Viviane’s POVThe pack house isn’t what I expected. I always pictured a cold, stuffy mansion. Instead it’s warm and welcoming.Caspian blows smoke into the air, watching me out of the corner of his eye. “First time here?”I nod, looking around the party with unbridled curiosity. Guests mill around packed gaming tables, dressed to the nines and juggling drinks. I don’t recognize many people, but based on their appearances I suspect they’re Academy students. The few faces I do know from Asterion High are far from friendly. I’ve only seen them from afar – apparently I lack the pedigree to be invited to their exclusive cliques.“I don’t get to host often.” Caspian explains, steering me forward with a possessive hand on the small of my back. “But the Alpha is away on business.” The corner of his mouth twitches, “parties here are a bit different.”“I wouldn’t know.” My face flushes, more from the heat of his touch than any embarrassment. “I’d never even been to a party before last week.”Ca

Viviane’s POVI feel like I’m coming unraveled at the seams, like every stitch of my being is slowly unfurling, leaving me weak and shapeless. I can’t keep up with Caspian, and I’m afraid I’ll lose myself if I try.I’ve heard about fated mates who do not truly fit together, couples who share a physical bond but lack the emotional connection to live happily together. It’s rare, but it does happen, and I’m starting to think Caspian and I may be one of these unlucky couples.There’s no denying I’m attracted to him, and there’s no question he feels the same. When we are together I feel safe and whole in a way I’ve never experienced before, but when it comes to our personalities I think we could not be more poorly suited.It took all of my strength to come here today, to walk into a den of bloodthirsty wolves cheering for the destruction of their kin. I gave all to keep my promise to Caspian, but all he sees in my efforts is failure. I was not there for his trials, I was not there to cheer

Viviane’s POVI can’t recall my mother ever truly lecturing me. Certainly we’ve had our arguments a few times over the years, after all, what teenager gets along with their parents all the time? However this is the first time in my memory she’s been genuinely angry with me, angry enough to raise her voice.My head is buried in my hands, a horrible ache searing through my temples as she circles the kitchen table, swaying on her feet as admonishments pour from her mouth.“Mom, please sit down.” I implore.“What’s the point in sitting?!” She cries, throwing her hands in the air. “We’ll probably be dead in a week.”Caspian’s visit had not gone over well. While it had successfully distracted the future Alpha from his efforts to sniff out my identity, his announcement had opened an entirely different can of worms.Mom held it together while he explained our meeting at the talent competition and expressed his affection for me, as well as his desire to help improve our situation. However the

Caspian’s POVPearls.Pearls scatter the floor around my feet, bouncing onto the hard wood and rolling off in every direction. I pull away from Viviane only far enough to see the horrified expression on her beautiful face, and suddenly everything falls into place.Every sign, every clue, every hint that’s appeared since we met lurches to the forefront of my mind, puzzle pieces locking themself into place of their own accord.“Viviane.” She won’t look at me, stubbornly clamping her stunning eyes shut. “When those girls trapped you in the classroom, why didn’t you shift?” I ask, voicing the questions I previously spared her. Shifters are not shy about nudity, so why had Viviane been so upset over having her clothes stolen, why hadn’t she covered herself by shifting? “Why didn’t you break down the door yourself or go out the window? You were only on the second floor.”Viviane cracks her eyes open, her features twisted into a forlorn grimace. “You know why.”I drop my forehead to hers, wi

Viviane’s POV“How is this possible?”Caspian is still standing over Mordred in wolf form, his fangs dripping with blood. His paws are planted on my attacker’s chest, pinning him to the ground with bruising force, but Caspian’s attention is fixed solely on me.At first it hadn’t even occurred to me that he couldn’t speak when shifted, I simply heard his voice and responded reflexively. Now it seems all too surreal, can I really be hearing Caspian speak in my mind?“You’re mates.” Chase explains evenly, still trying to balance Caspian’s out-of-control emotions with his unfailing calm. “It’s right for you to be linked this way.”My eyes swing back and forth between the men. “Does it work both ways?”Chase is watching his friend closely, seeming to notice the way Caspian’s focus lingers on my ripped clothing. Before answering he pulls off his jacket, moving forward to offer me the garment.I leap backward out of Chase’s reach, my mind registering nothing but the fact that a man is approa