Mia couldn't stop shaking. She felt cold and hot at the same time. And she was shaking so badly that she could hear her bones rattling. She was confused and scared. Why would Aria do that when she knew it would also affect Dalian? When she knew he would feel everything? “She is mad,” she whispered to herself, her voice hoarse. She had screamed for help like a woman possessed, crying and begging. Fortunately, a group had been able to help her and carried Aria and Dalian back to the camp where the witches immediately took them and started healing. Mia couldn't stop thinking, “Was the witch going to die? And would Dalian die with her?”But Dalian was a wolf who had healing properties in his blood, so he would survive. And Aria was smart. She wouldn't do all that just to die. That had calmed Mia a bit. But that calm didn't last. In the heat of the moment, nobody had asked any questions. Nobody had even looked at her—until Aria and Dalian were steady, and then she was backed into a
The ladies stood still, staring at each other, not knowing what to say. Aria looked away first, searching around her with a hopeful glint in her eyes. “He’s not here,” the words came out of Mia before she could stop herself, her voice sounding bitter.Aria’s shoulders fell and she looked back at Mia with a sad smile. “Oh. I-I thought he would be here since you are practically glued together.”She said that with a sad smile, her shoulders in a defeated slump, her eyes soft, yet… yet her voice was filled with venom. Dripping with it. Lacing her every word. Mia stared back at her. “Could you help me with that? I mean glue us together?”Aria dropped the soft look faster than light, her features transforming right before Mia’s eyes. She stood up straight and she was towering over Mia. Her face grew hard and cold. Her eyes… God, her eyes were empty. Like she had no soul. She tsked as she walked towards Mia, shaking her head. “Mia. Mia. Mia. You're quite small for the trouble you're causi
THE SECOND DAY OF THE CELEBRATIONHunting. That was what they were doing today. What better way to build a bond than hunting? They would hunt in their human form during the daytime, and then in their wolf form at night. Darius’ territory was vast and had lots and lots of land filled with trees and wildlife. A day before the hunting, people were sent to build tents in a vast space in the middle of the forest. There were about ten tents big enough for five people. From each pack, the Alpha and Luna were the ones going hunting, hence the many tents. Plus, three of the witches—including Aria—were there, much to Mia’s dislike. “Can’t I just sit this one out?” Lucian grumbled, his arms folded, leaning against the tent walls. “No, you can't,” Ravenna answered, fastening the strap where her arrows were. “Why not?”“Because you just have to be there,” Darius answered, checking to see if his weapons were complete. “And who are we going to torture if you’re not there?” Mia asked him, smi
After they cleaned themselves up and tried to look as composed as they could, they didn't go back to the ballroom and just went to Mia’s room, where they had to shower, and then made love again. By the time they moved to the room and just fell down on the bed, their bodies wet, they were both exhausted. They stayed entangled in each other, Mia’s head resting on his chest while he wrapped his arms around her. “Don't reject her now,” she said suddenly, her voice heavy with sleep. “What?” he muttered, stroking her back.“Your–The witch. Don't reject her now. Who knows the problem it might cause between the witches? They might choose to withdraw their help for hurting one of their own.”He had also thought hard about that and that was the same conclusion he had come to. “Alright,” he whispered, tightening his arms around her. “I’ll wait. But will you be okay?”She didn't answer right away, and he thought she had fallen asleep. “No,” she answered quietly. “But I’d be selfish if I didn'
Mia’s body was burning. Black spots were dotting the corners of her eyes. It was hard to breathe, and all she could do was stare at Dalian, her chest and lungs tight, inappropriate thoughts racing through her mind. Will it hurt Dalian if his mate suddenly got into an accident and dies? Will it take him down as well? He would survive, right? Mia had officially lost it. How could she be thinking about that? She wasn't a killer; she was a warrior, not a murderer. Dalian reached out slowly to her, but she slapped his hand away, her eyes burning when hurt shone in his eyes. “Don’t touch me with those hands that reek of her,” she snarled, not recognizing her own voice. “Mia,” he called softly, his hand once again reaching out. But she slapped it away again. “My lover, please. Listen to me, she didn't–”“Touch you? I don't care who touched whom, Dalian. Her scent is all over you, and that’s what I care about.”She moved to stand up and just leave, go far away from him, where she could b
Wh-what was happening? Was this a dream, or what? The whole hall fell silent as they watched the scene before them with interest, wanting to see what unfolded next—except Mia. She didn't want to see what would happen next. She wanted to wake up from this nightmare and see Dalian by her side. She would breathe a sigh of relief—and probably cry—to know her worst fear hadn't come to pass. But no matter how much she shook her head and tried to clear the vision from it, nothing was happening. The scene still remained the same. It… it wasn't a dream. Dalian remained kneeling, gasping as if he couldn't catch his breath, and his and the witch's eyes were locked. Mia raised her head slowly from him and looked at the witch, and her eyes burned. She was beautiful. Stunning and ethereal in the way these witches were. She was everything Mia was not. Her chest grew unbearably tight, and it was hard to breathe. “Dalian,” she called out softly as if she wanted him to give her some sort of val