That night with Alexander has changed everything, it’s now only two days before the Ball but my head has finally stopped spinning. I am in love with the wrong brother, but I know that Alexander isn’t going to abandon me when Bram claims me. I understand we may never be that intimate again, but I can handle that fact if he might still hold me in those arms occasionally, and let me inhale that rich, spiced scent. I promised him I wouldn’t disrupt the plan of the Fates so I’ve made my bed, I can’t go chasing after someone who doesn’t want to be mine. Deep down however I know, that night together in the woods has unlocked a hidden piece of my soul, it wasn’t all animalistic lust, I just didn’t realise it at the time. Fyre has changed too, I initially laughed at her retreating from me into a post-orgasmic slumber, but she didn’t wake for a full thirty-six hours. The fear at possibly losing her had me terrified, I hid in the library and tried to find anything that would help guide her b

Once everyone had been welcomed into the room the grand doors were partially closed and the pronouncements were made. The room stood to attention as Alpha Romanov, the only man wearing a cloak took to the raised stage area and seated himself in his throne. His eyes seemed to meet mine for a beat too long, making my breath catch in my chest. Alpha Beta was welcomed next, and he was responsible for introductions.   “Good Evening Gentleman, Ladies and guests from outside the White Forest Pack. We invite you to our tremendous White Forest Full Moon Ball, this is a time for merriment and fun as well as helping to celebrate the eighteenth birthdays of the three beautiful ladies stood here” gesturing at us with a wide hand “Beta’s Helena Dawes, Raven Simonivo and Sophie Linksy are attending for the first time, Happy Birthday ladies” and he raised a glass of champagne to us “And strength and glory to

When I woke, I kept my eyes clamped shut but I could feel the silken sheets of Bram’s bed underneath me, so I knew I hadn’t dreamt the outcome of the Ball. I needed to think things through as quickly as possible. My first instinct was to run as fast as I could to the forest and try to find Alexander, but Fyre scoffed at my immaturity. We are in a real situation here, this is going to need analysing. Let’s boil this down, what does Bram want from us if not the mate bond?   I don’t know, I cried back to Fyre, it’s all insane.   Think, Fyre urged, nobody else can protect us now. What does Bram want?   He wants the prophecy fulfilled, he wants a Fate for a Luna.   Right, Fyre concurred.  

A servant came and fetched us for supper, like naughty school children being presented to the headmaster we travelled down the corridors, the tension building. I’d chosen to wear my green dress from the other night with Alexander, twinned with a boring cardigan to look more suitable and cover my healing wrists. My hair flowed down past my shoulders in luxurious brown ringlets that gave me a boost of confidence.   Bram had a deep forest green shirt paired with his black cloak and a twinned gold and silver brooch. I admired the intricate embroidery of wolves and forestry as we walked, “why do you have such a different cloak to everyone else, is it a tradition?” I asked in a friendly tone.   “Because I can” he said firmly and my amazement at his ego continued. He grabbed my hand in a facade of affection and we strolled together, passin

The journey to the village of the Fates lasted several days, we had to camp out for two nights in the cars as we travelled across rural abandoned plains. I remained in absolute silence, refusing to speak to Bram or any of the thug Beta’s that accompanied us. As soon as we got back to Silver City, I would be confessing all to Alpha Romanov, and beg to reject the arrangement, I was just Bram’s imaginary fortune-telling golden ticket.    I cursed myself for not realising sooner that Bram knew about Alexander, he’d mentioned the curtains in the ballroom during the dance of connection and he would obviously know his brother’s scent. Perhaps the flowers were the final straw, if he knew they’d come from Alexander in my room. Perhaps he’s just a nasty thug Fyre growled who needs putting in place. I hoped with all my being that Alexander was safe, that Bram hadn't made it impossible for him to fi