Some of the Alphas bow. Others stare as if seeing a ghost. I’m up on the stage near the throne, on my knees in front of George standing behind me. His hands are on my neck. As Caleb comes closer, his expression darkens more and more. A few feet away from me, his eyes flash red. He glances at m
After Caleb’s grand display, I decide to remove myself from the gruesome sight and return to my old room, to see if it’s been ransacked. Entering, I notice a few things that are strewn about, but for the most part, everything is more or less as I left it. With a quick cleaning, it will be good as ne
Bethany’s good humor falls at my words. “Yes. I suppose that’s true… Though your feelings for him will surely help you find comfort in your days here. Maybe being near him won’t be such a chore for you.” I want to believe that, but the truth is messier. Instead of being annoyed by Caleb’s presence
Caleb sees nothing but vengeful shadows everywhere he looks. Even from the safety of his chambers, he suspects everyone in the palace is plotting against him. Before the attempted coup, Caleb thought that his paranoia was mostly unwarranted, triggered only from the strain of not yet finding his m
I nervously approach Caleb’s chambers. The guards are there, same as ever, eyeing me warily as I approach. “I need to see the King,” I say. “So does everyone,” one of the guards says. “What makes you special?” “That’s Harper, the King’s favored,” the other guard tells the first. The first gu
Caleb is trapped inside of a fog within his own mind. Everywhere he turns, there is only darkness. Even this figure – this woman – before him is cast in dark shadows. She could be familiar – his heart is telling him that she likely is – but his mind insists he is only surrounded by enemies. Even t
“Absolutely not,” I say. Caleb seems taken aback, his brow raising at first, before lowering dangerously. “You would deny your king?” “I’m not comfortable with that. I don’t want something like that, that could kill someone so easily, not even to defend myself.” “You carry a blade,” Caleb poin
Caleb suddenly goes very still. “My parents?” “They await in the Hall,” Tristan says. “They are expecting you.” “Caleb?” I ask. I’m still pinned beneath him on the bed, my body still hot even as my confusion has thrown a wrench in my lust. Caleb looks down at me, with something like an apology
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