When we are deep into the forest, Caleb stops running. Turning toward me, he gently pushes me into the shadow of a tree. Reaching down, he grabs fistfuls of mud and rising again, begins to cover my arms in the muck.“Caleb?” I ask.“To disguise your scent,” he tells me. “Help me. Here.”He passes ov
I stand very still, not even breathing, as that unknown wolf comes closer, sniffing now around the tree. He’s off to the side from where I am, but if he continues circling, he will find me here. I have no defense, and in the hollow, I’m basically trapped.For a moment, I think maybe I should make a
Suddenly, Parker pounces, making his move. Clint jumps to meet him.Fur flies, growls and snarls permeate the air as teeth and paw dig into one another. When they separate again, they are both a little bloody and tattered-looking. They circle once more, Parker with a limp this time.Clint strikes in
Just as the tension in the room feels like it’s at a boiling point, Samuel takes a step backwards, moving away from Gladys.To the guard that stepped forward, he shouts, “Take Gladys to the dungeon.” As if suddenly remembering Bethany, he motions to her as well. “And this one. I tire of seeing eithe
Not having any other course of action, I brace myself, preparing for the synch of teeth on my neck. The seconds slow, and in this one terrible moment, I’m positive that I’m about to die.My heart lurches, and I wish I could see Caleb just one more time.Then, as if he appeared out of my mind’s eye,
Tristan hadn’t even tried to defend himself. Now, he remains in wolf form, broken and tattered on the ground. But he’s still alive, and that knowledge gives Bethany some relief.Tristan isn’t an alpha wolf, but his werewolf healing factor will help him recover in time. He will survive this.“I told
After a bit more running, Caleb sets me down in a spot that seems relatively safe for the moment. We’ve been moving in a more dangerous way than before. Instead of running away from the danger, we seem to be skirting around it, with the enemy wolf howls nearer rather than at a safe distance.Caleb s
But he has no question that she is his. Even without her ability to soothe him, he feels a sort of tether to her, like a connection between their hearts. He’d ignored it for a time, believing since youth that the pull of a mate would be stronger.Perhaps if she was a werewolf…No matter. She is his
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
Caleb hears each and every word Gladys utters, including her plans to kill Harper and drive him insane. Without his meaning to, a growl escapes his throat. Immediately, Harper looks at him with worry. “What is it?”“Nothing,” Caleb lies to her. He will not tell her the truth, not wanting to worry h
We move closer to the stronghold, me staying in Caleb’s shadow. He stays in human form for my benefit, but I can tell from the red sheen in his eyes, that he is on edge. Likely, he could shift in a moment’s notice to protect us.The wolves that hounded us seem to have all retreated. I still don’t un