Riven “He’s waking up.” “Well, go ahead and kick him awake, we don’t have all day. We have to get moving for that big bad son of a bitch.” Pain spreads throughout my body. I’ve been through a lot of shit, and I’ve gotten into some pretty bad scraps with some pretty big wolves, but whatever the hell they put in that werewolf stunner has completely incapacitated me. A groan falls out of my mouth, and I blink hard, trying to will the pain away. The pain is both annoying and persistent. I press my palms against the dirt and drag myself into a sitting position. Blurry, I can’t see. Is that sunlight? “Oh good, he’s waking up. Good, good.” Who the hell is that? I whip my head in the direction of the voice, but my ears are proving to be my strongest resource because my vision hasn’t come back yet. Don’t panic. They’re just humans with fancy tools. I shake my head back and forth, and blink, and I keep blinking until things start to clear. Something shuffles beside me. The so
- Riven I’m used to being in charge. There’s been a few times in my life where I’ve had to fall back and listen to my superior wolves, but this is the first time in my life that I’ve ever had to take orders from a human, and it’s the highest insult. Humans are far more disorganized than they would have you believe. Over the last day, I’ve watched at least a half dozen humans shuffle in and out of this cabin, exchanging information with Cody that he’s already said at least three times before. Why are they so stupid? More importantly, why am I allowing myself to be held captive by them? I look to the right of me, where Cody is sucking down a to-go bowl of soup that he got from a local restaurant. Steam rolls off the plastic bowl, and he clamps his fingers tight around it, as if he’s concerned I’ll lunge forward and take it from him. Taking it from him wouldn’t be out of the question, though. I can’t remember the last time I ate. I clear my throat. “Hey. I’m hungry.” Cody loo
- Riven Monica lets out a low growl, as if she’s agreeing. I move my hand toward her and she shakes her head. I glance over my shoulder, readying myself for Kera’s pinched expression when she sees me talking to another wolf. If I’m really lucky, Kera’s werewolf hunter tricks won’t stand a chance against two of us. I whisper, “You’re not going to shift.” Monica stares at me, then blinks slowly. God, how does she manage to be condescending in her wolf form too? I nod and say, “Okay, fine. I should fill you in. A group of werewolf hunters found me at Marcel’s camp. That son of a bitch got away, and I was taken by them so that they could use me as some sort of fucking weapon against Marcel.” Monica’s eyes glance over my shoulder, then back at me. She paws against the dirt, before turning away from me. This is it. Is this my chance to escape? Thanks to Monica, I don’t even have to hurt the Kera girl. “Riven! Riven! Have you found any deer yet?” Monica turns her head sligh
- Riven Kate sends me a nervous glance, then looks toward the door. “I should get going. If Monica is out there, she’s going to kill me.” I ignore the pain shooting through my side. Talking to Kate has been a welcome distraction from the pain I’ve been feeling ever since Monica rescued me. “I’ll make sure that they don’t.” I lean forward and brush my lips against hers. My muscles relax as I watch the way her eyes flutter shut. Kate heads toward the door and pulls it open. I walk to the door, and Monica is standing in front of Kate. Monica’s lips curl in disgust. She crosses her arms over her chest. “What are you doing here? I would have thought that you would be asleep.” To my surprise, Kate stands up straight and boldly says, “I can think of other things to do than sleep. After all, we’re in the middle of a crisis.” She does a poor job of containing the scathing look that she gives Monica, and slides past her. I can feel the heat radiating off of Monica, but I can’t
- Riven I run my finger down the length of my wound, which is already starting to scar. The only thing that leaves me concerned is the fact that it still aches after all this time. I don’t know what that bitch Kera used to try and take me down, but whatever it is, it’s leaving a lasting effect. Footsteps move toward me, and I jerk my head up as I spot Niles walking toward me. He’s wearing a smile, something he’s been doing more often ever since I became a pack leader. He even invited me to come and stay in the pack leaders’ cabin, but it felt weird to leave my own space. But I know another reason that I haven’t wanted to move in to the pack leaders’ cabin, and it’s because I can’t picture Kate slipping into a cabin with Niles, Monica, and Harrison in it and sliding into my bed. She said that she wants to put things on hold, but my mind won’t let me move on. I don’t think that things are over between us. If things were that simple, we would have been able to leave each other alon
- Riven I’ve had a great wolf under my nose this entire time. This entire time, I’ve been training Kate and waiting for her to stand up for herself, but she’s never really needed me. I just wish that someone had told her that she didn’t need me. Monica and Niles scan my face, waiting for a reaction. I cross my arms over my chest. She’s still the same Kate. Nothing will keep me away from her. “I don’t think that she’d truly hurt anyone. But, I’ll take what you said under consideration. I need to get some exercise. I can’t let my muscles atrophy while I wait for this little wound to go away.” I stand up and push the chair back. I nod at all of the pack leaders and turn on my heel. I step out of the cabin, and my muscles relax when the smell of the woods fills my nostrils. I keep my feet glued in place, feeling the planks of wood underneath my feet, hearing the smack of an axe hitting a piece of firewood. I sigh. I need a moment to reset, and figure out how I’m going to assembl
