Gideon's Pain   Gideon "I'm sorry, she's gone. There was nothing I could do." The doctor backed away from me, fear and sorrow in his eyes. "Nothing! There's nothing! Bring her back!" Every part of my being is screaming. I knew, I knew before he said anything. I felt her in my heart say goodbye and let go. An unimaginable pain radiated to my core deeper than anything I had felt before. "I wish I could, but she's already gone. You know she is. Right now, you don't have time to grieve. They need their dad." The doctor directs my attention to the two newborn baby girls also screaming at the top of their little lungs. How am I going to do this alone? In an instant, my world changed but not how I had seen it happening. My mate died giving birth. She had pre-eclampsia and couldn't hold on after the birth. She gave me two beautiful baby girls, Rose and Daisy. She smiled at them, then left this world, left

Chapter 2: The Beginning of the End Amelie All that glitters is indeed not gold... or maybe it just tarnishes quickly. It was perfect at the start. We were both artists. I focused my talents on jewelry design. I opened a small shop. The front was my showroom; I had my workshop in the back. I did my metalsmithing.  I also had a small loft upstairs that I used to rest from all the custom festival orders a few times a year.  I would create custom pieces and designs as werewolves cannot wear silver, but we still like shiny things as women. I made a good living with my shop. My mate was not as successful in his endeavors. He was a photographer and amazingly talented.  His pictures took my breath away. They made me long to travel the world so that he could take pictures.  He opened a small gallery but quickly closed it. His ego could not take the criticism of selling one's art. Every person that walked pa

Chapter 4: My Special Place Amelie As soon as the switch is flipped, the loudest scream, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" came  from James's room. Next, we heard the door slam open. From the top of the stairs, he yelled, "Who has a death wish? Who did it?" I looked up to see our baby brother, who was not such a baby anymore. He was a towering 6'4" with light brown hair and similar caramel highlights to mine. He also had our father's bright blue eyes and high cheekbones. He was still a bit skinny as he was only 17 and had yet to fill out. I could tell he would be more imposing physically than our father, but could he play the mental game as dad could? This was yet to be determined. As things stood, we sisters were winning. Little, soon-to-be Alpha was losing his mind, and Hope and I could only snicker mockingly. "Oh, Hope, look at the little pup. He seems angry, and whatever will we do? I'm so scared of this little pup." I mocked

Chapter 6: The Heir Ceremony Amelie My heart sank. Six missed calls and ten texts. Damn it. I didn't have time to appease my mate at this moment. I was busy and in front of a room full of people.  I read the last text, "You were warned there would be consequences." That is all it said. I quickly texted back, hoping to calm him again and find a way out of whatever torment he was planning. "Hey! I am so sorry I missed your calls and texts again. You know how things get around here when events happen, lol. We are about to head down to the ceremony. I'll call you tonight before bed. Love you." I hoped he might understand, and I could avert disaster. I toss my phone into my bag and hand it to one of the ladies putting mine and Hope’s things back in our rooms. I needed to focus on the task at hand and support my brother. This was one of the biggest days of his life, and I would not miss it for the world! Celest

Chapter 8: Amelie’s Pull   Amelie "Amelie, right? Would you care to dance? I looked up and saw a handsome face with a giant smile looking back at me. I froze and lost all brain function looking at that face. He had a square jaw and just all-around manly features. A few strands of his sandy blonde hair had broken free of the ponytail and framed his face. Was he really a reincarnation of a god. Seriously it's not right to let someone this good-looking walk the earth.  In my stupor, I forgot what he asked, so I panicked and just nodded and said, "sure." I wasn't even sure what I said sure too. Then Gideon takes my hand, and we are out on the dance floor.  I am trying to keep my composer and my mind clear. I can't look at him, or I'll forget what I'm talking about, "OK, just don't look at him and keep talking, Am." Inari was interested and trying to figure out this Alpha's intentions. We danc