***Back in the dining area, Camille was laughing uncontrollably. “Philip is not a bad person, Trav…Troy. He will only take a life if it’s for a good cause.”“And you think taking Paul’s life is for a good cause?” Troy looked and sounded incredulous.“I didn’t say that.” Camille tried to compose herself. “Listen, you said yourself that your mother said no harm will befall Paul, right?”“She promised,” Troy responded.“Her word is gold.” Camille smiled. “Trust me on that. I’ll take good care of Paul. Don’t worry about him, okay?” At Troy’s nod, she added; “And remember, Philip is the most kind-hearted and amazing man. It would be great if you tried to get to know him.”“Not on your life.” Troy breathed, ignoring Camille’s gasp. “I don’t trust the guy. I know the woman meant…”“Gloria.” Camille interrupted. “That’s her name.”“Glori…”“Don’t call her that.” Camille interrupted again.“But you just said that’s her name.” Troy groaned, looking confused.“Yes but she’s your mother.” She sa

***“You’re all idiots.” He muttered as he turned towards the bar to pour himself a drink. “The silly boy is refusing to change the bloody cat’s name.” He growled as he came back to join his friends.“I love this boy.” Paige laughed.“Lip, you okay?” Jeremy asked softly.“What do you think?” Philip rasped.“You need to go easy on him, dude,” Jeremy told his friend.“Your brother is a piece of work, Jer,” Philip muttered.“Put yourself in his shoes,” Jeremy said quietly. You first kill his family and then threaten to end his pal. You wouldn’t like you either if you were him.”“Yeah, the cactus.” Stan drawled. “Damn, that was a good one.”“From what Cami tells me, those two are just friends so chill,” Jeremy said.“Your smart mouth of a brother is not making it easy, Jer.” Philip groaned.“Easy, brother,” Paige murmured. “You’re what? Twelve years older than him, right? Come on, Lip. He’s bound to irritate you. Try not to allow yourself to be drawn into his…”“Wait till you find yoursel

***“Reynard,” Troy whispered as he stared at Ryan. Everyone stared back at him. Paul was the first to break the silence.“It’s rude to stare, Troy.” Paul admonished his friend in a loud whisper. Then he turned apologetic eyes to the white-haired man. “You must pardon him, man.” He addressed Ryan. “It’s your hair that’s shocking him.” He grinned when Ryan turned to face him. “He’s still getting used to the weird hair colours that people are sporting these days. Do you blame him? Dude’s been holed up in some magical fortress all his life. You should have seen his reaction the first time he saw someone with green hair.” He laughed. “Yours really suits you, by the way. Your hairdresser did a great job.” He gave a thumbs-up sign.“That’s his real hair, Paul,” Jeremy growled.“What?” Paul gasped. “Really?” It was his turn to stare.“You must be Ryan,” Troy said quietly.“I am.” Ryan managed to tear his amused gaze off Paul and began to move toward Troy with a hand extended. “Nice to meet y

***Troy went so quiet it almost seemed as if he was sleeping. Jeremy knew better. He could sense the tension inside his brother. Apart from the struggle his body was going through because of his premier-shift, Troy clearly had a lot on his mind. And as a werewolf, Jeremy could easily feel the anxiety pouring off of his brother. Since he hadn’t had his shift yet, Jeremy couldn’t link up their minds and read Troy’s thoughts. All he could therefore do was hope that his brother would trust him enough to tell him what was on his mind. He wished…“I’m sick.” Troy blurted out suddenly. Jeremy knew better. But he remained quiet. “I have been for years. It’s a monthly ailment. Does our father or mother have any such disease?” He raised his head and looked at Jeremy with eyes filled with curiosity.“No, they have no such…”“Then why do I...how about you?”“What you have is not a disease, Troy. It’s…”“Oh, it is.” Troy gave a short laugh devoid of humour. “It started when I was fifteen. It’s ne

***“You can’t tell me how to lead my life.” Troy’s voice raised. “I’ve been told what to do my whole life. I refuse to allow you people to tell me what to do with myself.” Sweat poured out of him as he trembled from sheer fury. “How dare you insist I turn into an animal?” His eyes locked on Philip’s. “Is my body yours? Do you even think?” Troy felt as if his intestines were trying to force their way out of him. The pain…it was too much. And the people in the room with him seemed to think it was okay to feel that way. Troy started a silent chant unconsciously. “I’ve had it with you people…”Troy felt an intense energy within that he’d never felt before. He didn’t have to chant for long at all. Just as Stan reached out to hold his arm, Troy felt the release. He was more shocked than anyone in the conference room when the fireball appeared in his hand. It had materialized in his hand just as he was snatching his arm from Stan. The ball flew… right at Ryan who had bent down to pick up hi