In the dining room, both Mia and Ethan are hugging Noel.Mia loves everyone, so that doesn’t sting. Ethan, though. He hates me but loves Noel? Why? What has Noel done that I haven’t done?Noel ruffles Ethan’s hair and Ethan laughs as he pushes his hand away. A new kind of jealousy fills me. One I ha
Alaric’s POV“No,” Eamon says. “I can’t imagine that Noel is our assassin. For one, Landon vouches for him, which is as good as any hard proof in my book.”“He could be deceiving Landon,” I suggest.“Landon is a good judge of character,” Eamon insists. “But, even if you can’t take my brother’s word
Alaric’s POVAfter ending my call with Eamon, I walked out of the office and towards the living room. Cara and the kids must have finished playing their game because the room was much quieter now. Looking into the room, I didn’t see Cara or Mia. Only Ethan was there, sitting on the couch. He had a b
Cara’s POVI can admit that in these early morning hours, I temporary forgot about the danger I was in. I should have told Alaric or security and insisted on taking someone else with me to help keep Noel and I safe during breakfast.Yet, the way Alaric is acting now is beyond the pale. I know he’s j
Noel smoothly avoids all questions, answering only, “My past isn’t a very good memory for me.”Alaric narrows his eyes, like in his suspicion of Noel, he’s trying to catch Noel in some kind of lie.“You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to,” I tell Noel, while giving Alaric a pointed
Alaric’s POVIn theory, Noel being from pack CrimsonFang should make him more suspicious. After all, not much is known about the pack, other than they are secluded and value their secrecy. Yet, for Noel to share even so much as he belongs to that pack is a huge sign of trust.Especially when I am Al
Cara looks even more concerned. “Which sitting room?”This is how I learn, with my heart sinking down in my stomach, that Mia is playing with her dolls in one of the sitting rooms.Cara and I rush there at once, to find the butler gently escorting her and her dolls from the room.“He says I can’t pl
Alaric’s POVAlpha –There is evidence that the rogue Lilia has been in contact with certain members of the nobility, including those on the elder council. Her motivations could be revenge for you and yours. Please be cautious. Your family, including the children, are too vulnerable.The note is uns
Cara’s POVThe night of the opening ceremony came much quicker than anyone would have liked. Even me. I’d been preparing as best I could for the events, and spending as much time with Alaric whenever possible to help revitalize Lucy.So far, I mostly just felt tired, not prepared, and Lucy remained
Cara’s POVKissing Alaric was as easy as breathing, especially when, after a moment, he gently opened his mouth and accepted my waiting tongue. His hands clenched at my waist, tugging me closer as he licked along the side of my tongue with his own before chasing mine back into my mouth and deepening
Alaric’s POVRuby’s request for a physical seemed to come rather suddenly after I picked up Cara from the rehearsal and brought her home, but I wasn’t one to ignore a healer’s orders, especially when she claimed she wanted to check me to see if they could pinpoint some medical ways I could help Cara
Cara’s POVLater, as all the girls were being fitted for our gowns for the opening ceremony, Ruby surprised me by walking into my dressing room. I was in my gown, with the tailor marking where to make the hem at my feet.The gown needed some work yet. It was much too small in the chest, and far too
Cara’s POVI moved without even realizing it. One minute, I was on the stage. The next, I was down near the exit, standing beside Alaric. My hand clutched Lilia’s by the wrist, as I pried her touch away from his chest.Both Alaric and Lilia seemed surprised by my sudden appearance. A few breaths lat
Alaric’s POVTrue to my word, I stuck to Cara’s side as much as I could. It was no great ask to keep my arm slung around her waist, her torso pressed into my side.The kids looked at us strangely, but seemed otherwise pleased with themselves, like they had somehow facilitated this. I didn’t know how
Cara’s POVWhen we arrived back at my house, I knew it was only a matter of time before Alaric started talking me out of my desire to stay in the competition. His protective instincts were fierce, even though he clearly had been trying to fight them lately. I knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back at
Cara’s POV“There’s no need to be a bitch, Cara,” said one of the nearby wolves.“She’s learning. You didn’t pick up positioning on your first time either,” said another.“I’m starting to think you are just jealous,” said a third.Those wolves, the ones who had come to hate me anyway for reasons I d
“He’s not worth the trouble you could get into,” he said.I didn’t know if that was true, but for Cara’s sake, and the sake of the kids, I’d keep myself from getting locked away in jail.For now.With Lilia on the loose, I couldn’t afford to be away from them for even a day. Not even an afternoon.“