Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Lace-Marked Wolf: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

~ GENNY ~I decided to take the stairs to my room. I didn't want to risk running into the quadruplets in the elevator and end up finding myself trapped in a small space with them.Yes, the nauseating smell of overly floral perfume that clung to them was one factor. But I was also afraid of triggering a panic attack in front of them. I couldn't let them see my weaknesses.When I got to my room, I quickly changed into an older pair of jeans that I didn't mind getting dirty, a tight-fitting, long-sleeved mock turtleneck, and my favorite knee-high combat boots.Then I pulled my hair up into a long ponytail before braiding it and securing the end. I checked my reflection to make sure I hadn't missed any stray hairs and that all my scars were covered, especially on the back of my neck.Once I secured my belt that held two silver knives and a pouch for anything else I wanted to carry, I grabbed my pack that held extra clothes in case I needed them.Noting the time, I decided to take the elev

~ GENNY ~"We should reach the midway point soon."Damien and I had been following the tracks that led out of Silvercrest for almost an hour. I was thankful that it was mostly in silence, with the occasional discussion of something we found along the way.We managed to find a few things worth collecting and studying later, and we took breaks when necessary.But so far, our little adventure had been more like a nature walk, so that's how we treated it.We had been walking for maybe thirty minutes when we came across a camp not far from the tracks. I found it uncomfortably close to the Silvercrest border. Even more alarming was knowing that we were about a three-hour hike from the nearest road.It was rare to find humans camping in this forest, mostly because it's not publicized. But we also had some human allies that would try to prevent anyone from entering for their own safety.Damien and I were already on high alert because we knew that rogue and feral wolves and vampires frequented

~ REID ~"How are things going, boys?" Aunt Celeste asked as she entered the massive kitchen followed by Gavin and Cecilia.I looked up from the dough I was kneading and smiled. "Hi, Aunty! Rowan and Mrs. Ainsworth are finishing up the additions to the menu right now. We've already reached out to our stores in Silverstone to get some additional staff."She clapped her hands together and smiled. "That's wonderful, Reid! Thank you so much for all of your help. Let me know how much the additional staff and supplies cost, and Cecilia will make sure it's taken care of.""You don't have to do that, Aunty. Reid and I don't mind handling the costs." Rowan strolled in with a smile, a tray piled high with smoked ham.I glanced over at him and asked, "Is the menu all set?""Yup. I hope that dough is for either croissants or cinnamon rolls," he said, pointing at the pale ball in my hands."Cinnamon rolls," I confirmed.Two high-pitched gasps drew our attention to the kitchen door. "Are you really

~ GENNY ~I was hiding outside the kitchen in an alcove just off to the side of the door, listening to the guys tell my favorite story about Queen Elena. She was the one who created the first veil and enacted the law that delayed the mate bond until it concluded in a ball.The story always drew me in. I never understood why, but I may have been a bit obsessed with it. To the point that I dug into every book and journal I could find. I just had to know more.The true story was definitely deeper and darker. I've only shared it with my parents. Not even my brothers or Charlie know just how tragic it truly is.I definitely won't be telling the kids. Besides, they are enjoying hearing it from the guys. And I hate to admit it, I am enjoying hearing them tell it as well.The brothers went suspiciously quiet when Garrett mentioned the great oak being destroyed. They should have known it was gone. It sat on the only piece of Silvercrest that bordered with Stonehaven.That's why it was our spec

~ GENNY ~The early morning confrontation with Reid lingered in my mind as I got ready for my day. Why did he want the note? They left it for me to lure me out. So what purpose could it possibly serve? Unless they wanted to destroy evidence.But then again, both he and Damien denied knowing anything about what happened. Why would they do that?Old doubts began to creep their way back from the void I had shoved them into. What if they weren't involved? What if they really didn't know?Benedict and Gavin only added to my doubts when they agreed that it was curious that, so far, two of the Ashcroft quads had denied knowing what happened six years ago.I got out of the bath and dried myself off. I stood in front of the mirrors staring at my scars for too long. Could they truly not know about how badly I was hurt?No. It's not possible. Why else would they have stayed away for so long? They were probably just feeling guilty. Yeah, that's why they were trying to reconnect. So they could fee