LOGINSoon enough we were in nothing but our briefs. I couldn’t help the nerves I felt at the fact that this might be my first shift in years. “You should go first,” I said to him. In one swift motion, he shifted. The transition was so fast I could have easily missed it. Now his brown furred wolf stood before me, but his blue eyes remained as they were.“That’s actually cool.”The wolfish smirk was all I got and I hoped that was Mehka. Now it was my turn. I shut my eyes, trying to reach for my wolf but held onto nothing. I tried over and again, but came out empty.“This is pointless. She is there somewhere, I know it, but it’s like she’s purposely avoiding contact.”“I can try reaching for her,”“And how would you…” I trailed off when I realized I’d heard in my head.“Mindlink,” he reminded me. But that wasn’t something every couple was capable of doing. For a successful communication both parties had to have a deep connection with their wolves, but I knew for a fact that the connection I
GIDEON’S POVMinutes Earlier… Eloise bolted for the exit with tears streaming down her face.I was no stranger to Cassian’s anger, I’d seen it before and I was well aware just how deadly it was, but I’d never seen him this angry. The corpse of the pack member lay in front of me, eyes still wide open.“Does anyone else have something to say about my mate?” the words had left his lips, but the voice wasn’t his—it was his wolf’s, and no one was stupid enough to utter a word.“I’ll have you all know that I will not stand here and watch you accuse her for a crime she did not commit; she is innocent. But if you need someone to pin the blame on, then turn to me. From now and hence forth, any one who spreads false news about my wife will be instantly put to death—and I don’t give a fuck what rank you hold.”Fear was written on the faces of the pack members, and the moment Cassian walked down the dais the crowd parted like the red sea, letting him through. I was just about to go after him wh
ELOISE'S POVThe hours went by in a blur. I’d gotten multiple dance requests from members, but I’d turned them all down, not exactly in the mood for that. I was aware that this was a big deal— it was the first Joining Ceremony the pack had seen in decades, yet the consciousness of what awaited us tomorrow left me unable to celebrate.A part of me wished I never discovered the truth, maybe then I’d have been able to make the most of all of this without the constant anxiety tugging at my mind.“What’s on your mind?” the voice that could only belong to Cassian whispered from behind me, before he joined me on the ceremonial seat. “You seem a bit distracted.”I let my gaze meet his, trying and failing to find even a hint of worry in those blue eyes. Sometimes I wished he wasn’t so good at hiding his feelings, maybe then I’d be able to tell how he actually felt.Just as I was about to speak, my words were cut off by a bald-headed man. “It’s time for the presentation of gifts!” he announced
CASSIAN’S POVEloise was seated on the dais overlooking the crowd as groups displayed their performances. The first group were dancers—about two dozen women, all dressed in beaded tops and skirts made of feathers. They moved expertly to the beat of the drums, dancing in perfect synchrony. The next set of people displayed their mastery of the violin and it went on like that. But my gaze was fixed on her, unable to look away. Eloise looked like an angel who’d descended down from the heavens. She looked every bit the Luna seated up there and all I could was watch. Gideon walked up to me, and I couldn’t help but notice how tense he was. “I know you’ve never been one for parties, but could you look any less tense?” I questioned, accepting two flutes of champagne from a waiter, then passed one to him.“I do enjoy this type of party,” he corrected, taking a sip from the flute. “But?” I prodded,“Look over your right, three o’ clock.” Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, I did, my
ELOISE’S POVIt was the day of the Joining Ceremony. I was officially going to be named Cassian’s mate and wife. I should be excited, and perhaps I would have been if the day after wasn’t the day he was due to face the Council. As much as I tried not to think about that and just enjoy this moment, I couldn’t.I stood before the full-length mirror, staring at the purple dress I had on, it was easily the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen. The strapless dress had been designed with tiny amethyst stones beaded to its bodice. The full skirt was a paler purple, cascading down to the ground and easily hiding the baby bump. The maids had my hair done in an elegant updo, with tiny pearl beads fitted into it, and a light veil had been placed over my face. There was a knock on the door. “Come in,” I called, and to my surprise it was Katalier. I was met with an even bigger surprise when I found her in a dress. She'd even taken some time with her hair and make up and I couldn’t deny she looked
I pulled open the door to my chambers and she stepped in, I followed, shutting the door behind us. I watched her stare around the place like she hadn’t been here a gazillion times already, but at least I could have a moment to just study her. Katalier had light, waist-length brown hair, but today, she had it up in a bun. Her hardened gray eyes seem to hold the secret of the world in their depths. She was dressed in black leggings, a dark leather jacket and a brown turtle necked shirt beneath it, simple and yet breathtakingly beautiful.Katalier cleared her throat like she didn’t quite know what to do next.“Need anything to drink?”“No,” she turned down, “Let’s just… get to it.” She took off her jacket, then her leggings. The shirt came off last and now she stood before me in nothing but the matching black underwear she had on. She let down her hair and it fell in waves over her shoulders in waves. I took in a sharp inhale at the sight before me, damn, she was perfect.I realized s
JEFFERSON SCOTTIt still felt like a dream. I almost couldn’t believe she was actually here, and yet she was only a floor away. After all the years of searching, I’d finally find her.That should be more than enough, and yet stupid as it sounded, I hoped for more. I hoped that by some miracle thing
My father walked out of his kitchen with a cup of tea in his hands.“I made it just the way you like,” he said, placing the cup on the table before me.“Thank you,” I picked it up and took a sip and a sigh escaped my lips, “Just the way she makes it,” I praised and he smiled at that.“You look bett
“I don’t believe a word of what you just said Jefferson. As much as I want to, I really don’t.” “Of course you don’t,” he muttered to himself, “How could you? I’ve taught you to doubt everything—I’ve taught you that trust was for the naïve.” His gaze on me was desperate now, “Do you think I wan
“You have some goddamn guts coming here. You know this is a violation; one The Council will have you punished for.”“Let me tell you what else is a violation, Scott. Taking another’s Alpha’s mate,” Cassian snapped.I didn’t miss Jefferson's surprise, though he quickly masked it with a smirk. “So y