Selene’s POV“What is this?” I choke, my heart racing as I stare down at the reward flier.“Nothing.” Bastien reaches for the paper, but I lean back over the armrest until I’m on the verge of falling. I may not be able to extend my arms past his reach, but I trust he’ll choose catching me over reclaiming the page.Luckily he does exactly that, clamping his hands on my hips to keep me anchored while I twist my body away from him. “It’s clearly something.”“Selene, stop that.” He admonishes, pulling me back into the chair, “You’re going to hurt yourself.”With a huff I obey, waving the flier in front of his nose. “How long have you known about this? Where did you find it, how long has this been going on?”Bastien sighs, “Sweetheart this is why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want you to worry for nothing. I’m handling it.”“If it were nothing you wouldn’t need to handle it.” I reason sharply, squirming to escape his lap and failing. “And what exactly does that mean? How in the Goddess’s nam
Bastien’s POV“What the hell are you talking about?” I hiss.“Hey, I was surprised myself,” Rafe answers snidely. “I thought you were finally ready to bury the hatchet, but from the looks of it you Novas are every bit as inbred and backward as I always thought. Can’t even throw a funeral without things devolving to bedlam.”I brush off his insults, “No one invited you, Everhart.” I announce, mentally tracking my enforcers as they covertly move in, surrounding our assailants on all sides.“I beg to differ.” Rafe quips, pulling an embossed parchment from his jacket and extending toward me.Keeping one eye on the goading Alpha, I accept the paper, unrolling it swiftly and scanning the contents within. Sure enough, it contains an exact copy of the official invitations sent around to various packs and allies over the last few days, complete with my signature.I pass the parchment to Donavon. “Unfortunately I must tell you that this invitation is not genuine.” I force the words out between
Selene’s POVI glance around the council chambers anxiously, wondering if anyone will step forward to challenge Bastien for control of the pack. The council can’t force him to step down as Alpha, but if he loses a fight to a stronger wolf he won’t have a choice.I doubt there is anyone in Elysium strong enough to take on my husband, but this isn’t only about winning. Perception is everything. Whether or not someone can actually succeed, pack members challenging Bastien means they’ve lost confidence in his leadership, that they believe he is weak enough to unseat.Seconds drag on like hours, mutters swarming like angry bees as Bastien turns on the spot, staring down the complainers until the chamber finally falls silent. I breathe a sigh of relief. Whatever they might say behind closed doors, when push comes to shove no one is brave enough to actually take on the Alpha.Once he’s certain no one is going to speak up, Bastien turns back to the council. “There you have it gentlemen. You m
Selene’s POV“I need to promise me you’ll be careful.” Bastien’s oversized hands are framing my cheeks, his metallic eyes boring into my own.I grasp his wrists, my small hands only stretching halfway around them. “I’m just going to the store, Bastien.”His brow furrows even deeper than it already was. “Maybe Donavon should go with you, or better yet: we can send one of the maids instead.”“I’m perfectly capable of buying groceries without a babysitter.” I assure him in my sweetest voice. As I untangle myself from his grasp, I add, “Are you really this concerned about the reward flier?”“I just want you to be safe,” He deflects. “Things have been crazy around here lately.”It does not escape my notice that he didn’t actually answer my question. I narrow my eyes, “Did something happen? Did somebody report me to your false tip line?”“No.” Bastien promises firmly, “I’m just uneasy about everything that’s happened with the pack.”Whatever comfort I gained from his direct “no,” disappears
Bastien’s POVThe Autumn Equinox has always been my favorite holiday. Above All Souls Night, the Summer Solstice and Yuletide, the Equinox is the best day of the year. Every September Elysium is overtaken by a sprawling festival celebrating the event, combining centuries-old rites and traditions with modern revelry and entertainment.The changing of the seasons has always been sacred to shifters. Our power is always strongest on the nights the Goddess turns the wheel of the world, summoning so much magic it overflows into all of creation.More than any year of my life so far, this Autumn’s celebration must go well. It’s my first year as Alpha and even though my father oversaw most of the planning, the actual event is happening on my watch. With everything that has happened in the last few weeks I desperately need some good PR with the pack, and a superb Equinox would go a long way to achieving that.On the other hand, if something goes wrong, it will be a literal disaster. The pack wo
Selene’s POVEver since I got pregnant I’ve been sleeping through the night (and in fact, much of the day) without any problem; but tonight I wake closer to dawn than dusk, feeling nothing out of order beyond a heavy weight pressing down the mattress near my hip. I blink and rub my eyes, surprised to discover I can actually see Bastien through the pitch black night.He’s sitting by my side, his elbows braced on his knees and his head in his hands. He’s stripped off everything but his boxers, every hard ridge and valley of his powerful form exposed to my view. I sit up slowly, unease fluttering in my belly.“Bastien?” I reach for his shoulder, settling my hand firmly on his warm skin and beginning the tender caresses I already know he needs. “What’s wrong?”His head turns my way, an oddly hollow look in his usually soulful eyes. “I’m glad you weren’t there tonight.” Bastien tells me roughly, “If this is what it’s going to be like, the more time we spend apart the better.”I retract my
Bastien’s POVI barely recognize my mother. Her once glowing skin is pallid and gray, her usually bright eyes are dull and glassy, and even her hair seems to be losing its color. She’s barely left her room since my father died, staying in bed all day and hugging his pillow as she cries.As distant as Selene has been lately, she seems equally concerned about my mother’s health, now hovering beside me outside the master bedroom and peeking worriedly through the gap in the door.“You have to talk to her.” She urges.“And say what?” I counter helplessly.Selene’s two-toned eyes cut to me. “She needs a reason to go on without Gabriel.” She proclaims. “To be reminded of how much she still has to live for.”My head shakes back and forth. “She’s lost everything.”“Not everything.” My wife says pointedly. “If there’s one force on this earth stronger than love for a mate, it’s love for a child.” She nudges me toward the door, “If her purpose as a mother can’t pull her through, nothing will.”Ut
Selene’s POVBeing in lock down with morning sickness is even less fun than being in lock down with nothing to do – especially when one is confined with a host of people who can’t know you’re pregnant.I’ve been popping my anti-nausea medication like it’s breath mints for the better part of three hours, intermittently wondering if it’s possible to overdose on the drug. My stomach is finally starting to settle, but the boredom isn’t getting any better.Bastien didn’t explain anything when he tossed me in here with Odette and the guards, simply announcing that “there’s an emergency” and we needed to “stay put” until he returned. It might be easier to accept the situation if we understood what’s going on, and my mother-in-law isn’t faring much better than I am.“Try not to worry, Odette.” I soothe for the dozenth time. “I’m sure Bastien’s safe.”“I’m afraid none of us are safe.” She replies grimly, “Bastien won’t say so, but I know more is going on here than he’s letting on. Too much has