~MearaThe world materialises around us, a cold breeze ruffling my hair."This isn't the manor," I comment, pulling my hand from Sire's as I look around.After leaving the witch behind, we were meant to return back home. However, I'm standing ankle-deep in snow, looking at what appears to be a natural spring carved into the rock, steam wafting up from it's surface."No. It isn't," Sire comments casually, as if he hasn't just brought me to what may very well be a small mountain top that is covered in snow and doesn't have anything around it for miles."Why are we here?" I ask warily."To relax," he says, tugging his shirt off his head. I'm lucky he has magic and was able to bring clothing to himself, otherwise he would completely naked right now.I watch in stunned silence as he kicks of his pants too. "I've been on the verge of death for many centuries, I need a break."He clearly knew of this place previously, as he strides confidently into the hot water with nothing but his underwea

~MearaI stare at Hazel's wooden door, gathering courage."Be nice," I bite out, looking sidelong at my mate.He looks out of place on Hazel's old porch. He's attempted to look more mortal, as he put it, which consisted of wearing plain clothing and styling his hair slightly different.It doesn't matter how he presents himself, he looks like an Alpha, and Hazel will be able to sense his magic."You don't think I'll be nice?" He sounds a little hurt.I sigh through my nose. "Just...Don't intimidate her."Hazel wants to like Sire, for my sake. She will try her best, although I don't want her to have flashbacks to the night Sire chased me down and took me away. She had thought I had died, and I don't want her to look at Sire and be reminded of that."I'll try my hardest." He stares down at the salad I made him bring with us as a peace offering.I want this lunch with Hazel to go well. I want to feel normal again."And don't flirt with me in front of her," I add.Sire smirks. "Now that I

~MearaI settle under the covers, pulling them up to my chin.Sire slides in next to me, awfully quiet as he turns the lamp off, drowning the room in darkness, cut only by a few lit candles seated on my dresser.We have shared a bed before, but this feels far more intimate. The room is small and the bed even smaller, forcing out arms to touch at all times."Your parents are nice," Sire says after a long stretch of silence."Yeah. They are." I tightly clutch the edge of the duvet. "When they aren't criticising my choice in previous lovers."The last time I was in this bed Case was beside me. We ended up having a fight after he got mad about some comment my mother made. He knew she didn't like him, especially after he cheated on me."No one matters until you find your mate," Sire reminds me, a hint of amusement in his voice.I roll my eyes. Considering my parents are mates, they do believe that."That isn't a luxury for everyone, and it wasn't guaranteed for me," I tell him.I wasn't ex

~MearaI stare at myself in the mirror, wincing.How the fuck could I let this happen?Instead of spending last night enjoying my peace, I spent it tossing and turning in my bed, thinking of Carran...The last person I want to be thinking of at any point in time.The problem is, Carran's admission has done more than just stun me. It has complicated things. I don't actually think he likes me, at least how he thinks. He just wants something over Sire, a way to aggravate him.And if Sire finds out, he won't stop to think why Carran kissed me. My own Alpha will be dead in no time.Gritting my teeth, I tug my hair from its bun, my dark hair falling over my neck.I didn't realise how hard Carran kissed me last night. It wasn't passionate by any means, but in the moment I didn't feel how hard his hands gripped my face.And now, under my jaw, on my neck, and six total fingerprints, with three on each side of my neck. They are faint, but it's obvious they are there.And why...I pace back and

~MearaThe rain doesn't let up as we follow the witch through the forest.I rub at my throat, scowling at her back. She nearly killed me and now I'm supposed to trust her. Any moment now the ground may give out from under me and I may be sent into a pit full of snakes."What's your name?" Sire asks her."Kimsa," she says after a long moment of silence. "My home is this way."She presses through the brush, not minding the branches that swing back at up from behind her. I want to hate her, because my throat is still raw, but I'm choosing to trust her in hopes she has the information that we need."Thank you for speaking with us," Sire exclaims, watching her. He doesn't trust her either.For a girl who looks far younger than most witches I know, she has a lot of power. She must come from a powerful bloodline, especially since she has been able to nullify Sire's transportation magic in this bubble of sorts."I'm only doing this as a way to end the curse," she mutters, shaking her head sli