Valeria’s POVMy heart starts to beat fast in my chest. I can barely breathe because of the sheer desire flowing in my veins. Ares’s weight is a welcome sensation pressing on me, and as he takes my lips in a kiss again, I find myself getting lost.But not lost enough to know that this isn’t right.I
“Of course! What is it, Valeria?”I take a deep breath.“Well, remember what I said before I left?” I start carefully. “About me knowing who you’re betrothed to?” When she nods, I sigh. “Well, the only reason I know that is because… I’m the one who the King chose.”Silence hangs in the air. Gianna j
Valeria’s POVGianna smiles at me, waiting for my answer. My face feels numb from all the emotions that appeared throughout the course of the night, and I only manage to say, “That would be nice.”“You sound like you’re being held hostage,” she teases. “Come on, now tell me about what happened betwe
I put a slice in a little china plate and cover it, setting it down on a tray with some water and lemonade. I thank Celine once more, but she just ushers me to the grand steps."He's in his study with a gentleman," she tells me. "The study is in the other hall opposite of his bedroom."I nod and nav
Valeria’s POVInstantly, I knew I’m ready. I look into Ares’s eyes and all the pretenses just drop. He’s my second chance mate. He’s the one destined to be mine. I’m also his. His to protect, his to care for, his to love.And right now, I know that I’m all his to fuck.Wet heat flows down between
He pulls me close to him, uselessly trying to piece together the dress that he just ripped around me.He’s still hard, his cock making a prominent tent in his pants. But for some reason, he’s already trying to cover me up.I stop him. “What are you doing?” “Holding you.” He smiles and kisses me. “K
Valeria’s POV“The Moonlight Festival is tomorrow, and you need to be prepared,” Beta Heather is telling me as she takes all the library books in my hands and puts them back in the leather bag she’s carrying. “I suppose you read everything you could possibly know?”I nod, smiling. “I’m ready.”I don
I take that one out and examine it closely. It’s made of velvet, and it’s so lush that I almost don’t want to wear it. I don’t think such a wonderful thing has ever touched my body before, and this is obviously more expensive than anything Naomi back at home would own.Smiling to myself, I put it on
“We’ll see,” is all I manage to say, then I promptly end the mind-link with Heather.Before I can even tell Frank to go, he already takes initiative. He starts to drive into the neighborhood, stopping in front of the lab and getting out of the car at the same time that I climb out. His fists are cle
“You don’t have to come forward and be public about your existence like we are,” I declare. I have to admit, I had no idea about that clause in the treaty. But then again, Nikolai and Ares should have known. If we were indeed doing something we shouldn’t then they should have spoken up about it. “We
Valeria’s POVI’m rooted in my spot, staring at the man in front of me. But at this point I suppose I should stop calling him a man, because he’s so far from that.Everything about him screams something else. Even though my heart rate has slowed down I still feel like I can’t move. I just watch as h
“No, mommy.” Edith shakes her head. “He just looked at me. And when I stopped playing, he left. I’m just scared that he’s there watching me again. I really want to play but I’m worried about him. What if I go out there and he’s watching me again? What do I do?”I can’t stand to see her this scared w
Valeria’s POV“Mommy, can I stay with you for a while?” Edith asks as I drop her and Emmett back to school. She holds my hand as we approach the building, and even though I hold her back reassuringly, I have to admit that I’m curious about this sudden shy behavior.“What’s going on?” Emmett asks. “D
My vice mayor has conducted some meetings with the delegates of important groups in the city while I was gone, and he compiled everything into papers. I read the papers all morning and finally come up with laws that bind the Lycan and Human world together.The new laws are similar to the initial one
Ares’s POV“I don't know what happened,” Vincent says as soon as we're gathered in my study, including Heather and Valeria. “I don't know how he managed to do it. But his hearing is next week and I heard that the judge is considering setting him free on a bail.”I stare at the back wall, still tryin
“It’s not like that, Ares,” I say, but he just turns away from me. I feel guilty for shooting down his feelings but I have no choice. It just feels too absurd for me. I recognize that I might be in denial, but I don’t think Gianna has enough power to sway the Vampire Kingdom into doing her bidding.
Valeria’s POVI whip around to face Lavinia. But of course, she just rolls her eyes like this is some senseless babble. “You better keep your mate in check. I can’t have him wreaking havoc like this.”“What did you do?” I demand at her, but she just waves her hand airily.“You should ask him what he