Author's POV Sara's eyes fluttered open. She looked into Jethro's, where everything was serene, and she felt secure in his arms. His mating bond was strong, and she felt him deep within her."Jethro," she whispered, her voice barely audible."My mate," he replied, his voice filled with emotion. "You are mine now, forever and ever."Sara couldn't help but smile at the fact that for the first time in her life, she'd felt an odd sense of belonging. She knew she resolutely found her place in the world, and that was with Jethro.Sara felt a sense of peace she couldn't explain while lying so close to him; his arms practically possessed her. She knew there was a lot of trouble ahead, but with Jethro by her side, Sara could feel the strength to encounter it.She needed an interruption, and it came with a rude knock. "We need to talk, Jeth," shouted Emma's voice.Jeth looked into Sara's eyes and then sighed, finally letting her go from his arms. "I'm coming, Emma."Sara nodded, fully aware th
Sara's POV Nodding, I felt that calmness envelop me. So long as I had Jethro, I could get through anything.But the night couldn't completely hide the sensation that we were being watched and those rogues were biding their time.And then I saw him. There he was, waiting, in the shadows, fire in his eyes, waiting for me.My heart stuttered, and then Jethro hauled me in another step closer as he snarled, "Don't worry, Sara. I've got you."But in Ryder's eyes, I saw how it was so not over.Her eyes stared back at mine, almost piercing my soul, with such an appetite that it seemed to make my skin crawl. I'd won. Jethro was growling, his chest rumbling, his entire body tautened, and ready to spring."Well, well, that took some doing. Sara." Ryder sneered at her, sounding rather malicious. It had been a long time coming, but "I've found you, and now you aren't going anywhere."Jethro stepped one small leap in front; his eyes sparkled with anger. "No, Ryder, you are not taking this one. She
The memory brought waves of pain and anger through my mind, and Irene's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Yes, that will do," she croaked.A wave of her hand brought the magic rushing.enveloped me in its dark embrace-and with that, my mind was open to me. And then it was over. Irene handed me a tiny vial of glowing liquid. This will get you through Jethro's defenses." "Though remember, Ryder, there will be a price.My hands clenched around the vial, feeling the power surge in me. Well, I made a pact with a malevolent force, but I would risk everything in the world just to have Sara in my hands.Outside, I met Victor. His eyes were skittish. "Ryder, what did Irene do to you?"My smile that overtook my face at the mention of Victor was cold, and calculated, as I repeated, "She just handed me the key to Sara's heart, Victor. And soon, I'll have it in mine."The other man narrowed his eyes, doubtful. "What do you need with Sara, Ryder? She's just a pawn in your game against Jethro."
"Well, you're certainly getting a show," I muttered, turning back to my mom and Stella.Eliza snorted, then sat down in one of the armchairs. "Oh, I'm getting a front-row seat to the Sara and Ryder circus. Can't wait to see what comes next."I gave her a look that should have had her cowering, but she just smiled sweetly, taking a sip of her coffee. She knew she was getting under my skin, and I wasn't going to let her have her way with me. Hard, though, to ignore the kind of tension that brewed between us—unvoiced/hushed-up rivalries more or less simmered between us for a good number of years.I leaned a bit toward Stella and whispered, "What is Eliza doing here? I thought she had some major meeting downtown today."Stella shrugged and darted her eyes toward Eliza, who was putting her coffee cup to her lips with the indifferent air of a grande dame. "She showed up about a day ago, and said she needed to 'recharge' before her meeting."I arched an eyebrow. The Eliza I knew didn't even
Jethro's POV Jethro's mind was racing. What could Eliza possibly have that he wanted? And what had she mistaken he had and wanted?"I'm all ears," he said evenly.Eliza's eyes sparkled with victory. "G-good, Jethro. I think we're going to get along just fine."It was then that Sara sauntered into the garden, with the said view lying before her. She had been in search of Jethro, and that appeared to be him in quite a compromised position with Eliza."Sara, my dear!" Eliza beamed, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I was just having a chat with Jethro here."Sara's narrowed eyes flicked onto Jethro. "What's going on?" she asked firmly.Jethro moved a pace forward, his eyes locked on Sara's. "Eliza was just leaving," he said, his voice firm.But Eliza didn't move. Instead, she smiled again, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, no, Jethro. I don't think I am. At least, not yet."Sara's eyes narrowed with anger, a step into her. "What do you want, Eliza?" she all but spat out.Eliza's
Author's POV Sara's eyes flashed to Eliza, the latter's face pale with anger. "Eliza, stop it. Just leave me alone."Jethro's narrowed eyes had a firm tone. "Eliza, enough is enough. You are not going to bully Sara like this."But Eliza only smiled back, malice leaping in her eyes. "Oh, I'm not bullying her, Jethro. I'm just telling the truth. You see, Sara has a secret. A secret that could ruin her reputation forever."The room fell silent except for the breathing of the group. Sara's eyes were fixed on Eliza, her face etched in fear. So were Jethro's, with his anger-etched face. Stella's eyes faced Sara, and concern was etched in her face.And then, as abruptly as it had begun, it ceased. The expression of a smile that was on Eliza's lips faltered, her eyes downcast. Silence again in the room was only interrupted by the breathing of the group.There was at last silence, which the firm, a commanding voice broke from Jethro's side. "Eliza, that's enough. You're not going to threaten
