Brenna “Adan, are you taking me to my condo or yours?” Even though I still felt drained, my energy was starting to return. He looked into my eyes as a devilish grin curled his lips. “I was going to take you to your suite to lay down for a few minutes, but if you’d rather go to my place—” “No, mine is fine.” I smiled, looking up at him. He chuckled. “I was only joking.” “I know.” “Alpha, let me get that for you,” one of the guards said, rushing ahead to open the door to my suite. “Let us know if you need anything.” Adan arched an eyebrow. “Oh, you can count on it.” After we walked in, Adan carried me straight to the bedroom and laid me on the bed. “Would you like anything?” “Maybe a glass of water,” I tried to sit up, but Adan pushed me back down. “Lay down for a few minutes. Then when you’re feeling better, we’ll go downstairs.” I smiled. “On second thought, stay here with me.” Adan sat on the side of the bed, and held my hand, smiling as I looked into his eyes. “Thank
Brenna “They’re playing our song.” Adan glanced over at me and smiled as he held out his hand. “Would you like to dance?” “I’d love to,” I replied, placing my hand in his. For an Alpha, he had such a gentle touch when he wanted to but was strong at other times. I had to admit. I’d never met anyone quite like him before. On the dance floor, he placed one hand on my back and raised the other causing my heart to flutter. I took his hand and slid the other over his shoulder. He smiled as he curled my hand next to his chest, looking deeply into my eyes. As we swayed to the music, I knew I was falling more in love with him with each passing day. But how could it possibly work out between us? He was just as stubborn as I was, but if we could find compromise and common ground, then maybe we could make this work, after all. All too soon, the dance came to an end. We stopped and applauded, smiling as we looked into each other’s eyes. “Would you do me the honor of another dance?” He held
Brenna “I hope you know what you’re doing.” Magenta raised an eyebrow. “He expects me to be the Pack Luna and Queen in name only without any real power.” I shrugged. “I want more. My mother ruled beside my father and that’s what I intend to do.” “Well, take care that you don’t chase him away.” She rose to her feet. “He won’t wait long.” She walked out, her long skirts billowing out behind her. “A word of warning, Miss.” Mason’s voice was suddenly at my ear. “I wouldn’t keep him waiting too long. The Blood Moon is swiftly approaching.” He walked out into the hallway, too, before I could reply. Since no one was there that I knew, I motioned for a waiter to come forward. “Yes, My Queen?” “Could you box this up for me, please?” I handed him my plate. “I can’t eat another bite.” In reality, my stomach was in knots. I hated this just as much as Adan and it took every bit of my willpower to stick to my guns. A broad smile spread across his face. “I’ll be right back with your food.” “
Adan Anger filled my body as I watched Brenna and Mira work with the young warriors. But then again, I had agreed to let her work with them, as long as she stayed out of harm’s way in battle. “So, are we going to work today or what?” Mason asked, bringing me from my reverie. “You know, you can’t keep her under lock and key. She’s a person—” “Quiet!” I cut him off. “Everyone, line up! Pair up, and let’s run some drills!” Clasping my hands behind my back, I paced back and forth before the most advanced warriors in the Pack. However, I couldn’t help but sneak peeks at Brenna. Mira had paired off the young warriors, and Brenna was observing. As they started practicing, Brenna stepped in and offered suggestions to the young warriors on stance, attack skills, and blocking. It appeared that Brenna and Mira were working very well together. Brenna didn’t try to take over but respected Mira for what she had done with her students. From the look of it, Brenna was quite a skilled warrior. A
Adan “Everyone, sound off!” I yelled in the Pack Mind. “Aye!” my warriors yelled at once. But I couldn’t take my eyes off Brenna. “Warriors, check the perimeter and make sure there are no stragglers! Take prisoners! I want to question them!” “Aye!” Warriors scattered over the grounds, checking every square inch while some ran into the castle, changing into their human form first. No one was allowed in the castle in their wolf forms. Not even the Alpha. “Mason, was the castle breached?” “No, Alpha!” he yelled, already headed toward the doors in his wolf form. Shimmers ran over his body as he began to morph and change, pulling himself back together into his human form. He was standing in his human form by the time he got to the top of the stairs. One of the maids handed him a robe as he approached the doors. Although nudity in the Pack was to be expected, entering the castle nude was a breach of etiquette. In the castle, everyone must wear clothes out of respect. I turned to Bre
Brenna “So, would you like me to help with the cleanup?” I knew there would be bodies to dispose of and a funeral to plan for the fallen warriors. “No.” Adan smiled as he raised my hand to his lips and kissed it, never taking his eyes from mine. “My men and I will take care of that. You just get ready for tonight.” I bit my lower lip. “And what of the fallen warriors?” “We’ll have a ceremony at sunset at the Standing Stones, commending their spirits to the care of the Moon Goddess.” He tilted his head to the side. “I know it may seem callous for us to have a special evening tonight, but it can’t wait.” He let out a deep breath, thinking. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s dine in my suite tonight. I’ll have Caesar bring up a special meal for us.” I nodded. “That sounds good. I don’t want to neglect the warriors. They deserve better than that.” “Neglecting them is the farthest thing from my mind.” A crease formed between his eyes. “What I do is always with the Pack in mind.” My smile fad
Brenna Since I was meeting Adan at the memorial, I didn’t want to dress up too much, even though we were dining together afterward. It felt strange to plan a special evening with Adan when there would be so many grieving families. But with the Blood Moon quickly approaching, our plans were just as important. Not wanting to wear an evening gown, I dressed in a black wrap-around dress and heels and headed down the hall and into the elevator. The door opened a moment later, and I stepped outside. Jennifer, an older wolf that didn’t look a day over twenty-five, handed me a candle when I walked out. “Thanks, Jennifer.” “Everyone is waiting at the Standing Stones, including the Alpha.” Jennifer gave me a weak smile. “Jennifer, which families were affected?” She let out a deep breath. “Samantha and her children lost Noel....” Altogether, a total of six families had lost loved ones. “Thank you, Jennifer.” I gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “I’ll see them at the Standing Stones. Are you c
Adan “How do you know Nikoa?” Brenna asked as we entered the elevator. “I told you.” I held the door open for her to enter first. “But I was just about to ask you the same thing.” She bit her upper lip and released it. “Nikoa was friendly with my father before the attack. My father wanted me to choose him, but he wasn’t mine. I was waiting for my Mate.” “Just like me.” I nodded, understanding. “How do you feel about him?” When the elevator stopped, I held the door open for her, and we headed toward my suite. Since Nikoa had decided not to stay, I kept our dinner here. If he were joining us, I would have moved it to the small conference room downstairs. Even though Nikoa and I had been friends for more years than I could count, I was glad that Brenna and I would be dining alone. “I’m not in love with him and never felt the Pull of the Mate with him.” Brenna walked into my suite and turned to face me. “And with me?” I held a chair for her at the table and pushed it under her as s