All Chapters of BRIDE OF WRATH : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

ZEPHYRI took time off work to be with Lyla. After what happened last time, I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her alone, especially not when she was still recovering.She was healing fine, her bruises had started to fade, and the purple around her eye was almost gone. The ribs were still sore, but they were better than before."Zephyr, seriously, I can walk just fine," she argued, her hands wrapping around my neck as I lifted her, the picnic basket slung over my arm. I had planned a small picnic on the far side of the estate. I wanted her to see the open space, to get some fresh air, and just be outside, taking in nature.The fresh air would do her good.I didn't want her walking that distance, and it seemed pointless to drive when I could carry her."You seem perfectly content with me carrying you, though," I teased, catching her inhaling the scent of my cologne as she snuggled into my chest.She looked up at me with a frown, pursing her lip. "I can walk. I'm healing just fine!

"I do this out of the respect I have for your father," Zephyr said, his voice colder than I'd ever heard it. "That's the only reason you're not six feet under." He took a step closer. "But as of today, our alliance with your family is broken. The Wrath name severs all ties with the Sinclairs. Every contract. Every shared investment. Every ounce of goodwill is terminated. Your family will feel the consequences of your actions in every business operation, every financial holding." We'd come to see Christina at one of Zephyr's private properties. The room was solid, its formidable iron walls and door designed as a failsafe. Zephyr once told me it was built as a precaution, a place to hold werewolves who lost control. Though he and his family were masters at it, the room was there, just in case. Now it served as Christina's prison. There was a barred window and no visible way out. She couldn't run or fight her way out of it, even if she shifted. Her hair was tousled, dark rings of

THE YEAR 1926ZEPHYRAGE 12"Mother, I fail to see the reason you compelled me to accompany you," I grumbled, holding out the basket as she plucked another herb and dropped it in. "Surely, you could have taken Alex instead.""I had no wish for Alex to join me this day, Rusty."I sighed. "We have walked for quite some time now. Why not make use of our strength and speed? It would be far quicker."She cast me a disapproving look. "You spend too much time leaning on your Lycan nature, child. In so doing, you forget what it is to be human. And in forgetting, one risks becoming something else... A monster."She paused to ruffle my hair. "At times, it is a good thing to walk slowly, to breathe the air of the earth and feel it beneath our feet. We are blessed to be both man and beast. Others are not so fortunate.""Others?" I asked, curious. "Why not?""There are packs, ancient and cursed, who, once they shift for the first time, remain forever in their beastly form. No return." She explaine

I stood at the entrance, watching the Grays' vehicle disappear down the driveway before turning back toward the house. Alex and Nik were waiting just inside. Lyla had already gone upstairs to my room. "What a dinner," Nik muttered flatly. "Every day, I thank the moon goddess that we weren't cursed with parents like that. "Poor Lyla," Alex added sympathetically. Patting their shoulders without saying a word, I headed to see my girl. She was curled up in a ball on my bed, swallowed in baggy sweats and an oversized hoodie. Her makeup had been washed away, but the tear streaks remained. After shrugging out of my suit, I crossed the room in silence. Easing onto the bed gently, I slid my arms around her and pulled her into my lap, holding her close against my chest. She burst into fresh tears as she buried her face into me. I didn't speak, but instead held her there, gently smoothing down her hair and letting her fall apart in the safety of my arms. When she'd finally expelled th

There was a warm hand draped around my waist when I woke up. Groggily cracking one eye open, I found Zephyr fast asleep, lying face down on the bed. His dark hair fell messily over his eyes, and one arm was slung lazily across me. The sheets barely covered his lower half, hanging over his waist, and revealing part of his thick, muscular thigh. The whole posture was so careless… so lazy and yet deeply satisfying to watch. His forehead, usually drawn together in a frown or showing no emotions at all, was smooth. He looked... peaceful. I carefully turned onto my side, making sure not to move his hand, and stared at him. The memories of last night rushed in, a slow, timid smile slithering across my face. I realized I was wearing Zeph's sleep shirt, and that he must've dressed me while I was passed out, making sure I wouldn't catch a cold. As I adjusted slightly to get more comfortable, my thighs pressed together, and I winced. I was still sore from yesterday's therapy session.