LOGINNext, it was my turn. The shift took a moment longer than it should have, even though tonight was the full moon. I frowned, digging deeper for my wolf’s power. Finally, the shift happened, but it was slow and uncomfortable.“Ava?” I asked.“Must be the new body.”“You’re sure that’s all?”“Yeah…”Ka
Elena’s POVI woke the next morning to a throb in my head that was definitely well-deserved. The fire had burnt down to embers overnight, leaving behind little more than a thin tendril of smoke that curled up into the morning air. Everything smelled like ash and moonshine, and I groaned, rolling ont
By now, Natasha should have sent that backup that was promised. She had said that there was another person who would take over Ivy’s training, helping her hone her abilities—whatever those were—until the time was right. Serena’s position should have been relieved.That person was supposed to come da
Serena’s POVThree. Fucking. Months.It had been three months and a day since Natasha had sent Serena into the deep wilderness with this little brat, promising to send someone to relieve her soon, and nothing had happened yet.Elena was dead. Kade was in mourning—wouldn’t that be the perfect time to
There was a long pause.Finally, Kade answered, “I didn’t know it was that bad.”“No. You knew,” I said, looking up at him sharply. “You saw my bruises every time you called me to your room. You touched my body and felt the bones. You knew, Kade. You knew.”His lips parted, but he didn’t speak.I pu
Elena’s POVBy the time I made it out of sight of the campfire, I regretted everything.“Oh, Goddess.” I passed my hands over my face and leaned against a tree, swaying slightly where I stood. “I never should have had anything to drink,” I whispered.Ava chuffed. “Tell me about it.”I sank down unti
Kade’s POV“Your heart is aflutter.”Kade grimaced at Ghost’s words. Aflutter? His heart wasn’t aflutter. That word wasn’t even in his vocabulary.“You can deny it all you want, but you’re intrigued by the second chance mate. If you hadn’t controlled yourself at dinner, you might have shoved everyth
“What was that, by the way?” Ava asked, perturbed.“I should be the one asking you that question. You manipulated the bond. Made me kiss him.”Ava paused, then replied, “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it; it’s not easy holding back around our mate all the time. But I meant after—when you told him you wa
Elena’s POVKade ripped my shirt off over my head and looked at my spine before I could stop him.But this time, I didn’t try to stop him.I knew there was no mark there. Somehow, when I had been put in this new body, there was no birthmark on my spine. Just smooth, unbroken, unmarred skin.So I let
“Befitting of a warmonger,” I teased. If my jab amused Kade, he didn’t show it.We ate in silence for a few moments. My mind raced with what to say next—some kind of segue into the topic of my baby. I had practiced what to say, but admittedly, now that I was here, sitting directly next to Kade, I wa







