Semua Bab CLAIMING HAILEY : Bab 81 - Bab 90

HAILEYThe storm had been brewing all day. The prospect of rain weighed down the dark clouds that swept across the sky. In the distance, thunder roared, a low, menacing warning that made my skin crawl. As the first fat drops of rain splashed against the glass, I watched from the window of our packhouse chamber. I couldn't tell if the strain in the air was due to the storm or the child I was carrying. All day, I had been experiencing an uneasy stomach discomfort that came and went, hinting at something more serious. I tried to calm the restless energy inside my tummy by placing a hand on my very advanced pregnancy. Ryan came in. With a worried and frustrated look on his face, Ryan walked into the room. He said, "You should be lying down, Hailey," in a strong yet worried tone. A tiny smile tugged at my lips as I turned to face him. "I'm all right, Ryan. It's only a storm. As a result, the baby is restless. We had decided to be surprised at birth hence we never had a scan or let our wolv

ADRIANThe forest around the packhouse was golden with tendrils of sunset light warming the trees. My mind swirled as did the mist rolling off the earth when I stood on the edge of the meadow. Hailey called me to tell me that tensions with Azure were growing. Despite so much fear all over, tonight's looming fight did not disturb me in any way. Turtela was the kid. Something impossibly awakened inside of me the second I laid eyes on her. I'd attributed it at first to my own instinct of caring for Hailey and her family. This was not, however, like the others. This was a pang, a tug, a connection that had nothing to do with reason. I shook my head and muttered to myself softly, "She's just a child." My footsteps clacked against the gleaming oak floors as I entered the packhouse. With a weary smile, Hailey welcomed me, her hand instinctively resting on her vast belly. "Adrian," she said warmly. "I'm glad you came." I nodded, maintaining a neutral face. "My queen, always. What's new?"The

LYNANerves frazzled, I paced back and forth in our little clearing while the sunshine seeped through the forest's dense canopy. Even the beauty of nature couldn't calm the storm that was building inside of me, even though the air was filled with the fresh smell of earth and pine. Hours had passed since Aaron left, and even though I trusted his judgement and strength, my chest constricted with anxiety. Aurora, our baby, was curled up in my arms, her small face a serene counterpoint to my own chaos. Being a vampire, I had thought I was immune to the dread of this magnitude, but motherhood had changed me. I was transformed by Aurora. I had never had a relationship like the one I had with her; it was stronger than blood and went beyond the immortal. "Why do you always pace when you're anxious?" My thoughts were interrupted by Aaron's words, and I looked back to see him enter the clearing with his dark hair blown slightly. I hurried over to him, feeling a wave of relief. I said, "You took

AZURE The torches' unsteady flames caused the shadows in my chamber to dance, creating lengthy, menacing figures on the stone walls. The smell of ancient power and burning sage filled the air, a mixture that lived on treachery and secrets. A smirk tugged at the edges of my lips as I sat on my obsidian throne. Everything was coming together, and the mayhem I wanted to unleash will soon blossom into reality. As usual, my adversaries had misjudged me, but this time, I was armed with a weapon that was far more lethal than any army: the truth. "Bring him in," I said, my voice cutting like a razor through the quiet. Two of my shadow guards dragged a body into the room as the huge iron doors cracked open. In a pitiful attempt at bravado, the man held his chin high despite his pale complexion and big, terrified eyes. "Ah, Xavier," I said, bending forward to welcome him. "You’ve served your purpose well, haven’t you?" My source, a renegade wolf named Xavier, shuddered. "Please, my lord, I—" I

HAILEYThe night storm was relentless. Wind howled like a lost wolf as rain sheets beat against packhouse windows. Anxiety curled around my stomach like a knife as I walked nervously around the living room. Turtela lay in her bassinet, interrupting silence every now and then with gentle coos. While his wolf fought to be free within him, Ryan hunched over the couch in locked jaw and staring away, my breathing as silent as could be, voice riding over rain's pounding drone to cut "I don't like this." My eyes flew at Ryan when his head shot round. He was on his feet. "We've closed up the defenses, but neither do I. There are two patrols. We'll see if Azure tries anything. Arms crossed over my chest, I said, "That's not enough."With arms crossed on my chest, I said. He is too cunning and too unstable. We should have— The tension was broken by the roar of a crash followed by the screaming shrieks of wolves outside. In an instant, Ryan jumped up, his stretched body prepared to defend. "Stay