Bastien’s POVOne by one, wolves from across Elysium filter into the council chambers, answering the mental summons I roared out across the territory ordering the pack to gather at once. Emitting such a call takes incredible strength; it’s a feat very few Alpha’s could accomplish, and one which has left me exhausted, though no less angry.When the wolves have finally filled the circular space, I call the council back to order, keeping Arabella primely situated before the dais. She’s smiling confidently, and even the counselors look somewhat pleased. I imagine they think I’ve decided to give into their demands.The fools must not realize that suggesting I remarry was the very last thing they should have attempted if they wished my cooperation.“It seems “I announce to the room at large, “That many of you are displeased with my leadership, and uncomfortable with my marital status.”Already I see Arabella’s smile waver. Until she returned to Elysium I never realized how much Arabella tru
Selene’s POVI’ve known more than my fair share of pain over the years, but nothing compares to labor. I feel like I’m being torn apart from the waist down. Even Wolfsbane didn’t come close to this torture.It happens in waves, swelling and cresting over and over again until I’m so exhausted and drained that I barely have the strength to keep my eyes open. I want to rest, but every time my muscles relax enough to attempt it, a fresh assault wracks my form with agony and drags me back into consciousness.“Can’t you just knock me out?” I ask the nurses petting and soothing me.“No honey.” The nearest one coos. “I know it’s terrible, but you’re doing so well.” She praises. “Do you want some more ice?”“No.” I cry, tears slipping from the corners of my eyes, “I want Bastien.”Drake strokes my hair back from my face, lowering his lips to my ear, “Easy now, Celeste.” He enunciates my false name pointedly, “remember who you are.”I whip my head from right to left, my chest shaking with sobs
Bastien’s POVIt still feels strange to sit at my father’s desk.When I first took over as Alpha I continued using my personal study for pack business, but after a few months Donavon suggested I transition to the official executive office. I reluctantly agreed, and though I’m now used to sitting in Dad’s chair, I know I will never truly fill his shoes.Taking care of the pack is the only thing keeping me going now.It took a long time for me to find my way as a leader: sabotaged by forces beyond my control and mourning the loss of my mate, only the danger posed to my pack kept my head above water. Over time doing whatever was required to protect the pack evolved into true governance, and one day I woke up and realized I was no longer merely going through the motions.In some ways this was my enemy’s biggest mistake. If they hadn’t continued trying to destroy my family’s legacy and weaken the Novas, I probably would have given up. Instead they gave me a reason to fight.Not a day goes
Selene’s POVLuna’s melodic bay rises to meet the call of Bastien’s wolf, sounds only we two can hear. I try with all my might to reign her back in. Luna, I groan internally, cut it out! I can’t help it! She exclaims. He’s calling me.Get it together. I snap. He’s no good, and he can’t find out about Lila. This is a disaster. I can’t believe Drake didn’t warn me when he called. I am not prepared to face Bastien, especially not when my wolf has lost her head at the mere sight of him.Though she was still with me after I escaped Garrick, Luna had buried herself so deeply in my heart that our connection became completely blocked. Neither of us could feel the other, and my wolf never met our mate. Things might have been different if Bastien had ever marked me, but he
Third POVA decade of planning, three and a half years of hard work, and it might all be undone by a fucking tip line. I’ve gotten lax, lazy and discouraged by my plans’ low yields. Somehow I missed the developments in the Calypso pack, the search for Volana wolves that could return Selene to Bastien’s orbit. In some ways it was inevitable. Bastien was bound to visit Eros lands one day, but I always imagined I’d have time to prepare, time to obscure Selene’s presence in Asphodel and erase her scent. I would have been able to hide her, if I’d only had the time.Granted, it’s not as if things were going off without a hitch before. In fact, Bastien has proved to be imminently more resilient than I predicted. Rather than crumpling under grief and the crushing pressure of leadership, he’s persevered, growing even str
Selene’s POVAt first I hadn’t realized what Drake was doing when he joined my rebuttal about the status of my marriage, but as soon as Bastien turned away from me, I understood. If there’s one sure-fire way to distract an Alpha, it’s to provoke their possessive instincts regarding their mate, and my friend’s willingness to enrage a bigger, stronger wolf gave me time to slip away.By the time I get to the apartment I’ve changed routes and laid so many false trails I’m actually a bit afraid the Nova wolves might have beaten me home, but I’m counting on Drake to safeguard my location and force Bastien and his men to track me the old fashioned way.I push into the apartment with a sigh of relief, dropping my keys on the table by the door and kneeling to intercept the tiny bundle of love already rushing my legs. I scoop up my giggling daughter, my heart swelling with h
Selene’s POV By now they’ll have found the apartment. By now Bastien will know about Lila. Will he know she’s his? Will he recognize his own scent, like a bonfire in the nighttime forest, blended with my own through the apartment? Will Drake be safe at my mate’s mercy now the truth is out? I glance at my daughter in the rearview mirror, counting down the minutes until we finally reach the safehouse. She’s cozy in her carseat, playing with the cloth doll I gifted her at the equinox, babbling away happily in her own special language. We’ve been driving for more than two hours, and I’m beginning to worry that I haven’t heard from Drake yet. Surely he should have been in contact by now? Surely he should have checked in to make sure we made it to the meetup with his driver and were on the road. “Mommy,” Lila asks, catching me watching her. “Wh
Selene’s POVWe should have heard something by now. Luna huffs as I scrub dishes in the kitchen sink. After a simple dinner and a quick bath, Lila curled up on the sofa to watch her favorite show while I clean up. It’s amazing how unfazed she is by the sudden change in scenery and my undoubtedly tense energy.No news is good news. I tell my wolf, focusing on the glass in my hand. Especially when it comes to Bastien.He’s going to be furious, you know. She cautions, not sounding the least bit concerned.That only matters if he finds us. I remind her coolly.Oh he will. Luna remarks smugly, he always will.You know you’re supposed to be on my side. I complain.I am.I want what’s best for you. She adds. Bastien is what&