I licked my lips and managed to call out, "Josephine, you have to get help. I... I think Natalia might be dead and I’m pretty sure my leg is broken.""Aww, now isn’t that a shame," Josephine said as she carefully picked her way down to me. She dusted off a rock and sat down, cocking her head sideways and staring bemusedly at me. "You know Hailey, I’ll never understand what Killian sees in you.""What?" Josephine's words took me by surprise. Natalia might be dead, and she was just sitting there! "Josephine, you’ve got to check on Natalia. She might still be alive and if we can get help in time,""You’re so...so ordinary. Boring. Why he ever agreed to be mated to you is beyond me," Josephine continued, ignoring my plea for help. "Oh well, you’ll be gone soon and then I’ll get him back. He always comes back. Guilt can work wonders on a man with a conscience."Realizing that Josephine wasn’t going to do anything to help Natalia until she’d had her say, I tried to focus on the conversatio
I stared at the carbon copy of my mate, unsure of what to say. The strength of his muscles was evident by how the material of his clothing stretched tautly over his body. Dark, faintly damp hair hung shaggily over his forehead and there was the faintest curve to his nose as if it had been broken at one point. His mouth was firm and set in a straight, unyielding line. It was amazing that the man could look so much like Killian at first glance yet exude such a different aura. Killian was strong and caring, while Viktor was...dangerous? A part of my mind acknowledged that the rocky, uninviting atmosphere of the ravine seemed to suit him, and I found myself reassured to know that, by Josephine's admission, he was not the psycho rogue wolf that I’d been led to believe. However, he was still an unknown quantity and needed to be treated with caution. Clearing my throat, I gave the lamest greeting possible while Josephine stared in shock and disgust surprised by his unexpected interventio
"No Killian don't!" What happened next was a blur of movement. Killian leapt towards his half-brother and Viktor jumped back, phasing into his wolf form even as he moved. In the blink of an eye, the two males were engaged in combat, growling and biting each other, while I clung to a tree trunk, watching in horror as the situation dissolved into a primitive battle. It was a terrifying sight, yet some ancient part of me thrilled at the idea of the powerful males clashing in battle over me. my heart pounded and blood rushed through my veins. Shaking my head, I tried to suppress the feelings inside me and clear my thinking. I wasn’t some animal waiting to be won by the strongest male! This was barbaric and I had to stop it. Frantically, I looked around for something that could be used to separate the two, but of course, there was nothing to be found. Returning my gaze to the scene in front, I stood transfixed. Snarls filled the air as teeth flashed and claws slashed. The two were equa
I awoke, my senses immediately informing me that I wasn't in my own room. The surface beneath me was too hard, the sheet too scratchy. I felt... numb, as if drifting on a cloud. Was I dead? I hesitantly opened my eyes, wincing as the bright light assaulted my pupils. A large expanse of white greeted me through the veil of my lashes. Hmm... No, definitely not dead, unless the afterlife had a crack in the ceiling plaster. And I certainly wasn't at home. My bed wasn't this uncomfortable. The infirmary? Possibly. Licking my dry lips, I tried to swallow. A bad chemical taste assaulted my tongue, and I yearned for water. I glanced down, hoping for a glass of water by the bed, but something pulled at the skin on my throat. As I lifted my hand, I felt the gauze that was there and tried to recall what had happened.A slight rustling sound drew my attention, and I cautiously turned to see Killian sleeping in a chair beside me. Dark circles under his eyes gave them a bruised look and stubble
His jaw tightened as he thought about the situation. "It’s all my fault. I should have believed what you told me, what everyone tried to tell me over the years, but I guess I didn’t want to hear it. In some ways, Josephine was like my little sister when we were growing up. Later, I thought there was something else, but it was familiarity and a misplaced sense of responsibility. I know I should be sad that she’s gone, but I’m not. The Josephine I thought I knew never really existed." I wanted to ask more questions, but Helena arrived and shooed Killian outside while she delivered medication, checked my leg, and fixed the dressing on my neck. Helena was efficient, but in my opinion, had no bedside manner. I endured the woman’s fussing by watching outside. Killian was talking to someone, just couldn’t see who. From the look on his face, he wasn’t pleased. Hitching myself up in the bed, I earned a scolding from Helena but gained a better view of the activity outside. he was talking...
Oh no! My relationship with Killian was finally on solid ground and I didn’t want anything to upset it. "Viktor, don’t tease him like that! Killian, I don’t know why he’s behaving this way." My gaze darted back and forth between the two men. "Don’t you, Hailey?” Viktor mocked. "I’m starting a new pack. I need a female and you’d suit me just fine." Gasping at his boldness, I struggled to my feet and placed myself in between the two, my back firmly pressed to Killian chest. I could feel it starting to rumble. "But you’re his brother, part of the pack. You can’t claim a pack member’s mate!" I hoped he was joking. There was a glint in his eye, which made me think he simply had a weird and ill-timed sense of humor, but still... Viktor reached out towards me as if to grab my arm and pull me away from Killian. His gaze was hot, and he seemed intent on having me, no matter what the consequences. Suddenly, he veered his hand off course and flicked the end of my nose. "Gotcha!" He burst ou
Lying beside him, I couldn't help but stare up at the ceiling, my hazel green eyes filled with a mix of emotions. It had happened. The deed was done. We were officially mated now. But deep down, I knew the truth, our union was not born out of love, but rather selfish political alliances. The thought offered me no comfort, only the ache of a broken heart.Beside me, I sensed his movement as he turned towards me, his eyes searching for mine. I purposely avoided meeting his gaze, instead focusing on calming my racing breath. But try as I might, my breath still trembled, betraying my inner turmoil. Despite my rapid blinking, a single tear escaped, making its way down my cheek.I heard the covers rustle as he shifted closer to me. His finger gently brushed against my face, capturing the tear. "I'm sorry, Hailey," his voice resonated in the dimly lit room, both deep and gentle. His touch was followed by a soft stroke through my brunette hair and a tender kiss on the crook of my neck."I kno
"What?" I couldn't contain my surprise as a strange quivering feeling began to develop within me."Do not make this difficult, Hailey," Alpha Dean sighed frustratedly."Difficult?" I fought the urge to glare hard at him as my lips trembled. No, no, no. This couldn't be happening, I thought, my mind racing."The elders have requested an alliance to maintain peace. Alpha Killian leads the largest and most powerful pack in the eastern region. This is a perfect opportunity, and it seems he has taken a liking to you. He did not object to this proposal," my father explained, his voice holding a gentler tone."But... it's too sudden," I said, my gaze darting nervously across the room at Killian, who stood stoically with his hands behind his back. His expression remained distant, unreadable. I turned to my father, desperately trying to hold back the tears welling up in my eyes."What about Stephan?" I half-yelled at him, my voice filled with a mix of sadness and anger. "You know I love him. Y