As she hurried back up to the apartment, she grabbed a fresh set of clothes as well as a pair of shoes. She was on her way back home!Upon entering the living room again, she cast a quick glance in Noah's direction. He stood there close to the fireplace with his arms crossed over his chest and a sad expression on his face. When she followed her father out to the car, he stayed silent the entire time.After making sure that she was comfortable, her father started the car and drove away from the property. He would not answer her questions about why he was taking her away from the Grayson home in the middle of the night, so she was forced to speculate about the worst-case scenario. Her first reaction was that something terrible had happened to Phil, but because it was the middle of the night, she didn't have to worry about her father coming after her because of that. The only other thing that sprang to mind for her was that her mother was either sick or dead or on her way out of this wor

As he entered the restroom, he removed his jeans before going in. Being a vampire allowed him to heal swiftly from injuries, even those caused by silver, which was one of the advantages of his status. He got into the steamy shower and wished the entire time that Gwen was there with him. While he closed his eyes, he saw the image of her hands going down his back and shoulders, getting lower and lower...He stepped out of the shower, patted himself dry, and then sprawled out on the bed, shaking off the sexual thoughts that had been going through his head. While he was laying there with his arms folded behind his head, he mentally compiled a list of things he needed to get done before he got up the next morning. First, he would get on the phone and place an order for five dozen roses to be sent to Kusuma Ila. Second, he would package Raquel's wand and make arrangements to have it sent to her as full and final payment for the services that he had provided. And then, the third thing he wou

She took a deep breath in order to stifle the irate words that were rising to the surface of her throat. "I was trapped in here and needed to get out." She massaged her arms by moving her hands up and down her limbs. "I called up my good friend."Phil nodded. You really needed to have a conversation with somebody who, for lack of a better description, is normal. I understand.""You do? Have you ever had those feelings before?"Of course, every so often." When he saw her shocked reaction, he simply shrugged. "Over the course of the past few hundred years, I've had what I suppose you could call woman companions from time to time. Not for use with prey. Not for sexual use. Simply for the purpose of companionship. Just to have the opportunity to experience being human for a week or two."He took a few steps back, at which point she strolled over to the sofa and sat down on it. "Did you ever love any of them?" is the question.While his brow furrowed in concentration, he slid his hands int

Noah raised his eyes to stare at her while tears ran down his face. "I don't know," he responded when asked about it. "Everything took place in such a flash. This assailant emerged from the bushes and fatally shot your father. I... I eliminated him before he could reload his weapon."Is that man... my father?"Noah nodded. "I'm afraid he's gone."Gwen gave a slight nod in response. “No. He can't possibly be." She resisted Noah's attempt to hold her hand while her own eyes searched fruitlessly for any indication of life.She sank back on her heels. She had only recently finished burying her mother, and now this was happening. Had she, on some fundamental level, been aware that anything of the order of this was about to take place? Was that the reason why she felt the need to return home? Because it was necessary for her to be here?She closed her eyes as she continued to massage her temples. Why did she feel so numb inside, like she was missing something? Her father had just been kille

When they reached the meeting site in the woods just outside the fence line, Gwen's nerves felt like they had been stretched to the breaking point. She was adamant about not turning to look at Noah, who was standing to her left with his hand on her shoulder. A caution in the dark, without a doubt.After confirming that everyone was there, Greta made her way into the midst of the circle. You are all aware of the reason for our gathering tonight. Because our Alpha has been taken out of the game, we now need to select a new leader. Since I am the only other Alpha of the Shadow Pack and I am Nagin Luta's sister, it is up to me to fill the role that he previously had. Speak up now if there are people in this room who do not intend to support me in my role as Alpha.Noah nudged Gwen. She cast a quick glance up at him, into his icy, black eyes, and immediately realized that her aunt's life would be in jeopardy if she did not suggest Noah's name.Gwen went into the middle of the circle, her c