ChaseI walked up the last flight of stairs to my rooms, exhausted from the encounter with Doran. We had learned some, thanks to the good doctor, but we weren’t through yet. Apparently, there were also some kind of contingencies in place, should he not report back to his men. He wasn’t known for honesty and openness though, so we’d have to see.Until then, we’d double down on security measures for Lyse and the palace, including digging deeper into the staff, given Sam’s betrayal. Questioning her was to come.I walked into my bedroom to find Lyse in my bed, tucked under the covers, her eyelids fluttering as though she was dreaming.I showered the blood and sweat off of me from the visit at the Silver Cell and climbed into bed next to my woman. I watched her as she dreamed, playing with the strands of her auburn hair, loving the softness running through my fingers. Her eyebrows set in concentration. I wondered what she dreamed about. Havoc couldn’t sense this one.She woke with a start

ChaseAfter five amazing days with my mate, we came down from the tower, our mate bond complete.Havoc was finally calm again, an almost satisfied feeling coming through.I was more content as well, but still with business to take care of.First order of business was meeting with my Beta.I found him in my office, at my desk, balancing the books, making notes of what the surrounding packs needed. He really is a great Beta. I can count on him for anything and I trust him implicitly. He was also the best friend every guy wishes he could have.He glanced up from the paperwork when he sensed my presence.“Hey. Are you guys just taking a breather, or…?”, he said with a grin.I smiled. Not even his goading could ruin my mood today.“Funny. No, there was no time for a breather.”, I shot back with a smirk, thinking about the past days where my Queen and I couldn’t get enough of each other.He started to crack another comment, but I cut in, “How have things been?”, I asked, trying to focus on

AnnalyseHaving dinner with my mate and my best friend was great. It felt, well, normal.Except the looks that Cass and Ryker kept throwing at each other. He joined us part way through, saying that he and Chase had some things to discuss after we finished.“So”, Cass started, “Do you have a dress for Jace’s ceremony?”, she asked.“Yeah.”, I answered, shrugging, probably looking like I was sucking on a lemon.“What’s with the face?”, Chase asked.“I’d honestly rather not go.”, I said, glancing over at Cass. She was the only one who knew the story behind Jace’s assholery.“And I don’t blame you, Lyse. After what he did-”, she started.She noticed the quick shake of my head and stopped, but not before Chase picked it up.I looked over at him warily.“What did he do, Lyse?”, he asked quietly. Too quietly. I looked into his eyes as he rubbed small circles on the back of my hand with his thumb, feeling my apprehension, I’m sure.“Can we talk about this later? Without an audience?”, I all b

AnnalyseAs we made our way toward River Moon pack territory, I was both excited to see my parents and friends and nervous to have to be going to Jace’s house. The main pack house. After what happened, I avoided the place like a whore avoids church.Chase must have sensed my anxiety though. He kept side-eyeing me as we drove, squeezing my hand in reassurance every few minutes.I knew that I needed to tell him what happened, but a part of me was still so mad, and to be honest, a little ashamed too. He was my mate though. He’d understand and most likely, it would probably help me feel better to get it all out there.“Hey.”, I said as he looked at me again.“Yeah?”, he answered.“When we get to my parents’ place, can we talk?”, I asked, nervous.“Of course. You can tell me anything, Lyse.”“Ok. But you aren’t going to like it.”, I warned.“Whatever it is, we’ll get through it.”, he said, squeezing my hand again.Ryker looked at us over his shoulder from the front seat. “So, the plan is t

AnnalyseAfter our shower, we got dressed and headed downstairs to wait for my dad to get home. What I really wanted to do was curl up with Chase and take a nice, solid nap.These past weeks have been revelation after revelation for me and I was on what felt like perpetual overload in my brain.There was so much to process and it seemed like more was coming my way.I heard the front door open and then click closed. “Lina? Lyse? Is anyone home?”, he called out, taking off his coat to hang in the entry closet.“Yeah, Dad. We’re in here.”, I called back, getting up from the sofa to give him a hug as he walked in the room.He folded me into his chest just like he had always done when I was little. I felt my eyes start to sting as he hugged me, not realizing until just now how much I’ve missed seeing my parents every day. And Dad always gave the best hugs.“Is everything ok?”, he asked as he held me by the shoulders, noticing the extra shine from unshed tears.“Yeah.”, I said. “I just real