Never before have I seen Caleb act this animalistic without reason. It’s as if he’s totally lost himself in the frenzy of the wolf. Even half-shifted, he seems out of his mind, with neither man nor wolf fully in charge. Only the paranoia drives him now, like a parasite that’s fully taken over his bo
Caleb leads the way back to the Hall, with Tristan and me following along behind him. There, a few of Caleb’s advisors I recognize are crowded around a man I don’t. The unknown man is in his twenties or so, wearing dark clothing. His hair is a mess, and with those dark bags under his eyes, he look
“One of my scouts has returned with news of a rebellion,” Caleb says. He gestures to the scout. “Give them your report.” The scout steps forward. With every eye in the room on him, he talks about how a new rebel group is organizing and gaining traction. He says that while the packs along the north
I take Caleb’s worries to heart, but at the same time, I don’t let them stop me from increasing my investigation into Caleb and Evan’s past. Now that I have a name of the mysterious omega, Summer Robins, I can follow the strings that provides. Since the omega proved to be a bust, and I still suspe
Bethany and I shift our direction and head toward the guard barracks. While I hide behind a nearby pillar, not wanting to be scene, Bethany disappears inside. A few minutes later, she steps back outside with a familiar guard in tow. She brings him to my location. “Harper, I can’t believe it,” Ted
To my surprise, Caleb does not force the issue of my lying, even though he scowls deeply at me. Instead, he drops his hold on me, turns, and abruptly walks out of the room. Somehow, this feels worse. I’d almost rather he stay and argue with me, than face what I did just now. On his face, in a flas
Maybe they are. I hadn’t considered that. I can’t disprove it, but neither can I let it hold me back. “I’ll be on my guard,” I assure them both and then walk up to the door, leaving my companions down on the street. Lifting my hand, I knock twice on the door. At first, no one responds. “Hell
Mrs. Robins takes a deep breath, and then begins to tell me the story of her daughter. “Summer was a servant in the palace. They had her assigned to cleaning up after the women of the palace. She wasn’t important enough to actually interact with them, but she would do their laundry and tend to the
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
The stare-off continues for an uncomfortably long amount of time. Around us, I see Gladys’s servants take notice, and my own worry sets in. If this continues, will they attack Caleb? Is Caleb willing to go to war to keep me safe and by his side?I fear I already know the answer to that.Yet, before
Even so, with the drama, I worry about the food getting cold. It does look good and a cook took the time to make it. I quickly cut a bite of the fish and eat it.Though my stomach is in knots, the fish is delicious so I force it down.“Careful, stepmother,” Caleb says, giving weight to the word I’ve