"Ariella. Sit."With that simple yet powerful command, I instantly plop down onto the nearest sofa, my hands twisting around themselves in my lap. I swallow convulsively, my throat drier than the Sahara, as the Beta stands in front of me and crosses his arms across his impressive chest. I can't believe the amount of trouble I'm in now, caught snooping in his house like this."Why in all the universe did you break into my house?"His hazel eyes bore into me with an intensity that raises my heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety all with one glance. Hamilton is angry with me, but it's more than that. I see the hurt in his eyes, and I hate having disappointed him like this.Opening my mouth, I scramble for an excuse. "I...it's uhh—""You better have a completely honest answer. Or else don't bother answering at all," he tells me in a clipped tone. He commands, demanding the truth and I realise I don't want to give him anything less."I came here to talk about Harlow.""She's not here. Yo

The pounding on the front door startled her.Who would be calling at this time of the morning?Chesca washed her hands of the fresh fruit she had been slicing, and moved to the door.Opening it slowly, she sensed who was on the other side before seeing him. But the sight of the little boy standing there in dripping wet pyjamas, dark curly hair plastered to his forehead, was still a complete shock."Justin—?""Hey Aunt Chesca, where is Sav—" His eyes widened as they looked past her. "Vannah!!"The he dashed past the Alpha with a shriek and lightning quick speed, and before Chesca could even think of stopping him, he'd tackled a sleepy looking Savannah to the ground. They rolled on the floor of the living room, grasping each other around the neck and shoulders, hitting and yelling at each other in a way that was so not appropriate for this early in the day. This hullabaloo would surely wake baby Isaiah if Chesca didn't get them under control."Children! Get off each other right now!" Ch

The air is heavy with my dread, making it almost too thick to breathe. Especially with my mate's hand squeezing my shoulder, his thumb pressing in under my collarbone. Although it doesn't hurt, I understand his meaning clearly."I asked, where have you been?" Malachi growls at me again when I take too long to answer. "And who were you with? I can smell his scent all over you."An extra wave of fear engulfs me as I look into Malachi's dark eyes, dotted with dancing red embers. I know the type of risk a jealous mate poses to another male, especially if it's a jealous Alpha mate. Their strength can be magnificent when fueled by fiery possession.I try and tell him he has nothing to worry about though. "It—it was just a boy—""Don't lie to me!" Malachi leans into my face and snarls, making me flinch. Squeezing my eyes shut, an involuntary whimper escapes my throat.Suddenly Malachi steps back from me, leaving a rush of cold air between us.When I open my eyes, his gaze is to the floor, a

"You're leaving?"Malachi is shocked, more so than I expected. He stands up abruptly, nearly pulling away the sheets that he had unconsciously scrunched between his fingers, and looks at me with wide eyes. I see a swirl of storms in his blue eyes, more shadow than light in the dim morning dawn that surrounds us, and I might not be imagining the hurt that creeps in the edges and wrinkles his forehead.It nearly makes me change my mind."You're going home...to ForgedHearts pack?" he questions, like he needs to clarify where I call home. Maybe my choice of wards was poor, but this hasn't felt like home, not ever, even in the small moments I'm enveloped in Malachi's embrace. For a flicker in time, being with him feels right, but everything else around us is so wrong."Just for a few days."He visibly relaxes, his shoulders slumping forward and his clenched jaw loosening while he sits on the edge of the bed. I scoot back and pull my knees to my chest."It's almost the new moon, and I want

"And this is my doll, I named her Sandy because her hair is yellow like sand. She looks so pretty in this pink dress, don't you think?"Emerald picked up the doll from its place amongst other stuffed animals, and smoothed out the dress that was covered in flowers, ribbons, and buttons. Her side of the room that she shared with her sister was all soft and girly with pretty pink things everywhere, while Savannah's side was decorated with unusual things like smooth rocks from the creek, slingshots made from sticks, and curious leaves dried between books.The two Alpha daughters were opposite in many ways, but so alike in their love for their family and friends."It's gorgeous," Ariella agreed, patting the doll and looking about the room. When Ariella and her mom came to visit for the day, both girls instantly pulled her upstairs to excitedly show her their latest gifts and toys. Now while Emerald was proudly pointing out her neatly arranged collection, Savannah sat in the window seat fli