Mag-log inTobias's povI decided to check into the pack house guest quarters instead of heading back to that depressing motel down the road. The room they gave me was massive, but the air felt completely suffocating. I tried to sit at the small desk to review the border clauses, but my brain was totally fried. Every single time I closed my eyes, the phantom scent of vanilla hit my nose, and my chest throbbed from the pressure of the hidden mate bond.My instincts were screaming at me that something was completely off about this place, and it had nothing to do with Valerie rejecting me. The entire pack house felt way too tense, like everyone was holding their breath waiting for a bomb to go off. I finally threw my pen down, grabbed a dark jacket, and walked out the back exit to clear my head.The cool night air helped a little bit as I started walking the outer perimeter of the estate. The grass was damp beneath my boots, and the moon was high enough to light up the dark tree line surrounding t
Tobias's povThe heavy silence in the room was getting so thick I could practically taste it. Marcus kept shifting through the pages, but the awkwardness between Valerie and me was completely derailing the meeting.Suddenly, the black phone on the wall started buzzing loudly. Marcus jumped up, checked the flashing screen, and let out a frustrated grunt."I have to take this, it is the northern border patrol," Marcus said, heading toward the side door. "Lock the doors if you leave, Valerie, I will be back in ten minutes."The second the heavy door clicked shut behind him, the fake professional act completely vanished. I dropped my pen onto the folder, stood up from my chair, and walked straight around the massive wooden table.Valerie did not even have time to stand up before I reached her side of the room. I grabbed her by the waist and pinned her flat against the hard edge of the large desk, trapping her completely between my arms."What the hell is your problem?" I demanded, leaning
Tobias's povI managed to drag myself out of that empty bed after getting maybe two hours of sleep. My body felt completely wiped out, but the faint scent of vanilla still lingering on the cheap sheets kept my brain spinning in circles.I jumped into the shower, scrubbing the smell of the tavern out of my hair and trying to force my mind back into gear. I threw on my suit, fixed my tie in the mirror, and checked out of the motel before my thoughts could drift back to that dark alleyway.I drove straight up the winding hill toward the grand Red River pack house, the massive stone building looking incredibly imposing against the morning sun. I parked the car, walked past the armed guards at the front entrance, and was led immediately into the main executive office to wait for the Alpha.I sat down in one of the heavy leather chairs facing the giant wooden desk, crossing my legs and trying to look like a completely professional diplomat from the capital. I needed to act like the Head of
Tobias's povI was officially losing my mind under a massive mountain of post-war paperwork. The pack was dead quiet, but my office felt like a total prison zone today.Every single folder on my desk contained another territorial dispute or a supply requisition form. My eyes were burning from staring at the messy handwritten ledgers for six straight hours.I leaned back in my leather chair and rubbed my face with both hands. I seriously needed a break before I threw a stack of files out the window.The heavy oak door swung open without a knock, and Rowan walked straight into the room. He looked completely stressed out, his shoulders tense and a deep frown cutting into his forehead."Tell me you are here to give me good news," I said, dropping my hands to my lap. "Because if you have more paperwork, I am jumping out of this building.""Fortunately for you, I have a fresh headache," Rowan said, tossing a leather folder right onto my desk. "The Red River Pack down south is causing proble
Mira's povThree months later, the garden was completely quiet in the early morning. The wild summer heat had finally settled, clearing away the last of the heavy gray rain clouds that used to hang over the castle. I sat on the low stone bench beneath the shadow of the tall oak trees, leaning my back against the warm rock wall and just taking a deep breath of the fresh, clean air.Lyra was wide awake in my arms, kicking her tiny legs against my stomach and making little puffing noises with her mouth. She was growing so fast it was actually starting to freak me out a little bit. Her dark hair was thicker now, falling into soft little tufts over her forehead, and every single time she blinked up at me, those bright silver-grey eyes stared back with total, absolute focus. She was already incredibly alert, tracking every single movement in the courtyard like she was trying to figure out how the entire world worked."You are getting way too big," I whispered down to her, using my finger
Mira's povThe next morning came way too quickly. My body still ached a bit from everything, but there was absolutely no way I was missing this meeting. I stood in front of the long mirror in our bedroom, pulling a clean black jacket over my shoulders and smoothing down the front.Rowan walked up behind me, his large hands coming to rest on my waist. He looked at my reflection with a serious expression. "Are you completely sure you are ready for this? The council room is going to be a total zoo today.""I'm completely sure," I told him, turning around in his grip so I could look him straight in the eyes. "We've been fighting for this exact day for months, Rowan. I'm not sitting upstairs while you lay down the law by yourself. We do this together."Rowan smiled, leaning down to press a quick kiss against my forehead. "Together. Let's go."We walked down the long, grand hallway toward the main council chamber. Tobias and Dara were already waiting for us outside the massive oak doors, ea
MIRAThe silence in the room was so thick I could practically taste it. It tasted like dust and old regrets.I wanted to throw myself into his arms. I wanted to bury my face in his chest and let the scent of him drown out every nightmare I’ve had in this cell.But I couldn't move. Something was hol
MIRAI’ve read the letter so many times the parchment is starting to soft and fray at the edges. Two days. He said to watch for a sign in two days, and I’ve spent every single second of that time counting the beats of my own heart.It’s obsessive. I know it is. But when you’re trapped in a stone bo
MIRAI pressed my hand hard against my chest, right where the mate bond was turning into a literal wildfire. It was hot, heavy, and so loud in my head I couldn't think.He’s close. He’s right here. But where?Is he still outside in the trees? Or is he actually inside the house, moving through the h
MIRAThe music was the worst part. It drifted up through the floorboards, a rhythmic thumping that felt like it was mocking my heartbeat.Laughter, shouting, the clinking of glasses. It was a party for a lie.I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands pressed so hard against my stomach that my knuckles







