Marku seemed to sense Coal’s growing anger. “However, you’re a big motherfucker, and I’ve seen your Wolf fight. You have skill. You also have resources to protect her. Brinley’s identity as mine is no longer hidden, so the strategy changes from defensive to offensive now. It’s the reason I’m here. Everyone knows you’ll defend her, but not everyone has met me. They need to understand that you are not the only shitstorm coming for them should anyone dare to harm her.”I glanced up to Coal. Obsidian eyes stayed locked on Marku.Marku easily held Coals intense gaze. “I will set up safeguards wherever I can, but I assumed you won’t let me post vampire guards in the pack, so it’s the reason I asked Queen Raine to join us. Her kingdom is the nearest vampire safety. And quite frankly, I wouldn’t trust Brinley with anyone but her.”Finally, Coal spoke, “You’re absolutely right, there will be no overt vampire presence here. It would simply be too unsettling for the wolves. I will take care of B

Silent tears ran down my cheeks."Enough!" a male roared straight from my consciousness-Coal!Abruptly, the scene changed. The door slammed shut. Completely removed from the horrid room of memories, I stood in the hallway of the imaginary house in my mind and panted to catch my breath.Growls echoed in my mind, Marku's anger overlapping Coal's fury. I looked up. Marku still stood by my side. A muscle in his jaw twitched but he spoke quietly, "Very good, young Wolf. Let's go. 'This time, Marku gently tugged my hand as he took a step forward. I let him lead me down the hallway. We passed three doors, but as we drew closer to the dark cloud that impeded my vision making it impossible for me to see the end of the hallway, I pulled against Marku's hold, too afraid to breach the darkness.Marku automatically stopped. Reaching his hand to touch the nearest door knob, his eyes met mine with a question, waiting. I knew what waited for us was behind the door, a different pain this time, unimag

" What happened, did I do something wrong while....," My voice broke tracing the line of stitching, easily a foot long across his abdomen. All of this was because of me, everything that happened to everyone around me, was because of me. I had that feeling."Its a long story buts its okay. It doesn't hurt as bad as it looks," Coal whispered, taking my hand from his skin and holding it against his chest and I could feel his pounding heartbeat beneath his skin. "I promise, it's hurting you more than it hurts me," My own words reflected off him, a small smirk crowding his lips. I knew he'd never speak of what happened when i went in the horrid room of memories and he'd never tell me details, but I couldn't help but feel a heavy guilt. "I promise," He dropped his pants to the floor, his belt jingling sending shivers down my spine. I closed my eyes, trying to calm the anxiety I felt from just that sound. My mother's shouting and my screaming echoed in my memories at just that sound.I had t

I wore a dress of lace with a hint of blue and held a bouquet of gathered wild flowers in my hand. I had not nerves, but pure excitement building in me, I could not wait to be Coal's wife. I wore simple jewelry, though he picked lavish expensive jewels, they just weren't me.I wondered how he'd be dressed, standing there at the end of the isle so perfect. The entire pack was to attend, along with Marku's pack. All the vampires, all the wolves and all the children to be in one place for the first time in a long time.I found that white wasn't exactly fitting this time around, and Aatos assisted Coal, choosing the color I saw in his eyes when he looked at me with all the love in the world, a color he shared with the beast. It was a part of him.I took a deep breath, the rest of my life just around the corner.Aatos looped her arm in mine, Queen Raine on the other side of me.cameras, waves, and smiles from the isles as we passed, but I could only focus on one thing and it was the angeli