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Making An Entrance
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Forsaken Mate Wallflower
Dinner ends, and the dishes are carted away, mine still loaded with most of what Griselda heaped on it. In the end, I couldn’t stomach more than a dozen forkfuls before my nerves threatened to send it all back up for a second look. It’s for the best. I want to survive this evening, so I need to be on my toes and not lethargic from a grand feast. But now there’s nothing to distract Wesley and Quinn from trying to goad me into making a spectacle of myself to ruin the celebration. No doubt they caught wind of Beta Pride’s tense attitude. His enthusiastic punishment of me has never been a secret. Many verbal and physical lashings I’ve received came with a live audience. Quinn’s vicious gaze lingers for an especially long time on my father’s hard expression. I can damn near read her mind. She’s scheming to light his fuse and aim him in my direction. There is no chance in hell that I am falling into that trap tonight. Not when I’ve already been promised to Alpha Nolan should anything go
Forsaken Mate Leaving An Impression
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smirking at his words. That wouldn’t be proper. Rising from my bow, I’m still careful to keep my attention on the floor out of respect. “I am at your disposal, Alpha Thane.” “Very good, Ms. Pride. Walk with me.” His hand rests between my shoulder blades as he leads me around the outer edge of the study. It’s the kind of touch I imagine an older brother or cousin would use on their younger relative as they teach them to ride a bike or skateboard. Steady. Firm. Warm. Maybe even safe. Unexpected, given how frightening Alpha Thane is as we make the rounds about the room, nervous eyes locked on us with each step. This is the opposite of blending. I’m struggling to keep my composure and focus on breathing normally to keep my heart rate in check. “It’s unsettling, you know,” Alpha Thane grumbles, glancing down at me sideways. I swallow hard. “Sir?” “You move like a ghost. Your footsteps in heels are silent, and even the sway of your dress on t
Forsaken Mate Eyes On Me
The rest of the event sputters on without incident. Not long after I return to Beta Pride's side Alpha Thane wanders away from Quinn's flaunting and mewling. Somehow, I find myself back in his perimeter, occasionally catching a wayward glance or nod from the intimidating man. Alpha Nolan and my father are too preoccupied trying to earn his favor to notice. Still, his subtle attention doesn't escape me. Whenever his cold eyes land on me, a mischievous spark glinting within them, I want to curl in on myself. Just what is he planning? Even as Alpha Nolan rambles about amending the terms now that the two packs have improved relations, Alpha Thane's gaze flickers in my direction. It's so fast I doubt anyone else notices. But me, and it sends a prick of panic down my spine. I wish I knew what's going on in this man's head. What his interest in me is. Was telling him I'm at his disposal a mistake? Alpha Thane holds his cards close to his chest. I can't understand what kind of man he is,
Forsaken Mate Escape
Before I can respond, Beta Pride swiftly intervenes. "She passed in childbirth, Alpha Thane. It's a painful memory for us both and why my Makayla is so dear to me." I would think he meant those words if I didn't know better. Maybe Beta Pride has his eyes set on a future in the arts. His devotion to his own act this evening is downright award-winning. That sad look on his face… you'd never know he curses my mother every single day and beats her daughter whenever he can. The mask is slipping. It's now or never. "Thank you for the opportunity to meet you," I say, and then, with tightly controlled composure, I turn and exit. Racing out of that suffocating study, I gasp for breath, and my body trembles with relief. The promise of the night air calls to me. I crave it against my clammy skin. Every step brings me closer to freedom, away from the oppressive walls of the packhouse and the critical gaze of everyone who wishes me dead. Pushing through the exterior doors, I nearly weep when
Forsaken Mate Cornered
Every word I know vacates my mind as I stare up into the eyes of my nightmares, so much like his son's. That same evil glint shining in the ice blue of his irises. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Alpha Nolan laughs. Head back, eyes closed, a full body laugh verging on a cackle. The sound of it fills the air and drowns out everything else. No more crickets or breezes. And when he stops, the sounds of the night do not return. Muted like me. "You should see the look on your face, Kay." My throat tightens painfully when my nickname from Milla rolls off his tongue. "I can call you that, right, Kay?" he purrs, dragging his fingers along my jaw. "We're close enough, what with you being the daughter of my beta. You won't deny me, will you?" "Of course, I'm happy for you to call me whatever you like. It's an honor, sir." "Sir? Better than Alpha Nolan, but still." He clicks his tongue again, shaking his head. "I am your Alpha, Kay. Say it." "S-sir?" He slips his hand around my th
Forsaken Mate Stranger In The Night
Smoke wafts into my face, stinging my eyes. Because why wouldn't it? What part of me hasn't been tormented in the last 24 hours?I scalded my skin and scratched at it with a rough rag until there was no trace of Alpha Nolan's touch left. The scars and bruises from Wesley and Russel are all but gone. And yet, every inch of me still hurts down to the very marrow. I barely had the energy to start the fire in my pit, but it needed to be done.Fear and worry kept me from eating at the dinner, and now that the panic has worn off from Alpha Nolan's advances in the courtyard, I'm starving. I've hunted and scavenged some meat scraps from the café in the territory. I throw them into my lone, worn-out pan, adding the few unbruised vegetables still rattling around in the bottom of my cooler. It's not gourmet, nothing close to the finery I was served in the packhouse earlier. But washed down with some tequila, it'll do.The meat sizzles in the pan as flames lick up the sides, charring the metal bl
Forsaken Mate Sharing A Meal
I step back, slipping into a defensive stance, and he quickly raises his hands."I mean no harm." Nodding toward the fire, he continues, "I smelled the food and thought I'd investigate.""Who are you?" I scan him top to bottom once more, this time careful not to get distracted."Rafael, sentinel guard from Io. Rafe, if you like."Io. Of course, they brought their own guards. It makes sense when so many members of their pack guardians are here in an unknown arena. Not to mention the rising number of rogue attacks between Io and River Crest's territories.I force my body to relax out of the defensive stance despite my unease. It's best if I don't do anything that might antagonize even the guards of Io; this alliance is too important, and I'm still in the crosshairs."Makayla, sentinel guard for River Crest." I offer a polite bow and try to ignore how imposing his aura is. Does everyone in Io give off such dominating vibes?"Makayla." My name is a breath in his voice, said softly with mo
Forsaken Mate What Do You Want?
Shaking my head, I stab my food and shovel it into my mouth, ignoring Rafael's amused gaze and lopsided grin."I am curious, though." Rafael shifts on the stoop, turning to face me directly, his leg pressing into the side of mine. Heat ignites at the point of contact and ripples through me. I hate this. And I will force myself to hate him if that is what it takes.I begrudgingly swallow the delicious and not-at-all-tough meat. "About?""How did you come out here in the first place?""I volunteered," I lie. "During training, I showed an aptitude for guard work and volunteered to be a sentry out in the deep woods. Since it's far from the packhouse and the central territory, I set up a place to stay.""You must be very dedicated to River Crest to accept such a lonely post.""With all my heart and soul," I snort."Makayla—""You want another beer?" I'm up and halfway to the cooler before he can respond. I don't know why I ran just now. It's just… the way he said my name made everything in
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