CALIFF “What’s happening to me?” Shadow just came out of the bathroom holding strands of her hair—her white hair. Since when did she get highlights? I held it to inspect. When I couldn’t give her the answers, she said, “Exactly.” “Zarah,” I called the witch. The door flew open. Zarah didn’t come alone. My parents, Duke, Kindra, together with Zack and Lyon.” “New hairstyle?” Duke asked with a deep line between his eyebrows. “I wish,” Shadow answered, chuckling as Kindra launched to her in a hug. “I have no idea how relieved I am to see you standing on your two feet.” “With a highlight.” “Good to see you, Luna.” “Thanks, Zack. You okay, Lyon?” “Yeah. What you did was a miracle.” Her eyes widened as her gaze landed on my father. “You really look okay.” “Beyond okay, Shadow. I feel like a reborn. I don’t feel pain anymore. And the scar was gone.” “You’ve been awfully silent, Zarah.” I looked at Zarah. There was sadness in her eyes that she couldn’t hide it, even for a witch.
SHADOW A swirling, glimmering blue liquid glass, the size of a small door, appeared before me, like a dark storm or a black hole pulling a dark material that could take me to another dimension. Or worse, I ended up on flowing lava somewhere on the island of Hawaii. Still, I trusted Zarah that I had enough courage to step into it. When I thought it would hurt or twist bones or spaghettified and take time before I arrived, I was wrong. The moment I stepped in, the same time I was in her living room. And it didn’t hurt. “Thanks for creating a portal for me. It was weird, like cheating space and time.” I kissed Zarah on her cheek. “Better than traveling long hours.” “Yeah. That’s pretty convenient. I still don’t believe this is possible.” “Let me guess. Alpha Califf doesn’t know about this plan?” I shook my head. I was suddenly nervous. “I only told him a half of it, that I am meeting you.” “And he let you go without questions?” “I think you earn his trust. And as long as I don’t
SHADOW You’ve got to be kidding me. Did he really think I would let him? He must be losing his goddamn mind. I felt sickened in my stomach. “Go to hell, but I have a mate, and that’s not gonna happen.” “Our kind has less female Lycan, Shadow. We need you—” “To be the breeder of your kind, pop out pups until my body gives up? No thanks. Hard pass.” I snarled in disgust. “This is not a choice. It’s a must.” “Well, shit. Either you kill me or leave me alone, but I’m not doing it. I have a mate. He’s the only one with whom I’m willing to have baby wolves. You and your kind can go to hell. All of you.” “He’s a werewolf, the son who murdered your father. And you haven’t avenged his death either. You have two choices here, Shadow. Come to your kind, or it’s the end of your pack.” “Are you threatening me?” My wolf felt threatened. I should have listened to Zarah. She warned me this would happen, and I never listened. I should have never come here. “Shadow, calm down.” Zarah came to
CALIFF “Effective immediately, I’m stripping Elder Waylon and Elder Eleanor from the rank of Elders. They can stay in the territory or be banished. It’s their choice. As of this moment, they are regular members of the pack.” I signed the papers and stamped it with my blood. I changed my mind about banishing them. I still needed their insight and wisdom and trusted no one other than my parents. It was clear to me that most of the elders could turn their backs on me. And Shadow seemed okay with my father around. The Elders hadn’t said the word. “I expect a harder punishment for your father, Alpha,” Elder Aciano commented. “You expected jail time or death to show the pack that I could be ruthless? My mate has forgiven my father and has decided not to pursue extending this case to the council. Besides, we have more pressing matters at hand. Saving the lives of the pack members is more important to me than wasting my time on the crime. I wasn’t even an Alpha back then. And he was also
SHADOW “I don’t like this.” My fifth time changing gowns from the hanger rack. They were all nice, but I wanted to excuse myself from going to a formal dinner. I received an invitation from Sebastien yesterday. I didn't know what was up to, maybe to poison me after what I did to him. “Try this black. It’s gorgeous. The sequin doesn’t make you itch.” Kindra elbowed Zarah. “Stop trying. Those gowns fit her perfectly. She’s just making excuses.” “Get used to always attending parties, dinners, and boring meetings. You’re a Luna now. Now, put that black on so they can adjust what’s needed. I’m hungry, Shadow. And your mate probably needs cuddling.” “He doesn’t need cuddling,” I said crisply. “He has a business meeting with Kent and other investors.” “And what’s your excuse?” I picked up the dress and slumped my butt on the chair. “I'm made from a mistake. My sperm donor couldn’t keep his junk in his pants and raped my mother in her sleep. He’s a dick. That’s why I don’t wanna attend
CALIFF Shadow looked ethereal— stunning, in her black floor-length gown. I might have to put a massive effort into my self-control tonight, and being possessive was a part of who we were—our natural instinct towards our mate. “I want you to wear this.” I put a tennis diamond necklace around her neck that I bought last week to accessorize her dress. “A family heirloom?” She traced her fingers over the jewelry. “It’s beautiful.” “No. A gift.” I kissed my mark on her neck as I looked at her reflection in the mirror. “Not as beautiful as you, baby.” “You’re not bad yourself, Alpha.” She turned around, fixing my tux. “You look dashing. I’m afraid I have to gorge a lot of women’s eyes tonight if they keep on fantasizing and ogling what’s mine.” I lifted her chin with my finger. “Look at me, baby.” She met my gaze. Her eyes filled with joy mixed with lust. “I’m serious, Califf.” “I know, but I only have an eye on you. Let me prove it to you after the party.” “How do you plan on prov
SHADOW “Stay with Zarah. I’ll be right back.” Califf kissed my lips. “I’m going to avail a castle restroom.” I rolled my eyes. “Careful with those faes.” “They should be careful with you.” He kissed me again before he let me go. I went to Zarah and Aira when the announcement echoed. She was right. There was definitely a gladiator-type brawl after the dinner. Sebastien had to prove to me he was a total asshole. “Where’s Alpha?” “He went to the restroom.” Zarah’s brows furrowed. “Are you sure?” “Yeah. He said it. Why?” Should I doubt his words? I didn’t think he would lie to me. “I hope I’m wrong. Let’s go. We have a box seat next to the Alpha King.” The lights went on at the battleground. My father was in the front row, but Alexander wasn’t around. Zarah, Aria, and I were on the second and an empty seat for Califf. I would have loved to watch these creatures as they fought for their lives, but I didn’t enjoy watching someone get brutally murdered before my eyes because this
CALIFF “Baby, can we talk?” She shut me out completely. After that fight, she wouldn’t even look at me. She showed up one minute for the after-party to show her support to her mate, then went to see her grandfather. That was twenty-four hours ago. She slid up the window shield of the private jet to ignore me. She had been successful so far. Zarah and Aira gave us time to talk while Zack and Lyon grabbed a drink at the back. “Baby, please. It’s been a day. Just talk to me, yell at me, curse me, hurt me. Just let it out, but I need you.” Her head turned to me in slow motion with eyes filled with rage, glowing. “Yell at you, hurt you? That’s not enough, asshole! Do you know what you did to me when you went to fight? You killed me over and over again! I thought my mate would die there, so hurting you wouldn’t be enough of what you put me through. What the fuck were you thinking?” At least she was talking to me. I took all her anger. I would be fine, but shutting me out? It fucking h