KaneEmory has left for Moon Grove to persuade the other shifter packs into becoming our allies. I try not to be too hopeful that she’ll succeed, not because I have no faith in her but because the enmity between our species has been around for far longer than Emory has been alive. It will take a lot
“Father trusted you to always give him the best advice,” I point out. “And you did. From what I’ve heard, you’re the reason there was less bloodshed between us and the shifters.”“I never saw the reason to antagonize the wolves. While we may be stronger and faster, the tides can always change. There
“No.” I get up from my seat abruptly, causing dishes and cutlery to rattle on the table. “I do not want to hear your excuses. We did monstrous things. There is no excuse for any of that.”I leave without turning back. My mother calls out for me. I ignore her.She’s not the one I need to talk to.*
EmoryI don’t immediately return to Crimson Peak. I take a few days to iron out the alliances with the other Alphas before they return to their villages. All the excitement from the previous days finally hits me, and I need to rest. My mother calls for a pack healer to come to the mansion for a chec
I’m glad I don’t have to be alone for this. When my mother wasn’t speaking to me, I thought I would have to be alone for my first shift. It’s a terrifying and lonely thought. I’m relieved I’ll be surrounded by my pack.I spend the next few days in bed, trying to rest up and take the healer’s advice.
My mom takes my hand in hers. “I’ve been waiting for years for this day. It’s not how I had imagined it to be, but I am so proud of you.”Tears well in my eyes. “Thanks, Mom.”I plan to call Kane tomorrow and thank him for the gifts. I know I am too concerned with the shift that night to think about
EmoryI open my eyes and stare up at the full moon. My senses are overpowered. I can hear and see things from afar. I smell everything from my mom’s cloying perfume to the dirt coating my paws.I look down at my new body. My paws are large and covered in white fur. I turn my head to look over the
I pour blood into my glass and hand the bottle back to Rainer. “Well, my friend, I wish you all the luck in the world.”I know he’s going to need it.***EmoryCollins checked me the morning after my first shift, and I’m fine. So is my child. It’s a relief.The difference in me after my first shift
Fractured memories of the night I nearly drank myself to death careen to the forefront of my mind. There was a woman. I don’t remember her face or her name. I was so far gone with drink and self-loathing that I gave in to whatever kind of attention and stimulations she had to offer. It was consensua
ColeThe letter came in the dead of night, rain-soaked and smeared, but I’d know her handwriting anywhere, in any condition. She’d written that she needed to see me, urgently, that it couldn’t wait, and she couldn’t explain why, not in a letter, not at the risk of what she needed to tell me going pu
EmeldaIt’s a quiet night. A long, silent walk from the castle. I needed this quiet, this stillness in the late summer air. Ravenfell comes into view beyond the trees, twinkling in the darkness. I smile, shaking my head as I look down at my shoes. I can still feel the weight of the twins in my arms
MichaelI haven’t been to Scarlet Thunder in… years. I didn’t realize how long it’s been until I pulled up to the back of the castle, somewhat startled by how small it looks compared to my memories from my childhood. Not that it's a small castle, but I'm much bigger now. I step out of my car, my fac
Faye“Oh, Faye, this is beautiful,” Emory says as she walks around the wide room on the second floor of the newly constructed manor. She runs her fingers over the pale blue and pink floral wallpaper and white trim, her jade eyes sparkling as she takes in the lace curtains and soft cream carpet. “I l
EmeldaIn the week since the twins were born, I’ve been busy with the final touches on my cottage. I spent days this past spring digging in the front garden, planting herbs and vegetables, and fixing the front path. I hired a group of shifters to replace the roof and update the inside, installing ne
Emelda“Thank you,” I say, hurrying at a near run as a maid takes my cloak. The castle is buzzing with nervous energy but remains quiet with even the maids tiptoeing around, trying not to make a sound. I’d remained in Ravenfell for the birth. I spent all night and most of this morning at Alma’s hou
FayeSomething’s wrong. Something has to be wrong. “You’re doing great. Keep pushing, Faye. You’ve got this,” Alma says, her face glistening with sweat and determination while I roar in pain. Michael clutches my hand, his other hand bracing my inner thigh as I bear down with all the strength I hav
Michael“It could be hours–or a day,” Alma says quietly as she arranges her tonics on a table just outside the bedroom where Faye’s finally getting some rest. “It’s been hours already,” I tell her, motioning toward the window in my suite in the castle where moonlight drifts through the panes, casti