“Perhaps not,” Eskal stated as he snatched the dish from me before it clattered to the floor and ruined the meal. “You should train your staff better mutt.” He sneered at me from where I sat on the ground, dazed from the disgust at what I’d poured into a mug to be consumed. Vampires a second realization hit me. Vampires were the only beings besides demons to regularly consume blood in any form. My confusion grew at the realization. Vampires had a tenuous relationship with werewolves at best. It must be about the war with the band of demons on the pack’s border. It was the only reason vampires would be allowed to enter pack lands, which meant the negotiations were over an alliance to help rid the pack of the band. No one in the pack spoke openly about the matter. I knew the situation had worsened by the longer hours Darrien spent training, as well as the frequent injuries he came home with. I took a deep breath to regain my composure and carefully placed my feet under myself once mor
The night of the equinox had finally arrived. The air hummed with excitement from the wolves as they dashed about in their finery. I was thankful for the simplicity of the gown Ava had practically given me as well as the comfort of the lace block heels since I would remain on kitchen duty throughout the night. Willow had apologized to me, though we both knew I would have worked the festival regardless. Equinox, Solstice, and other formal events paid triple the normal hourly rate for those who had to work the events. I slipped on my designated outfit for the night, a slight shiver ran through me at the thought of having my neck bare around Eskal, the other vampire, and whatever Alpha Lucas was. I glanced in the mirror of the Lykfos changing room, Ava had offered to allow me to change there since it was closer to the dining hall than the house. She had also helped me tastefully apply the makeup she claimed was a standard birthday gift from the boutique and curled my hair so it hung in
A sudden hush fell over the grounds until Alpha Ber rose to his feet. The calm tenor in his voice kept order as he commanded, “Gather the women and children. Place them within the pack house where they’ll be safe. Warriors attend to your stations, we are being attacked.” I rose to my feet in order to make my way to the pack house with the others. The pack house was fortified to withstand most attacks and keep the most vulnerable pack members safe from harm while the warriors fended them off. I looked around for Eskal and noticed he’d made his way to Alpha Lucas’ side, they seemed to be having a heated argument before Eskal stomped off in a huff. I jumped when I felt someone grab my wrist. I turned to find myself being pulled toward the pack house by one of the men I’d previously seen with Alpha Lucas. This must be his second in command, I concluded. While the leaders would fight at the front lines with the warriors, the betas are often charged with defending the pack house during ti
Footsteps echoed in the sparse chamber, punctuated by a steady beep. The air held a chill, like that of a hospital. The blankets were thin and coarse and the bed no better than the floor I’d spent the last fifteen years on. I don’t know which of these had roused me, or if it had been a combination of the unpleasant sensations. I allowed consciousness to creep back into my body; I didn’t move or even open my eyes for fear of what would greet me when I did. “She’s waking up,” I heard a voice say but refused to acknowledge the statement. I heard bustling footsteps as things were moved and rearranged. I felt as though I was coming up for air from a deep plunge when everything hit me at once. I groaned utterly surrounded by strangers. My fingers dug themselves into my hair. and grabbed my head. My body curled in on itself as shudders wracked my frame. I gasped for air. My chest felt tight. I forced my eyes open. I was “Administering .02 of Nembutal.” A voice said from beside me. Ice rush
Without so much as an introduction, I was left with a room full of scantily clad women in an unfamiliar place. I felt my panic try to rise past the medication once more as I stood and stared firmly at the ground. “I’m Tamsyn,” the woman said sweetly. “We’ve been expecting you.” She took my uninjured hand and lead me through the gaggle of women lost in their conversations. We made our way to a room through a corridor along the side of the hall. Inside was a single suitcase. I paused at the doorway until Tamsyn pulled me into the room. “Let’s get you cleaned up and out of that hospital gown. You’ll feel much better when you’re in something more comfortable- oh, and before I forget.” She picked up a gold choker and clasped it around my neck. It snapped shut with a loud click. “Now, what’s your name?” “Emilia,” I whispered as I touched the cool metal of the choker. “Pleased to meet you, Emilia,” Tamsyn grinned, “That choker means you’re exclusively part of Alpha Lucas’ harem, it’s qui
“Please,” Loren scoffed as he held Tamsyn’s wet body to his side. “You were hardly kidnapped. If anything you were sold to Lou in exchange for our protection.” I stepped back as though I’d been slapped. I clutched my towel to keep it from falling. I refused to be as blasé as the other girls with my body. Tamsyn gently grabbed Loren’s face and turned his attention to her as she said, “There’s no need to be cruel, love.” “Loren, why don’t you and Tamsyn enjoy each other’s company? I can handle this.” Eskal interjected. He placed himself between the pair and me. Tamsyn nodded as she slipped her clothes back on and lead Loren from the room. I stood, my towel clutched in my hands tight enough to turn my knuckles white. My wrist ached from the tension in my body. “Emilia-“ He turned to face me, his expression held a forced gentleness that didn’t reach his eyes. “Don’t” I snapped as I backed away from him. “I don’t want to talk to you.” “I figured as much,” the blond persisted; “Since y
“Emilia,” my name sounded like a curse when it came from him. I tried to crack my eyes open to watch him as he moved about the room. My body failed me; I must be closer to death than I’d thought. “Your wrist is infected,” he stated, as though he was telling me the weather. “I can smell it from here. Do you really think that we’ll allow you to die? When you pass out I’ll just take you back to the infirmary and have them hook you up to another IV.” “I dddd-ddd-don’t cuh-care,” I mumbled. My words stuck to my tongue like a fly on a web. I didn’t have the strength to control my stutter and I didn’t care enough to try. He was silent for a moment before I heard him mutter, “Very well then.” I didn’t resist as he hauled me up from my position on the floor. He slung me over his shoulder and carried me from the room. My matted hair tumbled down his back as he carried me through the common area. I didn’t have the energy to care about the gasps I heard from the other girls as we passed throug
My eyes widened at Izak’s announcement. I looked at him, my silent question hung in the air between us as Izak straightened. He nodded to himself as if he’d told me the best-kept secret of the century.“Alpha Lucas is the product of a vampire and a werewolf.” Izak explained, “His father was the alpha of the Anatllontos Fengri pack and his mother was the matroness of the Peftastri roost. Nobody expected it would be possible for Thea to be Reed’s mate, but because she was they were able to bring peace to the two domains and raise one of the most powerful men to have lived.”“You make our leader sound like an action figure,” Eskal stated as he approached us. I ducked behind Izak as the blond drew near. It had been comforting to be near a werewolf in this strange place. Their mannerisms were much warmer than the vampires, and while I’d been lonely growing up, I’d never felt as isolated as I did now. Izak had been a warm ray of sun in this dismal place.“That’s because he’s amazing!” Izak