“So, tomorrow is the big day?” My father asks me as I finish packing my bag. “Yes, Lily finally turns 18.” What I leave unspoken is my fear that she won’t accept me. Things between us have gotten more and more strained as she’s gotten older and gotten closer to her birthday. It used to be that Lily was excited to see me, almost unable to help herself, running and jumping into my arms. Being ten years older than she is, I’ve always been very careful with my relationship with her. She’s been too young for me to start any kind of intimate relationship and I’ve been respectful of those lines. However, I’m afraid that it’s almost backfired on me. I can tell that Lily has put me in the ‘brother’ category. My feelings for her are anything but familial, I’ve just kept them in check for eighteen years. Now I’m hoping that the pull of the mate bond will help her see past the brotherly feelings she has for me and see me as the man who has wanted her for her entire life and most of mine. “What

I had hoped that giving Lily time would be what she needed to finally decide that she wanted me for her mate. However, nearly a year after she’s turned 18, she still hasn’t come to me. I’ve given her space and I’ve heard through the sprite grapevine that she’s been dating, or some semblance of dating. I know she hasn’t done anything with the wolves she’s dating, I would have felt it if she did.My father, after realizing that Lily wasn’t going to immediately accept me as her mate, decided that he would throw parties for me every month. Every eligible member of the fae monarchy has been in attendance. The fae monarchy is similar to that of the humans. So, every Marchioness, every Countess, every Viscountess, and every Baroness has been in attendance. While royal parties are not unusual, these are obviously meant to give me a chance to choose a different mate.My father is ready to pass the torch of the fae monarchy to me. He wants to spend time with his Queen, my step-mother, Anastasia

I couldn’t sleep at all last night, worried that I had finally pushed Aolis too far. When the sun finally starts to rise, I’ve made my decision. Aolis is mine. Even if my feelings for him are brotherly, I can’t lose him. In the year I’ve been ‘dating’, spending time with interested werewolves, none of them have come close to my feelings for Aolis. I need him in my life and that’s enough for me to finally make my decision.‘It’s about time.’ Hera grumbles in my mind. ‘I was afraid I was going to have to start killing Alphas to get my point across. I won’t accept anyone but our mate.’‘I know. I’ve taken too long to get with the program, but I’m here now.’‘Good. Let’s go get our mate.’I call Leana. If I’m going to Araphyra, I know my parents won’t want me going alone. My best friend is the only person I want with me.“Lily, it’s so early, is everything okay?” She doesn’t sound like I’ve woken her. We’re both used to being up early for morning training. I don’t waste any time getting t

I called my father last night, letting him know we were staying overnight in Alpha Leonardo’s pack and explained why. He was concerned about the possibility of wolves and vampires working together against the Guardians and said he would look into it as well. Leana and I are up early, knowing we have a long run today. As we’re leaving, we can still hear the grumbling of several warriors. This pack was reminded last night that Guardians are blessed by the Moon Goddess. Even Alpha Leonardo went down. To both of us. But he and his Beta were better sports about it than some of his pack members. Apparently, in this pack, it’s optional for the females to become warriors. Personally, I think that puts the pack at a disadvantage. Why wouldn’t a werewolf be a good fighter, simply because she’s a woman? I get taking time off when you’re pregnant or nursing, but to entirely ignore half of your pack’s population simply because they are women? As a woman and a Guardian, it’s insulting. In truth, i

The morning after we met with Alpha Wyatt, Leana and I grabbed an early breakfast before walking to the outskirts of the city. From there, we shifted and began running. The fastest way to Araphyra from here was through King Urien’s lands. While both Leana and I were feeling unsettled about crossing the vampire’s land, but our parents have known King Urien for years. He was the first of the vampires and other supernaturals to swear his allegiance to the Guardians, specifically to Aunt Angel. It takes us several hours again to get to the outskirts of King Urien’s lands. We stop and eat, discussing our plan. “I think we should cross. I’d rather not stay the night, do you agree?” Leana says to me. “Absolutely. I think I’d feel more comfortable sleeping outside than in a vampire’s lair.” “Who do you think will be guarding their borders?” Leana asks, as we finish our lunch, putting our garbage away to toss out later. I look up at the sky. It’s a bright, sunny day. While vampires don’t b