Chase’s POVMore than any other member of the pack, it is a Beta’s job to transform; to change shapes according to the moment at hand. We do not serve any one role, or know any limits to our responsibilities; we simply become whatever we have to be for the best of the pack. Our transformations go far beyond man and wolf, extending to mediator, guardian, enforcer, disciplinarian and anything else the Alpha might need.One day I will serve as a key negotiator between quarreling pack members, as well as a diplomat to our allies and enemies in other territories. When that time comes, I will also become the foremost proponent and enforcer of the Alpha’s rule within the Nightshade pack. But now my most frequent job is tempering Caspian’s violent mood swings and wild aggression.Caspian is no different from any other Alpha in this regard. The indomitable strength required to lead a pack of the Nightshade’s renown overflows in excesses of anger and hostility so volatile most shifters could no

Viviane’s POVIf I hadn’t already been sitting down, I surely would have fallen over.Caspian’s velvety voice wraps around me like a warm blanket, lulling me into a false sense of security as I try to process this latest shock. I can’t believe what I’m hearing, and I don’t have the first clue how to respond to the young Alpha’s invitation. Dazedly I wonder if my mother is still in the hallway. Wherever she is, I’m certain she can’t hear us, or she would already be back here screaming her head off.Unable to find words, I stall for time. “What are you saying?”“I’m saying I want you to move in with me, Viviane.” He repeats.“This is crazy.” I protest. “We haven’t known each other long enough to even be thinking about moving in.”“When it comes to mates, we measure relationships in feelings not time, kitten.” Caspian declares, his warm hands sliding over my body in slow, calculated caresses. “I want your beautiful face to be the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning and be the

Viviane’s POVI wish I could talk to Kiera.It’s been a week since we spoke, since Caspian moved Mom and me into the Pack House despite my fervent objections. I’m still angry with them both, but keeping up the silent treatment is infinitely more difficult when I don’t have my best friend to lean on.I’ve tried calling her dozens of times, but she never answers. At school she walks past me in the hallway as if she can’t even see me, which would be bad enough as it is. With Caspian’s added security measures, no one but Kiera is allowed to come within ten feet of me and even if they could, who would possibly be brave enough to try with Caspian’s guards tailing me at every turn.I’ve tried to tell him countless times that his precautions are only going to draw more attention to me, but he won’t listen. No, while my teachers watch me with sharp eyes – sizing up the Pack’s future Luna– the other girls glare at me through the lenses of green eyed monsters and the boys try to pretend they are

Caspian’s POV“I can’t forgive him. Not until he stops treating me like a toy, and starts treating me like an equal.”I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.Well, that’s not entirely true. I did intentionally stay within hearing distance of Viviane’s rooms after bringing Kiera to her door, but only as a precaution. I wanted to be near, just in case things went poorly.Of course, I got what I deserved. My stomach is in knots after hearing Viviane describe our relationship in such a way. Apparently even recognizing me as her mate didn’t change the mermaid’s perception of my character. The worst part is that I know this has nothing to do with my being a wolf, and everything to do with my personality.I thought I was doing all the right things: loving her, protecting her, providing for her. That’s what mates do, isn’t it?My wolf whines in my head, objecting to the notion that we’ve treated Viviane as anything but the treasure she is. I know. I respond silently, but it doesn’t matter what we intende

Viviane’s POVI’m shaking so violently I feel like my bones must be rattling in my skin. “he’ll smell me.” I whisper desperately. We’d been counting on any rogues we’d meet to be strangers, but Mordred is no stranger, he knows my scent as well as anyone.Kiera whips her head around, looking through the dark space for anything to help. She swiftly rips the crooked grate off of the long-doused fire pit in the middle of the space, digging her fingers into the thick black charcoal and coming up with heaping landfills. She darts back to me with feline grace, smearing the chalky substance all over me.My friend works fast, returning to the pit and repeating the process until there is nothing left to spare. It felt like hours, but it was probably only thirty seconds.We press our backs into the wall as his footsteps near, holding our breath and praying to the Gods her quick thinking would pay off. The footsteps stop on the other side of the tin wall, and I can actually hear him smelling the