Dmitri sat astride one of three motorcycles parked out front of the guest house with a broad smile. “That took longer than I thought it would. She’s still alive isn’t she?”                I frowned at him in mock annoyance, “As if Caleb would let me destroy his carefully crafted plan to make her death a public spectacle. I wasn’t even allowed to talk directly to her and tell her what a stupid cunt she was to ruin her last chance to talk to her parents.”                “They didn’t look very upset when they left just now,” Dmitri cocked his head as if studying me, “What really happened up there?”         &nbs

                I was still annoyed with all three of them the next morning and used Kelly’s check-up as an excuse to think about something else for a while. Blake frowned at me as we walked towards the hospital to meet with Kelly and Dr Martinez. “You seem unusually broody this morning. I thought the time spent with the other Alphas had been successful.”                “It was fine,” I shrugged not really wanting to talk about the part that irritated me. “I just don’t like all these political mind games we have to play.”                “Alpha Maxim seems to be a strong candidate for an ally,” Blake gave me a hopeful smile.         &nb

Four new Lunas had arrived since the day before, and Jeanette made sure I was introduced to them before getting everyone else settled in at the tables assembled in the greenhouse. “This is Luna Makayla Crestwood of the Red Oasis Pack, Luna Katherine O’Donnell of the Bloodmoon Pride, Luna Sarah Clark of the Silent Silver River Pack, and Luna Lisa Lawrence of the Raging Peaks Pack. Ladies, this is Alpha Selene D’Arcadia Volkov of the Opalescent Moon Pack.” Each one gave me a soft submissive nod as they were introduced, but I was starting to worry that I’d never be able to remember everyone’s names if many more showed up over the next few days. I pushed my worry aside and gave them all a smile, “I hope that you all were able to settle in comfortably. This is my Delta, Blake,” I gestured towards him and then at the four men that no one mentioned that were unfamiliar to me, “And these gentlemen are?” Each woman looked taken aback and confused

She took one look at my face and patted the space on the bed beside her and opened her arms to me. So many times in my life this was the most comforting place I knew. Even though I knew that she wasn’t my mother now, I still felt that maternal love from her when she held me close like this. “I haven’t seen you look like this in years,” Kalliope sighed into my hair, “not since you were a little girl.” I leaned my head on her shoulder, “I’m starting to think I hate men.” She chuckled, “I’m sure whatever the problem is, you and your mate will find a way to work it out.” “Not him,” I shook my head, “at least not this time. It’s all the other Alphas and their politics and rigid views on what a woman should be, and their egotistical macho bull shit!” She squeezed me tighter, “It can be a difficult game to play, but they’ll soon go back to their own packs and life will go back to normal for y

I couldn’t help but feel like Dmitri had found a new crafty way to torment and torture me. After being backed against a wall, literally, his close proximity made my heart skip a beat. But he hadn’t taken the bait when I pushed myself up onto my toes for a kiss. He stepped away from me and reminded me of our obligation to join our guests for dinner. It felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown in my face. There wasn’t even a hint of playfulness on his face. I hadn’t thought visiting my aunt would upset him quite this much. “Let’s go Princess,” his growl had sent a shiver down my back and made my toes want to curl. Playing it over and over in my head distracted me from the conversations around the table. Now, every time I absently chewed on my lower lip and daydreamed about the promise hidden behind his threat, he scolded me silently with a stern look. If it wasn’t for the gnawing hunger I could feel through the bond