LOGINTheronI didn't think it was possible to feel more relief than I do right now, but watching Zephyra stand here, completely lost in her own head as she communicates with that problem of a beast warms my chest. She’s here. Awake. Alive and it feels like the first real breath I’ve taken since she ran.“Mate?” she mutters to herself. Jareth looks at me and raises an eyebrow, wondering what is going on with her.She isn't used to using a mind-link, and I know the dark reason why. Having your beast constantly suppressed can lead to all sorts of abnormalities. I hope her struggle with the link is the only side effect, but if more problems arise, I’m ready to help her. In the rush of pulling her out of that burning hell, her hybrid warned me they would need my help. She never said what for. I’m hoping I can get Zephyra to tell me.“Are you wounded?” Zephyra asks the second I set her on her feet.“No,” I say, denying the throbbing injury on my arm at the exact same moment my Beta opens his bi
Zephyra ‘Time to wake up.’ My eyes shoot open at the sound of the loud voice humming in my head. I wince, shoving myself to an uncomfortable sitting position and rubbing at my eyes, trying to clear the fog blurring my sight. My head feels incredibly heavy, but it is nothing compared to every deep ache pounding through every muscle in my body from lying still for too long. “...what the fuck do you mean the palace is aware of my disappearance? It should have stayed hidden,” a voice booms from somewhere outside the room, rattling my bones. I slap both hands over my ears to cover them and groan. Why is it so loud? I can hear everything— the rustle of the trees outside as the wind moves through the leaves, pulses, even the faint drip of water somewhere. “It was hidden, okay? I did everything I could to make sure no one suspected a thing. But that doesn't matter right now when that wound isn't healing. We have hundreds of doctors; you don't need Kalb.” Jareth. I recognize his
Camala “What exactly do you mean by saying I cannot see the King?” I ask. I stare at the line of warriors blocking Theron’s main quarters. The security here has always been tight, but tonight it is suffocating. Usually, less than ten warriors watch the door. Now, there are twice as many idiots. Something is wrong, and I don’t like being left in the dark. “Exactly what you heard, my lady.” The lead guard says. “No visitors tonight. The Alpha demanded to be left alone, which means…” The guard's eyes drop to my exposed cleavages for a second before he catches himself. “No exceptions.” At least he finds me fuckable. They all do. I had been wondering if my beauty was fading lately, but the hunger in his eyes proves otherwise. “I believe you know exactly who I am and what happens when you disrespect me?” I glare at him until he looks away, then sweep the same cold stare over the rest. “Who am I?” The lead guard sighs like I’m wasting his time but I’ll see how long that disrespect lasts.
Not satisfied yet, the red beast plunges her claws into the witch’s chest, digging around and tearing the heart free from its cage. A final measure to ensure the witch is dead even though the decapitation was enough. I cock my head to the side, still observing, and watch the other body to see what happens next. Zephyra moves toward the blonde woman and sniffs her body before shifting back into her naked human form. Panting heavily, she sits on the floor with her knees tucked to her chest. She rests her arms on her knees and drops her head, completely unbothered by the building burning behind her or the rest of the houses going up in flames. As I walk closer, I hear the sound of her sniffling. ‘She’s hurt.’ Grimm panics. I was furious that she ran away and didn't trust me to handle this, but the second I see her breaking down like this, shoulders shaking with quiet sobs, every bit of that anger drains out. Even with all the threats dead around her, she’s still trying to kee
Theron “How do they keep increasing?” Khaisha groans, sinking her teeth into the throat of one wolf before spitting out the blood and snarling at the next one circling her. “It’s like they’re multiplying out of the freaking ground.”I rip the heart straight out of the wolf pinned under me, and it dies with a low whimper. “We’re close to the Stone Heart territory. That explains the numbers.” “They aren't rogues?” Khaisha asks.Baron snarls at a wolf trying to reach me. He intercepts it, ending the threat instantly. “Rogues know when to give up and run. These fools are throwing themselves at us even though they’re getting slaughtered. They’re stalling us on purpose.”I scan the forest. I can only sense a few heartbeats now, which means fewer wolves are left to attack. I do enjoy a good hunt, but there’s no fun in it when Zephyra might be in danger.“Baron!” I yell, forcing him to look at me. “Handle them. I’m leaving.”“What? No—Your Majesty, absolutely not,” he argues, but the remai
Zephyra’s beast Whimpering, I open my eyes slowly. A sting burns in them like someone poured acid straight into my skull, but after blinking a few times, the sting fades.What the hell was that burn? Felt like every important wire in my body got set on fire.I glance weakly around the room, and my eyes widen. My hands are tied tightly behind my back with rope that bites into my skin. No matter how much I struggle to pull away, the knots don't budge. I remember now. Naya found me. But how did she get behind me without me catching her scent or her heartbeat?“Is my skill a joke to you?” Naya’s voice slithers from somewhere behind me. Her heels pound against the floor until she stops right in front of me. “There’s no way you’re getting out of those,” I stare at the pointed tips of her shoes. “Really? You dragged me here just to play runway model?”Under the annoyingly sweet smell of apples that screams Naya is here and I’m her prisoner, I pick up other smells of multiple wolves, scent
That’s not right. “Tell me she didn’t growl.” “She did.” Kalb answers. “And when she did, her scent changed. It was stronger. I’m certain her Lardin noticed too. It wasn’t subtle.” Zephyra does not growl. I have watched her. I’ve noticed her in ways she doesn’t even know. She is quiet, guarded
Zephyra “You should smile more, Consort Zephyra,” Roxy says, even though I am already smiling as much as my face will allow. My mouth aches. There’s a faint sting at the corners from holding the expression for too long. I am almost certain that if I force it any further, my mouth might actually
My fingers twitch, wanting to clutch at my dress, but I resist. Roxy warned me not to appear fragile, not to show weakness or they would never respect me. But how am I supposed to look strong when my chest feels hollow and my pulse won’t settle? “I greet you all on behalf of my lady,” Roxy says
Zephyra “The tea helps to suppress sexual urges.” Camala tilts her head slightly as she speaks. “I’m aware the king hasn’t requested any of you in quite a while, and as we all know, our beasts require constant attention. They are wild, not gentle creatures.”Consort Malvory clears her throat and s







