Fucking hell, I’m making a fool of myself. Tragically, it’s not even the first time. I unintentionally used the same words from her book when I told her what I was. Yes, it was unintentional. While I’ve read her books, in ways I even feel like I’ve lived them given my dreams, but that doesn’t mean I set out to quote a character in her book. Then, when I offered to buy her this house, she was hesitant. The only way I got her to let me buy it was for her to put some of her money into the purchase and that the deed would only ever be in her name.
Now I’m doing it again. I didn’t check with Shannon in advance. At least not to know she’d even want to go out tonight. I knew she had no plans—just another Friday night at home with her kids. Then, I showed up with my presumptions and overstepping. Shit, was I behaving like a controlling dick? Planning everything without consulting her, and now, with Evie here, putting her in a position where she might feel pressured to say yes.“You don’t have to say yes. We don’t have to go out. I can offer the reservations to another couple, and we could stay in. I could run to the store and get stuff to make you and the kids dinner.” I offered her a way out.“Holy shit, Delta Dani totally fucked you in the head.” Evie laughed as she patted my back.“Shut it, wolf.” I hissed, trying to be quiet enough that Shannon wouldn’t hear me.“Evie, that’s not very nice.” Shannon scolded. “And Byron, it’s okay. An unexpected but not unwelcome surprise.” She smiled and sniffed the roses.“So that’s a…” I arched my brow, shrugging Evie’s hand off.“Yes. Let me put these in some water and change. Which… given you look nice, I should probably dress up too.” Shannon smiled, and before she passed me, she paid and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, Byron.”“I’m going to check on the kids and see what they want to do tonight.”Evie chuckled as she went deeper into the house.I followed Evie because standing in Shannon’s office like a dumbass sounded pathetic. Besides, I wanted to see the kids for longer than a few seconds. I liked her kids, and I never thought I’d like kids. When I was human, I found my little brother insufferable. But I like Shannon’s kids. I found the four smallest ones in the living room watching some cartoon I didn’t know while Kennedy was helping Evie clean up the table in the breakfast area while Shannon was in the kitchen pulling down a crystal vase for the roses.“Based on the construction paper, glue, and glitter, you had quite the arts and crafts session,” I commented.“Up!” Russ demanded, arms raised.I smiled and happily held the youngest. I don’t mind that Russ tragically shares some features, especially his hair and eyes, with that scumbag Eric. It’s not Russ or any of the kids’ fault they got a top five worst days I’ve seen. Dani’s dad still wins the #1 spot, even if he’s dead. Mine is in that top five, and in comparison to Eric and Michael, my old man moved down the list. That says a lot since my dad was an abusive alcoholic who kicked me out without a second thought.“Hey, little man. Did you make mommy a card?” I asked, investigating his hands to be sure he wouldn’t get glitter on me.I am not a fan of glitter. Even less after those Twilight books falsely claimed my people glitter in the sunlight. Ugh. I don’t glitter like some diamond in the sun. I burn like a marshmallow held too close and too long to an open flame. Other than that, I had no real issues with the books. I wouldn’t have published them, but I’m a vampire, so I couldn’t and wouldn’t put my brand on a series that made vampires glitter. I publish supernatural fantasy books. That’s why I even met Shannon after all.“Don’t worry, I didn’t let Russ near the glitter. Just watch out for Shauna. She might still have glitter on her hands.” Kennedy shrugged.“Evie, that means they all need to take baths tonight. And their clothes can be thrown into the wash. I don’t want glitter on any other dirty clothes.” Shannon sighed as if she realized her children probably had glitter on their clothes and persons.“I DON’T WANNA TAKE A BATH!” Bobby shouted.“Bobby, do not argue with me. You’ll take a bath and be a good boy for Evie.” Shannon waved a warning finger at her middle son.“Now I’m going to go change. I’ll be down in like five.” Shannon sighed and paused, kissing Russ and me on the cheek before escaping to the first-floor master bedroom.Those five minutes came and went. I helped entertain the little ones while Kennedy helped Evie clean up and start their dinner. Sensing this was taking too long, I extracted myself from Shauna, telling me in great detail why I should love Bluey to check. Evie arched her brow as I cut through the kitchen to the master bedroom. Cautiously, I knocked, and when I heard an eep followed by a thud, I let myself in.