A million different emotions flittered across Mark’s face in the span of an instant, but then, in the next, happiness won out. He barreled forward, scooped Susie up against him, and kissed her senseless. When they came up for air, he peppered her entire face with butterfly kisses until she was giggl

When Bridget opened the door to her rooms, the first person she saw was Nicholas. A brilliant smile blossomed across her face. But then, in the next moment, she opened the door wider and saw me standing there too. That perfect smile wavered. “Piper,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting you.” “It seeme

In my mind, my wolf was rampaging, storming back and forth, smashing against the walls I used to contain it. I wanted to run. I wanted to fight. I wanted to tackle Bridget to keep her away from my mate. “Well, look at the time. We have to go,” Nicholas said at once. He never checked his watch. Who

My wolf cowered inside of me, hurt crashing in on all sides. Rejection. It seeped into every pore and every bone. I knew I shouldn’t feel that way. Nicholas was pragmatic and cautious. He wouldn’t want to have a baby out of wedlock with anyone, even me. But my wolf’s reaction is visceral, as if

Since we needed special costumes for the event, the candidates, Julian, and Nicholas all attended a group fitting in one of the larger sitting rooms. This large room had several smaller rooms connected, where individuals could go to change or have more personal measurements taken. My costume was a

I wanted to say no with every fiber of my being. But when I look at Elva, I noticed she was watching me with doe eyes, taking in my every expression. Did she actually want to call Bridget Auntie? Was she simply reading my negative energy, and that was what had been making her uncomfortable? I trie

While Elva was skipping around nearby, I explained to Susie everything that had happened the past few days with Nicholas and me, up to and including the most recent incident of him telling me he wanted to avoid having penetrative sex so I wouldn’t get pregnant. Of course, I said all of this very q

I was blessed to have actual friends here. People who loved and cared for Elva, for real. Meanwhile, Julian, still watching Bridget and Nicholas interact, continued, “Bridget is a movie star. We can’t think she’d be happy sitting around all day in the palace while Nicholas deals with kingly duties

I set out to show Julian what having a real girlfriend should be like as soon as I could, so early the next morning, I dressed in my cutest sundress and showed up to his door with a basket of fresh bread I plucked straight from the kitchen. It was still warm. I knocked on his door. Brian opened it

“Maybe we should try a different game,” Julian said. “Something easier.” “Like what?” I asked. “Go fish,” he said, and we both laughed. A game for children might have been more fitting, honestly. At least then, I might have stood a chance. I had no proof but I had a feeling, just knowing Julian,