LOGINLeo I can’t believe I agreed to this. We were driving into Ocean Crest, and the scent of humans was so thick in the air that I wanted to roll up the windows to try to block it out—but then I’d be stuck with the smell of the car, which I wasn’t crazy about, either. Ava, however, was happier than a pig in shit as she ripped down the road in her new car. She went on and on about how much she’d missed driving, and about how nicely this “bad boy” cornered. I hadn’t wanted to come, of course. The last thing I ever wanted to do was make a trip into the human world. Just going to the market was enough to make me want to vomit, and that wasn’t even really close to any humans. But Ava had asked me to come and I couldn’t refuse her anything, so here we were. I had no idea why we were going back to Ocean Crest. Ava told me she had a surprise, but what surprise could there possibly be in the human world? Nothing I’d want, that was for sure. We drove down a long road and Ava pointed out the
Ava “No, I want bigger blankets,” I told one of the maids. “Fluffier ones. Softer. And more pillows.” “Yes, Miss Ava,” the maid said, then scurried away to fulfill my request. The maids and I were in one of the guest rooms, preparing it for Ana and Parker. I wanted to make sure it was perfect. I didn’t know what their life had been like while they were with their own pack, but I knew their life had been very hard since their exile, so I wanted to give them the royal treatment, so to speak. Ana and Parker were in the dining room eating. They’d both had a nice, hot bath and were given clothes to wear. I told them their room would be ready within the hour, which didn’t give us much time. I knew Leo wasn’t super happy about having Ana and Parker here, just as I knew the only reason he’d agreed to let them come was because of me—but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that they were here now. When I’d gotten lost on my run and wandered into that little town, I knew as soon as I
Leo I was in my office when I heard a loud knock on the door. “What is it?” I snapped. I had a shit ton of work to catch up on, and I didn’t want to be disturbed. But the guard at my door entered, a worried look on his face. “It’s Ava, Your Highness,” he said. “She appears to be...missing.” “What?” I demanded. “What do you mean ‘missing’?” “Someone saw her leave the palace grounds early this morning to go for a run. But when the maids went to find her for a dress fitting, she wasn’t in her room. They looked everywhere, but it seemed no one had seen Ava since she left this morning. I didn’t want to alarm you, my King, but we’ve done a thorough search of the palace, and she’s nowhere to be found.” My heart dropped. How could that be? How could Ava be missing? It didn’t seem possible, unless...what if someone had taken her? What if another pack had kidnapped her, and they were going to use her for ransom? It wouldn’t be the first time something like that had happened. My mind imm
Ava I needed space—that’s what I told Leo after our lovemaking session in Oliver’s new room. I was anxious and overwhelmed. I knew I could stay longer if I hadn’t made up my mind by the end of our fixed term. It was clear by now that Leo would do anything for me, and it wasn’t like he was about to boot me out of the palace if I didn’t give him a definitive answer at the end of the week. But I didn’t want to ask for more time. I’d been here for three weeks, and we’d made an agreement. If I asked for more time, I felt like I’d just keep postponing the decision, and what good would that do? If I couldn’t make up my mind in a month, what made me think I’d do it in two months or three? I’d had a good taste of werewolf life—enough to know what I was getting into if I stayed. I’d seen a Luna crowning, visited two other packs, and had countless conversations with Leo about all aspects of werewolf life. Cassie had helped me, too, always answering my questions bluntly and honestly. What el
Ava I followed Leo to a wing of the palace near my bedroom. For all I knew, it was an extra guest suite, so I wondered for a moment if his surprise was some sort of guest. But when he opened the door, I gasped. The entire room had been renovated and redone, and I could tell right away that it was for Oliver because of all the toys. It was massive, even bigger than my room. It even had a little climbing structure in the corner. There was a bassinet and a bed that he could transition into, but the real appeal of the room was all the toys and the space to play. “He can grow into it,” Leo told me as I entered the room. It had its own private bathroom and a large walk-in closet. The walls were lined with shelves, and one corner had a plethora of stuffed animals. A handmade rocking horse sat in a different corner, painted in fun, bright colors. “You did all this for Oliver?” I asked, clearly impressed by the time, energy, and thought Leo had put into the room. “Well, I had some help,”
Ava I didn’t like Queen Patricia from the moment I met her. I saw the way she looked at me, condescending and judgmental. I felt like Leo hadn’t been fully honest with me. He had led me to believe that his mother and father were kind people who were eager to meet me, and clearly that wasn’t the case. The bitch had asked me to “turn around” like I was some sort of monkey on display. Who does that? Who inspects another person like cattle? I’d been so embarrassed, standing there in my ripped jeans and Beatles shirt. Leo should have given me a heads-up to change. I had no shortage of dresses in my closet, thanks to the maids and their endless sewing. I could have at least shown up looking a little more presentable. I’d done my best to be polite, but it had been really hard. I knew she hated me and didn’t want me with her precious son. It stung, but what stung even more was that she was probably right. I was far from royalty and thinking otherwise had been delusional. What the hell wa
Jax When I’d awoken this morning with Selene by my side, I felt happier than I ever remembered feeling. She’d still been fast asleep, one of her legs tossed over mine, her breath hot on my neck. Gently, I’d peeled her off me and rolled her onto her back. I wanted to look at her. It had been earl
JaxI burst through the door to the study. My parents were lounging on a couch in front of the lit fireplace. My father was sipping on nightly scotch, and my mother had a glass of merlot. They were both wearing their silk robes.“What’s the meaning of this?” I demanded, even though I already knew.
Selene Holy shit. Was this really happening? Had the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack really just accepted me as his mate? I was...I was going to be a Luna? I felt dizzy. Jax gazed into my eyes, my sweaty hands still in his. Then he gave them a little shake. “Your turn,” he said, smiling. “Rig
Selene Stone never imagined the mate-bond would lead to her. As an omega from the wrong side of Crescent Moon’s borders, she’s spent her life keeping her head down until the Alpha Mate Reveal ties her fate to Jax Blackworth, the pack’s powerful new leader.What should have been a fairy tale turns i







