Liz’s POVHis eyes had darkened to stormy now. I turned and ran but it appeared he was able to lock the outer door remotely. I heard a loud click just before I grappled with the doorknob.“Please, Byron, don’t do this,” I begged.“We’re mates, Lizzy. I need to introduce you to my tastes.”So all this was a test? Not one I was keen on passing in any way.“Are you going to whip me in there?”“I knew it,” he said. “You’ve been in this kind of dungeon before.”“Not willingly,” I told him.It was hard to admit but I didn’t want him to think I enjoyed this type of thing. I didn’t.His eyes narrowed.“Do you have a safe word?”“There was no point.”His growl was frightening. I took a step back.“I’m not angry with you, Lizzy.”“You could have fooled me,” I muttered.“Come closer.”He beckoned me with his finger, much like my uncle used to do. I had so many triggers yet, somehow, the dark side of Byron – Seb – didn’t repel me. Why was that? I wondered.His lips grazed my neck as he instructed
Byron’s POVI knew it would be wrong to smirk and employed my best poker face.“No, because you’re bound to get things wrong again. Hopefully on purpose, just like the bratty sub you are. And if you’re not, I’m going to train you up to be one. Because that’s what I like and I think you will, too.”“Is it because I’m stubborn? Ricky always says that.”I closed my eyes.“Please tell me he wasn’t a part of it in any way.”“What? Goddess, no.”“I prefer to say you’re mine to shape,” I said. She seemed to like the sound of that. “Drink that water.”I was pleased to see she didn’t hesitate. It made me proud.So, most of my burning questions had been answered. I had still to discover if we were compatible sexually. There was no rush. I told her that, adding that I could always summon one of the Omegas to satisfy me.Liz surprised me considerably by objecting strongly.“I would hate knowing you were with someone else now that I know we’re fated mates. They say it’s painful.”“Does this mean y
Liz’s POV“Do I have a choice?”I was becoming concerned that Tanya would come to the fore and that I would shift. It had never happened before but she was stepping out of her comfort zone and it made me uneasy.“She hasn’t said no,” he said, as if addressing a third person.I glanced behind me but we were the only ones in here. Unless he had a viewing room. I had to ask.“Is anyone watching us?”“Why, are you intending to be naughty?”“No, Byron.”“That’s a shame. I can assure you the wall mirror isn’t hiding an audience in another room. But you’ve just given me an idea. Do I have your consent?”I sighed.“Yes.”“And you remember the safe word system?” I repeated it back to him and told my Alpha mate I was good to go. “Stand up, pet, and face the mirror. I want to make you feel positive about your body.”“How?” I asked, seeing the mole on my thigh and the bags beneath my eyes.Byron came up behind me without warning and began to caress my hip. He was bare chested and I was conscious
Byron’s POVI stared at my Beta letting him know I wasn’t exactly pleased to be disturbed. Not now. Not when I was about to indulge myself even further.“This had better be good,” I growled, hoping he wouldn’t notice the bulge in my pants.“There’s a delegation here from Moon Tides.”I narrowed my eyes. “If this is some kind of joke … ”“Well, an Epsilon and one of the Omega females.”There was a thud as Liz’s head struck the underside of my desk.“Send them up,” I said, waving him away.Lucas could take a hint, though he smirked when he saw the yellow dress abandoned on the carpet and couldn’t resist a snarky comment.“Shouldn’t their acting Luna be present for this?”“I’ll see to that. Go.”She emerged when I indicated the coast was clear and quickly covered up.“Do I look okay?”I couldn’t resist. “Pretty flushed, otherwise fine.”Liz was wearing full make-up today and I had learned to my surprise it was one of her interests. She hadn’t overdone it, either, still looking natural ye
Liz’s POVThis was way too public for my liking. I was already moist between my thighs and he hadn’t even struck me yet.“You’re lucky, pet. The gym is usually crowded at this hour.” I glanced over at the rowing machine but, thankfully, there was no sign of Mo. “Up you go.”He made me count each smack, an even dozen, before helping me down. That was when he introduced me to Penelope, who took me to the showers.“Hot or cold?” she asked.But she wasn’t talking to me.“Surprise her,” Byron said.The water was freezing. Was he making a point?The Alpha was waiting for me outside the male locker room. His hair was wet but he was wearing different coloured pants and a fresh shirt. Oh, the power of being able to summon a servant with a click of your fingers. It was a luxury I’d never had. I was back in the yellow dress, bra-less and the spare thong felt restrictive but there was no way I was doing without it.“Nothing to report, Alpha,” Penelope told him.“As I thought,” he said, thanking h
Byron’s POVHer shocked gasp meant she’d taken me literally.We saw no-one on our way to the library, which was unusual. It was probably a sign that the Moon Goddess approved. Did this mean pups were on the horizon? I’d always told myself I wasn’t ready. With someone like her, it would be an added bonus.“That’s a relief. I thought you meant … ”Her voice tailed off.“Quite the little exhibitionist, are we?”“Hardly,” she panted, looking at me as if she wanted to eat me up.So I’d done the right thing. Gregor was a canny old wolf.‘I heard that!’‘It was meant as a compliment.’I pointed to the door. “Locked or unlocked?”She hesitated. “Unlocked.”“Closed or ajar?”“Closed.”I wasn’t going to push it. Someone could still catch us at it, though a partly open door was akin to an invitation. Many a tryst had taken place in here, with my permission. Though only I could take a woman into the playroom.Using the hidden lever, I watched the bookcase move, revealing the second door.“I take
