My heavy heart persists into the evening. I haven’t talked much since speaking with Kira, retreating to my room soon after. Not even Bethany could encourage me to speak. Kira’s words cut into me, straight down to the bone. I don’t want to believe that Caleb only wants me for sex, and that’s all he’
As much as I wished it wouldn’t, the day of Caleb’s wedding eventually arrives. It takes me a long while to drag myself out of bed, and then even longer to go to the window and pear out at the world.A day this dark should be miserable outside. Storm clouds, maybe. Dreary and overcast at least.But
Seeing Caleb in his wedding suit, I start to lose my nerve.Why in the world would I think I could convince him now, when he’s ready to go and greet the nobles and other guests? By coming in here, I’m only embarrassing myself.Mortified by my own impulsive action, I turn around and start to leave.“
He cares for me, that I know. It might not be love, but it’s more than nothing.Even so, he and I are from two very different worlds.What does Caleb even know about love? His father had a harem, and he and his mother never got along. Caleb’s brother Evan found a mate, but then Caleb was forced to k
As I race back into the hallway, I think about returning to my room, but I don’t want to be idle anymore. Sitting around thinking is half of what got me into this mess. It’s what made me take such a foolish action as pouring my heart out to a man who has no capacity to accept it.But just as I don’t
I’m stunned silent for a moment, then I look at her with wild eyes. I can’t really understand what’s happened here, or why she would do that.Before she can get even one more word out, I shout, “Someone is planning to kill Caleb!”She rolls her eyes at me. “Someone’s always trying to kill him, you s
Caleb is talking about the swelling red on my cheek. The bruise that has been forming since Kira slapped me. But so much has happened since then. It’s hard for me to focus, to keep track. Deciding whether or not to reveal Kira as the culprit of this particular injury requires more critical thinking
I run all the way back to my room, trembling with shock and upset. Bethany turns to me the moment I come rushing through the door.“There you are! Where did you go?” she says. She seems angry for a moment, until she fully takes in the state of me. “What happened?”Shakily, I tell her what I can, abo
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