LOGINThen I see something I wasn’t expecting to see today: the Alpha Prince and his brother arriving for the show.I reach over to get Sebastian’s attention, pointing to the werewolves we weren’t expecting. Sebastian curses, then looks up at the scarf wrapped around the lower half of my face, just like i
NatashaI try to relax into the trunk of the tree, but it’s hard to truly relax when I’m on a branch high up enough that a fall could kill me.“You have to sleep, Natasha. If you’re too tired to keep your eyes open tomorrow, you’re useless to us.”“I know,” I snap at Sebastian’s harsh words.This wi
Sebastian leads me to the left with a gentle hand on my hip.The six of us spread out in pairs, still able to see each other as we hide behind trees. Once we’re all in place, we peek around our trees to the horrific sight ahead.The lone werewolf sits on the ground with his back to us. Two humans li
NatashaI’m already in my training gear, so I use the time that Marion and Sebastian take to argue over whether or not I’m joining him to braid back my hair in a French braid. It takes much less time than it used to since it’s so short now.It’s Sebastian saying, “Please don’t make her prove she can
NatashaI stand next to Sebastian, the rows of tents at our backs. In front of us is a training area similar to where Isaiah and Raleigh taught me to fight. Except the training grounds at the palace have thick, plush mats on which werewolves spar.Here, humans spar on areas piled with a couple inche
“The other Quarters,” Marions answers. “That was one of our problems last time we revolted against the kingdom. I was trying to organize and lead too many humans by myself.”Sebastian’s breath comes out heavy. He doesn’t like how much Marion is revealing to me.“Over the past two decades,” she goes
AmeliaOnly one other wolf appears after that first silver one on my run back to the tent. Prince Owen barks at it once, twice, before it quickly peels away in another direction.I tumble into our tent, legs shaking from the pace and distance. I probably could have slowed down once I knew the prince
AmeliaMy mind is racing as the werewolf guards force me across the square to the group of humans selected for the Hunt Ceremony. I’m scrambling, telling them there must be a mistake, there must another Maya. I show them my collar to prove that I’m Prince Owen’s pet.“Yeah, yeah,” one of the guards
AmeliaAva waits a beat after Prince Owen stops intimidating her before she pops back up on all fours. She shakes the grass and leaves off her fur, then looks up to her mate, waiting.He motions with his head for her to follow, and they take off into the forest. Ava follows him closely while I lag b
I nod, a little disappointed but resolved to make good use of the indoor gym. “Thank you,” I say.“You’re welcome.”Our eyes linger, the gold in his practically pulsing behind his brown irises. I don’t want to leave his side, don’t want to be caged. But I’m not yet strong enough to fight for more fr