Liz’s POV Byron asked me if I was up to going down to dinner or if I wanted to be excused. “I’m ravenous,” I told him. He smirked, as if that was something to do with him and his prowess. The truth was I’d missed too many meals recently. That could only be good for my waistline. Every woman’s bothered about that, right? “I could have something sent up.” “You said you’d see Mo down there,” I pointed out. “For you, I meant.” It was sweet of him to spare my blushes, but I had to face her sometime. Why not now? I didn’t want the anxiety of postponement. “I’m good, thanks. So long as I don’t have to kneel at your feet and get fed scraps.” “Now there’s an idea,” he said. I had given no thought to the seating arrangements, other than my humorous comment. Byron was at the head of the table and Mo was to his right with Beta Lucas on the left. The only Omegas present were serving. I found myself next to a strikingly attractive woman with blonde hair. That red lipstick was too much, tho
Liz’s POV It was quite a relief that Byron’s sister now knew the truth about us. As far as the rest of his pack was concerned my position was somewhere between that of a hostage and a mistress. There was an added complication in that those originally from Moon Tides still saw me as their acting Luna. I was continuing to advise the Alpha as to who should make the transition here or remain in my former home. When I learned he was sending Philip to oversee them for the next few months I rested a little easier in our bed. The big man was unmated as yet but the Moon Goddess can deliver a fated mate at any point in a werewolf’s life and his mom hadn’t given up hope of that for him. Hard to believe he was only twenty-nine. He’d seemed to be about forty to me. I hadn’t seen much of Gavin since that night. He was a regular patroller of the pack’s borders and it suited him, a loner who wasn’t looking for love. There are exceptions to every rule. Ned, on the other hand, I saw almost every da
Byron’s POVThe Lycan was heading in the same direction as my Delta and me. It was a free country yet I found it all too convenient. Was he keeping an assignation with my Lizzy? Had she been coerced?Max offered up no explanation though I saw immediately he was spruced up. Released, obviously, and not just on some sort of bail. I knew that anyway, courtesy of a call from the ever helpful Ms Dodds.I couldn’t resist.“Been shopping?”“Not personally, no.”That brief who’d apparently swanned in like he owned the place must have excellent contacts for the Lycan to be kitted out like this and smelling of cologne in such a short space of time. Though I knew they had showers in the Council building and, rumour had it, not just for meetings which concluded late.It was Philip who spotted the pair of them and headed Caitlin off as she was making for the toilets.Liz put her hand to her mouth. “I forgot Mo’s present,” she gasped.Those didn’t sound like the words of a would-be adulteress but S
Byron’s POV I ordered Philip to follow Liz, not because I didn’t believe her when she said she was going to sit in on the interview with the Lycan, rather for her own safety and my peace of mind. I knew I could trust him to be discreet, so I cast all worries to the back of my mind and began to write my speech. Being Alpha King elect was such an honour, though the position had yet to be ratified. Was I tempting Fate? I preferred to think of it as being prepared and hoped my late parents would continue to be proud of me, especially as I’d fathered an heir and started to tame the sadistic tendencies. At least I was attempting to change and my sister had told me more than once how proud she was. Even Alphas like praise, especially from a hard-to-impress sibling. I kept protesting that it wasn’t necessary, but she saw right through me. “I hope we can put this business with the Lycan and his sidekick behind us now,” she said, preening herself in the mirror. “Trevor wants to take me to Eu
Liz’s POV I couldn’t believe my eyes for the second time in a week. Our pup had arrived, prematurely but otherwise healthy, and he was the spit double of my brother. From what I could remember of him at that age. Up again and nursing Rufus Alexander – I’d insisted on the middle name – I peered out of the misted-up window and had to use my sleeve as a makeshift leather in order to observe the scene which was unfolding. Was Byron really going to shoot Michael? Something glittered in the sunlight. Was that a silver bullet? He had to be kidding, didn’t he? I struggled with the catch until I realised there was a better way to attract his attention and one far less dangerous to my old friend’s health. What if shock caused Byron to fire without warning? ‘Have you gone mad?’ There was no response to the mind link initially, other than that our son began to wail. Did he have the bond this early? How should I know? So I made my way carefully down the stairs, crooning softly to my pup, o
