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
“You could call me ‘father,’” Hector says. “That was another title you sacrificed long ago,” Caleb says. While they continue to argue, Caleb’s mother glances at me. “And who is this, Caleb? She is dressed like one of your harem girls, but surely you would not bring someone so unrefined to a meet
Even though Caleb is pretty adamant in his refusal, I won’t accept it until he fully hears me out.“No, no. It’s perfect. You can make sure the wolves stay away long enough that they won’t come back and find me. That will give me plenty of time to head into the library and find the secret passage.”
A growl rumbles from the back of Caleb’s throat. With his arm wrapped firmly around me, he leads me the rest of the way down the stairs where we approach Gladys directly.“Ah, the guests of the hour,” Gladys says with a humored smirk. “Please, make yourselves at home. Do the rounds, meet the other g
Bethany, in shock over what she was hearing, emitted a tiny gasp. Though she covered her mouth in an instant, it was unfortunately enough of a sound to draw the attention of Gladys and the butler in the kitchen.“What was that?” the butler says, just as Gladys calls out, “Who’s there?”Bethany, real
“You’ve cast aside your harem, denied a bond with a very nice werewolf Annabelle… You’ve thrown every other perfectly acceptable wolf woman to the side… All so that you can stay with a human?”As she lectures, I freeze a little. I didn’t realize this is such a point of contention. I’d thought Caleb
The next morning, we receive an invitation from Gladys to accompany her for a walk in the gardens while the ballroom is being prepared for the gala. As we need to gather information anyway, and can’t do that tucked away in our room, we decide to take her up on the offer.The gardens are tucked behin
“This was more than a mere slight,” I snap. “Your butler shot the King!”Gladys gives me a vague sort of look, like she’s not apologetic or sympathetic at all.Caleb wraps his arm around me, placing his hand on the small of my back.“It’s alright, Harper,” Caleb says. Though he has been more calm th
The loud pop of a gunshot makes me jump. Unfortunately, I’m very familiar with that sound, from far too many close encounters at the palace.I look toward the door. Caleb still isn’t back yet.“Wait!” Cameron calls. Stepping toward us, his hand is raised. “It’s too dangerous!”I don’t have time to w
As Bethany talk, I learn more about her than I ever have before. It makes me feel like a truly awful friend. Bethany has stood by me through thick and thin, yet I still knew so little about her. I’m determined to rectify this oversight, and dive into her life here and now as much as I can.Yet, whil
Holding the note, I moved toward the bed and sat down on the edge. Caleb, finished with his shower, comes out of the shower looking relaxed as can be. The moment he sees me perched on the bed, he tenses again.“What happened? What’s going on?” he asks, his voice all business.I hold up the small not