[Remember Why] ZAIDEN "Charles, you say?" My father shook his head. "A custodian? The name doesn't ring a bell. The last time I checked, we didn't have anyone caring for the libraries." His face took on that faraway look when he was deep in thought. "I knew there was something weird about him. The way he spoke, even the way he walked. He mentioned that his family had been the custodians of that library for generations. Father, he wasn't a human either. His family was like ours." "That is strange. I had never heard of such a family. I knew other families had the power of the Goddess, but never a family who cared for the library. It was always empty, even when—" He paused. This time he wasn't deep in thought. It was something else. "Even when what, father?" I leaned forward, pressing my elbows against my thighs interested to learn more. Charles’ presence in our home weighed on me that night and now, talking about the matter had my hairs standing on end. What was it about this man
[Dinner For Two] SEBASTIAN I sighed, nearing the point of annoyance, watching as my mother and best friend hovered over my mate, sickeningly sweet, fawning and asking a platitude of questions. Sierra could barely breathe before they asked another question. She, though, was too sweet to tell them all to shut up and let her breathe. I wasn’t. “Okay, okay, give her some space to breathe, would ya? I’m sure my mate could use a shower to wash off the gunk from the long drive. Rory, I need to see you in my office.” I took Sierra’s hand and headed up to our floor. “I can’t thank you enough for saving me back there,” she smiled tightly. “Your family can be a bit--“ “Overbearing? Suffocating?” I finished for her. “I was gonna say sweet, that can work, too.” She laughed. I scoffed. “Please, you’re the sweet one. If that was me, I’d tell them all to shut the hell up. My family is a bunch of vultures—gregarious.” Sierra smacked me on the arm and threw her head back in laughter. “The
[Who is Gerard Payne?] SIERRA Madeline nodded and walked out of the room, leaving Sebastian and me alone. I couldn’t believe she went out of her way for us. It was amazing, and the first time anyone had done something like this for me, even if it wasn’t Sebastian. Either way, it was special. Sebastian took the initiative and pulled out my chair. “M’lady, your chair.” He beamed with a bow at the waist. I couldn’t fight the smile that threatened to stretch my face. “Thank you.” Honestly, I was above and beyond in awe of this wonderful man. I sat in the chair and pulled my napkin into my lap. Sebastian went to his seat and sat down. With us both seated, one question popped into my head. However, before I could ask, a young woman about my age entered the room, followed by another carrying trays of food and a pitcher, each—one being water and the other, juice, I suspected. “Sofia, Heidi, thank you,” Sebastian said to the women. They both nodded and rested the trays in their arms o
[Heated Encounter] SEBASTIAN Sierra took another deep breath. I took her hand in mine, using our bond to give her the strength she needed. “Take your time,” I coerced and tucked a few loose hair strands away from her face. “Are you feeling better now?” My mate breathed easily and nodded. “I called my mom, right, wanting to find out if she had heard from the police. Guess what she told me? She said they didn’t call. Can you believe that? How can they call themselves protectors and not protect those who can't protect themselves? I don’t get it.” My heart ached for her. I understood what she was going through. When my father died, someone attacked him, but they also killed him. Up to this day, we still haven’t found out why they killed him. Or who killed him? Then there was Sasha. Whoever killed my mate didn’t do it quickly. During Rory’s perimeter patrol, that was how long she bled out, hoping for someone to save her. So, yeah, I knew what she was going through. Sierra got up fro
[I Would Rather Die] SEBASTIAN “Sebastian, leave what you’re doing and come to my room,” my mother ordered. The urgency in her voice had my body tense. I growled, “Mother, I’m kind of busy here.” “Don’t you dare growl at me, boy. If I say to get your ass here, then leave what you’re doing at once.” She closed the mind-link following her sturdy warning. Without another thought, I hopped from the bed, changed, and rushed from the room, only telling my mate to stay put. My mother’s room was a few doors down. I combed my hands through my hair and knocked. “It’s open,” she called back. I barged into her room to find my mother pacing, a disheveled mess. Everything about what I was doing left my mind as I focused on her. Something was wrong, otherwise, she wouldn’t be pacing like a caged animal. “Mother, what’s wrong? Why did you drag me away from my mate?” I questioned, furrowing my brows, deeply confused. “It’s my old pack. Your uncle Luther disclosed a few pack members went
[Pre-Birthday Celebration] SIERRA It was the morning before my birthday. I woke up to the warmth of the sun kissing my skin and the light blowing of the breeze stroking my face and hands. Without opening my eyes, I stretched my hand to Sebastian’s side, only to find it empty and cold. I jerked upright in bed and looked around in panic. The jeans and t-shirt he discarded last night were nowhere in sight. His cell phone wasn’t on the side table either. He wasn’t here. The time on the wall read 7:05 a.m. Why did he leave our bed so early? What could have been so important? I cast my head to my side of the bed and saw a folded piece of paper with his handwriting. Angel, You brought sunshine when I only saw rain. You brought me, love when I only saw pain and without your love, I can never be whole again. Meet me at the first spot that took your breath away. With Love, Sebastian I reread the note and smiled like an idiot. If only he knew how much he did the same for me. Meet
[Make Me Yours] SIERRA Sebastian smiled and asked with the utmost sincerity. “Did my breakfast date sway you enough to forgive me?” His fingers brushed along my forearm, raising goosebumps all over my skin. I sighed in contentment. Since we weren’t training today, Sebastian and I spent the rest of the morning relaxing in bed, entangled with each other. We could’ve done anything we wanted. What I earnestly wanted, though, was to do all the things couples did. Laugh with him, make plans for a future we weren’t sure we would ever see, even possibly make love. At that moment, I didn’t know much, but I knew this: being here, with him, like this. Nothing ever felt so perfect and just. Any time from now, Uncle Dearest could attack. He would either kill me or kidnap me, but until then, I wanted to make the most of today with Sebastian. I tapped my chin, pretending to be in thought. While I could merely say yes, I forgive you. I felt like pushing him a little further to see how far he
[A Second Child?] ZAIDEN “My prince, please,” Princess Cassidy pleaded, turning her neck to the other side as I dove in, sucking, licking, and nibbling on her flesh. “Wasn’t this what you wanted when you came into my bed, princess? You wanted to know what it would be like to have me buried inside you.” I whispered in her ear, cupping her breast. I flicked my thumb over her hardened peaks, tweaking them. It marveled me how responsive her body was to my touch. “My Prince, we can’t do this,” she muttered through clenched teeth, stifling back a moan. I didn’t stop, though. My hands raked over her body. “Your mouth says one thing, but your body says another. Stop fighting it, princess. You want me just as badly as I want you.” Instead of adhering to my words as I wished she would have, Princess Cassidy pushed hard against my chest. “No!” she snapped. I inhaled deeply, aggravated. “Fine! Have it your way.” I got up from between her legs, hopped off her bed, and exited the room w