I try to put Caleb’s cold shoulder to the back of my mind so I can focus on the matter at hand. Still wearing this giant tarp of a dress, I turn to Bethany. “I can’t possibly wear this to the gala,” I say. Bethany gives me a once over. “We can fix it, I’m sure. Somehow.” She touches the side of
The morning of the gala, Bethany is ready to make the final finishing touches to the dress. Outside, presumably, the various pack Alphas and their mates are beginning to arrive. The harem has been forbidden from stepping outside of their private wing, to maintain the mystery of the harem’s beauty un
“I still think it’s a bad idea,” Bethany says. “If the King catches you speaking with another man…” “He’s not another man. He’s the man. The one I love.” “The one married to your sister.” It’s a low blow and strikes me hard. Inside, I know she’s right. Despite the promises he made to me in tha
I stand at the back of the line of harem consorts, awkwardly avoiding eye contact with Gwen as she keeps looking back to glower at me. Blessedly, after a time, the line starts to move forward and I am saved from continued awkwardness. Yet, as I move closer and closer to the front of the Hall, I am
Well, that’s a concern for a later time. Right now, I only need to concentrate on surviving the night. The other consorts are mingling, so I attempt to as well. As far as I can tell, Caleb has yet to enter the room. I use this newfound freedom to weave through some of the Hall, mingling, but also
My irritation at my sister forces words from my throat that would have otherwise stayed lodged there, mostly from my shock at seeing Samuel again. “I wasn’t chosen for the King’s harem by some pitying fool, but by the King himself,” I say. Leah’s good humor immediately sours and she glares at me
I snap my mouth closed, remembering when Caleb had pulled me into that separate room and made me scream so loud with pleasure that everyone in the Hall could hear him. I do not want a repeat performance of that scenario, especially with Samuel in the room. He would be forced to listen. One by one,
Samuel’s face turns even redder. So does mine, I imagine, from how hot it feels. I can’t reprimand Caleb from saying such things – especially not when he’s sitting on his throne, in front of so many people watching and listening. Still, before he walks away, he does somehow manage to speak up. “
At first, I saw Caleb as nothing more than a brute, a vicious, ruthless tyrant who valued power above all else.While Caleb continues to be independent and stubborn, he has also become more compassionate. He is proud and strong, and loves me deeply. I cannot imagine a more perfect mate.A mate that
As I’m moving into Caleb’s room after today, I feel a sense of bittersweet nostalgia standing in my own room in the palace. Caleb has told me that the room will remain unchanged, and that I can continue to use it however I wish, but what I want most is to move forward in my life with him.I’m standi
Knees in the dirt, Caleb still manages to look proud, even as he surrenders.“I will give you the crown, if that is your wish. I will easily give you my life,” he says. “But do not harm my mate.”Tears well in my eyes. Caleb, my brave mate, so strong and proud, willing to lower himself to this becau
His face is pale, his cheeks sallow. All of his limbs sag heavily, as if being dragged down toward the ground with more than just gravity. He seems to be giving great effort even to just keep his head upright.“What do you want, Gladys?” he asks. There’s anger in his voice, but there’s also defeat.
Behind Samuel, I see Caleb rise up from the ground. He heaves like it costs him great effort to do so, yet determination sparks like fire in his eyes. With clear exertion, he forces his massive werewolf body to take a step forward. And then another, approaching Samuel.Samuel, who had shifted to hum
Caleb doesn’t answer, but I suppose he doesn’t need to. I know what he said. The soft way he is looking at me, combined with the tender way he strokes my cheek tells me all that I need to know.He said I am his mate.As a human, I can’t feel the draw of the mate bond as well as a werewolf could. I’d
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