Caleb is only half-listening to Annabelle. Rather, his full attention is on Harper and the way she sways as if she might faint. He will not let her head hit the ground if her legs give out, which they seem about to at any moment. “My King?” Annabelle says, likely trying to reclaim Caleb’s focus, w
I know Caleb’s idea of interrogation involves torture. I’ve seen it happen. Hells, it even happened to me once. And I don’t totally trust Caleb’s promise not to kill Leah, either. When he gets in those overly-aggressive moods sometimes, it’s hard for him to hold back even when he wants to. So I te
Well, if Caleb has authorized this, then I have no choice really but to honor this summons, even if I’d rather run screaming, naked into a forest filled with bees. “Very well,” I say. The handmaiden leads me out to the courtyard, to a small rod-iron table in the shadow of a great oak tree, where
I can’t speak against Annabelle. I might be in the King’s harem, but she is an honored member of a powerful pack and favored to be the Queen. What would I say, even if I could? No? Caleb needs to keep his harem? That’s not what I want. If I could have my way, Caleb would free all members of the
I return to my room absolutely humiliated. In a way it was flattering, that Caleb’s parents misunderstood and thought that Caleb cared enough about me to want to break traditions and marry me, a member of his harem. Their expressions, however, a mix of horror and rage, left me feeling nothing but
“Why the hell would you want to mate with some inferior male?” Caleb demands, his rage flaring like the red flashing through his eyes. “He wouldn’t be inferior to me,” I snap back. “He would be my husband and mate.” “Stop saying that!” Caleb roars. He’s trying to intimidate me. Well, it won’t
Then, like whispering a breath, he says aloud his realization. “You think you don’t mean anything to me.” It wasn’t a question, more a statement. There’s nothing I can say against it, because it is one hundred percent the truth. His brow furrows slightly, giving him an annoyed expression. He ste
Caleb follows Tristan to an empty gym. The guards already sparred in here earlier and now it sits empty. If Caleb didn’t know Tristan as well as he did, he might suspect that Tristan led him back here so they can continue their fight. But Caleb does know Tristan, so he knows Tristan only brought h
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