ALEJANDRA.It’s time to stop avoiding Margot Westwood. I mean, she’s my aunt.My mom never wanted to give me away. Neither did my aunt. But it was my mother’s dying wish for me to be put somewhere I would be safe. The sacrifices that both my mom and my aunt made… I can never repay those.I want to have a relationship with my aunt. At first, I didn’t think I would because I was so overwhelmed. But it’s because of my aunt that I have the family I do. She put me with the most amazing Mom and Dad. And because of her I have the world’s best siblings. The least I can do it talk to her and try to get some answers. I can talk to her and try to build a relationship with her. I think it’s what my mom would want. I mean, certainly they knew I would end up here eventually, right? Someday I would figure out that I’m not human. Maybe it wouldn’t be until I was in my forties and still looked like somebody in my early twenties. Or maybe I would’ve figured it out on my own especially since I’ve sta
ALEJANDRA.Forrest is quiet as we head back to the house. In fact, he hasn’t even looked at me since we left Margot’s office. I think he’s a little mad that I asked Margot to teach me how to block my thoughts.Blocking my thoughts is surprisingly easy and yet complicated at the same time. I think it’s easier for the guys because they’ve known their whole lives how to block their thoughts. It’s muscle memory for them. For me, I have to actually think about physically blocking my thoughts.Imagine a wall, Margot had told me.A wall?That’s easy.The hard part is keeping the wall up. The second I’m distracted the wall moves. I don’t know if that’s normal, but it’s what happens to me.As soon as we get back to the house, Forrest heads upstairs to his room. I watch his retreating form, wondering if I should say something to him.“What’s wrong with Forrest?” I ask Desmond, who is standing closest to me.Desmond simply shrugs.Boys.I sigh and decide to just ask him myself. I walk
DESMOND.I can smell Alejandra’s desire.We all can.It’s all I can do to sit on the couch and not force myself to go upstairs and get involved in whatever Alejandra and Forrest are doing.Kissing.They’re just kissing.But Alejandra wants more.Everything inside of me screams that I should be jealous about what is happening upstairs, but I’m not. Even my wolf is calm. He’s fine with what’s happening.This is new for all of us. Sharing a mate isn’t what any of us expected. Still, I don’t regret this. In fact, I like that I share a mate. I like that there are three other guys here to protect her aside from me. And the fact that I’m sharing a mate with my three best friends is the best part.“How did they go from fighting to that?” Puma asks as he sits on the couch beside me. He looks amused. “Do you think Alejandra would be up for me joining?”I laugh, shaking my head. “They’re not completing their mate bond.”“I know. I still want to join.”Puma and I are the only ones who
ALEJANDRA.I love the feeling of waking up on Saturday morning and knowing that I don’t have to go to school. I know I shouldn’t feel this way about Shifter Academy—the school is important to the guys. I should learn to like it. But right now, I’m having a very hard time, so I’m glad that it’s Saturday and I don’t have to worry about going there today.I need to talk to Puma. After what happened last night, I feel kind of bad. Even though it was his turn to stay in my room, he didn’t come in. Phoenix and Desmond stayed with me and both are still asleep next to me. I carefully climb out of bed. Usually I wake them, but I manage to get up successfully. I grab a dress from my closet and go to my bathroom to take a shower and get ready for the day.I have no idea what we’re doing today, but I’m hoping we will go to the beach at some point. Back home, Zaire, Katherine, and I went to the beach every single weekend. Not just to hang out, sometimes we’d go there and do our homework. Someth
ALEJANDRA.Alpha Romano went home last night, which I’m glad for. I just… I feel like I’m a disappointment to him and to the entire pack. I’m the future luna… the future queen… whatever I am… but I’m not strong. I can’t even use whatever powers I have if I need them. They just come randomly and I know he’s disappointed in me, how can he not be? I’m sure he hates that his son is stuck with such a dud of a mate.I make sure to keep my wall up while I think those kind of things. The last thing I want is for Forrest to know how I feel. I know he hates it when I block my thoughts, but how can I tell him how I feel?Gah… I’m so lame. I should have more confidence in myself.“You should.” Forrest rolls over and looks at me.My heart races because he scared me.“How much of that did you hear?” I ask.“Everything.” He sighs, shaking his head. “You know, when we’re touching, your block thing doesn’t work. Just like I can’t block you out when we’re touching.”“Yeah, but your thoughts are
ALEJANDRA.I went to the pack doctor and I was so glad she was female.The doctor… she didn’t seem at all worried about the fact that I felt super awkward. She just did her job and actually made me feel comfortable. She even made Hannah wait outside during the exam, which I was grateful for.After everything is over, the doctor gives me a shot that will stop me from getting pregnant for the next four weeks, but it’s very important to come every four weeks. Apparently shifters burn off birth control faster than a human, which is a little frightening.Even though I know I’m not ready to complete my mate bond with the guys just yet, I still want to be prepared when the time comes. If I’m being honest, I don’t think I’ll want to wait too much longer. My guys are too important to me and I can’t deny the love I feel for them.When Hannah drops me off at home a few hours after we left that morning, she doesn’t come in. I suspect she wants to give me time to talk to the guys. It’s probab
