LOGINDove povWe crowd outside onto the front lawn, some with our heels in our hands.Ciella and Eden stand next to each other in front of us. Their cheeks are flushed bright red and they have to keep pausing for breaths between giggles.The lake sits as a backdrop behind them. Moonlight pools against the surface, undulating over every ripple. The cool of night raises small bumps on my arms, warning me that this dip into the water is going to be bitterly cold."So, we're all going to strip down and run into this lake," Ciella announces giddily, bracing her hand against her mates shoulder so she can peel her heels off her feet."Whoever can last the longest in the water wins!" Eden adds animatedly, the clapping of her hands cutting through the soft music still drifting from inside.Alissia cups her hands on their side of her mouth so her voice carries. "Wins what?"Dev leans into me, raising crossed fingers as his voice lowers. "Please say a shit ton of money."Ciella waves her hand dismiss
Dove povPeople press even tighter together as they dance, so keeping near the door keeps me out of their paths.Before I can make it outside, I catch sight of dev's fiery red head of hair in the crowd as he rushes toward me."Slight problem," he says breathlessly as he sidles up next to me."What happened?" I scan his person, but other than looking a bit ruffled with his shirt untucked, he looks perfectly normal.He glances back the way he came. I follow his gaze, watching Varian emerge back into the party, his expression stoic as he takes everything in."Your Alpha lover just stopped me in the hallway and interrogated me," he hisses lowly, panic flushing over his face.I inwardly groan.I'm sure Varian was waiting all night for Dev and I to separate so he could advance on him like a predator to ask him all manner of questions. My haphazardlyconstructed façade has probably fallen away into nothing."What? What did he say?"Dev shifts in front of me, holding his hands out as he dramat
Dove povFor a moment, I know peace.My sister dances in her mates arms a few paces in front of me. Soft, delicate music plays as they gaze at each other, entirely unfocused on those that watch them.This is true love. The kind of love Eden and I spoke about for so many years.Now she has it. And I'm so undeniably happy for her.We've returned to Ciella's manor for tonight's celebration. Everyone is a little tipsy, preparing for a night of debauchery that is common here in Varian's pack.The ballroom is decorated beautiful and there are plenty of drinks and food laid out. Massive doors are pulled open, revealing the outside lawn that stretches out to meet a small lake.Eden will be happy here. I envy that.My senses bristle as a figure comes to stand next to me. They raise their arm, taking a long drink from their wine flute as they watch Eden and Ciella sway to the music.I don't even need to glance over to know it's Claude."Beautiful couple, aren't they?" He muses quietly.I angle m
Dove pov Plus, I hold no resentment toward Ciella. She knows Varian far better than me, and is naturally going to do what she can to protect her wife."Can we talk some more later? Before everyone gets super drunk?" She asks softly."Sure." I nod. "Enjoy your dinner with your wife.""Thank you. And don't worry, I've seated Varian on the other end of the table." She looks down the table for him, but he isn't in view. She frowns, but shakes her head."I appreciate that," I tell her anyway.She gives me shoulder one last pat before she walks off to take her seat. I adjust my place setting, moving to the side so I server can fill my glass with more wine.Just as I shift back into place, Varian slides into the empty seat to the right of me. I jump at his sudden and unexpected presence."Dove...hey," he greets."You're not supposed to be sitting here,"be sitting away from me, and now he's claimed this seat like he owns it.Although I suppose in this pack, he owns everything."I switched p
Dove povFawn Gardens is an extravagant piece of land at the heart of the city.Once we walk past the gates, it swallows us whole. Massive trees enclose the space, the city vanishing around us as we walk down the pretty cobbled path toward where the wedding ceremony will occur.There is green all around. The placement of flowers is random and wild, everything blooming as if it can sense the love between the two mates present here today. It's so beautiful emotion swells deep in my chest.This is everything Eden ever wanted, ever since we were little girls.The sun, just starting to set beyond the trees, is a stunning enough sight to distract me from Varian's stare on my back as he walks behind me with Claude.Almost.As if sensing Varian's watchful gaze, Deven sidles up closer to me as we walk, sliding his arm around my waist, tugging me until our hips brush together."I'm going to need a motivation," he says, his hand on my ribs keeping me upright as we walk over a pretty ivory bridge
Dove pov"I shouldn't have shut you out for so long.""Have you spoken to father?" She asks."Not for a year. After he handed me on a silver platter to Varian I realised I truly meant nothing to him. It took some thought but I cut all ties with him and Matthias and moved on," I explain.Eden can hear all about my life over the past year later, when it isn't the day of her wedding. For now, I want nothing to spoil this day.She watches me as I wander to the window, looking out at the small lake Ciella's house backs onto. "I'm sure he misses you.""He shouldn't have chosen Matthias over his daughter," I mumble, watching the sun glisten off the water. Everything is so perfect, so peaceful.Why would Eden ever want anything else?"I agree. It's why I chose to have you here, not him." She stands, approaching thedress she has hung up. She admires it, trailing her fingers over the lacy sleeves."As if father could be in Varian's presence without there being problems," I bring up cautiously.
Dove povI step into his personal suite, shivering at the sensation gliding over my skin.It's bizarre seeing sunlight drenching this room I've seen only once, and in the dark. Everything looks as lavish as I remember, and his scent clings to the air, weakening my legs."It looks so different durin
Dove POV I have absolutely no idea what is going on.I barely had time to force down my lunch before Varian swept into my room, calling for me to join him.For the past day I've been in the dark to the happenings here. For the first time since I was kidnapped I've been welcomed to leave the stuffy
~Varian pov I stalk upstairs, my gait long and insistent.I need time to devise the next step of my plan. Dove revealing herself as Dennis' daughter would otherwise alter it were I not convinced she's working with Matthias.She's drenched in his scent and is clearly withholding something about the
Dove povI stare at the cracked concrete wall, lying flat on the stiff cot.Hours have slugged by since the guard stopped interrogating me, and I've received not a second of medical attention.I'm not seriously injured, but my body is covered in a litany of bruises like fallen soldiers scattered on







