~MearaI push away from Sire, whirling around to face him.My cheeks are flushed with shame, knowing I've been caught in a lie that I'm not going to be able to escape from. Sire wouldn't have brought me back here so promptly if he didn't know something was going on.“Why don’t you sit down.” He motions into the other room, his stare ice cold.“Take me back, Sire," I growl.He brushes past me, shaking his head. “You’re not going anywhere.”My jaw tightens as I narrow my eyes at his back, contemplating ways to get out of this conversation. He won't understand, even if what I'm trying to do is for his benefit. He would rather kill Carran now then continue hiding.“I just needed a break…” I exclaim, following him into the sitting room.Sire waves his hand in the direction of the double glass doors. They swing open, a warm breeze flowing in, contrasting against the chill that has seized my insides.“I know you were with Carran,” he mutters, falling into his brown leather seat, letting out

~MearaI shift into the room uncomfortably, my cheeks stained with a semi-permenant blush.The weight of what is supposed to happen tonight hangs between Sire and I. He's transported us from the ceremony site to a tense dinner with Hazel, and back here again, to his manor.Now we stand in my room. Well, I stand in the centre of it, and he lingers apprehensively in the doorway."How are you feeling?" He asks gently.He has never seemed more uncomfortable than in this moment."I'm fine," I mumble, rubbing the back of my neck.We stand in silence for a few long, painful moments. My skin feels hot, my eyes unable to meet his intense stare. I'm afraid that if I look at him, and how tall and imposing her looks, I'll panic and try to take back the whole ceremony.I mean, how can I have sex with this man when I can't even look into his eyes right now?"Do you need something to eat?" He questions, rubbing a hand through his hair."No...no I'm fine.""Alright." He clears his throat, looking mo

~MearaI storm up the steps, trying to force some calm into my body.He doesn't need to die. He doesn't need to die.I repeat my mantra over and over under my breath, trying to keep to my morals. As much as I would like to see Carran suffer for detaining my best friend, and causing her physical injury, I can't give into the temptation when there is so much more at stake.Sire was more than willing to oblige my angered intentions. I've managed to calm down within the hour. Enough, at least, to decide that no harm will come to Carran unless he instigates it.Or if he causes Hazel any more harm...I slam my fist into the door rapidly. His guards let me into the property with nothing more than a murmur of greeting.Carran knows I'm coming. He's betting on it, I assume.The door opens moments later, and instead of it being one of his staff like I suspected, it's Carran. He gives me a lopsided grin, propping the door open for me to storm into the foyer."I assume you know why I'm here," I g

~MearaI rest my hands on Sire's shoulders, trying to ground him.Today is what all of this has been about. Although it doesn't feel like it for him, it's been centuries since Sire has been in power, and no one here knows of what he is capable of.It's why Sire didn't sleep last night, spending most of it pacing back and forth down the hallway.We both know words aren't going to be enough to convince the people that he can be trusted. They have no idea who he is, and he killed their Alpha. They will learn, though, that there hasn't been such a powerful Alpha since him, and there will never be another one again.Sire looks up the stairs of the raised stage, hearing the murmurings of those who await news on their Alpha. We are in the busiest part of the Pack, and everyone has been alerted that an important announcement awaits them."Don't be nervous," I soothe. Despite my urging for his calm, my own tone is tight and strained.I have faith in him, but I'm also nervous. What if the peopl