I sleep in late and only pull myself from my warm bed sometime after ten.My mom has already gone into town with my dad, explaining on a note that Alpha Kaiden has called them for a meeting. With the house to myself, I practice my violin, dust the lounge, hum romantic love songs while baking heart shaped cookies, and prepare potato casserole for lunch. I can barely keep my mind on the tasks for very long as I keep going back to one thing—I'm going to be seeing my mate again tonight, after spending a beautiful time with him last night under the stars.He apologised so thoughtfully for what he did when we first me, and he took me onto his territory to sit and talk together. I can still feel his arms around me, and most importantly I can feel the soft sensation of his tongue on my lips. It makes my heart nervous all over again, but though it surprised me I can't dismiss the thought that I wanted to do the same. His skin just looked so beautiful, I wanted to explore it with not only my ey

"Dinner is ready, Alpha. Your mother has just summoned the guests to the dining hall."I feel Malachi tense, and I begin to wonder why. He leads me inside, but before we enter a gilded door into what I assume is the dining hall, he releases my hand and whispers in my ear, "Perhaps it is best if we don't present as mates tonight. Everyone is here to discuss some very important matters, and I don't want to distract from the proceedings."I nod, and when we enter, it is the Beta who leads me to my seat beside my parents while Malachi takes his position at the head of the table."Thank you all for responding to my invitation and joining me tonight for dinner. As you may have heard, my pack has recently been troubled by some unexplained killings. I am humbly asking for your insight and advice, which we will discuss shortly."This admission and request for help takes courage, and though it shows just how young and inexperienced this Alpha is, it also conveys a certain strength and humility

"Mom! Mom! My bike is missing!" The future Alpha came rushing into the kitchen and exclaimed, pushing her light brown hair out of her face with both hands.Chesca looked over the bowl of chopped fruit at her expressive daughter, and frowned. "Did you remember to bring it in last night? You were out playing till late.""I know, I know. I put it behind the garage like you told me to, but it's not there! And I think Justin stole it!" Savannah walked in circles around the kitchen, too distressed to sit down."And what makes you think he did that? It's not good to accuse someone without any proof," Chesca scolded gently, hoisting Isaiah to her other hip before putting the kettle on to boil. Her other daughter Emerald pulled out a few plates from the cupboard and placed them on the table, before getting sliced cheese from the fridge. Lunch in the Alphas' household was always a noisy affair, and Chesca didn't need Savannah's dramatics this early in the day. Already yesterday there had been s

Malachi couldn't bear to see Ariella in so much pain. It went against every instinct within him, to see his mate going through this.But what could he do? The pain was all because of him. All he'd ever wanted was to treat his mate right and be everything she needed, but right away he'd messed up and caused her to be in this pain, this heat that ravaged her body with desire and torture. He'd barely known her for long, and already he'd failed her.As soon as he met her, he found himself fighting two halves of himself. One was the dominant Alpha, wanting to mark and claim Ariella as his for all the wolves to see. The other was more tender, careful. Hesitant to touch such delicate beauty until she was ready. She was so young, and he was so dark. He didn't want to mar her purity in a way that would ruin her.That's why he'd kept his distance when they'd first sensed each other across the borders of their territories. Malachi didn't want to force her into leaving her pack and family just fo

"You must be Ella."The voice makes me blink in surprise, and clutch the towel around me tighter to my body. My gaze searches out the source of the feminine voice, a young shewolf standing by the windows. She pulls back the curtains and sunlight pours into the bedroom, radiating through her and making her smile appear effortless.This girl—around my age I guess—truly is beautiful, with dark blonde hair in a neat ponytail, a wilful and cheery face, and a figure that isn't quite slim, but toned with muscles and athletic strength.My eyes take in her appearance in an instant, female to female, assessing her as either friend or foe. She looks formidable in well-worn trainers, tight exercise pants, a loose tank, and an energy lingering in her hands that had just straightened the curtains."It's actually Ariella," I take her offered hand and try not to wince at the strong shake she gives it.Her smile falters for a brief moment. "But Malachi said—""He didn't know my full name when we first