LOGINRAEI noticed the ‘C’ patch on his jersey as he backed away.“What? Scared of a little ice?” the player holding my kit above his head taunted me.I tilted my head, squinting. I’ve seen that arrogant smirk and those greyish blue eyes before. In fact, that voice…The other players noisily cleared out of the rink through the passage behind me, prodding me with stares, laughing amongst themselves. I couldn’t look away from the captain of the Richmond Kings. My thoughts spun wildly, haunted by the face behind that cage helmet. I sucked in deep breaths, though none seemed to be enough. This had to be a dream. I refused to believe that this was my life because I’d done everything possible to avoid this moment. Jameson’s deal with Coach Stetson was supposed to save me from him. How could the universe be this cruel? “If you’re looking for a playmate, Malachar, look closer. You’re the only kid in the room.” I crossed my arms despite my erratically beating heart. “So return my kit. Now.”H
RAEA few days later, I walked into Wondra TV.“Tallulah, get off my phone,” I told my baby cousin, fishing for my entry pass in my bag, my cell trapped between my shoulder and my ear.“My followers are dying for an interview with the cake lady—““I already gave you my answer the other eight times you asked.” I swiped the ID, hurrying for the elevator because I was late for my meeting with Jameson.Now you’d probably be wondering why I was here and not on a honeymoon getaway with my billionaire husband. He left. Jason’s chauffeur took me home after the wedding and he never showed up. I’ve been holed up in his mansion for days, a sea of maids at my disposal and everything else I needed but him. I had hoped he had meant it when he said he forgave me. I was even anticipating our wedding night and all the conversations we’d have as promised. But he wasn’t picking my calls. The staff at home knew nothing. After a week, I gave up and called the office.My job was still the only thing th
RAE“Hi, Jason,” I waved, leaning on my tiptoes, blocking off the room behind me. My sudden high-pitched voice was unrecognizable, but Jason’s expression couldn’t be read either. So, I lowered my hand, taking a nervous glance at my back. My grip on the door knob loosened. Where did he go?I unconsciously moved from the doorway and Jason and a group carrying portable wardrobes filled with dazzling wedding dresses filed in. “I made certain you wouldn’t be disturbed.” His baritone was slightly ominous. “But Rachel, we can no longer delay this conversation.”“Sure,” I said absentmindedly, staring at the space underneath my bed and then the closet. Did he climb out the window again? How had he even done that? This was the top floor of a four-story building. “Rachel.”My head snapped up. “Yes?”“Where’s your mind? I’ve been talking to you,” Jason asked, all calm and composed in his wedding suit.I glanced at the audience we had and cleared my throat, closing the gap between us, rubbin
MALACHAR I came here to kill the healer that was the Trydon Alpha’s ultimate wildcard. Why I was suggesting leaving together to keep her safe surprised even me. I couldn’t protect her because she had to die for my mission to be complete. But what if she didn’t know a thing about Jason’s plans? Because the woman I met on that cliff didn’t strike me as the power-hungry kind or even someone with great magic. She seemed hardworking and committed with a kind of courage that was admirable. Gods, had I hit my head on a rock? What the fuck was I going on about? She had to die. “Malachar…” Damn. This was the first time she’d said my name since the lodge. I suddenly had the urge to grab her neck and have her repeat it a couple more times because her voice wasn’t nasal or annoying. It was soft and it had slight breathy notes, too. I’ve stood here this long because I like hearing it. “I know this looks bad, and I can’t keep putting all the blame on you, because I consented
RAE I grabbed the large hem of my wedding dress and ran off the altar. My father stopped me on the aisle, forcing me to be still. “No!” I struggled. If anyone had the slightest idea of my situation, they’d offer to send me to another planet. Suddenly, I sidestepped him and yanked out of his grip, but my foot held down on one end of my wedding dress. I slipped backwards, crashing into a table and a pile of something cool and soft. The crowd gasped. I was covered in my wedding cake. Silence stretched thin around me. My radar of wrong choices overflowed. I was in the same space as my fiancé and the man—son—kid—that I cheated on him with. At this rate, I could sell a crash course in romance and make a fortune. “Are you alright?” I heard Mandy’s voice as people from the crowd helped me stand. Multiple cameras clicked. My cousin Tallulah already had her phone out, streaming my epic fall live. I felt eyes on me and I shouldn’t have turned. Malachar held my gaze until I
RAE I grabbed a pair of scissors, about to ruin my wedding dress. Then the door to my suite slammed open and my mother and my baby sister Johnie walked in, already dolled up while I was still in my running clothes. “Rae!” Johnie squealed and wrapped her tiny arms around my legs. I crouched to her height and snuggled closer. “Who’s this pretty grown-up lady and what have you done with my baby Johnie?!” I gushed and tickled her. “Confess!” She giggled and giggled. “Why were you holding scissors?” My mother’s gaze narrowed slightly. “And why—Rachel, what is this?!” “I don’t think it suits me.” I let Johnie go. “Are you joking? Almost every influential person in the city is here. Your obnoxious cousins. The mayor. Even Wondra’s CEO.” I blinked rapidly. If I became the talk of the town for fleeing my wedding, would Wondra TV still promote me as promised? “Rachel!” My mother suddenly yelled and then she pressed her fingers together to compose herself. “He’s doing us a fav







