EllaI can feel his hesitation as he lays me down on the bed. It’ss soft and cool to the touch from the gentle tropical breeze drifting through the open doors leading to a starlit balcony. A shiver snakes over my skin–whether from the chill in the air or the fact Ryatt’s hands are trailing down my sides, I’m not sure. Time is hazy. How long has it been since we’ve been together like this? All of the events leading up to our final, and only, stand against Kane are a blur. And here, in Maatua? I feel like the minutes and hours either crawl or flash by before my eyes, making it hard to determine just how long we’ve been here. But I know it’s been a while since his hands have slid down my thighs, cupping my ass as he scoots me to the very center of the large bed. Unlike before, when the lust and tension had been a burning flame between us, this feels different. Softer. Gentler. I realize he’s worried about me, worried about touching me, and my heart threatens to crumble when I involun
RyattThe main house in the isles echoes with screams. Ella runs ahead of me, her face flushed and colorless as she darts up the stairs and out of sight, leaving me standing in the foyer. All around me, archways lead out onto a wide circular terrace that surrounds the house in its entirety, the view nothing short of peaceful and serene. But the screams… gods, Maddy’s shouts of pain pierce my ears and send shivers down my spine, settling in my gut. Two women dressed in white rush past me, murmuring to each other as they carry handfuls of towels up the stairs. They pass another woman–another healer–carrying a basket of soiled linen in her arms. Blood stains the once white fabric as she runs down another corridor. My stomach twists at the sight, and I turn toward the terrace, unsure of what to do, where to go, or what to even think. I step out into the sunlight and close my eyes for a moment, trying to catch my breath. But a scraping sound catches my attention. I open my eyes and tu
EllaI step back just in time to catch the bundle Isaac places in my arms before he rushes to Maddy’s side. He falls to his knees beside the bed, holding her face in his hands as she sobs, her mouth pulled into a delirious smile. I look down at the baby in my arms, who looks up at me with a scowl. “H-hello there.”His mouth pinches, and he begins to whine. I bounce him gently, unsure of what to do. I look wildly around for help, but the room is a tangle of healers trying to tend to Maddy and the second, much larger baby now resting on her chest while he’s rubbed down with towels. Maddy’s hands shake so violently, she’s barely able to lay a hand on her son’s back, and Isaac… oh, Isaac is a blubbering mess, but I’ve never seen him so raw. He only has eyes for his mate. Only for her. His eyes shine with tears as he says, “Thank the Goddess,” over and over again, pressing the words into her gleaming brow.Mom watches the proceedings like a hawk and then hands Isaac a vial of tears, whic
RyattMaddox watches me from across the coffee table loaded with breakfast foods. Pastries, fruit, and meat sit on delicate plates, surrounded by bottles of juice and three carafes of hot coffee. So far, coffee is all we’ve touched. He’s just been… staring at me. Staring at me for twenty minutes now. I clear my throat, pouring myself a third cup of coffee. “I believe congratulations are in order,” I say. “Two healthy princes and a Luna still living is nothing to scoff at.”“It’s a blessing, to be sure.” Maddox glances at the door, then back at me. “I don’t expect Isaac to come to this meeting today.”“We can discuss your terms without him. He might be the king, but he’s Ella’s brother.” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Your opinion on this matter means more to me, and to her, than his.”“Have you spoken to her about the idea of her staying here, at least until the baby is born?” Maddox eyes me cooly, sternly, radiating that primal aura all born Alphas possess. “Of c
Ella“Oh, my Goddess!” I don’t care that I’m screaming for the entire world to hear. My voice echoes off the walls as I barrel down the stairs, practically blind, tears springing from my lashes and rolling down my cheeks. I trip over my own feet and fall to my knees on the tile just as Ryatt reaches my side and hauls me upright. He doesn’t let me go. I squirm in his arms, panting, reaching a hand toward the bloodied man staining the ivory tiles crimson. Westfall’s glacier blue eyes meet mine, but his expression is strained as the wolves hold him down. Several of the wolves have him by their teeth, blood pooling around the wounds they’ve inflicted by getting him on the ground. “Isaac, please!” I shout.Isaac looks from me to Westfall, confusion blurring his features. “Alpha King!” Ryatt shouts, a touch panicked as he holds me back. “Let him go.”Cassian rushes into the room, cursing audibly as he skids to a stop. Hannah is hot on his heels but he swings his arm out to stop her. Sh
