*Jonas* Once on the beach, I realize that the channel waters are not as calm as I thought… and it isn't the wind that provides the turbulence. A small boat I recognize as Connor's is moored close to shore, and the soft crunch of sand under my feet soon proves that we are not alone on the beach. "Where the bloody hell have you been?" I whirl around and blink in surprise. The voice sounds as if it belongs to a large, burly sort of fellow, but the man who has just stepped into a shaft of moonlight is slender and disturbingly elegant. Cana is crowning in my head. Connor jerks his head toward the boat and begins wading out into the water, dragging me along with him. "I was unavoidably detained." The other man peruses me rudely. "He's quite fetching, but hardly unavoidable." "Not so fetching," Connor says derisively, "but quite married to a rogue who has been annoying me, he works for getting him here so I can finish him off." I gasp and stumble to my knees, soaking my pants. I stag
*Jonas* I squint at the horizon, but in the dark haze of night I can see nothing. This doesn’t surprise me. Typhon and Fire Moon would never be so stupid as to use a lantern. They’re probably hidden behind a rock or shrub, using the faint moonlight to spy on the activities on the shore below. "I don’t see anything," I say to Connor. "You must be mistaken." "Really think I’m an idiot, don’t you?" he replies, his tone sharp. I ponder that. "No, not an idiot. Many other things, but not an idiot." Cana shifts inside me, her bright eyes glinting with mischief. ‘You know what they say about idiots, right? They often have a gun pointed at their backs.’ I feel myself suppressing a smile. ‘Thanks for the encouragement, Cana.’ ‘Anytime, Jonas. But honestly, if this idiot thinks he can push us around, he’s got another thing coming.’ "Your husband," Connor says, pointing ahead, "is hiding among those trees." "Perhaps we ought to alert him to our presence?" I ask hopefully, my heart raci
*Typhon* Something’s wrong. I feel it in my bones. "Where is he?" I hiss, the urgency gnawing at my gut like a ravenous wolf. Fire Moon shakes her head, her usually sharp gaze now clouded with concern. She pulls out her pocket watch, the ticking sound echoing in the tense silence. "I don’t know. The boat arrived an hour ago. Connor should have been here to meet them." I curse under my breath, frustration bubbling up like a storm at sea. "Jonas told me that Connor is always punctual." "Could he know that he knows we are on to him?" she suggests, her voice a whisper edged with disbelief. "Impossible." I lift my telescope to my eye, focusing on the beach. A small boat has dropped anchor about twenty yards out to sea. There isn’t much of a crew… so far, we’ve only spotted two men on deck. One of them clutches a pocket watch, checking it at frequent intervals. Cerberus, lurking in the shadows of my mind, growls low, a rumbling sound that vibrates through me. ‘You’re letting this
*Jonas* The following evening is the worst I’ve ever known. Typhon and Fire Moon left shortly after dinner, before the sky even darkened. They claimed they needed to assess the lay of the land. Figure out where Connor snuggles in magical creatures from. When I protested that someone would notice them, they just laughed. Typhon is known and feared throughout the area. Why wouldn’t he be out and about with one of his cronies? They even planned to stop at a local pub for a pint to further the ruse that they were merely a pair of carousing rogues. I have to admit, their reasoning makes sense, but I can’t shake the serpentine shiver of fear crawling in my belly. I know I should trust Typhon and Fire Moon; after all, they’ve been Living like this for years. Surely they know what they’re doing. But something feels wrong. It’s just a pesky feeling that won’t go away. I have few memories of my mother, save for our stargazing outings, but I remember her laughing once with my father and sayi
*Typhon* Later that evening, I sit in the dark of my study, staring out the window, lost in thought. I can feel the weight of the world pressing down on me, but it’s not just the usual burdens. It’s the knowledge that Jonas said he loved me. An awesome responsibility, indeed. Deep down, I’ve always known he cared for me. But it’s been ages since I even considered the concept of love. I honestly didn’t think I’d recognize it when it finally showed its face. But here I am, wrestling with the truth of Jonas’s feelings, and it’s real. “Typhon?” I look up, my heart pounding just a little. Jonas stands in the doorway, hand raised, ready to knock again on the door jamb. “Why are you sitting here in the dark?” he asks, and I can see the concern flickering in his eyes. “Just thinking,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. “Oh.” He hesitates, a million questions swimming in his gaze, but instead, he smiles hesitantly. “Would you like me to light a candle?” I shake my head, slowl
*Typhon* The sun barely rises, casting a gentle light through the cave entrance as I stir awake, the warmth of Jonas beside me a comforting presence. Last night’s ceremony was everything I hope for and more… a celebration of love and acceptance under the full moon, surrounded by our pack. I can still feel the pulse of the night, the energy from our vows echoing in my chest. Not to mention the wedding night. ‘You’re a lucky wolf, Typhon,’ Cerberus chimes in, his voice a low growl in my mind. ‘He’s ours now. Ours to protect, ours to cherish.’ I smile, running a hand through my hair, still tangled from sleep. ‘And I intend to do just that. This bond is everything.’ Jonas stirs, turning to face me, his sleepy smile illuminating my morning. “Good morning, Alpha,” he teases, his voice soft and melodic. “Good morning, mate,” I reply, my heart swelling at the sound of that word… mate. It feels like a promise, a vow stronger than any I can utter under the moonlight. As we share a lazy