Richard’s POV:I still wasn’t settled about this new girl- this absolute stranger, being in our pack just like that. Her case was solid so far but we could find out something along the way, if we just investigated things a little bit.I couldn’t concentrate on the paperwork that I had in front of me. Why would I even be able to concentrate, if there was a lot on my mind?It had only been less than 24 hours since that girl - Elizabeth, she said her name was, but was she even telling the truth? - had been brought into my pack, into the Evans home by Darren. I now awaited my beta and best friend. He would have to report on how it went, on if the Evans family recognized the girl, or on if she was a liar, trying to infiltrate my pack.Using my hand to massage my forehead, I heard a knock on the door, two quick taps before it opened.As expected, Darren had arrived early this morning.Fro his expression, I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but he looked quite mild.Had there been nothing

Richard’s POV I turned around to find the woman there, standing next to a pillar that I had previously been staring at before.She was now wearing a black strapless dress, her pale skin glowing like moonlight.Yet that wasn’t my focus, as her words had stirred unease in me.‘Pressure?’ I asked her, my tone as calm as I could make it.‘Of course, child,’ she replied airily. I watched silently as she gingerly touched one of the vines, which began to curl and twist as new flowers bloomed from it. ‘I have seen how much you humans relax, and forget how much strength you have. You only seem to remember it whenever you’re in the heat of battle. What strange children you are.’ She let out a chuckle which echoed around the large place, and sent shivers of fear down my back. ‘But of course, you all make the most delightful choices as well.’I was silent as my mind processed her words. What else could I do when I was faced with such a powerful being that was more powerful than anything else I c

Arielle’s POV:Richard left not too long after our talk that late morning, stating that he had a lot of work he hadn’t even finished up.I knew for sure that he would likely be holed up in his study by the time I got back.He was getting better at being a workaholic and stuff, but I knew that my mate was definitely still having issues finding a balance.That was why I was there, I determined, smiling like a loon as I stood up to walk over to the water dispenser - newly obtained for my benefit.In being Richard’s mate, I would help him find that work-life balance that he so needed. In the same way that I needed as well.I filled up the glass with cool, refreshing water, and gulped it down to date my thirst. I really needed to drink more water, I thought, feeling more refreshed than I had been in hours.Just as I put the cup down and was walking back to my chair, I felt my knees suddenly weaken. Letting out a gasp, I tried to brace myself with my arms as I fell down to the ground. My vi

Richard’s POV:The blissful feeling of being beside my mate, holding her to my bare chest as she lightly snores, was such a feeling that I never wanted to let go of in my life.I had to admit, it put me in quite a meditative state that I had not expected to fall into.I was now deep in thought, feeling Arielle’s breaths with the rhythmic rise and fall lulling me into a drowsy state.However, my mind was still as occupied with the moon goddess’s warnings as I had been ever since I had come out of that… trance, or vision. What could it even be called at this point? I didn’t know; what I did know is that such a warning was not to be ignored.The moon goddess had warned me, doubly so, concerning Arielle.Her words still reverberated in my skull, as I had seemingly memorized them overnight.The moonlight shone down on us through the window and my eyes were drawn to the glow through the curtains.“I hope I’m making the right choice,” I whispered, careful not to let Arielle hear it in any wa

Richard’s POV:I thought you were joking about earlier yesterday,’ came Arielle’s voice through the mind link, just as I was sitting down on my comfortable swivel chair behind my desk. I raised my left hand to stop Darren from talking, as I could see that he was ready to burst with everything he had discovered in the last 24 hours.I focused on the sound of my mates voice, confused as to what she was taking about.She sounded a little bit exasperated, but also had humor injected into her tone. That alone made me feel a bit more relaxed than I normally would be.‘What’s the matter?’ I asked her, taking another sip of my whiskey and feeling the alcohol burn pleasantly down my throat and pool in my belly. ‘What did you think I was joking about?’‘You asked Ethan to come guard me, didn’t you?’ Her tone was accusatory. ‘And on top of it, you probably told him about Renee.’‘If that’s what you’re accusing me of, then yes,’ I smiled to myself as the feeling of fond but ever amusing frustrati