Sara's POV At his words, I felt a warmth spread through my chest. He was always dependable when I needed someone there for me."Thanks, Jethro," I said, smiling at him in gratitude. "I appreciate it."Jethro nodded, his face growing more serious. "I'll be there to support you, Sara, and to keep an eye on Eliza. I don't trust her."I was nodding, too. "Me neither," I said. "But I'm not going to let her wreck my night. I'm taking that spider out there to tell her otherwise, that I'm not scared of her."Jethro looked proud for a second. "That's my girl," he said. "You go out there and show her who's boss."I beamed at him with all his confidence in me. With Jethro at my side, I knew there was nothing Eliza could throw my way that I couldn't handle.As we entered, I was able to see Jethro's family and friends in the assembly area of the pack. All of them had friendly smiles and reached out like they wanted to say, "Welcome, you are one of us in the pack."Jethro's mother, a polite woman
At what was happening to me. Was this some kind of transformation, something which came of my mating with Jethro?I tried to inhale deeply, thereafter doing my best to relax, telling myself that I was only being paranoid. But I knew what was changing inside of me. A change that concerned looking into my eyes, and I wasn't sure what it meant.I climbed into bed, hoping to shake this sinking feeling. But lying there, it was as if my gut told me that life was about to change in ways that I just could not even imagine.I lay in bed somehow trying to shake this stirring inside me. It continued, and the feelings of queer energy rolling downhill through my veins persisted as if my body was waking up from a very deep sleep.I attempted to concentrate on breathing, hoping my brain could calm down my body. Though thoughts of Jethro, the missing mark, and my strange physical changes were filling my mind.I felt another jolt of electricity run through my body, and I sat up in bed, gasping. My hea
Sara's POV As night fell, we spoke and laughed to make up for lost time. The announcement of the baby's arrival brought tears of joy to our eyes as Emma and Elias announced it. Henry and Anne's reunion was warm and welcomely received.We sat down to dinner at which time Jethro reached for my hand, his eyes locking mine. "I'm so glad to have you home," he whispered.I smiled, knowing full well the deep connecting nerve that was between us, and simply replied, "Me too.".Not one of my loved ones was missing from the dinner table, and for the first time in a very, very long time, I was whole.As the night wore on, Jethro took me toward our chambers with his arm securely wrapped around me."You're safe now," he whispered as his lips tickled my ear.I nodded, finally, the memories no longer weighing on my shoulders. "I'm home," I said out loud.Jethro's eyes sparkled, his lips curving into a smile. "Forever," he replied with a promise.I smiled in return; knowing all was right in the worl
Sara's POV As night fell, we spoke and laughed to make up for lost time. The announcement of the baby's arrival brought tears of joy to our eyes as Emma and Elias announced it. Henry and Anne's reunion was warm and welcomely received.We sat down to dinner at which time Jethro reached for my hand, his eyes locking mine. "I'm so glad to have you home," he whispered.I smiled, knowing full well the deep connecting nerve that was between us, and simply replied, "Me too.".Not one of my loved ones was missing from the dinner table, and for the first time in a very, very long time, I was whole.As the night wore on, Jethro took me toward our chambers with his arm securely wrapped around me."You're safe now," he whispered as his lips tickled my ear.I nodded, finally, the memories no longer weighing on my shoulders. "I'm home," I said out loud.Jethro's eyes sparkled, his lips curving into a smile. "Forever," he replied with a promise.I smiled in return; knowing all was right in the worl
Sara's P.O.V I hummed softly to myself as I cleaned Vincent's bedroom, my hands gliding easily across the surfaces. My eyes strayed to his dresser, toward that one drawer he'd always said not to touch. Curious, I wondered what could be so special in that one little drawer. "A surprise?" I asked innocently.My fingers found the handle and drew the drawer open in a second. Inside were heaps of photos. The first I picked was of a man crowned, an aura of melancholy diffused about him. A lot about him seemed so familiar, yet I just couldn't place who he was.I went onto the next picture couple embracing. The woman's face stirred something in my system. "Emma? Elias?" I blurred my head racing. Then, a sharp pain pierced my head, and pictures slipped from my hands as a groan escaped my lips.A voice reverberated inside my head, "I love you, and you are forever mine." But it wasn't Vincent's voice. There came confusion inside me. Picking up the coronation picture, the rise of tears was to be
