Breaking The Cardinal Rule Novels & Stories

This was his big break to get away from his father’s long dark shadow. David looked up at the off-white building. It didn’t seem too impressive on the outside, but he knew better than to trust appearances. Involuntarily Wildcat slipped into his mind and he scowled pushing any thoughts of her out of his head with a feeling of indignation as he walked towards the building. “Good morning, how may I help you?” A plump elderly woman asked him as soon as he entered.

"It's necessary. You have to call a spade a spade or she'll keep coming for you, and I've got your back. Let's go." I nodded, my heart hammering, and we walked over together. I swallowed hard, looked at Sasha, and said, "so we're actually about to clear this spot for you, since it's no secret around here that big Corbin switches girls every twenty four hours, so enjoy the ride while it lasts. Bye." Marcus squeezed my shoulder, letting me know I had done well. I turned back once more. "Oh, and Sasha, don't get too comfortable, you can hold onto that reserved seat for whenever the next one shows up, big Corbin doesn't exactly slow down."

I hadn't expected her to hand me exactly what I needed on a silver platter. Between her confession, Ryan's name on the ultrasound, and his own admission of "sowing his seed," there was more than enough evidence to prove he was the one at fault. The Council convened and immediately ruled that infidelity had been established. Our mate bond would be automatically severed in one month. As I walked out of the Council hall, Ryan was waiting, his eyes rimmed with red. "Celine, do you really hate me this much? Is there truly no room for forgiveness?"

In its place: a new note. Rule fifteen: Next time, aim for the heart. – A I touched my lips. They were swollen. 354 days. Rule twelve broken by Marco. Rule one broken by us. And rule zero, the one written in blood on the library floor: Alessandro De Santis will start wars for what’s his.

I have broken a million rules after the assassination attempt: seeking shelter with a Werewolf; conversing with a Werewolf; sleeping in the same bed as a Werewolf; performing magic that I’m forbidden from performing. What if I have done something unforgivable?

Definitely ice. Around the base of the ladder lay bigger chunks. The cardinal, unbreakable rule of the Freeze had been shattered. Opening the bunker door, leaving us open to frostbite, pipe freezes and chaos. “Howen…what the hell are you doing?”

I stood up. "My colleague on the affirmative made an argument that I want to address directly," I said. "He said that when people break unjust rules, they replace them with better rules. And he is right. They do. But I want to ask something. What made them break the rules in the first place?" I looked at the room.

My shiv clattered away into the dark. He loomed over me. Teeth bared. Saliva dripped onto my mask. There was no recognition in those burning eyes. Only hunger. Only rage. I stared up into the face of death. The knowledge hit like a fist to the gut—this was why the Cardinal Rule existed.

Commanding her. And when she touched herself—just once, just to make it stop—he sent another message. Unknown Number: “That’s two rules broken now, sweetheart.” “Number Two was simple: Obey Without Question.” Her pulse stopped. He wasn’t supposed to know. She looked around her empty apartment like he might be hiding in the shadows. The red card on her nightstand caught the light. She grabbed it. Turned it over. This time, words had appeared—written in the same sharp script as before.

It was possession wearing the shape of love. Adrian stepped back a little, exhaling slowly as if reining himself in. “You’re trembling again.” Theo forced a weak smile. “Maybe I’m cold.” “No,” Adrian said quietly. “You’re waiting.” He lifted a hand, brushing the damp fabric of Theo’s shirt where it clung to his chest. “Lesson three,” Adrian murmured. “When you break a rule, I remind you who made it.” Theo whispered, “And who made this one?”