“Why?” Claire asks. “He’s different. He’s always sneaking off and taking random phone calls. I thought it was just his job, but I overheard him the other night. He promised someone that he’d be over as soon as I fell asleep.” “Have you felt any of the pains?” No, but that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t done other things…” I can feel her eyes on me and as much as I hate it, I understand it. This is my reputation, after all. “Is it you?” “No. It’s not. I understand why you’d think that, but you’re wrong. Alex is the only man I care to be anywhere near.” She keeps

“What the hell?” The words die on my lips as I take in the scene before me. It’s like we’ve been transported to another world. The beauty this quiet place holds is astonishing. Lush green surrounds a clear patch of water. Rocks surround the water, but they look more inviting than scary. This place is from a storybook.“Welcome to my favorite place in the world,” Amber says.“Wow,” I whisper. “I’ve never seen this on any of the territory maps.”“As far as I know, no one but my family has ever known about it. My dad used to tell me stories about his childhood here. He said he had an imaginary friend who lived in the water, and he would spend every day out here playing with her.”“It smells like strawberries.”“It smells like you.”

His reaction has me second guessing my thoughts. Maybe the orgasmic haze has me thinking things I shouldn’t be, but I can’t deny how right this feels. “You want that?” Alex murmurs. “Yes. I want you. All of you, forever. We’ve played enough games. Don’t you think?” Alex’s eyes brighten, and all my doubts fade away. Keeping his gaze on me, he moves against me once more. Staring into his eyes, we’re the only two people that exist right now. Just him and me. How it should be and how it always will be after this moment. Pleasure stacks up against me with a vengeance. His thrusts become reckless. My name is a whisper on his lips. He’s getting close, and so am I. His canines tickle my collarbone as mine find his. The bite of pain sends us over the edge with screams. Alex wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. “Mine.” “Yours,” I reply. “Forever.” By the time he and I pop out of our secret place, the sun is rising. He laces his fingers with mine. Everything is the same,

A loud warning howl shakes through my ears just before dawn. Alex is up and out of the house before I can even comprehend what’s happening. With the sun coming up, I know it’s not vampires. My body begs for more rest, but I have a nagging feeling that I need to find out what’s happening.I feel like the last wolf to make it to the border. Warriors have already started to walk back, murmuring about being woken up for nothing. I almost join them, but the sound of a familiar voice squealing to Colin stops me. I move closer. Next to Alex is a she-wolf on her knees. His hand on her shoulder, keeping her from escaping. Sweat coats my palms.“Who are you?” Colin paces in front of them.The woman gives him a silent smirk. She’s never going to tell them anything.“She is my mother,” I say, my voice shaking wi

Alex sits me down and rearranges himself before turning his attention to our nosy friends. Our bond stays open, overcome with frustration.“Okay then. Rita would like a word with us. She’s waiting in Colin’s office,” Paige says.The awkward tension remains as we leave the house. It hangs until Colin breaks it with a report on the other packs. Thankfully, all vampire attacks have stopped. Lyle and his followers seem to be solely focused on our pack.“Thank you for waiting, Rita,” Colin says, leading us into his office.“Like I had much of a choice.”“Ah, Rita, lovely as ever,” Alex smiles at her, but her face doesn’t return the same sentiment.“James and Cassie are almost here,” Colin announces over his phone.