LOGINHis presence simply creeps into the house, filling the space around me before I even hear his footsteps.I run the rest of the way into the bedroom and slam the door behind me. My back hits it, and I suck in a deep breath. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat.A few seconds pass, and then...Knock. Knock. “Marissa!”I lock the door with shaky hands. Only then do I move away from it, forcing myself toward the bed to sit down and wait for him to...Leave.He'll realize I'm not going to open the door and go to Gwen instead.The thought should not hurt this much. Instead, something inside me twists painfully in a violent protest. Tanya lets out a low, miserable groan inside me, restless and aching for her mate.Stop it.I squeeze my eyes shut.“Marissa?” Another knock lands against the door, harder this time.“What’s the matter? You're no longer taking visitors?” His voice carries a teasing edge that makes me feel worse. “That Gamma wore you out with his visit, didn't
Marissa POVI'm somewhat disappointed when Milo doesn't stick around longer. He has to get back to work. He'd said he was only passing by and wanted to check on me, especially after learning that my “crush's” Luna is now living right next door. He had even laughed about it, trying to make the whole situation sound less suffocating than it feels. I was somehow grateful for his little jokes.He had been around when my meal arrived, so he stayed and shared it with me. For a little while, having someone to talk to had made the new house feel less strange. Less like a beautiful prison.Now, our conversation is over.I walk him to the door, still smiling faintly at something he'd said. Then movement near the entrance catches my eye. My smile disappears.Caden Stone.My heart seems to forget its rhythm. As usual. For once, I'm thankful that I'm not allowed past the door except when heading to work.I step back immediately and turn around even before the door clicks shut behind me. I head ba
Caden POVDinner continues in silence as I struggle to keep my mouth shut after Kerris's remark. I don't need to argue with anyone anymore. Not Mom. Or Alpha Gareth. And certainly not the Alpha King and the White Wolf.It's not like I'm surprised the two of them agree with my parents anyway.Marissa's social status must have been on their minds when they came to their conclusions. To them, she's an omega prisoner with no notable bloodline. Gwen, on the other hand, is acceptable. She's known. She has the "acceptable" bloodline and is from the right circle. She can stand beside me without making anyone question the strength of my pack or the Stone bloodline.Fine.I'm not going to waste my energy arguing about it tonight.What I will do is find a way to handle the Gwen situation first. Once I have a plan that works, then I'll tell them what I've decided. And if they still try to force their own solution on me, that would be the time to argue. For now, I'll save my energy and enjoy the
Caden POVThe amusement is gone from Kerris' eyes now. My shoulders stiffen slightly as I notice this."By whom?" she asks. "Have you decided?"Shit.My mind immediately goes to Gwen.Gareth must have told them enough about her. He may have told them everything about his plans for her to become my Luna. Or perhaps he's told them that Marissa will be the one bearing my children while Gwen takes the public position.Either way, I don't like where this conversation is going. I should've kept my mouth shut and kept eating."You don't have to answer me, Alpha Caden," Kerris continues when I don't immediately respond. "It looks like you don't have an answer yourself."Her eyes hold mine. "Your... Luna and your fated mate are living side by side. That should help you decide quickly, don't you think?"My pulse jumps.So that's why they allowed the move. That's why Marissa was taken from her cottage and placed in that house. It was all calculated. Deliberate. To pressure me. And force me to c
Caden POVWhen we finally enter IronFang, it is much later in the afternoon, past sunset. The sky beyond the castle walls has turned orange, but I barely notice it. My mind keeps moving between two things. Marissa and Zach. Zach's last words echo in my head now the moment we reach the castle.I might have to kill you.I have no idea whether he meant it. Maybe I'll find out before the night is over.The plan is to head over to the Academy, wash up, then go see Marissa.I've forgotten that I'm staying in the castle for now. No, that's not entirely true. I remember. I just thought I was only supposed to spend last night here.Apparently, the Alpha King has other plans.He insists we eat an early dinner together before I'm allowed to go anywhere else. And twenty minutes after our arrival, I'm sitting across from him and Kerris at the royal dining table.The meal is quiet with only the sound of cutlery.Zach and Kerris exchange looks every now and then, sometimes following them with a min
Caden POVIt is afternoon by the time the mission finally winds down.Between Ryder, one of the royal warriors, and me, we're able to rescue two females who have only just come of age. We find them drugged, bound, and hidden deep inside a cave, most likely waiting to be dragged away later by their captors. We don't find anyone else in the cave, so we assume the wolves we fought earlier were the ones responsible. Perhaps we killed them during the initial fight. Perhaps they fled.Either way, we search the entire area before we're satisfied that there is no one else hiding nearby.The two girls remain unconscious when we finally leave the cave, so we carry them with us until we regroup with Zach and the others near the entrance of the town that appears to be under some kind of secret attack. Their relatives rush forward the moment they see them, relief and gratitude written all over their faces as they take the girls from us.Zach doesn't give us much time to stand around.He orders Cyr
Tyrel (Third-person) Ty can tell he's not making any sense to the other Alphas. When Axel opens his mouth to speak, he knows the guy is about to pıśs him off some more,"You know, there's rumors that 'playboy Zee' is a little too attentive to his temp assistant. That's your girl, right? Kelsie or
Zach POVAres is no longer ill from the 'evil potion' in the wine. I can feel his strength and passion. As much as I feel the other guy's. All is well in every inch of my body and psyche.Yet I can't help thinking that the drugs have an influence in the feelings run through me. Madison had insisted
Zach POVYes. True. I should listen to her. She's pretty. She'll be Luna Qu--Ares' groans cut off that line of thought. He's struggling to emerge but can't. "Something's wrong...""Nothing is wrong," Madison insists, her eyes turning bright with purpose. I want to disagree with her but can't. H
Kerris POV"Where's the temp?" Zach catches sight of me as soon as he asks the question.“Here she is,” Mary replies.This is it. Time for the meeting I've been dreading and waiting for this past two days. I enter the reception and greet, "Good afternoon, your majesty.""Sure is," he responds, the







