*Rafe*She’s beautiful.If my heart still beat, it would be pounding at the sight of her. If I needed to breathe, she would have taken my breath away.Ainslee hadn’t seen me looking, at least I don’t think she had, but I did. I couldn’t help but stare at her as she walked down the aisle. Now that she’s in front of me at the altar, I can’t take my eyes off her. Every damn time she smiles at King Axel, my chest aches a little more.The blood in my veins boils hot. Ainslee is mine. I should be the one up there on the dais, grinning like an idiot because I get to marry the most stunning creature to ever walk the earth. I’d wed her and steal her away to my bedroom and make love to her over and over, guests be damned. I’d be undoing that bodice and releasing those gorgeous breasts before the priest finished pronouncing us man and wife.Or perhaps not. I glance at the tent she’d come out of. Yes, that was close enough. I don’t think I’d have made it to the bedroom. But that tent would be pe

*Rafe*By the time I reach the tower stairs, the interloper has disappeared. However, I see a flash down the hall and realize I haven’t missed him by much. I kick off a wall more than turn and begin running after the asshole.The figure stays ahead of me, but I’m faster. I’m close enough to make out the broad shoulders of a male vampire. He’s frantic, his fear spurring him to increase his speed, but I’m gaining on him. I’ve always been faster than most. I’m making this one fight hard for his lead, and he won’t keep it for long. I don’t know if this is the assassin for sure, but for someone who’s innocent, he sure is intent on getting away.The stranger makes the treeline and dives into the woods.I’m sure he think he’s safer there. A feral smile touches my lips. I practically grew up in these woods. He might as well have stopped dead in the middle of a plowed field and held up a sign saying, ‘Catch Me.’I run after him, sniffing the air. Though our sense of smell is not as astute as

*Ainslee*Need pools between my legs as Rafe hauls me against him, one hand so low on my ass it’s almost touching where I need it most, the other pressing inescapably at the nape of my neck. He won’t let me go this time, not that I want him to.“Rafe,” I whisper against his lips. “Rafe…”“Fuck.” Rafe moves so fast my back is against a large oak before I even knew we were moving. He’s hiking up my skirts, and I hear his zipper.“Rafe…” I know the size of him and worry it will hurt. But I want him so badly right now I don’t even know if I’ll care.Rafe bunches my skirts around my waist and tears my panties to shreds. His shaft skims along my folds, and we both groan. “I’ll be gentle next time, Ainslee,” Rafe promises in a strained tone. “But I need to be inside you. Now.”I hook my knee over his hip and kiss him passionately in quiet permission.His head presses against my entrance. Then I gasp and whimper a little as he rams his large cock inside me with a primal growl. It does hurt be

*Rafe*Silver chains burn into my flesh as I sit bound on a bench in a cell in the dungeon. The silver keeps me from being able to move, much less escape. Zeke and Jerim are in the cell next to me. I can see them through the bars. They are not bound in silver, but they are no more able to escape than I am.Eight guards watch us closely. Well, six guards watch us closely. Two are playing a game of cards. I’m still mystified that Kris was able to get so many of them on his side. I can see some of the other guards in other cells. They must have protested this little coup.Kris bursts into my cell, madder than a wet cat. I notice a slight trace of blood under his nose and an Ainslee-sized handprint on his cheek.“Problems wooing the she-wolf?” I grin, despite the pain of the silver chains.Kris rounds on me, and I laugh.“You won’t be laughing by the time I’m done with you,” Kris seethes at me. He’s still showing a little fang, and I tsk at him. “Kris, fangs in the castle? Really?”“Shut

*Ainslee*We pray until I get woozy. Outside the splintered door, I can still see the outline of an arm of each guard stationed on either side of the doorframe.Zoey catches me when I go down and carries me to the bed. “You must have a head injury,” she observes worriedly.Great. “Thanks a lot, Moon Goddess.” So much for praying. “It should heal pretty quickly. I’m a wolf shifter, after all, and I’ve been eating pretty well.”“Still, we should call for Jerim-” Zoey says.“Jerim’s in the dungeon,” a guard outside pipes up.No doctor and eavesdroppers. The blessings just keep on coming. They probably know our plan and have warned everyone. “I’ll be okay,” I reassure Zoey.Zoey purses her lips. “Surely you can send for him anyway. The future queen has been injured.”“Have to ask King Kris about that,” the other guard barks.“Then summon him,” Zoey demands, hands on hips.The guards snicker together. “Like we’re going to risk our necks for a traitor and a mangy mutt.”“I’ll remember you s