Novels by Preshavona

Lily wanted to kick him. Instead, she forced a smile."Thanks, Derek. I appreciate it.""That's what family's for," Derek said smoothly.The word family felt like a lie in her mouth. They weren't family. They were enemies bound by a terrible secret and an even more terrible deal.After dinner, Lily volunteered to help clean up. Anything to avoid more forced conversation. She stood at the sink washing dishes while Mom dried, and Kane and Derek went to the living room to watch TV."You seem quiet tonight," Mom said gently. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"Lily scrubbed a plate harder than necessary. "Just tired. It's been a long day.""I know this is a big change." Mom set down her towel and pulled Lily into a hug. "But I promise, it's going to be wonderful. Kane is amazing, and Derek... well, I think once you get to know him, you'll see what a good person he is."Lily buried her face in her mother's shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of vanilla and lavender. More than anything, she w

"How do I know you won't tell them anyway?""You don't." Derek's brutal honesty cut through the room. "You'll have to trust me.""Trust you? I don't even know you!""Then get to know me." Something shifted in Derek's expression, a challenge, maybe, or an invitation. "One year, Lily. It's not forever. And who knows? Maybe you'll realize I'm not the monster you think I am."Lily wanted to scream. She wanted to grab Luna and run away, back to their old life where things were small and safe. But she couldn't. Mom was happy here. Mom loved Kane. And if Lily destroyed that..."What kind of tasks?" she asked, hating how defeated she sounded."Nothing that will hurt you." Derek's voice gentled slightly. "I need help managing pack social events. Research for my alpha training. Dealing with pack members who are..." He paused. "Difficult.""You want me to be your servant.""I want you to be my partner." The correction came swift and firm. "There's a difference."Lily laughed bitterly. "Partners

Lily's hands curled into fists at her sides. "I don't owe you anything."Derek leaned against her door, blocking the only exit. In the afternoon light streaming through the window, his gray eyes looked almost silver, wolf eyes, even in human form. "Pack law says different.""Pack law?" Lily's voice rose. "You attacked Luna! You hurt her so badly she couldn't walk for weeks!"Luna growled, positioning herself between them. Her hackles rose, and her lips pulled back to show sharp white teeth.Derek's gaze dropped to the wolf, and something flickered across his face. Not fear, regret, maybe. Or something else Lily couldn't name."I know what you think happened that day," he said quietly. "But you're wrong.""I saw you!" The words burst out of Lily before she could stop them. "I saw you standing over her with blood on your hands!""You saw half the story." Derek pushed off the door and took a step closer. Luna's growl deepened, but he ignored her. "Three years ago, in the north forest, yo

The moving truck rumbled up the mountain road, and Lily pressed her face against the window. Tall pine trees stretched toward the cloudy sky, and somewhere in that forest, wolves were running. Real wolves. Pack wolves.Her stomach twisted into a tight knot."Isn't it beautiful?" Her mother, Sarah, smiled from the driver's seat. Her eyes sparkled with happiness, the kind Lily hadn't seen in years. "Kane says the cabin has a huge backyard. You and Luna will love it."Lily glanced at the silver-white wolf sleeping in the backseat. Luna's ear twitched, sensing Lily's worry even in sleep. They'd been hiding for three years, staying away from other packs, living quietly in their small apartment. Now Mom was marrying an alpha, the leader of the entire Silver Creek pack, and everything was about to change."Mom," Lily said quietly, "are you sure about this?"Sarah reached over and squeezed her hand. "Sweetheart, I know this is scary. But Kane is a good man. And his son will be a wonderful bro