Caspian“I don’t like this.” I grumble, seated at a high bar next to Chase.“They’ll be fine.” My Beta’s instinct is to balance my aggression, to be the calm voice of reason when my temper flares, so I know his words are well intentioned. But I also know they’re completely false. He doesn’t like this anymore than I do.Viviane and Kiera used every tool in their arsenals to convince us to let them have a girls night out tonight, spending the better part of the week wearing us down until we finally agreed. Of course their strategies were very different.While Viviane went on a charm offensive, batting her eyelashes and pleading so sweetly I couldn’t say no, Kiera chose something more akin to a rein of terror. The mischievous feline has proven no more amenable to Chase’s advances over the last three days than before, though he’s clearly enjoying the hunt. Still, I know it irks him not to have a formal claim on her when she’s going to be out among other males.The girls went to a restaura
The world is very fuzzy.I can hear people talking around me. I even think someone might be crying, but I can’t decipher one sound from the next.My vision is blurred and hazy, but I can see a massive pair of paws on the ground in front of me. When I try to follow the path of the creature’s muscular legs upwards, I find only a velvety grey expanse of a wolf’s torso.He’s standing over me. I know without question that it’s Chase, though I don’t understand how. My nose is clogged with blood, so I can’t smell a thing. Still, some other sense of knowing tells me my mate is guarding me from the women who tried to hurt my friend, and even though pain is wracking every inch of my body, I feel completely safe.As the moments drag past, pain turns to agony and a feeble moan escapes me. A cold nose nudges my cheek, and suddenly I realize I must have closed my eyes. I see only darkness as a large, warm tongue laps at my forehead, and even when I hear my mate whine with so much concern my heart a
KieraWhen I wake my entire body is surrounded by pillows, my every curve cushioned so thoroughly I feel like I’m about to burst into flames. The pillows cradling me are so warm: smothering me with scorching heat even though I want to snuggle closer to their entrancing scent. I can’t remember ever being so comfortable. The pillows are even caressing me, stroking my spine and brushing through my hair.Wait a minute. I realize, coming fully awake. Pillows don’t move. And pillows don’t have internal heat sources.Blinking my eyes open, I realize it’s not pillows surrounding me, but a very large, very attractive wolf.Relief spreads across Chase’s features the moment he realizes I’m conscious, and a tender smile stretches across his face. “Welcome back, trouble.”Squirming against his hard muscles, I announce, “you’re too hot.”His grin widens, “Why thank you.”“That’s not what I meant.” I pout, giving up my doomed efforts to escape him. “What are you doing here?”“I’m taking care of you
Viviane“I look ridiculous.” I snort, staring at my reflection in the mirror. “You look unrecognizable.” Kiera corrects me, “which is the point.” I’m wearing a wig and color contacts, as well as a heavy layer of bronzer over every inch of my skin and a pair of comically oversized sunglasses. Kiera is in an equally thorough disguise, and we’ve both donned the dullest clothes we can find in our closets. Things are more than a little different from the last time we visited the mermaid settlement. I’m now a veritable celebrity, and Kiera isn’t far behind. The events at the sushi bar were front page news in Asterion, with Kiera being lauded as the kind of friend everyone needs, as well as the future Beta’s likely mate. So now we don’t only have to worry about ditching Chase as well as Caspian and my guards, but also making it to the outskirts of the city without being recognized.“You’re sure this is going to work?” I ask nervously.“Look, you said yourself that Caspian is going to be m
VivianeTurning to face my fate head on, my heart sinks when I see the rough looking men striding towards me. Every man has a hard and haggard exterior which exudes menace, and I hate the idea of facing them alone.“Well, well, well.” The leader drawls, leering at me salaciously, “what do we have here? Aren’t you a pretty one?”“What do you want with me?” I ask them nervously.“What do we want?” He counters. “You were the one following us, not the other way around.”“I was just curious.” I lie, “I saw you taking those girls, I thought maybe something bad was happening, but I realize now I was wrong. I’ll leave you to go on your way.”I try to turn away, but a powerful hand clamps around my arm. “Oh no, it’s too late for that.” The man smirks, his nostrils flaring as he scents me. “You’re a clever one too, I see.” He chuckles, “Hiding your scent. Now it makes more sense. Only bottom-feeders go near the settlements. Is your little friend a mermaid in disguise too?”“No!” I half-shout, a
ChaseI can hear Kiera crying the moment I walk in the door. Leaving Caspian to begin making plans with his guards, I retreat to my rooms, where I find my mate sobbing face down on the bed.Kiera is still wearing the same ridiculous outfit from the day before, and as much as my heart hurts to see my mate in pain, I’m also furious that she risked her life this way. Striding across the room, I settle on the edge of the bed and rest my hand on the curve of her lower back. My splayed palm covers the breadth of her slender waist, and the feeling of her soft, warm body beneath my fingers is comforting after such a stressful ordeal.“Kiera, how could you?” I murmur.She sobs even harder, whimpering as I slip my hand beneath the hem of her top and stroke her silky skin. “You don’t have to make me feel worse!” She moans, “Viviane’s probably being tortured right now and it’s all my fault!”“Why did you go to the settlements?” I ask in resignation.“We didn’t know Caspian was looking into the t
I spent the first thirteen years of my life in the Bloodstone territory, yet I’ve never seen an inch of the free territory. I knew only the pearl farms and the river which swept us to freedom.I’ve imagined it a thousand different ways, always assuming the blood money they wrought from the flesh of mermaids afforded the pack lives of unimaginable luxury. I wasn’t wrong, but I certainly didn’t picture this. As the truck rumbles through the city, I remain glued to the back window, trying to memorize the streets, the landmarks and route on the off chance we actually manage to pull off an escape. Luckily the shifters don’t seem to believe we’re capable of even contemplating saving ourselves, because they don’t try to stop me.My memory is incredibly sharp and if I can focus on navigation, I might stand a chance. However it is difficult, because everywhere I look my eyes want to leap out of my head. The bloodstone capital seems to have been built on the side of an active volcano. Silver bu
Caspian “Are you sure about this, Caspian?” My father asks. “James is family!” “Being family didn’t stop him from kidnapping my mate or betraying me in the pack games.” I remind him. “I don’t have proof yet, but I’m going to get it. If I’m right he’s the only one who might know where they’ve taken Viviane.” “I don’t understand, why would mermaid traffickers take her in the first place?” He inquires, “if she discovered what they were doing, why not just k- silence her?” He continues, clearly amending his words even as they leave his mouth. For a moment I consider lying, but I can’t help but think this has gone on long enough. The truth is that mermaids like my mate have been suffering in this city for a long time, and the only way things are going to change is if I change them. Taking a deep breath, I announce, “Because Viviane is a mermaid.” “What?” My father questions blankly, “What are you talking about.” As I explain everything