Byron’s POVI had wondered how come the Lycan knew so much about what went on in the general shifter world and especially at Wild Horses. After a few mild ‘chastisements’ and some rather disjointed calls with Liz, in which we were like strangers who had just met on a dating site, I was told to get ready for an outing.Imagine my surprise when we took a chopper all the way to my home. Things were only compounded when I witnessed my mate becoming hitched to my ultimate rival.This couldn’t be right.In fact, it wasn’t. When she lifted her skirts and ran – and I thought she looked gorgeous in the taffeta dress – I was overwhelmed to see she wasn’t heading for the hills. Or, more accurately, the desert beyond our borders.Liz was making a beeline for me and soon flung her arms around my neck.Beside me, Caitlin was scowling as my mate welcomed me home and said now she could “do it all again” with the real bridegroom.I glanced at Max.“What’s he doing here?”“I told you, we have a spy in
Byron’s POV Cedar, such a lovely name. Unusual, too. I felt as if I were floating on air. Then the necessary hormones or whatever kicked in and I had to control my very real rage which emanated from Gregor and something even more supernatural. Her mother had once told me she was a chemistry student who went the extra mile. I supposed that wouldn’t be frowned on here at an academy now run by a witch. Yet it was about to backfire big style. And the joke was on me. For the dozenth time I wished I hadn’t set off on this mission alone. What had I been thinking? Even Alpha Richard wouldn’t have dreamt of doing something as crazy as this. The other girl, Poppy, resembled Carla more. Strange, because they were twins though not identical. I saw her out on the running track and could tell she had talent. But I had yet to set eyes on Faye. That was a concern. Maybe I should just ask my new accomplice. If that was what she was. Because when I approached Cedar, I saw the fear in her eyes.
Byron’s POVI have to admit I wasn’t worried about Liz initially. Until the news came in from my Beta that she believed she’d given birth and that the females weren’t premature. Did that mean – ? Was she feeling guilty because she had slept with another or, more likely, consented to artificial insemination in order to fool me?I shook my head as if to be rid of the same infection confusing my mate. Illness inevitably brings out the truth and she hadn’t been well for some time.“So, is she still pregnant, or not?” I barked into my cell.“Keep your fur on, Alpha. I was just apprising you of the situation.”“Well?”I began pacing up and down, attracting the attention of the pretty gas station employee who was currently filling up my truck. There’d been an issue with the pump or something. I wasn’t complaining. Those legs were mighty fine.“The medic has confirmed she’s expecting a male.”“Great news, Beta.”I was intending to call my heir Rufus without really knowing why. An outside infl
Liz’s POVThere’d just been something in the way he said it which led me to think Michael might know more than he was letting on about our new quarry. Well, new to me anyway.And I was right.What did he want in exchange? Only for me to say I forgave him.That came easy in view of the significance.“It’s been bothering me for a while,” he admitted.“You’re saying Lycan Max wants to have all female Alphas? Incredible.”I couldn’t take it in. How was I going to ‘sell’ this to Byron? Because an idea was forming. I could contact this witch person and claim I aspired to more.But how to break the ice?Hi, I’m a spy for a well-known Lycan wasn’t my finest thought, so I kept it to myself. Though having been an acting Luna who was doing almost everything and might as well take over could work. It would be awful to betray my brother like that yet I would only be telling the truth in order to fool her. And I had no desire to become Byron’s equal in name even if, secretly, we both knew I was.Ot
Liz’s POVThat was the first I’d heard of Caitlin Spencer.“Go on,” I said, encouraging openness in my mate. Especially since he’d told me she’d once been obsessed with him.“We met in England.” He looked out of the window. “If you must know she stalked me when I made it clear I wasn’t interested in seeing her.”“Is she a shifter, this Brit?”“Yes, and it gets worse. She obtained a secondment to the Werewolf Council over here, advising them on tech issues. That’s probably why she had access to your contact details.”As an acting Luna, I had to report my number to them each time I changed it. That had only happened once, to avoid taking Ernest’s calls.“And the message? What do you make of that?”“How loud does a peal ring out when it is being peeled. Isn’t it obvious? Cait is threatening your life, Miss Bell.”“Then you’d better make an honest woman of me, quick,” I joked.“Let me do some digging, starting with your friend, Randy.”“He’s no pal of mine,” I snorted.The following day h
Byron’s POVI decided to woo my mate rather than question her and even ordered some flowers. Keeping her close was no hardship and I wanted to demonstrate to Liz that I was a worthy husband. Not the usual Alpha behaviour but I owed her one. Several, in fact.So why wouldn’t she meet my eyes during dinner?Had she fallen for Max?If so I would have to prove myself over the coming weeks or we would have unrest here at Wild Horses – and not for the first time. Ours was a troubled history, though it didn’t prepare you; nothing did. Mo was fond of repeating that to my intense irritation. Though she was quite correct. Especially since our parents were a loving couple who rarely raised their voices in argument.At least, not when I was around.Had absence made my feelings stronger? Time would tell.That night I expressed my joy that she was expecting again but restrained myself from physically proving my love. Our relationship needed work and I wanted to show my rarely seen tender side.Stra