de

ner? How in the world did the lovely, content girl I met three years ago end up? My family has noticed as wel

ay? Do they want me to put her out of my mind? Given her

e her hand once more. Dammit, she

smile, please?

le. I can tell how phony i

r ear. I know it's too close, but I can't help but want to he

traightens, and I watch a look of scorn cross her fa

attempting to make me look bad, goddess? She vie

wolves bothering me are Luna and my own mate, y

nwavering rigidity, we meet the D

e, Ophelia moves forward to her blue-and-white one. We light them together. A thud and a few shrieks break

ll her into my arms, her forehead is clammy, and s

y, Alpha," the DarkWolves

and I stand wit

theart, st

rs, "What

irl." I take off, ru

round as she starts to become more

infir

ocks me with her harsh

threateningly. Does she ha

that. I'll be alright. She softens her voice and

remony. I can check in with Ophelia later to make sure she

hind. I look at her, my concern for my partner unwavering. "F

candle I knocked down and march back to the center of the floor. I ignore the strange look the DarkWolf Luna is giving me. I only have

Ophelia?"

nt. Gideon, she didn't feel like she could ta

s voice. I scoff, "She fucking fainte

azement, then downcast wit

how Ophelia is doing. She's snuggled up on the side of her bed. She s

e. Tell me what's not right. Ar

ays, shakin

I wonder,

ing. Perhaps

heal werewolves. What are the odds that

or our kind. Werewolves are swiftly killed by cancer. What other symptoms might a fai

ou pre

up at me. "Nah! Ho

timate touch. An entire fucking year of being so near

the truth

pregnant

Ophelia. Goddess, if you are telling lies, help me. I'm returning

ate's sadness over Luna's absence. Two, then three hours pass as I sip glass after glass of the deep red wine. Her harsh, cold eyes

couch. I want to enter the bedroom, but I won't improve things between us in my current st

ur chilly bed. That door is awful. I want to break it into litt

struggle to remain silent and cover up my disgust at he

do you fee

murmur

day?" First, let me try to be polite. Then, even though she

ief, stiff sha

me not to be playful and lighthearted when I speak. Her sunken c

nger you, Gideon," are like

now left for their homes.

p up something for myself," she re

eat now?" I ask,

I wish to be

yself before I can. No, I must touch her. When I try to g

'm dependi

N

e pink tongue out and moistens her lips. Goddamn, those lips are so annoying.

mb. "I'll feed you, beautiful." She gives a small whimper, and I shudde

mine, and my knees almost buckle. Guilt for forcing her to fight while experiencing the

from me, me hot on her tongue and breath. When sh

ash out your mouth if you have to, but

s though she's afraid, and I get a knot in my stomach from guilt. She settles down next to me, and I d