Semua Bab Bound by Fangs and Blood: Bab 21 - Bab 30

EVEThe morning of the summit arrived too fast.I stood in front of the mirror while Madam Bella fussed with my hair, pinning it up in an elaborate style that made me look older, more sophisticated. The dress she'd chosen was deep emerald green, elegant and formal, with a neckline that showed just enough cleavage to be distracting."You look like a queen," Madam Bella said, stepping back to admire her work."I look like I'm going to war," I muttered."Same thing in pack politics, dear." She handed me a pair of earrings. "Now, the Alpha has instructed me to remind you that you're not to be alone with any other Alphas. Zara will be with you at all times, and he'll be watching.""I'm not a child.""No, but you are mated to a very possessive Alpha who's already on edge." She smiled knowingly. "Try not to start any incidents.""I'll do my best."After she left, I stood there staring at my reflection. I looked confident, powerful even. But inside, I was terrified.Today I'd see Mike again.

EVELucian's estate was nothing like Umbra Pack's palace. Where Adam's home was warm stone and wood, Lucian's was all glass and chrome, modern and cold."Make yourself comfortable," he said, gesturing to a sleek leather couch. "We have all night to talk.""I don't want to talk. I want to go back to Adam.""And you will. After the hearing." Lucian poured two glasses of wine, offering me one. "But right now, you need answers. And I'm one of the few people who can give them to you."I took the glass but didn't drink. "How do you know about twin souls? About what Circe and I are?""Because I've been alive a very long time, Eve. Longer than Adam knows." Lucian settled into a chair across from me. "Long enough to remember the last time twin souls walked this earth.""When was that?""A thousand years ago. They nearly destroyed the world." He sipped his wine. "Twin souls are born once every millennium. Two halves of an ancient vampire bloodline, separated at birth. Alone, they're powerful. T

EVE Mike's lawyer stood, a slick-looking wolf in an expensive suit. "Council members, we're here today because my client's wife has been manipulated by a powerful Alpha. Eve DeLacruz is clearly suffering from trauma-induced delusions." "Delusions?" I stood up, ignoring Adam's hand trying to pull me back down. "You call what Mike did to me a delusion?" "Miss DeLacruz, please sit," the head councilman said. "No." I stepped forward. "You want to hear Mike's side? Fine. But I'm going to tell you mine first." Mike's lawyer tried to object, but the councilman waved him off. "Let her speak." I took a breath, steadying myself. "Two months ago, I discovered I was pregnant. I was happy. Excited. I thought Mike would be too. But when I told him, he was furious. Said a baby would ruin everything, that I needed to keep healing his patients or he'd lose his best doctor award." "That's a lie!" Mike jumped up. "I wanted that baby!" "Then why did you inject me with wolfsbane? Why did y

EVE Dr. Helena Cross arrived at noon with two Council guards and enough medical equipment to stock a hospital. She was older, sharp-eyed, with steel-gray hair pulled into a severe bun. "Miss DeLacruz. I'm Dr. Cross. I'll be conducting your evaluation." I shook her hand. "Just Eve is fine." "Eve, then." She turned to Adam. "Alpha, I need to conduct the evaluation in private. Council regulations." "Absolutely not." Adam crossed his arms. "Eve doesn't go anywhere without me." "I'm not asking." Dr. Cross's voice was firm. "The Council was clear. No outside influence. That includes you." "She's my mate!" "And she's a vampire who nearly killed someone yesterday." Dr. Cross's expression softened slightly. "If you want her cleared, we do this properly." Adam looked at me, conflict written across his face. "It's okay," I said quietly. "I'll be fine." "You don't have to do this alone." "Yes, I do." I touched his arm. "Please. Let me handle this." He pulled me close, his voice low a

I stood at the edge of vampire territory, staring into the dark forest that had haunted my nightmares for weeks.Leaving had been easier than expected. The guards were watching for threats coming in, not mates sneaking out. A simple illusion, a bit of shadow manipulation I didn't even know I possessed until I needed it, and I'd walked right past them.Circe's power, flowing through our connection."I knew you'd come eventually," her voice echoed from the darkness.She emerged from between the trees, looking exactly like me but wrong in every way. Her eyes glowed red, her smile was predatory, and she moved with a confidence I'd never possessed."I'm not here to join you," I said, my voice steadier than I felt."Then why are you here, sister?" She tilted her head, genuinely curious."To end this. One way or another." I pulled out the silver dagger I'd stolen from Adam's armory. "You said we could hurt each other. That we're the only ones who can kill each other."Circe's eyes widened, t