~ JESSE ~ “…my mother always told me every male can only be led by two things—his stomach, and his prick. So there’s little point trying to engage his heart before you’ve satisfied the other two.” I spluttered, choking on the mouthful of popcorn and leaning forward in my seat because I was afraid I might actually inhale it. Around me, gales of giggles and snorts from the five women—females—I had gathered and eventually brought back to my room because I didn’t know anywhere else we could just sit around without worrying about other people. Wolves. Without worrying about other wolves, I reminded myself. Brenna, the oldest of us, who I gathered was nearing fifty, just grinned and popped a berry into her mouth while the rest of us snickered. Wylde, the servant I’d been speaking to in the visitors wing before Cazz found us, was laughing the hardest. She was a year younger than me and clearly enjoying being included in this circle of female wolves. I was learning about all of them as

~ JESSE ~ Alys smiled at me and clasped her hands together at her chest, but it was Brenna who looked truly concerned. “Sire—sorry, Jesse—I don’t think you understand. When a high ranking female puts another forward in this way, the younger carries her reputation. If you were to select poorly—” “I know a good female when I meet one,” I said firmly. “Maya has been telling me to trust my instincts, and to start showing my leadership and initiative. Besides, you all came to me commended by Maya, which is the highest regard, right?” They all nodded, though half their mouths were open like they were stunned. I frowned. “I don’t get it, what’s the big deal?” “It’s just… someone like yourself… the mate to the King… the Queen. The Queen would usually present one of the highest ranking young females in the packs. Select someone of the highest quality. In terms of its attraction to the packs, your presentation would be second only to the King’s.” “Okay, so am I wrong in thinking that if I

~ CASIMIR ~ Jesse looked up at me, her face tight but smooth, like she was stifling laughter. My advisors rumbled behind us and Jesse’s smile faded when she looked over her shoulder at them, but I was too busy discussing this in the link with them. ‘A game would explain why they are noisy at times,’ Rake sent carefully. I nodded. We’d been confused by that—why sneak and hide, only to cheer and scream every few hours so that the entire wood heard you? ‘But it could be a ruse? She said they don’t usually do it in this area—and we know that’s true,’ Ghere offered. ‘It also explains why they’re all so young.

 ~ JESSE ~ As our eyes held, the bond came alive—heat, fear, anger, and something frantic under it all that I couldn’t quite define. I instinctively took a step towards Cazz, but his head jerked back and he tensed, so I froze again. Then the door to the chamber opened and Ghere trotted in, ushering a huge wolf-man behind him. My first impression of this creature was that he reminded me of a professional wrestler—so I found myself swallowing back a nervous giggle and trying to keep my face straight. I’d never seen this guy before, but as Ghere melted into the background, the man strode forward. He was a complete beefcake—dark hair, hea

 ~ CASIMIR ~ It was the first time I’d drawn on the power in full since I’d claimed her and it almost washed me away. My body thrummed with it. A tsunami of strength and compulsion and sheer might. I sucked in a breath and had to work to keep myself from dropping to my knees in submission to myself. Feet planted on the stone floor for a moment I ignored Khush and all the others, just let it hum through my veins as I wrestled it under control. I was panting, I realized, my skin throbbing as the power coursed through me like electricity in my veins. Dear god,