He could sense she was struggling to keep her composure, “It’s okay if you can’t handle it. I’m not human, so I don’t know how humans handle things.” Lasci found himself taking a note from Pru’s book. His beta always kept a cool head when dealing with situations like this. “I’m fine, Lasci. I’m NOT a child,” Purity yelled slightly in response, “Besides, there’s a good chance that this whole thing is a waste of everyone’s time.” Lasci shook his head at her conclusion, “It’s not, and it won't be. I found out last night there’s more to it. Do you remember the guy in the garden?” He knew the vampire had also visited her in her dreams, so she was fully aware of who he was. Purity nodded casually, but he saw her cheeks suddenly flush before she turned around, “Yes, the stranger. So he’s the vampire?” Lasci scoffed at her choice of words as he felt anger and possessiveness take over, “Stranger, huh? That stranger is about to become a temporary guest in my home. But, unfortunately,

Johnathan slipped with the knife while banging the cutting board before he sighed and turned to answer her shaking his head, “No, I do not. Well, not to visit. I can go back when I’m charged with handling something pertaining to the Stray family, but other than that, I have no love lost for that place.” Again Purity responded, “Oh,” before sipping a glass of water. She watched Johnathan turn back around and decided to probe further, though she knew she was being a little too nosey, “So why, then?” “Why what, dear?” “Why don’t you want to visit home, without it being some job to do or whatever? I mean, I read Hell was an awful place and all, but if you’re a demon, isn’t that normal? Wouldn’t you want to go back home? Don’t you have a family or something?” Silence filled the stark white kitchen before Johnathan finally burst out laughing and turned back to look at her, “Well, that is truly a first for me! You are asking if I have parents? My dear, you are charmingly oblivious. To a

Lasci could tell Bastian was about to attack the young female wolf, “Stop, Bastian. I won’t let my brother’s life end because of your lack of foresight. She could have done it by now if she was going to harm him. Back off for a moment.” The female wolf didn’t realize that Lasci and Pru had come upon them because she tightened her grip as she turned to get more threatening words and whimpers of fear from Libidi. “Stupid bitch! I’ll kill you! My brothers are here, and you're dead, hear me? FUCKING DEAD!” The female didn’t respond, but her hair stood on end as she eyed Lasci and then Pru. Bastian vaporized next to Lasci’s wolf, “Don’t blame me if your brother is turned into a muted ball of fluff.” Lasci rolled his eyes and started to step cautiously toward the female, “Release my brother. The odds aren’t in your favor. So why have you been circling my territory without announcing your presence?” The female wolf narrowed her golden eyes at him and spoke, it took some time as she tri

Everyone had managed to sit down for dinner, but it wasn’t the usually pleasant and funny atmosphere. Libidi still held a grudge against Fahla, and Lasci was unhappy initially. Purity tried smoothing things over, but none of the brothers or Bastian seemed comfortable. Finally, after an argument with Lasci, causing him to get up from the dinner table and leave, Purity lost her appetite and invited Fahla to stay in her bedroom for the night. “Ignore him. He’ll get over it,” Purity said, referring to Lasci and slamming her bedroom door after Fahal made her way in. The female wolf laughed in amusement, “You’re impressive, kid. Every Alpha I’d ever come across wouldn’t just sit there and argue before finally pouting and leaving the room.” Purity laughed nervously, “Yeah, well, I'm sure he’ll make me pay for it later. But I don’t care. He had no right saying that.” Purity plopped on her bed, and Fahla jumped up on the creamy pink sofa across from her and lay down, “He’s right, tho

Walking over to the kitchen window, Lasci peeked through the blinds. Only blackness looked back at him with the occasional light display from the storm that stayed in the clouds. He wasn’t worried about Fahla but about how Purity would take the news that the female wolf had left. At dinner, he couldn’t help noticing the easy conversation between them and the laughter coming from Purity. They appeared to be close in such a short amount of time. It was the same with his brothers, too. She could talk comfortably with them and joke about things. So why did he always feel outside her circle, like a stranger sometimes? Purity lay in bed with her eyes closed while the morning light tickled her lashes. She didn’t dream but a tiny bit about Lasci. Recalling it, she could remember the feeling, and the images remained of them both staring across from each other, standing on opposite sides of a small creek. There were urban displays of everyday human life behind Purity, and behind Lasci wa