Bastien’s POV
“Bastien, I’m fine!” Selene insists, spreading her arms wide to show me the veracity of her words, “See, all healed.”
It’s true that the gashes and bite marks that once littered her body have already faded to the faintest scratches and bruises, no doubt accelerated by the healing power of her Volana blood. Even so, I refuse to risk it.
“It’s too soon.” I decree, nudging her back towards the bed. She’s been trying to convince me to let her leave the makeshift infirmary all day long, too anxious about everything going on to stay put. Wrangling her has been surprisingly difficult, it seems I can’t turn my back without her trying to sneak out. If I had any doubts that my little wolf found her strength during our time apart, her rebellious behavior today has certainly erased them.
As if reading my mind, my mate
Bastien’s POVFucking incredible. Those are the only words I can conjure as I look down at my mate. Selene is dazed and drugged on pleasure, spiraling towards an overdose that will satisfy her heat and prepare her to be marked. I almost can’t believe she’s really in front of me, the very image of all my erotic fantasies over the last few years.Her taste is still on my tongue, and I can’t help but revel in the Goddess’s wisdom. She could not have made me a more perfect mate if she tried. Selene is an extraordinary beauty, but lots of she-wolves are beautiful. The true magic is in her sweet submission, her incredible responsiveness and vulnerability.Selene is an experienced woman, yet every time with her is like the first. She’s never lost her innocent spirit, that sheltered quality I never get bored of scandalizing. Whatever else might have happ
Bastien’s POVThe early morning sun filters through the windows and bathes the room in dappled light. I trace the patterns its rays form on Selene’s skin, trailing my fingers down her spine, circling the shadows and delicate illuminations across her ribcage before tugging the sheet pooled around her waist down to reveal a broader swath of canvas.Selene sighs in her sleep as my hands travel the length of her body with a featherlight touch. Unable to resist the temptation, I soon replace my hands with my mouth. Selene shivers as my lips find the small of her back, finally stirring her from slumber.She turns onto her side to look up at me sulkily. “How do you expect me to sleep with you doing that?”I chuckle deeply, claiming her mouth possessively before answering, “I think you might be missing the point.”Selene’s breat
Sophie’s POVI’ve been in love with Drake Cavanaugh for as long as I can remember.We grew up together. My dad was his step-father’s Beta, and we spent our entire childhoods tied at the hip. All my fondest memories are with Drake. We spent our days running through the docks of Asphodel like wild things, completely free and completely happy.I always imagined Drake would wake up one day and realize he loved me. The older we got, the harder I fell, and even though it was slow, it really seemed like he felt the same. I know men have to go out and sew their wild oats or whatever you want to call it – they have to explore and get all those primal urges out of their systems. So I didn’t worry when he didn’t immediately fall at my feet during my first heat.I didn’t worry when we reached our twenties and he still seemed more interested in other she-wolves. We were still just kids, and I’ve always been patient. I could certainly be patient for Drake – I’ve never met a man more worth waiting f
Odette’s POVWatching Lila dart gleefully around the playground – positively squealing with happiness – transports me far into the past. I’m no longer a lonely widow far past her prime, I’m a young mother with my whole life ahead of me. My loving, powerful mate stands by my side, and together we look on in amazement as our pup finds his way in the world.My heart aches to return to those halcyon days, but the nostalgia and grief aren’t what concern me most. At first I thought I was seeing flashes of Bastien in Selene’s pup out of wishful thinking. Now I know better.She might be her mother’s miniature in looks, but Lila is my son’s clone in spirit. There is so much of Bastien in Lila I can’t believe he doesn’t see the resemblance. I suppose it’s difficult to recognize one’s own mannerisms and expressions in another person, but I would
Selene’s POVThis isn’t happening.It can’t be real.I’m frozen in place, staring at Odette as if she’s a ghost. I must have misheard her. But if that’s the case, why does she look so distraught? Why are there tears in her eyes? And where is my pup?I swing my gaze from her to Bastien, whose hands are locked in white-knuckled fists at his sides. He’s breathing heavily, his eyes glowing and fangs extended. My first reaction was disbelief. His – apparently – was fury.Bastien’s gaze descends on me, and I feel my lower lip begin to tremble uncontrollably. It’s not real. I think desperately.Luna is frantic, lashing out our heightened senses to every corner of the room in search of Lila and coming up empty. “What do you mean she was taken?” I choke, “How could th
