LOGINCaden POVGareth did this. It was his special request to move Marissa. He'd told me he was going to relocate her whether I like it or not, and apparently he'd gone to his brother and gotten him to agree. I look at the van disappearing down the road, then back at Zach and Kerris watching me from the edge of the woods. I could make a scene. I could demand to know where they're taking her and insist on following. But that would be stupid.Whatever arrangement they've made, it's not like I'm being denied access to her. In fact, she's being moved to a bigger, more comfortable house where I'll supposedly be able to see her as much as possible.There is no cause for concern.I retreat, and Beta Justin gives me a small nod, as though he's pleased that I'm finally behaving reasonably. I don't care what he thinks. I just want to know why Zach agreed to this without saying a damn word to me. When I look around again, Kerris is gone, and Zach is approaching alone. Good. Maybe now he'll expla
Marissa POVFor a moment, I can't move. The first thing that comes to mind is I want is to be back in the solitude of my old cottage. Or even in the prison cell where I was kept when I was first arrested. It suddenly doesn't matter if I get that roommate who'll use me as their entertainment. Anything but this.“She works for the Queen, Miss Harding,” Linda tells her. “She stays wherever Her Grace chooses.”“That is rather troubling too,” Gwen replies.As though I'm not standing right there and can't hear every word.“How is it possible that she works for the royal family?”I know what her real problem is. Caden paid attention to me last night. That's all. Girls like her can't stand someone like me getting the attention of a high-born wolf. Not when they're used to believing that kind of attention belongs to them.I want to turn around and go back inside, but I'm too proud to give her the satisfaction. I'm not going to run.This is not the first time some rich girl has looked down on
Marissa POVWhen I climb out of the van, the Gamma who rode with me comes around to collect the bag containing my clothes.Nadia is already moving toward the much too elegant door. She motions for me to follow her as I look up at the building in front of us.This is no cottage.It's a rather luxurious two-storey fourplex, with wide balconies and enough space around it to make my former cottage look like a mouse's hole. It's somewhat similar to the mansion I'd run from in River Howl.I stare at it.Is this where I'll be on house arrest?But why? Or has my sentence been cut short? Nah. Alpha Gareth mentioned something like this when he came to visit. Only now am I recalling what he told me. Is this where I'll be expected to perform my... duty?“You look sleepy, Miss Blue,” Nadia says, pulling my attention from the building.“The Queen is giving you the day off. Considering you worked a double shift yesterday.”That still doesn't explain why a prisoner has just been brought to such a fa
Caden POV'I'm not leaving.' I push the argument back through the mindlink. Everyone is standing still. They know I'm talking to someone. Justin knows who. He's clearly here on the King's orders.'Your Majesty, I'm just dropping off my guest somewhere close. I'll be back before dawn.'Justin will ride with you.' The reply is curt and final. 'He'll show you where to keep your girl. That's my final offer.'A pause.'And Twilight... let me just say this so it's out there. That girl does not turn up dead.'“What?” I frown at Justin as though he's the one I'm talking to. 'You think I'm going to kill her?'The Beta's face tells me everything. He knows Gwen knows. And he actually fears I might off the chic.He knows exactly what all of this is about.When I glance at mom, she looks scared to death. That worries me more than I have time for.'Relax, Mom. Apparently, my punishment for bad behavior is not over just because I'm Alpha now. That's all.''Are you sure that's all it is? It doesn'
Caden POVMy time in the hole has come to a pause.Zach tells me this before he sneaks out of the party with his mate.A pause. Not an end.I know he means it as a warning. Which is why I don't insist on going after Marissa to make sure she gets inside her cottage without lingering outside with that Gamma.Milo Hastings can't do or say much with Nadia there. Can he? I would trust Marissa's Gamma to do her job.After the King's brief speech of congratulations and thanks, the party truly begins. Some of it spills outside, where the newly titled Alphas make out with the girls willing to entertain them. Some of them do much more than make out.Glancing around, I decide now is the time to take care of my business.I slowly end the dance with Miss Caine, the Beta female who has been sticking close. She raises an eyebrow.“What is it, Alpha Caden? Tired already? Or...” Her gaze drifts past me. “Worried your girl will complain?”I follow her eyes to find Mom chatting with Gwen Harding while
“Easy,” he says, his voice unexpectedly gentle.The simple touch sends another unwanted memory through me.Caden moving me across the dance floor. His body against mine. Large hands holding me as though he was afraid I'd disappear.It had felt like we were the only two people in that room. Like we were simply a couple enjoying an evening together.He'd held me like he was hungry for me. And I'd let him. Even though I should've known it's a show for his dad.Of course his Luna-to-be wouldn't complain. She can afford to be patient. She has an assurance I didn't have so it's okay to let the poor omega have a few minutes to dream before reality came crashing on her.I need to stop thinking about Caden and put this night behind me.“You're awfully quiet.” Milo's voice pulls me back.I glance at him.“You looked like you were enjoying yourself,” he says, walking beside me. “Sorry about getting you sent back so early.”“It's not a curfew,” Nadia murmurs dryly.“Yeah, I know.” Milo sighs dram
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







