I swore to my father, to my pack, that I would always put them first, no matter what. So, although my world exploded into blinding sunlight when the mate bond kicked in, my head was immediately resisting. She can’t be my Luna. Not a murdering liar and schemer. She has nothing to give. I shatter my own reputation, my packs faith, and still be vulnerable to slaughter from other packs.Plus, we could face potential war if Luna Elle is outraged enough to want vengeance for her humiliation. But fuck it felt so good. Better than good. Otherworldly. Enough to make me wonder why I hadn’t spent my entire life chasing long, shapely legs like Marcus has. Duty doesn’t reduce your spine to jelly. Responsibility doesn’t leave you breathless, hungry to know just how much of her touch I could withstand before declaring myself insane as I split in two. Every inch of self-preserving fiber, the very steel in my bones melted away to nothing. For a woman I can never have by my side.I knew her game

Roughly depoaited in my cell, Elder Brent and Gunner lingered. I had hoped they’d simply throw me in the squalid, windowless room and walk away. Then I could try and piece together what the hell I am meant to do with the rest of my life. No doubt Elle intends for it to only last a few days. Maybe less.Nobody lasts for long down here. Kallio does enforce life imprisonment. It’s just that your life is pretty much over a few days after getting down here. The Elders make sure of it. They aren’t just there for advice. They take care of the dirty work, too. Elder Gunner in particular. The way his musty green eyes linger on my bare flesh is sending my wolf into overdrive. My mantra for the last few years rises in my chest. I am not low, only lowered. “I think you can leave now” I mutter, grabbing a foul-smelling blanket to cover my legs. “I don’t think you have any say in that now,” Elder Gunner smirked. Younger, thicker built than Elder Brent, I knew underneath his brown robe he was s

That very first night, after allowing my horse to refresh itself, I headed straight to Elder Gunner’s residence. He had a cave in the cliffs, but like all the elites, he had a woody summer residence gifted to him by my father. Years languishing in the library, I had forced myself to memorize so many pointless facts to keep my mind sharp, a fact now paying dividends. It was a chance to admire the curve of my fathers penmanship to see how he managed affairs right down to those he knew he could not trust. Kicking in the wooden door, I raided it under the dim light of the moon. Ruthlessly and quickly, I took anything that could be of use. This would be a one-time visit. As soon as news got out, others would get the same idea anyway and come rooting. As it happened, Gunner had so much gold stashed away under his bed I had to steal a wooden, ramshackle cart to transport it. By the time dawn rose, I had picked a small cave by the sea to store everything, the offending cart broken into

I followed her, intending to talk. Realizing she was in the sea, completely naked meant all conversation turned to dust. “Do not forget who you are,” I barked. I sound like a possessive fool, but I can't help myself. There's so many better ways to express that my mind can not rest until we've talked this out, but instead, I bark orders like she's Marcus.Because just like Marcus, she frustrates the hell out of me.Back in Debanne, I was only a yank of her wrist from slamming my lips back against hers. From inhaling those tingling sparks. The ones that make me feel like I’m melting and burning at the same time. Thinking of my mate is the only time I don’t have the blood-soaked images of battle lurking in the back of my mind. Her short brown hair was plastered flat against her scalp, making her cheekbones and amber eyes glint. The inky midnight sea came to just under her collarbone, reminding me of the black silk I last saw her in. “Who I am? Are you kidding!” she scoffed. “You don’

If something is too good to be true, you have to test it. There is no point believing in magic, dreams or wishes coming true. Ayr has forcibly blown my world apart. My ability to think rationally is in shreds. My mate is pure desire in every form. Not just that huge blonde figure of his, but his scent has this peculiar way of heating me. Just looking at him, even in that cold seawater, when I caught his scent, my body warmed from head to toe. The way his eyes lit up like beacons when he chased me. The pure strength in his grip, it left me breathless. Possessed and devoured by his powerful grip, but it was all for me. To make me feel like I might rocket straight off the beach. Why did the mere idea of being chased by him leave my legs weak. I dropped into those waves. My legs gave way. There was no crafty tactic behind it.Now, with his white shirt draped over me, I can study his bare, toned body and admire every inch of him. There’s a lot to take in. His huge chest is acting like