EllaI can readily admit I’ve never been good at goodbyes. I left Maddy in the woods during the war, for example, running toward what I was sure was death at the hands of my own mate or to throw myself between him and my brother. I stabbed my brother in the chest and put him into a magically induced coma rather than tell him I was thinking about leaving and crossing the veil. And then I ruined his fancy party by having Ryatt create a Goddess-damned portal in the middle of my family’s throne room. Even faced with being separated from Ryatt by war, I chose to ignore his very valid points about how dangerous King Kane was and fought with him instead of just saying goodbye. I brought Ryatt here and put my whole family through the wringer instead of letting him die because I couldn’t, and never could, say goodbye for a final time. I doubt I’ll ever change. I don’t want to, honestly. I’d rather sneak off into the night than go through… this. My family looks morose and uncomfortable i
Amanda“Lovely,” I say out loud as I run my fingers over the fine lace runner covering the length of the formal dining table in the castle in Veiled Valley. “More flowers, I think. What do you think of lilies, perhaps?” A light breeze drifts around me before crystal vases full of lilies, snapdragons, and tulips of several different shades appear out of thin air and drop onto the table. The scent of the flowers is rich and sweet, like the spring air outside. Veiled Valley is beautiful in late spring. Warm and lush and glowing with pale green as I lift my gaze from the table to the massive windows and archways leading out onto the sweeping veranda. “I love it, thank you,” I say to the house and step away to admire our work. With Granger still traveling through the Roguelands, I’ve returned to Veiled Valley. It feels good to be here again. This place–this city, and this magical castle–feel like home now. And being the Beta’s wife comes with responsibilities that keep me more than bus
EllaRyatt edges closer, slowly undoing the clasps and hooks keeping his leathers fastened to his body. There’s so much hunger in his eyes right now. Gone is that distant look of resignation, of sorrow, and of disbelief that clouded his vision the entire time we were healing in Maatua and the isles. It’s like coming home has brought my mate back to life. I feel it too. My body’s no longer heavy with grief and despair. My wounds have healed. My mind is no longer plagued by Kane and what he did to me and my body. My body only reacts to the way my mate is looking at me right now. Like I’m a meal. Like he’s been starving, and I’m the only thing that will satisfy him. But it’s been a while since I’ve seen that primal look in his eyes that makes them darken to steel. Ryatt won’t go easy on me this time. He won’t hold back. He’s not afraid to hurt me now. Because we made it home. Because we survived. And because we have time he never thought we’d have together. “Come here,” he growls a
Misty“Wait, wait.” Georgia smooths her hands through her hair, riling up her curls. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and says, “Let me get this perfectly straight.”“Okay.” I curl my legs beneath me as I sit across from her in our bed. It’s been a few hours since Declan stupidly left the door jammed, but I haven’t made any moves yet. Instead, I told Georgia everything. I figured if I leave tonight to map the castle and get caught or killed, she’ll live on to at least tell my story.“We’ve been kidnapped by an underground secret society, and they’re responsible for the attack on TU,” she begins, raising a finger. “Nathan not only cheated on you, but is part of the order.” She raises a second finger.“Yep.”She frowns. “You think the order is trying to start a war with your family.”I nod, and sh
MistyI follow Cole through his… apartment, I guess. The layout of these suites is remarkably like the Firestone castle in Moonrise where my family has their own apartments within the castle. But this place is practically empty. Dusty and stale. If he has personal objects, they’re not here.I creep behind him, careful to keep at least a few feet of distance between us as he leads me into a bedroom that… smells like him.I hadn’t noticed before–his scent. It’s very clean and brisk. It’s hard to describe. I don’t dwell on it. Instead, I’m looking at his perfectly made bed–so perfect I wonder if he’s ever even slept in it.“Sit down,” he commands… gently, at least.“Why?”“Because you need stitches, and you’re very short. I don’t want to have to bend down the whole time.”“
MistyThe next morning, I’m summoned by Declan and his cronies. Dressed in my favorite brand of athletic shorts and a tanktop–my school uniform, basically–I walk steadily behind them, in iron chains over my silver manacles, and Declan keeps his distance.I’m hungry and tired but curious about what comes next, especially after last night. Georgia seemed okay this morning–quiet, a little dazed–but that’s expected. I’m sure reality hit her as we ate bland oatmeal together in the warm sunlight streaming through the windows that bathed the dust all over our apartment in gold.I feel chipper and ready to commit murder, however. Which is my plan. I feel like I’ll give Declan a pass, though, at least for now, since I damn near bit his cheek off yesterday. Still, I size up the two men standing at my sides. Gregory, an art history student, like Georgia, has dark skin and short, black hair. He&
