The room I had been given was grand, like- crystal chandeliers, giant bed, velvet curtains and hand painted wall murals grand. I knew it didn't even compare to the royal and other special suites but still, it was a lot better than what I knew at home. Home. My chest constricted at the thought. My small cottage and my old rusty pickup were all alone in the middle of the woods. I felt homesick but then I saw the food basket set on the glass table, the dainty meat pies, colourful delicacies, the wine and I was sold. I stuffed my mouth with a meat pie and moaned at the explosion of tastes on my tongue. It was delicious. I licked my fingers and was about to reach for another when a soft laugh made me go still. "Don't stop on my account. Please carry on." The deep rumble of a male voice sounded from somewhere behind me. "What are you doing here?" I hissed at him. "Just wanted to talk." He said, a soft glow burning in his silvery eyes. Something was different about him. "What do you

Nesta’s POV:I was not going to let him push me away. I was going to be a part of this case and I was going to solve the goddamned thing even if it cost me my peace. The Ulfric stood facing the window as we all gathered in his office. Ivan was again behaving strangely as he stood several inches away from me and I didn't even have to look behind me to tell where Devon was standing. I could feel his energy right behind me. Xavier was half sitting on the Ulfric's study table, running his fingers across the polished wood and playing with the magnetic things swaying with time. The only person missing from our little group was Liberty. I frowned and walked over to Xavier. "Have you seen Liberty? She's been absent from so many things lately." I asked him in a low voice. Xavier's head snapped up and his electric eyes focused on me, his lips tipping down at the ends as he shrugged. "Haven't seen her." He said and turned to look away. Something wasn't right. Xavier looked fishy. He always

Nesta’s POV:Ivan stood beside me with a frown between his brows. "The Ulfric wants us to go there tomorrow." He said, running a hand through his curls. I gulped, my stomach churning at the prospect of going down south and confronting Daniel and his pack. I just didn't want to be a part of it but I had to, it was why I had been sent here."Then we will." I answered, my voice thick but steady. I had almost called Winterlash last night, intending to beg and even grovel at his feet for taking me off this mission. I wanted to plead with him to call me back home. I tensed as the scent of leather and ink flooded the drawing room announcing his presence even before he stepped into the room and Xavier mercifully stayed quiet as he glanced over his shoulder. "Devon." Ivan greeted him curtly and I waited for him to speak.There was only silence that met my ears, a swirling energy drawing close to us as Devon neared, aggression filling the room."Greetings, Devon." Xavier drawled and it was o

Nesta’s POV:My body was on fire, I wanted to get out of these damn clothes and I clawed at my skin, it was on fire too. Everything was so hot. Someone said something to me but I was not in the mood to listen as I ripped open my shirt and shrugged out of my pants, I needed to change. My bones shifted with each step I took, I needed to go out, feel the wet dirt beneath my paws, the crisp wind bit into my body as I raced through the forest, I wanted to talk to the mists, I wanted to be one with the forest and never come out. "Nesta, it's not like I don't appreciate the view but you need to get back in your clothes. I don't want to die at Devon's hands. Okay?" Xavier drawled from somewhere in the room but I wasn't listening. I was much too aware of my wolf and how angry she was, she was breaking free and I was letting her. I shook my head frantically and rushed towards the only door I could see. I didn't stop when he called again because I couldn't and didn't want to. I just wanted to b

Devon’s POV:"She came to my lands, threatened to slaughter all my people if I didn't do what she wanted, I had seen her power, sensed her horrible hate, I knew she would do it if I refused and that was even before I met Louisa, my mate." His throat bobbed as he paused, his eyes not meeting mine. "She went away for a few years and I didn't hear from her until after I was mated to Louisa. I thought that she had forgotten about me but.." his lips twisted in a bitter smile as he looked up. "She sent a bloody heart in a gift box to my doorsteps to congratulate me on my wedding and then after a few months I received a summon, her asking me to attend a ball, to take my best assassin with me to take down the Ulfric and I was told to capture you as well but you left early that night, taking Nesta with you and I didn't get the chance, thank Luna. I was.. I was horrified. I didn't want to do it, even thinking about it was like going against the motherland. I couldn't do it and I went to her, t