“And you?” I asked. “You don’t have any friends.” He snorted. “I have a stupid number of friends, Grace. I can’t even begin to explain how I juggle all of them…How’s your dissertation coming?” “How did you know I was working on it?” “Because I know you,” he sighed. “You go into these spirals w
Grace My breath caught in my throat. “Charles…” He smiled at me. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he rocked Richard gently. His voice, like velvet, caressed my senses. I swore he was putting me to sleep just as easily as he was putting Richard to sleep. Richard let out a low, contented rumbl
“I don’t know,” I shook my head. “Experience? An instinct? It was like… part of me knew it would be a waste of time, but I had to try anyway.” Charles bobbed his head. “So, the human proposals didn’t go well?” “I got on one call, and the woman told me that her company, a very reputable tech comp
Grace My mind reeled. I hadn’t expected a call, let alone so soon. I swallowed, searching for something to say. Was it fear? Apprehension? It felt like I was completely caught off guard and already tumbling over the edge of panic. Shit. Shit. Shit. This wasn’t the time for panic! I sucked in a s
“At the expense of your pack?” “We can tighten our belts a bit if it means you’ll at least have one…” I hesitated. “I don’t know what your wife told you… but I meant it. I want to help.” Silence crackled over the line, thick with something that I hoped was good. Did he think I was lying or just
Grace I managed to call Magnus back an hour before I fell asleep and stayed up too late, yet I didn’t feel it. When I woke up, I felt refreshed. I changed and took a run through the forest for the first time in so long I almost got lost. Sunlight filtered through the canopy of ancient oaks and thr
He chuckled and set a plate in front of me. “There is no should. While he has more experience than you, the Clans are a very different place than the States. Your goals are very different as well.” I looked down at the meal. “Thanks, but… there’s a should when there’s a rift in my territory, and I
Grace I hesitated, not sure what he was up to, but I slipped out of the chair, and he shoved it aside. He took my silverware and my cup and set the food to float off the plate, taking the plate. “What are you doing?” “Your cutlery, your furniture, and all that are human products.” He smiled an
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