- Kate It feels like electricity is shooting up and down my spine. He’s kissing me with so much want, so much need, that I feel like I might disappear into him completely. As my lips move against his, my mind is still tugging me toward thoughts of what the pack leaders might think. They probably saw him walk into my cabin. If he’s in here for too long, then they might start to talk about separating us. I pull back and I soak in the look in his eyes, the longing that he’s making no effort to hide. Riven is as tough as nails, but in this moment, he needs me to want him back. He needs me to forget that we’re looking for Marcel, or that we captured someone, or that we’re still trying to avenge Rico’s murder. He’s kissing me like he needs me. I let my tongue tangle with his, and something surges through me, racing all the way down to my fingers and toes. What is this feeling? I’m bracing myself for more thoughts about the pack, about what people will say, but they won’t come. I g
- Kate I’ve seen Marcel from afar, but I have to admit, Riven was right. Marcel is a sight to be seen. His hulking wolf sends chills down my spine as I push my legs apart and dig my heels into the ground. His wide, dark eyes focus on me, and I can practically picture the smirk that he’d be wearing if he was in his human form. “Fuck...” Riven groans from beside me. His hand flies to his side, where one of the bullets struck him. My heart pounds against my ribcage as I look past Marcel. My pack mates are exploding into their wolf forms and sinking their teeth into some human werewolf hunters, along with the battered forms of some of Marcel’s pack mates. My pack is fighting for its life, and right now, I have a chance to defend us, to show the pack leaders that I have always been here, and I have always been ready to be seen as a real part of this pack. As I bend my knees, and prepare to transform, heat spreads throughout my body. My limbs are tingling as if I just pressed my
"Very well done, ma'am," said Sir Grant. "Can I convince you to answer a few more questions?""Tomorrow" Kai said gruffly. "She's been through a lot today. She needs a break.""I feel very pleased to tell you all the relevant details," Torcia replied to Sir Grant. "If you will bring a doctor to take care of Lord Sydney's hand, as well as take care of our servant."The judge's blue eyes narrowed. "We'll send Dr. Linley right away.""I'll go find him." Sayer volunteered and quickly left the office."Wonderful," Morgan commented, his eyes returning to Kai. "And while we wait for Linley, sir, perhaps you could explain to me the circumstances that led to your wound... and why you look and smell like you've just wandered around. via Fleet Ditch."Much later, as they lay in bed in their home and talked for what seemed like an hour, Kai told Torcia of his thoughts in the moment of distress, when he thought he was going to die in the barn. there. As Torcia listened, she snuggled into his folde
Torcia didn't really regain her senses until she found herself being half-pulled and half-carried to Lord Warren's London home. Her head was smashed maliciously, and her throat ached as she struggled against his merciless grip. Somewhere beneath her fear and anger, she was acutely aware that Ellie had been released. Her sister was safe, and now all the boiling anger would pour down her head, which was what Lotiie had always known would happen, between her and the man who had dominated most of her life. her life. Although Lotiie was aware of several screams from nearby servants, none of them dared to stop them. They were all afraid of Warren, and they wouldn't lift a finger to get in the way of what he wanted to do. She had foreseen what he was going to do when he brought her here. His London home was the first to be investigated when it was discovered that she was missing. She was sure that he had taken her to another place where it would be difficult for anyone to find her.Warren dr
He stomped again, the destructive power of his foot sending a blinding explosion of pain through Kai's arm. Follard's shoe was once again raised for the boon shot."Daddy," Kai panted and grabbed Follard by the ankle, pulling hard.With a shrill scream, Follard tumbled off the beams, his body falling over two floors and landing with fatal force.Kai didn't dare look down. He focused his whole mind on climbing the beam. Unfortunately, his strength was drained, and his left hand was crippled. Writhing like a worm caught in a hook, he leaned forward helplessly from the fatal fall.Doubtful, he realized he was about to die.*****The paper trembled in Torcia's hand as she read it again.TorciaPlease save me. Mama says Lord Warren is coming to take me away. I didn't want to go anywhere with him, but Mom and Papa made me do. They locked me in my room until he arrived. I beg you not to let that happen, Torcia, because you are my only hope.My dear sisterEllieA boy from the village brought