“Shannon? Are you alright?” I called out as I hurried to the walk-in closet through the bathroom.“No…” Shannon sniffled from the floor, surrounded by a disaster zone of her clothes.I sighed and carefully stepped over the clothes to crouch next to her. “Shannon, are you having trouble deciding what to wear?” I asked.“Is it that obvious? I don’t have anything nice. I have mom clothes.” She sobbed, holding up well-worn plain tops and stained jeans. “I haven’t been on a date since high school.”I sighed and pulled her into a hug. “That’s the past. This is the present. As long as I’m around, which I’m immortal, and you let me, you’ll be taken out on all the dates you want. And by dates, I don’t just mean dates of us but also dates where we take kids too.”“Why?” Shannon pointedly asked, tears still in her eyes and staining her cheeks. “Why would you even want someone like me? I have five kids, the wardrobe of a mom with five kids, and like you pointed out, you’re immortal.”“You won’t believe me yet. But I hope one day you will.” I sighed as I cupped her cheeks, wiping the tears with my thumbs. “You are beautiful just the way you are. You are beautiful inside and out. You are literally the woman of my dreams, or have you forgotten that I dreamt of you before you submitted that first manuscript about Duke Byron.”She laughed softly. “I haven’t forgotten. In the books, it made sense why Duke Byron would fall for Lady Grace. But that was a fantasy. This is reality.”“Reality or fantasy, the reasons I want to be with you are the same. There is something indescribable about you. It draws me in, captivates me, and makes me feel things I didn’t know I could.” I smiled and kissed her forehead. “Now, let’s find you some clothes so we can go.”Shannon sighed but didn’t argue with me. Instead, she gestured around her. “Like what? I told you I don’t have anything nice in my wardrobe.”“You’re just not looking through the proper eyes.” I smiled as I helped her to her feet.“If you can find something in this disaster of mom jeans that would be suitable for a Valentine’s date with you, go for it.” She rolled her eyes.I chuckled and, in moments, had her closet back into the impeccably organized state I know Shannon typically kept it in and stopped holding up a simple little black knee-sheath-length dress.“This should be perfect. Heels are optional.” I winked and offered her the dress. “I’ll leave you to get changed. I’ll wait for a proper invitation to see you naked.” I smiled and kissed her cheek on my way out.Building this woman’s self-confidence will be a long road, but I’m here for the long haul.Byron had officially left me speechless. A proper invitation to see me naked? Was he out of his mind? I don’t care how often he says I’m beautiful exactly as I am. He’s only seen me with clothes on. I can hide the imperfections under clothes. And I’m very good when it comes to hiding things with makeup. Not that I should brag about getting the perfect combination of foundation to hide bruises. I’m a mother of FIVE! That means over the last THIRTEEN years of my life, I’ve been pregnant five times. I have stretch marks and a muffin top that no diet or exercise will eliminate. My ex used to tear me down about how I supposedly let myself go and how I should be happy that he even wanted to have sex with me. If becoming morbidly obese would have gotten me out of that marriage faster without risk to my health, I’d have eaten buckets of greasy fast food for every meal. Either way, there was no way that Bryon and I would be having sex. My vagina may feel differently, but I just got divor
I hadn’t eaten at Cassius’ restaurant since the grand opening when the clan came out to support him. The food was good then, so I also expected it to be good this time. Granted, good is a relative term when you’re a vampire. Food doesn’t have much taste for us. You must put a LOT of spices in food to make it taste like anything but ash. This is why, even though it was a prefix menu for the holiday, all my dishes were prepared with extra seasoning. “Why did they bring us two plates of appetizers?” Shannon asked as she gestured to the two plates of salmon, oyster, and sea bass tartare on the oyster shell, the two plates of marbled foie gras with artichokes and wild mushrooms, and toasted bread. “These...” I gestured to the two that were placed closer to me. “Are for me,” I explained. “But why? Every other table only got one plate of each. It’s supposed to be for sharing. You know, like in romance movies and books where couples share food. Are you a food hoarder?” Shannon asked as
