Grace Charles' yell shook me, and I scrambled for words. The hourglass had already run out. "It's disheartening that your pride was so much more important--" "It's a shame that you're so narrow-minded and cowardly. You're ridiculous for thinking that being full anything matters at all! And you
I had to make him care, but how? "And what do you fear?" I asked. "Being exposed? Bankruptcy? What is more important to us as a people? The fear of change or harm we're doing by staying exactly as we are? The harm the hate and prejudice have bred to make people like Alpha Shadow who are allowed to
Grace I held my breath as I gazed defiantly at Alpha Shadow's image on the screen, holding my arm up to show. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried not to focus on the hourglass, searching for any change in it. All I could see was it filling back up, though it still remained glowing. The silen
What should I do? "Grace?" Someone spoke in my ear. "Deep breath. You still have a minute to come up with something." Yet, it still wasn't enough time. I had trapped us both in this. He knew it, and I knew it, yet I was the one who was going to end up holding the ball in the end. I looked out
Grace I held my breath. The whole city was silent. I couldn't even stand to breathe, bracing for the heat and agony. I firmed my jaw and hoped that the protections in City Hall would keep my children alive. Then, I heard someone scream. I opened my eyes, searching for the sound, and realized tha
I knew enough to know it was outlandish enough to get everyone in Mooncrest to listen to me and buy us time. "Then, were you serious about it?" The older woman said. "Making Mooncrest a senate-level territory was something your father could have done if he'd had more time." "I know." I narrowed
Grace I shuddered at the admission. The words rattled through me as words and numbers flashed through my mind, looming over me. Charles let out a low, soothing rumble and rocked me. "It's alright. We can talk about it. Just breathe." I couldn't, though. My breathing kept catching, hitching as
I couldn't help but let out an exasperated sigh. "And all this is only going to get worse when I fail." "Why are you so sure you will?" Charles asked, sliding his chair closer so I could feel the heat of his body up against mine as he clicked around on the screen. "Because I will. I don't know t
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