Selene’s POVThe Lethe bridge is suspended over the turquoise waters of the lagoon, its silver cables and solid deck reflected in the crystalline surface. A few meandering shifters and workers on late lunch breaks are scattered along the length of the bridge, none of whom look anything like the rogues I imagined.Unease seethes in my belly. This feels wrong. Granted, I’ve experienced nothing but pure anguish since Lila was taken, but this is different. Something about this meeting seems off, though I can’t put my finger on any one thing in particular. It’s partly the lack of visible suspects, but I also can’t believe the kidnapper asked for a meeting in such a public place, and in broad daylight too.And why wasn’t there a ransom? Why did they only ask for a meeting?I’m still standing at the mouth of the bridge, scanning the long structure for likel
Selene’s POV“Mommy,” Lila whines, “it’s too tight!”I don’t relax my arms one bit. As long as my baby is still breathing, I’m going to hold her as tightly as I possibly can, for as long as I possibly can.Martin brought us to a ramshackle hut in the woods just outside the city. We had to drive for about twenty minutes after docking the boat, and once we arrived the big bully forced us into the odd little shack. Sophie is locked in the basement with Lila and I, both prisoner and accomplice to our predicament.When Martin appeared and announced his intentions, I hoped he would take me back to his house. Drake will recognize his scent and go straight there, but apparently the foul wolf is smarter than I credited him. We traveled over the lagoon, and unless Bastien and Drake find the boat they won’t have any idea we left the city.&nb
Selene’s POVI don’t know how much time has passed since we arrived here. Without windows I have no way of deciphering whether it is day or night, and while it feels like it’s been hours, misery always makes time move more slowly.Sophie has finally stopped crying and is manically hugging her knees to her chest and rocking back and forth on the ground. I feel sorry for the poor woman, but I cannot forget that she is partially responsible for our situation. I might be more understanding if she’d only involved me, but endangering my pup was unforgivable.Lila is sleeping comfortably in my lap, and I am trying my best to hold it together. My head is pounding with stress and dehydration, and if we were anywhere else I would be terribly embarrassed by how loudly my stomach is growling. It sounds like an angry bear out for blood, but I know I can handle it.I’ve starv
Selene “Why do you have that look on your face?” I ask Bastien, suspiciously eyeing his tense expression as he guides our car through the winding mountain roads. My father is in the back seat napping, and another vehicle follows behind us, transporting Helene and Frederic’s coffins. It’s both grim and comforting to be returning home under such circumstances, and I know Bastien is feeling as conflicted as I am about feeling so happy when our journey cost us so much. Still, I don’t think that’s what’s bothering him – but something clearly is. “Are you worried about how the pack is going to receive you?” “No.” Bastien sighs, anxiously rubbing the back of his neck. “Then what?” I press, wanting to comfort him the same way he’s comforted me over the last few days. After the initial elation about surviving wore off, a thousand distraught feelings closed in around me, threatening to pull me under. Nightmares about Blaise, guilt about Helene and Frederic, sorrow about their los
Bastien When I set out on this journey, I never planned on being gone for so long. I thought I’d travel for a few weeks, deal with Blaise as best I could, and return home before Selene started showing. Maybe it was naivete on my part, but there’s no denying things did not go as expected. Now, as I lie in bed a full twelve hours after the entire world as we knew it imploded, I’m merely grateful that we survived. Selene is bundled safely in my arms, and our pups are growing safely in her womb. I still don’t know how we managed to make it through the last few days unscathed – physically at least. I know the losses of Helene and Frederic are already weighing on my mate, and she hasn’t even begun to process their sacrifices. But we have plenty of time for that in the days to come. In fact – we have all the time in the world. We’re both eager to get home to Lila as soon as possible, not to mention that I’m dreading the mess I’ll be returning to in Elysium, but for now there is
As long as I live, I’ll never forget the sight of Bastien killing Blaise, or the strange sense of relief to watch another being’s life snuff out so brutally. Under any other circumstances I might be horrified, but now there is only the eerie sensation of all my fear evaporating at once. It almost happens too fast, ricocheting me back and forth between such extremes of emotion that my brain needs to shut down in order to cope. I actually black out for a few moments, the world going as dark as my shadows as I try to process what has just happened. Luckily I’m not alone. My father is by my side anchoring me to reality, and before long my mate is there too. Of course I didn’t see it happen; one moment Bastien was shaking Blaise like a ragdoll, the next he’s in front of me. He’s back in human form, bloody, bruised and naked as the day he was born. I can barely comprehend that it’s over, that the danger has really passed. Still, my wolf is rejoicing as Bastien takes my face in hi
