When I called him, he didn't answer. That was when I knew I had fucked up. I should have gone with him. I should have told him I loved him when he said it to me, regardless of our audience. Waiting for the right moment felt stupid now. Yet, I still couldn't find it in me to leave it in a voicemail. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I loved him, but I wanted to say it to his face so he could see that I meant it instead of hiding behind a phone. Still, I was grateful he didn't answer because I didn't know how to end things between us. Even if the plan had been to break up in a few days, telling him we wouldn't have those days together made me feel sick. I wanted every day I could get with him. I wanted forever. "Sloane," My mother's voice called out from the library as I walked by on my way to my father's office. I had been dragging my feet since I had been called in, stalling as best as I could to avoid the scolding and punishment I was about to receive. Visiting with my moth
The line rang and rang as I rushed down the hallway, eager to get back to my room so I could have this conversation in private. This was bigger than what I had been expecting. What my parents had told me could give Greyson closure."Come on. Come on. Pick up," I mumbled as I reached the stairwell, ready to return to my room. The conversation had distracted my parents from the punishment they should have given me, but when they asked for his name and invited him over to explain their side of the situation, I jumped at the chance.I didn't tell them who he was. I wanted to check with him first to make sure he was okay with that. Chances were he wouldn't believe their side of the story. If he still thought they were working against him, he probably wouldn't want them to know who he was or meet them in person without backup.Still, if I could just get him to meet them, they might change their minds about The Mating Games before the mating ceremony in two days.It would take a lot of convin
It was difficult trying to figure out how to pack just enough that it wouldn't weigh me down when I made my escape while also bringing enough that I wouldn't break the bank having to buy clothes or personal items.The bag on my bed was only half full when I heard the knock on my door. My back tensed, and I quickly grabbed it and rushed to the closet, pulling the door closed behind me.A light layer of sweat was on my forehead, and my heart raced with excitement to escape and see Greyson again. I wanted to throw myself into his arms and tell him I loved him a million times or until I lost my voice.I never should have gone back with Ethan and Ben during the challenge.Grey and I should have run, even if it meant the other packs would hunt us down. At least then, we would be together, and there wouldn't be this uncertainty between us with him not answering my calls.I recognized how careless that thought was as soon as I had it. A war over a few missed calls…Still, my running away would
My fingers tapped on the counter as I glared down at the human. She shook, and the stench of stress, fear, and onions oozed from her every pore. I wanted to get as far away from her as possible.Her oily skin, frizzy hair, and smell attested to her poor diet. It had always amazed me how many chemicals humans put in their foods to replace fresh ingredients. It was no wonder they were always sick or dying."This is your specialty, is it not?" I growled, and she shrank back as she heard the displeasure in my tone."I just handle the sales. Like I said earlier, our tech team should be back from lunch shortly," She gestured over her shoulder with her thumb to the back room.My claws extended, and my nails clicked loudly against the hard surface as I took several deep breaths. She had been saying that for two hours, practically begging me to come back another time. I had the feeling this would be her last day of work at this establishment, and if I did come back, someone else would be forced
Benjamin Reid, Nightshade: 51 PointsTatum Blair, Shadow Paw: 46 PointsDeclan McCoy, Iron Hide: 34 PointsEthan Dunn, Night Walker: 29 Points***My eyes hurt as I forced them open, feeling Ellie's hand shaking me awake for what must have been the tenth time. The room was spinning, and my muscles felt frozen. She tried to get me to speak, move, or make a noise each time she woke me.Yet, each time, I would lay there trapped inside my own body, terrified and angry.Ethan hadn't been here long. The silver restraints he used had only been on me for a few minutes as he dragged me to the bed before injecting me with something. Still, they had done significant damage in the little time I had them on me.I could feel the effects of the silver chains in my bones still, but that also could have been whatever Ethan had injected me with."Sloane, you need to wake up. Mom will be here any minute to get you ready for the ceremony. I've called that pack doctor back, too." Ellie looked so worried as
Aiden eyed the tree line I was hiding in from his place next to his father. The sun had risen over the trees only an hour ago, but Charles seemed to be in a hurry to get rid of his daughter. We had barely made it back in time for the ceremony, and I expected Charles to have something to say to his son about that, but he kept his gaze on the castle doors where my woman was about to emerge. I had to keep reminding myself that she had chosen me. She wanted to be with me, and nothing would prevent me from stopping this ceremony and claiming her for myself. Since her father was outside, I assumed he was either being true to his cruel nature or Sloane was feeling better and would be down shortly. I needed it to be the latter so I could see for myself that she was okay. Ben stood in a suit at the end of the aisle. I shook with anger, knowing that he had won and was there to mate with my woman. He should be proud and excited, yet he looked broken. His eyes were downcast, and his hands wer
I was on cloud nine. I could feel everything through our bond. Grey's happiness, excitement, fear, and anger.Most importantly, I could feel his love for me. There was so much of it. More than I ever thought possible.My hand moved up to my neck, and a rush of pleasure went through me at the contact. From the way Grey stiffened behind me and his grip tightened on my hips, he felt it, too. The connection we had was incredible. I could feel him so clearly that I suspected if I tried hard enough, I could hear his thoughts."Soulmates," I repeated the word. Regardless of what my father said now, he wouldn't be able to force me into mating with Ben. I was already claimed, and even if Grey were to die today, my soul would always belong to him."He is a rogue!" Ethan yelled, and I leaned further back into Grey's chest. Even with everyone around me, the thought of him being close to me sent alarm bells blaring through my mind.He was unstable and evil."Ethan Dunn," Charles yelled, turning to
I never imagined I would be sitting in Charles McKenna's office. It was even more unbelievable than Sloane and I being fated mates, destined for one another by the Goddess. I had always known we were meant to be together, regardless of the Goddess choosing her for me. She would have been mine with or without divine intervention. “Son,” Charles said, and my lip curled up in disgust. “Don't call me that,” I snapped, feeling my anger instantly fade as Sloane laced her fingers with mine. Taking a deep breath, I tried again. “I am here out of respect for your daughter, nothing more.” “I understand that,” Charles said, staring at my hand in his daughters. “However, now that you are mated, we will want to discuss a treaty.” I felt my beast bristle at the idea of being connected to this man and his pack by more than just Sloane. He didn’t have anything to offer me that I couldn’t find elsewhere, but as we were a new pack, we needed support and fast. I was resistant to having an alliance