Kayleigh “Gah! Just talking about it is draining me.” “But at least you have Andrei. He seems to be stepping it up. Big time. I’ve always been team Andrei, just so you know.” Very true. Gisella has always favored Andrei over Cillian. “Yeah, that’s right. It’s been really nice having someone I can rely on other than you and Gio. I feel like I take up too much of your and your twin's time. Andrei has been a big help. With the blood thingy and just about everything. He'll be at your place for dinner, if that's okay. He just had to meet up with his dad about some pack issues, I guess." Since the tribunal, Andrei has been constantly checking and taking care of me. “Yeah, that’s fine. Nikolai will be there, too. Also, you know, it's not a bother for me and Gio. We love that we can help out. By the way, I heard Andrei is being considered for the arranged marriage deal. With Cillian being out of the pool, Fathering a pup and all, Andrei is the most eligible alpha heir for the task. A

Cillian “What now?” Gio grits his teeth, his jaw tightens, looking infuriated. “Oh, hey. Is that how you greet your new brother-in-law? Why all the hostility? Aren’t we all family now? You, me, Kinsley, and the baby. We owe it all to Reagan’s marriage to you. So now, we’re here to show solidarity and support.” I swallow hard as I make a light conversation with my new brother-in-law. “No, thank you. Get your faces out of here before I make you.” Gio scans my face. “Come on, man. It’s about time we get to know each other. How about I order some pizza or Chinese food? What do you say? Aren’t you at least a bit curious about Reagan’s people?” I bit my bottom lip to keep myself from bursting into laughter. Gio looks like he’s about to shit his pants in annoyance. “No. I’m not. I don’t fucking care that you’re her brother. You’re still the asshole who made Kayleigh cry. Get the fuck out of here.” Shit. I was worried he’d bring up something like that. He is overly protective of Kayle

Cillian Andrei growls, loud enough to startle Kayleigh. She pushes me off from her body, probably guilty that she didn’t try to stop our kiss sooner, or that she received my kiss with zest. I catch her wrist and tug her back towards me, but fail. “You and I, we’re far from over. You know it. I know it. Fucking Andrei knows it.” I say in a voice that almost sounds like I’m pleading. Maybe, I am… pleading. “It’s too late for those sentiments, Cillian. It’s too late.” “No, it’s not.” “I’m declaring Andrei as my chosen mate at the Moon Festival on Saturday.” Before I could respond to her, Andrei takes forward strides. He’s coming for me. I turn my whole body to face him. Powered by rage and a broken heart, I dash to the hybrid with a plan to finish him today. We run towards each other but I twisted around before he can land a punch on my body. I elbow his back, between his shoulder blades, and the blow throws him on the cemented pavement. I’m fuming in anger. How

Andrei “You know I don’t give away stuff for free.” Bash pulls a stool and parks his ass next to me. “Well, I brought a big pot of Irish stew and fresh baked rolls to share. So there, fair trade.” I tell him, meaning it. “Is that what I smell? Nice. Did you make it?” Bash sniffs the air as he closes his eyes to focus on the stew’s delicious scent. “No. Kayleigh did.” My eyes beam in pride, accompanied with warm feelings, knowing that my soon-to-be chosen mate cooked dinner for me. “So she made Irish stew and you and fucking O’Ryan end up almost killing each other? Is this what your life has been reduced to?” He chuckles under his breath. “Goddess! You’re so mouthy. I took the whole pot with me because she made it for me. It’s mine. And I don’t think any of those assholes deserve to have what she worked hard for in the kitchen.” I catch my breath feeling more energy leave my body. “And we deserve it because…” “We’re kings!!!” Bash, Misha, and I all toast with our im

Kayleigh “Kill… Stop. We can’t.” I try to get him off me, for a second time. “Kayles, please. I miss you so much. I’m going to die right now if you don’t let me touch you and taste you.” He pleads and I’m too weak to resist. “I’m serious.” “I’m serious, too, baby. I’m going to die of blue balls and a broken heart if you stop me now. Will you please stop saying that you’re going to have a chosen mate? It feels like a thousand daggers cutting my heart out, over and over, whenever you talk about being with someone else.” “But, Cillian. The problem isn’t just me picking a chosen mate. What about you and Kinsley? The baby? And your pack’s absurd need to please the wolf blood council? Everything is just so complicated.” I try to untangle his coiled arms around me but fail. “Kayleigh, baby. Can you feel this? My heart only says your name. Can you feel this? My cock only comes alive for you. Can we, just this once, let me have you first, then we can talk? Please, baby?” He grab