Grace We rode back in an Enforcer van. I watched the city go by, unable to shake the tension in me. The uncertainty, the fear, was thick enough to choke me. Then, Charles was talking. "I'm going to get you to City Hall. Don't get into any cars, don't leave the building. I'll have Cecil and Ric
"What the..." I pushed myself to my feet, squinting at the door. Another barrage of bullets went by, ricocheting off the invisible wall. I turned around, looking for someone, until I found the old clerk. He'd been working here since I was a kid. "Alpha Wolfe..." He frowned. "You look like you've
Grace It was like looking into a warped mirror and seeing the potential for a different life. In another world, she could have been my sister, sharing laughter, stories, and family gatherings, or a younger version of me: fierce and refusing to back down. My apologies. You are a coward. My jaw
My stomach turned with disgust. How could they think that now was the time for a statement? Now wasn't the time for judgment when people were dying and more might be in danger. Then again, how could I blame them? Hadn't I been judging Eason not even a few hours ago? Judging him for things that I h
Grace "Because it's true." I cringed at the sound of the words coming out of my mouth. It was a hard thing to understand how I could say that and mean it even as I doubted it. Even as my mind kept showing me images of a casket just like our fathers with Eason inside. She tilted her head. "Why
Why is accepting betrayal easier for you than accepting your mistakes? Did one just hurt so much more than the other? Was there something wrong with me that I just wanted everything to be a betrayal? Was I just like Amira's mother and just unwilling to see it? I didn't know, but Amira was here
Grace I could see myself on the screen as Amira activated the broadcast. I took a deep breath and stared into the camera, hoping that I looked more in control, more put together and assured than I felt. I tried to focus on the words I was supposed to be saying, imagining that Eason was here, fee
I frowned. "I don't understand." "Magic, Grace," he said softly. "Eason has magical talent... Trainable, powerful, magical talent." My jaw trembled. "Werewolves can't use magic..." "It's rare among lycans, too, but it's true." "How do you know this?" "You remember the exchange program Easo
I nodded. "Don't let me trip." "I'll do my best." With a shared laugh, we headed out the door. Esme was there at the door, hanging back. Gracian stepped away from me and linked arms with her. "We'll see you soon." I nodded and watched them go. We stood in the foyer of the building. From wh
Grace A month later... After the attack, the remaining members retreated into the cabinet to figure out what to do. After all, the other half and the president had been killed in the attack because they attacked Mooncrest. Luckily, Astarte had simply fixed everything, and aside from the aches an
Fire spilled over the doors as we fought our way down the stairs. Something swiped my cheek, but I didn't heed it. We stumbled over the bodies and slipped in the blood. I tried not to think about how many people I'd killed. I didn't want to think about it. "Back up is coming, but we need time, "
Grace I heard dying screams as I ran. The sound of battle echoed down the hallway. I found Astarte holding a group of attackers off at the door of the other stairs. "There was no way off." Astarte snarled. "Your mother's office! Lock the door." "What about--" "Go!" I bit my lip and ran
"A good PR move comes with a splash of fun." Astarted nodded forward. "I believe you should get to your command room, yes?" I nodded and headed upstairs to my father's office, adrenaline pumping through my veins. An attack, contained or not, was a serious threat. The city needed to be locked dow
Grace As we boarded the crowded bus, a knot of unease tightened in my gut. Astarte made a show of being intrigued. She smiled for every photo and seemed genuinely delighted, all the while, she explained her plan. I promised to help you. PR is important. Having me here will get you attention beyo
"Thanks." "Really well," Xavier said, setting his laptop on the table. On one side was a report on my interview, a headline streamed across the bottom. "Alpha Wolfe: A Beacon of Hope in Dark Times." Below it, a graph charted a dramatic rise in public approval for both myself and Wolfe Medica
Grace A nervous flutter danced in my stomach as I smoothed out the wrinkles on my blazer. I'd rather be orienting all the students, including the bright-eyed Westridge students, but Xavier and Amira swore up and down that this was for the best. Charles leaned into my office and grinned. "Nervous
I set my phone down and scoffed. When had my alma mater allowed so many idiots since I'd been an undergrad? Their loss. The lycans, humans, and witches had no problem. Seraphina, Margaret and I met everyone who had signed on in the conference room at City Hall. The excitement was palpable as the n