Mag-log inRAYNEA week had passed since the night the world fell apart in the foyer. A week of heavy, suffocating silence seemed to have soaked into the very floorboards of the Alpha mansion.I was sitting on the edge of Mira’s bed, the springs creaking under my weight. The room was dark, the curtains drawn tight against the afternoon sun. It still smelled like grief and unwashed linens in here. I wanted so badly to lean over and whisper the truth, to tell her that Silas wasn’t a ghost, that he was still breathing and healing in a cellar not far from here. But Reid’s parting words burned in my mind: "Not a word to anyone, Rayne. If the council finds out that he’s alive, they’ll finish the job."And Reid… Reid had been a ghost for four days. Aaron had sent a cryptic mind-link three days ago; all he said was: "Found him. Safe. Don’t worry." I worried anyway."Have they found her yet?" Mira asked, her voice raspy. She lifted her head from my lap, her blonde hair matted and dull."No," I murm
REIDThe heavy iron door of the diner was still swinging as I lunged out of the diner. I finally caught up to Mira in a narrow, shadow-drenched alleyway near the pack bridge. "Reid, let me go or I’ll fucking scream for help!" she yelled, her voice high and filled with a panic I’d never seen from her before."Just tell me the fucking truth!" I growled, my hands slamming onto her shoulders, pinning her against the cold brick wall. "You were going to say something about my mother. Say it."Mira didn't scream. Instead, she broke. A sob ripped from her throat, and she slumped against the bricks, her legs barely holding her up. "I saw your fucking mom fleeing the scene," she sobbed, the words tumbling out in a rush of terror. "Her dress... it was covered in something red. At first, I thought it was wine. I thought she was just running to get help. But then I saw Rayne. She was kneeling there in front of your dad with a knife in her hand... and I wanted it to be her. It had to be her!"
RAYNEReid carried me against his chest, his arms a possessive weight that reminded me I was still his, regardless of the words I’d thrown at him earlier.He placed me in the shower, his hands lingering on my skin as he peeled away the ruins of my dress. He stepped in behind me, the spray of the water turning his skin into a map of glistening white. He began to wash me, his movements slow and sensual. His thumbs teased my nipples, rubbing them until they peaked again, a quiet ache returning to my core."You're so beautiful. So soft," he murmured, his voice thick with a reverence that felt more dangerous than his anger. He ran his soapy hands over the curve of my hips, the slope of my back, memorizing me. He claimed my lips in a hungry kiss, and I moaned into his mouth, my fingers tangling in his wet hair."You're addictive," he rasped, his grip tightening on my soap-slicked ass."Reid?" I called out, my voice a mere whisper as I stood under the heavy stream, letting the water rin
"Open your mouth."His command was a low growl against my skin, his lips still wrapped around my nipple, sucking hard enough to make my knees buckle. I gasped, the sound echoing in the quiet study.He didn’t hesitate. His fingers, which had been working the laces of my dress, slid from the small of my back to my chin. He tilted my head back, his thumb pressing against my bottom lip. I should push him away. I should scream. But the heat pooling low in my belly was drowning every rational thought. My tongue darted out, tasting the clean scent of soap and pure, dominant alpha on his thumb. He replaced his thumb with two of his fingers, slipping them past my lips."Suck," he ordered, his golden eyes blazing into mine.And I did. My mouth closed around his fingers, my tongue swirling over the pads.A ragged groan vibrated from his chest into mine. He watched me, utterly captivated, as I hollowed my cheeks and sucked on his fingers. The act so intimate and degrading sent a fresh rush
RAYNEI stopped in front of Mira’s room, my heart doing a nervous little dance in my chest. I didn’t know if I was walking into a trap or a breakthrough. I knocked again, firmer this time. The door groaned on its hinges as it swung open.Mira stood there, her hair loose now, framing her face. Her eyes were so puffy she looked like she’d been stung by a swarm of bees. She didn't say a word, just turned around and shuffled back into the darkness of her suite. I stepped inside, and the smell hit me instantly. The heavy, stagnant scent of someone who hadn't opened a window or seen the sun in almost a week. Clothes were thrown across the floor, half-eaten trays of food were rotting on the vanity, and the air tasted like grief. Mira slumped onto her bed, face-planting into a pile of pillows. "My room used to look better," she muttered, her voice muffled. "And then my dad died. He always used to tell me to clean up after myself. Not that he needed to, I’m usually a neat freak. But h
RAYNEThe dining room of the Alpha mansion was strangely quiet tonight. The crystal chandeliers cast an expensive glow over a table set with silver trays and bone china. For a species that looked down on humans as nothing more than slaves, they certainly loved our culture.They copied everything. The fine linens, the delicate seasoning of the roasted duck, the vintage wine that had likely been cellared by human hands. All of it.I sat between Luna Selene and an empty chair, picking at a baked carrot and feeling the weight of the silk corset sundress I’d chosen. It was a light cream color, feminine and soft, with my brown hair curled to frame my face. I looked like a lady again. Feels like it's been years since I got all dressed up like this.Reid sat at the head of the table, shirtless under a dark blazer, looking every bit the predatory King he was. He smirked, shaking his head slightly. He could probably hear my thoughts. Or maybe the commentary was just written all over my face
RAYNE My heart hammered against my ribcage as I listened to the loud footsteps approaching the hallway. I darted down the hallway, slipping into the main bedroom. I shut the door behind me before plopping onto the bed, pretending I had been sitting there all along. The door opened with a soft cl
RAYNEThe world narrowed to the shocking heat of Reid's tongue. He devoured the sting he’d left behind, transforming the pain into pleasure.My hips rolled against his mouth, my back arching off the stool. His tongue lashed at my clit, circled it, then plunged deep, fucking me with it.The coiled te
RAYNEThe sponge was rough against my palm. Reid's skin was hot under my trembling hands. I started scrubbing his chest. The metallic scent of rogue blood, mixed with his minty breath, made my head spin. He slowly raked his gaze over me. Scrub.I moved the sponge in small circles, washing the dri
RAYNEWhen I woke up, the office was dark. The only light came from the moon, casting long shadows across the marble floor. Reid's jacket was draped over me, his scent deliciously clinging to my skin. I didn't plan on falling asleep. I planned on watching Reid until he turned his back on me. The







