I spent most of the night staring at Blaire as she tossed and turned in her sleep. No dreams came to her, but she seemed restless. I traced my fingertips down her back, leaving an openmouthed kiss against the end of her spine before getting up the next morning. The pack house was quiet due to the early morning, but I relaxed knowing I wouldn't be bothered for another hour or so. I jogged downstairs and started a cup of coffee, out of habit more than necessity. The early morning sun peeked over the distant trees, casting a pinkish glow over the backyard, but I couldn't enjoy it as I wanted. The torment swirling inside of me hammered hard against my head. I'd taken out my frustrations on Blaire the night before. My wolf took control, wanting to punish her for even considering going to the dragon. But I knew the truth. He was scared. Scared of what the dragon would say to sway her opinion. I leaned my palms against the sink while my coffee made and listened hard for the beat of her he

Break the bars and kill him, my wolf growled.There was nothing I wanted more than to bend the bars, slip between them, and slit Alaric's throat. The battle had been monstrous, but we took out half of their dragons before they gathered themselves to fight back.It was an ambush at its finest. Except I never fought Alaric. Apparently, when we were storming the castle, he was dream hoping to Blaire, and now she was tossed over his shoulder like a ragdoll.Her t-shirt was bunched around her waist, her panties showing from being plucked from our bed. My fingertips tightened around the bars, and I felt myself growing numb.My ears rang as Alaric began to speak, I had no idea what he said other than being executed. And then Blaire's hazel eyes brimmed with tears, and she tried to run to me.His hands on her made my wolf howl in pain. The very thought of him touching her made my skin crawl, and to see him do it, pierced my heart. "I love you," I said, for the first time out loud.It was unsp

I left Blaire at the kitchen island eating, while I stepped outside onto the porch. I'd sensed Marcus arrive moments before, and by the worried look on his face, I figured he found something I needed to hear about.He ran his fingers into his blonde hair, and I watched the scar across his face move with his facial expressions. He looked tired, considering he'd been worried about finding her mate, and getting into the lycan kingdom."What is it?" I finally asked, leaning against the railing of the porch.Marcus stood in the yard, feet away from me. "Hex called me because you haven't answered your phone."I reached in my pocket, and realized I didn't have it. "I must have dropped it somewhere. I haven't seen it since before the fight. Did he say what he needed?"He shrugged. "Not really. He said he needs you to call him back. It's important."I glanced over my shoulder and into the house through the screen door. Blaire was swinging her feet on the barstool, eating though I knew she was

"Could you be any louder?" I asked over my shoulder to Axel. He crunched on every leaf in the woods surrounding the lycan kingdom. "Am I not being stealthy enough for you, Luther?" he asked in a sarcastic voice. "I'm so very sorry. I'm only sticking my neck out for you … again. Excuse me—," "You both shut up," Marcus hissed, crouching down suddenly. The lights of the kingdom were near, and I wasn't sure sending Axel up to the door was a good idea or not. We used a small storage shed on the outskirts of the property as coverage. "There are lycans guarding the front door." Marcus looked over. "Are you sure this is a good idea, Luther?" "No," I said honestly. "But they will be more willing to help another lycan than some wolves." Axel nodded. "I've got this taken care of. I'm personable, and everyone loves me." Marcus rolled his eyes, while I fought the same urge to strangle him. "Okay." Axel stood up and walked out into the clearing of the driveway leading up to the gate. The tw

Blaire slipped into a short summer dress that made my wolf go crazy, as if we hadn't been in the shower until the water turned cold. No, I said to him. We have to save my brother. He's your brother not mine, he said. Bastard. Blaire untucked her hair from the back of her dress, and glanced over at me. "Look, I know you're pissed, but I didn't know he would be there." Sliding my fingers into my wet hair, I sighed. The truth was I secretly felt proud that Blaire had stood up to Zane. Even though it was one more problem to add to my list. "Blaire," I said, stepping in front of her, bracing my palms against her shoulders. "It's over with. There is nothing we can do now. Zane is known for his drastic measures to prove a point. I don’t believe for one second that he won't show up here. He will. But you'll be with me. I'm going to have you miles away from the kingdom, but close enough to me that I won't worry. Some of the wolves will stay behind to protect you while we get Marcus a