'It was your father who killed my mother'Kieran's words struck her like a blow to the heart. She took a step away from him, shaking her head slowly. "What are you saying?" She whispered. "It's not true. My father wasn't a murderer.""Is that such a bitter pill to swallow?" Kieran retorted. "You believed I killed your father, that I abducted your mother, even when I told you my hands were clean. You stuck to your belief."He closed the space between them and grabbed her arms. "Why is it so hard for you to believe this one?" He growled. "You don't think your beloved father is a monster?"Even while he spoke, her scent assailed him. He felt his wolf howl, and his demon pranced about, wanting to emerge. He felt the sparks of the mate bond tingle his skin, and for a moment, he almost lost control. He wanted to pull her close. He wanted to feel the press of her skin against his. He wanted to lay claim to what he owned. Her. But that wasn't why he refused the mate bond. He did it to m
Kane wasn't gentle. He didn't bother hiding how much he despised Gwendolyn. He pulled her roughly into the pack house, dragged her up to the bedroom and shoved her inside. The door slammed shut behind him with a loud bang. Gwendolyn whirled around and glared at him. "Go on." She snapped. "Say what you have in mind. You've clearly shown how much you despise me and my kind. I'm sure there's a speech just waiting to be spoken.""You're damn right there is!" Kane snarled. "I think the moon goddess meant it as a joke to pair you with Alpha Kieran. You're lucky you're his mate, and not mine. You'd be dead.""Then maybe it's a good thing he's the Alpha and you're his subordinate." Gwendolyn retorted sharply. "You're obviously a monster."Kane took a threatening step towards her and he expected her to cower away, but her feet remained planted on the floor, her hands fisted beside her. "Come on, hit me." She taunted him. "Kieran and I may hate each other, but I know how strong the mate bon
The words echoed in Gwendolyn's mind like a taboo. "What?" She whispered. "Your mother isn't here." Kieran repeated, voice cold, eyes emotionless. "I lied." A persistent ringing sounded in her ears. It couldn't be. He had to be pulling her legs. "If this is a joke, stop it." She muttered. "You told me, when you were my prisoner, that you would take me to her. You said she was still alive." "What part of 'I lied' do you not understand?" Kieran said in annoyance. "Those two years you treated me like trash, every word I said was a lie. It was all part of my plan." He closed the space between them, pinning her under his gaze. "Every promise I made." He continued. "Every hope I gave you, every word, it was all a lie. I did that to stall for time, until the blood moon emerged so I could escape." His lips curled into a cruel smile. "You made a mistake believing me, princess." He muttered. "You played right into my trap. Now you can forget about your mother because I swear, I will
Gwendolyn tried to keep up with Kieran as he stepped out of the pack house, but his legs were impossibly long and his strides were too quick. As she walked past a number of houses, she caught the harsh glares some of the demon creatures threw at her. She was a bit confused. Even though the lycans and the Wildings were sworn enemies, she didn't understand why they hated her. She had nothing to do with them. The Wildings started the war by hunting down the lycans. Her kind only retaliated, which was a normal course of action. Yet they stared at her like she was the enemy. They were the enemy. Kieran suddenly turned a corner and she had to hurry to catch up with him.Before them was a large temple. Words were scribbled on the walls in strange languages, and when she stepped in, the doors shut behind her loudly. The Triad were already on seat, waiting for her. They sat around a rectangular table, and the moment she stepped in, all eyes turned on her. They were a group of six demons,
An hour went by, and when Gwendolyn didn't come down, Kieran grew inpatient. Dom already left and he had been waiting for her to join him downstairs. He had more important things to do.He wanted to present her to the Triad so he would bring her back to the pack house and lock her up. He stormed up the stairs angrily. No one had ever disregarded him the way she did. No one would even dare talk back at him or disrespect him. Yet Gwendolyn had done it countless times. And he had allowed her. It had to stop. If she was going to remain in Nightshade pack, she needed to know her place. He shoved the door to his room open and stepped in. It was empty. He frowned. Where the hell was she? If she dared to escape, goddess help her, he would hunt her down and drag her back. As he turned to leave the room, he heard the sound of running water. The anger in his eyes changed to one of surprise and disbelief. She was still in the bathroom. Was this how all women were? He muttered a curse a
The interior of the pack house felt warm and cozy as Gwendolyn stepped in with Dom. The first thing she noticed was the elegant candelabra hanging from the high ceiling. Several leather couches were arranged in the living room, with a coffee table in the middle. A flight of stairs curved towards the top floor, and Dom gestured for her to follow him. Gwendolyn realized he wasn't a man of many words. She stared at his shaved head, wondering if he had ever won any battle.He stopped in front of a door at the top floor and pushed it opened. "Whose room is this?" She asked. "The Alpha's.""Take me somewhere else." She stepped back. "I don't want to stay here.""I only follow Alpha Kieran's orders." He looked her straight in the eye as he spoke. "Get into the room and wait for him."Gwendolyn frowned at his tone. She was about to snap back when she remembered Kieran's threat. If she wanted to find her mother, she had to comply with whatever orders he gave. She brushed past him and ste