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
Since my arrival here at the capital, it has never been any secret that Caleb was the kingdom’s most eligible bachelor. I can’t pretend to be shocked when so many woman take interest in him, hoping to claim his eye and his hand – and some of his power – for themselves. Yet, even knowing that, the
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,