Faye“Lowe,” Michael says, nodding in the shifter’s direction in greeting. “I’m glad you were able to join us.” Lowe stretches his arms over his head, smiling into the pockets of bright sunlight poking through the clouds. “Miss a few minutes of sunlight? Absolutely not. When Alma told me I needed t
FayeA huge brown wolf with jade eyes peers down at me. The top of my head would brush against the underside of his shoulder. He’s just… massive, and I hadn’t expected that. I swallow hard, trembling, as I tilt my chin to meet his eyes. “Oh.” It’s the only sound that could possibly leave my lips o
Michael gives me a nudge on the back of my neck before sprinting after Lowe. Alma’s eyes go hazy for a moment before she says, “They picked up a few scents they’re going to check out. We’re going to meet them on the road.”Emelda nods, but I’m confused. “How do you know?”“Lowe told me,” she shrugs
She hesitates when we reach the inn, and I guide us to an outbuilding. She’s soaking wet and nervous when I slip behind a stall meant for the few people who have horses and carriages instead of cars. I shift back to my human form and instantly regret it. It’s freezing, and the sun is going down, cau
MichaelWe stay in the rain for an hour. I walk ahead of Faye but turn to keep an eye on her as she picks her way off the road into an overgrown easement. I’ve lost the scent I was following with Lowe earlier. It was a vampire, for sure. A group, we believe. At least two females and a trio of males
FayeI’m not sure what to do to pass the time. Despite the heat coming from the fireplace, I’m chilled. Rain pelts the window so furiously it sends a rapid pinging sound throughout the room, mingling with the crackling fire. It’s rather cozy when I sit in the single wooden chair near the fire, wrap
FayeI know we shouldn’t be doing this… our bodies flush and my lips grazing his fevered neck. His hybrid heart thunders against my breasts and I’m… trying desperately not to writhe against him, chasing friction I shouldn’t want–shouldn’t need. I almost wish he were still wearing a shirt so my fing
FayePrince Michael watches as I hook my thumbs in the waist of his pants and try to pull them down. He gently presses his hand against my chest and pushes me back onto the bed, kneeling over my legs. He makes quick work of taking off his pants and his boxers, until he’s… fully naked and… in his ful
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