What do you think of Prince Asmodeus?
Kieran“You really invited a vampire and his ... what the fuck are those two guys?”“Guards?” Reagan asks as if it’s a question, looking me as if I’m missing the point.“You invited three vampires to stay on our pack lands?” I ask.“You agreed.”“I agreed because you asked me to, but do you really think this is a good idea?” I ask watching as the vampire prince smirks at Meadow.“I’m sorry. Aren’t you the Alpha of this pack? I thought the Alpha made the decisions in his pack. If it’s not you, should I go ask Beta Markus?” she asks.I turn my focus to her, Samson growling at her comment. She swats his nose again.“I told you, Samson. Don’t you dare growl at me. If you want me to treat you like the Alpha of this pack, then start acting like it. Someone is trying to undermine you and take over your pack. You seem willing to roll over and allow that to happen. I know you’re not one hundred percent yet, but you’re better than you were. So, get your shit together, start taking control of th
ReaganWell, the prince has good instincts, I’ll give him that.“You don’t even know me,” Markus growls at him.“What part of ‘he’s my guest’ was unclear to you, Markus?” Samson snarls, pushing forward.If it were just about anyone else, I’d try to calm Samson, but Markus is overstepping and while I don’t know what was said in the mind link, I do know that Samson was growling about it while Kieran was talking. If I had to guess, I’d say that Markus was questioning Kieran’s decisions.“You’re going to let him call me deceitful? In my own packhouse?” Markus asks, outraged.I can feel the anger rolling off of Kieran. He doesn’t answer, he just tilts his head to the side as Markus glares at him.“I don’t want him anywhere near you, Beloved,” Asmodeus says to Meadow.“Beloved?” Markus says, sneering at Meadow as if she’s some sort of disgusting creature.“You’ll want to wipe that look off your face before Alayla does it for you, Beta Markus. I promise she won’t be gentle,” I say.“Oh pleas
**This book is the 8th in the Guardian's Next Generation series and 12th in the overall Guardian series. It can be read as a standalone novel, but scenes and historical incidents will be referenced without going into full detail of what happened. It is recommended that you begin the series at the beginning with The Broken Warrior's Daughter.**Reagan“Are you excited about your birthday?” my best friend Meadow asks me.We’re sitting in my bedroom at my parents’ house. We alternate between my house and hers in the city where she lives with her sister, Maeve, and my brother, Xander. It’s a toss up as to which house is more uncomfortable to stay at; mine because you’d think my parents were rabbits instead of werewolves, and Meadow’s because Xander and Maeve just had twins, increasing the size of their family to seven. They’ve only been together three years, but that hasn’t stopped Maeve from pushing out pups as fast as Xander can give them to her. And that doesn’t even include Maeve’s an
Kieran“Tell me again why you’re doing this, Alpha?” My pack member’s voice is grating on my nerves.‘Get her fucking hands off of us,’ my wolf, Samson, says.I look down and see that she’s rubbing my crotch and pressing her body against mine. I don’t even think I’m responding to her touch.“Camila, get your hands off of me,” I growl.“I just want to make you feel good, Alpha,” she purrs. Samson pushes forward, slamming her against the wall, holding her by her throat.“When an Alpha tells you to take your fucking hands off of him, you do it,” he snarls in her face.“Alpha, is everything okay?” Markus, my Beta asks, walking up.Samson turns, snarling at him. “Get her the fuck out of my sight before we have one less pack member.” Then he turns back to Camila. “Don’t fucking touch me again.”“Yes, Alpha,” she says, the scent of her fear practically choking me.‘Let her go, Samson,’ I tell my wolf.Markus pulls her out of my bedroom and then comes back in looking at the bags on the bed. “
ReaganI wake up late on my birthday only to see Meadow in my face staring at me.“What are you doing, creeper?”“Happy Birthday!” she yells and then does some magic that glitter bombs my entire room.“Aren’t you supposed to do something that I like on my birthday?” I grumble. I am so NOT a glitter girl and no matter how much magic she uses to get rid of it, I still find glitter all over the damn place. The last time she did this, I found glitter on my ass cheeks. No, scratch that, one of the warriors who saw me shift saw glitter on my ass shining in the sunlight and I’ve never lived it down.I’m pretty sure I’ve punched every male warrior in our pack for calling me Glitter Buns and every damn one of them said it was worth it. Bastards.“Look, grumpy, just because your mate wasn’t here last night, doesn’t mean he won’t arrive today,” Meadow says much too cheerfully.Every one of the Alphas and royals that had been here last night had wanted me to continue the party until it was midnig
ReaganA day of sparring is my favorite way to spend my birthday. I’m not the party girl that my twin sisters are and I’m not the prim and proper Council member that my sister, Leana, is. At heart, I’m a fighter, just like my father. And since everyone here knew that I wasn’t their mate, they let loose and really fought me.I took every one of them down.Now, I’m in my bedroom, getting ready for my party. The pack sprites are here doing my hair in the beautifully intricate way that they have. My mother, my sisters, my brothers’ mates, Meadow, Lily, Riley, Aunt Grace and Aunt Cara are all here. The house is full of women and babies since each of my sisters and brothers have young children. I’ve grown up with a lot of family members in a loud, bustling packhouse, so the noise doesn’t bother me at all. If anything, it makes me feel more normal than I have in the last two days dealing with all of the male suitors who are here hoping to be my mate.“There are still some people arriving, Re
