(Raul POV) I don’t want Briana going anywhere near Adrienne on her own. I certainly don’t like her doing it with this new friend of hers. A woman who’d been in Adrienne’s clutches for days, but miraculously managed to escape and just happened to be wandering down the exact hallway Bria found herself in. It all just smacks of a trap being laid.I also know how poorly Bria responds to being forbidden to do things. At least if she lets me know when they’re going, I can track her and intervene if necessary. I know she believes Aiden really is her second chance mate, but I still have my doubts. He’s doing a piss poor job of keeping her safe and ensuring she doesn’t act impulsively.Briana needs someone steady, who can calm her wild side and give her structure. I ignore the provocative little voice that whispers in my head that she needs someone like me. Our bond dissolved and I acted in the best interest of the pack, I can’t regret that. Do I miss her sometimes? Hell, yes.Bria, you know
(Bria POV) Tyra and I end up sharing my bed for the night. My presence seems to calm her. Since some of her memories have returned, she’s much more animated, but still twitchy and frightened of every tiny noise. I don't blame her. I had Aiden with me when I first met his mother and she barely touched me, yet I still had nightmares after.I’m relieved that she’s still asleep when Aiden knocks at my door very early that morning. He glances over my shoulder at Tyra’s sleeping form and pulls me into the hallway before kissing me like he hasn’t seen me for years.He has me pushed up against the wall within moments and I’m clinging to him like a barnacle, my arms wrapped around his waist so I can pull him closer. I really need to talk to him soon. His kisses are becoming as necessary as air to me.His hands are on my hips, fingers curling around my waist, thumbs stroking my abdomen. “Oh, God,” he groans, stepping away from me several minutes later. My lips immediately miss the feel of his
(Bria POV) I settle Tyra back in my room, before going off in search of Aiden. “Are you sure you’ll be alright here on your own? If you want me to stay, I’ll stay.” Tyra makes a face at me, “I’m much better. Go. I know you have to talk to Aiden. Bria…” she seems hesitant to continue. “What’s the matter?” With downcast eyes she says, “Don’t tell me when you’re going back to the garden.”“Oh, Tyra.” I realize she has the same fear Raul does. “If Adrienne is somehow spying on your thoughts, you have to know that’s not your fault.” Tyra shrugs one shoulder, “Maybe, but still, I’ll feel better knowing I’m not feeding her any information. Even if it is inadvertently.”“If it will set your mind at ease, I won’t tell you. Only because you asked me not to. Not because I don’t trust you.” I sigh, “Although I doubt this next visit will be a surprise. Aiden will surely tell his mother we’re coming. At least I’ll have the opportunity to have a look around. Any information I can gather right now w
(Bria POV) I’m mortified. Still sitting here on his desk in only my panties, legs spread open, yearning for him. Where did that come from? I wasn’t consciously thinking about Raul. I was fully in the moment with Aiden.Does it mean something or was it a simple slip of the tongue? Am I still in love with Raul? Maybe his name is only floating around in my subconscious because I’ve been talking to him and he saved my life earlier. I don’t know how I’m going to make this right and I’m so sick of being confused. It’s my heart, I should really know what’s going on inside it.Aiden is already so insecure about our relationship and my past with Raul, this is bound to exacerbate that. I have to find some way to make this up to him. If our roles had been reversed I would be in pieces at the thought of Aiden having another woman on his mind while making love to me. As things stand I’m feeling pretty awful anyway and I’m the one who messed up.I want to make things right between us and beg for
(Bria POV) “Well, come along then darling, you’re here to see my flowers and not simply to chit-chat,” Adrienne says smugly. “Although I must admit I’m having a most marvelous time. If anything of this nature occurs again, do come and tell me immediately.”Aiden doesn’t respond and I quickly interject, “I’m sure there won’t be a next time.” Adrienne raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “I’m not so sure of that. Just as I’m not convinced you’re truly Aiden’s mate. I fear you’re tricking my son, Briana, but time will tell and I will attempt to keep an open mind for the remainder of your week.”I know she’s reminding me that my time is running out. I still haven’t had that talk with Aiden. Whenever we’re alone desire seems to take root before I can broach the subject of what happens when his mother rejects me.I could of course ask during the afterglow, when we’re cuddling, if we ever get that far. When his mother doesn’t demand we attend to her the moment we’re done, or I go and screw
(Bria POV)“Help me. Please, Aiden, don’t let her take me. I don’t want to end up in that dark hollow. You have to help me. Get me away from here. It’s monstrous. Please. Please.” I’m hysterical. Sobbing and screaming, clawing at Aiden’s shirt.His arms fold around me and he asks with great concern, “Bria, what’s wrong? What are you talking about?” I gibber weakly, “The garden. It’s awful. All those bodies. Don’t let her take me.” Adrienne clicks her tongue in annoyance. “Honestly! You ask to see my garden and then insult it?”Aiden pushes me away from him, staring at me hard. “Bria, the garden is gorgeous. I’ve never seen a more colorful or pleasing collection of wildflowers. It reminded me of you actually, so bright and wild. There are no bodies in there!”I’m shaking so hard my teeth are rattling together and I stare at him imploringly. I need him to believe me, but I can’t form a coherent sentence.“Oh, darling. It seems my instincts were right, but for the wrong reasons. Perhaps
