Selene The dreams haven’t stopped. It seems every time I close my eyes, some new memory or imagined depiction of the past resurfaces to haunt me. Most of the time they’re pleasant: the early months of my first marriage to Bastien,  milestones in Lila’s young life, even a few more events from my childhood.  Of course they aren’t all good. I’ve relived my mother’s death in this uncomfortable hospital bed, as well as Garrick’s abuse and Gabriel’s murder… and then there are the dreams about Bastien. Not sweet reminiscings of our recent reunion or sex fueled fantasies, but nightmares: horrible visions of all that might befall him on his journey, and imaginings of horrors already suffered.  Just now I was wrenched from sleep by the bloody scenes of his attempted assassination, which my tormented brain created in the middle of an otherwise peaceful rest. I sit up in bed gasping for air, looki

Frederic As a general rule, I try not to judge people based on appearances, but I can’t recall ever seeing a bigger bunch of misfits than I’m staring at now. Gnarled, grizzled and tattooed, the rogues in front of me are so stereotypically rough looking it’s actually laughable. It’s as if a casting director put up an ad for outcasts and every muscle-bound ruffian in the city turned up to audition. Oh well, I might not care for their style, but there’s no question, they’re exactly what I need. With Bastien gone, the opportunity to cause disruptions in the pack are higher than ever, I’d be a fool not to take advantage. “You’re sure the Alpha isn’t here?” The lead shifter demands, sharpening a knife in an obvious bid to look intimidating. Ridiculous, I think. What kind of shifter resorts to weapons, you’ve got built-in knives in your paws!  Of course, his act

Arabella Damn it! I internally shriek, staring in horror at the news broadcast filling the television screen. Selene and her brat are parading across a stage, charming the crowd and giving a flawlessly sympathetic performance. What the hell are they thinking? This is the last thing I need!  Bastien has been watching the news like a hawk, pacing like a caged tiger in front of the TV and alternatively scouring the newspapers for any scrap of intel. I’ve been carefully screening both before he gets his hands on the remote or the morning post, but until now we haven’t come up against this kind of crisis - and that’s undoubtedly what this is. If Bastien sees the press conference footage I’m absolutely screwed. They are too convincing, too lovely, and that child is obviously his. For all she resembles her mother, when she speaks to the reporter it’s as if the words are coming from Bastien himself - albeit a very young Bastien. 

Frederic Bloody typical. I leave the house for a few measly hours and the dumb bitch goes and gets herself caught - and at a nail salon no less. Of all the stupid, thoughtless things to do! I swear, I could strangle the woman.  It doesn’t take me long to find her. I know they wouldn’t take her to the pack house, and while they might want to lock her up, the idiots are too noble to completely bypass the system. They’ll take her to the enforcement headquarters to interrogate. They won’t actually lock her into a jail cell until they have something with which to charge her.  I know my mother isn’t foolish enough to tell them anything intentionally, but I need to get to her before they trick her into revealing some detail of my plans. Clearly I’ve been overestimating her intelligence if she let herself get caught this easily.  I watch the headquarter’s entrance until I see the betas

Selene The moment the car door closes and Lila is secured in her carseat, I demand, “alright, we’re in the car. Now tell me what’s going on.” “Selene.” Donovan sighs, “I’m sorry if we got your hoped up but we haven’t heard from Bastien.” “But-” I object, replaying our conversation in the hospital over in my head, “Aiden said the orders were coming directly from him.” “We didn’t know you’d gone back to Dr. Kane.” Donovan explains gravely, “Bastien told us before he left that he doesn’t want you anywhere near the man.” “Now tell her why.” Drake instructs grumpily. “Honestly, how do you expect her to know she’s supposed to stay away from people if you don’t tell her.” “Bastien told her when he was here.” Aiden argues.  &ldquo