ALEJANDRA.When I wake up on Sunday morning, Puma is lying beside me with an arm thrown over my stomach. It’s just the two of us—Forrest, I’m guessing, already got up. I inch over, and grab my phone from the nightstand. I’m not ready to get up yet, but I also don’t want to go back to sleep. When I scoot closer to Puma, he moves his hand. Right on top of my boob.Well…He’s still asleep. I don’t think he meant to grab my boob, so I can’t be mad. As I’m trying to decide how I feel about his hand being there, my phone vibrates, distracting me.It’s a text from Dahlia.I unlock my phone to see the text and realize it’s a picture of Adeline.Adeline is wearing the onesie that I got special made for her. It’s says ‘Aunt Alejandra is my favorite.’ She’s also wearing a pink pink bow that covers her mostly bald head and her eyes are so blue.She’s beautiful.I begin to cry because I realize what I am missing out on right now. I should be there, holding Adeline. I should be helping chan
ALEJANDRA.On Tuesday, instead of going to class I am called to the office. The guys go with me and the teacher telling me I’m wanted in the office doesn’t even bat an eye this time. I imagine Margot knows by now that the guys aren’t leaving me. It doesn’t matter who they have to fight. I love them for it even if I’m sure I’d be fine walking to her office on my own.My heart leaps when I see who is waiting for me in Margot’s office.Margot is sitting in her chair, but she stands when I arrive. And on the other side of her desk, with his back turned toward me, is my grandfather.When I asked Margot to see if he would come talk to me, I thought I would get some kind of warning. I didn’t think he’d just show up. But I’m glad he’s here. I want to talk to him. I think he has answers that I need.Robert Westwood looks at me, but he doesn’t make a move toward me.“Hello, Alejandra.” His voice sounds friendly enough and his smile is inviting, but his body language says something differe
ALEJANDRA. Over Christmas break, I told my family the truth—that I am a fairy. I told them them that they were glamoured to think I’m their daughter. And that I have four mates. My family didn’t believe me, which I expected. I mean, I had the exact same reaction when Forrest told me he was a wolf shifter. So… I did the only thing I knew I could do to prove it. I had Phoenix shift into a wolf. Don’t worry… I made him go to the bathroom before shifting back. After that, my parents had a lot of questions, as did the rest of my siblings. And so, I literally spent the whole day telling them everything. And even though it’s technically against the law, I am the queen. I’m allowed to break the law. Plus, Alpha Romano gave me permission. I wasn’t sure what to expect after that, but my family seemed to accept everything. I mean, they had a lot of questions about the whole ‘having four mates’ thing, but they didn’t freak out and they listened when I explained it to them. It’s more than I co
ALEJANDRA. Everything is too bright and too loud. I’m about to yell at Katherine and tell her to shut off her alarm when I realize… it’s not an alarm. I’m not in Jacksonville. I open my eyes and shut them immediately. The fluorescent lights are bright. My head hurts, my back hurts, my chest hurts… What happened to me? “Alejandra.” I hear somebody say my voice softly. I open my eyes again, slower this time. Four pairs of eyes are looking down at me. I try to sit up, but a hand reaches out to hold me down. “Just lie down.” I lie back against my pillow, but only because my chest hurts so bad. “What happened to me?” I ask, rubbing the spot on my chest. “Thomas Freeman stabbed you in the back with a silver knife. He actually stabbed your heart.” Forrest clears his throat. “He didn’t know that you’re immune to silver.” “If he stabbed me in the heart, how am I not dead?” Because whether I’m immune to silver or not, getting stabbed in the heart seems like a sure way to die. “I don
ALEJANDRA. I am so nervous on Monday morning. My heart is racing and my hands are shaking. All of the guys wanted to stay with me last night, so we ended up making this huge pallet on the floor and sleeping there. It was kind of cool waking up surrounded by my mates. I realize I want this every morning. We’re going to have to find a bigger bed to make this happen because a king size bed isn’t cutting it. I think the reason I’m so scared is I don’t know how things are going to go today. What if Tiffany and the others change their mind? What if they decide to go ahead and side with Robert Westwood—that’s a scary thought. But what if they don’t and Robert follows through on his promise? What if Robert is able to have Tiffany’s children murdered. The thought hurts my chest. He has to be stopped. I don’t care if he’s my biological grandfather or not. His terrorizing days are over after this. He is going to answer for his crimes. Today when I get dressed, I don’t care so much about loo
