CALIFF “So, how’s she?” Zack asked behind the tree while I was wearing my pants. Eventually, I had to go back home. I had a pack that needed me, and I couldn’t keep Duke doing my Alpha job when he had a job on his own and a pregnant mate to care for. When Sebastien told me Shadow needed space, I didn’t know she went too far. He wouldn’t tell me where he was keeping my wife. Without her near me, my wolf was extremely on edge and agitated that I had to go for a run twice a day, or I would wolf out involuntarily. “How would I know, Zack?” Agitated, I growled at him. I put my shirt on and walked back to the compound. “It had been three weeks since I left Italy, and I heard nothing from her, and her father was on trips and not answering my call.” In the following moments of silence, Zack said, “Maybe she won’t talk to you, but she will talk to me.” I blinked at him. Why I hadn’t thought of that? “Then go find her. What took you so long to get this idea, and let me know if she’s okay.

SHADOWI couldn’t believe he found me, and here he was, standing before me. Now, I was afraid he could hear my racing heartbeat. I knew my charade of a heartless and emotionally distant wife would soon blow in my face.I missed him so much that it drove me crazy for the last few weeks I was away from him. He had no idea I craved him, and every bone in my body ached. But he didn’t have to know that.Califf Stone, the powerful Alpha of the Night Stalker Pack, was better without me. The sooner he accepted that, the better. I knew it would hurt him and his wolf, but it would kill him if someone successfully killed me the second time they tried.Zack made Sitka Venison with Chimichurri roasted potatoes and complemented it with beer. Damn, I had to remind myself that I needed regular exercise. Though my appetite hadn’t changed and I hadn’t gained weight due to my intense training, I had to watch what I put in my mouth.“I hadn’t had venison in a while, but this is delicious, Zack.” Zarah pr

SHADOW My eyes filled with tears. I’d never laughed so loud in a while— one big belly laugh. I may be a human now, but I learned a lot in a short while. Or I just learned from the best, and my determination and vulnerability were my best motivations for getting something done despite the pain, the hollowness, and those bruises I still carried with me. “There’s no way she did that,” Zack still tried to convince Califf that I cheated. “Well, it’s just the two of you who made the shots. Just give the money she won, or she will shoot you with a silver bullet from a thousand yards, dumbass. Don’t underestimate a well-motivated woman.” He scratched his head, pulled out his wallet, took fifty dollars, and slapped it on my hand. “Cheater.” I laughed out loud again with a little exaggeration, holding my tummy while Califf shook his head in amusement. “I wish I bet for higher. How about you, Alpha?” “Fine.” He studied me for a while before he made a decision. “If I win, you will go on a

CALIFF I still felt her gripping around my cock. I didn’t know if I should admire her self-control or piss off. I guess I got the answer. I was still pissed off and hard. I didn’t stop her when she got off the bed, trudging to the bathroom. I breathed noisily as I looked down at my groin. Damn. She was hardheaded. On the other hand, it was also my fault. Even though my intention was good, I didn’t want her to make a mistake or wrong decision that she couldn’t take back. Deciding during sex with a mind filled with lust was not a great idea, but I could have said it nicely. Now, it was over. There was no going back. After in the bathroom, she put her clothes on and went downstairs. I had to get up from the bed and take the coldest shower. I opened my duffel to get clean clothes and saw the small rectangular box that seemed to be taunting me. Shit. If I was going to do it, there was a ninety-nine percent chance she would hate me for the rest of her life. “Can I use your sat phone

SHADOW I stepped out of the bathroom in a towel and found Califf sitting in the corner with his phone. “Why are you still here?” “I’m coming to Italy with you.” “Don’t trust me much?” He lifted his gaze from the screen of his phone and swallowed to see me still in the towel. “I trust you, but I wanna be involved with your plan. I want to help. Until now, our tracks of finding Elder Aciano just went cold, and his mate loses her mind whenever she hears nothing but bad news from Duke.” “Yeah.” I felt terrible, but my abilities were not like they used to be, making me less useful. “I have a feeling what happened to me and to Aciano were done by the same people.” I put a shirt and jeans on and grabbed my jacket. Then I remembered something. “Where did you put my knives?” His lips spread into a full-blown smile. “You know who reminds me of?” I arched a brow. “Who?” “Black widow.” I rolled my eyes. “I wish I was at least ten percent as good as her. My knives, Califf.” “She’s a fi