All Chapters of The Dual Claim: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

He…Gabriel finally came out of the bedroom, bags packed.“Ready to go?”I looked at all the dishes that still needed washing and the kitchen that needed cleaning.“Um. No.” I replied and tossed him a dish towel. “Help me dry, and we can leave sooner.”He caught the towel and grinned back at me; his confident steps grew louder as he approached the kitchen.I didn’t think he’d actually take me up on it.I waited for his attitude to sour, but it didn’t. His smile just got bigger as he dried the first plate.My smile reached my ears, but I turned back to the dishes.I felt self-conscious and shy.I felt the pull toward him, even without my wolf.I wanted to kiss his cheek, but that would be too weird.I can’t believe I want to kiss him.I snuck a glance at him, but he was very intent on drying the plate.Too intent.I grinned even more.Should I?I imagined Ori teasing me, dar

I saw Sam’s tire tracks continue on the dirt road, but I veered off to the right, heading for the city.With the four-wheel-drive engaged, I practically flew over the ruts and sailed through the curves until I hit the pavement.The roads were clear, the sun shined down, and the city rose before me. It was full speed ahead.First stop, car dealership. They closed before my next stop. I pulled in, tires squealed as I made a sharp turn into a parking spot.There it was, right in front of me, bathed in sunlight. Just waiting for it to be mine.I probably could have haggled over the price, but time was my enemy, not money. While I was signing papers and transferring funds, two of the lot boys transferred all my belongings from one vehicle to the other.Leaving the proverbial black power color behind actually felt refreshing.Like a new beginning.A stronger one.I couldn’t help the boyish grin on my face as I drove out of the

After a lot of deliberation, Kane and I decided it was safe to go back to Silverpine. The Seer wasn’t talking, even if only to give us her name. She just cackled every time I came downstairs.We had no ill effects from being near her, other than getting on each other’s nerves. This place was just too small, too cramped, and we both felt the congestion of the city. Too much concrete, too many people.We both felt the pull to get back to our woods.Our only problem now was getting her loaded into the SUV.We had nothing to sedate her with. We couldn’t trust that she wouldn’t scream up a storm once we got her outside.At best, her cackling might make the excuse of a loony-bin trip plausible.I paced while Kane was on the phone with his Second, Traskin.This was going to be a quiet re-entry back to Silverpine. The last thing I wanted was for the pack lining up to see the new prisoner.Like they did when the Wane girl was brought ba

I pulled up to Sam and Elara’s Victorian home, marveling at its unique design. I just enjoyed the space, even from the outside.With the circular turrets, the huge wraparound porch, and the dizzying number of windows that allowed natural light, but from the sun and the moon inside.The other doors of my shiny new SUV slammed shut, and my extended family followed me up the steps.Nakoa followed behind them as he kept stride with Vell, our former Head Council Lead turned member, made his way at a much slower pace.Vell’s tenure on the Council went all the way back to Ivan’s days.We all marveled at the longevity of this wolf, while grateful for his perspective.Before I could knock, the door swung open. Sam welcomed us in with a broad smile, but his index finger at his lips.Our conversation turned to a whisper.“Come in, come in,” he whispered. “The ladies are napping after their long talk.”We all nodded as if we knew wh

I lifted my eyes from my lap, and looked around the room. Everyone seemed to be in their own thoughts; possibly even shocked into silence.I understood the potential for badness, but what did the bond itself mean? There had to be something more to it than an ominous warning against abusing it.“So,” I started, and everyone’s eyes darted toward me. I wanted to sink into the couch and hide behind Gabriel, but that weak little girl couldn’t be me anymore from this moment on. “We understand the warning. Even in the short time I’ve known Gabriel, I don’t believe him to be that kind of man, or wolf. But what is the meaning of it all besides how beautiful the bond was to witness.”The room erupted into chatter, no single voice above the other.I looked around the room quietly; I didn’t have anything to add to the multiple conversations around me. Mr. Vell sat quietly in his corner, not participating but watching intently. He had more to say, I could feel it in m