“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” I say. He narrows his eyes at me, as a growl escapes his lips. “Do not test me, Harper. I have little reason not to kill you as a traitor would deserve right at this very moment.” “Fine,” I say, then close my eyes. I was planning on bringing this to him a
I force the annoyed thoughts from my mind. This is fine. If this leads to Bethany being saved, I can survive this. When we finally reach the palace, Caleb barks at some of the nearby guards, “Grab a medic and head down to the alley in town.” He gives a more specific address. “There is a wounded ha
When Caleb finally reappears in the hallway, my nerves prickle, while the guard forced to watch me seems relived. Caleb glances me over, seeing that I am unharmed and dutifully in the same spot he left me in. Then he grabs me again. This time, blessedly, he pulls me into a bridal carry and not jus
Caleb stays with Harper for a time. Curled up against him, she sleeps soundly, her body damp with sweat but relaxed. He is pleased that she enjoyed her punishment. Blissful torture is often the best kind. She will undoubtedly be furious when she wakes up and continues to find herself chained to th
Bethany rushes from my room and returns with an axe. I pull back as far as I can, giving her the room she knees to slash away at the baseboard of the bed where the chains are connected. It must take some exertion. Blood begins to seep through her bandages. “Bethany…” “Almost there!” He brings
“You are a fragile human,” Caleb says, as he continues to inspect me. “There could be internal bleeding. We need to take you to the medical ward and have you checked out by a doctor.” “But Caleb…” I say, still glancing back at Annabelle, who in turn, is watching us closely. “Forget her,” Caleb s
Caleb sits on his throne, glaring down at the line of guards filed before him with clear, heartless distain. One or many of these guards directly betrayed Caleb. That none of them will give up the others tells him that all of them might as well have been responsible. How many of his soldiers hav
Annabelle’s threat stays with me this time, even long after she’s gone. Bethany comes to the medical ward to collect me and together with a guard we walk back to my room. I’m unusually quiet, even with my friend, my thoughts stuck on how off Annabelle sounded as she made her threats. How very unhi
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
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