Selene Drake’s grim face stares up at me from my tablet, his last words slowly sinking into my brain. This doesn’t make any sense. Maybe we misunderstood. Luna suggests with a whine. We didn’t misunderstand. Drake's words were completely clear, and I can tell from his expression that this isn’t some sort of joke. He seems every bit as confused as I am, only his first instinct is clearly to assume the worst, while I’m wallowing in denial. Just then Bastien walks in, and Lila races across the room to greet him, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” He snatches her up and tosses her into the air, causing the pup to shriek with laughter. “Lila, Lila, Lila!” He mimics, throwing her over his head a few more times before settling her against his broad chest and kissing her hello. “Daddy, we went to da woods! She exclaims, launching into her account of the day. “The trees were so big dey touch the sky!” Lila has seen forests before – but never one like this. The pup had been so taken with the ancient
Whoever invented stilettos was a sadist. There are a lot of things I remember disliking about these wretched pack events, but until now I forgot how agonizing it is to stand in high heels for hours on end. Of course the Alpha’s mate has to look the part, so I don’t have much of a choice. I have to cram myself into consticting, uncomfortable designer clothes and strap torture devices to my feet in order to be taken seriously. Granted, I suppose I do look good – but at what cost? Bastien has it easy, he’s standing next to me in the same black suit he always wears to these things. Meanwhile I’m over here gasping for air in a skin tight cocktail dress with so many straps and cutouts that I needed a map just to get into it. Lila’s silver and black party dress matches mine in color, if nothing else. She looks absolutely adorable, and she’s already stolen the spotlight from both Bastien and I – rightly so. It seems like every elder councilor, ranking pack member and aristocrat in Elysium
I leap a foot in the air, yelping softly as my heart races with sudden panic. Spinning in place and steadying myself against the solid doors, I find a very large, very angry Alpha towering over me. Bastien emanates disapproval: his silver gaze narrowed in reproach, his jaw rigid and arms crossed over his chest. I quail, guilt assailing me as I shrink away from him, my cheeks flushing bright pink. “How in the Goddess’s name did you do that?” He ignores me, closing one powerful hand over my nape. “What do you have to say for yourself, little wolf?” By now my initial shock has subsided, and I realize I have no reason to feel guilty. Straightening up and giving my mate my best scowl, I state, “I have a right to know what’s going on.” “Then knock on the door and come in,” Bastien admonishes, “don’t eavesdrop.” “If I was in there you wouldn’t have spoken openly,” I argue. “You came down here specifically so I wouldn’t hear. Drake called you instead o
ArabellaThe Calypso Pack House is the most magnificent building I’ve ever seen.It’s at least three times the size of the Nova Pack House, and if it wasn't for the imposing fortifications surrounding the marble behemoth, it might be mistaken for a luxury resort. The mansion is built on a hill in the center of the capital city, Tartarus.Clearly the architect designed it so the Alpha can look down on all his subjects, never freeing them of his watchful gaze and never letting them forget their place beneath him.Glorious. I think wistfully, finally, a true Alpha.The entire city makes Elysium look like a third world slum. While the Novas seem content to remain living in the past – preserving ancient buildings, outdated traditions and muddy forests – Tartarus was built with only strength in mind.The city’s towerin
Selene“Bastien, you’re being ridiculous.”He’s standing across from me in our sunlit kitchen, his arms crossed over his chest and a stubborn grimace on his handsome face. After the events of last night he’s been on high alert, not letting me out of his sight for one moment. I actually had to kick him out of the restroom this morning so I could have a bit of privacy, and now he’s refusing to go to work.“Can you blame me?” He growls.In all fairness, I know my husband is also exhausted. We didn’t go to sleep until around four this morning, and having a young pup means we didn’t get the luxury of sleeping in either. If I thought he wanted to stay home with us to catch up on his sleep, I might be more understanding – but that isn’t the case.“We’ve got to figure out a way to get past this,” I sigh, feeling emotionally drained. “We ca
Bastien“Go!” Selene calls, taking up a defensive stance.“I can’t.” I growl, “this isn’t right.”We’re out in the garden, positioned on a wide swath of manicured lawn and standing about ten meters apart. Selene is dressed in workout garb and eyeing me with mild exasperation. Aiden and Donovan from the sidelines, wide grins on their faces even though nothing has happened yet.“Attack me!” My mate insists, throwing her arms out in encouragement.“Selene, I really don’t think–”“Bastien you promised!” S
SeleneI’m beginning to think my mother told me the wrong secret. Granted, she chose the most important – not to mention scariest – one, but talk about burying the lead! Sure, my blood can give eternal life, but that doesn’t help me while it’s still running in my veins. Learning that I can hypnotize people, on the other hand, could have really come in handy before now.Odette’s history books aren’t exhaustive and half of their claims sound more like fairy tales than fact, but there’s enough empirical data included to persuade me regarding other matters. For example, I seriously doubt that any Volanas discovered how to become invisible the way one thirteenth century zealot insisted, but I believe the hundreds of contemporary accounts describing the way Volana wolves could harness moonlight to i
SeleneMy husband is impossible.I swear, it’s not even dark out and we’re already in bed. We don’t even have my heat to use as an excuse anymore. That ended days ago, but the way Bastien is acting, you’d think we were a pair of teenagers trapped in a frenzy of hormones. Not that he’s solely to blame, it seems like every time he touches me I dissolve into a puddle.It may sound like I’m complaining, but I’m just overwhelmed by everything that’s happened over the last few weeks. I’m not the least bit disappointed to have this incredible Alpha lavishing his affection on me, I’m simply at a loss for how to deal with all these changes.Bastien is wrapped around me like the warmest of blankets, his big body cushioning every inch of me while his lips move over my soft skin. “Goddess, I love you.” He murmurs, nuzzli