BastienThe Eclipse Festival sprawls before us, a whirlwind of lights and colors so overwhelming I can feel my mate leaning close to me for comfort. It’s not only the size of the event and deafening noise around us unsettling her, it’s also the attention. We’re still in the VIP section, and wherever Selene and I walk people turn to stare, and I can’t help but notice how different things are from the past.Four years ago these aristocrats would have been whispering behind their hands and curiously eyeing Selene’s unmarked neck. Tonight there’s a sense of reverence in their attention, an admiration and respect my sweet ma
Odette “Woah! Slow down little one,” I call as Lila races down a steep hill. We’re in the park for our daily tea-time, which we agreed should always be a picnic on sunny days. While I’m laying out the blanket and unpacking the basket, my granddaughter is racing around the grassy meadow, burning off all her youthful energy. I don’t mind her tiring herself out, but I’d also prefer to return Selene’s pup to her in one piece.My daughter-in-law has gone to look into buying the Full Moon Cafe, the city’s most popular bistro. Everyone knew the owners were getting on in years, but it was still a shock whe
BastienLearning that my cousin may be responsible for all my problems over the last few years has sent me through a loop. I’ve been searching for a motive beyond power and bloodlust since this all began, but it seems I didn’t learn my lesson after my uncle’s coup. Problems don’t disappear after they’ve been exiled, and blood is no guarantee of loyalty.When I came home tonight I held my mate and pup close, feeling even more protective of them than usual. I think Selene sensed something was wrong, but thankfully she passed out even earlier than Lila did. She’s been tired lately, taking a lot of naps and going to bed so
Selene Bastien is watching me when I wake up. Propped on his elbow and tracing patterns across my bare belly with a goofy grin on his face. Shivering in the cool morning air, and less than amused to have my covers stolen from me, I roll towards my mate, “Bastien I’m cold.” I whine.“I’m sorry little wolf,” He chuckles, snuggling me close, “I couldn’t help myself.”“You know it’s very creepy to watch someone sleep.” I grumble sleepily.
SeleneFrowning at my reflection, I try to focus my attention inward, reaching deep to try and access the well of my powers. I’ve been working at it every day, wanting to learn how to do more than send out a few random energy bursts. I want to figure out how to do all the things I read about in Odette’s books, and Bastien has been encouraging me to practice as much as possible - so long as I stay far away from the pool.I’ve turned the lights down low, staring determinedly at the shadows and begging them to bend to my will. Of course they don’t budge one bit, they remain stubbornly fixed in the nooks and corners of our walk in clos
Bastien“I’m not sure we should do this today.” Selene frets, watching Lila nibble on a slice of apple. It’s just before lunchtime on Saturday, and we’ve agreed to tell our pup about the new addition to our family before night falls.“Everyone is going to know before too long.” I remind her, “she should hear it from us, not from whispers on the street.”“She wouldn’t know what they meant even if she did hear them.” Selene argues, “she’s too young. We should wait.”Only we can’t wait, because I need to know everything is alright before I leave for the Calypso pack. I need to make sure my family is on solid footing, that Selene and Lila can thrive without me. “The more time she has to get used to the idea, the better.” I remind my mate.“Yes but…” Selene trails off, cradling her belly, “Bastien nothing is certain until we’ve made it past the first trimester. If something goes wrong… I don’t want to have to explain that to her on top of everything else.”“Is that what you’re worried abou
BastienSelene’s silken voice is floating out of Lila’s bedroomin a steady stream, weaving fairy tales from thin air to carry our pup off tosleep. It’s already dark out, the winds of autumn ushering in the night earlierand earlier as we near the equinox, and confusing my young daughter’s internalclock to no end.Moving to lean in the doorway, I spy my mate stretchedout on Lila’s twin bed, our pup snuggled beside her with heavy eyelids. Herlittle mouth stretches wide with frequent yawns and I know it won’t be longbefore she passes out completely.Pure longing consumes me as I watch the beautiful pair:Selene’s gentle hands caressing Lila’s dark hair as she spins her fantasy, thesweet pup’s soft cooing sounds as she’s lulled into dreamland. I could standhere gazing at them forever. I’m conti
SeleneThunder crashes overhead, jarring me straight to thebone. Terror lances through me as lightning streaks through the sky, pushing meto run faster, even as I hear Bastien howling for me in the distance. The rainbegins soon after, fat droplets bursting onto the forest floor and transformingdirt and leaf litter to thick, sticky mud.Annoyance flits through my mind. The rain might helpcover my scent, but the quickly coalescing muck will save my footprints in aperfect trail. It will be only too easy for Bastien to follow me, and I do notwish to be caught.The worst part about my mate’s hurtful words is that weboth know they’re undeniably true. I deserve to feel this pain, I deserve tosuffer the consequences of my past cruelty.Tears stream from my eyes as I run, the steady poundingof my heart punctuating every loping st