Kit's POV"Still beautiful," I murmured as I tilted my head down to kiss the back of her neck. A ripple of goosebumps pebbled across her back. Her heart was hammering, throbbing hard against my hands as I trailed them down her body to wrap around her waist.All lines of tension and nervousness slackened in her narrow shoulders. But even so, as she leaned back against me, she still said, "You don't have to lie to me."My first instinct was to tell her I wasn't lying. Sera was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. When she stepped away from me, slowly ridding herself of clothing on the way to the bedroom, I was in awe of her. I looked her up and down, fingers aching to feel that warm supple skin.I devoured the curve of her waist, the dimples around her hips, the softness of her stomach, and the teardrop shape of her breasts. The same body that nourished her daughter.The body that housed and protected her from harm. I stared at the claw marks along her back, jagged wou

Kit's POVThe sunlight gleamed through the bedroom window, stirring me from a very satisfied sleep. Sera's soft body was wedged between my arms, naked warm skin pressed and plastered against mine. She felt perfect. Nuzzled into my chest, nose puffing hot breath across my neck. Red lovebites and teeth marks were already fading from my skin, but I wanted to wear them forever. The visual of Sera underneath me, squirming and panting about how I belonged to her swam through my head.I wanted her to claim me, choose me, and as I kissed her tangled, golden hair, I knew she had. I felt so fucking happy. A smile forever plastered on my face.My wolf wanted to come out and play last night, waiting for the opportunity for me to let my guard down so he could spring forward and claim her. But I wouldn't let it happen. Even now, he paced under my skin, anxious and irritated, but he'd have to deal.Right now, he can be content with how my scent was all over her. In her hair, along her skin

Seraphina's POVAs Kit and I drove back to the homestead, I still hadn't received my morning messages from Rosie. This was odd—nearly noon. Annie would be awake by now. Rosie would have taken Annika to work with her. I would have gotten a picture of Annie playing in Rosie's herb display.My hands began to tingle, and I had a sinking feeling in my gut.I didn't like this. I didn't like this at all. Kit reached over to me, grasping my hand. Usually, his touch soothed me, but not today. I felt on edge. My magic hummed, as anxious as I was."Are you okay?" Kit asked, eyes on the road as we turned onto the dirt road that led to Rosie's extended driveway. My throat began to ache, and my voice was small. "Something is wrong."He could feel it too, his shoulders curling forward, bending his neck toward the road. His nostrils flared as if he was taking in every tiny piece of information he could. "Shit," he growled. "I smell blood.""Drive," my voice dropped. Tendrils of fe

TW: Mentions of domestic abuse and traumatic childbirthSeraphina's POVI didn't remember the drive to Kit's apartment. He was silent, breath puffing through his nose. Visibly angry, but trying to keep it under control for me. My gaze never left the kitty stuffy, eyeing the stains, thinking about all the ways to scrub out the blood and make it perfect again for Annie.Annie.Damn it.Tears streamed down my cheeks. Pain shot through my chest. Oh God, so much pain. I'd never imagined it. The only time I'd ever felt like this was when Annika was snatched from my arms moments after she was born.After I'd been in labor, alone in the dark for hours. I screamed, trying to claw out of my skin to get away from the torment, but I couldn't. I was trapped in my flesh, scared I'd die alone. But when I had fought my battle, seen through the war of childbirth, I had my daughter.And she was perfect.Only to have William barge into the room, and take her away from me. Midwives and doc

Seraphina's POVWe were out of time.I didn't sleep at all last night, and neither did Kit. We were both too anxious for the drive through the Blood Moon packlands. Part of me was buzzing with excitement to see Annika and hold her in my arms again. But the bigger, louder part of me kept telling me this wasn't a reunion. It was a walk to the gallows. If this went poorly, I would be dead, Kit would shortly follow and Annika would be raised by a monster. Forced to carry out William's legacy under the lens of it being an honor. He would have taken her from me, completely.We didn't take much with us. A few changes of clothing. A few snacks. The carved turtle in one of my pockets. A discrete chain of silver in the other. I had all intention of stuffing William's mouth with it if I got close enough to him.Thoughts of Annika tucked away safely in my arms kept me anchored. Adrenaline rushed through my ears, and my knuckles white in my lap. But I had to hold onto the anger flarin