My father is bending over me, his large, warm hands on my shoulders. “She’s gone Selene.” He murmurs, “She’s gone, you can’t help her now.” “No!” I insist tearfully, “she’s lived forever, she’s got more power in her little finger than I do in my whole body, she has to be faking, this has to be some kind of spell.” “Sweetheart, you have to focus.” My father coaches, “Blaise still lives and your mate still fights. It’s over for Helene but it doesn’t have to be over for you.” Little by little his words seep into my brain, and I’m finally able to look up at the scene around me. Bastien, Grayson and Matthew are still fighting tooth and nail, but Blaise and his spellcaster are standing side by side, looking only too pleased with themselves. “This is what defiance gets you, my beauty.” Blaise informs me. “Now be a good girl and come to me before anyone else gets hurt.” I thought I knew what anger was, I’ve certainly felt pure rage on any number of occasions in the past, bu
I immediately take a step towards Selene, but Blaise lazily waves his hand and a line of sentries crosses the floor between us, forming a human barricade between myself and my mate. Now Selene, Helene and James are completely encircled by guards, but my beautiful little wolf looks as determined as ever. If I so chose, I could barrel through the shifters dividing us with little issue, but I’m sure that’s exactly what Blaise wants. He wants to distract me, he wants to use Selene against me. Unable to help myself, my eyes drop to my mate’s belly. She’s put on at least five pounds since I saw her last, and her dress is now ballooned outward by a healthy baby bump. Twins, I think again, in awe of how much my wife has been through these last few weeks, and amazed by the miracle she’s embodying. When our eyes meet, I can see her determination so clearly it’s staggering. Nothing I say now is going to convince her to leave, even if it means she’s in for the spanking of a lifetime wh
Looking around in a panic, I demand, “where? Where has he gone?” “His orders were for me to get you out, Selene.” Helene informs me, not sounding as if she’s particularly interested in actually following them. “Then again, you are a headstrong young woman, and I’m just an old woman. It would be only too easy for you to overpower me and go after them.” “Them?” I repeat, “he’s not alone?” “No.” A deep voice sounds behind me, the man who had been standing with Helene before going to dispatch the guards. “His with the rebel leaders, Matthew and Grayson.” Turning around, I study the strange man closely. I’m sure I’ve never seen him before, but he seems oddly familiar. He’s got to be close to sixty years old, with gray streaked hair and the gaunt form of a man who’s known true deprivation. My wolf is already wondering if he might be my father, but the look on his face confirms it. He’s looking at me as if he’s seeing a ghost, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “Hello Sel
Selene “Why are we still in lockdown?” I demand, glaring at Blaise. “I thought you said the danger had passed.” “It has passed, my beauty, I’m merely being cautious.” He insists, reaching up to drag his knuckles over my cheek. “It’s an annoyance to be sure, but one we’ll get through.” “This is what happens when you abuse your people.” I grumble, “if you don’t want to be annoyed maybe you should respect their rights.” “Rights.” He scoffs, “more like a city full of spoiled children clamoring for attention and making unreasonable demands.” “I want to go back to my rooms.” I announce, overflowing with disgust for the horrible man. “You can’t do that yet.” He informs me brusquely. “Why, what’s going to happen?” I ask. “You know I normally don’t mind your sass, but I don’t have the patience for it today.” He gripes, turning away from me. “Wait!” I exclaim, clasping onto his arm as a rush of inspiration strikes me. We’re in his safe room surrounded by guards, but a man as
BastienMaking myself wait to take action until hearing from Helene is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. My relief over escaping the dungeons with Grayson and James wore off almost immediately after learning that Selene was still Blaise’s captive. I hadn’t really expected her to get away at the same time we did, but my disappointment and worry once Matthew filled us in was proof of the hope I hadn’t let myself acknowledge.The worst part is waiting for the witch to appear afterwards, but my new allies keep reminding me that I won’t be any help to Selene if I get captured again. Only this fact keeps me from stormi
SeleneI’m woken by the sounds of blaring alarms, the sound so shrill and horrible I slam a pillow over my face before I can stop to consider what the sound might mean. It’s not until my bedroom door swings open and a young servant girl pokes her head in, that I lower the plush implement. She pulls me out of bed and helps me into a robe while my head spins.An alarm. I think hopefully, that’s bad for Blaise. And what’s bad for Blaise can only be good for us. Luna answers slyly.