Rachel POVThe Smiling Elephant Thai Restaurant "A booth in the back. Privacy is important."Tyler offered a folded bill to the hostess whose smile widened even as her eyes darted to me and away again as if she didn't want to attract my attention.I refused to think about what kind of woman she might think me to be if my dinner date wanted privacy with me even in the restaurant. There was no sense in getting upset over what Tyler wouldn't have considered before making the request. I knew he lived in a world where his expectations were meant to be met without question.He didn't intentionally make me sound like an escort---but I was going to tease him about it as soon as we were alone."Sparkling water for us both. Thank you."The hostess gave a short nod, surprise evident on her face as she left us at the table."I don't think she's used to taking orders. Especially not for Mister Man and his Lady of the Night."

Rachel POVBella & Rachel's Apartment "You know you really should warn Bella about leaving the door unlocked. It could be dangerous."I screamed loudly enough to hurt my own ears."Goddess wept! Are you trying to deafen us both?"A huge man lounged on the sofa in the living room. I had just finished blow-drying my hair, heading to my bedroom to put my dress on, only for him to get my attention by speaking."How did you get in? Wait. No. Who are you?""Bella left the door unlocked when she went to work. Or to meet Jack. I'm not sure where she was headed today. I didn't bother to check since it doesn't matter to me. I'm Alpha Inspector Art Windsor. The Alpha Council sent me to investigate your petition against House Campbell."Knowing who he was didn't make him any less intimidating.Art Windsor was a massive beast of a man even without knowing he was an Alpha---which onl

Nathan POVFour Seasons Hotel "Can you call over to Moonglow Pack to let Alpha Campbell know I'm going to be visiting with Rachel and an Alpha Inspector from the Council? We're leaving for their territory in two days."I called my dad as soon as the inspector disconnected the call with me. I knew I had to get things moving if he wanted to leave in two days.Alpha Inspectors weren't known for their patience. I hadn't met many of them in my life, but I knew enough about their methods to know it was better to acquiesce to their requests. Lucky for both of us, he'd asked me to do what I wanted to do anyway: go with Rachel to protect her.I would have packed for a trip to the moon if Rachel asked me to take her there. My bag was half-filled already and not even a quarter hour had passed since speaking with Windsor."I can. Are you sure it's a good idea to take her yourself? If she's going with an Alpha Inspector alr

Rachel POVBella & Rachel's Apartment The hard rap of knuckles against the front door dragged my attention from the notebook I was trying to compose in. Caution came to me strangely as I looked out the window to see who the guest might be before moving to open the door. I didn't want to be surprised again the way I had been by Art earlier.I sighed in relief when I realized it was only Nathan.Unlocking the door, I quickly opened it and waved him in with a smile of gratitude as I saw he'd wheeled a suitcase along with him.Trust Nathan to be wonderful enough to come packed to leave within hours of being asked to go with me on a fool's errand.We weren't going into friendly territory either, yet here he was! Ready to go!I would have hugged him if I didn't worry he'd misinterpret my relief for something deeper. I hated myself for using Nathan as a personal shield when I knew he wanted to have me back as his lover agai

Rachel POVWright House"I don't like living without you." Tyler had never been a romantic man; hearing him confess he missed me made me hotter than his kiss.I responded to his words as much as his lips as we kissed as passionately as teenagers. I stopped trying to find air when I realized I could steal the breath from his mouth easier than breathing on my own. We kissed so long I was dizzy, swaying on my feet enough for Tyler to finally sweep me up in his arms."Can I take you to bed?"He'd never asked me before."Yes."My words were as breathless as I was and I kissed him everywhere I could reach as he carried me into the bedroom we'd shared during our mating. I saw more signs of life as he brought me to bed. I wondered if Tyler was trying to fill the hole I had left behind with pieces of himself spread throughout the empty house.I wondered if he could chisel away enough pieces of himself to forget what pie