I frowned. Surprises? Visitors? This was unprecedented. “What’s all this for?” Chris asked, taking a step forward. “You never mentioned any visitors.” Elise let out a sigh. “Like I said, it was meant to be a surprise. We were planning on greeting them tomorrow afternoon, and we had a luncheon pr
Ava “Charmed, Alpha Chris.” Lily extended her delicate, gloved hand toward Chris, her pale blue eyes twinkling with a knowing sort of charm. As Chris politely took her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles, I felt my heart sink ever so slightly—although I wasn’t entirely sure why. “I m
The cocktail hour commenced, and I nursed a glass of wine as I watched Chris and Lily flit about the room, deep in hushed conversation. Every laugh that fell from her rose-petal lips was like a dagger in my chest, but I quelled the feelings with more wine. I was so engrossed in my thoughts, howeve
Ava “Ava? Where did you go?” Chris’s voice rang out through the hallway, beckoning me back to the party. Meanwhile, Olivia’s lips curled into a cruel smirk as she leaned closer. “Go on,” she hissed. “Your Alpha is calling you.” With that parting remark, she brushed past me. I wanted nothing mo
Chris I watched through the window of my office as Ava stepped out into the courtyard, her arm looped through Leonard’s in that familiar, casual way. A pang of something sharp and unpleasant twisted in my gut as I observed the two of them together, their heads bent close in what seemed to be an in
Elise’s eyes flashed. “Chris—” But Degas was already holding up a withered hand, his expression grave as he surveyed me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. “Let us take the Alpha’s wishes into consideration,” he said, glancing at the other Elders before turning to me once more. “All we ask
Ava “That was quite the dinner party,” Leonard said, breaking the silence between us. “I can’t remember the last time the Elders surprised the pack in such a way.” I hummed in agreement, watching my feet as we walked to avoid meeting his warm gray eyes. “Yes, it was rather unprecedented,” I said
The market was already bustling by the time I arrived, dressed in my usual flowy dress and sandals with my hair pulled back into a high bun. I perused the stalls, picking up dry and canned goods that I didn’t already have at home. “Looks like it’s going to be a hot one today,” a small voice said b