CATRINI follow him with my eyes until he disappears down the hallway toward my bedroom. With a sigh that seems to come from somewhere deep inside me, I rise and make my own way there, wondering what he could possibly want in my space.Perhaps he simply needed somewhere to go that wasn't his own room, with all its reminders of a life that's rapidly changing around him.I enter my room to find it empty.Eric is nowhere to be seen.I feel oddly violated knowing he was here moments ago, his distressed scent still lingering faintly in the air. Puzzled, I move toward my bed, intending to lie down and process everything that's happened today.I can barely settle, however, because voices from outside catch my attention.One is deep and commanding, unmistakably Damian's while the other is lighter but firm and definitely female.I move to the window, pushing aside the gauzy white curtains to peer down into the gardens below.My bedroom overlooks the training area, giving me a perfect view of t
CATRINI push open the door to Eric's room, the heavy oak panel swinging silently on well-oiled hinges.The scene that greets me is one of barely contained chaos.Eric paces back and forth like a caged animal, his footsteps wearing an invisible path in the plush carpet.His entire body trembles with rage and his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. His jaw working as if he's physically biting back words too dangerous to release.Mom stands nearby, her elegant figure poised and tense and her hands extended in a placating gesture that's clearly having little effect on his agitated state.The tension in the room is palpable, hanging heavy in the air like a storm about to break."I told you that he would never abandon his mate for you," I say, unable to keep the slight edge of satisfaction from my voice.The words taste almost sweet on my tongue and I know I should feel guilty about finding pleasure in Eric's distress, but I can't help myself.Eric has always been so certain of h
DAISYThe Alpha studies his son for a long moment, his expression unreadable.The silence stretches on until it becomes almost unbearable, the weight of unspoken words and old conflicts filling the air.Finally he turns and walks out without another word, his departure somehow more ominous than any threat he could have made.Eric follows but not before leaning close to whisper something in Damian's ear that makes his entire body go rigid with tension.Whatever he says makes Damian's face go pale, his hands clenching into fists at his sides."Daisy," Damian says once they've gone, his voice carefully controlled but I can hear the underlying strain, "go with Catrin and rest in your room until I return. We'll talk about all of this later, I promise.""Okay," I nod, reluctantly releasing his hand.I want to ask him about Melissa, about the arrangement his family mentioned but something in his expression tells me now isn't the time.The tension radiating from him is almost palpable and I c
DAISY"Damian knows very well your father's position in the pack and his standing among werewolves," she says finally, addressing her son rather than me, as if I'm not even worth speaking to directly."I don't deny that she's your mate but you know that your father won't accept her. Not with her background." Her voice is cultured and refined with the kind of accent that speaks of expensive education and high society.Damian's hand tightens around mine, his grip almost painful but reassuring at the same time."I didn't ask for his acceptance," he replies. "The important thing is that I accept her and she accepts me. That's all that matters."His words fill me with unexpected warmth and I can't help the small smile that forms on my lips.To hear him defend me so openly, to claim me despite my status and the obvious disapproval of his family, it means more than I can express.For a moment, I feel like maybe I do belong here, maybe love really can conquer the barriers between our classes.
DAISY"I don't think this is a good idea, Damian," I say nervously as we drive toward his family home.The closer we get, the more my stomach twists with anxiety.A cold sweat breaking out across my forehead despite the car's perfect climate control.The sleek vehicle purrs under us, eating up the miles of pristine road that lead deeper into A-class territory."Everyone should know that you're my mate," he replies, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, hands gripping the steering wheel with perhaps more force than necessary."Including my family and especially my father." There's a determination in his voice that both reassures and worries me, like he's preparing for battle rather than a family introduction."But..." I struggle to articulate my concerns. "I mean... you... oh, I'm so nervous I can barely think straight."I twist my hands in my lap and Aru is equally restless inside me, pacing anxiously in the corners of my mind."What if they hate me? What if they think I'm not good enough
KEVINHer eyes, red-rimmed and swollen, search mine with feverish intensity."What's the girl's name? How old is she? Her grandma? What about her grandfather? Where is she now? How has she survived since the attack? Is she safe? Is she hurt? Please tell me she's safe!" The questions tumble from her lips in a desperate rush and each word is punctuated by a small shake of my shoulders."That's enough, my dear," Dad says gently placing a restraining hand on her arm. "You're frightening him. Calm down and let him speak."He turns to me, his expression carefully controlled though I can see the effort it costs him."Kevin, tell us about this girl. Everything you know about her." He says.I look between them, completely bewildered by their intense reactions. Nothing about this makes sense and their behavior is starting to scare me more than I want to admit."Okay, even though I still don't understand what's happening..." I pause trying to recall everything I know about Daisy. "Her name is Da