MistyI pace in front of a set of wooden double doors. They’re etched with sweeping designs that’re a near perfect match to the doors littered throughout the castle in Moonrise. This place–this apartment within the castle–it’s beautiful. At least, it was likely very beautiful once. Everything is covered in dust as it stands. The glass vases scattered across nearly every surface probably held bouquets of tropical flowers at one point. Books used to line every shelf. Silk and satin draped over the massive canopy of the four poster bed in the main bedroom, I’m sure, and the bed was covered by silk sheets that smelled like rose oil, freshly cleaned.Now, this apartment is a shell with ancient furniture and cheap, slightly ratty linens covering the beds, chairs, and old couches.But I haven’t really explored, not while my mind races. Where is Georgia? How do I get out and find her? I’ll escape
ColeShe’s exactly what I hoped she’d be.Beautiful, sure. I knew she’d be beautiful. The soft, ocean blue of her eyes reminds me of the sky in the early mornings, when stars still dance toward the horizon until they’’re chased away by the sun. She’s dainty and graceful. She’s exactly what a princess should be, as long as she doesn’t open her fucking mouth… but she needs to keep talking. She needs to keep pissing off the Umbra Mortis. She’s the perfect distraction.I hate that I need her.I hate that she showed how useful she could be when she unleashed her powers in the library because she’s just as trapped as I am now. But she might be our only hope. My only hope.I sink behind the desk in the sliver of personal space I've managed to carve out for myself in this massive fortress built in the dead center of the desert. We’re hundreds of m
MistyDrip. Drip. Drip.I open my eyes to darkness, blinking it away. My body aches like nothing I’ve ever experienced before, but I’m alive. I’m alive, and in a dungeon.I rise to my knees, crawling to the bars that separate me from a dingy, damp hallway lit by flickering torches.I hesitate before gripping the bars, but it’s iron, not silver, thank the Goddess. I’m not sure how much more I can take… wait a minute.I lift my wrists to the torchlight. Twin silver bands–wide, and seamless–hug each wrist. They’re no chains between them. Nothing keeping me bound to the wall. Manacles. I immediately try to pull them off, but I can’t. It doesn’t hurt, though. I wedge a pinky between my skin and the manacle on my left wrist and feel… leather? Some type of barrier between the silver and my skin.Still, even without the silver restin
AvivaI’ve never been to Crescent Falls before. I imagined something different than quiet, somber hallways and hushed murmurs. I guess, in any other circumstance, we would have been able to drive here in a real car from the border with Eastonia, taking several days to travel through the sweeping plains of Moorn before reaching the mountainous, sprawling mecca of the capitol while Ryan told me stories about growing up in this fascinating place but that’s… not how this is happening.We arrived an hour ago to chaos. Now, I pace behind a couch, watching my mate lean into conversation with his twin brother Sydney and their father, Alpha King Isaac. Ryatt, the Alpha King of Eastonia, isn’t here. Neither is his wife and mate, Ella, Ryan’s aunt.Evander’s here, however, and he keeps stealing glances in my direction while I do my best to fade into Maddy’s floral wallpaper.One second, I&rsq
MistyGeorgia turns to the railing in awe. The students sharing our little alcove rise from their chairs in confusion as the books crash to the ground.My already thundering heart nearly stops, skipping several beats, and in that time, the first screams echo all the way down to us on the second to last floor, splitting the normally silent air into pieces. I stand, my chair falling over backward, as green-hued light blasts through the upper section of the library.“GEORGIA!” I scream, lunging for her as debris–a tangle of stone, books, and paper–cascade down the open space housing the staircase. A shockwave slams into us, knocking Georgia away from the railing and sending me backward into one of the racks, my spine singing in pain. More screams follow, growing in intensity, as I open my eyes to thick dust and the haze of magic I can taste on my tongue.Shadowed figures move down the staircase. Wolves
MistyBurning sunlight stuns me into alertness. I open my eyes to slits and promptly close them again. A dull pain spreads through my head, reminiscent of the type of hangover I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, but that doesn’t make any sense. I’m standing in the damp, dusty corridor in the web-like underground beneath campus… right?I open my eyes against the light and stare blankly at the ceiling of my dorm room. Soft snoring echoes all around me. Ignoring the sickening pain in my head, I turn ever so slightly to look at the person who’s arm and leg are draped over my body, finding Georgia sleeping peacefully, still wearing her black dress. We’re in her bed on top of the bedspread, and one quick glance across the room shows me a tangle of cloaks and shoes separating Georgia’s section of the tight room from mine where Fia and Darby are fast asleep in my bed. I sit up. Georgia’s arm slips from my waist as I slide out of bed and walk on unsteady feet to the door, grabbing my shower k