KieranI’m furious at my wolf, but more furious at myself. I should have been stronger, should have been able to keep him contained.“Please don’t kill him,” Elias says again.“Elias, if you don’t fucking move out from in front of me, I’m demoting you.”“It would be worth it if you lived, Alpha,” he says.I drag myself to my feet. I shouldn’t be able to stand after the power that ripped me off my mate. But her power, all that fucking power that flowed into me for the few moments that Samson’s canines were in her neck, has strengthened me. And while I’m still at risk of going feral if we don’t complete our bond, Samson is much more manageable right now.“Your Gamma is very protective of you,” the older man, obviously my mate’s father, says.“My name is Alpha Kieran. I come from a pack out west. We literally just arrived and when my wolf smelled his mate, he took over. If I were in my right mind, I never would have marked her without her consent. But unfortunately, what my Gamma said is
ReaganAfter washing off the blood and looking at the horrible looking mate mark that looks like a vampire tried to rip my throat out, I put on comfortable clothes that Quinn got for me.“I want to talk to the man who was standing in front of ...” It doesn’t feel right to say it, but it’s true. “My mate. Do you know who he is?”I watch my mother’s eyes go unfocused. “Your father says he’s Alpha Kieran’s Gamma.”Alpha Kieran. I didn’t even know the name of the man who marked me.“I’m assuming he’s from out west? Is that why he arrived so late?”“Your brother asked the patrols when they arrived. They said they’d just arrived, indicating that they had been driving for two days,” my mother says.“What can we do, Reagan?” Malin asks me.“Whatever you need, we’re here for you,” Quinn adds.“I’m not really sure what I need. Maybe a drink. But first, I want to talk to the Gamma.”I look at myself in the mirror, pulling the shirt up so my hideous mate mark doesn’t show. Then I pull my hair over
ReaganWell, the prince has good instincts, I’ll give him that.“You don’t even know me,” Markus growls at him.“What part of ‘he’s my guest’ was unclear to you, Markus?” Samson snarls, pushing forward.If it were just about anyone else, I’d try to calm Samson, but Markus is overstepping and while I don’t know what was said in the mind link, I do know that Samson was growling about it while Kieran was talking. If I had to guess, I’d say that Markus was questioning Kieran’s decisions.“You’re going to let him call me deceitful? In my own packhouse?” Markus asks, outraged.I can feel the anger rolling off of Kieran. He doesn’t answer, he just tilts his head to the side as Markus glares at him.“I don’t want him anywhere near you, Beloved,” Asmodeus says to Meadow.“Beloved?” Markus says, sneering at Meadow as if she’s some sort of disgusting creature.“You’ll want to wipe that look off your face before Alayla does it for you, Beta Markus. I promise she won’t be gentle,” I say.“Oh pleas
Kieran“You really invited a vampire and his ... what the fuck are those two guys?”“Guards?” Reagan asks as if it’s a question, looking me as if I’m missing the point.“You invited three vampires to stay on our pack lands?” I ask.“You agreed.”“I agreed because you asked me to, but do you really think this is a good idea?” I ask watching as the vampire prince smirks at Meadow.“I’m sorry. Aren’t you the Alpha of this pack? I thought the Alpha made the decisions in his pack. If it’s not you, should I go ask Beta Markus?” she asks.I turn my focus to her, Samson growling at her comment. She swats his nose again.“I told you, Samson. Don’t you dare growl at me. If you want me to treat you like the Alpha of this pack, then start acting like it. Someone is trying to undermine you and take over your pack. You seem willing to roll over and allow that to happen. I know you’re not one hundred percent yet, but you’re better than you were. So, get your shit together, start taking control of th
MeadowMy stomach clenches as Reagan releases her grip on the vampire’s throat. Did he just call me mate? No fucking way!“I am not your mate,” I say,“Oh, but you are, my sweet little witch,” he says, his eyes looking over my invisible barrier as his hands trace the edges as if looking for a weakness. It's the only thing that is now keeping him from sinking those fangs of his into me.“Come near me with those fangs and Reagan won’t be your biggest concern,” I say, magic lighting up on my fingertips.“Is this your idea of foreplay? It’s working for me. And when I sink my fangs into your body, you will experience pleasure like nothing you’ve ever experienced before,” he says. His voice feels like a purr that rolls over my body, making every nerve-ending stand up and take notice. And not just notice but crave for more.“Yeah, I’m not big on sharp, pointy things getting jammed into my body,” I say.His grey-blue eyes focus on me and his head tilts to the side. His smile promises delicious
