I ignored that comment. “Now that he knows, maybe we can include him in our investigation into the underworld.” Julian hummed like he was considering it, but his ‘no’ came out very definitive. Like he’d only pretended to think about it for my sake. Had he thought about this before? If so, he’d lik

The next morning, a knock came early on the bedroom door. Fortunately, Elva and I had risen with the dawn and were already dressed. Expecting the nanny, I headed for the door, yet when I drew it open, the person on the other side surprised me. “Nicholas. What are you doing here?” Behind him, M

“How do you plan on getting to this mansion you mentioned?” I asked, once we were out in the hall. Julian’s Beta, Brian, fell in step behind us. “We can’t take that flashy car again, if we actually want to keep it secret this time.” “It would be too conspicuous to drive. Even if we escaped the gro

I pushed the horse as fast as she could go. My wolf was here, I could feel it. But then, suddenly, it felt further away. It was leaving me! In the driveway beyond the house, a car started to drive away. I pulled at the reins, guiding the horse in that direction. Faster, faster. We were going t

We waited a bit longer, until the horses were rested, then we began the slow ride back to the palace. “Just whose palace was that?” I tried asking, hoping he might surprise me with an actual response. “Someday we will have established great trust between us,” he said, evasive as ever. I sighed

Nicholas “You are so obvious, brother,” Julian said. “It’s a miracle the camera crews haven’t yet picked up on your pining.” If I wasn’t so in control of my emotions, I would have punched him. Not just for his wrongful accusation about my feelings regarding Piper – I was not pining – but because

Piper and I both preferred monogamy. I doubted that had changed in the past three years. Julian’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Tell her then. See what happens. She’s under my spell whether you like it or not.” “Fine.” I walked Piper’s horse back to the stables, where a stable hand stood waiti

Our game of tag lasted for another twenty minutes or so before Elva finally tired and wanted to pick flowers instead. Susie sat with her, teaching her how to make a flower crown with her gathered collection. Mark stood nearby, watchful. Nicholas and I sat in the grass a few yards off. I’d been ple

“Things haven’t been easy between you and me,” he said. “But I’m thinking that should change.” “What do you suggest?” He glanced back to Elva. Her flower crown stayed together this time. Smiling wide, she placed it on her head. “Let’s be friends,” he said. Surprised, I looked at him. He watche

Olivia’s words struck through me like a fatal blow. I didn’t deserve to be here. I knew that. Everyone knew that. But it wasn’t because I had loose morals or a child. It was simply because they were nobility, all prim and proper, and I was a shadow of my former self. A wolf-less waitress, just try