(Aiden POV)I don’t want to leave Bria behind in her room. I always want her by my side, but at the same time, I can’t stand to be around her right now.The recollection of her sighing out Raul’s name when she was in the throes of passion haunts me. Every time I look at her the sound plays on a loop in my head. Taunting me, telling me I’m not good enough. Not only her second chance mate, but also her second choice.Maybe mother has been right all along and I’m not smart enough to rule. Not interesting enough to attract a strong mate. All I’ve ever had has been brought about by her. I’m trying to rally the packs behind me, but even I doubt whether I should lead them.Bria is a phenomenal woman. I want to be worthy of her. I want to know that I’m the only one she wants. It’s probably my own fault that she’s still thinking of Raul. I must not be giving her everything she needs. The thought that I’m a sub-par lover in her eyes hurts like hell, but maybe it’s true.I’m nothing. I don’t hav
(Bria POV)When I wake up, the first thing I see is Aiden’s emerald gaze, studying me intently. “How are you feeling?” I ask and he grimaces. “Embarrassed that you saw me in that condition.”I reach out carefully to touch his face. I’m not sure how angry he still is at me. “You don’t need to feel that way. I hurt you and I’m so sorry.” He leans his forehead against mine, closing his eyes in pain. “You made a mistake, Bria. I made a choice. You’re not responsible for that.”I’m strangely turned on by him taking responsibility for his own actions. “I think that’s a choice we’ve all made at one time or another in the hopes that it will numb our pain,” I tell him honestly. He doesn’t look convinced, but he refrains from arguing. “You’re being very kind,” he says softly. “You’re my mate, I hate hurting you,” I respond. His pupils flare before shrinking down again.I’m surprised, and more than a little disappointed, that he hasn’t tried to kiss me yet. I’ve been craving him sorely since our
(Bria POV) “Stand down,” I shriek, dropping my bow and sliding down the tree so I can reach the ground faster. I don’t feel the bark biting into my skin, or the cuts opening along my arms and cheek.Aiden. I have to get to Aiden. If I thought there was any possibility of her turning on him, I never would have allowed him to set foot in there. He’s my heart. My life. He’s her fuckin son, how can she do this?“Don’t hurt him! Please, Adrienne, I’m begging you. Take me, put me in your tree, just don’t hurt him.” Aiden roars at my words, the wicked knife slicing deeper into his throat. “No! Run Bria. Run away right now. I won’t live without you!”Adrienne laughs cruelly, but her face is distorted in anger. “You turned my son against me,” she hisses. “You won’t be leaving here alive. Don’t worry darling,” she jeers when Aiden struggles against her grip, “You won’t miss her. Most of you will be erased and replaced with what I’ve always wanted you to be. I kept clinging to the hope that you
(Bria POV)She’s gone! Adrienne has her. I’m on my way there. I’m going to tear her apart! Raul bellows into my head. He’s in a blind panic, something I’ve never witnessed before.Did Tyra take her? I ask. There’s a beat of silence and then a roar so full of misery and pain follows that I sink to my knees as it overwhelms me. No. She was with me. I was there and I failed to protect her. It’s all my fault, Raul keens.There’s no time to find out details right now. I need to get to Adrienne’s garden and stop her before she does anything irreversible. She’ll have a full complement of 12 again now. I’m going there right away, I tell Raul, who hesitates only a moment before agreeing.The knowledge that he’s fully let go of me is bittersweet for only an instant, before it melts into pure, creamy milk chocolate from a master Swiss chocolatier. No guilt or uncertainty holds either of us back anymore. The memories will always be beautiful, but not as enticing as the future.I’m going to do eve
(Aiden POV)Mother seems less than thrilled to see me. It appears I’ve interrupted something. She’s doing her best to hide her irritation, but pretending to be patient has never been a strength of hers.“Now that you’ve come to see the garden for the first time it seems like you can’t keep away,” she comments with barely masked annoyance.She keeps glancing at where I know that horrific tree stump is and that worries me. Has she found a new victim? If so, the girl’s absence hasn’t been noted yet. I’m keeping a very close eye on missing persons in the kingdom.I’m back to not being able to see the tree, but I can feel her in my mind, willing me to see what’s not actually there. She’ll never be able to root around in my brain without my knowledge again. Bria’s love, and our mating bond, is making me stronger than I would have believed I could ever be.For the sake of Bria’s safety I keep every trace of mistrust and hatred from showing on my face and I bury my emotions deep. Projecting o
(Adrienne POV)“I have the woman here my lady,” Niall tells me in his annoying, nasally voice. He was my first little experiment with mind control and things had gone very awry. I squashed his faculties like an overripe grape in my eagerness. I’ve learned to exert self-control since those days.At the time I’d been furious at my failure, but it turned out to be very fortuitous indeed. Niall’s single-mindedly devoted to me and follows my every command without thought or complaint. The perfect weapon when I need a more physical approach to solving my problems.If Aiden doesn’t give up his ridiculous infatuation with Briana soon, Niall will be dispatched to take care of her. I’ve attempted to ride her mind, but while I could plant concepts of blindness and fear, I’m stymied when it comes to taking over her thoughts. I suspect the mating bond she shares with my son has something to do with that. The sooner I break it the better.One side of the wispy little blonde’s face is a bloody mess.
