SarnFor two more days I feel like shit, but I guess after three-hundred and sixty-five plus days of being inebriated it's to be expected. On the fifth day, I eat the soup Sierra brings and for the first time, the food decides to stay down. The alcohol cravings continue and the body trembles are still there, which makes me feel weaker than I probably am. So much sweat has drenched the sheets on the bed that the entire cabin is beginning to smell like raw sewage. I'm glad when my mind seems much clearer after the meal and my headache subsides.Sierra has been as quiet as the bears when she brings my meals. Of course, she wears those outrageous outfits that make me think of wild sex. Her sweet smile tells another story, though, and her innocence keeps me from making suggestive comments. The question that keeps fluttering through my mind is why do I crave those short visits by her as much as I crave alcohol?I take a last drink of the water and lift myself from the bed. My eyes land on t

Sarn"Do you like it?"Sierra looks so hopeful but I downplay how wonderful it is. I finish chewing and take a long drink of water before answering. "It's good." Her lips purse slightly and I try again, "It's really good."Now her smile lights up her face. "I'm glad. My other mother, Amy, taught me this recipe and I've always loved it.""Other mother?" I ask before I can stop myself. I shouldn't be encouraging conversation. I need to maintain a mental distance from what she is obviously offering. I'm not an idiot and her wanting to be friends is a ruse. She desires me as much as I desire her."My birth mother was killed a few weeks after she gave birth to my brother and me. Marcus, the liege of the Southwest Clan, and his mate, Amy, raised me and my brother for a few years. When my father mated again, we moved to Florida to be with his new clan. I grew up traveling between the clans and spent many hours in the kitchen with Amy."She smiles wistfully at the memories she conjured and it

SierraThe following morning, in my wolf form, I charge through the forest at breakneck speed. An angry dragon is one thing-a dragon without hope quite another. I escaped the cabin yesterday as soon as I could. I didn't want to love Sarn, though it may be impossible not to. I'm now running to try to take the spunk out of my wolf who wants the dragon in our bed. I want him there too, but it's easier to deny if my wolf is tired. So I run.In front of me there's a thick copse of trees and I make a sudden turn and leap over a broken tree branch. I'm not expecting to run into the dragon out here, but that's exactly what happens. My claws dig into the pine needles and earth, but I can't stop in time and literally knock Sarn off his feet. I roll away and shift to human at the same time. "I'm sorry," I say as I try to help him stand. He brushes away my hands and gains his feet on his own. His stunned look turns into a smirk as his eyes run over my naked form. Crap, this is the last thing I ne

SierraI've always loved the sense of freedom I get when I'm in wolf form. No human could ever understand. Now, I'm on the back of a dragon as we shoot through the sky and I'm envious of what Sarn can do. My freedom is nothing compared to this. The wind swipes my hair back and causes my eyes to water. Everything about flying is magnificent. My beastkind blood keeps me warm, and I could fly on Sarn for hours without tiring.He performs a quick roll and I manage to hold on with my stronger-than-human legs and arms. I yell with the gloriousness of what he is capable of doing. My wolf needs to feel the full effect of what is happening. "May I shift, dragon?"He gives me one of his grunts again before answering. "Can you shift and remain on my back?" he asks.I can't believe he's going to allow it. "No more somersaults, but yes I think I can." I gain my knees, resting against his neck where it joins the larger section of his body. I pull in the magic and instantly I'm on four legs instead

SarnI finally make it to the tall grass that surrounds the lake. It's a peaceful area with a stunning view of trees and mountains. I shuck my sweatpants and wade in. The water is cool and refreshing. Exactly what I need. I swim out to the deeper section and float while thinking on my sins. There are so many that I'm not even sure where to begin. Burning Laryn's bride is always at the top of the list. Trying to take Ashrac away from his parents a close second. But my mind wanders to all my past brides. Each beautiful in their own way-forced to be with me and make the best of their fate. I know they loved me, but what choice did they actually have? They couldn't escape me and I'm sure loneliness guided their hearts as it did mine. Because they are born in claiming years, they are raised differently than other girls in their village. A group of potential brides must wait until the actual claiming to see who the special chosen virgin is. The others go on about their life while a single w