~Gemma~ Botched it! Forget the wolves, Irina proved to be the biggest obstacle. Why did that surprise me? “Please, Irina, do this for me. This is my fault! Let me fix it. This stalker, or whatever the hell the situation is, doesn’t want you. They have a bone to pick with me. I will go with this new alpha for now, until it doesn’t suit my purposes anymore. Then, I will see myself right the fuck out of here. And you will be safe.” I hugged her. “There is no harm in playing it safe. We have a lot at stake now. Bigger picture, remember?” “Fine! The stuff I do for love! I am madly in love with you. You know that, right?” She said, lips pressed into a hard line. “Of course.” I shrugged a single shoulder. “How could you not be?” I grasped her hands in mine, saying loud enough for all to hear. “Just promise me you won’t maim or otherwise kill Thing 1 and Thing 2?” At the two guard’s blank expressions, I continued. “No? Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum?” “I think we can handle a single witch o

~Gemma~ “What are you doing in Miami, witch?” Alpha Zander growled. I crossed my arms and turned away from him. I saved his life and this is the motherfucking thanks I get? Next time, I may not be as generous. “Should I point out that I can make you talk? I am not in the habit of being disobeyed.” “Goddess save me from your damn wolves!” I huffed and sat on the bed. “I do not like being threatened, Alpha. I am your guest and appreciative of your generosity. But do not back me into a corner. You won’t appreciate my behavior.” I promised. “Of that, I am certain. It is in our best interest if you cooperate. So tell me, why are you in Miami?” He walked over, lording over me with his height and admirably muscled body. I looked up at him and smiled. “I, sir, am on vacation. I previously explained why I was here. No matter how many times I’m asked, my answer will be the same. I came to visit my kin. I came for vacation.” “And?” He put a finger under my chin, forcing eye contact. “And

~Gemma~ Yeah. Hot chocolate solved nothing. It had just been a ploy, a momentary distraction. We piled in the guest room the alpha designated as mine. At the moment, negotiations nosedived from tense to hostile. The Beta remained insistent. Rina remained, well, Rina. “I know my rights, wolf! I can reject you, reject this bond.” Irina glared, her eyes shining bright. Her powers barely leashed. We all experienced the biting sting of her anger. “You are my fucking mate and I will not relinquish my claim!” Beta Solar roared with defiance. “Nor will I allow you to set me aside, witch.” Irina turned her back on him, her lips puckering in a pout. So freaking adorable! I rolled my eyes at her mate. “Please understand, Beta Solar. The uneasiness between wolves and witches has raged long before our births. Rina and I have suffered at the hands of wolves. We have suffered at the hands of humans. And, we have suffered at the hands of our own kind. Forgive us if our hearts are soured by li

~Gemma~ I woke, groggy, to the sound of the most annoying voice. “Cover yourself up, witch. Otherwise, you won’t like my next actions.” Alpha Zander hissed at me. I opened my eyes slowly, my face mashed into a pillow. I lay on my stomach in no way ready to face the terrors of this new day. Rina’s side of the bed was empty. “What time is it?” I croaked. “It’s late.” “Can you please be more specific? Sheesh.” I muttered. “It’s almost seven-thirty.” He sounded cranky. “I repeat, if you do not cover your ass, I may decide to accept your open invitation.” “Are you freaking kidding me?” I screeched. Then, I realized I had kicked off the comforter in my sleep. Ugh! I grabbed it and threw it over me. “Leave if you don’t like it. I’m not a morning person!” I snuggled into the bedding and pillow again. Irina walked into the room. “Morning, love! It’s a beautiful day. I have coffee and bagels!” Fuck! I flipped over and sat up, the comforter falling away. “What’s good about it? Why are

~Gemma~ He convinced me all alphas were a chip off the same stupid block. “Are you for real right now? After everything that has gone down?” “Did you sleep with him?” Alpha Zander hissed at me. I rolled my eyes at the his dramatics. “Yes! I slept with him. I would think that fact was obvious.” I wore a black tee-shirt. Alpha Zander’s tee-shirt to be exact. The very one he ripped off his back and ordered me to wear after storming my room. I say my room loosely. The alpha owned it all. “Did you fuck him?” “Bingo! Now we’re getting somewhere.” I crossed my legs. “No, Alpha Zander. I did not fuck James. Not that I think it is any of your damn business.” Beta Solar entered the office. “Gemma, she is awake and asking for you.” I got up and left, making a swift exit from that troubling conversation. When Beta Solar noticed my outfit, I said, “Don’t ask.” My head nodded in the alpha’s direction. Irina sat up in bed. I rushed to her side. “Hi, love! Sorry I wasn’t here when you woke.