(Raul POV)I’m going out of my mind with worry about Valerie. I cannot lose her. It seems there’s nothing quite like a bit of mortal danger to clear the mind and straighten out the heart. Bria will always be dear to me, but Valerie is my mate.I have to get to her before Adrienne tries anything. I know the pain of losing a mate, I never want to suffer that way again.Guilt churns in my chest, relentless and heavy. I know my long history with Bria makes it difficult to just put aside the feelings I held for her for so many years. She’s dazzling and exciting and a fantastic woman. I’m glad she didn’t die. I’m sorry we didn’t have time to say goodbye to each other properly. I don’t regret having my new mate.Valerie’s love is the warmth that fuels me now, she’s the place where my soul finds peace. I can’t be too late. I owe Bria for this. Anything she asks will be hers, as long as Valerie is safe.“Where the hell are you running to?” Vesper asks, sprinting after me. I have no time to sto
(Bria POV)To my chagrin I yelp and jump in fright. I’m immediately furious with myself for not hearing Adrienne’s approach. The amused smile on her face mocks me relentlessly. “What would my poor Aiden think if he saw you spying on his mother?”“I wouldn’t call it spying, Adrienne. I was out for a walk with my guards and decided to come in for a quick soak. Then I heard a voice speaking and wanted to make sure it was safe before I entered the chamber. You really shouldn’t be so quick to jump to conclusions.”“Oh, Briana. You think yourself witty and sharp as a whip, don’t you? I know you have my son pussy whipped right now, but it won’t last. I’m his mother. And your pathetic excuse holds no water. You were mind linked to someone when I came upon you and I’m willing to stake your life on it that it was your dearest Raul you were talking to. It won’t be long before Aiden sees through all your deceptions.”“Oh you’re one to talk! What did you do to Christopher? It must have killed you
(Bria POV) I wake up to hungry kisses in my neck and Aiden’s hands roaming all over me. My body is exhausted from the night before, but more than willing to push past its limits. “Good morning love,” Aiden says gruffly, taking my nipple into his mouth and grinning devilishly at my helpless moan.“Good morning baby,” I respond tenderly, pulling his head toward mine for a deep kiss. There is no more duality or uncertainty. I love Aiden and nobody else can ever make me happier. My love for Raul was very real and nothing will ever detract from that. It’s in the past though and I’m happy to be living my future.He must see something in my eyes, because he cradles my face between his hands and tells me emphatically, “I love you, Bria, with all my heart.” My eyes glisten with tears as I nod and choke out, “I love you too,” before burying my face in his neck.His joy is palpable, wrapping around us like a cocoon. He makes love to me slowly and thoroughly, before fetching us coffee and breakf
(Aiden POV)Bria’s golden gaze spears me to the bed as her tongue curls around my balls and her lips gently brush over my inflamed skin. She doesn’t look away from me when she sucks them into her mouth one by one, rubbing her tongue across the throbbing globe and suckling softly.I am on the verge of losing control. My fangs have started to come in and my nails have grown sharp as the beast roars inside of me, demanding to be let out to mate freely.I’m fighting to remember that this is the punishment I agreed to. Losing control would negate exactly what I’m trying to prove to Bria. But I’m a werewolf. An Alpha. A dominant male with extremely strong desires and she embodies all of them to me. The drive to claim, breed and protect her is stronger than anything else. Except my love and respect for her.Fuck. She’s moving that delectable mouth in a northerly direction now. Her tongue lapping firmly at the underside of my swollen cock. Long, slow licks running from base to tip repeatedly,
(Bria POV)I’m doing my best not to let Aiden see how shy it’s making me feel to masturbate in front of him. I’ve never done anything like this in my life. Embarrassment is quickly making space for an electrifying thrill as I watch his body and eyes reacting to me.I am Aphrodite in his mind. Goddess of love and sex. Ripe and delicious and out of his reach. He can look, but he can’t touch. One hand slips down to my vulva, my middle finger rubbing over my slick, swollen flesh. My hips arch into the touch spontaneously and a sigh bursts from me when my finger presses against my clit.“I’m so wet and needy, Aiden. Do you see?” I dip two fingers into my well of moisture and slowly drag them down the length of his cock, between his expanding testicles and down to his perineum. Aiden chokes on an awestruck gasp and his penis seems to be vibrating. It’s rock hard and fully erect, pressed against the soft skin of his abdomen.Soon I’ll indulge my desire to lick that gorgeous, velvety sheath.