in ages. For once, the nightmares didn't plague my slee

eze when I saw Magnus. He was perched on the couch, his gaze fixed intently

n tank top and lace panties. Surprisingly, I wasn't self-

sing my arms over my chest. My stom

es, and that ever-present mask covering the lower half of his face. The mask irritate

er down my spine and tapped his watch, clear

r later," Kira teased in my mind, imagining al

for a kiss," I muttered,

ands on my hips. "You'v

is disheveled dark hair

resser and pulling out a blouse and some jean shorts. My eyes dar

flush of warmth as his eyes lingered on my bare skin. A shi

him again. His gaze was once again fixe

eting his gaze. The mask only intensified

forced. I pondered how many women he had been assigned to guard and how many ha

I said, letting my words l

nterrupted me. "Come in,"

and the broken door. My face flushed slightly,

ng for ages," Ember hu

epish smile. "So

. She's out at the gazebo waiting fo

oming home today. "Crap, let's go!" I said, catching Magnus's ga

ere Vesper was already stand

n about me," she said dramatically, rolling her blue eye

mpossible. You wouldn't let me if I tried,"

I still had a more rounded figure that se

dn't wait for an invitation and grabbed a couple of finger sandwiches, while Ember gave me a small s

hile I was gone," Vesper began excited

ed to ask, but

mber whispered

ening with curiosity. "Who is that?" she aske

tarted, but Ves

relia! He's huge," she said in a stage whisper, clearly

g her a pointed look. She rais

" Ember said, shaking h

k remained. "

is eyes seemed locked on me, and I could have sworn

in surprise. "He's

ing full well where this

agnus's form. I stifled a growl of annoyance, perplexe

my plate, exchanging a k

eyes shifted to Magnus, who r

ted possessiveness and shrugge

's voice was barely a whisper, thou

. Besides, why would I need to know?" My irritation was growing. Even though it was

e silence, and I couldn't help but not

Vesper, igniting a spark of jealousy within me. Vesper's behavior was alwa

Vesper asked, leaning forw

back to me. "No," he answered firmly. His deep voice

carried a hint of mock sympathy, tho

s, Magnus?" she asked, her

sy I felt. "He doesn't really talk," I said,

esper said with a giggle, he

let me know your secre

distracted by Aurelia's bodyguard?" Ember

into an ex of mine, and we really hit it off. We might have eve

hooting a pointed look toward Magnus that didn't escape my

," Ember said with a sigh. We hugged her goodbye, and

s party tomorrow night. I really want you to

not sure if Da

with you drinking, he shouldn't mind a party,"

me drinking because I'm a Lycan.

's a casual get-together, and that Magnus

ask him," I sai

to my office?" My uncle's

soon," I replied, e

er. My uncle's callin

ink thing you wolves have. It's li

a cellphone you c

ter you talk to your dad!"

atch up with you later!" I rep

spected that my dad and uncle were keeping something from me. I knew the basics: we wer

ually take his place, I needed to understand the full scope of our situation. My uncle, on the other ha