I wait all day, but Caleb does not send for me at all. Without being summoned, I have no reason to leave my room, so I stay inside all day. It feels a lot like I’m hiding. Maybe I am. I’m no coward, but I suspect walking into Caleb right now might lead to my untimely death. I’d rather stay alive,
Tristan steps inside with his usual confident steps. His face conveys his overall boredom. I hope that means he’s not here to murder me. Last time he had to send me to my supposed death, he at least seemed somewhat conflicted about it. “Harper,” he says as he walks to the center of the room. I don
For the rest of the day, Bethany measures me and works on a dress. Aside from showing me her designs and asking for my input, she does not speak to me. But then, I don’t speak to her either. She’s my friend more than my servant, and I don’t understand why as either of those things, she would refus
I try my best not to think about Caleb sleeping with some other woman, yet the image of it still creeps into my mind again and again. My stomach turns, imagining him naked with another woman, thrusting inside of her or doing all those wicked things with his tongue… This shouldn’t bother me. The ma
Both the rage and passion in his face grow in equal measure. As he takes a step closer, I’m unsure if he wants to hit me or kiss me. I’m starting to think it might be both. Delight coils through me, imagining him bending me over and spanking me. Quickly I shove away those thoughts. I’ve never want
The next morning, I’m sluggish and satisfied, naked in the bed. The covers are over me, but only from the waist down, leaving my breasts exposed while I stretch my arms over my head. Maybe I’m just more comfortable like this. Or maybe I’m putting on a bit of a show because Caleb is still here an
Entering the Hall for the Grand Ball, I’m once more amazed by the room’s transformation. This time, golden chandeliers dip down from the high ceiling. Shimmering chains of crystal and glass weave around them, connecting them to each other with delicate grace. When the light passes through the crysta
“You are asking me to deny the King of the kingdom,” I tell him. “The man who does not take no for an answer.” “Threaten to kill yourself if you have to,” Samuel says. That slices through me like a blade. Samuel would rather I hurt myself than be ‘spoiled.’ How can this cruel, apathetic man be t
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