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
“Annabelle is a fine woman and would make a good queen,” Caleb says. “Of course,” Tristan says. Annoyance swells within Caleb. Even with as many times as Caleb scolds him, Tristan ever speaks his mind with Caleb. But he’s clearly holding back now. Not that it matters. Caleb has made his decisi
For a moment, I’m too stunned to speak. How could I have gotten this so wrong? How could I think that Caleb would be reasonable, and want to save me from further hurt, when everything that he’s ever done until this moment has only been in his own selfish interest? Of course, he wouldn’t want to fr
Bethany dips her head while glancing sideways at me. “Of course, my King.” She cannot tell the King no, but she’s still looking to me for what she should do. I close my eyes and give her a stilted nod. Without his approval, I won’t be able to take one foot out of the palace without being dragged
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