LOGINGabrielaOne Year Later"Are you nervous?" I ask as Raya sucks in a breath."Of course not. It's only a ball," she says as she raises her eyebrow at me."A ball in which your king will announce you as his Luna. No one would blame you if you were nervous, you know."Raya rolls her eyes, her hand on her hip. The courtyard lights make the iridescent sequins in her gown glitter.Though the bunched skirts do a fair job of hiding her fuller figure, my eyes are not so easily fooled."Are you feeling nauseous at all?" I ask, glancing back and forth, waiting for someone to pop their head in and request Raya's presence."Not at this moment," she huffs.She paces back and forth, and I can't help but grin."How far along are you?" I ask, my own emotions getting the best of me. It feels like forever since I gave birth to my daughter, Meadow.I never thought I'd miss being pregnant—it certainly hadn't been easy. But whenever I see Aaron with Meadow in his arms, the desire for another child hits me
ElijahRaya bounces her foot nervously, and I let out a frustrated sigh."Will you stop that?" I beg, my nerves already frayed.She stops momentarily, turning to face me. I peer at her from beneath my hand that rests above my forehead, keeping the light away from my eyes."I can't help it—I'm nervous," she huffs."You are not the one proposing an alliance," I say with a groan."Are you having second thoughts?" she asks me, her bright eyes glazing as her eyebrows furrow in worry.I rise from my chair. Where are Aaron and Gabriela? I'd sent the beta to fetch him nearly an hour ago, just after Raya had arrived.I stand straighter as the memory floods me—the moment she'd shown up at my door, her hair slightly disheveled and looking like she'd barely slept. The strange yet somewhat familiar pull, like an invisible string, exists in the space between us.I'd called her inside if only because my wolf was suddenly antsy at the idea of leaving her outside my bedroom prison.I swallow painfully
GabrielaI swing my legs out of the bed, taking in the sight of myself in the mirror across from the bed.After our tryst in the greenhouse, Aaron was called away by Wren. I supposed it must have had something to do with Elijah, but when I questioned him once he'd returned to his quarters, he did not seem keen on talking.And quite frankly, I couldn't say I disagreed, because the moment his lips found mine and he pressed me against the wall, I lost all sight of everything too.My body still aches from our endless night of sex—something that I know now is pertinent to the bond solidifying itself.Having been down this road before, I should be wary, but Aaron's claim, his acceptance...it fills me with hope.I do not fear Aaron will break my heart or my soul. He has proven he is more than capable of guarding such things.A knock at my door pulls me from my thoughts, and I quickly find my dress.My heart beats faster, and the heat returns, and I know, without having to open the door, who
GabrielaI awake in Aaron's bed, alone. The feeling of elation I'd long forgotten hits me like a brick.I still couldn't believe Aaron claimed me. It was sudden, not unlike the first time I'd been claimed...by Elijah.But I couldn't find it in me to be angry with him when it felt so right.I'd had every intention of talking to him after my discussion with Elijah.I'd thought long and hard about the best way to proceed.Raya had said Elijah was purposefully avoiding starting a war, but the truth was that he still could. He wouldn't be the first king in history to do so, especially over an heir.Which was why I needed to see him. I needed to know if Elijah truly felt something for me beyond remorse or if his feelings were tied up in the life we'd created.But perhaps I also needed to know if there was anything left in the ashes of our dead flame.And the moment I kissed him, I knew. With Aaron's mark warm on my neck and Elijah's mouth cold against mine, I knew the fire between us had be
AaronGabriela has been gone far too long for my liking, and I am more than agitated. I gave up trying to entertain her friend Raya, who seemed exhausted—likely from their journey and whatever had transpired between her and Gabriela.Rose would not divulge what exactly that had been, no matter how hard I pushed, which only irritated me further. Which is why I have taken it upon myself to tend to my plants—if only to keep myself from going mad, all things considered.I know Gabriela will eventually come to me, and she will likely have something to say about my having claimed her.I had hoped we could have taken our time and done things right, but I couldn't let her waltz into the room with my enemy without some form of protection.Who is to say Elijah would not have resorted to such tactics himself? It seems his sights are set on having her, and he truly believes he can come here and take what is mine.But as I stood there, as Gabriela begged me to trust her, I knew there was only one
Elijah"You wanted to see me," I say, my voice thick and hoarse from Aaron's former chokehold on my neck. I don't dare touch its tenderness in front of her, if only because I worry I may blink and she may disappear.As if Gabriela herself is some deathbed vision brought to me as I struggle within an inch of my damn life.Gabriela looks at me, and it's like the first time again. She looks at me like she sees me. The me that is buried beneath duty and bloodline, beneath the armor I wear."What are your intentions?" she asks quietly, gliding across the floor. I hold her gaze, appreciating her beauty before me—how her bright eyes sparkle and how she carries herself with grace. I have no doubt in my mind that she will make a fine queen. My gaze settles on her hips, on the slight curvature of her belly.Though drawn to her, I admit that the magnetic pull I once felt is different.Looking at her now, no fire overtakes my soul, and no itch needs to be scratched so badly that I can't breathe.
ElijahThe day Constance and Camden head out for their journey, a sudden feeling of dread settles in the pit of my stomach.I'm not one to believe in superstition, nor am I the kind of alpha who needs complete control over a situation such as sending my two closest confidants away on a reconnaissan
Gabriela"Your Grace." The enforcers ahead of us step to the side and bow once we reach the mansion. "Will you be needing anything else?""That is all for now," he tells them, nodding to them in unison. "Get some rest. It was a long journey. Elder Eris, you as well."They all break apart rather qui
ElijahThe elders call upon me sooner than I'm prepared for.Their dark chambers are cool as I step inside them. The low lighting causes my night vision to slowly adjust before I make my way down the passageway, coming out on the other side where it opens up into a grand chamber.Five of my elders
GabrielaThe beauty of the Southern packlands is somewhat staggering when we arrive.I'd expected it to be dry and arid compared to the cool humidity I left back home, but the expanses of dry brush and large jagged mountains in the distance surprise me. Staring at them when we reach the peak of our