What romance book pages did I fall into? A romantic candlelight dinner at an exclusive French restaurant, complete with a comedic moment between the leads and now this. I’ve been so accustomed to being treated terribly that I don’t believe it when a man treats me well. It’s too much for me to process and accept. I decided these were all worries for later. I didn’t need to sit here and doubt if I deserved a night like tonight, with a man like Byron, or if this was real. I let myself get lost in the music. I felt Byron watching me throughout the hour-long concert. He caught me by surprise as we stood, and instead of leading me out, he took my hand and pulled me close as if we were going to dance or he was going to kiss me. I haven’t danced since my wedding unless you count with my kids. A small part of me would find kissing him, a vampire, in a candlelit church was somehow sinful. As the quartet started playing again, Byron took the lead, and we danced in the church aisle. I gasped
“Ma… stop fussing over me already.” I try to dodge my mother as she attempts to attack my face with a baby wipe. I’m as clean as I’m going to get. I already took a damn shower.“You’ve got something on your upper lip. I want you to look presentable if you’re being sent to aid another pack. You might find a second chance mate.” Mom huffed once again, trying to yank my face down to her to clean some invisible grime from my face.“Ma, it’s called facial hair.” I groaned as she tried to rub off my facial hair. I’ve been trying to actually let my facial hair grow in.I wanted to point out the chance of finding a second chance mate was near impossible. But since Beta John’s mate ended up being a human, people have
I’d been sent to our family’s vacation home by the coast three months ago. I didn’t even know that Ignazio had killed my parents for a month. I’d held out some invisible hope that Ivan was able to get them somewhere safe too.Ignazio had utterly lost his mind. Killing Alpha Ugo and Luna Mirella just because he didn’t want to wait to find his mate to become Alpha. I always knew he was off, but I didn’t think he was so crazy and stupid to kill his parents.And he continued the slaughter with our Betas, my parents, and even the Delta couple and their son when they wouldn’t bend to his will. I’m not sure how I feel that Ivan and Gastone support him. I want to believe at least Ivan only follows Ignazio to protect me.I don’t want to belie
Clement’s presence and stupidity aside, being in Incubi isn’t that bad. Even if I almost made an ass of myself by getting too close to Luna Crista’s younger sister. But thankfully, Darren was about to point out my misstep, and I was able to quickly correct it. At least I didn’t get on his bad side, or at least that’s what I’m going to believe. He did choose to bring me with his team when Madonie attacked again. As we raced to fight, I felt apprehensive. Not about fighting. I’m willing to fight and protect as needed. No, my issue was I knew we were going to face a dozen or so enemies, yet I felt no malice or hate coming from their direction. When the Syndicate attacked Bloodmoon two years ago, I knew where they were. I felt their malice and hate for our people. I didn’t feel any of that as Conway
I’m a fair fighter, but I’m not as strong as other wolves. ‘I’m sorry about that.’ Conway apologized.‘Don’t. You don’t need to apologize. Losing Lexia hurt us both, but you took the brunt of it, taking my heartbreak as well as your own.’ I assured him. I don’t want him getting down on himself.Two years ago, I was strong. In a fight, I could even beat my mom, whose gift is her strength. But then the Syndicate attacked, and I lost Lexia the same day I met her. Losing a mate can kill a wolf.So I’m lucky to be alive, and that Conway eventually came back to me. I don’t mind being half the strength I used to be. As long as I still have Conway, we can still fight.
I was not in the mood to do anything for Ignazio. I have already hated him since childhood. I don’t care that he’s supposed to be my Alpha. He’s a bastard, and I want his heart on a platter and his head on a spike.Then he murders my parents, starts this war, gets our packmates hurt and possibly killed, and even knowing I’m his mate, he cuts my tongue out with a silver blade.He’s a psychopath and needs to die. I’m only here because I have no choice. I can only hope that I find Ivan alive, and maybe we can run far away from Ignazio.Hell, I’d be willing to sell Ignazio out to the Incbi Alpha. I don’t know much, but I would help see him dead and my pack safe.I’d been terrified last night