RyanAfter Fraser is done with my hair, I look like a completely different person. My unruly locks have been expertly trimmed and styled, giving me a sleek look that somehow accentuates my strong jawline. Fraser’s deft fingers have worked out some magic as my hair now falls perfectly on my forehead, enhancing my blue eyes.“Who would think you’ve got such lovely hair under all that mess,” Fraser winks at me in the mirror, shameless, even though he knows I’m in love with a woman. “Now, for the clothes...”“Next stop, wardrobe!” Lydia declares triumphantly as she leads me to another room filled with racks of clothes. Lara follows suit, a cheeky grin plastered across her face.“You look hot,” she whispers.My eyes narrow. “I’m taken.”“I know, but if she breaks your heart, you know where to find me, hottie,” Lara winks at me, and I’m forced to look away to hide my laughter. This girl is insane...In the wardrobe room, a man named Julian waits patiently, measuring tape draped around his n

SallyI observe Ryan’s motionless figure from the doorway, taking in his peaceful appearance. He looks so sweet. But I know that beneath his calm exterior, he is in agony. I can sense his pain through our mate bond. He needs blood, and I know it’s my responsibility to provide it for him, even if things are tense between us at the moment.A hand lands on my shoulder, and I whirl around to look down at Lydia. “Please don’t be mad at him,” her eyes dart to Ryan and then back to mine. “I know that he left you for an entire month, but...I think he made that decision only because he thought it was right.”“Agreed,” Lara says. She is leaning her back against the wall and shoots me a grin. “I hate to say it, Sally, but that man deeply loves you.”I frown. “If Ryan loved me, he wouldn’t have left me.”She laughs and shakes her head. “You’re so oblivious that it isn’t even funny anymore...”“I’m not oblivious,” I growl. “And what makes you so sure that he loves me?!”Lydia and Lara exchange a l

SallyMy neck stings a little when Ryan bites me, but his toxins soon wash the pain away. It feels...wonderful. I go entirely limp, breathing slowly while he drinks from me to regain his strength.After feeding, he kisses the spot and whispers, “I really needed that. Thank you.”I grin and scoot closer, snuggling into his chest. He smells just like my favorite shower gel, making me giggle. “You smell just like me. I wonder why?” I tease playfully.Ryan sighs. “I know! But it was the only option I had. You didn’t have any manlier options in your bathroom.”Another giggle slips out from my lips. “You’re so silly...”Ryan cuddles me back and kisses me on the top of my head. Everything feels fantastic...until I hear someone running up the stairs.“Sally?!”My eyes widen. “M-mom?!”The door to my room is opened without my mom bothering to give it a knock. I haven’t seen her or my dad in years, and I gape like a goldfish when they pause in the doorway.I don’t know who looks more shocked. M

SallyHis eyes widen, but he doesn’t protest. Instead, he swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. I feel a rush of power at his reaction, and a tingle spreads across my skin.I feel beautiful with the way he gazes at me. I might be pregnant and huge, but that somehow only makes me feel even more like a sexy, hot woman. My smile widens and I slowly place my hands on his chest, tracing them down his abs. His eyelashes flutter closed as a small groan escapes his lips, encouraging me to explore more.And I’m going to.My fingers dance along the waistband of his pants, and then I tug them down. Ryan lifts himself off the bed just enough to help me. Once they join my clothes on the floor, I straddle him again, feeling exposed in both my body and soul.“Sally,” Ryan says in a voice that tells me just how much he wants me. His red eyes are dark with desire; it’s an intoxicating sight.“Yes?” I whisper back and stand up from the couch. He looks surprised—until I’m between his legs and

Lara“Can you give me another pillow?” Sally asks. Her pregnant belly looks ready to burst, and I quickly hand her another pillow for her poor back.“Here.”“Thank you,” she slides it behind her and then gives me a thoughtful look. “No offense, but you’ve had this wide-eyed look ever since you came home. Did something happen at the warrior practice?”An image of Alpha Ashton stroking my upper thigh flashes across my mind, and my cheeks turn molten hot. Sally is my best friend, but I couldn’t possibly tell her that her rotten ex-mate made me wet after practice. She would never forgive me, so I should keep it to myself.“N-no…”She laughs. “Lara, you’re terrible at lying, and is that a blush? Wow. I’ve never seen you blush before.”“No, I’m just…angry,” I’m not exactly lying. I still feel mortified about how my own body betrayed me earlier.“About?”Crap. What do I tell her? A half-truth?Sally is looking up at me with her big, doe-eyes, and I sigh heavily. “Your ex-mate is a jerk.”Her