Oh, I believe you would, Scarlet, but unfortunately, the damage has already been done. You’ve inherited a pack built on the blood, sweat, and tears of others, and your hands are just as dirty because of it.”I pull in a shuddering breath, knowing this conversation has taken a turn for the worse. There was never truly any way we would appease the bears, not now, not after their years fighting just to survive at the hands of our parents and grandparents.“So make us an offer we can’t refuse, because until then, the attacks will continue. You know what they say, all is fair in love and war, and this, my dear, is war. There was always enough room for us all to succeed, for us all to lead a prosperous life, but your ancestors’ greed will now be your downfall.”He pauses his pacing and his eyes lock on mine. I can see a shred of regret tingeing his light brown eyes. My mouth opens, attempting to take advantage of the brief flicker of humanity I see there to salvage this meeting. But he cuts

His lips curve into a smile, the movement noticeable against the shell of my ear, and I can’t help but mirror it at his observation because that is exactly what it feels like to me too. She comes to the surface, just below my skin, sitting there with me, a partnership, two halves of my soul. And I finally feel right in my own body for the first time in who knows how long. How had I never noticed I was living as half of myself without my wolf with me? She huffs a breath of amusement at me, and my chest shakes with laughter. It really should have been obvious. Perhaps this too is what I’ve needed all this time, to truly heal all of my wounds.“Now it’s time to shift,” he says, taking a step back and letting his arms drop from my waist. I bristle at the lack of contact, not sure I’m ready to look too closely at how comfortable I’d gotten wrapped in his arms. But I know he’s right. Only so much can be done in my human form. To truly fix this connection, I’d need to continue the process an

You did too.” He laughs again, leaning over to pull his phone from his pocket. “See right here you said ‘If you don’t get back here this instant, I’ll shove your head up your ass.’” “Thank you for reminding me. It seems like I owe you a beat down since it took you a full hour to get back after I sent that.” “How quickly your story changes at the promise of violence.” His chest shakes with silent laughter, and I narrow my eyes on him but don’t bother arguing with him anymore, knowing exactly what he’ll say next. “For someone so concerned with me leaving to watch after our mate, you do seem to be wasting a lot of time.” And there it is. I swear these assholes like to get on my very last nerve, just to see how far they can push me. You’re lucky I consider you my brother, otherwise I’d be following through on my promise.” He chokes on his laugh, not expecting me to give up that easily it seems. Well he’s lucky I’m in a good mood right now. He’ll have another opportunity to see her, an

Asshole,” I say between gritted teeth, but that only draws a laugh from those plump lips, his shoulder shaking beneath me.“You’re going to make me lose my concentration if you keep talking dirty like that,” he teases, placing his hand on a scanner to allow us into the building.I let loose a small shriek while gripping on to his sides to steady myself. My eyes lock in on his firm ass as he walks, the tight muscles flexing as he wastes no time maneuvering the halls. Well two can play this game I guess. I really didn’t have the opportunity to ogle it last night with my back bleeding out, but tonight…A growl slips from his lips as I reach down to slap his firm ass and his arms clamp down on my legs to avoid me falling off. He picks up his pace towards his room, and I giggle at the loud crack echoing out through the empty hallway.I help to close the door behind him and he spins to lock it, neither of us wanting to be interrupted. He wastes no time carrying me to the bed, pulling me bac

Would that really be so bad though?” she asks, her voice soft and caring.I dart my gaze over to her as we approach the wrought iron gates of the Drave manor. “No,” I whisper, the word slipping from my lips before I give myself the chance to overthink it. No it wouldn’t be so bad honestly, and the more I allow myself to imagine it, the more I want it to be real. I want to be able to claim my mates to the world as excitedly as Nick had said he would. I want to know what a future would be like with them at my side, as more than mates but as equal partners in our packs, or perhaps singular pack at some point.To my relief, Semine doesn’t comment as she pulls through the gates and up to the manor. The thick stone facade and climbing ivy make this place seem like more of a prison than a home, my responsibilities and the thoughts of my pack holding me back from what I truly want, and the people that are starting to feel more like home than this place had ever been.My moment of clarity is s