Bastien
Dr Kane looks as if he’s been expecting us.
After a thoroughly frustrating visit to the security offices, where we discovered nothing more than twelve hours of blacked out camera footage the night the paternity test was run, my betas and I navigated up to the chief physician’s office on the tenth floor.
We now stand in the doorway of his corner suite, carefully watching the doctor’s reaction to our sudden appearance and finding nothing but a blank slate.
He’s seated behind his desk, his shiny loafers propped up on the sleek wooden surface and a takeout container splayed in his lap. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the man, and though he’s only a few years older than myself, I can’t help but think he’s aged. His dark hair boasts a few streaks of gray, and the lines around his eyes and mouth are more pronounced than I remember.
“Alpha, to what do I owe the
Selene This was a mistake. I know it the moment I hit the water. I was a fool to attempt such a ridiculous plan. I plunge beneath the turquoise surface like a ton of bricks, sinking to the bottom of the pool and trying not to panic. The pool is only about twenty feet deep, but even that shallow pressure seems crushing to me. I feel like I’m being flattened, like the entire world has come crashing down on top of me and I’ll never be able to get out from under it. I’m running out of air quickly, but all I can think is how strange it is down here. Time is moving so slowly, and everything is fuzzy and blue. It might be beautiful if it wasn’t so terrifying. I spread my arms out to my sides, trying to imagine a well of power trapped inside me, picturing myself reaching into it and pulling out my own salvation. I can’t hold in the air I’ve been storing in my cheeks any longer, breathing it out through my nose and watching the bubbles ascend t
Selene“Bastien, put me down!” I exclaim, squirming as he carts me through the pack house in his arms. “I can walk!”“I know you can walk.” He growls, hitching me closer, “I’m carrying you because I don’t trust you not to run away and do something crazy if I leave you to your own devices.”This isn’t good. Bastien has barely said a word to me since realizing that I must have intentionally jumped into the pool. Instead he scooped me up and stormed out of Nova Hall, refusing to speak to his mother or anyone else. He charged back over to the pack house so quickly I can scarcely believe he’s still in human form.Now he’s stomping around in a silent rage, swinging me around like a sack of potatoes while steam billows from his ears.Bastien charges up the stairs and pushes into the apartment without pausing, and the sounds of Lila’s tears immediately reach
SeleneNot again!Suddenly I’m staring at the floor, bent over my mate’s lap and flailing my arms to protect my, now bare, behind.How did he do that so fast? Luna bemoans at the same time I think, I’ve got to stop wearing dresses - it makes my body far too easy for him to access.My hands are immediately trapped behind my back, while my furiously kicking legs quickly become caged by Bastien’s powerful thighs. Unlike last time, I don’t weakly squeal or beg for explanations. No, this time I kick up as much of a fuss as I can, absolutely furious to find myself back in this situation.I can’t believe Bastien is doing this to me again. It seems like the incident in the cafe opened an entire can of worms. Is this how he’s going to respond every time I do something of which he disapproves?I suppose I shouldn’t have provoked him, but I can’t bri
SeleneWhen Lila and I reached New Town, the streets rearranged themselves before my very eyes. All of a sudden the world around me transformed: the cars and modern advertisements faded, reverting to styles and campaigns from the forgotten past. New restaurants and shops disappeared, replaced by businesses which have long since closed.Everything appears as it did fifteen years ago - the last time I truly spent time here - the last time I walked these streets before my mother died and Garrick took me prisoner. After I escaped I rarely came here. I avoided this neighborhood like the plague. But here I am again, ten years old and about to lose everything I ever knew and loved.“This is it, Mommy?” Lila’s tiny hand squeezes mine, her beloved voice jolting me out of my reverie.“This is it.” I confirm. “I grew up in that very house.” And lost everything ther
Sophie“It’s almost time.” Hugo is standing in the doorway, watching me with a sort of detached curiosity that makes my skin flush red. It’s as if I’m some sort of strange new oddity, a creature he thought he understood but now realizes he misjudged. A lot of people in the Pack House have been eyeing me this way lately - and it makes my skin crawl every time.I drag my gaze from the Beta, returning it to the full length mirror on the far wall. Of course, my reflection mocks me like all the rest. Here I am, standing in the most stunning dress I’ve ever seen, looking like a completely different person than I did mere months ago - but still it’s not enough.It feels very strange to envy someone who has had such a difficult life, but Goddess help me, I can’t help but wish I was Selene. She is beautiful in a way I will never be. She has this air of mystery, this unknowable quality that enchants every man who me
DrakeSophie freezes like a deer in headlights, her gold-flecked eyes going wide. “What do you mean?”I can feel her unease as if it is my own, and I can imagine what she’s thinking. Before Bastien turned up, there were a few occasions when I thought Selene might have picked up on my feelings for her. Every time was a trial. The anxiety was excruciating, a sudden vulnerability so overpowering it made my knees go weak.Poor little mate, my wolf thinks fondly. She’s absolutely beside herself.I almost feel guilty, for while Sophie frets, I’m filled with assurance. I don’t have to worry about my love being returned this time; I know how deeply she cares. I know we are fated.I meant to give Sophie more time to recover from the turbulent events of last month. She clearly isn’t ready to reveal her feelings to me, but I’m starting to think giving her space is doing mor
Bastien(I actually think this chapter should be 111, so that it happens before the Drake and Sophie scenes-if not, it can be presented as a memory)“Much more of this, and I’m going to regret coming back at all!”I can’t stop hearing Selene say those awful words over and over in my head. They circle round and round, tormenting me every time my mind drifts from my work.We haven’t spoken since that phone call. When I got back to the apartment la
BastienThe Eclipse Festival sprawls before us, a whirlwind of lights and colors so overwhelming I can feel my mate leaning close to me for comfort. It’s not only the size of the event and deafening noise around us unsettling her, it’s also the attention. We’re still in the VIP section, and wherever Selene and I walk people turn to stare, and I can’t help but notice how different things are from the past.Four years ago these aristocrats would have been whispering behind their hands and curiously eyeing Selene’s unmarked neck. Tonight there’s a sense of reverence in their attention, an admiration and respect my sweet ma