Adelia's Point of ViewGuilt was the most irrational emotion of all.Even when you knew the circumstances surrounding your choices were justified, guilt still found a way to get to you.The journey back to Lover's Quarrel was at least more pleasant than when I was taken. Gone was the hull of a cargo plane and the stench of blood. Replaced by the smooth leather interior of a private jet. A stewardess in a neat little outfit brought out trays of food prepared somewhere in the back. Bubbly flowed freely.And the two men in combat attire stood out like sore thumbs amongst the finer things in life. So did the unconscious girl slumped on a large couch."Ciaran sent the plane with us when we left Lover's Quarrel. Apparently, he didn't want you to be more traumatized than you already were. I thought it was ridiculous because we couldn't fit all of the men in here once the mission was a success," Ulrich explained and snorted. "Nope. Not for all of the men because fuck the injured, right? Just

Siya's Point of ViewThe lashes on my back were nothing compared to the gaping wound in my chest.Another crack of the whip behind me had me bracing just as the leather dug into my flesh.Still, the pain didn't even come close.They had taken Adelia. Nessa. Left more than one casualty for me to find when I went back to my room after the attack. The carnage that was my door told me enough.I hadn't wanted to go further into the room. Knew that what I might find would unsettle me in ways I wasn't prepared for. Another crack. Another whisper of skin splitting. My lips formed a hiss but I kept it firmly inside my chest. Refused to let Phaedra see the full extent of my pain.Nothing she did would ever compare to the loss I felt now. "Are you still counting, little brother?" She asked in that cruel bemused tone she loved using on me. Little brother. What a fucking insult. I was older. The rightful heir of this fucking pack. And she knew calling me little would only infuriate me more. "

Adelia's Point of ViewAlthough Nessa seemed fine with her current circumstances, I was unsure what to do with her. Yes, she had provided me much relief when it came to my own kidnapping but I was unsure of whether she would take kindly to this, even with her pretty words. Did that make a me selfish person? Most likely. But it also made me a cautious Alpha. One that didn't want any harm to come to her people again.So, whilst in the bar, I was sure to drop my voice a few decibels when I spoke. "Has your contract ended?" I asked Michael, all business and no pleasure.The handsome man stared at me for another second. Even though he had downed a considerable amount of alcohol, his eyes were still clear. Sharp as an axe. "That depends on how much more I can be offered for something else," He replied, noting the no-nonsense tone of my voice.Ulrich groaned and slid off of his chair. "Whatever it is he is asking extra, that's coming out of your pack's funds. I think we drained our accounts

Adelia’s Point of ViewAfter a long day on the road and another few hours stuck informing everyone of everything I knew, I was wholly spent.Teagan was happy to have her mate back.Ciaran was happy that his mate had her friend back.And most of them retired to their assigned rooms without much fuss, no doubt indulging in their bodies’ desire to be close.Which left me alone. Or as alone as you could be in a house filled to the brim with people.Nessa, at least, remained in her room for the entire interrogation from Ciaran and his cabal. Resigned herself to thinking over what had happened in the last day or so. Not that she was any happier than she was back at the compound.Or any more free.Fuck.Just for now, she would be watched. Until I could figure out what to do with her. What role to give her. Michael offered to spy on her for-“If you squeeze the glass any harder you might end up with shards stuck in your hands,” A thrilling voice came from the small living room on the second f

Adelia’s Point of ViewStanding in front of Nessa’s door had my hart pounding out of my ribcage. Closed up my throat to the point where I was unsure if I would suffocate or not.Behind the wood, I couldn’t make out a single noise.Timidly, I tapped on the door. Spoke even softer than I had with her last night before we went our separate ways. “Nessa. I know it is early but I wanted to know if you’d like to go for a run,” I asked and stifled my breathing.I had wanted to go back to work today. Had so much to do. There was barely a full week left before Christmas. And the pack needed to get ready for the festivities.But Alvara had shooed me away the moment I stepped foot into my office.I could go back to work tomorrow. Take today just to process and regroup my thoughts.So, running was the only option I had right now to soothe my ragged soul.“Come on, Nessa. You can’t just stay in your room the entire time you’re here,” I pleaded, letting some of my growing nerves show in my voice.S