"He didn't," Sayer said cheerfully. "He wants me to interrogate his old associates and send him a message. I'd rather go and arrest Follard in person."Kai couldn't help but laugh at that, knowing exactly how Morgan's reaction would be to the news. "If you succeed, Morgan will skin you for such a damn stupid show.""Yes...and then he'll kiss my bony ass for getting a fugitive back. And I'll be on the front page of the Times, with dozens of women begging for my attention."Kai's smile turned grim. "It's not as interesting as you think," he informs his friend."No? Well, I want to try anyway." Sayer raised an eyebrow expectantly. "Are you participating?"Kai nodded with a sigh. "Where do you want to start looking?""It is said that Follard was seen in the slum between Hanging Ax Alley and Dead Man's Lane. It was like an anthill with holes in the walls and interlaced tunnels -""Yes, I know the place." Kai kept his face impassive, though he was aware of a cold distaste curling up in his
The contours of his body changed, sagging in a kind of wretched patience. He leaned one shoulder against the wall, part of his face bent away from her, his gaze fixed on some distant spot on the floor."I was sent to prison because I was responsible for the death of a man. I was fourteen years old. I joined a gang of road robbers, and an old man died when we robbed the carriage. Soon after, the whole gang was tried and convicted. He was too embarrassed to tell anyone who he was - he simply called himself John Sidney. Four of the group were arrested. hanged quickly, but because he was young, the judge gave him a lighter sentence. Ten months on the Scarborough.""Sir Ross is the judge who sentenced you," Torcia whispered, remembering what Sophia had told her.A bitter smile squeezed his mouth. "None of us expected that one day you would become brothers-in-law." He slumped more heavily against the wall. "As soon as he set foot on the ship, he knew he wouldn't live a month there. A quick
"Yes," Torcia muttered, letting him take her hand. Sir Ross examined his bruised wrist with a frown. His face was hidden, and his gray eyes were so kind and worried that Torcia wondered how she could have ever thought of him as aloof. She remembered his compassion for women and children she had heard about—a highlight of his career as a judge, Sophia had told her.Sir Ross' mouth curled up in a gentle and reassuring smile. "This won't happen again - I can promise you that.""Great party," Kai sarcastically. "Can you tell us who the hell put Lord Warren on the guest list?""Kai," Torcia conciliated, "it's all right, I'm sure sir Ross doesn't—""Absolutely not okay," sir Ross protested quietly. "I'm in charge of this party, and I bow my head to your forgiveness, Torcia. Lord Warren is certainly not on the guest list I've approved, but I'll find out how. he won the invitation." His brow furrowed as he continued."Lord Warren's behavior tonight is absurd and reprehensible...it demonstrate
Samantha's face hardened with understanding. "They won't be mad at you forever, dear." She spoke with a realism that offered more consolation than sympathy. "If your husband is only half as rich as rumors reveal, the Sette family will end up being more than happy to announce him as son-in-law."The three talked for a while longer, eager to get to know each other again and planning to contact each other soon. Torcia didn't notice the passage of time until she heard the band start playing a recently popular waltz called. "Spring Flowers," a tune that immediately ignites the eager crowd to pair up to begin spinning through the room. Wondering if Kai would remember to dance the first waltz with her, Torcia decided to look for him across the room. Apologizing to her two friends, she walked along the downstairs balcony corridors, separated from the dance floor by carved wooden railings and pink and blue rose bushes. A few couples were engrossed in private stories, somewhat obscured by the d
“Something pale yellow, I think,” Sophia said grimly, sitting among the many fabrics spread out as if a rainbow had exploded in the room."Yellow," Torcia repeated, biting her lower lip. "I don't think it will flatter my skin tone."Since this was at least the tenth suggestion that Torcia had rejected, Sophia sighed and shook her head with a smile. She had specially used the room behind the tailor shop on Oxford Street to order Torcia's wedding dress."I'm sorry, Torcia said sincerely. "I don't mean to be difficult. You obviously have very little experience with these things." She was never allowed to choose the style or color of her dresses herself.At Lord Warren's orders, she always wore virtuous styles in colors. Unfortunately now it's hard to picture myself in vibrant colors like blue, or yellow, and, god help her, pink, and the thought of exposing most of my upper chest. The public was so terrified that she cringe at the stylish illustrations in the book Sophia held out to her.S
He smiled at that, bringing her fingers to his mouth. "I would like anyone but Warren as a husband - I've made that pretty clear."Torcia smiled, discreetly thinking that by marrying Kai, she had ended up with a husband far from her expectations. "What will you do tomorrow?" she asked, recalling this morning's confrontation with Sir Ross. She was sure that Kai would give up his post on Bow Street without a word of protest.Letting go of her hand, Kai frowned. "I'm going to visit Morgan.""Do you think he will side with you against Sir Ross?""There's no chance. But at least I'll have the satisfaction of telling Morgan what a rotten traitor he is."Torcia reached forward to touch the lapel of his robe. "Have you considered the possibility that those two are doing what they think is best for you? Could it be in your own interest to reinstate the title?""How can that be? God, I'm going to live in a cage painted with vermilion and gold.""I'll be in there with you."He stared at her, see