Ezra and I paused in front of Alpha Alpha Raymond and Luna Addison on the way out. “Thank you for arranging a ride home,” I said, “this evening has been lovely, but it is tiring.” My shoulders hunched inward.“Yes, yes,” The Luna waved me off. “And thank you for the invitation, Hunter,” I said to him over my shoulder. “It was too kind.” I half-wanted Ezra to stay here to assess and monitor the situation. To be my eyes and ears here. I was itching to know what would be said after I left. That would be the smart thing to do. But an overwhelming part of me, I couldn’t name, wanted the few minutes alone with him in the car. I needed a few moments to be myself, to drop the mask, and feel safe. I hoped I wasn’t risking everything for my own selfishness.Ezra guided me out of the room and lowered his voice, “You were right; that woman isn’t a wolf.”I wasn’t that surprised. I knew something was off. “What is she?”Ezra glanced around, making sure we were fully alone. “A werecat,” he whisp
“Here,” Ezra said, sliding something soft and familiar into my hands. My cheeks were flushed, and I forced myself to look at what he handed me. It was a dark leather book that was titled ‘The History of The Betas of Black River.”I recognized this book from the library; it never seemed important enough to even skim through, though. I raised a brow at him, waiting for him to explain.“I took out the text, horribly boring thing.” Half of his mouth tugged up through that faint scar I wanted to kiss. “I replaced it with blank pages. If we need to communicate, if something happens, and I won’t be able to see you.” He swallowed. “We can use this to correspond as a backup.”I nodded. I hated the thought that I wouldn’t be able to see him every day, even in passing. I grew to love seeing him in the library, and before I let myself fully realize, I craved that time spent with him, and replayed it at night when I fell asleep. But who knew what was to come after my stunt tonight? I wouldn’t be
I spent the day elated, replaying the conversations Ezra and I had. He affected me in ways I didn’t understand. He was the closest thing to a friend I had in years. But after that kiss… everything shifted. It was blatantly obvious to me now that everything I felt for him was attraction before, after I got over the initial fear and anger toward him, but even then, I probably wanted him. I couldn’t describe it. It was past how beautiful he was in his imperfections, how stable he was, he was there and he was flawed and he, I think he would understand. I couldn’t put my finger on one thing, it was a culmination of everything, of who he was. It was an entirely new feeling for me, and I reveled in it. It chased away the anger, it kept it at bay more than I could locking it away. This was raw and real and… Sparkly? - My wolf suggested and I smiled.I wouldn’t put it like that but….. Yes. I had to actively focus on even mundane tasks, or else I would have spent the entire day thinking ab
The Luna returned that night in a huff and called me to her office. She was annoyed she missed the other parties even though she was bored because of the meetings and blamed me for cutting her time short, claiming she was sent to ‘check on me’. I wasn’t sure if she just wanted someone to vent at, so I listened, nodded, and apologized profusely for my mistake. If they thought to send someone to watch over me, they chose the worst one. I really doubted she would pay me any interest at all, but they probably thought the idea of a ranked member here would instill fear in me. She poured a glass of vodka and trailed on about the Alpha Trials, but nothing of note until the lead Omega knocked on the door red-faced and frazzled, and I was dismissed. The next day, the Alpha and the brothers returned. I kept out of their way, only seeing them at dinner. Luna Natalie already seemed exhausted by the few decisions she had to make for the menus and guest arrangements, but that was all she had to
“I’m coming,” I called. I tucked the books away together on a shelf and opened the library door. A warrior stood outside, a different one than who escorted me. Interesting. “The Alpha is looking for you,” he stated. “Oh, of course, I lost track of time.” I smiled sheepishly, brushing off my skirts. The warrior seemed nervous, looking around and fidgeting even though he stood straight. He took me a backward way that led to the kitchens. I assumed he was under orders to have me not seen.Alpha Raymond stood outside the main doors; he looked surprised to see me. “Alpha,” I said, bowing my head. “Where have you been?” he demanded, glancing at the warrior. “The library.” I looked at him, confused. “I lost track of time. Is there somewhere I was supposed to be?” I grabbed the fabric of my dress. “I thought I was supposed to be making myself scare,” I repeated his words back to him. “Oh, yes, you are. I just wanted to ensure you were accounted for,” he said. “And okay,” he added as if
I had breakfast with them all, the only meal that I apparently would be having with them this week. I glanced at them all under my lashes; it was bittersweet, coming to an end. I sat in this spot for years, creating and enforcing my persona, and soon, it wouldn’t be them all sitting across from me. It was coming to an end, and it felt reliving but also strange that it might all end so soon. Heavy even. Luna Addison looked bored yet flustered. The Alpha was eating as if this might be his last meal. Nolan focused on his food, Hunter looked as bored as ever, and Dominick, well, he actually didn’t look very well, possibly nerves. “We won’t be here for lunch, and dinner will be a big affair,” The Alpha said, pointing a sausage at me. “Tell the Omegas to send something to your room or just eat in here alone.” “Of course, Alpha,” I said, averting my eyes. Ezra said the first night went well. Nolan was nervous but came off confident at their stupid little show of skill. I called on Tia a
An unfamiliar, sharp knock came at my door, and I slumped into my chair, starting to brush my hair nervously. I called them in, and Ezra stood, taking up almost the entire frame. I put down the brush and eyed him. He wasn’t casual at all. He was rigid and assessing; maybe someone was near, but I didn’t hear anyone.“I’m to escort you to breakfast,” he said, his voice hard. I nodded and walked out next to him. He leaned closer to me, and my stomach flipped even with that. “Do you hear anyone?” he asked, his voice low.I paused, and so did he. I didn’t hear anyone on this floor, but below us, there were a few shuffling of feet. “Not on this floor,” I said. “The rest of the trials are set. They are doing the obstacle course tonight, the first real challenge. Well, one they will all do well on, The Alpha insisted.” I raised a brow. “I think he wants to show how strong they all are and then let them at it tomorrow.”“And tomorrow is?” I asked. “The maze. I put a map of it, an outline, i
I waited back for Sam in the library after I forced myself to eat a sandwich in the kitchen. The chatter was less about the food now but more about the challenges and their predictions on the next Alpha. I flipped through the books again about challenges and went to see if there were any we missed. I must have been there for hours, but I didn’t notice the time pass; I was buried in my research.Sam knocked and entered. I didn’t have a guard today because it was assumed I would be with Dominick. No one, not even his mother, came to check on him while I was with him, and I popped in all day, making sure I would be seen in case any of his family checked, which they didn’t.Sam strolled up and handed me a note with a white wax seal and a swirl of dark red. I took a deep breath; it worked. They responded. I took an unlit candle from the mantle and dipped it into the embers of the fire. I carefully held the seal over the flame. It sparked and hardened and released its hold on the paper.