Blinking my eyes open, I’m once again surprised to find myself still alive. In fact, I almost feel… better?I lift my limbs, surprised to find that I still can, and it’s so much easier than it was when Nina was putting that needle into my IV tube and –Fear floods through me at the thought, and I je
Caleb looks now at the loose teal blue top and bottom covering me and frowns. That frown remains as he looks up to my eyes.After having spent so much time away from the man, I forgot what it’s like to be in his presence. He’s a strong man in muscle bulk and stature, but even beyond that his presenc
Surely, I’ve misheard. But, no, Caleb spoke very clearly, and he wouldn’t say something like that for the hell of it.For him to announce that to me, he means it. He genuinely intends to make me part of his harem.“I don’t understand,” I admit. “Before all this, you sent me to the coliseum… now you
His hands follow the path of my gaze, tracing up from my ankles to my knees, then dip between my thighs. His forefinger rubs along my entrance, just as his thumb brushes my clit.I gasp as I toppled forward, putting more weight on his shoulders.“Lay down,” he says. “Let me see you.”Slowly, I try t
Caleb brings me straight over the edge of bliss, as he so often, so expertly does. All the while, his words remain crass and ugly, but his motions are gentle and considerate. I only ever feel a limited amount of pain.He, too, brings himself to completion and then lowers my ass back down to the carp
I look at Bethany, whose chin is down to her chest, her face pale white and from what I can see, completely miserable.An accusation of murder is a serious one. Perhaps not so much around here, where whippings and poison seem to be par for the course. But back home where I’m from, people generally d
Away from the door now, at Bethany’s side, I can’t hear them chattering anymore. It’s as good as pretending they are no longer there.“Do you want to tell me what they were talking about?” I ask.“No,” Bethany says.“Is it something I ought to know?” I ask.Bethany lowers her head again. As I debate
By now, I’ve been threatened with death so much, that it shouldn’t still bother me. But I suppose I don’t actually want to die, so that keeps me from being too blasé about it.I’ve seen with my own eyes enough to know how dangerous this place is. Just because the King hasn’t carried out on his threa
Samuel glances from me to Gladys and then finally to Caleb. “You agree to this challenge? You will fight me for Harper?”“And for the kingdom,” Gladys says.“I would, if in exchange you disappear and leave us all alone,” Caleb says.Per the rules of the kingdom, any alpha can challenge the Alpha Kin
“Are you in any such position to offer such a challenge?” Caleb asks.“With Harper as the prize, he will agree,” Gladys says with total confidence.“And what kind of benefit would this give you?” I counter, pushing forward. Tristan lets me past him but Caleb does not, stepping in front of me protect
I can’t see what is happening, but I can hear it. Bethany’s terrified shriek. Her thump against the ground. The slide of a sword leaving a sheath.“Drop that weapon,” Caleb commands.“Everyone here knew I had no intention of leaving these two alive,” Gladys says, ignoring Caleb’s demand. “These are
Caleb hears each and every word Gladys utters, including her plans to kill Harper and drive him insane. Without his meaning to, a growl escapes his throat. Immediately, Harper looks at him with worry. “What is it?”“Nothing,” Caleb lies to her. He will not tell her the truth, not wanting to worry h
We move closer to the stronghold, me staying in Caleb’s shadow. He stays in human form for my benefit, but I can tell from the red sheen in his eyes, that he is on edge. Likely, he could shift in a moment’s notice to protect us.The wolves that hounded us seem to have all retreated. I still don’t un
But he has no question that she is his. Even without her ability to soothe him, he feels a sort of tether to her, like a connection between their hearts. He’d ignored it for a time, believing since youth that the pull of a mate would be stronger.Perhaps if she was a werewolf…No matter. She is his
After a bit more running, Caleb sets me down in a spot that seems relatively safe for the moment. We’ve been moving in a more dangerous way than before. Instead of running away from the danger, we seem to be skirting around it, with the enemy wolf howls nearer rather than at a safe distance.Caleb s
Tristan hadn’t even tried to defend himself. Now, he remains in wolf form, broken and tattered on the ground. But he’s still alive, and that knowledge gives Bethany some relief.Tristan isn’t an alpha wolf, but his werewolf healing factor will help him recover in time. He will survive this.“I told
Not having any other course of action, I brace myself, preparing for the synch of teeth on my neck. The seconds slow, and in this one terrible moment, I’m positive that I’m about to die.My heart lurches, and I wish I could see Caleb just one more time.Then, as if he appeared out of my mind’s eye,