Jethro's POV Three Months later…%.Three months had passed since that fateful day. I sat in my throne room, full of the grandeur of a restored kingdom but my heart was still shattered. Ryker's defeat and Tanisha's demise brought peace, but only Eldrid still stirred in my heart.Elias entered, his face solemn. "Your Highness," he greeted low. I did not even look up. "Did you find her?" I asked without any expectation of a different answer.The pause that followed was all the answer Elias needed. "Nein, Your Highness." I looked down, my eyes welling up hot. I had sent Elias to scour the ruins-to search every inch of the explosion site. But there was nothing. No sign of Sara. No indication of her fate.I clung to hope, tenuous as the thinnest of threads but refused to break. She may yet be alive. She must. Elias stepped near. His footsteps made quiet echoes in the still hall. "I have searched every possible place, Jethro," he said, using my name rather than my title. "I have interrogate
Jethro's P.O.V.I stormed down the corridors of Ryker's lair-my sword slicing through the shadows. Guards leaped to intercept me, but with rage fueling my movements, I cut them down with precision.Finally, I burst into Ryker's chamber, my eyes locking onto the man himself.Ryker stood calmly, an amused hint dancing on his lips."Where is Sara?" I yelled, my voice echoing off the stone walls. "Where are you keeping her?"Ryker's smile spread wider, but nothing fell from his lips. "Liar!" I spat, my hand tightening on my sword hilt. "I know you're behind this." Ryker somehow managed to lift an eyebrow. "Sara? Do you think I have Sara? You ought to know me by now, Jethro. If I had Sara, I'd leave a message. But I don't have Sara." Anger spilled over and I was yelling, "You're lying!Ryker's men drew their swords and, in the dim light of the room, angled them at me."Be careful, Jethro," Ryker said, his voice thick with malice. "You're on my turf, surrounded by my men. Your recklessne
Sara's POV I slowly opened my eyes, grogginess fogging my brain. Where was I? The air was heavy with darkness and an eerie silence.A faint splash sounded through the room followed by a cold trickle down my face. I jackknifed upwards, gasping.Someone was sitting beside me, swathed in shadows. My eyes slowly accommodated to the dim light and the outline of a woman appeared."Welcome back, Sara," she said, her voice oozing malice.The woman leaned forward, and a sliver of light danced across her features, revealing Tanisha's sinister smile."You must be wondering where you are," Tanisha said, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Let's just say you're guessing with me."Memories came flooding back to Emma's visit, the figure in black, the knock to the head. My mind reeled; fear clawed its way up my throat.Tanisha did not even bat an eye. "You see, Sara, you're quite valuable to me. Your. Particular talents could tip the scales in Ryker's favor."My heart plummeted. Emma's words replayed
Tunisia's POV I was sitting in my dark living room; only a little light was in view, as it was occupied with dancing candles casting gruesome shadows on the walls. Marcus came in. "Ma'am, our spy says Emma is planning to open Sara's gate of energy for the war," he informed me with low urgent tones.My gaze jerked up; my eyes slit. That gate was the key to unimaginable power, and I wouldn't allow Emma to unlock it. "And?" I pushed my voice tight with anticipation.Marcus did hesitate this time before finishing, "Emma's trying to harness Sara's energy to aid her cause." My fist clenched alongside my jaw. That would be Ryker's death sentence. Failure. Defeat. No, I wouldn't let that happen."We cannot let that happen," I muttered to myself as my mind started racing. "Ryker would lose." Marcus stood before me, a look of neutrality upon his face. "What do you think we should do?" he asked.I smiled, cold and calculated. "We'll kidnap Sara, rendering Emma's plan useless. And this might jus
Emma's P.O.V.I pushed the door open of our modest home, worn out. The last few days had messed with my head, turning into a blur of anxiety and fear, as Mamma's condition deteriorated further with each passing hour. I walked toward her room, apprehension hanging heavy in my heart. Inside, she lay frail, pale with clammy skin."Mother?" I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. I took her hand in mine. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Emma. . my dear," she whispered, just barely audible. I forced a smile onto my face, trying to hide my tears. "I'm here, Mother. You're going to be all right."But before I could get her reply, Lia strode into the room, a frown etched on her features. "Emma, don't tire her out," she reprimanded, firm in her voice. I frowned, suspicion dawning that something wasn't right. "Lia, what's going on? Mother isn't getting better," I said, accusation creeping into my tone.Lia's smile was syrupy and sweet. "Oh, Emma, you know your mother's illness is.co
Tunisia's Pov I snuggled deeper into Ryker's side, my fingers tracing the outlines of his chest. His eyes gleamed with amusement, and I knew he was right where I wanted him."Ryker, now that Jethro knows about me. Secrecy," I started, letting my voice drop to a fragile state, "I will have to be protected even more. More men."Ryker's brow arched, and a teasing smile curled his lips. "So that's why you came to me."I smiled back, feigning innocence. "Can you blame me? You are the most powerful man in the realm after all."Ryker chuckled, his eyes glinting with desire. "And what do I get in return?"My heart skittered as my gaze met his. This was it."Whatever you want," I whispered, my voice husky.Ryker's eyes flashed to mine, an inferno of intensity blazing there. "Will you?" he asked, his voice so low it was little more than a whisper and sensual.My heart fluttered at the sound as I nodded, my lips grazing his. "Whatever it will take to ensure our alliance is solidified."Ryker's