There is barely any time I spend in her presence where Cass doesn’t do something to surprise me. I know it’s a truce. I know she still hasn’t said she loves me. It’s clear I’m a million miles from being trusted, too. But she’s still here. So there is a chance. Without looking back, I make my way back to the packhouse. I need a shower. To scrub the filth and blood from my face, to look somewhat decent. Like the alpha I’m meant to be. Though it’s impossible to lie and say I didn’t absolutely adore the look of Cass covered in mud. It makes me want to chase her in the woods. Goddess, she’d make it such a challenge. Getting her to concede, to win the sweetest prize, would be exquisite. The way she tricked her way out of the prison ground. Using my horse like a crazed circus act. In the moment I was exasperated. Now I just add that kind of impulse to reasons why I find her so fascinating.Her coconut scent cuts through the boring, blandness of everything around me. It’s only when she’s

I turned my mindlink off. There was absolutely no doubt my Betas were having a full conference about this situation.Everything I chewed felt like cardboard. I’m playing the part of a normal, civilised man. But with every secret dropped, each turn in conversation felt like it could be the one to make Cass realise she’s done with me. All it would take is for her to look me in the eye and declare she rejects our mate bond, and that would be it. Slowly though, not entirely fuelled by the foaming beer and food, I started to relax. The hope I’d felt when we kissed burned brighter.Throughout the meal, Cass’s eyes were gently flickering with shards of silver. Her smile is softening. She was even comfortable enough to lean on Raphael a little when she laughed. That matters. They’re my only family. She’d be amazing for Volare if she wanted that. But her heart lies with Kallio right now. After hearing what her wolf has revealed, it’s no wonder. Generations of facing up to and regularly losin

The only other time I slept in Ayr’s bed, I woke up alone, whilst he tried to leave quietly. Last night, we showered together and fell into bed, where he instantly fell asleep. I’d spent a few minutes fighting my own exhaustion to stare at his face. To try and make sense of the past few hours.He looks younger when all the tension leaves his features. Still perfection, carved cheekbones, and handsome, smooth features. He doesn't look boyish, but the stress that makes his eyes narrower has gone. Mindlink face, the one that leaves me dreading his next words, has no place on these pillows.I stroked some of the longer blonde locks out of his eyeline and checked the still-red cut across his forehead. Ayr snuggled in deeper to the pillow, and my heart melted. I don’t know what I’m fighting against anymore. Maybe just myself, the cowardly version of me. The woman expecting betrayal to the point I can’t allow love into my world? Taking a deep breath, I snuggle closer to him. Stroking his ch

In the few hours we managed to smuggle together before he left, Ayr took me for a walk. It was a fantastic idea considering the fact I was still getting over how desperately I lost myself in the shower.. Except he took me back to the prison. He pointed out where his fathers packhouse had once stood. What used to happen at those gallows. How his father had to rule with strength. I’d call it fear, but this wasn’t the time for a debate. Instead, I listened as he confessed about the history books judging him. Whether his pack is happy under him or if the sacrifice of hiding men underground was too steep a price. Then he shrugged his shoulders and softly pulled me closer. I stroked blonde hairs from his forehead. “You’re too hard on yourself.” “I’m not hard enough. Trying to be perfect for everyone else to the point I almost lost you? What kind of fool does that make me?” I smirked as a teasing answer came to my head. His concerned face didn't deserve it, though I pulled him to me for

My wolf is one stubborn mutt. They could tell I had one eye on finding the exiles. And they weren’t having it for a second. Not one single dream for the first five nights. I got to gasp at our sheer speed and vicious hunting prowess. The majesty of nature and all those things someone more artistic than me would enjoy. But I’m on a schedule. Cass is waiting for me. If I'm gone too long she’ll go it alone. She wants the legitimacy of taking over in front of every other Alpha, clearing her name. Next week is her shot. At least, after almost drowning, yet again, the woods in the north of Kallio were quiet enough. Enough caves and ditches to tuck into at night. Nestling down, breathing slowly, I warned my wolf on the sixth evening. This was his last chance. I need to know. Whatever the truth may be.What a foolish declaration that was. With a low, rumbling growl, my wolf buried its head down and hurtled us into black, swirling nothing. An overwhelming landslide of information hit. Life