Days had passed since Noah and I shared our night of passion and love, but I was plagued with nausea and pain every time I thought positively about it or about him. What could possibly be wrong with me?A sharp pain thundered through my skull and the beginning of a theory was suddenly gone. I found myself losing my train of thought recently. I tried to write things down before I forgot, but barely managed to scribble down one word before it was wiped from my brain.The most painful part, however, was avoiding Noah. It had been such an easy feat when he and I were still at odds with each other, but now it was an impossibility unless I remained in my office.My phone buzzed constantly and was now filled with unread texts from Noah. I was too afraid to read what he sent, too afraid that any good feeling I had about him would be interrupted by bouts of sickness and violent pain.Every so often he would knock on my door, begging me to open and talk to him. But I just remained

"Aria!" I exclaimed, both in rage and relief. While I was glad to see she was alive, I was appalled that she was literally in the grasp of Chris Hansen."That's Henry Bergmann's wife," someone whispered."What is she doing with Hansen?""Could he really have kidnapped her?""She doesn't look kidnapped or held hostage to me."The Council President hit his gavel upon the table, soliciting silence from the crowd. "Alpha Chris Hansen!" his voice boomed in plain irritation. "This meeting started twenty minutes ago! You have the audacity to enter so unceremoniously in the middle of Council proceedings?"Chris smiled slyly and bowed his head to the Council President. "My sincerest apologies, President Tannis," his oily voice chimed. "There were urgent matters that needed to be attended to first, but I am here now and humbly request to defend my name against the claims made by the Bergmanns."Tannis narrowed his eyes at Chris, obviously ill at ease with his whole demeanor. "You h

"Your Honor, the person they claim to be Chris Hansen in that footage could have been anyone," Chris's lawyer tried to explain. "Yes, my client was almost caught in the explosion, but that thing that appeared afterwards could not possibly be him. It has to be an illusion set up by Bergmann."The judge, however, looked annoyed."Miss Smith, this is a trial for what has already been brought as an accusation," he grumbled. "You cannot lay another accusation on Mr. Bergmann until this matter is concluded."The lawyer sat down, looking livid. Next to her, Chris's eyes looked like he wanted to murder someone, but kept his composure. The High Court demanded the utmost respect and cordial behavior. Failure to comply could result in jail time if the judge desired it so."Atlas Oasis, it is your turn to question," the judge said to Atlas.I got down from the stand and returned to my seat, giving Atlas a quick hug on the way before he took the floor."We would like to call Alpha Chris

It was strange to be back at the Bergmann estate. It felt as though I hadn't left at all, but also like I had been gone for an eternity. My last clear memory was running into Noah in the pantry. After that, it was all a blur, and that in and of itself was terrifying.I tried my best to recall what had happened, but all I got were images of half-forgotten dreams and the monstrous face of a charred Chris, his burned face contorting into a menacing grin.Chris… Anger and rage burned inside me at the thought of what he did to me. He messed with my mind, kidnapped me, and turned me against Noah. And yet he had still managed to escape without punishment.All because he invoked Damnatio Memoriae. I had not heard of it until yesterday, but according to Henry it was the oldest law ever written by our kind and could not be ignored."Formal challenges cannot be issued to resolve a conflict during a trial," Henry explained, "but Damnatio Memoriae is no ordinary challenge, and trumps all le

I screamed up to the sky with ecstasy as Noah brought me to an earth-shattering climax.I grasped the edge of the tub, steadying myself while catching my breath.Noah kissed me passionately. "Are you out of energy already, my love?" he teased.I smiled and bit his ear. "Carry me upstairs and you'll find out," I challenged my handsome companion.Noah growled happily and scooped me up into his arms, getting out of the tub and traipsing through the house to his bedroom fully nude. We were too engrossed in each other to worry about anyone seeing us, and luckily it was past midnight, so everyone in the mansion was already asleep.Noah playfully threw me onto his bed and began to kiss his way all across my dripping body.I grinned, grabbing hold of him and rolling over, pinning him beneath me."Let me take care of that for a little bit," I said playfully.I lowered my head between his legs and relished in the sound of his pleasure. He caressed my face lovingly as I pleasured