SHADOW A swirling, glimmering blue liquid glass, the size of a small door, appeared before me, like a dark storm or a black hole pulling a dark material that could take me to another dimension. Or worse, I ended up on flowing lava somewhere on the island of Hawaii. Still, I trusted Zarah that I had enough courage to step into it. When I thought it would hurt or twist bones or spaghettified and take time before I arrived, I was wrong. The moment I stepped in, the same time I was in her living room. And it didn’t hurt. “Thanks for creating a portal for me. It was weird, like cheating space and time.” I kissed Zarah on her cheek. “Better than traveling long hours.” “Yeah. That’s pretty convenient. I still don’t believe this is possible.” “Let me guess. Alpha Califf doesn’t know about this plan?” I shook my head. I was suddenly nervous. “I only told him a half of it, that I am meeting you.” “And he let you go without questions?” “I think you earn his trust. And as long as I don’t

CALIFF “Effective immediately, I’m stripping Elder Waylon and Elder Eleanor from the rank of Elders. They can stay in the territory or be banished. It’s their choice. As of this moment, they are regular members of the pack.” I signed the papers and stamped it with my blood. I changed my mind about banishing them. I still needed their insight and wisdom and trusted no one other than my parents. It was clear to me that most of the elders could turn their backs on me. And Shadow seemed okay with my father around. The Elders hadn’t said the word. “I expect a harder punishment for your father, Alpha,” Elder Aciano commented. “You expected jail time or death to show the pack that I could be ruthless? My mate has forgiven my father and has decided not to pursue extending this case to the council. Besides, we have more pressing matters at hand. Saving the lives of the pack members is more important to me than wasting my time on the crime. I wasn’t even an Alpha back then. And he was also

CALIFF Shadow looked ethereal— stunning, in her black floor-length gown. I might have to put a massive effort into my self-control tonight, and being possessive was a part of who we were—our natural instinct towards our mate. “I want you to wear this.” I put a tennis diamond necklace around her neck that I bought last week to accessorize her dress. “A family heirloom?” She traced her fingers over the jewelry. “It’s beautiful.” “No. A gift.” I kissed my mark on her neck as I looked at her reflection in the mirror. “Not as beautiful as you, baby.” “You’re not bad yourself, Alpha.” She turned around, fixing my tux. “You look dashing. I’m afraid I have to gorge a lot of women’s eyes tonight if they keep on fantasizing and ogling what’s mine.” I lifted her chin with my finger. “Look at me, baby.” She met my gaze. Her eyes filled with joy mixed with lust. “I’m serious, Califf.” “I know, but I only have an eye on you. Let me prove it to you after the party.” “How do you plan on prov

CALIFF “Baby, can we talk?” She shut me out completely. After that fight, she wouldn’t even look at me. She showed up one minute for the after-party to show her support to her mate, then went to see her grandfather. That was twenty-four hours ago. She slid up the window shield of the private jet to ignore me. She had been successful so far. Zarah and Aira gave us time to talk while Zack and Lyon grabbed a drink at the back. “Baby, please. It’s been a day. Just talk to me, yell at me, curse me, hurt me. Just let it out, but I need you.” Her head turned to me in slow motion with eyes filled with rage, glowing. “Yell at you, hurt you? That’s not enough, asshole! Do you know what you did to me when you went to fight? You killed me over and over again! I thought my mate would die there, so hurting you wouldn’t be enough of what you put me through. What the fuck were you thinking?” At least she was talking to me. I took all her anger. I would be fine, but shutting me out? It fucking h

CALIFF “What?” I ignored the pang in my chest at how she answered my call. I understood she hadn’t forgiven me, but it was hard to bear being away from her. “Baby, I need you here.” “I was there until this afternoon, Califf.” I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. “I know, baby, but it’s been a week. Your responsibility is not only for the pack but also for me as my mate. I need you, please. My wolf needs you.” “Do you think it’s been easy for me? I hope this teaches you a lesson, Califf. I’d rather watch you from afar than watch you die because you think you need to save me. I don’t want you to do something reckless on my account. Your pack needs you more than they need me.” “Everyone needs us, Shadow, especially me. Please, come back. I barely slept at night for the past week. When you came here, you barely talked to me. You barely looked at me. What do you want me to do for you to come back?” “Time. I need time.” “Then that might be a problem?” “Why is that?” I could hear t