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Sloane: I was thinking of taking a day trip to see you…I paused mid-bite, staring at my phone as my heart beat faster than before.The diner was packed and filled with loud talking and laughter. I usually avoided eating here when it was so busy, but something had been pulling me in. Everyone seemed so happy still. They were enjoying their meals and the company around them, and I was starting to feel the same.A few heads turned my way as I set my fork down on my plate loudly to text Sloane back.Greyson: Oh, when would that be?I couldn't help the smile that stretched over my face as three dots appeared on my screen to signal that she was typing."How is everything?" Jessi asked, looking exhausted, but I knew she was excited by how busy the diner was today. More customers meant more tips. "Can I get you anything else?""Everything is great, Jessi. Delicious as always." I looked down at my phone as it vibrated and smiled wider.Sloane: Today. In about an hour?"Actually, can I get half
Benjamin Reid, Nightshade: 25 Points Tatum Blair, Shadow Paw: 20 points Declan McCoy, Iron Hide: 17 Points Ethan Dunn, Night Walker: 17 Points *** "You don't seem happy." My mother said as she sat beside me on the castle's steps. I had left the party early but hadn't hidden away as I knew it would only anger my father further and put me in danger with Ethan. Man-bun had been watching me all night, and as soon as I started to pull away from the crowd, he moved in. It made me change my mind about trying to sneak out or hide in my room. It wasn't safe to leave the public eye. I wanted to ensure there were witnesses in case he did anything, so I stayed where I could be seen without being down in the chaos. "I am, just not here." I disagreed, staring out at the crowd surrounding the bonfire. Ben was celebrating harder than I expected, but every once in a while, he would let his smile fall and looked devastated. I didn't want to be forced into mating one of them, but I would be rega
It was dangerous for me to be here. I knew that, and yet, I couldn't stop myself. I needed to see my Firefly to make sure she was safe. Apparently, my message to Ethan hadn't been clear enough since he had the nerve to break into my woman's room and steal from her. I would have to deal with him sooner rather than later, but I couldn't do it here. Not with all four packs together, cheering for blood to be shed. If I walked out there now, it would be mine that sprayed the crowd as they went wild. The stands had been spread out more than before. The ring from the center had been removed, leaving an open stretch of grass. Yet, Sloane's throne was still front and center lifted on a small platform to be able to see the entire makeshift arena. Sloane looked stunning in her light blue dress. I made a note to buy her as many summer dresses as she wanted because she looked magnificent in them. Her eyes were downcast, and the blank look on her face made me furious. These stupid fucking game
Tatum Blair was a bad-ass.It was plain and simple. She had taken down the men like it was something she could do in her sleep. By the rumors I heard about her and her sister, how they were raised to be soldiers, I figured she just might.The training and skills she had in her fur made her unstoppable. She took down Ben in a matter of minutes and then fought Declan tooth and nail for almost thirty minutes before he finally went down.I don't think Declan wanted to win, not when it would get him closer to having to mate into the family of the woman he claims broke his heart, yet he gave his best and fought like a man facing his demons.Tatum was just too fast for him.I had never seen a snake striking its prey, but the speed and precision at which she attacked was what I pictured. Small, but strong and deadly.Her win was the first one that I actually felt like celebrating. It wasn't because I was interested in her winning my hand. I just wanted to have fun with a friend, and that was e
"Have you told her about her father yet?" Freya asked as she slumped down on the couch next to me.I couldn't even bother to shake my head. I had been spending all day working around town, running patrols to make sure it was safe for Sloane to be traveling here on her own, and then spending every night with her.I was dead on my feet, unable to form a coherent thought, let alone dive into my past. It was needed.Sloane needed to know, but I didn't think I had the mental capacity to do that right now. Whenever I had a moment of peace to sit down and rest, something would come up, and my chance for a much-needed nap would vanish.Yet, I was still the happiest I had ever been, and it was all because of Sloane."No. She knows about the attack but nothing else." I muttered, closing my eyes as I let my head fall against the back of the couch."She needs to know." Her whisper cracked, and I knew she was thinking about the horrors she experienced."I know."While I had been out in the woods, F
Benjamin Reid, Nightshade: 36 PointsTatum Blair, Shadow Paw: 33 PointsDeclan McCoy, Iron Hide: 28 PointsEthan Dunn, Night Walker: 23 Points***With the third week ending, it was all starting to feel more real. I couldn't make eye contact with Ben or Tatum. While we got along well, the idea of mating with either of them was hard to digest.Ethan was no longer a concern for my future, but he was very much a threat to my present. Even if he won first place in the next challenge and managed to get full points from my parents and me, he was low enough that he wouldn't win first place.He was out of the running, and he and his pack were furious.Whatever pack I mated into would need to be prepared because I had the feeling that Ethan would either attack them or they would attack my parent's pack. The glares he had been sending my way all night had me on edge more than ever before, and if I couldn't feel Grey close by, I would have been concerned.Instead, I was focused on trying to find
I couldn't sleep that night. I kept worrying about my little sister.She was only eighteen. Yet, she had suffered one of the worst experiences of anyone's life.I went to her room four times that night, and she hadn't been there. I even broke the rules and went into her tree house to look for her, but it was empty. She was hiding, presumably from Declan…possibly from everyone, but I still didn't like it.When someone was in that much pain, it didn't feel right to let them suffer alone. Even if I just sat with her, some support was better than being alone. I knew I would want someone to be there for and with me, but maybe she didn't.As I lay on Aiden's couch, listening to his loud snoring and the storm rolling in outside, I found myself texting Greyson.I wasn't surprised that he was awake. After he talked me down from searching for Ellie a fifth time, he kept me distracted with some jokes and a little flirting that had me wanting to squeal like a teenager meeting their celebrity crush
I wished Greyson was here.The thought circled through my head, and I couldn't stop it.I had met dozens of his people over a very loud meal that lasted hours before I had to leave.Tables had been pushed together, and people were standing and talking in every corner. It reminded me of a holiday celebration when my family and extended family would all gather over a meal so large it couldn't possibly be finished.The previously empty diner had been overflowing.It felt amazing, and while I had been nervous to meet them, I couldn't wipe the smile from my face if I tried. They were all so welcoming and happy.I wanted to cry when it was time to return home for dinner with my family and suitors. Instead, I hugged Grey longer than usual, savoring his touch and smell and wishing I could stay.He held me just as tightly, kissing the top of my head every few seconds until I was on the verge of being late.Eventually, I left Grey's pack and was forced to sit at my family's dining room table, fi