ReaganI didn’t expect to be able to go back to sleep, but Kieran wrapped himself around me and I was out quickly. I still woke up at my normal time, ready for sparring. I’m disappointed that I don’t have any new names today. So instead, I think I’ll offer myself to anyone interested in trying their hand against a Guardian.Elias catches me on the stairs. “Can I spar with you today, Luna? I’m excited to see how well I fare against you.”“You’re not afraid that I’ll send you to the pack hospital?” I ask him.He shrugs. “It happens. I wouldn't want you to hold back on me." He would, he just doesn't know it yet."I checked on Corinna this morning. She said there was a problem last night, but you and Meadow handled it.”“You checked on her? How?” I ask, frowning. Did Meadow’s spell not work.“Because I’m a genius, Rea. When are you going to realize that,” Meadow says grumpily, walking up behind us with Tessa.“Good morning, Tessa.”“Good morning, Luna.”“What genius work have you done now,
KieranI felt Reagan jolt up in bed.“Reagan, what ...?” I didn’t even get the words out before she had leaped out of bed and raced for the door.What the fuck?I jump out of bed, and race after my mate. I don’t know how or why, but Meadow rushes past our door before I can get to it.“Did you hear her?” Meadow asks.“Why do you think I’m up?” Reagan answers, leaping over the banister and landing on her feet on the first floor, barely stopping before she’s running again.“What the fuck is going on?”“Trouble,” is all Meadow says as she rushes down the stairs. I follow, irritated that once again, my mate seems to know more about what’s going on in my pack than I do.“What kind of trouble,” I snarl, rushing past Meadow and following the scent of my mate to the omega’s quarters where I hear someone screaming.“GET UP! OPEN YOUR FUCKING DOOR!”Samson snarls a moment before an arm that feels like steel slaps across my chest pushing me against the wall.“Stay here. Listen, but don’t interfere
ReaganWhen I’m done, I look around and my eyes land on Kieran. He has a look on his face I can’t quite decipher.“What?” I ask.“I was wondering if you wanted to shower with me, so I could help you get that glitter off.”“A purely platonic and benevolent shower?” I ask him.“If that’s my only option, yes. If other options are on the table, I’d like to discuss those as well.”I lean against our freshly made bed. “What kind of options?”His eyes flare with desire, but he reins it in.“We could bathe each other.”I think about it a moment. “No sex, no marking me.”“Done,” he says, holding out his hand to me.When I walk up to him, he slides his hands up my sides and pulls his oversized t-shirt over my head. I know I was naked in front of him earlier when we shifted and when we were with the sprites, but this feels much more exposed, much more intimate.His warm hands rest on my waist, as he looks at me. His eyes go nearly black.“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” he whispers reverently. His finger
ReaganI stomp my way toward the packhouse, getting a shirt slammed over my head with a possessive growl just before I walk inside.I turn seeing a possessive Kieran, Samson flashing in his eyes.“Thank you,” I say before turning back.“MEADOW!” I bellow as I walk into the dining hall. The entire room goes quiet. Okay, I should probably remember that this pack doesn’t know me or my bestie very well. At home, everyone would have grabbed popcorn to watch the show. Here, everyone looks terrified.“What did I do now?” Meadow asks from across the room. Her tone is bored and completely unconcerned.“No. More. Glitter bombs! I still have glitter on me from my birthday,” I snarl.“That’s from your birthday?” Kieran asks from behind me.I turn and narrow my eyes at him. Is he implying that I don’t bathe properly?“Have you ever been glitter bombed?”“I’m not even sure I know what that means,” he says.“Oh please let me show him!” Meadow says excitedly.“NO!” I say, pointing to her. “Anyone else
KieranAfter nearly losing control of Samson, I was nervous about going on a run with Reagan, but she wasn’t. I love that she’s not afraid of Samson. He’s always been a very strong wolf, very dominant, but Reagan feels no intimidation at all. Of course, now that I’ve seen how strong she is, I can understand why. When she finally accepts me, it will be worth having nearly gone feral. She was worth waiting for.We run for nearly an hour, Samson and Alayla yipping excitedly, nipping at each other’s heels, and just generally enjoying their time together. Samson behaved himself, not trying to mark or mate Alayla and I have hopes that they can do this more frequently.When we get to the haunted forest, Reagan shifts back, and crouches down in front of Samson. My cocky wolf tries to stick his nose between her thighs, earning him a swat to the nose.“Knock it off, Samson, and listen to me. Do NOT lick the sprites.”He tilts his head at her and even I have to agree this is a very strange reques
ReaganI know all about fated mate bonds. I’ve grown up with them all around me. I’ve seen the love, seen the passion that comes with a fated mate bond. But until you experience it, until your wolf and your mate’s wolf connect, you can never truly understand. I thought I did. I thought I could control the need to be with my mate, the bond that pulls me to Kieran and Alayla to Samson, but I was wrong.The moment his mouth crashes against mine, all thought of anything else flies out the window and it’s only him, me, and a desperate aching need.Alayla isn’t used to not being in control. Even with our sisters and the other Guardians, there’s an unspoken rule that we’re all equal. Our brothers readily accept that we’re stronger than they are. But Kieran isn’t having any of that, and in this, he is much more experienced than we are.Of course I’d felt jealousy flare when Markus brought up Kieran being with other she-wolves. But I’m not stupid and I’m the youngest of seven. I have three brot