When we finally made it downstairs, dinner was over and everyone had gathered in the game room. I apologized to Christine for our absence at the table, but the older woman smiled knowingly. “Don’t worry about it, Hailey. There’s some leftover pasta in the fridge, despite the best efforts of those two,” she nodded towards the group who were circling the pool table. “Thankfully Lucius and Michael didn’t eat us out of house and home this time.” The two young men in question grinned and Lucius called out, “We’re growing boys. We need our food.” Susan, who was also there, simply rolled her eyes, and resignedly shook her head.“Are you sure you want to be bonded to this one, Susan?” Killian asked from his position leaning against the doorframe.“I ask myself that question every day.” She responded dryly. Lucius affected a wounded pose before turning back to his game. Natalia was standing in the corner observing the others and being her characteristically quiet self. When the girl glance

Killian put his arm around my shoulders, his thumb gently rubbing over my upper arm. When he spoke, his voice held both regret and self-reproach. “I can’t believe I reacted that strongly to chester knocking you down. I acted without even thinking and I never do that. I’m the Alpha, the one that’s supposed to be in control. But when I heard that growl, I lost it. My only thought was to protect my mate. I’m sorry if I frightened you.” “I wasn’t frightened, at least not exactly. Surprised, worried, wondering what the hell was going on. But frightened of you? No.” “I’d never hurt you.” “I know.” He tightened his arm around me as I turned in towards him, leaning my head against his chest. we sat there in silence, absorbing the warmth and essence of the other. I savoured the moment. This was what I wanted. Time when we were just together as a normal couple. I wanted an actual relationship, where we talked and shared our ideas and feelings. Maybe Killian wanted that, too. The intense e

I was standing in the parking lot, waiting for Stephan. moments ago a thought crossed my mind. what if the Lone wolf Stephan intended to form a pack with was actually Viktor?, there weren't lone wolves in this part of town and Viktor certainly matches the description.Watching the traffic go by when someone's hand landed on my shoulder. Swinging around, my arm automatically rising in a defensive gesture, I laughed when I realized it was Stephan. He’d always enjoyed sneaking up on me, supposedly proving his superiority through his stealth. “Ha! Caught you off guard again, Hailey!” I playfully shoved his shoulder. “Stephan, quit doing that. You know I don’t like it.” He grinned at me before enveloping me in a bear hug. The hug lasted slightly longer than necessary and I extracted myself quickly, all too aware of how things could easily be misconstrued. “Stephan, I called you for an important reason. That wolf you were meeting with, the one who wants to start a new pack, what was his

I fought to suppress it, to hang on to my anger but logic was slipping away. Without even realizing it, I was drawing him close, needing what only he could give. A deep rumble sounded in Killian's chest as he stared down at me, his expression almost feral. His rage, just like mine, had been replaced by a hot, hard wildness that demanded he claim me. And, when he did, I did nothing to stop him, encouraging him with soft whimpers and gasps, caressing his strong body, breathless yet urging him to ease the ache that clawed at me. I pulled him closer, demanding more, needing more, begging him not to stop. The tension was unbearable. I was on the brink, ready to go over the edge, when the fringes of my mind sensed a change. Through passion hazed eyes, I saw Killian looming over me. His lips were pulled back, his canines were extending. A frisson of fear shot through me and I tried to focus, tried to make sense of what was happening except an all too familiar tingle was overtaking me. My

I licked my lips and managed to call out, "Josephine, you have to get help. I... I think Natalia might be dead and I’m pretty sure my leg is broken.""Aww, now isn’t that a shame," Josephine said as she carefully picked her way down to me. She dusted off a rock and sat down, cocking her head sideways and staring bemusedly at me. "You know Hailey, I’ll never understand what Killian sees in you.""What?" Josephine's words took me by surprise. Natalia might be dead, and she was just sitting there! "Josephine, you’ve got to check on Natalia. She might still be alive and if we can get help in time,""You’re so...so ordinary. Boring. Why he ever agreed to be mated to you is beyond me," Josephine continued, ignoring my plea for help. "Oh well, you’ll be gone soon and then I’ll get him back. He always comes back. Guilt can work wonders on a man with a conscience."Realizing that Josephine wasn’t going to do anything to help Natalia until she’d had her say, I tried to focus on the conversatio