MIKE Luckily, my dad walked in just then looking between me and Lamia, his eyebrows meeting in the middle with a glare. “So what did you want to show me?” he asked, shoving his hands in his pockets. I looked at Lamia and back to my dad, then back to Lamia again. “Lamia, I’m gonna need you to shift in front of Beta Michael.” “Why?” her brows forming deep lines and scowling. “What is going on? What am I missing?” She asked, getting annoyed and shoving her hands on her hips. “Just trust me Lam’s, please; it’s better if you see.” My voice was soft and pleading for her not to argue. My dad and I turned around so she could shift comfortably. We heard the slight crack of bones and when we were sure she had shifted, we turned around. I kept my eyes on my dad to gauge his reaction, to see if it was the same as mine. “Holy shit!” He gasped out. Yep, his eyes were wide like saucers, his mouth hanging open and his body visibly stiff with the shock of the sheer size of Inanna. *What? What i

KELLEN I had been kicked out of Lamia’s room for the night as they had a girl’s only sleepover. I was bummed I wouldn’t have her by my side tonight, even though I did spend some nights in my bed, but I preferred to be there with her. I was happy that Kira was here and that she begged me to convince her father to allow her to come a week early. I knew the girls would enjoy their time together. I was still a little surprised that she had called me asking to come earlier as a surprise to Lamia. Aunt Viv and Uncle Marcus had even come to terms with us sharing a room before we were even of age. Although some mornings Uncle Marcus would give me the stink eye, that was usually after a night when Lamia’s moans were louder from me making love to her. Those mornings, I knew Uncle Marcus had heard us. All the more reason to mark Lamia as soon as possible once we turned of age, so she could move to the Royal floor and into my room, which was soundproof. Then she could be as loud as she wanted.

MARCUS I walked through the door of our home. I could immediately hear the girls giggling from Lamia’s room. At the far end of the hall. I lifted my nose scenting my mate and followed it to the kitchen, where I found Vivian pulling dinner out of the oven. Before she could even register my presence, I was behind her wrapping her in my arms, taking deep gulping breaths of her calming scent. I needed my mate, my wife - the mother of my daughter. I needed her like never before. “Sweetheart,” she said slightly, pulling away from me to look up into my eyes. Her blue orbs glinted with worry as I tangled my hand in her hair and brought our lips together. I would never get enough of her. As the kiss broke, I pulled her closer to me, pushing her head against my chest. I just needed to hold her, my wolf needed to hold her. Vivian’s soft and sweet voice called out to me again “Sweetheart, what is going on? I could feel your anger earlier. Tell me what has made you so upset?” her arms snaked ar

KELLEN I was a little worried for a moment. Ah, who am I kidding? I seriously thought Lamia was going to lose her shit there. She can let a lot brush off her shoulders, and keep her emotions in check for the most part. Hunji had done a lot of training with her, not just physical and sparing, but also meditating. Helping her to connect with her wolf on a stronger emotional side, reining in that temper she has been known to have. Every now and then it slips, my thoughts bringing up the memory Tawny had explained to us about Lamia stepping in when that slut of an Alphas daughter, Ella from the neighboring pack, Blue moon, had laid into her a little while back. Tawny had said she scared the shit out of her and her two sidekicks, Maryanne and Bethany. I don’t doubt it. I remember a year after we had first shifted, we must have just turned 16 or just shy of it. Either way, it was super hot, so it was summer. FLASHBACK 3 YEARS AGO We were having a royal party in celebration of the New m

MIKE I didn’t intend to eavesdrop, but when I went out to find my two best friends, knowing they would be there, like every year. I halted my steps when I heard Kellen’s words saying he didn’t understand, then… the words he spoke next angered me to no extent. It took every ounce of willpower to not wolf out and attack my Alpha and best friend, as I heard him reject Lamia. A pure blind rage surged through me, tensing every nerve in my being. I closed my eyes tightly, reigning in Duke as I listened to her accept his rejection. What the fuck was wrong with him? They had been fucking before we left the academy, delving into a relationship for the past few months, and now, when they find out they are mates, he rejects her!!! Anyone would be lucky enough to have her. Hell, I was in love with her. My blood continued to boil as I watched him walk off and then heard the sound of her sobs. It was gut-wrenching. Even though I wasn’t happy that he had rejected her, a part of me reveled in th