I squinted at the files in front of me, the lightning outside casting dancing shadows across the room. The musty scent of old books filled my nose as I hunched over the heavy oak table, surrounded by stacks of records and case files. "I thought investigating crimes would finally get me out of this
Astor's steely eyes bore into mine, challenging, daring me to look away. But I held his gaze, my jaw clenched and shoulders squared. The air crackled with tension as we faced off in silent combat. Seconds stretched into an eternity. My heart pounded, but I refused to show weakness. Finally, Astor'
The summer breeze caressed my skin as I stepped out of the car, a welcome respite from the oppressive heat that had plagued the city for weeks. I felt so much better today, and I hated that it was probably because of Elroy’s visit. The baby's energy wasn’t draining me the same way, and I could focus
Mrs. Davis wiped her eyes and reached for her phone with shaky hands. "I should call Tommy," she murmured. "He'll want to be here." I nodded: Thomas Davis was Sarah’s older brother, Mrs. Davis’s only available relative, and handing over this situation to someone else to handle sounded really, real
I was allowed to go back to the manor after a blood pressure check, but Elroy was adamant that I rest for the remainder of the day. I gave up a token protest, not wanting to be taken from the investigation, but to my surprise even Astor backed up his brother. "I'll look into Midnight Echoes," the
Iris's cool fingers pressed against my skin, her touch gentle yet probing. I held my breath, waiting for her verdict. I knew everything was fine, but for some reason this was still nerve-wracking. "Well, Olivia," Iris said, her voice soft and melodic, "I'm pleased to say you're in perfect health."
Elroy’s POV I wanted to punch a hole in the wall. This was impossible, obviously, given the walls were thick stone, but the intention remained! "Damn it!" I growled, pacing inside my mom’s rooms. I resisted the urge to snarl. I didn’t want to upset Mom. "That so-called 'emergency' was nothing
The moonlight cast long shadows across the terrace as I made my way to the Ruby Room, my footsteps muffled by the plush carpeting. It was late—much later than I’d intended, yet again. This investigation was eating up all my waking hours and then some. The band lead wasn’t panning out, and that put
Elroy POVAs we ran, I felt more powerful than I ever had before, and the feeling was so heady I could almost understand how some alphas fell prey to its corruption.But along with that new power came an increase in my balance and in my self-awareness. I knew it was because of Olivia at my side, fly
“First, please, why was Louisa talking about how you were kidnapped? You think she was lying?”I waved the question away. “Louisa only lies when she’s talking. Obviously, she’s trying to con me into something, but I’m not going to waste my time listening to her.I could tell Elroy wanted to keep tal
Olivia POVLouisa stared at me, but while I tried to look back at the actual woman speaking to me, all I truly saw was my bully, the woman giggling in delight as she slept with my fiancé, and the person who had tried to take everything from me. I wanted to challenge her to combat, transform, and bre
How could I explain myself to her now? How could I ever make up for my actions?The door to the antechamber opened, and a young servant walked in. I had made a study of Olivia’s life in the palace since her wedding, and I knew the servant’s name was Jordan.I stood, and Jordan looked at me with impa
Louisa POVI sat in some anonymous antechamber in the palace and basically felt like shit.I was young, but I’d had many experiences. I’d run with the pack under a full moon. I’d attended, and excelled at, Lunaris’s top schools. I’d challenged an alpha who wouldn’t respect my space, and I won, thoug
Elroy POV“Your political affiliation with a woman you ‘married’ while she was unconscious is of no concern to this council,” Elder Juarez scoffed.“Moonshadow holds a proxy marriage as binding,” Greg said.“But I don’t,” Olivia told him. “The thought of the political power you exerted over me is si
Olivia POVIris and I rode back to the palace in a car Elroy sent to the Moonshadow Keep at dawn. Rodin was with us because Iris refused to leave him behind.It would have been different if the beta actually had a passion for cooking or dreams of being a chef, but once Iris told him he’d make an exc
Olivia POVI had achieved a kind of patience while waiting for Iris to finish her analysis. Rodin was quietly helpful, and Brady had returned from her errand to organize getting Iris whatever equipment she needed.I was so impressed watching her. How nice it would be to have a demonstrable skill, so
Elroy POVHer room was empty, but that didn’t alarm me at first. There were many places throughout the palace where she could be reading or napping or hosting a return visit from one of the pack leaders.But even as I walked the halls, I knew she was doing none of these things. I could feel her miss