LOGINGareth (Third-person POV)He considers calling off the male following Linda, but discards the idea just as fast. Riley Mars. One of the Gammas that have been with him for years. Gareth had asked him to keep an eye on Linda because of her strange behavior lately.He decides to wait for forty-eight hours before calling him off. Maybe seventy-two.Or a little longer.Once Caden receives his title, he will be a fully independent Alpha male.Linda would've more or less completed her task as a mother.And he... Gareth will have no reason to stay near Linda. No excuse to spy on her.His phone rings. It's Riley Mars.Gareth considers ignoring it. He's hardly in the mood to talk to anyone.Then he remembers it's the same male keeping watch on his son's mother.He answers through the hands-free system."Alpha.""Riley. Anything interesting?""I think that'll be for you to decide."Gareth's attention sharpens. "Tell me.""Beta Justin had tea with Gamma Linda earlier today. They met at the M
Gareth (Third-Person POV)Gareth reminds himself that the White Wolf was Kerris Hart only a short while long ago.Joseph Hart's adorable little girl.And the naive young shewolf whose own stepsister had been sneaking behind her back to sleep with her boyfriend.It's clear the naive girl is still very much in there.She now has a mystical wolf, a crown made of all the precious stones in the realm, and enough power to make the entire kingdom bow their heads. But she still has a lot of growing up to do. It's obvious. How could she possibly think Marissa Blue is suitable to become Caden's Luna?Because of a bond?The thought almost makes Gareth laugh, but he doesn't. He's already too irritated to find anything funny about the situation.He's just grateful he managed to make her understand the situation before she started treating Miss Blue like an equal member of his household.After leaving the castle, Gareth decides he's not returning to Moon Shadow yet. And he doesn't want Linda retu
Kerris POVGareth starts to mindlink Zach, then seems to remember we're standing right here."Sorry, Your Grace."The moment Zach looks at me I know he has won the bet. Whatever Gareth was about to say, it's clear he was right and he's here to complain about the cottage."I see you two are out enjoying some fresh air," Gareth says."We can spare a few minutes," I reply before Zach can dismiss them. I tug gently on his hand and start toward the castle. The others follow.A few minutes later, we're seated in the guest lounge in the west wing.Gareth starts speaking without wasting any time."First, we want to thank you for the provisions you've made for Miss Blue." His voice is respectful, but there's something calculated underneath it. "She's recovering well."His gaze shifts briefly toward Zach."And, as you know, Caden is still recovering too. His wolf is... not quite back to himself."I study him.From everything Zach and I have gathered, Gareth still has no idea how different Cade
Kerris POVI'm just coming out of the woods when I spot the two of them.Gareth Stone and Linda Hyde. Caden's parents.I slow between the trees, watching them from a distance.It's not the King they're here to see. They've come for Caden. And, judging by the direction they're coming from, they've just gone to visit his mate.I can already imagine Gareth's thoughts.Marissa Blue is an omega. A convicted criminal. A girl from a background nowhere near what he would consider suitable for his son.Gareth was the Alpha of my birth pack for most of my life. He's still the Alpha. His family and mine were close for years. And his first son was the only male I ever dated before Fate gave me Zach.Those days feel like they belong to another lifetime now. They belong to a different Kerris.But I know Gareth well enough to doubt that he will easily accept the idea of Marissa becoming Caden's Luna.For all I know, he might even be disappointed that she survived.I watch the two as he says somethi
Caden POVI had a situation on my way to see Marissa that night. I couldn't make it.And she did not wait for me. She chose Gareth's money. She tried to leave. She was going to John Maxwell.Something inside me threatens to go feral as mom continues to give voice to my thoughts.The only problem is... the images that fill my mind aren't of Marissa's crimes.They're of claiming and marking her.Making it impossible for her to ever disappear from my life again.I hate that those are the thoughts my mind keeps producing.Mom continues. 'She's not the female for you, Caden. But you already knew that.'Her voice softens. 'It's why you planned to break the bond at the first sign of the Crescent.'I look away. Almost ashamed that I haven't even thought about rejecting her, not even once since we reunited. After what she did to me, that's exactly what I should be thinking about.'Now you'll do exactly that.' Mom's voice trembles slightly. 'You'll be free from her. Free from the risk of lo
Caden POVAt least Nyx is little calm now that she's no longer in that prison cell.I have no idea why I just said what I said. And I refuse to examine it.Whether or not I'll actually demand that she perform her duty is something I've spent the past few days trying not to think about.Those words had left my lips before I could stop them.And now I can't stop the images flooding my mind as I hurry out of the cozy room.What would it feel like to finally claim what is mine?In the brief, dangerous moment of fantasy, I let myself forget Gareth and everything he wants from me.Only Rissa exists. In my arms. Her warmth against me. Her naked skin, soft and willing, beneath me.I drag a hand through my hair as though I can physically clear the thoughts from my head. It doesn't work.I step outside.Gareth and Mom are waiting beneath the tree a few feet from the door.For a moment, I'm startled by the sight of the two. Not that I expect them to have left. Just that my brain doesn't seem ca
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







