aflame.Fire filled my vision. Smoke burned my lungs. I held my breath.The fire licked at my skin. Heated my blood. Seeking to fill the hollow of my bones.The strangest thing was that I was not burning.I should have been. Any normal fire would nave incinerated me. Ye
“Yes?”“If we do this-” She begins.“Nan!” I interject sharply.I am ignored.“-and it fails…what will happen to me?” She asks tightly.He meets her gaze head on. Unflinching. “You would most likely perish.”“See?! It’s too risky!” I growl.Nan is not paying me any mind. Her attention is directed at
Lionel’s POV“Today marks your third trial.”“What is today?” I ask weakly. “Running through the forest…a treasure hunt?”Each trial had gotten progressively more difficult. I had not forgotten the man’s last words to us. Knowing that this would be the worst of all did not inspire much confidence in