I grip the boys tightly, then loosen one arm then the other. So that I can slip into the jacket. Thankfully the dark-haired woman is far taller than I am, and as I stand it covers my behind. Not that I can at this moment, but I would prefer not to display my naked ass to the entire pack. Or worse. Each twin reaches up, and I hold their little hands. ‘What is it Marie?’ I demand softly. Reining in all of my fury. Kylar stands between us, the rest of the pack fanning out behind him. I can see that they’re dragging the woman up. Luca and Kyle have a hold of her, they’ve stuffed her mouth with some kind of rag. She’s bleeding from the chest, kicking and trying to lash out as they drag her away. Kylar looks between the pair of us. He’s managed to pull on a pair of khaki pants that are hanging dangerously low off his hips. Wordless, Sasha approaches and passes a pair to me. I let go of my sons, long enough to drag them over my bare legs. He looks beyond angry as he keeps his gaze on Mari

Kylar vanishes for a moment and I stand, watching the children from the adjoining room. He returns after checking the lock on the entrance door and comes through their room, seeing the door out to the suite corridor is also closed. All that’s left is the adjoining door between the bedroom. I’ve turned off the main light, leaving the soft glow from the lamps either side of the bed. I feel better, so much more alive now that I’ve had a bath and washed my hair. I’m grateful for the simple pajamas but after the heat from my shower is wearing off, I start to shiver again. I back up as Kylar steps into the room, dropping down to sit on the bed. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me, not since he started walking back in my direction. I feel my heart racing once more and I know that my body can’t take this stress. The emotional rollercoaster that we’ve been on over the last few days, it’s too much. He stops walking, resting his hands on his hips as he looks me over. ‘Did you find everything

It’s another strange night where I don’t think I’m going to sleep. I lay on the bed, hands tucked underneath the pillow. Painfully aware of the man lying beside me. My gaze is fixed, determined on the adjoining room and the twin beds. I can just make them out in the dim light cast from one of the lamps.I close my eyes, they’re aching. I can hear the sound of the twins breathing. It mingles with Kylars own steady breath. I dozed off during the journey in the truck and waiting for Kylar. But now it’s time to sleep, and make the most of the last few hours of darkness, it feels impossible to return to rest. My heart and mind are heavy. Going over all my mistakes from the last few months. I haven't been acting like myself. Or is it just more recently? I let out a soft sigh and hope that sleep will come and claim me. I know I haven't been myself since we arrived in Silver Stream. I kept Kylar at a distance before we went, but that was the turning point. I should have been thinking what da

KylarThe door clicks behind me and I look across at Kate as she takes up the door lintel on the other side, copying my stance with her arms folded across her chest. Head tilted back to stare up at the stars. The sky is a beautiful dusky purple. The forest is filled with normal sounds from the village, the soft murmur of voices. The pad of a pair of young wolves running through the perimeter of our territory. Even if I couldn’t hear them, I could sense each and every member of the Pack in my thoughts. Except Ava, because she isn’t part of us. It feels like a velvet night, one that’s going to be soft and temperate. The whole world is holding its breath in a hush. But why? I didn’t think that I believed in Fate and prophecy, but maybe I’ve been such an asshole, that I deserve to find my Mate in the one woman who is beyond my reach.‘They want you to go back in,’ Kate breaks the silence and I look away from my sister. ‘I’m not going back in,’ I reply, certain. There’s a pause and I ca

It’s strange, but also weirdly comforting to have all four of the boys in the house. They’re excitable, swapping pyjama’s and showing off their favourite soft toys as they go to bed. I pulled two camping mattresses from the garage and Josh pumped them up. They’re in between my own son’s and they’re giggling as we leave the door ajar. Josh and I ended up taking turns sitting on the top step in the corridor, reminding the children to keep it down. Whenever it’s Josh’s turn, I’m stood at the front door. Looking out at the village path as it leads away. There’s no sign of Kylar. I go back, setting out blankets and pillows on the couch. Making up a bed for Josh. Josh makes a slow way downstairs, careful where they creak. Down in the living space he gives me a thumbs up. ‘They’re asleep,’ he smiles and I smile back. But it’s getting late, and I’m worried that Kylar hasn’t made an appearance.‘You alright?’ He asks and I nod.‘I was just hoping to speak to Kylar,’ I admit and Josh le