I leaned around as Vivian stepped forward.“Neil, it’s so nice to see you. Tyler’s part of my detail and they’re still working things out.”“I doubt that,” Neil said. “It’s good of you as the alpha’s daughter to try and look after your father’s new ward, but there’s no need to pretend like he’s got
VivianI stared at Neil’s unmoved expression, clenching my fists at my side. I didn’t glance at Renee, but I could see the smug glint in her eye. Rage curled through my chest like smoke.He didn’t even look at me. Not really. Neil, who had always been polite—cold, yes, but polite—had dismissed me li
“Lady Brightclaw,” they greeted. “Of course. Will you be overseeing the rest of the move?’“Of course. What are best friends for?”One of them opened the door and I smirked as I entered.Let’s the games begin.ReneeThe sound of Vivian’s huffing was music, but I didn’t feel at ease until we had alre
DominicI was in my office, the case files spread out in front of me like a puzzle I couldn’t quite solve. The docket number for Renee’s case sat at the top of every page, staring back at me in bold letters. Financial records, pack account logs, medical records, the guardianship order and so much of
“You, obviously. If he’s important to you—”“I didn’t say that,” she snapped, a little too quickly. “This isn’t about me. It’s about Renee not being a good friend. She knows I like him, and she’s still—still taking advantage of him being nice to her! She’s not even helping me!”I sat back, rubbing a
DominicVivian’s smile froze. “Renee?”“Yes. She needs a vehicle as soon as possible.” I said it casually, but I didn’t miss the flicker of annoyance in her expression. “I would prefer she had one before the semester started.”“You’re buying her a car?” she asked slowly, like she couldn’t quite beli
No. Honestly, not out of a desperate last-ditch effort to garner my sympathy, too scared or too ashamed—too hurt in some ways— to just ask. I closed my eyes and cursed under my breath.That kiss.I shouldn’t have let it happen. Shouldn’t have wanted it the way I did. I could still feel the soft heat
“You think you can humiliate my brother and get away with it? You’re nothing but a spoiled, pathetic little—”I was on my feet seconds later, snarling at her. “Keep your fucking hands off me, and keep your pathetic little brother away from me.”“You—”“And don’t think for a second you’re going to ge
“Thanks,” I said anyway.Arielle reached out and took my hand. “One day you will believe it.” She pat my hand. “Now, when are you coming to Mountainhowl?” I blinked. “What?”She shrugged. “You’ve got a place there. You’re one of us. I figure it’s time.”I stared at her.This woman—this terrifying,
Renee“Thank you,” I whispered. He took my hand and squeezed gently. Then, he left his bag beside me.He turned to leave, and I caught Arielle watching him with the kind of interest that made me incredibly nervous. “Brooding, protective hero, hm? He's perfect for you. Keep your heels and you dress
When the photos had been taken, they started frisking people. Vivian stepped up.“You can’t---”“Quiet,” Arielle said not even look at her.I felt the compulsion cut through the air, striking Vivian. She shut her mouth, her eyes went pale and she went completely still, fearful.“Leave.”Vivian turne
ReneeNeil was blocking my view of Tyler, but I could see the woman and her entourage clearly. For one glorious second, I thought maybe they were on my side. But then I saw the crest on the woman’s lapel—something ancient and royal, unfamiliar even to me—and the way the others stood between her and
No.I must have heard wrong. He’s supposed to like me.He will like me given enough time.Vivian blinked. “Excuse me? I must have heard you wrong.”His expression was cold, unmoving, his lips tilted up in the smallest show of disdain and disgust.“You see a woman who is meant to be your friend beate
Someone made a move to leave or punch him, it was barely a tremble of movement several feet behind Neil.“Don’t move.”I shuddered, flinching as the command settled, but somehow missed me. Then... I realized that the compulsions, none of them, hadn’t actually been directed at me, but cast across the
Fight.My fist connected with her jaw so hard my knuckles screamed in protest, but I didn’t care.Someone yanked me back and off her. I roared, jerking and twisting hard to shove them off, to the ground, clawing at their face. Another person rushed up toward me and I shoved her back. She went flying
“You think you can humiliate my brother and get away with it? You’re nothing but a spoiled, pathetic little—”I was on my feet seconds later, snarling at her. “Keep your fucking hands off me, and keep your pathetic little brother away from me.”“You—”“And don’t think for a second you’re going to ge
No. Honestly, not out of a desperate last-ditch effort to garner my sympathy, too scared or too ashamed—too hurt in some ways— to just ask. I closed my eyes and cursed under my breath.That kiss.I shouldn’t have let it happen. Shouldn’t have wanted it the way I did. I could still feel the soft heat