“I want you to mark me.”Something inside of me reacted in a way I never expected. My wolf was thrilled to finally have someone to call her own, but it wasn’t exactly the same for me. I feared what would come if I did what he wanted. What we wanted.“I can’t.” The hopeful look in his eyes died, and it made me feel guilty. “Why not? Don’t you want us to be bonded?”“I do,” He hadn’t let go of my hand and I took it he wasn’t upset. Maybe a little disappointed. “Then what’s the problem?”“I’m afraid.”“Of the council.” It was more of an assertion than a question. He was certain.“Yes.”“You have nothing to be afraid of, my love.”“I have every reason to be afraid of them. They’ll do to me what they did to Zariya. I cannot leave my family and kingdom behind. I can’t leave you.”“Even if I tell you that Selene, Aspro and Fitia will support us?

They moved me to a regular ward after they cleaned me and my daughter up. It turned out the life Selene took in exchange for mine was my child’s. She took the life of someone dear to me. It wasn’t Maya; it wasn’t Melody. Neither was it Carter. Although she was merciful enough to leave me with one of the children, deep down I felt there were better ways to handle the entire ordeal. I lowered my eyes to the sweetheart in my arms when she moved a little. I felt an overwhelming surge of love and admiration as I gazed at my newborn child. Holding the little angel in my arms, all my worries seemed to fade away. She was truly beautiful, with her father's original features, sporting unusual silver-colored hair and captivating blue eyes. My heart was filled with joy and comfort as I embraced her. I'd just become a mother. I now had a child to take care of, to love and protect no matter what. I would protect her with my life if it meant laying it down for her sake. I knew I could do all these

I had no time to speak to Dimitri and Jean about their problem as I had to be in Alynthi for my promotion. Tonight, I would be made an angel and I couldn’t wait. Unfortunately, only father could come with me as he was a god, unlike my mother. I could tell she was saddened by it as she helped me prepare for the ceremony. “Are you sure I cannot come along?” Mother asked, brushing my hair as though I were a child. “Darling, we’ve been through this last night.” Father kissed her temple. “It’s for gods only, but I promise to fill you in on every detail. Even the tiniest ones.” “You promise?” “I promise.” He ran his hand up and down her back. “You two finish up in here. I’ll wait in the living room.” Once he was out of sight, I got to my feet. I was bejeweled in strings of the finest pearls, rings and bangles clinked whenever I moved. Even the tiniest movement resulted in the production of sounds. A white, silk dress was draped over my body leaving very little to the imagination. The ga

We sat in the dining room with everyone in the family save for Aunt Ared and Uncle Logan. They had traveled yesterday for an important meeting on behalf of my mother. Though they were absent, Aunt Melody and Uncle Carter were present but I could sense they wished they weren’t here because of Blade’s accusing stare. “Here’s the thing, son.” Father began, pouring himself a glass of juice. “We wanted to see you, but your teachers insisted we stayed back. They said it’d make you want to learn quickly so that you’d come home. We had no choice. We wanted the best for you, so we hearkened to their advice.” “And you want me to go back after Caidyn’s birthday?” Mother responded. “Yes.” Blade dropped his spoon. “No.” Father’s left eyebrow rose. “No?” “I believe I said that. I won’t go back there. Not now, not ever.” “You have to stay there until you can completely control your abilities. It’s for your own good.” “I am twenty years old, dad. I know what is good for me and going back there

After my conversation with Leah, I could not find it in me to sleep. I refused to believe she said those things to me and even called me by my name as though we were friends or even family. How dare she? The more I thought about it, the more annoyed I got. Who did she think she was? A mere maid spoke to me in such a manner. What was this world turning into? “Why? It’s not as if you’re going to marry him one day. Someone else has to.” Was she in love with Blade? No. It couldn’t be. She just got here. “Damn it!” I yanked the sheets off myself. “That crazy, little bitch who doesn’t know her place.” I clenched my fists. “Oh, I wish I could just strangle life out of her and make her beg for mercy.” No, no. That goes against angel rules. I cannot kill someone unless I have enough proof that they’re awful. I threw my hands into the air, frustrated. “Can’t I kill this one?” A glowing piece of paper appeared in my room—the set of rules angels were to follow. The number one rule was to ne