로그인Marissa POVFor a long time after Caden leaves, I don't move. I remain where I am just staring at the door. At nothing in particular. I know he's still out there. I hear the whispers, not his voice, but he's part of the conversation. The sound soon fades.Minutes go by as I wait for…I don't know what I'm waiting for. Then a gentle knock sounds and I just at the sound. Did he forget something? Even as this question crosses my mind, I know it's not him."I'm coming in," a familiar voice calls.Ryder Lockwood.Caden's closest friend.The male who will most likely become his Beta once his final trials are over.He opens the door slowly and peers inside."Hey, Miss Blue."It's the first time he's ever addressed me directly.He and Caden became friends a few years after Alpha Gareth separated us. But Ryder and I are from the same pack. I've known him almost as long as I've known Caden.It doesn't change the fact that, like Caden, Ryder Lockwood belongs to a world very different from m
Caden POVWhen I step out of the little cottage, Ryder is approaching with Nadia Mars beside him.I recognize her immediately.We went to the same school. Trained together a few times during our junior year.She's probably one of the few people who learned about my bloodline years ago. Her parents have friends among the people who work for Gareth, both at Stone Corporation and among the human side of his business. I'm not surprised she knows.River Howl still doesn't have an Alpha at the moment. She probably assumes I'll be the one taking the position soon.Little does she know I'm currently a delinquent living in an actual hole.I stand outside Marissa's door and make myself stare anywhere but at it.The urge to turn around is almost unbearable.She's in there. Just a few feet away.I briefly wonder if she likes the place. At least it's better than the cell.Ryder is studying me as they draw closer, an odd look on his face.I consider mindlinking him, but an IronFang warrior stands
Marissa POVAfter my brief conversation with Caden, I'm escorted back to my cell. I don't see or hear from him again.Two days pass. Then three.By the fourth morning, the familiar clanking of metal makes my stomach tighten. I expect the cellmate I've been dreading.Caden already made it clear we won't see each other again until my sentence is over. I know that.Still, some tiny, foolish part of me had hoped…I don't let myself finish the thought.I lift my head when the bars swing open and the guard stands outside. Alone."Get up.”I sit straighter."You're being transferred."At this point, I barely react. What's the use? I've stopped expecting anything good to happen. I'll serve my sentence, pay whatever fine remains after I'm released.Then I'll leave for the East Coast.That plan hasn't changed. Except this time, I'll ask Caden for a rejection.He didn't mention it during his visit, but he has probably thought about it too.Whatever the bond says... No matter what Tanya wants...
Gareth (Third-person POV)Alpha Rowan's smile widens. "You know,” he said. “I guessed it the moment I saw the young Alpha. I told Killian, that's Gareth's son. He didn't believe me.” He chuckles softly. "The resemblance is difficult to miss."Gareth gives a small nod. "Where is he?""Ah..."Rowan's expression becomes more serious. "He's doing time in the hole. For bad manners."He's still speaking when Gareth senses a familiar presence. One that can only be his own blood.He turns. Linda feels it and does the same.Caden is approaching between two ranked Gammas, one on either side.Gareth turns fully, studying his son carefully as they draw closer.He seems irritated, but otherwise...Whole. Completely. The boy is back to himself.So quickly? Has it even been twelve hours?Fresh waves of relief course through Gareth.The boy had recovered fully only after a few hours of finding his mate.This is why Gareth has always been grateful he was never cursed with a fated bond.Okay many w
Gareth (Third-person POV)Gareth spots Linda from several yards away.She is waiting in front of her pack's main bus stop exactly where he instructed her to wait.This is one of the few times in twenty-two years she has done exactly what he asked without arguing.A ridiculous thought crosses his mind and he shuts it down immediately. She's not eager to see me. She's eager to see our son. Just like I am.He reminds himself of this again before his thoughts can wander somewhere they shouldn't.He'd raced halfway through the woods before taking a car for the rest of the trip. As a half blood, Linda can not shift this late in the lunar cycle, so driving is the only option.He finds himself wondering if she would've agreed to race side by side in the woods if she could.The thought is absurd. He pushes it away fast.When he pulls over beside her, she doesn't wait for an invitation. She opens the passenger door, climbs inside, and shuts it behind her."Hello, Alpha Gareth.""Linda."That's
Marissa POVHe says the name like it personally offended him."What the hell kind of name is that? Sounds like a human con artist.""What exactly do you have against normal names?" I ask."Does this John guy know you're a convicted criminal now?""How do you know about him?""I'll ask the questions, Marissa."Marissa. Not Rissa. The affectionate nickname only he used.Something inside me sinks. He really is angry with me. For faking my death and running. Making him look foolish.I lower my gaze and mutter. "Yes."I was running to John. You don't need someone like me as a mate." The words hurt coming out. "And I'm not used to living in a gilded cage."I force myself to meet his eyes once more.Something hard flashes across his face. "Ah." He leans back. "So you prefer a dirty cage."His gaze drops briefly to the walls around us. "Like this one. Got it."For one brief second, he looks exactly like Gareth. Cold and calculating. Powerful.Unapproachable.I feel myself shrinking beneat
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
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







