“You must get them back now! Franklin, we must have them. It’s chaos. The fields have turned to mush in the middle of high summer with no rains. The septic tanks are clogging up from worms! These aren’t natural things. We’re in chaos. The main sitting room of the packhouse has a branch growing through it’s main window, like it’s been there for a hundred years. Do something now.” Betty badgered Frank while he was being stitched up by the old healer woman.He’d lost several enforcers today, and he didn’t know if they were dead, runaways or captured. His witch mate was her usual demanding self. Stating things he could see easily with his own two eyes.If he didn’t feel so bagged or hurt so much, he’d backhand her and show her, her place. She’d done all this and now had the nerve to blame him for everything turning on them.“Why don’t you do something for a change, witch? Hmm? You’re always claiming you’re so powerful. Make things happen. Combat this with your powerful magic.” Hi

Sapphire lay there, feeling Magnus all around her. Gods, he’d bitten her. He’d mated with her. Magnus told her repeatedly she was his mate. He’d been nice and respectful, but she’d not taken him seriously. Now she lay under him. His hot breath on her bleeding shoulder. Sapphire could smell her blood, she could see it drip onto the carpet beneath her bare knees. He held her there, his body wrapped around hers. She could feel his shaft deep within her as he left his desires inside her. Her body responded in the most delicious way, betraying her independent thought. If he didn’t lie about their being mates. How much more could she believe? As her mind came truly back to her body, Sapphire felt relief and joy. Something that was missing from most of her life. He’d lived up to his words. They were mated now. Gods, how would she explain this when asked? Nobody, Sapphire, and Alpha’s mate. A Luna. She was his Luna. This was her office, it was her job. Care for a pack she di

Sapphire watched Magnus speak to his father. She thought Magnus was intimidating, but now she was presented with a whole new form of intimidating in his father. “You let Ran near her? Magnus, that boy is a destroyer of women.” “I offered him a challenge, and I needed her away from my mate. She couldn’t be trusted on her own. How was I supposed to know she’d end up being his mate? I say after the crap she made her flesh and blood cousin go through, she deserves to learn some humility. Ran will make sure that happens. I won’t change my mind. Ivory is an out of control immature brat and deserves what she gets. She’s a wolf and stronger than that. Her manners need a complete overhaul, not just a change. She was going to encourage her father to call a hunt on my mate, because her lover at the time decided he could play with both girls while they were both present. Even though Sapphire made it clear she wasn’t interested, he tried to force himself on her. So, I took care o

Ivory awoke to find something holding her in place in bed and a soft snoring behind her. Then the previous day came back to her. How could this have happened? Ivory didn’t believe in fated mates. Her mother always told her they weren’t real and pretty stories to build up hope they were more important to the gods than they actually were. Now Ivory found herself with a bully for a mate. Only he bullied her. She wanted the world to stop spinning because she wanted to get off! How was she supposed to be happy if he didn’t do what she wanted? Ran made it clear yesterday to her that her life now hinged on her making him happy. She now had strict rules, and he assured her he’d be watching. Others would report when she screwed up, and he missed it. Ivory hated this. She wanted to rebel, to runaway. When she mentioned leaving, he told her it would be a fine game. He could track her wherever she went. Then he held the door open and told her to ‘Let the games begin.’

Sapphire couldn’t believe dinner. Magnus insisted everyone eat together that was dealing with all the problems and he made her be present. She’d once eaten in the dining room with him, and that was a stressful nightmare. Everything and everyone differed from what she was used to. She didn’t know how to act. Sapphire was scared she’d anger Magnus by embarrassing him in front of his family. She was one of the last to sit at the table and everyone just started passing food. Sapphire passed the food every time. “Sapphire? Aren’t you going to eat anything?” Magnus’ father frowned at Sapphire’s empty plate. “You may need to put some food on that plate.” “Oh, right? I’m sorry. Thank you.” She blushed, embarrassed and unsure how to respond to it. She put a few things on her plate as others at the table hearing Magnus’ father’s words. “Dad. I’ve told her she can eat what and how much she wants.” Magnus wasn’t upset with her. He was upset with his fa