LOGINLYRA NIGHTBANEI bite down hard on Kaelen's invading tongue.He flinches in surprise. The metallic taste of fresh blood instantly fills my mouth. He pulls back slightly, breathing heavily. A mixture of saliva and blood glistens between our parted lips. The freezing wind hits my wet mouth, stinging sharply.Kaelen licks his own lips. He swallows the salty blood without breaking eye contact. He reaches up and wipes the dampness from the corner of my mouth with his rough thumb."You are so cruel to your mate," Kaelen whispers hoarsely, his golden eyes blazing with dark hunger.I turn my face away from his intense stare. I do not say a word."Let us go back inside," Kaelen says softly.He tries to keep his large coat wrapped over my shoulders. I slip out from under the heavy material and hand it back to him."Keep your coat," I insist, wrapping my arms around myself. "I have my down jacket. I am not cold."Kaelen ignores my
"The Alpha may claim his mate," Elder Evelyne announces, her voice carrying over the icy breeze of the Crimson Fang Lodge's grand hall.Countless silver ribbons fall slowly from the high timber ceiling. The ribbons look like a glowing rain of moonlight against the dark wood. The applause from the pack is deafening.Orion Nightbane does not hesitate for a single second. He lifts the delicate, pearl-lined veil off Mirelle Ashen. He ducks his head and crashes his mouth over hers before she can even take a breath."Oh my goodness!" Liora gasps loudly, covering her bright eyes with her tiny paws. She opens a wide gap between her fingers to peek at the altar.Kaelen steps forward and blocks her line of sight with his massive hand. Liora instantly glares up at him, crossing her little arms."You are naughty, Daddy," Liora pouts. "I want to see Uncle Orion and Aunt Mirelle kiss."Kaelen scoops Liora up into his broad chest, his wolf rumbling with a low, protective purr. "Do not look at things
“A signature fabric from your private collection,” Voss sneers. “You had the motive. Vespera Crowe threatened your position as Luna, claiming your bloodline was tainted by the outlaw Dr. Alistair Viremont. You eliminated her to protect your secret.”“That is a lie!” I shout, my wolf snarling in my chest. “Alistair Viremont is the one who attacked me! He stole a strip of that lace when I bit him in the corridor today! He framed me!”“A convenient story,” Voss retorts coldly. “Grand Elder Malakor has stripped you of your immunity. By order of the High Council, you are to be chained in silver and transported to the Ironvale City dungeons to await trial.”Two enforcers step forward, their heavy iron chains clinking ominously against their armor.Before they can take a second step, Kaelen moves.In a fraction of a second, his form blurs. He crosses the floor and grabs the lead enforcer by the throat, lifting the broad, two-hundred-pound warrior off his feet with one hand. The sound of stee
“Let go of me, Kaelen!” I snap, my voice trembling as the sheer heat of his body pins me against the cold glass of the French casement.The heavy iron door of the Alpha’s Shadow Chamber had barely clicked shut behind Marcus before Kaelen moved. His dark wolf aura fills every corner of the room, suffocating and hot. He doesn't listen to my protest. His massive hands lock around my hips, holding me securely against the frost-dusted windowpane while his glowing golden eyes burn down into mine with wild, possessive fury.“You think I’m going to let you walk away after a rogue put his hands on you?” Kaelen growls, his voice a low, terrifying rasp that vibrates straight through my ribs. “You stand in my chamber, cold and trembling from his scent, and you expect me to just stand back?”“I am fine!” I exclaim, my hands pushing against the hard plane of his chest. My pulse is hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. “Dr. Alistair Viremont tried to grab me in the lower market corridor, bu
“Get your filthy hands off me!” I snarl, my claws extending as I thrash against the dark pillar.The shadowed figure shifts into the pale torchlight, pulling down his black linen face mask. Cold terror strikes straight down my spine. My wolf shrinks back in absolute horror, whining in the back of my skull.Dr. Alistair Viremont.The rogue apothecary who locked me in the silver-lined cell, who drained my blood for his dark experiments, is standing right in front of me.“Let go of me, Alistair!” I snap, my voice trembling despite the intense fury burning in my chest.Alistair’s grip on my wrist tightens until the bone almost cracks, his yellowed teeth bared in a feral, desperate grin. “Not a chance, Lyra. I spent three weeks tracking your scent from Ironvale City to this mountain lodge. You’re coming back to my lab.”Traders and rogue wolves pass by the mouth of the stone corridor. I see two female wolves glance in our direction, sensing the volatile energy radiating from the alcove.“H
“His brother showed up and caused a scene,” I continue, determined to clear the heavy cloud between us. “It delayed me. He offered to buy me lunch, but I refused and asked to be brought straight back to the lodge. My heavy winter coat got caught in the door latch of his vehicle, and he was simply helping me unhook it. That is what you saw.”Silence stretches across the room. Kaelen remains motionless.He is waiting. I know my mate. He wants me to drop my pride, to step around the desk, to wrap my arms around his neck and soothe the possessive, jealous beast roaring inside his chest.I take a step back instead. “I have my principles, Kaelen. I am your mated Luna. I have never betrayed you, and I expect you to trust me. I’ll leave you to your work.”I turn toward the door.I hear the sharp thud of his laptop slamming shut before I even lay a hand on the iron doorknob.I pull the door open and step out into the hallway, heading straight for the lower levels. I don't look back, but I hear







