Veronica I leapt a solid foot into the air, my heart pounding a thousand beats a minute at the quiet snick of the door as Marigold entered the room behind me and water sloshed down the front of me, bringing my mind flying back to the present. “I’m sorry! I did not mean to startle you.” She apologized in her soft-spoken voice while I dried my now sopping shirt with the dish towel. I took a moment to collect myself before responding, “No, you’re fine. I was lost in reminiscing and did not hear you come in.” “Hmm, maybe about a certain someone? You know you are going to have to tell him when he gets here right?” She casually tossed the last part over her slim shoulder as she walked to the pantry and returned a moment later with the broom and dustpan. She gave me a knowing glance before she started s

Ryker I was aware of Ronnie’s arrival long before I could hear the first traces of the purring engine on the incoming vehicle. My wolf’s mournful howl boomed out in my head in response to our mate’s propinquity while I forced myself to remain standing within the doorway, not wanting to seem too eager by waiting in the driveway. The deafening sound penetrated through the unease that had suffused my being until all I could see was a reel of the most painful flashes of my life playing on repeat while I remained frozen in place. Returning to the South was the last thing that I wanted, but I also knew that it was long past time that I cleaned out the skeletons in my closet. Each new day added to the burden that I had been carrying my whole life, but it had become almost unbearable since that fateful morning after when I had first comprehended the full extent of the bond that I still share wit

Veronica Once it became clear that I was not going to escape the room without having some sort of conversation, I backed up, putting some distance between me and the wall of muscle currently blocking my retreat. Sandalwood and peppermint wafted into my awareness with the breeze created by my movement, invading my air supply with a fresh dose of the intoxicating fragrance and leaving my wolf balanced precariously close to the edge. I had not made time to shift since arriving, and the prospect was not looking promising for the immediate future unfortunately. Jax would never allow me to go off on my own with the recent attack that had occurred, and I could guess who he would suggest as a guard if I dared to broach the topic. I contemplated sneaking off for a transitory moment but, in the end, discarded the idea as my pragmatic s

Ryker I felt like the suspense might truly kill me as I waited on the edge of my seat for Ronnie’s feedback about giving our relationship a real shot. I kept one eye on the road ahead of us and one on my anxious mate beside me while trying not to rip the steering wheel in half with my death grip. My wolf perked up at the perceptible changes in her physiology while she cautiously considered my words. His constant clawing to break free of my skin ticked up a notch in response to her elevated heart rate and labored breathing. Thank Luna, I had gone for a prolonged jog last night with Asher, patrolling the border as a precaution and in preparation for the torturous day that I had successfully predicted today would be. Ronnie’s delectable aroma bathed the air surrounding me, making it tough to concentrate on anything but my increas

Ryker I did not take any time to unpack my things, but I did at least inspect the place for basic necessities and put my bag in the same room that I had been utilizing during my brief stints here in the South prior. As I departed the house, I found myself grateful that I had made the split-second decision to do a walkthrough before I began my tasks for the day. I had never encountered any issues in the past, but the lack of a proper alpha running the pack here had evidently leaked into other areas as well. The residence appeared somewhat tidy, but it was obvious that no one had entered the home since Willow and Jax had last left it. After a precursory glance, I knew that I needed to add a trip to the grocery store to my list if I wanted to eat anything tonight. I waffled between taking the car and letting my wolf loose, knowing