Chapter 83
ELENA
The heat hit the moment we stepped off the plane.
That heavy, languid warmth that settled on your shoulders like a silk robe–luxurious at first, but stifling if you sat in it too long. I tilted my face toward the sun and let it bake av the tension that had clung to me since the Summit.
It was my first time on this particular island in Barbados. A rare human enclave that lived peacefully–and knowingly–with werewolves. I’d always wanted to see it.
The salt–laced breeze off the ocean tangled in my hair as I lounged poolside, sunglasses slipping down the bridge of my nose, a half–melted drink sweating beside me.
Aiden cannonballed into the shallow end, sending a splash halfway to the lounge chairs. “Mom! Did you see that?”
I pushed the sunglasses up. “You soaked half the patio.”
He grinned, unbothered. “That’s the point.”
“Just be sure you’re not getting any other guests wet, bud, this is a resort, not our own private pool,” I reminded him.
It felt good to see him like this. Relaxed. Carefree. Like a normal kid instead of the child of two Alphas who had already lived through more war and politics than most adults.
We needed this.
Not just a break from Moonstone or Derek or the increasingly tense atmosphere between the packs. But a break from the watchfulness. The waiting. The constant threat that lurked like a shadow behind every peaceful moment.
Here, under the sun, with the sound of gulls and laughter and the splash of pool water–I
almost believed we were free of it all.
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Almost.
I turned a page in my book just as a shadow passed over me.
“Fancy seeing you again, Princess.”
I looked up, blinking into the light.
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Tall. Broad shoulders. Sun–streaked blond hair and a white tank that clung to muscles he absolutely knew he had.
My mind whirled through a mental rolodex, finally stopping the shuffle when I remembered meeting him at the Alpha Ball.
I sat up a little straighter, offering a polite nod. “Alpha Jacob.”
His grin widened. “Just Jacob while I’m off–duty.”
He wasn’t alone. A woman stood behind him—a goddess, really. Bronze skin, dark hair twisted into an intricate braid, her eyes sharp and curious. She said nothing, but her hand rested lightly on Jacob’s forearm in that easy, practiced way that said mine.
“Enjoying the sun?” he asked.
“Trying to.” I smiled, cool and measured.
“Well, if you’re looking for dinner recommendations, we found a great seafood spot right on the bay–private booths, strong drinks, no paparazzi.”
I raised a brow. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Jacob winked, then let the silence stretch a beat too long before nodding and walking away, his arm still claimed by the beautiful stranger.
“Don’t like him,” Aiden muttered, climbing out of the pool with a splash.
I laughed and handed him a towel. “Why not?”
“He’s fake,” he said, squinting after Jacob. “Like… too many teeth when he smiles. He’s up
Chapter 83
to something.”
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I chuckled and shook my head ruefully. “Remind me never to play poker with you.”
Aiden looked longingly at the human children that were splashing happily in the other end of the pool. He longed to play with them, but I had told him not to–he tended to horse around pretty hard and I didn’t him using his superior werewolf strength to inadvertently
hurt a human child.
I sighed, and started packing up our various pool accoutrements.
“Need a hand?” said a friendly voice.
3
I looked up to see an older gentleman–werewolf by the smell of him–smiling down at me.
He had a pockmarked, scarred face, and I immediately pinned him for a Gamma or some
other high–ranking warrior who had seen more than one battle in his day.
“No thanks,” I said, giving him a small smile. “I’ve got it.”
He looked down at Aiden who was slipping on his flip flops, still watching the kids at the
other end of the pool.
He looked about to say something, but stepped back respectfully, nodding to me before
moving on.
We headed back to the room after lunch, but the relaxed haze was already starting to fade. I
called Mason once Aiden was distracted with the gaming system that came with our room.
He picked up on the second ring.
“Elena.”
“Hi,” I said. “How goes it on the homefront?”
“It goes,” he said, sighing heavily. “You having good weather?”
“We are,” I assured him, stepping onto our patio that led from our room. It overlooked a large green lawn that was framed in by palm trees and birds of paradise. I wasn’t quite sure
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Chapter 83
how to ask my next question, so I just dove right in.
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