ALEJANDRA. The urgency in Forrest’s voice makes my heart race fast and hard. And even though we’re in the middle of helping everybody get settled, we leave the castle to talk to Alpha Romano. I push out Forrest’s thoughts, not wanting to force myself to know what’s going on. If Forrest wanted to tell me what’s happening, he would. I get the feeling this is something I need to hear for myself anyway. We walk out the front of Shifter Academy and get into the car we drove over. The parking lot is still just as empty as when we arrived this morning. I don’t know why it surprises me. I guess I expected the parking lot to be full, but how would they even get the cars here? Also, the fae can’t drive. So that was just a silly thing to think. We drive to where Alpha Romano is staying and I’m surprised when we walk inside and see one of the wolves from the council there. She’s actually one of the wolves on the side that is firmly against the fae. I’m hoping she is here to tell me she’s chang
ALEJANDRA. On Sunday morning, the fae start arriving. When they arrive, we have to make room where we can—some of them stay in the castles. We try to make sure families have homes that are empty on the island. It’ll be a little pack when everything is said and done, but we do what we can. I’m glad nobody seems too upset about having to share their space. Everybody is super welcoming to the fae. A lot more welcome than they were to me when I first came, but now that I’m here, I can’t even blame them for being wary of me. I probably would have too. I’m so glad I know that I’m a fae. And I’m glad that everybody else knows too. There is no hate… well, aside from the council members and the panthers. But the council is nowhere to be seen at the moment and the panthers are hiding in their dorm rooms, which is preferred. I love seeing the castle full of fae. It’s actually incredible. Roshan gathers everybody for a meeting once they get settled—we definitely have a lot of things to catch
ALEJANDRA.After we leave Roshan’s place, the guys and I go back home, but they tell me to put on a bathing suit when we go inside. I start to argue, but I can tell by the looks on their faces that they mean business. So I go to my room and put on my bikini and throw on a coverup before heading downstairs. My guys are waiting for me. Today has been a rough day. Scratch that, it’s been a rough week. Maybe going out and getting a little sun is exactly what I need. Zaire, Katherine, and I used to go to the beach nearly every single day. Even in January and February, when it was too cold to be in the water. Though, I have seen a few tourists around that time of year swimming because it is very warm in Florida compared to whatever mid-western town they’re from. Something about the sound of the waves, the feel of the sun, and the smell of salt water is comforting. Maybe because it reminds me of home. And I miss home. I miss my family more than anything. But I can’t go see them right now
ALEJANDRA. On Saturday morning, I plan to meet with Roshan and the other fae to let them know how everything went with the council. I’m a little bit nervous to tell them. I just hope they don’t get discouraged from the news, but how could they not? Still, I promise myself not to let it show how bothered I am by the news. I want to help keep their spirits up about it. And the truth is, we don’t know what is going to happen. The council could come back and say that they’ve decided to side with the fae. That is my hope. If not… well, I don’t even want to think about that unless it happens. Roshan is staying in his own place. He has two wolf shifters that live close by—other teachers. So I know he’s safe over here. For now. We all meet at his house to discuss things and I’m a little bit anxious. “Everything will be fine.” Desmond squeezes my hand as we approach the front door. I know I always give my mates a hard time about listening to my thoughts, but most of the time I like it. T
ALEJANDRA. It’s weird seeing Alpha Romano in the house, but I suppose this is the only place we really have privacy. Now that I’m fully seeing him, he looks tired. Exhausted, really. I can tell all of this is weighing heavily on him. And what he’s willing to sacrifice—it’s a lot. I can’t believe he’s willing to give up his entire life for me. Well… it’s not just for me. It’s also for Forrest, his son, and all the fae. I keep saying it’s bigger than me because that’s the truth. I’m just the queen who can’t stand the injustice my people have suffered. They need somebody who is willing to fight for them, and that is me. I know the cost and I am willing to pay. Alpha Romano paces in the living room. Forrest is sitting on the side of the coffee table, hunched forward. Phoenix, Puma, and I are sitting on the couch, with me between them, and Desmond is sitting on the arm of the couch, by Phoenix. “Every single shifter, aside from the panthers, has decided to side with the fae.” Alpha Ro
ALEJANDRA. Today, my hair and makeup are on point. I even tried on twenty different outfits before I settled on a simple black dress. I put on a blazer, thinking it helps me look more ‘mature.’ I hope it does. When I walk into the council today, I don’t want them to see a seventeen-year-old girl. I want them to see a fairy queen. I want them to take me seriously and I want to fight for my people. The door to my room opens and Puma sticks his head inside. “Do I look fierce?” I ask, doing a spin for him. Since I basically just gave Puma permission to check me out, he does. He slowly scans my body and there is fire in his eyes when he finally makes eye contact. “You look really hot.” “I don’t want to look hot. I want to look professional.” I look at my four-inch heels. I thought the added height would help me look more intimidating. “Maybe I should wear flats.” “It doesn’t make a different if you wear heels or flats. You’re still short.” I stick my tongue out at him, taking off m